West Seattle, Washington
06 Saturday
1:55 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police have blocked off the area around the Southwest Precinct – including taping off SW Webster, as the photo shows – and are searching for someone in the area. They’ve also called in the Arson and Bomb Squad. This all started with the discovery of something that officers themselves described over the air only as something “suspicious”; they’re looking for someone related to it, seen on cameras around 12:44 pm. More information when we get it.
1:58 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Eric Muñoz tells WSB that they’re investigating a “suspicious device” found near the flagpole outside the precinct.
Among the places you can find unique creations for gifts – or yourself – are local art studios with special events, as featured in our Holiday Guide.
RAIN CITY CLAY: Deb Schwartzkopf is hosting a weekend show/sale at her Rain City Clay at 4208 SW 100th in Arbor Heights. We stopped by during last night’s opening reception.
More than 80 artists are participating, with more than 3,000 handmade ceramic pots, ornaments, sculptures and more.
Open until 7 tonight.
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO: Not far away, Westwood Art Studio at 9042 31st SW is hosting a multi-artist show and sale this weekend and next. Studio owner is Damian Grava:
He also opened the studio for a reception last night.
They’re also open until 7 tonight.
VIVA TOUR: And you can studio-hop both days this weekend with a ferry ride to Vashon Island, The VIVA (Vashon Island Visual Artists) Holiday Art Studio Tour is happening until 5 pm today, 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and both days next weekend, and sponsoring WSB right now to help amplify the invitation. You’ll find a map at vivartists.com. 40 studios and galleries, more than 140 artists!
Thanks to Lisa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the photo from the first of six mornings with Santa at the shop for selfies! Every weekend morning through December 21, 8:30-11 am – as featured in our West Seattle Holiday Guide‘s Santa photo-ops list – he’ll be there. DIY photos for donations benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank!
8:30 AM: That’s Al‘s plate at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s benefit pancake breakfast, happening right now at the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds in The Junction), continuing until 11 am. Only $10 at the door (kids are free with paying adults) gets you pancakes, ham, juice, coffee, tea … free Santa photo, and if you have new unwrapped toys to donate, a Toys for Tots drive too. More photos to come!
10:12 AM: Tons of toys, and as seen above, more kept arriving – we were there about midway through the four-hour event. Lots of people enjoying pancakes, too!
Lots of smiles with the Kiwanis’s kitchen crew:
This runs on volunteer power, including Scouts from Troop/Pack 284 who are helping serve:
Marines including Cpl. E4 Devan Sanchez are there for the toy drive, and Santa is there for pics:
We’re told Santa’s stand-in (shhh) this morning is Peter Gelpi, featured in a recent WSB story about his volunteer work in Ukraine, where he’ll also be standing in for Santa on Christmas Eve! The crowd, meantime, is all ages:
Proceeds will help fund the Kiwanis Club’s work with youth – raffle items and the online auction too:
And the pancakes keep flying out of the kitchen – by 9 o’clock they’d sent out 10 takeout orders too!
Next big event for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, the Hometown Holidays Coat Drive at their booth on the south end of the Farmers’ Market, one week from tomorrow, on Sunday, December 14, 10 am-2 pm – bring a new or gently used coat/jacket to donate, get cocoa!
(Latest image from Junction traffic cam – remember Alaska will be closed east of here this pm)
Happy Saturday! We have another two-part event list – first part is a long list of seasonal happenings from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
SANTA PHOTOS AND PANCAKES: Santa photos are part of what you’ll find at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast, 7 am-11 am December 6th at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) – details and tickets here. (If you miss your $8 online ticket, it’s only $10/door, youngest kids eat free;) Bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!
SELFIES WITH SANTA: 8:30 am-11 am Saturday and Sunday mornings in December, DIY photos with Santa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), donation requested for West Seattle Food Bank.
HOLIDAY SWAP SHOP: Bring, and get, toys at this swap, 9 am-noon at Keller Williams Realty (5446 California SW), presented by the Pearsall Team.
HOLIDAY GIFT POP-UP: 9 am-6 pm, handcrafted creations for sale. (4002 39th SW)
BAKE & CRAFT SALE AT THE KENNEY: Handmade and homemade items for sale, 10 am-4 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SHOP AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER, BENEFIT STUDENTS: Part of the proceeds at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) 10 am-5 pm today will benefit WSHS Cross Country.
VIVA STUDIO TOUR ON VASHON: 10 am-5 pm each day, self-guided tour of Vashon artists’ studios. Info and locations at vivartists.com. (WSB sponsor)
PICS WITH SANTA AT HOLIDAY FOOD-DRIVE PARTY: 10 am-noon party at 5446 California SW – bring food and/or $ for West Seattle Food Bank.
FREE PET PICS WITH SANTA: 10 am-noon at Windermere in The Junction. (4526 California SW)
SANTA PHOTOS AND TOY SWAP: 10 am-1 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau), Santa photos by donation, toy swap open to all (and accepting dropoffs in advance), more info here.
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Two-weekend group show and sale, 10 am-6 pm today, more info here. (9042 31st SW)
ARTIST POP-UP AT CAPERS HOME: 11 am-4 pm, you’ll find artists including Diane Kappa (WSB sponsor) at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; also a WSB sponsor).
RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale this weekend, featuring artists who work with clay. Hours today are 11 am-7 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
DIY SANTA PICS: 11 am-2 pm at John L. Scott in The Junction. Free; “well-behaved pets welcome.” (4445 California SW)
SANTA AT OUNCES: Free pics with the jolly ol’ fella 1-4 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
TOYS FOR TOTS AT SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29: Drop off new, unwrapped toy(s) at Station 29 (2139 Ferry Avenue SW) between 2 and 4 pm.
JUNCTION NIGHT MARKET: Hometown Holidays Night Market on tree-lighting night in The Junction. See vendor list here! 4 to 8 pm.
JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING AND PERFORMANCES: Here’s the schedule for what’s happening besides the Night Market – remember that SW Alaska is closed east of California SW:
4:00 PM Festival begins. Night Market is open
4:30 PM Endolyne Choir
5:00 PM School of Rock
5:30 PM Pet Costume Contest
5:45 PM Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM Night Market closes
HOLIDAY BENEFIT CONCERT: Pearsall Properties presents live performances at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) 5 pm-8 pm.
CHRISTMAS TREES: As noted here, every place that sells them in West Seattle is up and running! Scroll through the Holiday Guide any time for the list.
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, times vary. Tickets and info here.
(Friday sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)
And here are the non-holiday-season events for today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
‘KING TIDE’: 7:29 am, 12.9 feet – highest (predicted) high tide of the month; weather conditions can push it higher.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Launch your weekend with a community run! West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-11:30 am, prospective families are invited to visit Explorer West. RSVP here if you can, (10015 28th SW; WSB sponsor)
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: If you’re looking for an elementary school, come find out about Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) during today’s open house, 10 am-noon.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.
WHILE YOU’RE AT SSC … the Otter Pup truck’s soft open with coffee and sweet treats is scheduled to continue today, 11 am-2 pm. (6000 16th SW)
THE BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Learn about the cooperative elementary school and join current families for play, 10 am-noon. (10300 28th SW)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 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.
FREE WRITING GROUP: In session again this week, 10:30 am, info in our calendar listing.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)
GRIEFSHARE: Newest session continues, 10:30 am at Grace Church, no charge (10323 28th SW)
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
TALK WITH YOUR ANIMALS: Yes, you can! Find out how during this 11 am class at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW and SW Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Bonus monthly session, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.
SUPER SMASH SATURDAYS: 1-10 pm at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs).
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
WRECK THE HALLS ROLLER DERBY: 5 pm pre-show, 6 pm roller-derby exhibition bout with Rainier Roller Riot and Bellingham Roller Betties’ Grit Pit, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center) – tickets here.
‘PENELOPE’ AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse offers something different this holiday season – the folk-pop musical “Penelope,” with a 7:30 pm curtain; get tickets here. (4711 California SW)
COMMUNITY PAGEANT AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, drag pageant for Miss, Ms., Mr., and Mx. Community – tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
NERDLESQUE: 7:30 pm “burlesque for nerds” show with sci-fi theme, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 18+, tickets here.
LIVE MUSIC AT MR. B’S: 8 pm, Leafminer and Noe Navarro at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), no cover.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Topspin at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Flip side of king tides is low-low tides, and tonight at 11:43 pm the tide will be out to 3.8 feet!
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Windy night for a Christmas tree lighting, but Our Lady of Guadalupe went on with the show tonight. Brian Callanan emceed the festive “Light Up the Night“ ceremony in which OLG lit the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree, as you can see and hear:
OLG student singers and The Starry Crowns led caroling before and after the tree went on, with classic carols including “Joy to the World,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”:
(photos added) Another favorite, “Jingle Bells” with participants invited to jingle their keys:
(This photo, next 2, and tree above – WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin)
The tree lighting and caroling were just part of OLG’s annual community celebration:
Indoors, it was story time with Santa, and the fill-the-sleigh food drive for St. Vincent de Paul:
West Seattle’s other big tree lighting is at 6 pm tonight in The Junction.
5:48 PM: More than 4,900 homes and businesses are out of power right now, mostly in northwest West Seattle. Not sure yet about what’s to blame – multiple trees have just been reported down, including one at California/Alaska in The Junction blocking part of northbound California.
(Thanks to Amy for the photo – she says “It hit a row of Lime bikes but nothing else”)
(Added: WSB photo by Oliver Hamlin, showing the aforementioned Lime bikes)
Updates to come.
5:54 PM: Police radio indicates the outage is likely related to a tree down in the Admiral area. (Exactly where, we don’t know – nothing telltale on the SFD or SPD logs.) You’ve probably noticed the wind kicking up big time this evening – the National Weather Service did not have our area under an alert for that, though.
6:20 PM: The wind has calmed somewhat, at least up here.
6:42 PM: A commenter points out that the NWS has belatedly posted a Wind Advisory alert, timestamped 6:10 pm, in effect until midnight.
7:41 PM: Several notes/comments suggest this originated somewhere in this area uphill from south Alki.
7:57 PM: Our archives say this is the 15th West Seattle outage this year affecting 100 or more customers. Half were blamed on falling trees. We also had a few caused by drivers hitting poles, an unfortunate bird, an unexplained pole fire, and the most recent one before this, 3,000 customers on November 23, was blamed on “a broken cross-arm.”
8:43 PM: Still out. Remember, don’t open your refrigerator/freezer – the air temp will stay low for hours. How many hours? Here’s the federal advice.
9:51 PM: No updates; fifth hour now. The customers out in West Seattle are now more than two-thirds of those out SCL-wide.
10:03 PM: Yma points out in comments that the Wind Advisory has been extended to 3 am. It’s also now suggesting top gusts could reach 55 mph, 10 mph above the previous forecast.
10:50 PM: Saw a flicker, hoped it meant some were getting restored, and indeed, the SCL map says the power’s back on for most. Fewer than 100 are still shown as out.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“This is urgent.” That’s how Seattle City Light leaders summarized what they say the utility needs to deal with challenges both new and longrunning.
The briefing for the Sustainability, City Light, Arts and Culture Committee this morning (starting 45 minutes into the video above) was meant to answer questions such as “why so many power outages” – they acknowledged outages are more numerous, and longer, than their target numbers. But they only discussed the 40 percent of outages they say are caused by infrastructure problems such as equipment failure. “We need to focus on not being the cause of our own outages,” declared City Light CEO Dawn Lindell.
To get to that point, City Light reps said, it will cost almost three and a half billion dollars. They say SCL is still suffering from “historically underfunded and deferred maintenance,” staff cuts, and other problems dating back to money woes from the 2001 Enron scandal.
One of the biggest points of failure: Direct-buried underground cables. That’s the kind currently being replaced in Brace Point; SCl says it has 330 miles of it but they’ve been replacing it so slowly, some of it could be more than a century old before they ever get to it.
Above ground, problems include various components that tend to fail, including lots of small parts with a big impact on reliability. Replacement of such parts has to accelerate to three times the current rate, said Andrew Strong, the City Light executive who did most of the talking. He added that, as seen in other states, transmission-line trouble can spark fires, which are not only devastating to victims, but costly to those culpable – he mentioned one utility’s multi-billion-dollar settlement.
Then there’s the issue of capacity. The demand on the system keeps increasing – the Port of Seattle, alone, for example, needs a new substation because of electrification – ships, trucks, etc.
So City Light is facing building a new substation on Harbor Island that will cost around a half-billion dollars. And they might need a new substation for the south part of their service area (which stretches into Burien). The other potential factors that could increase future demand on the system were listed as including Sound Transit light rail, bus electrification, University of Washington expansion, and new data centers (they have seen proposals for at least five).
In addition to the natural increase of cost with time, City Light – like so many other organizations and companies – is dealing with the uncertainties of tariffs. And a shortage in personnel – Strong said they don’t have enough engineers, field crews, etc., to meet increasing demand. They need technology upgrades too, added Lindell: “Electricity moves at the speed of light,” so they need technology that does, too. (She said that would be the subject of a future presentation.)
So where will the $3.4 billion come from? Some, from rates, the City Light executives readily acknowledged. And that includes a careful analysis of the big customers, they said, ensuring “the right rate burden” falls on “the right customer.”
Back to the topic of outages, there was one brief mention of remedying the tree-vs-line conflicts that have been to blame for so many in areas like ours. Though the old-style direct-buried underground cables are a source of trouble now, modern undergrounding can solve some problems, and is being explored for some areas, they said. (We’ll be following up on that.)
Today’s discussion was just a briefing, nothing to be voted on, so after questions (Councilmember Dan Strauss was very interested in the technical points), it ended, Here’s the full slide deck from which we pulled a few individual graphics shown above.
Just heard from Kersti Muul, who says orcas are reported to be breaching off Alki. No further details yet, but there’s almost an hour of sunlight left if you decide to go look!
(WSB file photo)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Whisky is in the name, but pending state approval, Morgan Junction restaurant/bar Whisky West (6451 California SW) will soon be open to customers of all ages. Their management is hoping the change will keep them going through their 10th anniversary in June 2026 and beyond.
“We had struggled to turn a profit,” said General Manager Mike Sweet, who explained that special events like trivia and music didn’t bring in enough patrons long-term to make the business thrive. They had considered making the change to all-ages previously, but with the long, narrow layout of their space, they couldn’t comply with both the rules that require a railing around the bar area and ADA rules for accessibility. Sweet says the state Liquor and Cannabis Board rules were recently relaxed just enough to allow them to work out a solution that complies. It happened just in the nick of time too. “We are not able to pay the bills without doing something. It’s a last-ditch effort to keep the doors open and stay in the neighborhood.”
Now it’s a process of waiting for approval from the Board. “You have to build everything first, then they decide if it’s okay.” The building part is installing a railing barrier between the bar and the restaurant seating, which happened last month. Sweet is expecting preliminary approval today, followed by an in-person inspection. “They did tell us everything looks great. It’s just formalities at this point.”
Whisky West has no plans to change to how the space feels, or the kind of music played, so no surprises for regulars. “They’re not going to notice any difference. There’s not any change other than that [all ages will] be allowed in.” (Seating at the bar, though, will remain 21+.)
Happy hour will still be 3:30-5:30 pm every day, and their extensive menu of burgers, rice bowls, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers — everything under $20 – will not change either. But they will be offering up a kids menu for those 12 and under. Those $12 plates are mostly smaller versions of items already on the menu, but there are two new dishes just for kids: spaghetti with meat sauce and a mac and cheese.
Sweet is hopeful the change to all ages will bring in customers who didn’t realize all that Whisky West has to offer. “We have a huge menu that I think is priced really well. We have burgers, salads. a little bit of something for everyone, and nearly all made in house. We’re a lot more than whisky.”
It’s difficult to say how soon the approval process will allow them to open the doors to under-21s, but they hope it won’t take much longer.
If you can donate a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots (or more than one), in addition to the ongoing drives we’ve mentioned in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, there are two special opportunities tomorrow (Saturday, December 6):
KIWANIS CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Along with an incredible breakfast deal ($8/advance, $10/door for pancakes, ham, and beverage), U.S. Marines will be there to accept unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. 7 am-11 am, Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), and Santa will be there too.
(WSB photo at Station 29 during last year’s toy drive)
SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29 TOY DRIVE: On Saturday afternoon, 2-4 pm, the Seattle Fire Department hosts a Toys for Tots drive at a few of its stations around the city. In West Seattle, Station 29 is participating – 2139 Ferry Avenue SW in North Admiral. Bring a toy and meet firefighters!
OTHER TOY/FOOD/ETC. DRIVES: See the Giving Opportunities section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – still adding to it!
Three days after a death at the encampment near Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th/Alaska) and West Seattle Stadium, city crews swept the area – “resolution” is the official city term. But it wasn’t a reaction to the death; the city had told a reader – in November 7 communication on which we were CC’d – that the site was “elevated to be resolved soon, pending availability of the necessary shelter resources.” Then another reader told us late Wednesday that they had seen crews there earlier in the day. So we followed up with the city’s Unified Care Team spokesperson Kate Jacobs, who confirmed:
Rotary Viewpoint Park/West Seattle Stadium vicinity: The Unified Care Team completed resolutions at two unauthorized encampments in this area on December 3 after official notice was posted on November 29. UCT outreach counselors offered shelter and supportive services to all 30 people residing across the two locations. Four offers were accepted.
(WSB photo, 16th/Barton, Tuesday)
We also asked about the results of the city operation reported here Tuesday at 16th/Barton, long an RV encampment zone. Jacobs replied:
SW Barton: UCT outreach counselors offered shelter and supportive services to both individuals residing at this location. Neither offer was accepted.
Jacobs said that’s not the end of their work at those sites:
Outreach counselors will continue engaging with people who declined resources to learn more about each person’s needs and keep building trust. It often takes numerous interactions before someone is willing to accept services, shelter, or complete an assessment for permanent supportive housing.
The reader who tipped us about the stadium/Rotary Viewpoint Park sweep wondered if the people there had had much notice, so we asked Jacobs about the current policy:
UCT gives people as much notice as possible for a resolution. The amount of notice is determined by local regulations, the unique circumstances of each site, and available resources.
Sites that require 72-hour notice under the Multi-Department Administrative Rule (MDAR) receive at least that much notice and sometimes significantly more.
Immediate Hazards/Obstructions are situations in which UCT must act quickly due to health or safety risks, or because an encampment significantly obstructs access to public spaces. In these cases, UCT notifies individuals of the resolution when they arrive on site, typically providing 30 minutes of notice before work begins. Once immediate safety risks and hazards are addressed, UCT works to provide reasonable time for people to pack personal belongings and identify items they’d like UCT to store versus debris that can be thrown away.
Sites that do not qualify for a 72-hour notice under MDAR and are not an immediate hazard or obstruction typically receive between 24 and 72 hours of notice.
(Harbor seals, photographed by Carol Ann Joyce)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight as we head toward a holiday-season weekend! Listings are from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
CITY COUNCIL TALKS WITH CITY LIGHT: Seattle’s electricity infrastructure is on the agenda late in this morning’s meeting of the City Council Sustainability, City Light, Arts and Culture Committee that’s under way right now – agenda here; watch here.
WINTER WANDER SCAVENGER HUNT: Alice Kuder is organizing this again and you can register to get going as soon as tonight!
The Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt is a free, 10-day community event designed to bring friends and families together for holiday fun. Wanderers download instructions, a Bingo-style clue sheet, and a map, then scour West Seattle to identify the locations that solve the clues, and upload selfies in front of those locations to qualify for prize drawings. Open to everyone of all ages! Winter Wander starts at 5 PM, Fri., Dec. 5th, and concludes at 7 PM, Sun., Dec. 14th, 2025. Sign up anytime between those dates by registering at wondersinaliceland.com.
FREE INDOOR PLAY: “Stay and Play” is open 10 am-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), with toys for the little ones and coffee for their chaperones.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WHILE YOU’RE AT SSC … the Otter Pup truck’s soft open with coffee and sweet treats is planned for 11 am-2 pm. (6000 16th SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about local history – open noon-4 pm today.
QI-GONG: Natalia‘s Friday sessions are 12:30-1 pm at La Choza (10401 47th SW).
RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale again this year, featuring artists who work with clay. Opening Night Party and Sale tonight, 4-8 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Group show and sale, opening reception 5-9 pm tonight, more info here. (9042 31st SW)
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy by the bottle.
‘LIGHT UP THE NIGHT’: The first of this weekend’s two big Christmas-tree lightings! 6-8 pm, both indoors at the Walmesley Center and outside by the tree, Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle) not only lights its tree and grounds, but also invites you for caroling, crafts, cocoa, pizza for sale, more. Bring nonperishable food to fill the sleigh for St. Vincent de Paul.
COFFEEHOUSE OPEN MIC: 6-8 pm, all-genres open mic at C & P Coffee. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SUMMER SLEEVES AT THE SKYLARK: Holiday single release show, also featuring Small Yards and Reanimators! Doors at 6, music at 7. $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
FREE TEEN SWIM: 6-7 pm at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle), free swim session for ages 13=18.
LIVE AT EASY STREET: 7 pm, Jay Cates, celebrating his album release, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
FULL MOON SOUND BATH WITH THE ANGELS: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
CLASSIC BINGO: 7 pm at Admiral Pub. 21+. Free to play. (2306 California SW)
‘PENELOPE’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain for the musical tonight – info and ticket link in our calendar listing! (4711 California SW)
SPINNING: DJ Summersoft at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING:Tonight, skate to live music by Low Hums & Baby Grendel – 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Earlier this week on Giving Tuesday, we mentioned half a dozen ways to support local school/youth groups. We have one more – the West Seattle High School music program launched a “direct drive” this week and asked us to tell you about it:
… You may not realize that our music program is nearly 100% funded by donations and fundraising. That means that any new instrument purchased for our school, any repairs, piano tuning, new music, coaching, financial aid, etc. are paid for with funds raised during our two annual fundraisers, the Direct Drive and our Big Band Dinner Dance. Our direct drive operates just like the public radio or PBS fundraisers, where we simply seek donations to help our program operate. We are not selling anything, students don’t need to carry order forms for wrapping paper or candy bars, we are just looking for donations. Here is how you can help:
-Consider making a tax-deductible donation to our music program. Our Friends of West Seattle Music and Drama boosters is a 501c3 organization. The donation link can be found on our FOWSMD website found here. There is no donation too small or too large!
-Do you work for a company that does matching donations? Double your impact!
-Help us spread the word about our campaign and fundraising goal!We happily take donations all year long, but we only do our fall fundraising campaign between the Thanksgiving holiday and our final Winter Concert on December 18th. See the attached document for more information. Thank you so much for your continued support and helping us towards our goal.
You can go here to donate.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, December 5, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Cloudy, more rain, breezy, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise will be at 7:41 am; sunset, at 4:18 pm (the earliest sunsets of the season are at 4:17 pm, for a week starting Sunday).
CLOSURES
-Tonight into Saturday morning, the Highway 99 tunnel will close completely, both ways, as explained here.
-SW Alaska will be closed in the heart of The Junction on Saturday afternoon and evening for the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route has three boats until Monday (December 8), when it’ll be down to two boats for about a week. WSF’s alerts page has the details; Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Metro buses – They’re on the regular weekday schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again 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 on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
The Chief Sealth International High School boys’ varsity basketball team plays its third game of the season tomorrow night (Friday, December 5) at Cleveland. Photojournalist Oliver Hamlin was at CSIHS for WSB last night as the Seahawks played their home opener, hosting Seattle Academy. Ja’Lyn Combs is back as head coach this year:
Seniors on the squad this year include #0, TajaRay Washington:
#30, Calvin Washington:
There’s a freshman on the varsity team too, #10, Blake Bellessa:
At halftime, Chief Sealth was down 30-14, but picked up their offense in the second half.
(#3, Jibril Cortez)
(#12, Adnaan Mohamed)
(#11, Koby Ioane)
Though the Seahawks outscored SAAS in the second half, it wasn’t enough for a win – final score was Seattle Academy 69, Chief Sealth 57, and they’re still looking for their first win, as is Friday’s opponent Cleveland (0-1).
10:32 PM: Thanks to Anne for the tip. Emergency responders have just been dispatched to a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge; Anne reports the car is spun out next to the median “maybe half a mile east of the Harbor Avenue exit.” So far no serious injuries are reported but take care if you’re heading that way any time soon.
10:43 PM: Officers told dispatch the vehicle involved is blocking one eastbound lane.
In addition to the two neighboring Alki businesses targeted by burglars Wednesday morning, we’ve learned of a third. The report narrative we obtained this afternoon confirms a burglary at Alki’s recently opened Do Si KBBQ restaurant (2516 Alki SW)
The report says it happened just after the Alki Coffee burglary but wasn’t discovered until the owner arrived at the restaurant around 9 am. An iPad and “small cash-box-style safe” were taken. Here’s how the report describes what security video showed:
… At 0342, two men forced open the front door by prying back the door frame with a crowbar. Once inside the building they broke the speakers on the security system so that the loud alarm was no longer sounding. One of the individuals went into the office, noticed the small safe, and grabbed it. The other individual did a quick search of the front of house area and noticed an iPad on the front counter which he took. Both individuals were in the building for approximately 3 minutes, and left through the front door with the safe and iPad. They fled the scene in a small to medium SUV that was lighter in color. The vehicle make/model and license plate was not visible on the security camera.
The report number is 2025-354338.
That’s a one-minute preview of Derick‘s music-synched show, tonight’s holiday-season lights spotlight. Here’s his announcement:
Our annual holiday light show is now up and running – we’re located on the corner of 37th & Graham street [map]. As always, we’ve added more lights, new songs, and now viewers have the ability to control what song plays next – just scan the QR code by the Tune-To sign out front.
This year we’re also supporting a local West Seattle charity for kids – Fauntleroy Children’s Center. They’re in need of a school bus to transport kids around and we wanted to try to make that happen for them this holiday season. If you have the means, please consider donating to them – the kids/families they help are part of our West Seattle community. They’re a registered 501(c)(3) charity and all proceeds go directly to them – you can donate by visiting their PayPal.
Our show will run daily from sunset to 9pm through Dec 26th. If you have any questions you can visit our website: SeattleLightShow.com
The show is currently ~12 minutes long played straight through, but I have a couple of songs I’m still editing and will add later in the month.
If you have lights to recommend – whether your own, or someone else’s – please let us know at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!
(WSB photos)
5:43 PM: The Junction’s holiday-cheer level is running high tonight, with Santa Claus roaming and live music playing for the first Shop Late Thurday of this Hometown Holidays season.
Participating businesses are keeping their doors open later for holiday shopping. We’re roaming too.
7:30 PM: If you couldn’t get out tonight – you’ve got another Shop Late Thursday ahead next week!
Some shops are open late all the time – above, The Beer Junction is one. Here are other places twinkling with holiday lights tonight, like CAPERS Home (WSB sponsor):
Paper Boat Booksellers (WSB sponsor):
Other sights included the spot where Santa photos will be offered as an animal-rescue fundraiser on Saturday, at The Hydrant:
But tonight, Santa was out and about – umbrella in tow:
Our West Seattle Holiday Guide has a long lineup of Santa photo ops for the next couple weeks! Meantime, the biggest night of Hometown Holidays is this Saturday (December 6), with a Night Market on SW Alaska 4-8 pm (here’s the vendor list) and the tree-lighting event around 6 pm (scroll this page for the night’s full schedule).
Last June, after months of controversy over City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s espousal of removing a centerline curb on Delridge Way, he and Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the curb would stay and three other projects would be done instead. The biggest of those projects is about to start:
SDOT says work could start as soon as this Friday (December 5) on the 22nd/Delridge turnaround. From the flyer it’s sent to nearby residents:
New Turnaround at Delridge Way SW and 22nd Ave SW
As soon as Friday, December 5, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will start construction at Delridge Way SW and 22nd Ave SW in the Delridge neighborhood at the request of City Councilmember Rob Saka pursuant to a budget investment passed by the Full Council. We will reconfigure the triangle at Delridge Way SW and 22nd Ave SW by building a 24-foot wide turnaround on the north side of the triangle connecting the two streets (see map). This will improve circulation for people driving in this part of the Delridge neighborhood. Please note this project will remove the existing informal parking in this triangle and add landscaping within the triangle area south of the street segment.
The other two projects involve signage; together, all three cost $500,000, according to SDOT, a quarter of what the original plan was budgeted for.
A reader asked what’s going on with that Delridge greenspace, east of the Southwest Precinct and the businesses north of the precinct [vicinity map]. We recalled development plans nearby, years ago, but that’s not what this is for. The land is SDOT property, so we took the question to that department. Turns out it’s for an environmental project that got a little publicity more than two years ago; we tried to get details at the time but our inquiries hit a dead end, and eventually fell off our list (aside from a mention at a meeting last year). In response to our new inquiry, SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali replied:
the vegetation work you’re seeing is part of the Delridge Native Forest Garden project. SDOT and our partners are restoring these parcels to improve habitat, support tree canopy growth, and create more welcoming community green spaces in the neighborhood.
We recently completed planting and established a path to support ongoing stewardship and future volunteer events. Our first volunteer planting event with the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association took place on November 22.
More information about the City’s broader forest restoration and tree-planting investments can be found here:
Delridge Native Forest Garden Project – Transportation | seattle.gov
The project website has this map:
The timeline for work here, also as noted on the project page, runs until 2028. The funding is $900,000 of a $13 million federal grant, according to this 2023 news release (when we, as mentioned above, tried to get more details). We asked SDOT about the tribes involved in the program; they say it involves the Muckleshoot Tribe because they’re federally recognized.
“I am so sad. 3 years in a row. My heart is so broken.” That’s what Cherry Consignment proprietor Nyla Bittermann told us in a text accompanying that photo of glass smashed by burglars who broke into her store (4142 California SW) overnight. Nyla celebrated her store’s 16th anniversary this past summer; burglars have now hit her for three consecutive years . She says the burglars this time appeared to be a man and woman, in and out within minutes – here are screengrabs from security video:
She is “still assessing what’s missing.” The police incident # is 25-354878. Her shop will be open as planned today, noon-7 pm (participating in The Junction’s first Shop Late Thursday this season). This is the second night in a row with business burglaries in West Seattle, and Nyla adds, “It just breaks my heart how many small businesses have been broken into. It’s more important than ever to support your local small businesses.”
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