West Seattle, Washington
29 Sunday
1:22 PM: SFD and SPD are dealing right now with three victims in what they have told dispatch are believed to be related assaults, one at 37th and Alaska and one reported to be closer to Rotary Viewpoint Park (the one with the totem pole). At least two of them are reported to have a serious head injury from being hit by what police believe was a crowbar and/or fire extinguisher.
1:29 PM: One victim is being taken to Harborview Medical Center. Police have reported that they’re told robbery was involved in at least one case. They’re bringing in a K9 to help search for the attacker.
1:36 PM: The response is blocking the outside northbound lane of 35th north of Alaska – we’ve added a traffic-cam grab. Meantime, police still have only a partial description – “light-skinned Black man, 6′, medium build, 30s, acne scars,” possibly in a blue coat. They’ve said he might be associated with the encampment on the east side of 35th so that’s where the search is focusing.
1:57 PM: They’re still searching in that area and believe they’ve found the blue coat the attacker was wearing; he has reported to have since been seen in a gray T-shirt.
2:05 PM: Some police will be looking north of all that, as the attacker may have been seen in that direction.
2:20 PM: The search has been moved to a tactical radio channel, meaning we won’t hear more until/unless there’s a development such as an arrest. Before that, a few descriptive details were added – short curly black hair, chubby and freckled face, gap in the two front teeth.
12:32 PM: Thanks to Jay for the photo. The column of black smoke is what was reported as an “encampment fire” in the woods behind Delridge Home Depot. One engine on scene has called for a reinforcement because of reported equipment trouble. We don’t have stats but anecdotally can say this is a fairly frequent callout area.
12:37 PM: Flames are visible looking northwest across SW Orchard from the Vietnamese Cultural Center, from which someone texted this photo:
Some video from the same spot:
12:57 PM: One engine remains at the scene; there’s no report of anyone being hurt. The vacant wooded land in that area is Seattle Parks property.
1:02 PM: The other engine is clearing the scene too, as the fire’s out.
Recognize this bicycle?
It showed up in Liz‘s driveway the other day. If you know who it belongs to, let us know and we’ll connect you.
(Alki, photographed late in the day Saturday by Bob Burns)
Hello! Here’s the event lineup for spring’s second Sunday, a relatively quiet day, with the following lineup, mostly from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PALM SUNDAY: We just launched this season’s service list for Easter, Passover, and what leads up to it; we’re expecting to receive more to add – westseattleblog@gmail.com – but it starts with a few of today’s special services.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is meeting at Dough Joy Donuts at 9 am today for a today’s Sunday Funday run. (4310 SW Oregon)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in early spring produce-and-products season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, apples, more – and an abundant selection of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and chow down on a buffet breakfast.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FREE TAX HELP, BUT BE AWARE … 11 am-4 pm at Southwest Library, registration strongly encouraged as we’re told the slots have been all booked up. (9010 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: One day after leading a large Junction rally, this group continues its regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re invited to hang out at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) CLUB: “Oliver Twist” is this month’s title – 1837 book, 1948 movie; arrive at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) outdoor patio in back around 2:30 pm to chat and get your beverage; meeting starts at 3, details in our calendar listing.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Also at C & P Coffee at 3 pm, steel guitarist Fraser Havens, scheduled until 5 pm, no cover, all ages.
GRIEF CIRCLE, ANY GRIEF: Monthly gathering about whatever or whoever you’re grieving, 3 pm with Listening to Grief at Nurture Wellbeing (6307 California SW).
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL: 5:30 pm at Bethany West Seattle (8600 9th SW).
LIVE AT TIM’S: 7 pm Sunday night all-ages show at Tim’s Tavern, with West Seattle’s Across 35th, plus Radon Radar, Placeholder, and more; fundraiser for Tim’s. (16th SW & SW 98th, White Center)
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm,jazz to wrap up your weekend, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or helping with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
Last week, we published a call for volunteer help harvesting Puget Ridge Edible Park crops for weekly West Seattle Food Bank donations. We visited during harvest hours to see what’s growing.
We found Stu, Rudy, and Helen digging in on Thursday night, a weekly harvest night from now into fall, hours before a Friday morning run to the West Seattle Food Bank in High Point with the week’s bounty.
Even here in early spring, they’re expecting to amass at least 20 pounds a week – that swells to hundreds of pounds a week in summer, so they can really use extra hands.
This year’s warmer winter weather has sped up the growing season for some crops, like the lettuce and onions they’re growing in the polytunnel.
They’re getting some help – even local Girl Scouts – but would love to see anyone and everyone who can pitch in, particularly 5-7 pm Thursdays. Just show up at 18th/Brandon [map] and jump in. You can take home some of the harvest, too.
Five weeks from tonight – on Saturday, May 2 – you can help the West Seattle Food Bank “Nourish and Flourish” by being part of its annual dinneer and auction, as an attendee and/or sponsor. This week, a special guest was revealed – here’s the WSFB announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank (WSFB) is pleased to announce that Seattle comedian Scott Losse will join this year’s Nourish & Flourish gala as a special guest, bringing humor and heart to an evening dedicated to community, compassion, and impact.
Losse — recently featured as an “Undisputable Champion of Comedy” in The Stranger — is known for his sharp, relatable takes on life in the Pacific Northwest and his ability to connect audiences through both humor and honesty.
At Nourish & Flourish, Losse will provide a moment of levity during the program, helping to balance the evening’s powerful stories of need and resilience with laughter—an essential ingredient in bringing communities together.
“This event is about nourishing hope,” said Robbin Peterson, Development Director at West Seattle Food Bank. “Scott’s ability to help people laugh, even in challenging times, reflects exactly what community looks like— showing up for one another with both compassion and joy.”
Losse’s connection to West Seattle Food Bank is deeply personal. His wife Janelle was inspired to pursue a career in social services and nonprofit work after volunteering as a child alongside her grandmother — who was one of WSFB’s volunteers in the early years of the food bank.
“That legacy of service — passed from one generation to the next — is exactly what we see every day at the food bank,” Peterson added. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors, steadfastly across time.”
Nourish & Flourish will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 4105 in SODO, bringing together 300 community members for an evening of storytelling, fundraising, and celebration. Proceeds support WSFB’s vital programs, including food access, housing stability, and essential services for thousands of neighbors across West Seattle.
In 2025 alone, West Seattle Food Bank distributed more than 2.25 million pounds of food, served over 23,000 individuals, and helped keep hundreds of families housed.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at:
westseattlefoodbank.org/nourish-and-flourish or bit.ly/NAF2026
WSB is media sponsor of Nourish & Flourish. See you there!
Thanks to Steve for the video he sent Friday night after discovering his home security video had caught sight of coyotes outside his home early that morning:
(At 3:42 am Friday) we captured two coyotes trotting across our front yard. We live on 37th Ave SW between Lander and Stevens. Lots of bunnies up here, so I’m sure they’re hunting. I’m telling my neighbors to keep their cats indoors.
We have published coyote-sighting reports over the years for awareness, not alarm; be sure you know what to do, and not to do, to co-exist with them, as advised by this state Wildlife Department infosheet.
West Seattle’s first egg hunts of the season happened this afternoon, including the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s volunteer-powered hunt behind the historic schoolhouse. This one happened in two waves – video above shows the littlest hunters getting a head start after the countdown led by organizer Candace Blue; below, ages 5 and up followed.
The FCA made some changes this year, to ensure everybody would leave happy, increasing the number of eggs and setting a limit for how many each hunter could amass, to avoid depletion before all the older kids had a chance to find some. Also of note: The FCA uses plastic eggs that hunters are asked to recycle after extracting the treats (which are non-candy items).
OTHER EGG HUNTS: Here’s the list we published recently; we’ll add any more of the Easter-service hunts we hear about too.
10:30 AM: That’s the traffic-camera view of the “No Kings” rally’s early going in The Junction, where California is blocked from SW Alaska to SW Oregon because of the protest, which hasn’t been done for previous rallies. The main local resistance group, West Seattle Indivisible, is NOT protesting here; it’s gathering its members to take buses to the all-city gathering at Cal Anderson Park, so we don’t know who took out the road-closure permit; we called the number on a notice received by local businesses and the contact person said they wouldn’t talk to us until after 2 pm (when the closure is scheduled to end). Ground pics to come.
10:37 AM: The traffic camera’s not providing consistent live video but we’re told some members of the group have started marching northward. Another camera view shows at least one marked SPD vehicle in the street too.
10:57 AM: That turned out not to be a large-scale march, “just a few,” we’re told by one person on the ground, and the main group remains at the California/Alaska intersection.
11:30 AM: Above is a photo from Colman Dock/Pier 50 on the downtown waterfront, where Water Taxi and state ferry passengers are gathering for the downtown side of today’s rallies.
Meantime, some of the Junction group is marching in Walk-All-Ways on the light, then returning to the north side of the intersection.
12:43 AM: We’re just back from a quick check of other points south of The Junction. Saw a handful of sign-wavers at California/Fauntleroy. Then returned to HQ and saw this group at California/Thistle:
Lots of honking at that 4-way intersection, but it’s not blocked. Elsewhere: We have crew members at The Junction for photos/info we’ll add when they report in; the traffic camera shows things about the same there as they’ve been since 10 am-ish. Meantime, one of West Seattle’s most-prominent residents is speaking at the Cal Anderson rally, a participant tells us – state Attorney General Nick Brown.
2 PM: After another trip off the desk, including some non-protest coverage, we’re back to check in. Traffic cam shows the crowd has dwindled in The Junction; at California/Thistle, a few sign-wavers remain. We have a crew now checking on the gathering that’s scheduled to start right about now at California/Admiral.
2:23 PM: Demonstrators are at the Admiral Junction as planned, on the corners. The next two photos for WSB are by Torin Record-Sand:
Meanwhile, the Alaska Junction crowd has dispersed, though the street-closed barriers aren’t down yet. Here are Dave Gershgorn‘s photos for WSB from there, earlier:
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Members of the Singing Resistance added their songs in The Junction:
3:20 PM: California SW between Alaska and Oregon is open to regular traffic again.
6:52 PM: As noted previously, the peninsula’s largest resistance group, West Seattle Indivisible, went to the citywide rally/march, which started at Cal Anderson Park and ended at Seattle Center. Here’s a photo of some of them with signage reflecting their theme for the day:
We’ve received some other reader photos from today that we’ll add in a bit.
10 PM: Two photos from Jonathan Rawle, who was at the rally in The Junction:
National “No Kings” organizers say eight million people participated in protest gatherings today.
Among the many things happening today – a special day of shopping at The Mount‘s shop Emilie’s Treasures, which isn’t usually open on Saturdays but is open now until 2 pm today in large part because a special porcelain collection has arrived in the shop – the pieces include this seal with touches of gold:
You can shop other luxurious and discounted treasures too – including jewelry:
You’ll find the shop on the first floor of The Mount – go in through the main entrance on the east side of the building at 4831 35th SW and ask directions at the desk. (The shop is volunteer-operated and we’re told that “donations of gently used clothing and small home items are always welcome and greatly appreciated.”)
9:44 AM: Orcas are in the area again this morning. Kersti Muul reports they were sighted in the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry-lane vicinity off Eagle Harbor, southbound, and are still “trending south.” Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos and video from recent sightings (scroll our coverage archive to see); please let us know if you see them again today!
2:49 PM: Kersti reports three orcas – a mom and her sons – have gone into Elliott Bay.
5:18 PM: Added a photo (above) by Robin Sinner – who says it’s “one of the cookie cutters,” seen off Constellation Park.
(Friday sunset photo by Steven Rice)
Happy Saturday! In our daily preview, we’ll talk traffic first:
BARTON BUSES DETOURED: The months-long detour of buses off SW Barton south of Westwood Village has begun. They’re now running on SW Trenton east of 35th, with Metro‘s spring “service change” kicking in.
POSSIBLE ROAD CLOSURE: Though local “No Kings” rallies are supposed to be just smaller satellites of the big one downtown, a Junction business owner sent us a notice of a partial road closure in The Junction because of the rally there, so be aware of that.
PROTEST RALLIES: On the subject of protests, here’s what we have for West Seattle on this day of “No Kings” demonstrations nationwide:
-10 am to 2 pm, California/Alaska, with West Seattle Resist along the street, members of Singing Resistance starting in Junction Plaza Park. WS Resist says they plan to spread out along California too
-11 am, West Seattle High School, West Seattle Indivisible buses leave for the main “No Kings” rally at Cal Anderson Park
-12 pm-4 pm, labyrinth at Tibbetts UMC (3940 41st SW)
-2 pm, Old Tyme Adults for Democracy, at California/Admiral
Now the rest of today’s highlights, as usual mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar (if we’re missing something, text info ASAP to 206-293-6302):
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you’re invited to join the Saturday 8 am free group run.
HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE TURNS 5: Five years in business for Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), open 8 am to 8 pm with free cake all day!
FREE MEDITATION: Get a calming start to your weekend with Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
TIME CHANGE FOR FREE WRITING GROUP: Moved to 9 am today – free, weekly, in-person, critique-free group resumes today – details including location are in our calendar listing.
ARTHUR’S 9TH ANNIVERSARY: Open for brunch 9 am-3 pm today, Arthur’s (2311) is celebrating 9 years in business!
COMMUNITY CLEANUP: Gather at 9 am outside Fresh Flours (9440 Delridge Way SW) for a South Delridge/White Center cleaup.
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile before the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fontanelle.
FREE HIAWATHA WALK FOR NEW MOMS AND MOMS-TO-BE: Come to the FIT4MOM studio at 2700 California; then everybody heads across the street to stroll the Hiawatha track.
SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am, sing to classics with Trent Von from C89.5: Brunch, Mimosas and Sing-along. Table Reservation includes a Brunch Buffet! (2306 California SW)
SSC GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, open today! New plants in! North end of campus at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor)
SPECIAL SALE AT EMILIE’S TREASURES: The shop at The Mount (WSB sponsor) has a special collection up for sale again today and is open special Saturday hours, 10 am-2 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th 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.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), for families with kids up to 5 years old.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
BUNNY PHOTO BOOTH: 11 am-1 pm with real (and adoptable) rabbits from Special Bunny Rescue, and more, at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Chief Sealth IHS has two games at 11 am at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – softball vs. Clover Park, baseball vs. Lindbergh.
RENT MASON BEES AT WEST SEATTLE NURSERY: If you’ve ordered some, pick them up during this 12 pm-2 pm pop-up at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor); if not, stop in and learn how!
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, noon-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: Interested in learning more about the organization? Stop by its Junction HQ between noon and midnight; if you visit in the evening, there’s live music at 7:30 pm, and dinner. (4426 California SW)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open for community visitors on Saturdays, noon-3 pm. Free. (2236 SW Orchard)
FAUNTLEROY EGG HUNT: 1 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), the Fauntleroy Community Association presents this year’s egg hunt. Bring the kids to look for eggs filled with non-candy treasures. Little ones (under 4) go first
CHURCH EGG HUNT: The West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a community egg hunt at 1 pm. (4001 44th SW)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with 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: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB: 1 pm meeting to talk about “Whack Job,” at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY: Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby‘s “Bigfoot Brawl“ vs. visitors from the Rosebuds. Doors open at 4:15 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW, White Center).
CHIEF SEALTH IHS AUCTION/DINNER: 5:30-9 pm at Fauntleroy UCC (9130 California SW), fundraising auction/dinner to support Chief Sealth International High School students.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffeehouse (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Jameson Craighead with bluegrass and folk. Free, all ages.
RHODIES FC & JUNCTION FC PRE-SEASON PARTY: At Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 6:30-9 pm, pre-season celebration for West Seattle’s pre-pro soccer teams.
LATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER: Ticketed dinner with Irish food plus wine pairings, 6:30 pm at 5001 Delridge Way SW – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT KENYON HALL Lou Moon’s Big Thoughts comedy show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm; ticket info’s in our calendar listing.
BURLESQUE AT YOUNGSTOWN: 7:30 pm, “Swords & Sorcery & Striptease” at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 18+. (4408 Delridge Way SW).
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, “Hey Baby!” drag show with new performers, hosted by Kimme Kash, all ages, tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
COMEDY AT MR. B’S: 8 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), a night of laughter, 21+, ticket deal here.
LIVE AT TIM’S: Radio Weekend, Living With a Bear, Tasmo at Tim’s in White Center, 8 pm. Tickets here. (16th SW & SW 98th)
REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm, DJ Robin Burrowes with the tunes tonight. (4547 California SW)
SKATE PARTY: 9 pm-midnight at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk & hip-hop, $18 plus $5 skate rental.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Use your voice! Karaoke with Rone starts at 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Have a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar, where listings are free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
12:55 AM: Near an alley behind the apartments at 35th SW and SW Avalon, police are looking for a stabbing suspect. The victim was described over the air as a man in his mid-30s; the attacker is described as a white man in his 50s, in black and white clothing, who reportedly ran or walked from the scene. No other details yet.
1:13 AM: The victim’s being taken to Harborview by SFD medic unit. We don’t know his condition, but police told dispatch he was stabbed “in the stomach.”
2:51 PM: More information from an SPD summary made available this afternoon:
At 0041 hours, 911 was contacted about a stabbing that occurred in the alley behind the 4400 block of 35 Av Sw, just to the west. Officers arrived to find an adult male with a single stab wound to the abdomen. They applied a chest seal and secured the scene for SFD. The male was taken to HMC via Medic One, with injuries that were said to be non-life threatening. The victim’s spouse said she witnessed the incident, in which three transients behind the building attacked her husband as they walked past the group, with one of them stabbing him in the stomach. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction on foot.
We asked police to confirm details of an incident we heard over the air this afternoon, involving an armed 93-year-old man arrested after taking his wife from Quail Park of West Seattle, and received this summary a few minutes ago in response:
At about 1:30 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a man with a gun at a permanent care facility in the 4500 block of 41st Avenue Southwest. While [they] responded to the call, officers learned that the suspect, 93, was the elderly husband of one of the residents, a 90-year-old woman. The armed man took his wife and left the facility before police arrived.
Officers, with the assistance of the King County Sheriff’s Office, found the man and his wife in Burien. Police and KCSO deputies stopped the vehicle they were in and arrested the suspect without incident and recovered the gun as evidence. Officers booked the suspect into the King County Jail for felony harassment and felony assault.
Police determined that the elderly victim was extremely confused, unable to care for herself, and uncooperative with officers and the Community Service Officers. She refused to go back to the care facility. Instead, she wanted to be released to walk home, where she no longer lives. Police requested an ambulance to take her to the hospital for medical evaluation.
Detectives in the Gun Violence Reduction Unit are assigned to this case.
Radio exchanges during the incident indicated the man was headed to Burien because he lives there, while his wife is a Quail Park resident. Online records show he’s still in custody at the jail.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The finishing touches are the white stars on the boxing gloves, a star-spangled exclamation point on a 12-foot-tall sculptural puppet that will make its third public appearance at the Seattle No Kings rally at Cal Anderson Park tomorrow. West Seattle sculptor Shannon Ninburg calls her Lady Liberty, and among all of the costumes, signs and expressions of support for America’s democracy that many marchers bring, she looms large and compelling, with a message impossible to miss.
(Ninburg holding Lady Liberty’s right arm at No Kings 2, photo by Colleen Stevens)
“When you’re inside of her or working her arms, she’s so big,” says Ninburg, who walks alongside her during the marches. “Just seeing that and seeing the reflection in a window, it’s so exhilarating to see this huge body taking up space. It’s a visceral excitement that I wasn’t expecting. To see little kids and be able to see their faces filled with awe, it felt really good to be giving them that in this moment.”
This moment is where it all started, months before the first No Kings march in June of last year. “I was just feeling really angry and horrified and scared like so many of us about what I saw happening with our democracy and our government and I was feeling like … helpless. So I just started to think, what can I do? What do I know how to do? I know how to make things, make visual things. How can I use that to express something I want to express?” The answer came in the form of a memory from a trip to Brazil, where puppets in a parade towered over all the people, mesmerizing. “I was just tossing around some thoughts, and then I thought Lady Liberty: She’s mad and she’s fighting. It just felt like an image that would give people some hope and a feeling of agency.” There was only one problem: Ninburg had never built something quite like that before.
“I used to work as a sculptor for the entertainment industry in L.A., so I know how to make large-scale things, but I didn’t know how to make puppets. I did it backward.” That meant starting with the head and aiming to make it lightweight, but realizing it might be too heavy. That’s when she connected with a company in the UK that she found online that makes large-scale puppets and whose director, it turns out, used to live in Seattle. He sent her to the Fremont Arts Council and puppeteer Rob D’Arc. Ninburg describes him as “…a super kind person and he said come on over and then he gave me all these ideas so that it would actually work.”
(Lady Liberty’s debut at No Kings 1, photo by Pat Ninburg)
An engineer friend, Redwood, helped figure out how to distribute the weight so that it didn’t list to one side. He’s also the one who has ended up wearing her in each of the marches. “He’s taller, and he’s game,” Ninburg says. Lady Liberty took a couple of months to complete, with a big push leading up to the first march on June 15. “I was literally sewing up her arms as people were getting in the car.” The reaction was more than Ninburg expected, with lots of support from marchers, and coverage of Lady Liberty on everything from Seattle regional media to The New York Times. The Backbone Campaign, with its own large-scale protest piece, a massive Declaration of Independence created at their Vashon Island headquarters, also gave her a shout-out on their website.
(Lady Liberty on the march, photo by Shannon Ninburg)
Having brought Lady Liberty to two marches so far, Ninburg says the process of building her and seeing the effect she has had on people has surprised her. “I’m someone who doesn’t like a lot of attention, but it was kind of fun because it felt like it wasn’t me — it was her — or the message she was conveying.” While the reasons she wanted to build Lady Liberty have not diminished, Ninburg is feeling hopeful as she plans to load up the car with her again and attend the third No Kings. “I still feel those things, but I feel like for me, in these times we’re in, it is its own act of resistance to create and make other things in the world that aren’t awful. It makes me feel like amidst all this other stuff we can make beautiful or hopeful things as well.”
There are two No Kings marches in downtown Seattle tomorrow. One rally starts at Cal Anderson Park at noon and the other at Colman Dock at 11 am. Both marches converge at Seattle Center in the afternoon, with SDOT warning about traffic impacts from 1-4 pm. For West Seattle plans, see this WSB story.
Earlier this week, we reported that – after more than a century – Alki Lumber would officially close its West Seattle Triangle location at end-of-day today. Shortly after they did, two readers sent photos of the last customer, Siobhan Costello – the one above, from John Bennett, the one below, from Andy McConnell:
John also sent this photo of the picture of Jim Sweeney, who ran Alki Lumber – founded by his grandfather – for half a century until his death in 2012:
The Sweeney family sold the Alki Lumber business to Marine Lumber in 2021 but retained the land, on which they hope to eventually build the Sweeney Blocks mixed-use project, which completed Design Review years ago but has been on hold pending more favorable conditions for development. Meantime, Alki Lumber reopens Monday as Alki Marine Lumber at its new South Park location, 558 S. Kenyon [map].
For those asking about a briefly large emergency response near 35th/Avalon just before 2 pm: The dispatch was for a man who was reported to have jumped from the seventh floor of an apartment building. We followed up with SFD and they sent us a reply tonight saying that though their crews tried to save the man, who was in his mid-30s, they were unable to, and SFD says he “was declared deceased at the hospital.”
If you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm, the 988 hotline is open 24/7.
Easter Sunday is April 5; Passover starts April 1; and the major events – including egg hunts – start this weekend. We’re about to start building a calendar page for local services and have received several announcements already; if you’re having a service or other seasonal event in the days ahead, please send the info ASAP to westseattleblog@gmail.com to be included – thank you.
Support young entrepreneurs – get to Alki Elementary‘s temporary home at the former Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane) by 7 pm and buy what Alki students have made for this year’s Makers Market! All welcome. You’ll find face painting, jewelry, baked goods, “mystery bags,” stuffies, pillows, even music, all in the lunchroom and gym.
More photos shortly.
ADDED: Plants were a popular offering:
That included air plants:
Young artists offered both creations and inspiration:
And more treats!
Next year, Alki students will have a brand-new school in which to present their annual market!
Thanks to Lisa for the photo! Her garage door in Upper Fauntleroy now holds a mural by artist Henry, just completed this afternoon. She explains, “It’s a continuation of the 1000 Sasquatch Heads project he started last fall.” And, she adds, “I’m hoping it will put a smile on people’s faces when they see it … we can use some joy these days!” The mural’s on SW Barton near 39th SW.
Thanks to AH for sending the flyer that’s up for an “all hands” community cleanup tomorrow (Saturday, March 28) in South Delridge/White Center:
No RSVP required – show up, 9 am at 9440 Delridge Way SW, and you’re in!
Washington State Ferries has announced a milestone for the Fauntleroy ferry terminal replacement project. The next step is construction of the traffic signal where the dock meets Fauntleroy Way SW – above is a rendering of the intersection with the signal – but here’s what else is happening, as announced by system leader Steve Nevey:
Our Fauntleroy terminal replacement project has completed its planning phase. The Federal Highway Administration recently approved the final Planning and Environmental Linkages study, closing a five-year process of exploring options for replacing the terminal. Based on community feedback, we are moving forward with a design that adds more dock space and increases capacity from about 80 to 124-155 vehicles. This option also avoids impacts to nearby Cove Park, and we will continue refining the design to reduce effects on other sensitive areas. Later this year, the project will enter the National and State Environmental Policy Act phase. This is when we’ll begin preliminary design, complete environmental review and permitting, and continue seeking funding. Major construction is expected to begin in 2028. The new terminal is expected to open around 2031.
WSF says the signal construction, meantime, is expected now to start this fall. Also happening right now, the state is in the permit process to convert the beach house immediately north of Cove Park into an office for the project, among other potential uses.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s not naptime. It’s advocacy time at the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools, one of more than a dozen community college programs statewide that provide co-op preschool to kids while allowing their parents to earn college credit and learn effective parenting skills in the process. The majority of these programs, which are unique to Washington state, are now facing the possibility of closure this summer after the state board that governs community colleges voted to direct enrollment dollars only to courses that lead to a certificate or degree, something parent education programs don’t necessarily do. That leaves a popular program that’s been in place for 70+ years suddenly without the state funding on which it has relied.
A statewide parenting education group is now organizing to keep as many of the programs open as possible, including the West Seattle program and its 5 preschool locations. Here’s what that group, the Organization of Parenting Education Programs, wants you to know about why this program that calls parenting a vocation is so important to keep:
By offering parent education through vocational and technical colleges, Washington State aligns family support services with workforce development goals. Parent education programs enable parents to balance family responsibilities with careers and the demands of modern life. Additionally, parents develop workforce skills through running small nonprofit businesses in their communities guided by college instructors. Parents who are better supported are more likely to complete credentials, maintain employment, and contribute to a stable labor force. Over time, this investment strengthens Washington’s economy by increasing earning potential, reducing public-assistance dependency, and supporting intergenerational economic mobility.
Parent education and associated cooperative preschool lab schools represent a cost-effective use of public funds. By addressing challenges early and strengthening family systems, these programs help prevent more expensive interventions in child welfare, education remediation, healthcare, and criminal justice systems. Continued funding is a fiscally responsible strategy that emphasizes prevention, maximizes return on investment, and reduces long-term state expenditure.
The West Seattle-based co-op program points to statistics suggesting a significant return on investment for funds allocated to these programs. “Conservative estimates across multiple parenting and early-intervention models show returns ranging from $2 to $6 for every $1 invested, largely through avoided downstream costs.”
The program has its own advocacy page, with an array of different ways community members can contribute toward the effort to keep their program open, from making a crafty handprint plate with a child to send to their state representative, to signing a petition or calling a legislator. They made a call for action in their winter newsletter:
Over the last several years we have seen multiple programs across the state close. Most recently, the Bellevue Co-op, a long-standing leader in Parent Education, is scheduled to close this June. This has raised urgent concerns about the future of similar programs across Washington, including ours. We need your voice.
We are collecting personal testimonials, letters of support, and stories about how this program has shaped your family’s life. Your words will reach decision-makers in ways that data alone cannot. If this program has mattered to you, your voice can help protect it, for today’s families and for those who will come after you.
The Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges did not explicitly close the parenting education programs as part of its decision to change the way it allocates funds last year; it just ended enrollment funding for most of them. That leaves open the possibility that the programs that lost funding could be restructured to meet the new funding allocation rules or a new way might be found to fund them.
Find out more about the South Seattle Cooperative Preschools program here.
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