West Seattle, Washington
31 Wednesday
The sun’s out, and orcas are out there. Kersti Muul tells us a “large group of orcas is heading northbound from north end of Vashon Island,” likely from at least three families of transient orcas. Let us know if you see them!
(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Manuel Valdes)
Many possibilities on our Wednesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide (and if we’re missing something – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!):
THANKSGIVING ORDERING DEADLINE: Today is the last day to order The Skylark‘s prepared-for-you-to-take-home feast – see the top of our Holiday Guide for details and other deadlines.
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE: Drop donations of warm clothing in the bin at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-5 pm weekdays.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fauntleroy (this is our weekly last-minute reminder, so would-be walkers can set their calendars for next Wednesday morning!).
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE FOOD TRUCK: As previewed here, it’s open to the public, 10:30 am-12:30 pm at the campus clock tower, and today culinary students running the truck are serving Polynesian-inspired cuisine. (6000 16th SW)
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the newly reopened Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
FREE ALL-AGES MOVIE: Vote on three options, and enjoy free popcorn, 2:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
FREE KIDS’ ART WORKSHOP: With Rec’N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3 pm.
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Monthly fundraiser at The Neighborhood (6503 California SW), this month with part of the proceeds going to Our Lady of Guadalupe School, 4-9 pm.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteers are ready to help K-12 students 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
MONOPOLY NIGHT: Play at Delridge Community Center! Dinner provided, prizes up for grabs. 5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, drop in and create! If you want some inspiration, this month’s spotlight project is a trio of personalized holiday-tree ornaments. (3400 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: You’re invited to this 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN, WITH BROOKS DEMOS: Get moving in the middle of the week – the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) is tonight – all welcome, regardless what pace you run at! Bonus tonight, Brooks shoe demos – try them out for your run!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
KUNDALINI YOGA: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
TRIVIA x 6: We have SIX West Seattle trivia spots on our Wednesday list: 6:30 and 7:30 pm, two sessions of Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), free, all ages … at Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), 7 pm, free to play … 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night also starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, it’s trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK BENEFIT @ TALARICO’S TRIVIA: This week and next, bring food and/or money to Talarico’s aforementioned 8:30 pm trivia, to support the West Seattle Food Bank!
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar (and Holiday Guide too, if it’s seasonal)! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Kathleen Sweeney and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Our beloved ‘sister’ Kathleen Sabra Sweeney, age 72, of Seattle, passed away suddenly on November 13, 2025. She will be desperately and forever missed.
Kathleen “Kathy,” “Ratty,” Sweeney was born in September 1953 to Charles and DoraMary, longtime West Seattle residents. Raised in West Seattle, she attended Chief Sealth International High School and attended South Seattle College for classes in areas of interest.
A public servant, Kathleen held various positions throughout her career; a few for the State of Washington, the majority with the City of Seattle Transportation Department, Signs and Markings Division. She took her role with the City very seriously, forging an encyclopedic knowledge of the City’s sign codes, processes, and protocols, offering her expertise and guidance to aid her community as needed and ensure public safety. She retired in June 2013.
Kathleen loved a good yard sale, sending cards in the mail, other people’s cats and dogs, beautiful gardens, wool socks, and talking on her rotary phone with friends for hours, often by regular standing appointment. She enjoyed antiquing, thrift stores, checking out new restaurants, and visits to Eastern Washington. Deeply committed to her community and loved ones, she “never met a stranger” and believed in supporting local charities. She was quick to help others, a genuine caretaker, and a “true angel” among us. She valued time with friends and loved ones and will be dearly missed by all.
She is survived by her brother, Michael “Spud” Sweeney, and very close life-long friends: Debbie Jackson, Hope Lauterstein, Shelley Barouh, Hannah Greer, and a community of very close neighbors and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jonathan Sweeney.
A celebration of life will be held in January 2026 in West Seattle – day and location to be announced.
If you would like to share photos, memories, and receive updates for details related to her celebration of life, please email: inmemoryofk@gmail.com or sign the guestbook at: www.emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/kathleen-sweeney
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Patchy morning fog, partly sunny, high in the low 50s. Sunrise will be at 7:21 am; sunset will be at 4:28 pm.
(Tuesday sunset photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is on a three-boat schedule, with M/V Cathlamet, M/V Kittitas (back from maintenance), and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where; ferry alerts will update with any changes.
Metro buses – On regular 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!
(2023 WSB photo from event showing off Harbor Island Studios and local film industry)
Two years ago, we reported on the grand opening of Harbor Island Studios, the new identity of the old flour mill that’s long been a landmark in view off the north side of the West Seattle Bridge. Then-county executive Dow Constantine had championed the project to turn it into a video/film-production facility. But when the King County Council got around to its final budget votes today, the studio was up for a possible funding cut, so, supporters tell us, a last-minute push was organized, and supporters converged on the council before they finalized the $20 billion two-year budget. The argument in an organizational email was summarized: “This is the only county-owned soundstage asset we have. Losing it dismantles workforce development, production capacity, and creative infrastructure that directly affects your teams, your work, and the future of filmmaking in this region.” Among the supporters was one local filmmaker, Matthew J. Clark, who told WSB tonight, “What is particularly impressive is that community support actually showed up to speak to council members and change their mind about cutting the Studios’ funding. It worked! Many of those that came to talk, wrote emails and made phone calls are from West Seattle. It is always so great to see people stand up and speak out. This time it made a change. We’ll see what happens in Q2 of 2026 when it comes back on the docket.” In a news release after the council meeting, County Councilmember Claudia Balducci explained this is far from settled:
When recent budget changes threatened to shutter Harbor Island Studios, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci stepped forward Tuesday with an amendment to keep the film studio alive. Councilmembers unanimously supported the amendment to the next two-year King County budget during a vote that came after an outpouring of public support for saving the studio.
Following the passage of the amendment to save Harbor Island Studios from closure, Balducci issued the following statement:
“Since the end of the pandemic, Harbor Island Studios has been a hub for creativity, supporting local film and media production in King County. I’m grateful to my Council colleagues’ support to keep Harbor Island Studios open. To be clear, this is a stopgap measure, providing short-term funding to sustain operations and maintenance. We will need to work urgently to find a future, sustainable funding source to maintain this resource.
“This is about more than just a building—it’s about preserving opportunity, creativity, and the future of our local film industry. Today’s vote reflects a commitment to protecting spaces that nurture local talent and strengthen King County’s cultural identity, but the work to save Harbor Island Studios has just begun. I look forward to collaborating with our local film industry partners, funders, and others to find a path to create a sustainable funding model so that Harbor Island Studios can continue to grow and serve as a hub for our region’s creative economy.”
The amendment waives the first six months of rent, along with a request for analysis of the economic impact of the studio along with a determination of fair market rental value for the lease moving forward. Additionally, County Executive-Elect Zahilay said during debate that he would not propose any future general fund expenditures to maintain Harbor Island Studios.
(WSB file photo)
Last year, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship visited West Seattle early in the season – before Thanksgiving. This year, it’s much later in the schedule – exactly one month from tonight, on Thursday, December 18. Its two stops, serenading those aboard and onshore, will be 5:50-6:10 pm outside Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW) and 8:35-8:55 pm near Alki Beach Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW). The singers for both stops will be Choir of the Sound. This year’s Alki Holiday Lights celebration, presented by the Alki Community Council, will be held the same night, so plan to spend your whole evening by the beach (for advance details, attend the ACC meeting this Thursday, November 20, 7 pm, at Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds). And if you lose track of all this – no worries, it’s also part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!
It’s trash/recycling day in Gatewood, and a truck is reported to have brought down a wire/cable across SW Elmgrove west of 35th SW [map]. Police are there until City Light can come tend to it, though officers believe it’s a cable, not a live wire, and there’s no accompanying outage.
2026 is six-plus weeks away, but the state Ecology Department just sent out this early alert:
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, a scheduled 4-cent increase in the price for plastic film carryout bags at Washington restaurants and retailers will raise their minimum cost to 12 cents per bag from the current 8 cents. The increase is part of a 2020 law meant to encourage shoppers to bring their own carryout bags. The minimum charge for a paper carryout bag will remain at 8 cents.
Washington’s single-use plastic bag ban was implemented in 2021 and prohibits thin, .5 mil disposable plastic bags. The law sets standards for thicker, 2.25 mil reusable plastic film bags and requires plastic and paper carryout bags contain a minimum 40% recycled content.
“Paper and plastic carryout bags impact the environmental at every stage of their production, transportation, and disposal,” said Peter Lyon, manager of Ecology’s Solid Waste Management Program. “Bringing your own bag is the easiest way to avoid the charge, reduce emissions, preserve resources, and prevent bags from becoming litter.”
To avoid the additional cost of carryout bags, Ecology recommends people store reusable bags in their cars, backpacks, purses, and other handy places where they can be easily retrieved when needed.
Resources designed to help businesses remind customers to bring their own bags are available on Ecology’s bag ban webpage, including printable “BYOB” signs and posters that can be hung in parking lots, on windows, and at checkout counters.
How bag fees work
When a customer chooses to purchase a bag from a grocery store, retailer, or restaurant, the law requires a minimum charge of 8 cents for paper bags or 12 cents for plastic bags. Businesses are allowed to charge more than the minimum fees to help recoup the higher costs of compliant paper and plastic bags. Bag fees are treated as taxable retail sales – the fee goes to the business. Customers using food benefits, such as WIC, TANF, SNAP or EBT, are not subject to bag fees. Food banks are also exempt from applying bag fees to paper or plastic bags.Learn more
Visit ecology.wa.gov/bag-ban for more information about the law’s requirements, frequently asked questions, and flyers and resources translated into 18 languages. Contact bagban@ecy.wa.gov with questions or requests for technical assistance.
Seattle had a “bag ban” for almost a decade before the state implemented its law – which pre-empted the city rules – in 2021.
We don’t know if this sign on the door at 16th SW and SW Holden has been up for hours, days, or weeks, but we just noticed it, pulling over after spotting it while passing by. Considering a huge WE’RE OPEN banner is hanging above the same door, it’s worth a mention. The up-and-down history of what started two years ago as Miso Chef Korea and then morphed to simply Miso seems to be in another down period; the handwritten sign says the restaurant is “temporarily closed due to difficult circumstances.” The restaurant had a temporary closure last year too.
As announced on Sunday, the 2025 WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide is launched (with daily additions and updates). The Thansgiving/pre-Thanksgiving section is of course currently right at the top, and we want to remind you, that includes options for holiday feasts/foods that somebody else will prep for you to heat up/cook at home -not just supermarkets, but local restaurants as well. The deadlines for ordering are coming up fast, too – some in the next day or two. Meantime, if we’re missing anyone else who’s offering pre-cooked and/or pre-prepared holiday food, please send the info and we’ll add it to the guide! (And if you don’t want to do any cooking at all, we of course will have our annual “who’s open” list – linked in the guide when it’s ready.)
(Droplets on a European Smoke Tree, photographed by Janelle Otterholt)
Our daily event reminders, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
TOYS FOR TOTS: Drop off new unwrapped toys for the drive at Highstreet Insurance (5431 California SW; WSB sponsor), 8 am-4:30 pm weekdays.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Indoor play on (another) gray day! West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is opening its free community playspace, 9 am-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. (42nd/Juneau)
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: 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.
SSC FOOD TRUCK: Culinary students’ food truck open to the public, 10:30 am-12:30 pm by the clock tower on the South Seattle College campus (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), today offering a Polynesian menu.
PEPPER’S PALS BLOOD DRIVE: Still a couple slots left for midday/afternoon during this one-day blood drive at Alki Elementary (Schmitz Park campus, 5000 SW Spokane) – go here to check.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch meeting at West Seattle Golf Course. Today’s program: Dr. William R. LeDoux and Dr. Glenn Klute from the VA Center for Limb Loss and Mobility. (4470 35th SW).
CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.
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.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 6-8 pm, “Unplugged: A Musical Gathering” at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
UKULELE PLAYERS’ EVENING MEETUP: Monthly evening gathering open to all with ukuleles, 6 pm at Good Society (California SW and SW Lander).
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.
WESTSIDE DANCE WITH DEAN: All-ages dance lessons, no partner necessary, first lesson free! 6:30 pm at Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Last ANA general gathering of the year – come hear and talk about what’s happening in the neighborhood, including the holiday Winter Wonderland plan, plus an update from SPD, and electing next year’s leadership. Special location: West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor). Everyone’s welcome!
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Classes continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). Our calendar listing has details including how to check if they have space for you. Space allowing, newcomers are welcome, and the first class is free.
WEST SEATTLE PFLAG: 7 pm at location to be provided to RSVPers (4320 SW Hill).
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 participate.
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 and (if it’s seasonal) Holiday Guide, from which we draw our daily lists too – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo)
West Seattle’s Puget Ridge Edible Park is one of a kind – community created, community maintained, community supported. It’s a place not only to grow food – but also to grow growers. Now a key component needs replacement, and PREP’s Stu Hennessey shares the call for support in making that happen:
Over the last decade of the volunteer run Puget Ridge Edible Park (PREP) we have met so many people from all over West Seattle that are interested in learning more about growing and harvesting locally grown vegetables.
The PREP seed money campaign has just started and will go on through December 15th.
This year we would like to raise $2800 to replace our aging polytunnel. The polytunnel makes a big difference in how much food we can produce for our open to the public food garden.
When you donate early it will go toward getting more funding awarded to the fastest starters in their campaigns.
Please consider donating to this, as it is our biggest fundraiser.
Never been there? Puget Ridge Edible Park is at 18th SW and SW Brandon.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Mostly cloudy, more rain possible, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise will be at 7:19 am; sunset will be at 4:29 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is on a three-boat schedule, with M/V Cathlamet, M/V Kittitas (back from maintenance), and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where; ferry alerts will update with any changes.
Metro buses – On regular 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!
(Seattle Public Schools photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Seattle Public Schools‘ likely new superintendent is a fan of K-8 schools.
That’ll be welcome news for the West Seattleites involved with the two on the peninsula, Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point and Louisa Boren STEM K-8 in Delridge, both of which have dealt with near-existential threats in recent years.
The district offered us a chance to talk with superintendent finalist Ben Shuldiner a few days after the board revealed that the current Lansing, MI, superintendent was their choice to lead SPS into the future. In our 25-minute online chat, we asked about a variety of issues with which SPS has grappled – some of which he faced in his current district, too.
INCREASING ENROLLMENT
He says public-school districts have to come to terms with the fact that while “30 or 40 years ago, they had a monopoly … now, there’s so much more choice.” But he says the ultimate way to solve the problem is “just do better at our jobs” – provide a better education. To increase enrollment in Lansing, Shuldiner says, “we made our schools better.”
And he says they noticed a trend – parents loved the elementary schools, but were “fearful about the junior highs.” So, he says, “we created a bunch of K-8s” – and that led to less loss between elementary and middle school, because the students would be staying on in schools with which they and their families were already familiar.
But overall, he repeats, “You increase enrollment because people want to come to our schools.”
SPS has been criticized for not marketing itself much if at all. What’s his view on that? He says promotion is important, from talking to the media to advertising such as billboards. “Everybody else is doing it, so you have to.” And that promotion should surface the “great stories” that he believes are already happening, waiting to be told. Then, he said, you tout the results – “in Lansing, we raised grades (and a board member told the community) ‘send your kids back’ (to the district).”
SCHOOL SIZES?
We brought up the shot-down-not-long-ago proposal to close schools so that the district would focus on larger, “well-resourced” schools. Shuldiner says he appreciates the concept of schools having full support staff, but “each community and neighborhood is different,” and that has to be considered when evaluating a school. The focus has to be on “let’s do right by the children,” he emphasized.
WHAT’S IN HIS FIRST-100-DAYS PLAN?
Shuldiner created one during the interview process, so we asked what it starts with. First, he said, “gotta be in the community.” Rebuilding trust between the district and community is paramount, he indicated. He hopes to “visit every single school in the first 100 days … walk the halls with the principals, with the kids.” (We were curious how many layers of bureaucracy his district had between the principals and superintendent; apparently as many as there are in Seattle.) Also, “make some decisions quickly,” with a deep dig into the budget. He also mentioned he might even move to “take down some walls (in the administration) building” (he meant that literally).
TOO MUCH BUREAUCRACY?
Knowing that principals report to a middle-management layer rather than directly to the superintendent, we wondered what the structure is in Lansing. Similar, he replied, but that doesn’t stop the superintendent from getting out and talking directly to school staff (as mentioned above). Shuldiner says he enjoys those visits since “I’m a teacher first and foremost,” and was a principal too, considering those roles and his current one all to fall under the umbrella label “educator.”
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The Seattle board halved its regular meeting schedule to monthly not long ago, so we asked him about the frequency of board meetings in Lansing: He said they met two or three times a month, and that the Lansing board had more members than the Seattle board. He said the board periodically has “informational study sessions,” something he’d like to bring to Seattle.
GIFTED PROGRAMS
SPS’s philosophy toward serving “highly capable” students hasn’t been consistent in recent years. So we asked Shuldiner about his views. He didn’t say much – voicing general support for “differentiating based on the needs of each child” – except to note that Lansing dramatically increased the rate of students passing AP exams. That, he said, was largely the result of “more AP classes, and we didn’t gatekeep who got into them.” That quickly segued into a topic we had planned to ask about anyway …
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION
This is back in vogue, we noted, with “the trades” in some cases desperate for workers. Just outside Seattle, we noted, there are now public high schools dedicated to maritime and aviation. Shuldiner said his current district “created Lansing Technical High School,” and noted that Lansing had been “the home of trades” for so long. But counter to concerns that teaching the trades somehow diminished academics, he said he sees it as an “and” rather than an “or,” and also observed that basic subjects like math can be taught through hands-on learning as well as via abstract textbook problems. “Truth is, kids love learning hands-on.”
HOW TO EVALUATE HIM IN THE EARLY GOING?
Obviously, he said, results won’t be immediate – in terms of stats, at least – so what he hopes is that people will be able to evaluate him for transparency, for building trust, for listening, for staff feeling more supported, for “more vision and direction.”
That’s where we wrapped up. So what’s next? Assuming Shuldiner reaches a contract/salary agreement with the district, the board will vote on finalizing the hire. They said they’re hoping he’ll start “early next year.”
Thanks to David for sending the photo and tip. He says that truck’s been stuck since about 4:30 pm at 52nd SW and SW Hughes, which he describes as a “switchback turn.” (Here’s a map.) Radio exchanges indicate police have just gotten to it a short time ago.
Once again this year, John Moore‘s insurance agency is collecting Toys for Tots, and you’re invited to donate. John, a longtime WSB sponsor, sent word of this year’s drive along with a big change for his agency:
(2024 photo)
Each year our agency participates in the Toys for Tots donation drive. Each year I am amazed by the generosity of our clients and our community. This year I know we can do it again, but we need your help. While we may have officially changed our name – Northwest Insurance Group is now Highstreet Insurance – we remain the same great team, providing the same level of service and protection our clients have come to know and expect. Three years ago, I joined Highstreet Insurance, part of a national brokerage, to provide something bigger to my team and our clients. Now, with partners across the country, access to the entire insurance marketplace, and the ability to offer more benefits to our clients, we are stronger than ever. We are excited for the future; we are excited to be part of a bigger team while we remain committed to protecting where we live and work. You will still find us in the same location on California Ave, we still have the same great team in place, and we still know how important it is to support our local community. We are thrilled to serve as a drop-off location for the Toys for Tots toy drive this year and we encourage everyone who can help spread some joy and holiday cheer to local kids in need this season.
John and the rest of his Highstreet Insurance West Seattle team are at 5431 California SW, and open for dropoffs weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo! Hours after the Mariners signed Josh Naylor to a five-year dea; – after his three months with the team this season – the T-Mobile Park roof is displaying his initials in celebration, as seen looking across the bay from West Seattle shores. Naylor, a 28-year-old first baseman who hit .295 last year, will get more than $92 million from the deal, according to MLB.com.
(WSB photos, Saturday night)
This past Saturday night wasn’t just another busy weekend night at West Seattle Bowl – it was a holiday-season fun-way-to-give event that’s been happening for more than 25 years – the Beer Church Turkey Bowl, benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank!
Our group shot of the crew running the show this year includes, third and fourth from left, founders Kendall Jones (publisher of Washington Beer Blog) and Kim Sharpe Jones. Besides bowling – with lanes booked by participants including local brewers and brew-pub proprietors – the night included raffles with prizes donated by businesses and other supporters:
This year, the Joneses expected it to be the biggest yet, encouraging financial donations to WSFB as well as the food donations that stack up every year. We got the totals today from WSFB’s Robbin Peterson (at left in our photo below, helping out during the Turkey Bowl):
What an incredible evening! This year’s Beer Church Turkey Bowl brought out an enthusiastic, joyful crowd – and the community’s generosity truly showed. While we’re still waiting for final numbers as Georgetown Brewing continues to sell this year’s custom-brewed Beer Church IPA at their SODO taproom, we’re thrilled to share that Turkey Bowl has already surpassed $15,000 raised for West Seattle Food Bank. Additionally, nearly 1,000 pounds of food and diapers were collected Saturday night. We are deeply grateful to Beer Church, Georgetown Brewing, West Seattle Bowl, every bowler, every attendee, and everyone who lifted up their neighbors by supporting West Seattle Food Bank.
You can read more about this year’s Beer Church IPA in this Turkey Bowl preview on the Washington Beer Blog – and it’s on today’s fresh sheet at Georgetown Brewing, open daily 10 am-8 pm at 5200 Denver Ave. S. (And if you’d rather just give WSFB some $, go here any time.)
Starting right after an SDOT crew left California SW and SW Alaska on Saturday morning, people started asking us about the then-covered-up pushbuttons they installed on all corners. Some worried these were “beg buttons” meaning the intersection would stop being automatically cycled “Walk All Ways.” An explanation wasn’t available over the weekend, but we just got this reply from SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali:
What you’re seeing are new Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) push buttons being installed to meet ADA standards. These provide audio and tactile cues to help people who are blind or low-vision know when it’s safe to cross. The cardboard covers are just temporary — crews keep them in place until all APS units are ready to be activated at the same time.
We’re also replacing some vehicle signal heads and overhead signs while crews are onsite, but none of this changes how the intersection operates. The California/Alaska all-walk “scramble” will continue to activate automatically. We are not switching to push-button (“beg button”) operation or making any other timing or operational changes.
Our crews will also be doing this same type of work at California Ave SW & SW Oregon St — upgrading APS push buttons and replacing vehicle signal heads and overhead signage. That work may begin once the Alaska intersection is complete, possibly early next year, weather depending.
Some other intersections already have the APS buttons – just a block east, 42nd SW and SW Alaska, for example.
11:58 AM: Some have lost power and a car crash is likely to blame – a driver is reported to have hit a utility pole by the Southwest Precinct at Delridge and Webster.
12:01 PM: More than 4,400 customers are out per the Seattle City Light outage map.
12:12 PM: Some traffic signals are in the outage zone, so remember that when those go dark, it’s an all-ways stop. Meantime, a commenter says Chief Sealth IHS and Denny MS are aut of power because of this. … Police say they’re blocking SW Webster between Delridge and the precinct gate; at one point they described the car as having ended up “almost vertical” against the pole (we’re on our way to look).
(Added: Photo uploaded in comments below by ‘WS Resident’)
12:21 PM: A texter says West Seattle Elementary is out too.
12:56 PM: Just got back and the map – and texters – say the outage is over. City Light and a tow truck had already arrived at the crash site on the northwest corner of Delridge/Webster when we went by.
As we’ve been reporting, fall sports season is wrapping up for local high-school teams, with winter sports starting soon. Todat we have an update to share from the West Seattle High School girls’ swimming/diving coaching staff:
(Not pictured: Simone Dylla, Matty Ogle, Lucy Oprinski, Dacey Tanaka)The West Seattle High School Girls Swimming and Diving team celebrated the end of an amazing season by participating in the Metro, District, and State swimming and diving championships.
At the Metro Championships, WSHS was represented by seniors Izzy Baber, Frances Bugala, Lilly DuPuis, Lucia Stemm-Calderon, juniors Anna Tova Baekkelund, Iris Christian, Keara Kinch, Sally Klem, Eden O’Donnell, Matty Ogle, Lisa Willis, sophomore Brin Darnell, and freshman Leia Al-Jawad. We’re happy to report eleven swimmers advanced to finals!
Though not at the Metro Championships this year, Simone Dylla, Alina Luff, Miya McGlamery, Lucy Oprinski, Autumn Schrader, Ella Stockfish, Dacey Tanaka, and Lucy Valentine were very important members of the team this season who made outstanding progress and contributions. We’re so proud of everything they accomplished.
Following the Metros meet, Baber, Baekkelund, Bugala, Christian, Klem, O’Donnell, and Ogle advanced to the District Championships where the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays reached finals. Individually, O’Donnell reached finals in the 200 freestyle.
The season culminated at the Washington Girls High School State Championships, where O’Donnell captured 7th place in the 200 freestyle and 4th place in the 500 freestyle. This builds on the success of the 2024 season that saw the 200 freestyle relay team of Eve Legge, Lucille Rysemus, Lucy Stahl, and Avery Zimmer selected for the state meet and placing 16th.
Over the course of the season, every WSHS swimmer posted at least one personal best time. Way to go, Wildcats!
(Seen on the Sound – photo by Mike Burns)
Here’s what’s happening in West Seattle today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and newly launched Holiday Guide (got something to add? please send info!):
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE: Drop donations of warm clothing in the bin at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-5 pm weekdays.
BABY STORY TIME: Also at Southwest Library, 12 pm-12:30 pm.
HOMEWORK HELP: Free drop-in homework help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4 pm to 5:45 pm.
REMINDER – LIGHT RAIL FORUM POSTPONED: Originally announced for tonight but happening next Monday instead.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group for people experiencing grief – participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee; book a spot here. (4034 California SW)
COMEDY AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS! Monthly chance to laugh, 7 pm, presented by West Seattle’s own Cozy Comedy. Ticket link is in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
LIVE IN-STORE AT EASY STREET: The Happy Fits, 7 pm, all ages, free. But you have to buy their new album to participate in the signing/meet-greet part of the night. (4559 California SW)
MOVIE MONDAY AT BENBOW ROOM: Two classic movies every Monday at 7 pm – tonight “Good Will Hunting” and “The Fisher King.” (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three places to play tonight! 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: Doors open at 6:45 for 7 pm meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are invited to The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: South-end Monday night meditation – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Live 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 to EVERYONE 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!
Family and friends will gather next Saturday to celebrate the life of Denise Liftin. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing now:
In Loving Memory of Denise Liftin
August 6, 1960 – November 13, 2025Denise Liftin, 65, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Manhasset, New York, Denise’s vibrant spirit and sense of adventure carried her through a life full of love, creativity, and laughter.
A proud graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, the University of Michigan, and the University of Washington, Denise brought curiosity and compassion to everything she did. She built a warm and loving family with her husband Marc and their children Daniel and Annie, who were the center of her world. She is also survived by her mother Phyllis Liftin and her sister Amy Vitale, and was preceded in death by her father Shelly Liftin.
Denise had a gift for finding beauty in everyday life. An avid walker, gardener, and cyclist, she once biked all the way from Michigan to New York. She loved being outdoors with her camera, always noticing the small things most people would walk right past. Her photography was recognized by The Seattle Times, where she placed in one of their photo competitions. She also found joy in the simple pleasures: a scoop (or two) of ice cream, a great album, a fierce game of pickleball, and the discovery of a new Trader Joe’s snack. She was known to embark on “troll adventures,” exploring hidden corners of the Pacific Northwest with her signature curiosity and humor.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Denise’s life on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, from 1-4 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle. All who knew and loved her are welcome to join in honoring her memory.
Denise will be remembered for her warmth, creativity and the way she made the world brighter one walk, one photo, and one laugh at a time.
We welcome you to share memories, photos, and condolences on the guestbook, located at:
emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/denise-liftinArrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
| 1 COMMENT