West Seattle, Washington

06 Sunday

52℉

Spotlight Stories


  • Closed

    NEW RESTAURANT: What’s replacing Duke’s

  • Sign

    FINALLY A SIGN: One year after our first story!

  • Registration

    WS GARAGE SALE DAY: Registration now open!

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info; Fauntleroy/Oregon crash
March 4, 2025 6:03 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:59 AM: South/westbound Fauntleroy is blocked at Oregon because of a crash for which SFD initially sent a “rescue extrication” response. Most of those units were quickly cleared.

8:08 AM: The nearest traffic camera shows the lanes headed toward the bridge remain open past the crash scene.

8:15 AM: Police just told dispatch they’ve reopened all but one south(west)bound lane of Fauntleroy at the scene.

8:44 AM: All lanes reopened.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES + TIME-CHANGE COUNTDOWN

Forecast – rain expected, high around 50. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:43 am and 5:59 pm. Five more days until we “spring forward” an hour on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

ROAD WORK UPDATE

-The 35th/Edmunds sinkhole utility work is done, per SPU, and the asphalt patch is temporary.

ROAD CLOSURE NOTE

-If you missed it last night, here’s why SW Myrtle is closed around the clock between 34th and 35th for a few more days.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule. Note that the NB California/Fauntleroy stop is scheduled to be closed all week because of “construction,” with riders told to use a temporary California/Graham stop instead. On Monday, this work closed a northbound travel lane too.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V serving as the “bonus boat.”

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides 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!

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Cameras to crack down on vehicle noise? Legislature hasn’t hit the brakes so far
March 3, 2025 11:56 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

That’s Seattle Channel video of today’s City Council briefing meeting, which – as is usual this time of year – included an update on proposed state legislation that the city is watching. Among the bills mentioned today: HB 1423, which would allow cities to try out vehicle-noise-enforcement cameras. District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka has taken extra interest in this one because of the issues on Alki and Harbor Avenues, so he asked for extra details. The council’s Legislature-focused staffers told him the bill was still alive, but with some changes, including redefining it as a potential pilot program expiring in 2028, adding various reporting requirements for cities that try it, and limiting it to cities of a current size (Seattle would still qualify). Meantime, Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck sent a bulletin to other community advocates tonight urging wide support for HB 1423 and its counterpart SB 5417, as well as requesting signatures on this new Change.org petition.

Share This

BIZNOTE: Heartwood Law + HomeStreet Bank = drawing today, free workshop Thursday
March 3, 2025 9:40 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: Heartwood Law + HomeStreet Bank = drawing today, free workshop Thursday
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Every month, HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction showcases a local business or organization, and ends the month with a drawing for a prize contributed by the showcase subject, with entries open to all branch visitors during the month.

Today, Jessica Webb of Heartwood Law visited the branch to wrap up her firm’s turn in the spotlight, and to join HomeStreet’s Andrew Tento in drawing the winner of a “family night basket” she put together with items from treats to games. This Thursday (March 6) at 5 pm, she’ll return to the branch (4022 SW Alaska) for another giveaway of sorts – a free presentation where you can learn about “Estate Planning 101.” It’s important information everyone should know, from health-care directives to powers of attorney – just show up to learn.

Meantime, the March spotlight at HomeStreet will shine on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society as it prepares for its April 11th gala.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Storm-damaged school flagpole keeps SW Myrtle closed. Here’s the plan of action
March 3, 2025 7:50 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Storm-damaged school flagpole keeps SW Myrtle closed. Here’s the plan of action
 |   High Point | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle weather

(WSB photo, looking southwestward toward school and flagpole from 34th/Myrtle)

In our windstorm coverage last Tuesday, we mentioned that Our Lady of Guadalupe School had closed SW Myrtle between 34th and 35th – usually just a school-hours closure – because the stability of its flagpole was in question. The street has remained closed, and taped off, since then, while OLG determined whether the flagpole had to come down. Tonight, we checked back in, and the answer is “yes.” Dave from OLG tells WSB, “The pole needs to be taken down and we think that will occur on Thursday or Friday, and we will open the road at that point.” He says the flagpole eventually will be replaced.

Share This

UPDATE: Here’s where you’ll find a Seattle Parks egg hunt in West Seattle this year
March 3, 2025 6:02 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2022 egg hunt at Delridge Community Center)

MONDAY: Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday, which means Easter (April 20) is about a month and a half away, so egg-hunt season is approaching too. Seattle Parks published its citywide list of community-center egg hunts today, and so far they’re planning one in West Seattle – (updated) 10 am Saturday, April 19, at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW). We’re watching for announcements of others at non-Parks venues and will add those to our calendar too, once we get word of them.

ADDED TUESDAY: Parks tells us they’ve added one more West Seattle hunt to the list – High Point Community Center, also on April 19. The start time for that one and Delridge will be 10 am.

Share This

ORCAS: Southern Residents headed toward this area
March 3, 2025 4:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

For four weeks, transient orcas – the ones that are NOT considered endangered – have been in the area (including that thrilling appearance within feet of West Seattle’s shore on Sunday). Now, Kersti Muul reports, Southern Resident Killer Whales have reappeared in central Puget Sound- J-Pod whales, including calf J62, were southbound, seen approaching Fay Bainbridge State Park, at last report. That’s still a ways north of here, so this is early heads-up depending on how fast they’re traveling. Please let us know if you see them!

Share This

Learn about learning at South Seattle College! Open house next week
March 3, 2025 4:07 pm
|    Comments Off on Learn about learning at South Seattle College! Open house next week
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thinking about continuing your education – with a class, or a full certificate/degree program, or other career pathway? South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) is ready to show you what’s possible! Here’s the announcement of next week’s open house, and more:

South Seattle College will open its doors to prospective students and their families on Tuesday, March 11 from 3:30 to 6:30 PM for its annual Discover Open House. There will be campus tours, program presentations, opportunities to speak with faculty and advisors and more. Information on admissions, financial aid and other student resources will also be provided. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP. Learn more about the Discover South Seattle College Open House.

Located in the Puget Ridge neighborhood of West Seattle, South Seattle College offers a variety of opportunities to help our community members reach their educational and career goals. Options at South include career training, college transfer and applied bachelor’s degrees, plus short-term training and personal enrichment courses.

The open house is part of the Discover Seattle Colleges events series happening March 3-13. The first series includes four online events exploring academic programs and career pathways at Seattle Colleges (including South Seattle College, Seattle Central College and North Seattle College). Furthermore, those interested in apprenticeships and skilled trades can attend the Discover South Seattle College Georgetown Open House on March 12. The Georgetown Campus Open House will also feature a Clean Water, Sustainable Building, and Green Jobs Symposium, hosted in collaboration with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks – Wastewater Treatment Division and South Seattle College’s Sustainable Building Science Technology program. Interested participants are invited to attend all events. See the full schedule and sign up at seattlecolleges.edu/discover.

Share This

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: West Seattle restaurant Ephesus – now Efesis – sets the date for reopening
March 3, 2025 1:22 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photos)

It’s been a little over a year since we first told you the original 25-year owner of Ephesus planned to reopen the restaurant at 5245 California SW. Now, Hasan Ocak (above) has set his reopening date: This Wednesday (March 5). And there’s a new name: Efesis. More on that in a moment. We visited him there this morning to find out details he hadn’t set during our previous conversations, and to see inside the space.

Hasan was there with his head chef, Huseyn, who told us he had worked there both with Hasan and with the operators who leased the space until a year and a half ago. Huseyn says his departure from their employment is when they changed the menu to a Greek emphasis; now Turkish food is back.

The menu is undergoing final work right now but here’s a look at what’s been roughed out. (Click the link to see our image showing the main dinner menu; they’ll also have appetizers nightly from a rotating list including hummus, eggplant salad, spinach dip, roka salad, haydari yogurt (with cucumber and dill), sauteed mushrooms, and more.

About the name: Hasan says they’re changing it to avoid issues regarding the previous operators, who have been running a venue called Ephesus in Pioneer Square. Efesis, he says, is Turkish and is pronounced the same way. The signage will change.

One thing that won’t: When the weather warms up, the restaurant will enjoy two floors of deck space, both looking toward Puget Sound – here’s the second-floor view:

Efesis will be open 4 pm-10 pm, nightly except Mondays. Hasan says with a big smile that he eventually plans to have two chefs and two assistants – including him.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Denny-Sealth Performing Arts fundraiser extended
March 3, 2025 12:30 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

An arts program serving two schools has just extended its fundraiser – here’s the donation invitation we were asked to share with you:

(Photo courtesy Jaeney Hoene)

Support Denny-Sealth Performing Arts!

We are inviting all community members to use the Snapraise links below to support the performing arts at Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School. Our amazing performing arts programs need your support to provide coaching, instruments, uniforms, maintenance and repair, and performance/competition opportunities for students.

We just passed the $10,000 mark with a goal of $15,000. Help us reach our goal!

Last day to contribute is Tuesday, March 11!

Denny International Middle School – https://raise.snap.app/donate/denny-middle-school-music-booster-2025

Chief Sealth IHS – https://raise.snap.app/donate/chief-sealth-intl-music-booster-2025

If you are a local business or community member wondering how you can support our programs directly, please contact DSPA co-chairs, Mary Wiener (mary_r_wiener@yahoo.com) and Jaeney Hoene (jaeney@me.com)

Share This

From stories to support, here’s the list for your West Seattle Monday
March 3, 2025 9:54 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Some daffodils are blooming! Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening (and not happening) for the rest of today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

COURTS CLOSED: Seattle Parks sent an alert this morning that the tennis and pickleball courts at High Point Community Center are closed through Thursday for annual maintenance.

BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales continue today, after school! Go here to look for a cookie booth near you – multiple troops are selling at various spots, during various time slots, in West Seattle. (Is your troop out selling cookies? Send a pic – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: 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 with Tamara Kubacki, meeting at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW). “Grief groups are brave and safe spaces where bereaved people can share their stories and speak their loved one’s name without fear of getting advice, platitudes, or being shut out, no matter how long it’s been since their loved one’s passing.” – you can attend once or multiple times. Fee. Preregistration requested – our calendar listing explains how.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: 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); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION AT ALKI UCC: It’s back, every Monday. Doors open at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: More Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights, jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday night, sing your heart out during karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who contributes listings to our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

Life-saving lessons for parents this Thursday
March 3, 2025 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Life-saving lessons for parents this Thursday
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Before we get to what’s happening today/tonight, here’s a note about a chance to learn life-saving lessons this Thursday night at West Seattle High School:

WSHS will be hosting our 8th annual Forefront Suicide Prevention Parent Night, Thursday, March 6th, from 6-8 pm in the WSHS library. This parent night will focus on learning the stats and risk factors for teen suicide, as well as teaching parents active listening skills and how to listen to their teens with empathy. Preventing death by suicide is everyone’s job- from school staff to parents, friends and the community as a whole. WSHS has partnered with Forefront in the Schools to educate our entire West Seattle community on suicide and how we, as a team, play a role in prevention.

Please RSVP at the following link: Forefront Parent Night RSVP

RSVP is recommended, not required. Questions? Contact School Counselor Mallory Neuman at mlneuman@seattleschools.org

Share This

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: First Monday in March
March 3, 2025 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: First Monday in March
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, March 3, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES + TIME-CHANGE COUNTDOWN

Forecast toplines – cloudy, showers expected, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:45 am and 5:57 pm. First 6 pm sunset of the year will be Wednesday, but don’t get used to the 6 pm times, because this Saturday night/Sunday morning is when we “spring forward” an hour, and suddenly sunsets will be after 7 pm.

(Weekend sunset, photographed by Chris Frankovich)

ROAD WORK UPDATES

-The Admiral Way Bridge remains in flux.

-The 35th/Edmunds sinkhole has been patched.

-Weekend work replaced a concrete panel (photo above) at the southeast corner of Fauntleroy/Alaska.

-In White Center, work starts today on SW 104th east of 16th SW. By mid-month, that intersection will be closed for work

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule. Note that the NB California/Fauntleroy stop is scheduled to be closed this week because of “construction,” with riders told to use a temporary California/Graham stop instead.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V serving as the “bonus boat.”

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides 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!

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Harbor Avenue assault (updated Monday night); Highland Park double-impact hit-run
March 2, 2025 8:45 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two more West Seattle Crime Watch reports, both involving drivers:

HARBOR AVENUE ASSAULT: This was dispatched as a crash (“motor vehicle incident” as logged by SFD) shortly before 11 pm last night, but a summary released by police says it turned out to be more:

At 2248 hours, the suspect randomly confronted the victims at the 1000 BLK of Harbor Ave SW. The suspect got in a disturbance with two unknown victims. The suspect made a threat to the victims. The victims drove away from the suspect to prevent further confrontation. The suspect was inside his vehicle and accelerated toward the victims’ vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle struck the back of the victims’ vehicle. The victims had injuries, and SFD responded to the scene. AMR transported the victim to the hospital. The suspect was placed in custody for Assault 2, DUI, and Obstructing. The suspect will be booked for Assault 2, and charges will be requested for the DUI and Obstructing.

The SPD case # is 25-56778. (Monday night update: Bail was set at $20,000 for the suspect. We haven’t seen case documents yet, though, so we don’t know if there’s more to the story, yet.)

DOUBLE-IMPACT HIT-RUN: The report and images were sent tonight by Tom:

On Sunday 3/2/2025 at 9:25 am, a white Cadillac Escalade driven by what appears to be a white male pulled out into the street from where he was parked and drove into my Subaru Crosstrek parked in front of my house on the 7500 blk of 15th Ave SW.

He hit it twice with enough force to move my car 6 inches until it hit the curb. The white Cadillac Escalade is a 2002-2006 model year with scrape marks on the front bumper driver side and probably damage to the right front bumper area. Front license plate appears to be missing and the rear license plate is covered or blacked out. Any additional information on this character would be greatly appreciated. SPD report # 25-57165.

Share This

WEEK AHEAD: Free food @ West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA’s Annual Fund Drive Kickoff this Wednesday
March 2, 2025 6:33 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEK AHEAD: Free food @ West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA’s Annual Fund Drive Kickoff this Wednesday
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

Looking ahead to one of this week’s big events, here’s a reminder that the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) invites you to the annual fund-drive kickoff on Wednesday (March 5):

We are days away from the West Seattle and Fauntleroy Annual Fund Drive Kick-off event! Come join us at the Fauntleroy YMCA for an evening of food and drinks, and to learn more about the amazing work being done at the Y, along with what is possible with your support.

This is a free event for the community, RSVPs are required.

When: March 5th, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Where: Fauntleroy YMCA Fellowship Hall, 9140 California Ave SW
Who: Everyone in our community
Perks: Meet your neighbors, learn more about the YMCA, Free food!

RSVP here: linktr.ee/WestSeattleYMCA

If you are unable to attend, you can still give to the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA here: seattleymca.org/give/donate/west-seattle-fauntleroy-ymca

This flyer explains the Y’s goals and plans for the annual fundraising campaign.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Third day of in-person sales for Girl Scout Cookies
March 2, 2025 4:14 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photo)

During today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, we found members of Girl Scout Troop 40622 selling cookies outside Easy Street Records – one of many spots you can buy them in-person for the next two weeks. Many troops are at supermarkets – Troop 41268 sent this photo and report from Admiral Safeway during their first cookie-booth shift on Friday afternoon:

Our Brownie troop 41268 got a special customer who happened to be shopping at Safeway Admiral!

You can use this lookup to find your nearest cookie booths. Scouts are listed as selling cookies until 8 tonight, for example, at many local grocery stores, including West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), both QFCs, all three Safeways, and Trader Joe’s; a cookie booth is also on the schedule at Marination ma kai on Seacrest Pier until 5:30 pm. This year’s cookies are $6/box and Scouts are using their proceeds for a variety of projects – Troop 40622, for example, is mostly interested in “helping animals,” we were told.

(We welcome photos from troops and customers during cookie season – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

Share This

WHALES: Orcas in Elliott Bay again – close to shore (video, photos added)
March 2, 2025 3:34 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

3:34 PM: Transient killer whales have been in this area for the better part of four weeks now, notes Kersti Muul, in telling us a moment ago that they’re in Elliott Bay again – north side of the bay, heading southbound quickly. Let us know if you see them (and thanks to those who sent photos on Saturday!).

7:10 PM: Added photos above and below, sent by Bob Spears (thank you!).

7:52 PM: And here’s video by Vineta Jackson showing the orcas so close to shore, they were practically in touching distance (don’t try that, ever, though!):

That was at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (added – Eilene Hutchinson‘s photo below shows the context:)

ADDED: David Hutchinson sent these photos from that same sighting:

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Kids’ bike stolen outside church (update: found!)
March 2, 2025 2:00 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

2 PM: Sent by Katie:

Our 5-year-old’s bike was stolen this morning from outside our church at 39th and Thistle, in case anyone happens to see it around. It’s a bronze-colored Woom bike (20” OFF 4 mountain bike).

6:34 PM: Katie’s family has the bicycle back. Here’s how it happened (as partly explained in a comment below, and fully explained to us in email):

I spotted a woman riding the bike while leaving the Roxbury Safeway around 4:30 p.m.. I followed her until she reached a small homeless encampment near Westwood Village, at 22nd Ave SW and Barton. She parked the bike and walked away from it at that point. I was on the phone with police throughout all this. I then drove home, thinking the bike would be there until the police arrived, but even though they arrived quite quickly, the bike was gone. The officers, Sean and Sean, continued to be in touch with me and look for the bike, and they found it after about an hour. My son is very happy to have it back home. We’re really thankful to the SPD officers for going the extra mile to track it down.

Share This

Beach naturalist program will be back, Seattle Aquarium says, but with changes
March 2, 2025 12:33 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(File photo)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“It’s not cancelled.”

That’s the word from the Seattle Aquarium, which confirmed to WSB that its popular Beach Naturalist program will be back at select Puget Sound waterfront parks this summer, albeit with changes. Staff that worked on the program were among a dozen Aquarium employees laid off last month to address a budget shortfall, and the program has been on “pause” since then, spurring fears from volunteers and others that the program would be shuttered. Some contacted WSB with their concerns, so we looked into it.

For 20+ years, the naturalist program has trained hundreds of volunteers to meet park users at the tideline to safely observe and learn about starfish, sea slugs, and other aquatic life that becomes visible as the tide recedes. Lincoln Park and Constellation Park in West Seattle have been among the consistent locations over the years, with school field trips and other groups joining the throngs of park visitors to see the lowest tides of the year and on other selected days.

Aquarium spokesperson Tim Kuniholm describes the program as a “beloved tradition” that is valued for its connections to the community, but also one that will benefit from some changes that are “long overdue.” He says the Aquarium team assessing the program is, among other things, looking at new connections “working with community partners in more diverse communities.” Specifics are not yet available, though Kuniholm confirmed, “It will look different.”

(File photo)

Typically, volunteer training starts in March, but that is also on pause until the program details are finalized. The Aquarium is expecting to have more to share soon about how the program will operate in 2025. The beach naturalists have traditionally been out during the lowest daytime tides of the warm months (last year, the events started in May), with a few nighttime low-tide events too.

If you have comments about the program, the Seattle Aquarium is a nonprofit, overseen by a board of directors whose membership and contact info is here.

Share This

Remembering Georgia the Wonder Dog, 2020-2024
March 2, 2025 10:57 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | Pets | West Seattle news

We have long published West Seattle obituaries free of charge. Every so often, we receive one for a beloved pet. (We published one of our own a few years ago.) Today, the family of Georgia the Wonder Dog wants to tell her story:

Blessed with a beautiful black shaggy tuxedo coat and a good-natured demeanor, all kids – and most adults – loved her personality passionately. They could see the connection and affection deep in her brown, human-like eyes.

Georgia was big with huge paws and could have easily been mistaken for a giant muppet or a small child stuck in a black bear costume.

She was large on loyalty and ripe with a unique canine-level of FOMO. She loved her family fiercely and always wanted them together. She was a consummate herder; if the kids ran ahead on the way to the West Seattle Sunday Farmers Market, or zipped past her on their wheels, she would pull the leash like an Iditarod champion — yelping and whining to get to them.

She was legitimately scared of the dark and only liked going around half the block late at night. She was spooked by the wind and flags flapping in it befuddled her. A Great Dane charged its fence once looking to play but she skirted away so fast, she knocked me flat on my back instead.

You might have heard Georgia barking at your dog from our deck or saw her carrying too-big-of-sticks in a lopsided fashion around the blocks near Olympia Coffee.

Whatever it was, it was all personality with Georgia. She would come to my side of the bed to give me kisses and wake me up. Because she was too big to turn around she had to back out past the wall and the edge of the bed slowly like one of those trucks that beeps in reverse.

She loved ball toss, lying in tall grass, snuggling the kids, lying on her back on the couch, playing in the snow, eating Zuks salmon treats from Next to Nature (and perhaps stealing a treat or two from the bulk bins … shhh), and running free with her dog walker Sue and her Tuesday off-leash pals.

She chased blackbirds and squirrels but her true obsession was bunny rabbits. She never did get one.

Sadly, Georgia passed away from an infection she couldn’t beat on December 9th, 2024.

We tried so hard to save her. She was our BFF (Best Fur Friend) and will be missed forever and ever.

We love you, Georgia dog!

—

Special thanks to Drs. Wolfe and Wood and staff at Lien Vet Clinic as well as Dr. Ravi and dog whisperer-extraordinaire Adrienne at Animal Medical Center of Seattle for all their efforts and professionalism. Please consider donating any amount to an Emergency Vet Assistance program like redrover.org

(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)

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 18 notes!
March 2, 2025 6:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(‘Fogbow’ photographed from Lincoln Park by Barbara Spector)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s info for your Sunday:

TRAFFIC ALERT: As noted here, the Hot Chocolate Run downtown will close part of Highway 99 this morning.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales continue today! Go here to look for a cookie booth near you – multiple troops are selling at various spots, during various time slots, in West Seattle. (Is your troop out selling cookies? Send a pic – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

WESTIES RUN CLUB: For today’s run, meet at 9 am at Caffe Ladro. (7011 California SW)

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open 10 am-2 pm, with winter produce (root vegetables! greens! cabbage! apples!) and beverages, flowers, cheese, yogurt, fish, meat, prepared hot food, baked goods, nuts, dried peppers, garlic, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

ORGANIST HONORED: As previewed here, this morning’s 10 am service at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW) will include a celebration of its long-serving organist John Van Lierop Jr.

BEE GARDEN WORK PARTY: 10 am-noon, first West Seattle Bee Garden work party of the year!

Our jobs:
General garden cleanup

What to bring/wear:
Your gardening spirit (no experience necessary)
Water bottle
Close-toed shoes
Dress for the weather
We have a selection of gardening tools and gloves available, but if you have a favorite from home, please bring it, we love learning about folks’ favorite tools.

So many thanks for your support of our community garden!

(Graham/Lanham)

DUWAMISH TRIBE LONGHOUSE & CULTURAL CENTER: The Longhouse is open for visitors, 10 am-5 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool to get your project going, or to finish assembling a holiday gift? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

COMMUNITY CLOG-DANCING LESSONS: First of three Sundays with 1 pm lessons at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

FAT SUNDAY WITH JAMBALAYA AND JAZZ: Everybody welcome! 1 pm at Admiral Church, lunch and music. (4320 SW Hill)

SUNDAY CRIBBAGE: At the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ, 2 pm, tournament play for more advanced players. Non-members welcome too. (4426 California SW)

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: West Seattle tasting room open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)

MENDING WITH WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: Bring your own small projects and supplies to Elizabeth House (3201 SW Graham), 3-6 pm – details in our calendar listing.

MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: Bring money and/or nonperishable food donations to C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) in honor of today’s 3-5 pm performance by Christy McWilson and Jasper Tollefson.

‘COVENANT’ CLOSES: Closing performance for ArtsWest‘s play, 3 pm, is sold out per playhouse website.

ASTRA LUMINA: Three more weeks to catch the celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Tonight, 6 pm and later admission times. Tickets and info here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday nights feature music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

VIDEO: Overflow crowd for poetry! Madison MS students’ salon hosted at West Seattle Realty
March 1, 2025 9:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Realty’s Kevin Broveleit)

That was just part of the crowd filling the West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) front-room event space last night, as Madison Middle School presented the first of two “community poetry salons.” Dozens of students presented poems they’d memorized. Educator Robin Russell described it as “a celebration of both poetry and the tenacity it takes to excel at the skill of memorization and the art of recitation.” We were there for part of the salon and recorded a sampling of student readings, with poems both contemporary and classic:

If you weren’t part of last night’s overflow crowd, good news – they’re doing it again in two weeks, at 2 pm Sunday, March 16. West Seattle Realty is on the ground floor of the Admiral Station Apartments, across from Hiawatha, at 2715 California SW.

Share This

Those are fireworks, not gunshots
March 1, 2025 8:49 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Gatewood | West Seattle news | Westwood

If you’ve heard the booms from Gatewood, Upper Fauntleroy, Westwood, etc., those are fireworks, not gunshots. We’ve heard them all, and police in the area have seen them. We’re just mentioning it because we’ve gotten a few texts and dispatchers/calltakers say they’re getting deluged.

Share This

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Ex-Bel Gatto equipment to be auctioned off
March 1, 2025 6:54 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The future of the Fauntleroy space that was briefly Bel Gatto and long The Original Bakery remains a question mark. Andrea sent us the link to an online auction of the space’s bakery and café equipment, to be held March 11-18 by veteran auctioneers James G. Murphy Co. After closing Bel Gatto in January, less than a year after opening the bakery/café next to his company’s restaurant Endolyne Joe’s, Peter Levy of Chow Foods told WSB, “There is no decision yet as to what we will be doing with the space that housed the bakery.” That sounded as if he and his company would decide its future, but when we contacted him after learning about the auction, he replied, “I am not sure of what the future use of the space will be. The Landlord will be making that determination.” We’re working to reach the building’s owners to find out if they plan to offer the space for lease. The online auction, meantime, is offering almost 60 items/groups of items, from “assorted plates” to a donut fryer to pizza ovens to bakery display cases/shelving.

Share This