West Seattle, Washington
07 Monday
Loop the ‘Lupe 2025 – four events in one! – is less than two weeks away. The Mount (WSB sponsor) invites you to join their Senior Saunter Squad. Get a deal, too!:
Join The Mount’s Saunter Squad at Loop the ‘Lupe!
Loop the ‘Lupe is The Mount’s Senior Saunter athletes’ annual tradition and we invite the West Seattle community to join us with a special discount!
You’re as young as you feel, so let’s show everyone how it’s done — whether you are 65, 75, 85 or more — come Saunter with us on a quarter-mile 100% flat walk for people of all ability levels!
Saturday, June 7
12:00 p.m. Warmup
12:15 p.m. Senior SaunterOther events happening from 11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Sign up for Loop the Lupe now through the link: bit.ly/pmsvloopthelupe
For a 15% discount, use code SAUNTER5. ($23 + Signup Fee with our discount code.)
Loop the ‘Lupe also brings a 5K obstacle course, 5K fun run, and Youth Dash to Walt Hundley Playfield, next to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose community and social programs benefit from the proceeds.
Even here on the brink of summer, plans are being made for this year’s winter holidays. Artists and crafters are invited to apply now for this year’s Fauntleroy Art Show – here’s the announcement:
If you’ve been thinking about participating in this year’s Fauntleroy Art Show on Nov. 14-16, you have until Sept. 10 to apply.
(Wearable art by Gretchen Curtis, Harbor Island Yarnworks, at last year’s show – photo by Ana Cecilia Del Claro)
Hosted by Fauntleroy Church since 2008, the show has earned a reputation for showcasing the exceptional creativity and craftsmanship of local artists and artistic crafters.
Applicants in any medium must reside in or have studio space in West Seattle, Burien, South Park, Georgetown, or Vashon Island. Details and the application form are at fauntleroyucc.org/art-show.
For a second day we have a brown-water report – Gatewood on Saturday, further south today. Rebecca reports, “We’ve started getting brown water at our home in north Arbor Heights, lower Fauntleroy.” The Seattle Public Utilities water-woes map doesn’t show any emergency incidents in that area, so it might be more hydrant testing, but always report problems like this to SPU’s 206-386-1800 hotline just in case.
You hope it never happens – but need to be ready in case it does. Last Sunday, our calendar and event list included a Disaster Resilience Ride organized by West Seattle Bike Connections, whose Kate Wells sent a report and photos:
We had great weather, great attendance (including a couple of kids) and great speakers! Riders learned about the Seattle Emergency Hubs system, assembling a go-bag, food and water resilience, building community, and dealing with utilities.
We also stopped by the Delridge Tool Library as a possible resource after a disaster. There was interest in doing a similar ride again in the future.
To find out what else West Seattle Bike Connections is up to, go here.
Family and friends of Steve Ross are sharing this remembrance with his community:
Rev. Dr. Stephen E. Ross
19 January 1951 – 29 April 2025Rev. Dr. Stephen E. Ross passed away at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, with his partner and spouse of nearly 54 years, Beverly, at his side. Steve had battled several chronic illnesses for many decades; in the end, his heart simply gave out. He was 74 years old.
The second son of Edgar and Florence Ross (a professor of music and a lifelong lover of books), Steve always valued education and pursued learning throughout his life. A 1969 graduate of Mount Pleasant (Michigan) High School, he went on to receive a Bachelor of Individualized Studies from Central Michigan University in 1974. It was at CMU that he met and married Beverly, charming her with his wit and hilarity. He earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the University of Dubuque (Iowa) Theological Seminary in 1977. One of his proudest educational accomplishments was completion of his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, in 1989.
Steve spent his career as a pastor for the Presbyterian Church (USA), serving first as a student pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster (Wisconsin; 1975-1977); then as full pastor at the First United Presbyterian Church of Tuscola (Illinois; 1977-1983), Charles Street Presbyterian Church in Rockford (Illinois; 1983-1985), the First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire (Iowa; 1985-1994), Lower Valley Presbyterian Church in Califon (New Jersey; 1994-2000), and Bloomsbury Presbyterian Church (New Jersey; 2001-2009) before taking an early retirement due to disability. Throughout this time, he also provided occasional pulpit supply for other local churches and served as a chaplain for local hospitals.
In 2010, Steve and Bev relocated to Federal Way to enjoy their retirement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They became active members of the Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church (Des Moines, Washington). Throughout his adulthood, Steve found strong community as a Mason, belonging to Snow Lodge #44 (LeClaire, Iowa) and Phillipsburg (New Jersey) Lodge #52 before retiring to Washington. Once in Washington, Steve became involved with the Thornton F. McElroy Masonic Lodge #302 (Federal Way). A crowning achievement in the later part of his life was serving as Worshipful Master of this lodge in 2017. Steve and Bev moved to the West Seattle neighborhood in 2023.
Steve was a gifted musician, poet, orator, and teacher, and he regularly utilized these skills in his sermons and services. With his musical partner Bob Jensen, Steve wrote and performed a number of original songs that reflected the progressive values of the reformed Christian protestant tradition.
Despite devoting his life to the church, Steve struggled deeply with his calling to be a minister. His progressive social values and his belief that faith should be constantly questioned, challenged, and worked on rather than blindly followed often created tension in the church communities he served. Even so, he remained a dedicated servant of the Presbyterian Church, even when it occasionally broke his heart.
Steve was active in outdoor ministry and spent many years donating time and energy to Presbyterian camps. He had an early love of nature and traveling, fostered through time in the Boy Scouts of America and through family vacations. Annual camping and RV trips across the United States while his daughters were growing up are the basis of many formative family memories, and he continued to travel internationally and domestically in his retirement.
No matter what else was happening in his world or in his health, Steve was always an extremely proud dad and devoted family man, gleefully attending every performance, celebration, game, play, or other important event in his daughters’ lives and later in his grandchildren’s lives. He delighted in the successes of his family and was a familiar fixture in both of his daughters’ communities right up until the end of his life.
Steve was known among family and friends, colleagues and congregants, for his wisdom, inquisitiveness, and humor, and his creative and fascinating mind will be missed.
Steve is survived by his wife, Beverly (Thornton) Ross of Seattle; his daughters, Deanna (known as “D”) Ohlandt (Chad Ohlandt), of Alexandria, Virginia, and Angela Ross (Jeff Loidhamer) of Seattle; as well as his grandchildren, Callen, Zachariah, and Gillian Ohlandt, and Arli Loidhamer. He is also survived by his brothers, David Ross of El Paso, Texas, and Philip Ross of Flint, Michigan, and several nieces and nephews and their children.
Celebrations of life will be scheduled for the coming months with an effort to make participation easy for those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in his name to the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad (through the nonprofit Western Forest Industries Museum) or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
(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)
(‘Sailing’ sea lion, photographed by Stewart L.)
Day two of the holiday weekend – here are highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ART ON THE CORNER: Second of three days for art sale to benefit nonprofit work, 8:30 am-3 pm. (39th/Holden)
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Today’s Sunday Funday run leaves from Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon), 9 am.
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: 10 am-2 pm, with spring produce (lots of greens! asparagus too) plus 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)
MASTER GARDENERS: While at the market, you can look for Master Gardeners, ready to answer your questions! Sundays this spring and summer, they’re back at the market, 10 am-2 pm.
BACH & PANCAKES EXTRAVAGANZA: Kenyon Hall says presale tickets for this 10 am-1 pm event are sold out but they will accept walkups – as explained here. (7904 35th SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: The first of six days with low-low tides! Today it’s out to -2.2 feet at 10:07 am.
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am Sundays, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)
MOON ROOM HOLIDAY WEEKEND SALE: Moon Room Shop and Wellness is “offering 15-20% off items in store and online” again today and Monday. Find Moon Room (a WSB sponsor) online here or in person at 5902 California SW, open 11 am-5 pm today.
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool to get something done? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESISTS: Sunday signholding in The Junction (California/Alaska), 11:30 am-1:30 pm.
THIRD WEEKEND FOR COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open again today during the third of six preseason weekends, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: First Sunday of the season for these free tours! Grounds at 3201 Alki SW open at 1 pm; last tour starts 3:45 pm; more info in our calendar listing.
RHODIES FC’S SECOND HOME GAME: 2 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Rhodies FC‘s 2 pm match vs. Lane United FC (tickets here).
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
POCKET TRIVIA: Every other Sunday, 7 pm trivia at Corner Pocket (4302 SW Alaska).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Wrap up your weekend with Sunday night music provided by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could feature on the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The report was sent by Anthony:
Around 8:05 tonight, I discovered my bike was no longer locked to the street sign where I left it. No evidence left behind, no damaged parts, and no damage to the immediate area. I left my bike locked to a speed-limit sign on the sidewalk near 3404 SW Roxbury St, just east of The Missing Piece game café. That was around 1:55 pm, the last time I saw the bike.
The bike is a Rad Power Bikes RadMission 1, blue with orange trim . The serial is MI1F21V0323. This picture is not my bike, but it’s about the same in appearance.
My bike has several reflective stickers placed all over the frame and battery. Also on the side of the battery case, there is a distinctive sticker, shown here. There is also a roadside repair kit wrapped around the top bar. The handlebars have sideview mirrors on each side, and there is a cupholder on the left side of the handlebar stem.
I do not have a police report at time of writing (still working on it), but I will share it once I do.
ADDED: Report # is 2025-909022.
As of about five o’clock, community volunteers were still hard at work on West Seattle’s newest murals, stretching along about 200 feet of the wall by the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook waterfront (across the street and downslope from Me-Kwa-Mooks Park). The first two photos are ours from our brief visit last hour:
Lafayette Elementary students painted sea stars toward the left side of the mural wall a few days ago, artist Nalisha Estrellas notes. Dozens of other people signed up for shifts to paint the rest of it today – Jeffrey Johnson sent these photos:
We first wrote about the mural plan back in January. Neighbor David Stockert thought a mural would help deter the vandals who often target the wall, and crowdfunded to make it happen. Local artist Estrellas designed it with a Puget Sound theme.
She organized the community painting, too, which originally was set to happen last Saturday, but the weather looked iffy – today, of course, has been a perfect day for outdoor painting.
Today’s other state-tournament game involving a local high-school team also ended with a loss, but just getting to the 2A tournament was a victory for the Chief Sealth IHS Seahawks – first trip to state in 40 years. They played W.F. West HS this morning at that school’s home field in Chehalis; the Seahawks were on the losing end of a 2-0 shutout.
FIRST REPORT, 3:05 PM: We’re in Tacoma, where the West Seattle High School baseball team’s season has just ended with a second-round loss at the state 3A tournament. Though in baseball a loss is a loss, whether it’s by one run or 10, this one was a valiantly fought close call to a much-higher seeded team – 2nd-seeded Gig Harbor 3, 14th-seeded WSHS 2. Full story after we get back to HQ.
ADDED 8:46 PM: As happens so often in baseball, one rally can make the difference.
Just a few hits, and some aggressive base-running early on, made the difference for the Gig Harbor Tides.
Their three runs came on seven hits, and they left nine runners on base; the Wildcats’ two runs resulted from four hits, with five runners left on.
Gig Harbor’s starting pitcher, junior Quentin Bockhorn, had a three-up three-down top of the first, while the Tides scored their first run in the top of the 1st, off WSHS’s starting pitcher, junior Jacob McCall. It could have been worse, though, , as that came with the bases loaded, and McCall limited the damage with a strikeout for the inning’s final out.
West Seattle’s first hit came from sophomore Cole Williamson in the top of the second, with one out, but senior Clay Pecore hit into a double play after that. The next scoring happened in the bottom of the third, when the Tides brought in two runs on three hits, bringing the score to 3-0.
That was all the scoring Gig Harbor did, but it’s all they needed. The Wildcats got a base runner in the top of the fourth, after senior Lukas Cheha drew a walk, but this inning too ended with a double play. Gig Harbor threatened again in their half of the inning, with senior Jayce Corley hitting a leadoff single, making it to third with just one out, but getting stranded there.
West Seattle’s hopes were high with a two-out rally in the fifth inning. Pecore battled to a full count and then walked. Senior Dex Pudduck singled, and there were runners at the corners. Junior Leo Bronk came in next to pinch-hit and got a hit on the first pitch, bringing Pecore in. But a strikeout ended the rally there.
WSHS head coach Ryan Ramsower put senior Oliver Heltzel on the mound for the bottom of the fifth, and went through three Tides quickly. Then it was the Wildcats’ turn; Cheha got a first-pitch hit, and was at third with two outs – a spectator shouted, “Bring him home”- and junior Sacha Ninburg did. But the rally ended there, and so did the scoring. West Seattle got close again in the top of the seventh – with two on and one out – but Gig Harbor changed pitchers, bringing in lefty freshman Max Bergford, and he struck out two to end the game, and WSHS’s season.
-Tracy Record, WSB editor
Sent by Charles:
I moved to West Seattle from Nashville. I arrived the evening of May 19th. I moved in with my girlfriend at the Forge Apartments (4435 35th Ave SW). My car was stolen sometime in the early morning of the 20th. The car is a White 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Overland trim – chrome handles & mirrors). Earlier today, around 10:45 am, my girlfriend and I were walking and stumbled upon my car parked on the crib at the intersection of 38th & SW Dawson st. As I was calling 911 the car was turned on and driven away. The tint is dark so I did not initially notice anyone in the car. The thieves replaced the TN plate with a Washington plate with a plate number that I believe to be 153018. I’m not 100% on the last two digits as he was speeding away.
We’ll add the police report # whe we get it. (Update: 25-140275. Refer to that if you find this vehicle and call 911.)
Just out of the WSB inbox, multiple reports of brown water including this one from Grace: “Just wanted to report that I have brown water in Gatewood – 36th/Morgan. Called Seattle Public Utilities and sounds like they’ve been testing water hydrants.” SFD does most of that testing; but you still want to notify SPU if you have discolored or otherwise problematic water, 206-386-1800.
The second week of the Delridge Farmers’ Market (9421 18th SW) is on, after a celebratory ribboncutting with leaders of the market-presenting African Community Housing and Development, as well as two local elected officials expressing their support – District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka:
And 34th District State Senator Emily Alvarado (like Saka, a West Seattleite), who noted the contrast between the local and state support for this market, and the food-security-program cuts on which the federal government has embarked:
ACHD president/CEO Hamdi Abdulle thanked them for their support:
And ACHD vice president Bilan Aden (at right below, as Abdulle presented Alvarado with flowers) talked about future plans for a permanent International Market – like a year-round, daily version of the Delridge market.
We’ll have more on that in a separate report. Meantime, you have until 2 pm to go shop today’s market on the grounds of Hope Academy – you’ll find prepared food like Anh’s stir-fry:
Other fresh-cooked food includes Salvadorean, Afghan, and Thai, among others. You’ll also find produce like Aash‘s greens-laden table including allium blossoms:
The market has a rotating list of vendors, so even if you came last week, you’ll find some who are making their 2025 debut this week. The market is set to continue every Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, until the end of October.
Via email from Dan just a few minutes ago:
Water Taxi is a small boat this morning and they are turning away people for over capacity including people headed to the Sounders noon match. Might want to take a bus.
According to Water Taxi Watch, both regular Water Taxi boats, Doc Maynard and Sally Fox, are tied up downtown at the WT maintenance facility.
Thanks for the tips. 102 residences in south Arbor Heights/Seola have been without power since late last night. The Seattle City Light outage map blames it on a tree.
(Wisteria, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
First official day of the three-day holiday weekend, and the forecast looks perfect (unless you prefer rain). Here’s your list of West Seattle happenings – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the free weekly group run.
ART ON THE CORNER: Art sale to benefit nonprofit work, 8:30 am-3 pm. (39th/Holden)
MURAL PAINTING: 9 am-6 pm, this is the rescheduled painting day for the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook wall mural with artist Nalisha Estrellas.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free community meditation, 9 am at Inner Alchemy‘s sanctuary/studio (3618 SW Alaska).
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: The second event is this walk in which you can participate regardless of whether you were on the introductory stroll. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: Second one this year! 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, at Hope Academy (9421 18th SW), with a celebration today including a 10:15 am ribboncutting ceremony. Here’s our report from last Saturday.
KNIFE-SHARPENING POP-UP: Got a knife that needs to be ready for your Memorial Day cookout (or something else)? Kneighborhood Knives is back, 10 am-4 pm again today, $12/knife, at Hotwire Coffee (4410 California SW).
BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Both high-school teams have state-tournament games today – Chief Sealth IHS plays xx at WF West HS in Chehalis, 10 am, in the 2A tournament; West Seattle HS plays Gig Harbor at Lincoln HS (701 S. 37th) in Tacoma, 1 pm, in the 3A tournament.
MASTER GARDENERS: They’re out again in the community, ready to answer your questions! Saturdays this spring and summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – “This is a free, weekly, in-person active writing group grounded in the Amherst Writers and Artists method. It is a safe, critique-free space. Writers of all levels welcome, 16 and up.” Our calendar listing has location and RSVP info.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), meant for kids 0-5.
MOON ROOM HOLIDAY WEEKEND SALE: Moon Room Shop and Wellness is “offering 15-20% off items in store and online” today, Sunday, and Monday. Find Moon Room (a WSB sponsor) online here, or in person at 5902 California SW.
SPRAYPARK SEASON BEGINS: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is scheduled to start daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
THIRD WEEKEND FOR COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open today to start the third of six preseason weekends, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Explore the present and past at the home of West Seattle history, open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the newest exhibit, about the West Duwamish Greenbelt! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
MAKE CERAMIC YARD/GARDEN ART: At the Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), 1-3 pm; more info in our calendar listing.
FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.
LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: 6-8 pm, Theo Mcgaughey‘s jazz trio performs, no cover, all ages, at C & P (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Antarcticans, Dandelion, Transience, Modesto, doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), $10.
KLEZMER AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, Eleni Govetas Kompanía feat. Virovka at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), tickets here.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Shonuph at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday night singing, 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
BEACH FIRE SEASON & PARK HOURS CHANGES: Tonight’s the second night of beach-fire season at Alki, where closing time is now earlier (as it is at two other West Seattle parks, Don Armeni Boat Ramp and Hamilton Viewpoint) – go here for Seattle Parks‘ reminder about the changes.
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:45 PM: Some are asking about a sizable police response at a apartment building on the east side of 35th south of Morgan. According to emergency radio, a standoff has developed with a suspect in a possible domestic-violence situation. Updates as we get them.
10:23 PM: Officers have just told dispatch they’re closing 35th between Morgan and Holly because of this situation.
(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)
11:03 PM: Haven’t heard any updates, but 35th is still closed off as of a short time ago, Tim Durkan reported in a comment.
5:46 AM SATURDAY: We don’t know what time it ended, but SPD has released this summary indicating it ended with an arrest:
At 2040 hours, we received a call from the victim stating that the suspect had taken her car keys and had a kitchen knife to his throat saying that he would kill himself if she took the children and left. Further investigation led us to learn that the day before the suspect had threatened to kill the victim. The victim had advised SPD she had locked herself and two children in the back bedroom. The victim stated she could hear the suspect on the phone telling whoever it was he was going to have to kill her. HNT, SWAT, and K9 responded. SWAT was able to use a ladder and remove the victim and children from the bedroom window. A search warrant was completed, and SWAT was able to take the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect was booked into KCJ for Felony Harassment.
(Photos by Rick McGann)
Those are some of the 16 students from our area’s two largest high schools who were honored this past Monday night at Alki Masonic Lodge‘s 44th annual School Awards Night. Every year the lodge works with school counselors to choose juniors as honorees, as part of their mission “to recognize and thus encourage participation in public-school education,” as its parent organization “has long supported the public-school system as one of the basic necessities in maintaining the American ideal of democracy.” In addition to presentation of plaques – and, later, pizza – all in attendance listened to some observations and advice from their hosts. Martin Monk, who emceed, noted that he was a recipient of one of the awards in the 44-year-old program’s very first year. He offered a little more history: The lodge, at 40th/Edmunds in The Junction, has been there since 1906; they have 100 members now, though membership in the past has been as high as 500.
Chaplain Alan Sawyer suggested the student recipients consider the awards “a launching pad” for their future efforts.
(Ron Creel standing, Tom Christie seated)
Sporting a top hat, the lodge’s leader, Worshipful Master Ron Creel, mentioned he had spent time as a high-school teacher, and offered six points of advice to the students:
-Stay curious through your lifetime and never stop learning new things.
-Find something to be passionate about.
-Develop creative outlets, like art and/or music.
-Be kind to all people.
-Volunteer your time and skills.
-Learn another language – it will open you up to multiple possibilities in life.
The ceremony traditionally includes a presentation to faculty representatives of both schools; (corrected) school counselor Daniel Rosen took the stage representing CSIHS; WSHS faculty representatives included assistant principal Nancy Carroll.
(Daniel Rosen with Martin Monk)
Tom Christie preceded that part of the presentation with a speech reinforcing the Masons’ commitment to public education, noting that “freethinking is a tenet of Freemasonry” and expressing hope that the recipients will be inspired to “search for truth.” Rosen thanked the Masons for recognizing juniors, as senior year becomes such a blur by the time students get to the end of their high-school years.
The students’ achievements were briefly noted as they came forward to accept their awards, with hopes of future studies in areas of focus ranging from business to science. Here are the lists from both schools, in the order featured in the event program:
Chief Sealth International High School
Caitlin Boyer
Dayami Angulo Lopez
Tara Kankesh
Hamdi Elmi
Ann Nguyen
Elena Latterell
Azhar Samatar
Addison WhitedWest Seattle High School
Lilly DuPuis
Adelyn Martin
Keegan Chapman
Ioannis Athanasiadis
Nina Nakajima
Jim Guevara
Anhelina Hutsu
Justice Jenkins
The recipients also received monetary gifts, described by Monk as “not a lot of money, but every little bit helps” when it comes time to cover college costs.
Sent by Tom from Upper Fauntleroy:
7:20 am, 40th and Cloverdale. Just spotted this guy, cruising the neighborhood.
What should you do if you encounter one? Major advice – don’t run. Here’s one of the many places you can find advice.
Another city project is out with an update just before the holiday weekend. We first reported March 31 about the Barton repaving plan in the bus-layover zone alongside the north edge of Roxhill Park, after spotting a mention in a land-use bulletin; now SDOT is ready to have a community meeting about it – here’s the update they sent today:
We have completed designing the SW Barton St Layover Repaving project and plan to begin construction in Fall 2025!
Before then, join us for a public meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, at the former site of the Bed Bath & Beyond in Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton St, Suite A1).
We will be discussing:
-Bus detours
-Bus stop relocations
-Construction impacts to area businesses
-Answers to your questionsYou can also sign up for email updates or visit the project website where we will regularly share news of the project.
Why are we doing this work?
We’re partnering with King County Metro to repave the bus layover zone and street on SW Barton St.
The street’s concrete is old, cracked, and damaged from the heavy buses. Here’s what we’ll do:
-Replace the underlying soil with lightweight concrete
-Repave the road with stronger concreteThese improvements will:
-Reduce repair costs for SW Barton St
-Lower bus maintenance costs
-Make driving smootherDuring repaving, bus routes and layover zones will change. We’ll work with Metro to find the best new locations for bus stops and the layover area. We aim to minimize inconvenience and will provide updates on alternate arrangements. To contact our project team, email SWBartonLayover@seattle.gov.
If you live in the area, SDOT says to watch your mailbox for an information postcard next week.
Two fun ways to help your local food banks:
WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK’S SUMMER RAFFLE: Tickets are available now!
The West Seattle Food Bank is thrilled to announce its annual Summer Raffle, a triple win for everyone involved. Not only does every raffle ticket support local families in need, but each stub doubles as a coupon good for 10% off one visit at each of our 6 fantastic partner businesses! This summer, your ticket to doing good comes with real perks — because when neighbors support neighbors, everyone benefits.
Here’s How It Works:
Tickets: $10 each, only 500 printed
Available: Until Sept. 12, or until they sell out.
Drawing: Sept. 12 – winners notified by phone
Prizes Include: 1st ) $150 gift card to West Seattle Thriftway, 2nd ) $100 gift card to Supreme Pizza and tickets for 4 to the Museum of Flight, 3 rd ) $50 gift card to Mioposto. Every Ticket Stub Is a Coupon For:
o 10% off one visit to each of our 6 generous partners:
The Neighborhood
Peninsula Soul Food
The Roll Pod
The Westy Sports & Spirits
Viscon Cellars
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Buy Tickets Now: Available in-person from the West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan), at our booths at summer festivals or ask WSFB board members and staff!
TASTE OF WHITE CENTER: The White Center Food Bank, whose service area includes south West Seattle, has just announced its annual fundraiser for June 28, 11 am-3 pm, at venues throughout WC. (you buy “taste” tickets for any or all of 30+ restaurant/bars, and get a map, at a central booth). Full details are on our partner site White Center Now.
That’s the Highland Park area where Seattle Public Utilities plans to install the project known as the Holden Natural Drainage Systems. It’s now reached a design milestone, and construction could start before the year ends. With that in mind, SPU has announced a drop-in info session for a week from tomorrow:
The Holden Natural Drainage Systems (NDS) Project has reached final design. SPU will build natural drainage systems, also known as roadside rain gardens or bioretention, on SW Holden St between 16 th Ave SW and 17 th Ave SW. The NDS will capture and treat stormwater runoff before it reaches Longfellow Creek and Puget Sound. The goal of the project is to improve water quality in the creek, increase landscaping diversity, and provide roadway and pedestrian safety improvements. Construction is anticipated to start in late 2025. To learn more about this project, please visit our website.
Spring Drop-In Session:
Time & Date: Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: BedHead Coffee, 1513 SW Holden St
Contact: Wan-Yee Kuo, Project Manager, at Wan-Yee.Kuo@seattle.gov or 206-684-3957The drop-in session will provide an opportunity for community members to learn about the final design, what to expect during construction, and ask questions and share comments with members from the project team.
Three days before that, the project will also be on the agenda for next Wednesday’s HPAC meeting, 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW). The NDS project has already been in the planning phase for almost three years.
(WSB photo, Admiral Block Party, August 2024)
Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer, but planning has already been under way for months for big summer events. That includes the Admiral Block Party, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which asked us to let you know that vendor applications are open (and they’re still welcoming sponsorships too). The Admiral Block Party takes over part of California SW north of Admiral Way from 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday, August 23, one of summer’s last big celebrations, and ANA hopes you can help it be bigger and better than ever. Just go here to get going on vending and/or sponsoring!
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