West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
Two more reader reports. First:
Around 6:00 pm, an attempted car robbery on 51st Ave SW next to Genesee Hill Elementary.
3 individuals – 2 white males wearing black ski masks, black snow pants and black and white ski coats, one female wearing a N95 mask — attempted to steal our black 2006 Audi.
They were driving a white 4-door Hyundai Elantra, no license plates.
One male was inside the car and was able to start the car when we ran after them, they were able to get away and drive toward Genesse Hill street.
They looked young, possibly in their late teens. This has been reported to the police.
Report # is 25-174087. And separately, we received this report:
Reported this evening around 8 PM on June 23 by a neighbor:
Corner of California Ave and Holly St. right on the corner where the hair salon is across from McDonalds…
A white Hyundai Elantra with paper temp WA plates – and 4 what looked like young people speed down that street past me toward Fauntleroy – and all 4 were wearing black ski masks, and they flipped me off as they drove by.
Didn’t see where they went as by the time I got to the corner, they were gone.
Please be on alert; the vehicle could’ve been stolen or involved in a burglary.
Sent by a reader who asked to remain anonymous:
Today at approximately 3:00 pm I was heading south on Walnut near the Hiawatha wading pool. I sensed someone was following me but I didn’t turn around to look. There was no one in the park that I could approach as a safe zone. As I approached Stevens I could still hear the individual behind me.
When I reached Fairmount and Stevens I turned and I saw a man with a knife in his hand asking for my bag. I offered my bag of groceries but he wanted my backpack. I told him no several times and he backed away as a couple was approaching nearby.
Description: White man, late 20s, early 30s, brown hair. I think he had facial hair but not 100% certain.
Wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt with the hood on.Knife blade was approximately 5″ with a light wood handle. The knife was not your standard kitchen knife but perhaps a hunting-type knife??
He was last seen walking west on Stevens toward WSHS. I spoke with a police officer and a report was filed.
We’ll take this opportunity to remind you of two more free SPD-led personal-safety classes next month:
Thursday, July 17th
6 pm – 8 pm
At the SW Precinct – Community Meeting Room – 2300 SW Webster St
Register here : wsjunction.wufoo.com/forms/r1okt4zf1moho5sMonday, July 28th
6 pm – 8 pm
Virtual – Teams link to be provided before event
Register here : wsjunction.wufoo.com/forms/rus05xi17w2lnw
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
West Seattle Junction FC drew their fourth match of the season Sunday against Tacoma Stars FC. But what has been an otherwise difficult month of games had a bright spot: A community event hosted by Junction FC to highlight local artists, coinciding with their newest merchandise release, a line inspired by well-known West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen.
(Photo by Erik Sandvik)
It was a tensely-fought game with three injuries, mostly springing from a series of close shaves in both team’s goal boxes. Junction FC managed to keep up a strong defense, as goalkeeper Liam Ryan fended off several close calls in the first twenty minutes, and pressed the offense with an especially close shot by James Lear at the thirty-minute mark. The game resulted in yet another draw for both teams, though Junction FC managed to hold up with one player out of commission for the second half of the match.
Sunday’s match also marked the release of Junction FC’s third kit (a version of the team’s uniform fans can purchase and wear) inspired by Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen. The kit draws from his experience as a street artist, moving from graffiti into professional mural painting. “I’ve designed my own shirts, but never a jersey,” Hansen said. “I knew I wanted to do something colorful and incorporate actual spray paint.”
The jerseys incorporate layered spray-paint effects, giving them an identity unique to Hansen’s style, and to the West Seattle artist community.
(Photo courtesy Junction FC)
During the game, attendees were able to browse through several artist stalls set up behind the bleachers, purchase Junction FC merchandise and add to the community mural. The artist alley was a mix of established painters, community organizations and up-and-coming artists. At the end of the alley was Lora Radford, the lead artist of Potterings (WSB sponsor), a new pottery studio in the Harbor Avenue ActivSpace.
Radford started doing pottery as a form of self-expression, and as a self-described “community builder,” wanted to bring the experience to her community. Since opening in May, she’s been able to help people without any prior experience enjoy pottery.
“I decided that potters needed a place,” Radford said, “If you took a pottery class in middle school and you want to make a gift for a friend or a piece for yourself, this is the perfect place. That’s what we’re about.”
Further up the alley was Sunshine Arts and Crafts, owned by artists Marcia and Dennis Schramm. They moved back to West Seattle recently from Colorado, and have found painting as a hobby in their retirement. Marcia has been painting with acrylics for three years, and Dennis painted a set of Seattle-themed lazy susans.
Setting up an elaborate metalwork piece across the walkway, West Seattle native Jerry Austin is the founder of Mindful Metal, specializing in metalwork installations that utilize recycled metal pipes. Austin started his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Finally, sitting next to the Junction FC booth was Johnny Gillespie. Sunday’s event was his first time tabling. Gillespie has been drawing since he was a kid, and focuses on artwork that centers on animals.
Next home match for Junction FC (0-4-4) is Sunday (June 29) at 2 pm vs. Portland Bangers – tickets are available here.
(SDOT camera image from Sunday, via X)
4:37 PM: Among the weekend incidents we’ve been following up on today is the hours-long westbound lane closure that backed up traffic on the Spokane Street Viaduct (the official name of the east half of the West Seattle Bridge) on Sunday. It wasn’t announced in advance, and was only explained as “construction work.” So today we asked SDOT for more information, and whether any other work would follow. Here’s what we just received via email:
Crews were doing emergency repairs on the Spokane Street Viaduct to inspect and fix crash-cushion barriers damaged in an incident. It wasn’t possible to provide advance notice — but we understand the disruption this caused and appreciate the public’s patience.
There will be follow-up work needed to complete the repairs. That work will be scheduled in advance, and we will share the details publicly once we have confirmed dates.
We’ve asked for more information on the “incident” in question, as we’re not seeing anything logged in the hours before the emergency work.
5:37 PM: An SDOT spokesperson replied to that followup: “The damage was caused by a previous crash. Crews made the repairs Sunday because that was when the vendor was available, and they needed to be on site as well.” That reopens the question of why no advance alert.
(Screengrab from SDOT camera)
3:43 PM: Avoid the Highland Park Way hill for a while. SFD has arrived to deal with a very smoky car vehicle fire that’s in the southbound lanes just north of Holden.
3:47 PM: Now that the smoke has cleared, the vehicle with the fire appears to be a food truck. Both sides of the street are blocked right now. No word of any injuries.
3:54 PM: The live camera shows uphill traffic still waiting north of the crash scene; firefighters have asked that police be dispatched to help sort out the traffic situation.
3:56 PM: And now traffic is getting by, one lane each way.
5:43 PM: The burned truck (we couldn’t see its name) has been towed, but city crews have remained to deal with the foamy mess in the outside uphill lane, but they may be clear soon.
You’ll probably want to mute that video clip, as the sound is mostly a quite-shrill burglary alarm. But that’s what was happening at the Admiral restaurant/bar Arthur’s at about 4:45 am Saturday, says proprietor Rebecca Rice, who provided the video, explaining that she called 911 when she got an alarm alert and saw the burglar on her live cameras. Police responded quickly, she says, and detained someone nearby, but they couldn’t be positively identified and so had to be released. She adds:
The (burglar) got away with cash and a couple of laptops, and they caused serious damage to our front and office doors. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and we were able to reopen the same day — but it’s a heavy hit at an already difficult time for small businesses like ours.
We’re grateful to nearby businesses who shared camera footage and neighbors who checked in. Hoping someone might recognize the person or have additional information.
If you have any information, the police report # to refer to is 25-171464.
Three quick business notes today:
(WSB photo after sign went up in April)
JUNCTION HARDWARE: We reported back in February on this locally owned store’s switch from affiliation with True Value to affiliation with the ACE co-op. This Saturday, the store at 44th SW/SW Edmunds will formally celebrate the change, at a “grand reopening” party, 10 am-2 pm (June 28). That starts with a ceremonial ribboncutting and includes demos by grilling experts, and more, as detailed in our calendar listing.
SEATTLE HEARING SERVICES MOVING: Audiologist Dr. Jo Munson wants you to know that the clinic’s West Seattle offices are moving: They’ve been in Morgan Junction but are moving further north, to 5036 California SW. The new location will open this Wednesday, June 25.
SEATTLE BEAUTY MOVES: Another local service has moved office locations – Seattle Beauty is now at 4050 SW Admiral Way, Dr. Desiree Wood tells us. Her office previously was in The Junction
Less than three weeks until the peninsula’s biggest party of the year, West Seattle Summer Fest! This year student artists have a unique chance to be part of it – and just one week left to apply for the opportunity. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Do you have a student who is passionate about art and interested in showcasing their work to the community? We’re excited to invite student artists to participate in the upcoming West Seattle Summer Fest on Saturday, July 12th.
My name is Molly Ryan, and I serve as the Director of the West Seattle Art Walk. One of my primary goals is to foster student engagement in the arts, and I’m thrilled to share that the West Seattle Junction Association is partnering with us to support this initiative.
This year, we’ve received approval to display student artwork along the construction fencing on California Ave SW near SW Oregon St. This unique outdoor gallery will allow student artists to share their creativity with thousands of festival attendees.
We are currently accepting submissions and plan to select 50–70 pieces representing a variety of ages and grade levels. While we wish we could showcase all submissions, please note that not all entries will be selected due to space limitations. We will notify selected participants during the first week of July.
To ensure that artwork is ready to be displayed outdoors, we kindly request photos of the completed pieces with each submission. This helps us confirm that the work is presentation-ready for hanging along the fence.
If you have students who may be interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or submissions.
Thank you for supporting young artists in our community!
Here’s the link for applications – the deadline is June 30, one week from today.
(Seen on the West Seattle Garden Tour – photo sent by Marina Clough)
Here’s what’s on our highlight list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (are we missing something? let us know!):
COMP PLAN/REZONING PUBLIC HEARING: The City Council’s all-day hearing is under way, as previewed here; see the agenda for info on how to sign up to speak, remotely or in person. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 am story time is open to wee ones and their parents/guardians/caretakers. (9010 35th SW)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Continuing through Labor Day, the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day, noon-7 pm. Fee.
WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) will be open today, noon-7 pm. Free.
CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: You don’t have to grieve alone. 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio, join a group with Listening to Grief. Registration/fee info here. (4034A California SW).
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Three places you can 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: Every Monday – doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, and the meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)
POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starts at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: More Monday night meditating – 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 on Monday nights – jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE Love to sing? 9 pm Mondays, you can sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photo from 2018 Laps With Lou at Pathfinder)
You have another chance this week to help retired teacher Lou Cutler make kids’ wishes come true as a longtime Make-A-Wish volunteer. Lou led all-day walk/run-a-thons at Pathfinder K-8, first as its PE teacher, then as its retired PE teacher, every June for ~20 years, celebrating his June birthday by running or walking the same number of laps as years of life he’s celebrating. The Pathfinder events ended two years ago but Lou found other ways to raise money for Make-A-Wish, including a walk on the Boston Marathon route last October, and this week he’s walking again. Here’s the announcement he sent us:
I had thought that when I finished the Boston Marathon walk last October as a fundraiser for MAW, that would be the final fundraising walk for MAW, as doing the walk without the Pathfinder students didn’t offer the joy that I had felt for 20 years doing the run with the students.
However, over the past few weeks, I have seen several amazing Wishes come to completion and I saw how much joy it brought the family and that was the exact motivation I needed to inspire me to recreate the 13.1 mile walk I did on my 70th birthday in 2021 and I will follow the same route on my 74th birthday on June 25th, starting in the Pathfinder parking lot at 12:00 and walk up the Genesee hill to Avalon and follow that to Alki and at the south end of Lincoln Park we will return to Pathfinder via Fauntleroy.
Over the past 21 years, the MAW benefit walks/runs have raised over $100,000 and have funded many, many Spectacular Wishes and there are still many Wishes on the horizon that need funding and once again I will count on the generosity of people to help make these Wishes become a reality.
You can support Lou’s efforts at site.wish.org/goto/lapswithlou2025
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to the first Monday of summer, June 23, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high in mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 am and is now getting later each day; sunset will be at 9:11 pm, as late as it gets (and staying there through Saturday).
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule today.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet. M/V Salish serves as the “bonus boat”. One more week until three-boat service is expected to relaunch (next Monday, June 30).
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus weeknights with Mariners home games (and some other events).
…
ROAD WORK
-If you’re driving 35th SW through Gatewood, no-parking signs are up for a few blocks warning of “construction staging” this week, and the NB 21 stop at Elmgrove will be closed 9 am-3 pm daily.
STADIUM ZONE
–FIFA Club World Cup game with Sounders FC vs. Paris Saint-Germain FC at Lumen Field today, noon.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
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!
Also during the week ahead, two changes for otherwise-regular community meetings:
NO HPAC MEETING: The community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge has canceled what would have been its regular fourth-Wednesday meeting on June 25, and starting its summer hiatus. Next meeting, September 24 – but the HPAC announcement mentions a couple community-event dates in the meantime.
ONE-WEEK-DELAYED ALKI MEETING: The Alki Community Council delayed its monthly meeting one week instead of holding it on Juneteenth last Thursday, so you’re invited to gather with the ACC at 7 pm this Thursday (June 26) at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds). Agenda highlights are here.
(City map from plan-update overview)
The city’s rezoning/Comprehensive Plan Update process continues, outlining plans for future growth, and tomorrow brings the Seattle City Council‘s next all-day public hearing. The morning session is focused on remote testimony, the afternoon session on in-person, everybody allotted up to one minute. The agenda has all the documents, including a package of simple maps showing the newest proposed boundaries for what the city calls Neighborhood Centers and Urban Centers. Seven of the maps show the newest boundaries under consideration for the proposed Neighborhood Centers in West Seattle – pages 1-6 are Endolyne, Upper Fauntleroy, Holden, Fairmount, Brandon Junction, and Delridge, page 25 is High Point – and then there are four Urban Centers mapped for WS, Admiral (page 40), Morgan Junction (page 52), West Seattle Junction (page 61), Westwood-Highland Park (page 62). For an explanation of the different types of “centers,” you can check out page 24 of this document, and then scroll ahead to more detailed descriptionsi. The Neighborhood Center concept in particular was introduced when the city unveiled the first version of its rezoning proposal eight months ago. Not all the center boundaries have changed since then; this package of maps compares the original and revised boundaries for those that have changed, including the Endolyne Neighborhood Center and the Admiral and Morgan Junction Urban Centers.
If you’re interested in commenting to the council during Monday’s public hearing, which starts at 9:30 am, here’s how to sign up, as outlined on the second page of the agenda:
Registration for remote speakers will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:00 a.m. Register here:
https://www.seattle.gov/council/committees/public-commentRegistration for in-person speakers at City Hall, Council Chamber, will begin at 2:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m.
Speakers will be provided with one minute each to comment at the public hearing.
City Hall is at 600 4th Avenue downtown.
FIRST 9 PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB
If you’re in a garden-related business, chances are you have a great garden yourself, as does Marcia Bruno (above), owner of West Seattle Nursery and Garden Center (WSB sponsor) – her west Admiral garden was the first stop on the map for today’s West Seattle Garden Tour. Ten gardens were chosen as tour stops. Here’s the fifth on the list, in west Seaview:
This garden was laden with art, including “Steel Roots” by Steve Tobin:
A notable feature of the eighth garden on the list, toward the south end of The Arroyos – its Puget Sound view:
At the ninth garden, in Seola, we photographed gardeners Janyce Lauhon-Horton and Kent Horton beneath a magnolia tree:
This is Janyce’s childhood home.
She told us she’s been gardening there for 50 years, and she’s especially fond of shade-loving plants!
These hydrangea blossoms were eye-catching too:
Container gardening was in view at some stops too, like the tenth on the list, on Puget Ridge:
And containers also caught our eye at the seventh mapped garden, in Gatewood (photos from here by WSB editor Tracy Record):
But the most striking features of this site are the gardeners’ efficient use of space, including the planting strips:
Not shown, but also notable, this home once had a golf-course-quality lawn out front. One of its owners told us they knew when they bought the house they’d never be able to maintain that. Over the years, more and more of the lawn has been carved away and turned into garden beds.
The West Seattle Garden Tour raises money for grants to nonprofits – here’s this year’s list; nominations are still being accepted for next year’s grants.
6:21 PM: If you’re heading toward the 1st Avenue South Bridge, you might want to wait a while. There’s an emergency response at the onramp on the south end of the northbound bridge, after a driver reportedly went into the retention pond alongside the ramp. The water is reported to be only about two feet deep so they’ve downsized this from the originally dispatched rescue response.
6:25 PM: According to SFD, “Crews were not able to find any occupants inside or around the vehicle.”
… This is the closest traffic camera, but it’s WSDOT, not SDOT, and doesn’t enlarge clearly.
4:59 PM: SPD and SFD are headed to a reported flipped-car crash at Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Austin. Police say the driver has gotten out of the car and no one is trapped. Updates to come.
(Added: WSB photos)
5:24 PM: Our photographer says it’s actually a car on side, not car on roof. No serious injuries reported. At least two parked cars were reported to have been hit. (Added) Maddy sent this video from a different angle, before emergency responders arrived:
Northbound traffic is getting through on Fauntleroy.
5:35 PM: An SDOT crew and tow truck have arrived.
5:47 PM: Officers just told dispatch that all lanes are now open.
Glenn emailed with this question:
I wondered if you all had heard of or know of a population of weasels at Lincoln Park or if perhaps someone may have let a pet go. I’ve lived near and run in the park for 23 years now and have never seen one before, but the other day on the beach path one ran across in front of me from the water back towards the wood. It was quite small, short legged, and black in color which is why I believe it to be a weasel species and not a fisher or ferret but I’m no biologist.
And that reminded us of photos DeAnna had sent last month that we hadn’t published. She thought it was a Stoat:
(DeAnna wrote) It was a tiny thing, body not more than about 6” long ( or counting the tail) and was whipping around the logs and rocks near the pool. There was something kind of swim camp going on and the beach was full of kids absolutely oblivious to the menace among them. This is my first sighting of such a critter in my 35 years here.
We checked the archives but have never had a report on this critter in our 17+ years of wildlife coverage, either. Hoping at least one reader will have further enlightenment for us!
11:56 AM: It’s slow going on the east half (aka the Spokane Street Viaduct) of the westbound West Seattle Bridge right now; thanks to the texters who tipped us on this:
Construction work on West Seattle Bridge blocking the WB right lane between 1st Ave S and 4th Ave S. Use caution. pic.twitter.com/5SEOQVjDmV
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) June 22, 2025
That’s the closest view we have; one person who’s gone by says the work appears to involve barrier(s) at the Harbor Island exit.
1:26 PM: No ETA so far on when this will be over; the live camera shows the lane closure still in effect.
3:21 PM: No change.
4:43 PM: The lane has reopened since our last check.
Got shelves of vinyl? You might be interested in this last-minute addition to the “happening today” lineup – just got word of this from Matt Vaughan of Easy Street Records, who says it’s a “super great opportunity for record collectors and vinyl enthusiasts!”
Join Hans Brackman from Definitive Audio anytime between 4-7, for an afternoon of keeping your records in peak condition. Hans will be bringing out their Clear Audio Double Matrix record cleaner. If u have a record or two that need pro cleaning, here’s your opportunity. Free. Bring ’em with you. Upstairs vinyl section. Get hands on, ask questions, and get tips on how to upgrade your system and care for your vinyl records.
Easy Street Records is on the northwest corner of California SW and SW Alaska.
Family and friends will gather September 21 to celebrate the life of Constance Wilkinson, and in the meantime are sharing this remembrance with her community:
Constance Marie Wilkinson
October 30th, 1957 – June 14th, 2025Constance Wilkinson, 67, of Seattle, parted this earthly realm on June 14th, 2025, surrounded by friends and family in her home. She fought bravely and hopefully after being diagnosed with stage four renal cell cancer in April of 2024. For those that knew Constance, she had an infectious enthusiasm for living and undying gratitude for life and its multitude of joys.
Born in Riverton, Wyoming, Constance lived on the family homestead before moving to Missoula, Montana at the age of 5. One of five children, there was never a lonely moment on the family farm. Her home was filled with music and books that moved her and shaped her perspective. Throughout her life, no matter the distance or time zone, she kept her relatives close in her mind and heart, and loved sharing stories about family traditions and the fun they had together. Family reunions and annual Christmas drawings were cherished rituals.
After graduating high school in 1976, she set her sights on Alaska with a plan to work hard and have an adventure while saving money for college. She fondly recalled being a “tough chick” while living in Juneau where she commercial fished in the summers and tended bar in the winters. Her chapter in Juneau lasted over a decade, and in that time, she developed a lifelong love for exploring untamed nature and being on the water. She left her mark on the city and its people; when she returned over 30 years later, she was recognized and greeted warmly everywhere.
Constance eventually made it to her longtime home of Seattle to pursue higher education and a career of service to others. She received a master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington (UW) before beginning an impactful career in health care as a speech-language pathologist at Harborview Medical Center (HMC). There she met her future wife and the love of her life, her “sweet Kyra Jo.” Leading by example with kindness, patience, and a smile, she was quickly promoted to manager of the Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Program (CORP). With a talent for uplifting and bringing out the best in others, Constance next became a clinical instructor for the Medical Speech Language Pathology Program at UW. She ended her working career as the Director of Rehabilitation Therapies at the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System which she referred to as her “dream job.” Constance made lifelong friends in every organization she touched. Beyond performing her roles earnestly and exceptionally well, she was a beloved and trusted mentor to countless individuals, and her positive influence created a ripple effect of benefit within the rehabilitation community in Seattle.
Constance’s vivacity could be seen in the sparkle of her bright blue eyes. Her warm smile was almost always accompanied by a happy laugh. She was passionate about building relationships and was an incredible host with impeccable style and taste – memories of joyous gatherings and connecting others to create new friendships were gifts that will continue to be enjoyed far beyond her time with us. She conducted over twenty wedding ceremonies for friends – a testament to the trust and intimacy of her relationships. She was most content in the company of her devoted wife, Kyra, with whom she was inseparable.
Many interests brought her joy – animals (especially dogs), music, literature, sailing, art, travel, but above all, she loved people and believed in their goodness. She had many nicknames, Con, Cob, Const and Stink. The most fitting, however, was “the Queen of Gratitude.” Always thinking of how to help others, she was active in her community and generously volunteered her time and resources to numerous non-profit organizations. She began as a singing member of the Seattle Women’s Chorus and soon became a Board member and the president of Flying House Productions. After retirement, however, there was less time for the rehearsals as she and her wife lived their dream to travel and sail extensively with their precious “sea dog” Remy accompanying them whenever possible. Her favorite trip was to Uganda and Rwanda where she completed four separate treks to see the mountain gorillas in their remote natural habitat. Despite her busy travel and sailing schedule, she found time to continue to give back to her community by joining as a Board member at Companis, a non-profit organization she was passionate about.
Constance was loved by many. She is survived by her wife, Kyra Becker, her brother Wesley Wilkinson (Jane Wilkinson), her brother Kenneth Wilkinson, her sister Holly Hoff (James Hoff), and her sister-in-law Donna Wilkinson. She was predeceased by her brother Daniel Wilkinson and her beloved dog Remy.
For the celebration of her life, Constance wished to host an event with “good red wine” to be served in stemware with a performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by the Seattle Men’s Chorus. Those requests will be honored at a gathering on September 21, 2025 at the Hall at Fauntleroy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Companis.
When asked how we can honor her memory, Constance encouraged to us all to “live a life of gratitude, love, and forgiveness.”
(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)
(Lincoln Park’s Barred Owlets, photographed from a distance this week by Rainer Klett)
Gardening, art, soccer, music, and more – here are our highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: Sold out, so this is just a reminder that it’s happening today, 9 am-5 pm, and you might encounter some unexpected traffic on streets with gardens hosting tour stops. If you still need to pick up your ticket book, it’s waiting for you 8:30-11 am at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW), but they do NOT have extras for sale.
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 summer produce (berries! lots of salad greens! asparagus!) 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, look for Master Gardeners, ready to answer your questions! Sundays throughout the summer, they’re at the market, 10 am-2 pm.
ADMIRAL CHURCH CELEBRATION: Later this year, the church will leave its longtime home to make way for the redevelopment it chose as a path to its future. Today a celebratory service, lunch, and reception, “Fond Farewells and Daring Dreams,” will celebrate the past and future, 10:30 am-2 pm. (4320 SW Hill)
WESTIES RUN CLUB ANNIVERSARY RUN/PARTY: Today’s Sunday Funday run is part of the Westies’ three-year celebration, leaving from and returning to Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 10:30 am.
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, no matter what the weather, 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to 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.
COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open today as its 7-day-a-week season continues, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.
WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the wading pool will be open if the forecast for some sunshine and a 70ish temp holds, noon-7 pm.
LOCAL ARTISTS CELEBRATION + SOCCER: Before today’s home match for (corrected) West Seattle Junction FC vs. the Tacoma Stars, check out the local artist celebration at the stadium, including all-ages activities, starting at 12:45 pm, match at 2 pm, Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Get tickets here or at the stadium.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Weekly free tours! Grounds at 3201 Alki SW open at 1 pm; last tour starts 3:45 pm; more info in our calendar listing.
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)
LIVE MUSIC AT TIM’S: Blues Afternoon with Korner Blues , 2 pm at Tim’s Tavern in White Center. (16th/98th)
STRING QUARTET AT KENYON HALL: Second concert for string quartet Pure Flavor, continuing to present Beethoven’s String Quartets, 2:30 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – check here for tickets.
‘THE EFFECT’ AT ARTSWEST: First afternoon performance for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 3 pm – check here for tickets.
BENEFIT SHOW FOR MODE MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS: More than two dozen acts perform a concert at the iconic Neptune Theater (1303 NE 45th), 3:30 pm, to raise money for scholarships at West Seattle’s Mode Music and Performing Arts. Ticket info in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Weekend’s end brings 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!
12:55 AM: In case you wondered about thr sirens, SFD had a “fire in building” response for 30th/Henderson, but it turned out to be minor, and everyone’s been dismissed. … (Update) Turned out to be a “small propane stove, turned on.”
(WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin unless otherwise credited. Above, that’s Molly Moon holding the scissors)
Even before we could ask about it, the namesake owner of West Seattle’s newest ice-cream shop took on the topic of being less than a block away from the peninsula’s ice-cream icon Husky Deli. “A rising tide floats all boats,” Molly Moon Neitzel quoted, explaining that she believes “more dessert shops” mean “more people going out for dessert.” There was certainly an advance appetite for hers, judging by the line before the Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream doors opened at California/Alaska following the mid-afternoon ribboncutting:
(This photo and next by WSB’s Tracy Record)
Of course, the prospect of free ice cream for kids in the first two hours factored into that too. Adults paid full freight, for which the base prices are on the menu board as $6.95 for one scoop, $8.95 for two, $10.95 for three, and lots of extras available, from fresh-baked waffle cones to toppings including the boss’s favorite style of sprinkles:
In the hour before the shop opened, we got a behind-the-scenes look at everything from the ice-cream-making machinery (they start with a pasteurized base made by Lopez Island Creamery using Edaleen Dairy milk and take it from there) to the freezer into which the ice cream is placed to firm up overnight:
A quick peek into that (-2, said the display) made today’s outdoor weather seem balmy. They’re making plans, by the way, to give customers a closer look at the ice-cream-making process, to further reinforce the fact each of the 11 shops makes the ice cream it serves, possibly with some sort of visual alert when ice-cream-making is happening, and maybe even tastes of the almost-finished product. They’ve also made a corner of the kitchen visible from the street, a corner where they’re baking some of their ingredients, like brownies. But back to the ice cream – Molly posed for us with West Seattle shop manager Rae Alva and a couple of waffle cones:
Current seasonal flavors are Strawberry Matcha, Blueberry Pie, Orange Creamsicle, and Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet; “always flavors” are Coconut Chunk, Cookies & Cream, Cookie Dough, Honey Lavender, Iced Latte, Melted Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Scout Mint Brownie, Strawberry, Sweet Cream, and Yeti (explained here).
In addition to cones/bowls, you can buy shakes, sundaes, pints, tubs, and ice-cream cakes. (And merch.)
The remodel has made the shop seem more spacious than the prior Cupcake Royale configuration – the central tables and back booths are gone. The service counter’s in the same spot:
Molly told us the open layout might facilitate future events, such as music. (The shop’ll be open nightly until 11 pm, after all.) Meantime, they’re still awaiting exterior signage, and she’s hoping that will be available for installation within a few weeks. Signage is how Molly Moon’s impending arrival was announced in April 2024, when a banner popped up in a storefront window a few doors north (NN still holds the lease on that too and is seeking a tenant).
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