12:18 AM: Police are converging on the Admiral Way 7-Eleven after two men are reported to have robbed the store a short time ago. So far they are described as both Black, in their mid-20s, about 5’6″, one in a red mask and black T-shirt, armed with a black handgun, the other in dark clothing and unarmed. They are reported to have gotten away in a car only described as a “silver sedan.”

12:42 AM: Officers have just given dispatch an updated description of the getaway car: Now it’s described as a newer 4-door blue Hyundai.

ADDED SATURDAY: We’ve obtained the police-report narrative, which adds that the till taken by the robbers was discovered by officers heading back toward the precinct, dumped on the side of the Admiral Way hill (3000 block). As for the holdup, the clerk told police that “he was near the back of the store when he was surprised by the two (robbers …one who) was wearing a red scarf covering his head and face pulled out a gun … then proceeded to tell (the clerk) to open the register while pointing the gun to his right side … (the clerk) opened the cash register and the suspect grabbed approximately 500$ from the till … (the other was) holding the door halfway open … (the robber with the gun) grabbed the register till and ran toward … a parked vehicle in front of the 7-11.” The description of the car is redacted, so we don’t know if there’s anything beyond what’s in our original update.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Delridge response tonight; Junction ATM robbery last night

May 29, 2025 11:56 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two more West Seattle Crime Watch notes before the night’s out:

DELRIDGE RESPONSE: Thanks for the tip about police blocking off Delridge near the playfield late tonight. It started with a parking-enforcement officer discovering a man passed out inside an illegally parked car. They handed the discovery over to patrol officers, who learned the car was a Volvo SUV stolen on Mercer Island. Officers were reported to be having a difficult time rousing him to get him out of the car but eventually arrested him.

JUNCTION ATM ROBBERY: Missed this one last night while covering an event, but police released a brief summary. Around 7:30 pm Wednesday, a woman was held up at gunpoint after withdrawing money from the Wells Fargo ATM on SW Alaska in The Junction. The robbers were two men who got away in a car parked nearby. In archived audio, the robbers were described only as an Asian man and Black man, both around 25

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BIZNOTES: Three from Westwood Village (updated Friday)

May 29, 2025 9:53 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three Westwood Village notes tonight:

(WSB photo when signs first appeared two weeks ago)

TOTAL WINE TOMORROW? The signs saying “Open 9 am May 30” are still on the Total Wine & More doors at 2501 SW Trenton as of our most recent check a short time ago. Perhaps it’s a soft open, as the company was taking RSVPs for a ribbon-cutting and “preview” event next Wednesday evening (June 4).

FRIDAY UPDATE: Yes, they’re open. (New photo added above.)

J. CREW ON THE MAP: We’ve been reporting on evidence that clothing retailer J. Crew is opening a “factory” store in the ex-GameStop and tanning-salon spaces. Now more evidence: The logo is officially on the WWV map (above), which is the only way the center has been “announcing” new tenants.

RITE AID’S FUTURE: When Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy again, we reported that the Westwood Village store’s lease was among those offered “for assignment” by a broker working with the company to offload dozens of stores. CVS is reported to be taking over more than 60 Rite Aid stores in the region, but no hint yet if WWV is among them – its leasing map now shows that space (above) as “available.”

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Admiral stabbing/robbery suspect to get competency evaluation

May 29, 2025 6:52 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(May 12th WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

We checked court records today to see if Admiral stabbing/robbery suspect Jiminson A. Calix-Bodden had been arraigned yet. Instead, we found he had appeared in court two days ago for a hearing in which his lawyer’s motion for a competency evaluation was granted. Calix-Bodden is the 25-year-old arrested after a man walking near California/Stevens was stabbed in a random attack on May 12th; Calix-Bodden was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, as well as with robbery for allegedly accosting a woman nearby to steal her phone. In court this week, Calix-Bodden’s lawyer contended he was not mentally competent to stand trial; Superior Court Judge Brian McDonald granted her motion for a review to determine if that’s true. He also ruled that Calix-Bodden, listed in court documents as a Tukwila resident, should stay in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail, and would be held on electronic home monitoring if he managed to get out on bond. His next hearing is set for June 12th.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Your turn to release salmon fry into Fauntleroy Creek

May 29, 2025 5:04 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

If you’d like a chance to do what the Roxhill Elementary student in Fauntleroy Creek salmon-release volunteer John Sturtevant‘s photo is doing – your chance is just three days away. As we look ahead to what’s happening around West Seattle this weekend, this is one of the unique events – a community salmon-release opportunity at the creek, where hundreds of students have been visiting all month to free the fry they’ve been raising at school. On Sunday (June 1), 1 pm-3 pm, enter Fauntleroy Park at the SW Barton entrance and walk to the bridge, where you’ll find Fauntleroy Watershed Council volunteers with a bucket of fish and answers to all your questions – free, all ages!

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle girls’ water polo to compete at state tournament. Then: Free clinic

May 29, 2025 3:11 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Congratulations to the West Seattle girls’ water polo team – they’ve made into the state tournament! That news comes from Jennifer, who sent the photos and report, and also says they’re offering a free clinic to mentor other girls:

The WSHS Girls Water Polo team finished 3rd in the Division Championship Tournament last Saturday and then won a play-in against Shorewood High School to qualify for the State Championship Tournament held at Curtis Aquatic Center in University Place. The Wildcats will play Curtis High School (tonight) at 8 pm. The team will also play Friday, May 30th and Saturday, May 31st. The other qualifying schools are Bainbridge, Kennedy Catholic, Gig Harbor, Bellevue, Mercer Island, and Rogers.

Once their post-season is over, the team will host a free clinic for middle- and high-school-aged girls on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at Southwest Pool. Learn and play alongside the high school girls team players, under the direction of WSHS Coaches Steven McKinnon and Jojo Southwell. Find out what this growing sport is all about and get a chance to learn the basics. This is an educational event open to all 6th through 12th grade girls regardless of which school they attend. Registration required in advance of the event. Please contact WSWP to receive a link to register: wshswaterpolo@gmail.com

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PARKING: Add more street spaces to Alki Avenue after diagonal spaces are removed? New SDOT proposal and survey

May 29, 2025 12:45 pm

| 73 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

12:45 PM: As first reported here in January, SDOT plans to convert the diagonal-parking area just northwest of Don Armeni Boat Ramp into parallel parking. An update today reaffirms that the work should be complete by mid-June. But today’s update adds something new:

(Google Maps Street View image, part of the stretch where SDOT proposes adding parking)

Re-establishing daytime on-street parking is proposed for the west/water side of Alki Avenue SW, between the 1200 and 1700 blocks, where the street is wide enough. This would help offset the reduced parking at Duwamish Head and meet increased parking demand during summers. Changes could be installed in the summer of 2025.

While the diagonal-parking removal is a done deal, the Alki Avenue parking is not, SDOT says, and it’s asking your thoughts via this brief survey. Meantime, we have followup questions out to SDOT, including the number of spaces planned for removal/addition, and the updated cost (the original announcement of the diagonal-parking removal noted that District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka had gotten $175,000 for it added to the budget).

ADDED 5:05 PM: SDOT says there’ll be a net gain of 140 spaces with all of this – the 35 diagonal spaces will be replaced with 25 parallel spaces, and 150 spaces would be added to Alki Avenue. SDOT says the $175,000 originally budgeted should cover the Alki Avenue plan as well as the diagonal conversion.

We also asked about other street changes that would be made to accommodate the parking changes: First, at the soon-to-be-former diagonal area, “Wheel stops will block off the space behind the parking lane and the curb on the west side (water side).” Second, in the area between 1200 and 1700 blocks of Alki Avenue, “We will be installing 20′ no parking zones (also called daylight buffers) before and after each crosswalk to enhance visibility of pedestrians crossing at these locations. The parking lane will be established by painting a fog line on the west side (water side of Alki Ave SW). Wheel stops are not here, as these spaces will be adjacent to the curb.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver Elantra; Little Free Library emptyings (anyone else?); dumped bag of opened packages

May 29, 2025 11:22 am

| 25 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN SILVER ELANTRA: Megan’s 2012 silver Hyundai Elantra was stolen in North Admiral between Saturday and Wednesday. License plate BKY4563; distinctive feature, “the taillights are melted from a fire in 2020.” If you find it, call 911 and refer to police report 25-144801.

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY EMPTYINGS: Betty wonders if this has happened to anyone else with a Little Free Library:

For the second time in a week, i awoke to find that every book, except one Dickens novel, was taken from my little free library in Gatewood overnight. I am puzzled and annoyed. Even used books are costly to replace. I am curious if this has been happening to other little-library stewards.

DUMPED PACKAGE BAG: Charlene saw this at 13th/Holly:

If you’re a package-theft victim in the area, you might go take a look, though another photo (with no hint of names or addresses) suggested everything in the bag had been opened.

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From music to mending, plus orcas – here’s what’s up for your West Seattle Thursday

May 29, 2025 9:58 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(West Seattle from the sky – photo sent by Anne earlier this week – West Duwamish Greenbelt in center)

Here’s our list of Thursday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Spring gardening season continues! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to get the details of where they’re playing today.

DROP-IN CHESS: 4-5:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), youth up to 18 years old are invited to drop in and play.

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of three regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s C. Davis Texas BBQ.

WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Last but never least, HPCS is the starting point for running 3 miles, or walking a shorter path, in the neighborhood near HPCS with the Run Club, leaving from the store at 6:30 pm, returning for beverages – info here.

VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!

FREE MENDING WORKSHOP: 5:30 pm at KAVU (9064 Delridge Way SW), bring what you need to mend, and learn from mending mentors! Our calendar listing includes an RSVP link where you can also note what you’ll be bringing.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: This group’s 6 pm weekly Thursday run starts at The Good Society in Admiral (California/Lander).

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Prefer to walk? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm, Patrick Rifflin performs Thursdays at Pegasus Pizza in The Junction (4520 California SW).

DUSTY THURSDAYS: 6 pm at Tim’s Tavern (98th/16th, White Center). From West Seattle’s own Billy Joe Huels:

Dusty Thursdays concert series is returning at Tim’s Tavern 6-9 pm on the outdoor stage. Each week we will feature a top local band (most hailing from West Seattle) followed by The Dusty 45s. It’s free, all-ages and everyone is welcome!

Featured tonight – Freddy Luongo & Longshots.

HOW TO GET RAINWISE: You might be eligible for subsidized RainWise installation. Find out more at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), tonight at 6:30 pm. Our calendar listing has details, including how to check if you’re eligible.

THE WHALE TRAIL AT C & P COFFEE: At 7 pm, The Whale Trail‘s spring gathering features updates on the Southern Resident orcas and a celebration of the concluding career of one of their champions – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)

‘WIZARD OF OZ’ PRESENTED BY DENNY IMS: Performances tonight and Saturday at 7 pm, free admission, <strong>Chief Sealth IHS Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle).

MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB: 7 pm at Two Fingers Social (9211 Delridge Way SW), the club discusses “Stiff” this month.

FOXWARREN LISTENING EVENT: 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), be among the first to hear Foxwarren‘s new album – free, all ages.

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet, hosted by Good Old-Fashioned Local Trivia (9614 14th SW).

DJ NIGHT: The weekend starts spinning early at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Kingblind & Teenage Rampage, 7 pm on.

Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Celebration of Life planned June 21 for Jay Murray, 1936-2025

May 29, 2025 9:00 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather June 21 to celebrate the life of Jay Murray, and are sharing this remembrance with his community now:

Jay Murray, lifelong resident of West Seattle, passed away peacefully at his family’s mountain retreat in Silverton, WA, on Friday, March 7th, 2025, where he and his family have enjoyed life alongside the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River since his childhood. He passed away just shy of his 89th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joanne (McCarthy) Murray; his son Vern Murray (Jenny); daughter Meredith (Murray) Blache; and five grandchildren: Renee (Erik), Mercedes, Fiadh, Matthew and August.

Jay had long enjoyed photography as a hobby, building a darkroom and make-shift studio at home. Jay and Joanne bought an established photography studio on SW Oregon Street in the West Seattle Junction in 1966. Murray’s Studio captured cherished memories for decades, and many West Seattleites remember Jay as the photographer for their senior and family portraits and wedding photos. Eventually moving the studio to 4740 California Avenue SW, Jay and Joanne expanded their business to include bridal and formal wear.

Jay was involved in many West Seattle organizations and served as president of the West Seattle Junction Association, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the West Seattle Hi-Yu community festival, and the West Seattle High School Alumni Association. He was also secretary of the Rotary Club of West Seattle.

Jay was a member of the Admiral United Church of Christ and, as a lover of music, he sang in his church choir and several barbershop groups.

Born April 24, 1936, to Clarence and Laverne Murray of West Seattle, Jay had two older sisters, Joy Humphreys and Jane Keitges, who preceded him in death.

He attended Jefferson Elementary, James Madison Junior High, and West Seattle High School, graduating in 1955.

While still in high school, Jay was sworn into the US Army by his father on his 17th birthday. He served in the Army Reserves until called to active duty from 1956 to 1958, after which he remained in the Reserves. Called again to active duty deployments at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, in Kuwait during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope, he served a total of 43 years in the US Army, retiring in 1996 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer CW4.

Active in several local, state, and national professional photography organizations, Jay was president of the Professional Photographers of Seattle and the Professional Photographers of Washington. Winning many awards, Jay was proud to be recognized as a Photographic Craftsman by the Professional Photographers of America and a Fellow of Photography by the Professional Photographers of Washington.

Jay and Joanne traveled and enjoyed the great outdoors, from the mountains to the sea. Both avid skiers, they joined Sahalie Ski Club at Snoqualmie Pass in 1961. They also enjoyed Whistler and Blackcomb, where they celebrated his 83rd birthday skiing with three generations of family. He and Joanne traveled to Hawaii almost every year. They especially cherished walking the beaches at Bellows Field on Oahu.

Friends are invited to a Celebration of Jay’s Life on Saturday, June 21st, at 2:00 pm at Admiral Church, 4320 SW Hill St, Seattle (California Ave SW & SW Hill Street).

(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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday notes

May 29, 2025 6:02 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:24 AM: Thanks for the tips – crash response on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, at/near the Delridge onramp.

Earlier:

6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, May 29, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Cloudy and likely showery this morning, clearing later, high in the upper 60s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:17 am; sunset will be at 8:56 pm.

ROAD WORK

-Gas pipeline work toward the Lowman Beach end of Beach Drive … street work for the Alki Standby Generator Project toward the Alki Point end.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays.

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

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”. Note: Online “open house” for commenting on possible ferry-fare increases/changes is now ready for you here.

STADIUM ZONE

Mariners are home tonight vs. the Nationals, 6:40 pm.

EARLY WARNING OF BRIDGE CLOSURE

As reported Wednesday – the low bridge will close the weekend of June 7-8.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Spokane Street Viaduct:

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!

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Question: How can you support West Seattle Farmers’ Market in addition to shopping? Answer: Play trivia!

May 28, 2025 7:33 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

(West Seattle Farmers’ Market, last Sunday)

The first-ever West Seattle session of Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets Trivia is set for one week from tonight – Wednesday, June 4. It’s happening 6-8 pm at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW). Besides buying a ticket to play, you also can buy raffle tickets, and the money all supports the organization that coordinates WSFM and other markets around the city. You can buy a trivia ticket in advance for $15, or pay $20 at the door; you can play alone or with a team of up to six people. You can buy your ticket(s) – trivia and/or raffle, and/or make a donation – by going here.

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PRIDE MONTH 2025: Here’s what’s on the local list so far (updated)

May 28, 2025 5:08 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB file photo)

June arrives this Sunday, and so does Pride Month. Here’s our local list – please let us know if you have something to add to it:

STEM K-8 PRIDE KICKOFF: 5 pm Friday (May 30), the school at 5950 Delridge Way SW gets Pride going early, with a party on the playground, 5-7:30 pm, presented by GGLOW and the PTA.

WESTIES RUN CLUB’S PRIDE PARTY RUN: 9 am Sunday is the usual time for Sunday Funday runs with this group, and this month they’re making it a Pride Party Run, leaving from Marination ma kai (1660 Harbor SW).

PRIDE COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER: All month long, Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) offers a special cocktail, The Sylvia River-ita, with half the proceeds supporting Lambert House.

WHITE CENTER PRIDE STREET FESTIVAL: Noon-11 pm on Saturday, June 7, the street festival takes over 16th SW in downtown White Center, between Roxbury and 100th.

SOUTH DELRIDGE EVENTS DURING WC FESTIVAL: Terraplanted and Mr. B’s Meadery both have plans on June 7 too.

KARAOKE FOR THE SPIRIT: Progressive, queer-affirming churches’ gathering to sing secular songs at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7 pm Sunday, June 8..

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION FLAGS: This year, the Junction Association says, the rainbow flags will fly on June 12, in support of the next event on the list (and they’re signing up volunteers to help put the flags up) …

PRIDE CELEBRATION ON ART WALK NIGHT: VAIN is organizing a two-part celebration on June 12, which is West Seattle Art Walk night – meet up at the shop (4513 California SW) at 6 pm, head south to dance at Walk All Ways (California/Alaska) at 6:30 pm.

PRIDE IN OZ @ KENYON HALL: Two performances of Pride Month’s Kenyon Hall Cabaret all-ages drag show, 6:30 pm Friday (June 13) and 1:30 pm Saturday (June 14) – get tickets early!

PRIDE CELEBRATION BOUT: Rainier Roller Riot‘s bout “Pack Is Queer“ is a Pride celebration, 5:30 pm June 14 at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).

SEATTLE PRIDE NIGHT OUT: Organize your own block party with inspiration from the West Seattleites who started it, June 26, 5-8 pm.

What else? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com so we can add to the calendar (and this list) – thanks!

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Lowest low-low tide of the year

May 28, 2025 3:11 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

3:11 PM: Thanks again to Kevin Freitas for a view of Constellation Park as today’s low-low tide bottomed out at -4.1 feet, lowest of the year. Also sending photos was Dawn Roeder, who saw colorful sea life under the Fauntleroy ferry dock:

Tomorrow’s lowest tide is still great for tidepooling – -3.6 feet at 1:08 pm – but the weather is expected to be very different.

ADDED 5:29 PM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo of Luna Park‘s pilings (pointed out on Tuesday by Dave Townsend):

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West Seattle Summer Fest – first update on what’s new for 2025!

May 28, 2025 1:03 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Just in from the West Seattle Junction Association, some of what you’ll want to know about the year’s biggest party, West Seattle Summer Fest – Friday-Sunday, July 11-13 (following an ever-more-festive Summer Fest Eve on Thursday, July 10). First, this year’s official Summer Fest logo art (yes, T-shirts will be available):

WSJA says this year’s Summer Fest highlights will include:

160+ local vendors and food trucks
A bustling beverage garden
An expanded Kids Zone
Two stages of live music

Main Stage music will be Friday and Saturday as has been the case in recent years, with California SW north of Oregon changing to the Farmers’ Market for Sunday. Headliners will include Reignwolf, Jenn Champion, New Constellations, and THEM! The full music schedule will be out soon, and will also include the Westside Stage – which will host performances all three days – in Junction Plaza Park.

The festival footprint will be the same, but the food court and Kids Zone will change places – the former will be on SW Alaska west of California, the latter will be east of California, with five different inflatables plus activities from West Seattle Arcade, Seattle Reign FC, and Craft Labs Seattle. (Face painters will be on the California raised crosswalks.)

And along with another year of food/beverage vendors serving your purchases in reusable serviceware – making it a truly sustainable festival – this year will see the return of free water-refill stations, so you can bring your own water bottle (or buy one at the festival). Four stations, WSJA tells us.

Also: We’ve been telling you about the fundraiser (still accepting donations!) for seating and shade, and that will be part of the “food court,” described as “an enormous area” of seating/shade behind KeyBank. Plus year-round merchants will have extended sidewalk cafés and in-store promotions..

Festival hours will be 1-8 pm Friday (July 11), 10 am-8 pm Saturday (July 12), 10 am-5 pm Friday (July 13). Music will be on the Main Stage (California north of Oregon) Friday and Saturday until 11 pm, and on the Westside Stage (in the park) Friday and Saturday until 7 PM, Sunday until 4 PM. Find out even more about the festival at westseattlesummerfest.com!

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CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge closing June 7-8 weekend (updated)

May 28, 2025 12:18 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

ORIGINAL WEDNESDAY REPORT: Just in from SDOT, the West Seattle low bridge – aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge, opened in 1991 – has a two-day closure coming up, affecting all non-maritime users:

To keep the bridge reliably operating, starting June 7 and continuing through June 8, the low bridge will be closed for people driving, biking, rolling, and walking for about two days. During this time, crews will reinstall the remaining refurbished cylinder that was removed from the west pier during the October 2024 low bridge closure. Work on this project is expected to continue throughout 2025.

SDOT’s project page has more details on the work that’s being done. We’re following up to ask exactly what time on June 7 the closure is expected to start.

ADDED FRIDAY: 7 am, per SDOT.

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READER REPORTS: Seniors preyed on by seemingly friendly thieves

May 28, 2025 11:42 am

| 28 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

We’ve received two reader reports about similar incidents. First one was sent today by Nancy:

Last Thursday a senior friend of mine and her husband were walking up Alaska from Avalon to Whole Foods at 10:30 am.

At 37th and Alaska a passing van asked for directions and then started a conversation meant to engage them on a personal level including a hug from the car window during which they then cut or somehow removed a gold chain and gold bracelet from the senior gentleman.

A police report was filed. Redmond Police posted an alert about this last year. Essentially people in rental SUV’s are approaching older individuals and asking for directions and/or offering to sell or trade jewelry, and robbing the individual after contact is made.

The other one was reported in mid-May in White Center – Jennifer said her parents, 73-year-old mom and 81-year-old dad, were approached while getting into their car outside McLendon Hardware:

… Male/female offered gifts, jewelry and were making physical contact (holding dad’s hand & kissing it) but I believe they were trying to distract both of my parents in an attempt to rob them. The female was standing outside of the driver’s side window where my dad was and the male was standing outside my mom’s window telling her to roll it down. Each person intentionally dropped a piece of jewelry inside of the car in hopes mom/dad would retrieve it and open their doors to hand it back, but luckily mom sensed that something was wrong. She started shouting that she was going to call 911 and the male/female then left in a hurry. … Male and female were driving a small Chevy sedan similar to (this picture).

We asked for descriptions:

Male:
About 5’ 10” tall
Slim build
Short black wavy hair
Dark brown complexion
Was wearing a cream short sleeve floral shirt.

Female
About 5’ 5”
Slender figure
Couldn’t make out hair color because it was wrapped up in a bandana/scarf
Light brown complexion
Wearing a long skirt

We don’t have police-report numbers in either case (the first would be SPD, the second would be KCSO), but the primary goal of both readers was to suggest warning vulnerable relatives/friends.

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Dine-out school benefit, sidewalks @ HPAC, legislators, bingo, spraypark, more for your West Seattle Wednesday!

May 28, 2025 10:03 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Kim R’s ‘mutant foxglove’ in Seaview)

Many places to keep cool happen to be hosting events in the hours ahead, mostly as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore’s new Junction location. (4522 California SW)

CHAIR YOGA: 10:30 am at Dragonfly (3270 California SW):

Gentle Chair Yoga
Wednesdays 10:30 AM
Class is recurring weekly.
45 minutes, $20 drop-in
Please register in advance.
Use this Link

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: First week of operations, just in time for a semi-heat wave! Open 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Lowest of the year! 12:20 pm, out to -4.1 feet.

REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: All levels welcome, 2-4:30 pm at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury).

DINE-OUT BENEFIT: Part of the proceeds from food/beverages at or from The Neighborhood (6503 California SW) 3-9 pm will benefit Sanislo Elementary.

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), free.

WORRY-FREE WEDNESDAY: Today’s free presentation is about ensuring your end-of-life wishes are honored. 4 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), RSVP requested.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Got something broken? Fix it instead of discarding it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

Q&A WITH YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS: 34th District Democrats‘ forum with Sen. Emily Alvarado and Reps. Brianna Thomas and Joe Fitzgibbon, all welcome, 6 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW).

POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, $40, details here and pre-registration here. (3400 Harbor SW)

WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: All are welcome at the group’s weekly meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW).

FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are invited to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

HPAC’S MAY GATHERING: Topics include new sidewalks, the Holden Natural Drainage System project, and RV camping, as previewed here – 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)

KUNDALINI YOGA & GONG BATH: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

MUSIC BINGO: Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

TRIVIA x 3: Three West Seattle trivia locations on our Wednesday list: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … Quiz Night also begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Ready for the stage? 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Got something coming up that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU’RE INVITED: OLG students to host ‘Voices for Refugees and Immigrants’ community meal Sunday

May 28, 2025 8:59 am

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(OLG photo: Walmesley Center)

Two students from Our Lady of Guadalupe School have sent us postal-mail letters about this community event coming up Sunday (June 1). This transcribed excerpt is from one letter, sent by 7th grader Emmett:

…This year our class has read books on a refugee’s journey and the history of discrimination and racism in our country, even here in Seattle. We also had a guest speaker come in and talk about his journey from Equatorial Guinea, through South America, and making his way to Seattle. After listening to his powerful story, we began taking action in our Missionary Discipleship Institute response project. After brainstorming, we decided on hosting a community meal. This response project matters to me because my grandparents were immigrants from the Philippines, and I was never really told the story. The reason the event is so important to me is so that immigrants and refugees can tell their story, their journey to America, to Seattle.

Our event is called “Voices for Refugees and Immigrants: A Community Meal” and will be hosted on June 1, at 12 pm. Our meal will take place at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Gymnasium, and the address is 3401 SW Myrtle St., and our goal is to welcome the community of Seattle. At this event, we will be taking donations that will be put into making care kits for immigrants or refugees settling into their homes. …

The OLG website announcement notes that students have designed the entire event! The gym is in the Walmesley Center, across SW Myrtle from the main school building, with its main entrance off the parking lot to its east.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Warm Wednesday watch

May 28, 2025 6:01 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny and warmer. today, high around 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:18 am; sunset will be at 8:55 pm.

ROAD WORK

-Beach Drive work that’s restricting parking by Lowman Beach Park is a continuation of the PSE gas pipeline project, which also has flaggers in action further north.

-At the other end of Beach Drive, in South Alki, street work for the Alki Standby Generator Project is in its next phase, centered at 64th/Beach Drive – details and maps are here, along with what’s next.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays.

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Spokane Street Viaduct:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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.

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Got questions for your state legislators? Next chance: Wednesday. First, see what they said at last Q&A

May 27, 2025 9:20 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Our area’s three state legislators will appear together tomorrow for the second time in less than a week.

The 34th District Democrats are convening a “session in review” forum, 6 pm Wednesday (May 28), at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) and all are welcome to come hear from/ask questions of Sen. Emily Alvarado, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, and Rep. Brianna Thomas.

Last Thursday, the trio were guests at the West Seattle Democratic Women‘s dinner meeting. Here’s our hour-plus unedited video:

They remarked on very long hours and the work it took to balance the budget – $7 billion in cuts, $9 billion in new taxes, “none were easy.”

Nor, they said, was their working relationship with new Gov. Bob Ferguson, even though he, like all three of them and the majority of their fellow legislators, is a Democrat.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another stolen Hyundai found after early-morning stunt driving, crash

May 27, 2025 6:49 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

In that photo is a Hyundai stolen overnight downtown, found by police early this morning in Sunrise Heights. The texter who sent the photo, a resident near Walt Hundley Playfield, also explained what preceded it:

Woke right at 6 am to sounds of cars racing and maybe crashing. Go out to see a blue Hyundai sedan with 3 teens and a white Hyundai or Kia (small) SUV with maybe 4 teens in it, flying by, chasing each other, losing or tossing items from the vehicles. They raced up and down the blocks, sorta chasing each other like they were playing tag. As they went by, one kid yelled to me from the SUV something about a shotgun and something about a day off (weird). I called 911. At one point one of the cars came flying out of the alley next to my house, off gravel onto the paved street, at about 35-40 mph, nearly crashing into the park. Then both cars met up, sped off, and I thought I heard a crash in the distance. I got into my truck and drove a couple of streets over to see what happened and the blue car was pulled over by SPD. It’s the one that I thought crashed. Cops still have the car, punched ignition … they say likely it’s a yet-to-be-reported stolen vehicle. The white SUV was gone. It had Texas plates. Both cars had teens with hoods up and masks on, all of them. Some male, some female, is my guess based off the laughing I heard …

That was all from a text around 5:30 am. We subsequently asked police what their report said about how this all turned out.

According to the report’s narrative, they initially responded to a call about a hit-run crash near 31st/Myrtle, and as the texter told us, “The call was updated to show that a blue Hyundai sedan and a white Hyundai SUV with a Texas license plate were chasing each other. As I was driving to the last known location of the vehicles along 32nd Ave SW, I saw a blue Hyundai Sonata with the running lights on and a wheel on the curb. … The vehicle appeared unoccupied but I did a PA callout, then the other officer and I cleared the vehicle. No one was inside. Dispatch ran the license plate number. This vehicle had not yet been reported stolen, but based on the steering column and ignition damage, I suspected the vehicle was stolen.

They called the vehicle’s owner, who told them “he usually leaves the vehicle parked in a garage at work but he went to Oregon and came back late last night, so he parked it in front of his apartment building at 1XX Taylor Ave N. [near Seattle Center]. He last saw it about (10 pm Monday night).”

The owner came to West Seattle to try to reclaim his car. Inside it, besides various items – including a plastic cup and a charger – that didn’t belong to him, police also found a print on the rearview mirror, which the owner confirmed someone had moved, so it was dusted and the print was lifted for evidence.

The owner tried to drive the car away but its front suspension had damage preventing that, police wrote, “so he parked the vehicle and called his insurance company … (to order) his own tow.” Before that, though, according to the police report, they gave him a free steering-wheel lock.

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From the ‘found, maybe stolen/dumped’ file: Binoculars, scooter

May 27, 2025 6:08 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle news

Two “found, possibly dumped/stolen” reports:

BINOCULARS: Sent by Evan:

I found a pair of nice-looking Bushnell Binoculars in a leather case on the median outside our house near SW 17th and Trenton.

Evan took them in for safekeeping – if they’re yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.

SCOOTER: Brandon spotted this in front of Alki Dental (we don’t know its current status):

Reminder that for discoveries more likely to have been simply “lost,” we have a self-post “lost/found/nonpets” board in the WSB Community Forums; you need a log-in, which should be easily obtainable here.

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