(WSB photo)

You might already have seen the flyers posted around the peninsula. West Seattle Indivisible is planning another rally on streetcorners along California SW, from Admiral to Morgan Junction, this Saturday (June 28). Here’s the explanation they sent:

West Seattle Indivisible presents:
RECLAIM THE FLAG Street Rally

Saturday, June 28, 2025
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
California Ave SW from Admiral to Morgan Junction

Fresh off the NO KINGS March, let’s keep building strength in numbers and reclaim our flag as a symbol of democracy, liberty, and justice.

Bring your:
* US Flags
* Noisemakers
* Pro-democracy signs
* Kiddos — this is a family-friendly event!

We’ll line California Ave SW from Admiral to Morgan Junction, spreading the message block by block.

Let’s make freedom loud, proud, and visible in West Seattle. See you there!

Back in April, the group drew hundreds to more than 20 streetcorners in West Seattle for its first rally/protest.

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Life-saving lesson for little ones at next Firefighter Story Time in West Seattle

June 24, 2025 12:29 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| High Point | Safety | West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from April’s Firefighter Story Time at Delridge Library)

Last time a library in West Seattle hosted Firefighter Story Time, a reader lamented not seeing an announcement sooner – so in case you haven’t seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, the next one is this Friday. This time, Firefighter Story Time is set for 11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond). As always, it’s meant not only for kids to learn about fire safety but also to see firefighters and their gear up close, so that they might be less scared in an emergency situation. No preregistration needed – kids and parents/caregivers can just show up.

P.S. If you miss this one, you can also hop over the ridge to South Park Library (8604 8th Ave. S.) for Firefighter Story Time at 10:30 am August 5.

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Nucor Seattle: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

June 24, 2025 11:08 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome Nucor Seattle, the steel mill that’s been in West Seattle more than a century [map], as a new WSB sponsor. New local sponsors have the opportunity to tell you about themselves and what they do – so here’s the message Nucor has for you:

West Seattle is the capital of recycling in the Pacific Northwest

Whether it is residents sorting materials into the correct bins or volunteer pick-ups to reduce litter at our beautiful beaches and greenbelts in the area, our community works hard to reduce waste. What you may not realize is that our community is also home to the largest recycler in Washington, Nucor Seattle, and that as a company, Nucor Corporation is the largest recycler in North America. Recycled steel scrap makes up nearly 100% of the steel products that we produce in West Seattle. Our team, which is more than 300 teammates strong, makes safety our number one value every single day, and environmental sustainability in steel making is the focus and future of our company. We work hard to continue our journey of being some of the greenest steel produced anywhere in the world.

A steel-making neighbor

West Seattle is a unique place. There has been a steel mill here since 1905 – Nucor took over the mill in 2002. The neighborhood has grown and changed around us, but we don’t take our community for granted. We support local organizations that improve quality of life, and that strengthen efforts of people in this community to take care of one another. Nucor Seattle is also proud to host several interns, and we are focused on partnering with local high schools to foster the education and career development of future generations.

Looking toward a more sustainable future

Recently, we shared in the WSB a project of removing three decommissioned smokestacks. Those old smokestacks represented a bygone era. Appropriately, they were recycled a few feet from where they stood and will get a fresh start when they are repurposed for other structures. In the months and years ahead, further investments will be taking place in both the aesthetics and the operations of the mill. Nucor Seattle operations have always been a showcase of the future of steel manufacturing. We operate on carbon neutral power, abide by strict regulations, and are led by a team that prioritizes environmental stewardship. We wanted to make sustainability an employee benefit as well, and every individual on our team has access to a Orca Passport that gives them unlimited access to transit options throughout the entire region.

We might not have a front door to knock on, but if you haven’t had a chance to visit us yet, we hope to see you soon. Interested visitors (must be 18 years or older), please call 206-933-2222 to set up a tour.

We thank Nucor Seattle for supporting independent community-news coverage for West Seattle by sponsoring WSB. If your business/organization is interested in joining the WSB sponsor team, please contact our advertising coordinator Annette at WSBAdvertising@wsbsales.com – thank you!

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Swimming, running, trivia, tasting, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

June 24, 2025 9:40 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Western Polished Lady Beetle on lavender frond, photographed by Rosalie Miller)

Here’s our list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC-SAFETY COMMITTEE: The meeting that just began includes the continued consideration of confirming Shon Barnes as Seattle Police Chief, and a new proposed penalty for graffiti vandalism. Here’s the agenda, which has all the document links. You can watch via Seattle Channel.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: All are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, until noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-time participant.

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, with sessions between noon and 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.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course. Scheduled speaker: Erik Bell of A Cleaner Alki. (4470 35th SW).

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 2 pm, weekly meeting, open to public comment in person or online. The agenda explains how to watch/participate. Agenda items today include approval of an agreement to install digital kiosks in business districts around the city, including The Junction.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Tonight at 6:15 pm, meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has details on signing up before you go.

BINGO X 2: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW) … Talarico’s Pizzeria also offers 8 pm bingo (4718 California SW).

TRIVIA X 4: Here’s the answer to the question “where can you play trivia in West Seattle Tuesday nights?” – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub. (2306 California SW).

Organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar, from which we draw our daily lists too – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Get your car washed Thursday and support Hope Lutheran youth travels

June 24, 2025 9:00 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

If your trusty-but-dusty car needs a good wash this week, the youth group at Hope Lutheran Church wants to help you cross that off your list while supporting their upcoming travels.

As shared with us by Hope Lutheran youth pastor Jonathan Kopecky, the group will host a free car wash (although onsite donations are welcome) on Thursday (June 26^th) from noon-5 pm in the parking lot just north of 41st and Oregon (east of the church), and anyone in the community is invited to bring their vehicle in for a wash.

Group members have also been collecting pledges from friends and family, with donations dependent on how many cars they can wash on Thursday, so they’re looking to wash as many cars as possible.

All proceeds will go toward the group’s travel expenses for their upcoming July trip to New Orleans for the “Endure” LCMS National Youth Gathering.

Want to donate to the group’s efforts, but can’t make it on Thursday? You can donate online here.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Tuesday info

June 24, 2025 6:03 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to the first Tuesday of summer, June 24, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Increasing clouds, high in mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:13 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”. Six days 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, the road is narrowed this week for utility work, and the NB 21 stop at Elmgrove is closed 9 am-3 pm.

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!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car-theft attempt on Genesee Hill – and possibly related sighting in Morgan Junction

June 23, 2025 9:58 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

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.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Robbery attempt on Admiral street

June 23, 2025 8:03 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

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/r1okt4zf1moho5s

Monday, July 28th
6 pm – 8 pm
Virtual – Teams link to be provided before event
Register here : wsjunction.wufoo.com/forms/rus05xi17w2lnw

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SPORTS: West Seattle Junction FC mixes art and soccer in latest home-field match

June 23, 2025 6:15 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports | WS culture/arts

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.

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s what Sunday’s hours-long Spokane Street Viaduct lane closure was about

June 23, 2025 4:37 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(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.

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UPDATE: Food-truck fire near top of Highland Park Way hill

June 23, 2025 3:43 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Admiral restaurant burglary a ‘heavy hit’

June 23, 2025 2:12 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

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.

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BIZNOTES: Junction Hardware, Seattle Hearing Services, Seattle Beauty

June 23, 2025 1:20 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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

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WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST: Student artists invited to be part of the festival

June 23, 2025 11:56 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

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.

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Here’s your West Seattle Monday list!

June 23, 2025 9:58 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(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!

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GIVING: Your next chance to help Lou Cutler bring kids’ wishes to life

June 23, 2025 9:04 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

(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

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Summer’s first Monday

June 23, 2025 6:01 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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).

-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:

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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WEEK AHEAD: Two community meeting changes

June 22, 2025 11:59 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

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.

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WEEK AHEAD: How to get your minute @ City Council’s next all-day rezoning/Comp Plan hearing on Monday

June 22, 2025 9:40 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(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-comment

Registration 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.

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PHOTOS: Scenes from the 2025 West Seattle Garden Tour

June 22, 2025 7:54 pm

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| Gardening | West Seattle news

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.

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UPDATE: Car in pond by 1st Avenue South Bridge onramp

June 22, 2025 6:21 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

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.

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UPDATE: Car-on-side crash by north Lincoln Park

June 22, 2025 4:59 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Lincoln Park ‘weasel’ sightings

June 22, 2025 1:46 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

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!

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