West Seattle, Washington
05 Tuesday
The Seattle City Council‘s Public Safety Committee just got an update on Seattle Police hiring and staffing. The summary from analyst Greg Doss: “Huge increase in hiring, but that takes a while to translate to cops on the street.”
Currently, Doss told the councilmembers, they’re hiring 14 officers a month, which he described as an “unprecedented” pace, “even in good years.” In the first quarter of the year, he elaborated, SPD had 12 more hires and 7 fewer separations than projected, and the department’s already “meeting its goals for the entire year.” (The reduction in number of departures was highlighted again late in the briefing.)
One area isn’t improving, though – increasing the number of women on the force. Applicants and hires are running about 15 percent female, Doss said, so new Chief Shon Barnes has directed that female candidates all get a “second look” to “be sure we’re not missing something.” The department at one point had a declared goal to have a 30 percent female staff by 2030 but is nowhere near that goal.
Other stats shown this morning included the staffing breakdown – the number of officers on “911 response” has held fairly steady, albeit at a level that’s two-thirds of five years ago.
There also were some precinct specific stats, including staffing (no elaboration, but it was mentioned that SPD is currently conducting a “precinct staffing study:):
And also response times, which in general are improving, in part because of a change in categorization of what’s a “Priority 1” call – in some, Doss said, they realized that callers in some categories weren’t necessarily in immediate danger. That meant more calls are “Priority 2,” and those response times are improving too – possibly, briefers said, because the availability of CARE responders means officers can turn some incidents over to them and get back to 911 responses sooner.
The increase in hiring and reduction in separations means that the years of “we have money for more positions than we can fill” are over – now SPD is hiring more than it’s budgeted for, but councilmembers were told SPD does not expect to ask for budget supplementation until later in the year. Right now, they’re still relying on overtime to reach minimum staffing on most if not all shifts, councilmembers were told. But the briefers say right now, the staffing level is on a road to recovery: This year’s hiring could re-fill as many as 70+ of the vacancies left when 300+ officers left in the early 2020s.
Committee chair Councilmember Bob Kettle wrapped up the briefing by saying he feels encouraged but wary of mixed messages to the public since, as noted above, increased hiring pace now won’t mean increased officer numbers on the street for a while. He also said it’s vital to keep up the pace on other things – particularly police reform.
(P.S. If you’ve got questions about Southwest Precinct operations, remember that its Precinct Advisory Council has an open community meeting next Tuesday (June 3) at High Point Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW), 6:30 pm.)
See today’s full briefing presentation slide deck, from which the graphics above were pulled, by going here.
Two humpback whales are visible from Constellation Park, headed southbound, Kersti Muul tells us. They’re west of midchannel, so you’ll likely need binoculars. Let us know if you see one or both!
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor, low-low tide wildlife revealed earlier this spring)
Here’s our reminder list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: The meeting under way now (started at 9:30 am) includes an update on police hiring (not likely to start any sooner than 10:10 am). The agenda explains how to watch.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: 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.
LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -4.0 feet at 11:34 am. Pick a beach, and tread lightly!
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), featuring Mathew Wright from ArtsWest.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers are available to help K-12 students with their homework.
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 4 pm online meeting is open to the public.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 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.
CROWN-MAKING PARTY: 5:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), West Seattle Indivisible is making crowns for the June 14 “No Kings” rally.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: More daylight means more time for evening runs – tonight at 6:15 pm, meet 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 “who’s got trivia in West Seattle tonight?” – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has 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!
Family and friends will gather Sunday (June 1) in honor of LaVonne Christopherson, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:
LaVonne Christopherson was born on January 21, 1933, in Sioux City, Iowa, to her parents, Louis and Claudia McClaflin. During her young childhood, her family moved to Valley City, North Dakota, where LaVonne became an avid ice skater.
During World War II, LaVonne and her parents moved to Gig Harbor, Washington, for work. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother was a secretary in the logistics department at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard.
After high school, LaVonne worked for Booth Fisheries, where she met and married John “Gordy” Christopherson. They lived in West Seattle in a house overlooking Alki Beach, where they raised two girls, Doreen and Laura.
When the girls were in high school, LaVonne went to work at Seaboard Surety Company in the Bank of America building. LaVonne was active in the community, volunteering many years to stage the West Seattle American Legion Parade.
Throughout her life, LaVonne always had an elegant sense of style. When she retired, LaVonne spent her time on her true passions – being with her family, shopping, and traveling.
LaVonne passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, at Swedish Hospital, surrounded by her family.
LaVonne is survived by her daughters, Doreen Vague and Laura Souza; her grandchildren, Alexander Vague, Bryan Clarke, and Monique Robbins; and her great-grandchildren, Brayden, Arielle, Olivia, Owen, Declan, and Gianna.
In place of flowers, please honor LaVonne by buying a flashy new pair of shoes, visiting a casino in her name, or donating to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
LaVonne’s memorial service will be held June 1st at Haven of Rest Funeral Home, 8503 State Route 16 W, Gig Harbor, WA.
(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)
West Seattle High School students hosting a “beautify the school” event are inviting donations for their gardening project. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:
West Seattle High School ASB members Sam Flynn, Jonah Pelander, Charlie Lewis, and Christiano Solis are putting on an event to add beauty and color to the surrounding premises of WSHS through plant life. We’re all very passionate about nature and our community and we would love if fellow community members could support us through donations, specifically to buy plants to plant. We thank you for your time and the impact you will have on the youth.
Here is the link for donations. Thank you for your time.
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny today, high in the low 70s, and be ready for possible 80s tomorrow! Today’s sunrise was at 5:19 am; sunset will be at 8:54 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 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”.
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!
(WSB photo – SW Alaska hill west of 45th)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Four crashes in two weeks has led to one resolute neighborhood.
More than 30 people gathered tonight in Ercolini Park on just hours’ notice for an emergency community meeting to talk about the stolen-car crashes at the bottom of the SW Alaska hill west of The Junction, most recently late last night.
The crashes were not accidental, it had finally become clear – when neighbors who’d caught part of the activity on their cameras connected, they realized the cars were unoccupied when they traveled downhill and crashed into trees, a car, a utility pole, and that the “getaway cars” carried one or more people videoing the stunt. As of meeting time, nobody had yet found exactly where on social media this was being shown off, but they were looking.
Standing around a picnic table, where the organizer had brought flyers with a QR code to set up a neighborhood mailing list, residents exchanged information and ideas.
The four crashes had happened on Sunday and Tuesday nights, neighbors noted – might that mean another is being planned for tomorrow night? they wondered. And/or might that be a clue to the culprit(s)?
One attendee said someone she knew was certain they are teenagers. If so, said another attendee identifying himself as a retired police officer, the juvenile-justice system would do nothing to stop them.
That just intensified the discussion of what the neighborhood could do. Someone said that speeding on SW Alaska had long been a concern, but these crashes had increased the “danger level.”
Traffic-calming measures were of interest to many, though they knew city involvement would take years, so some wondered if they could do anything themselves -guerrilla barriers in the street? String crime-scene-type tape across the road? Create a makeshift roundabout with sawhorses? Somehow making the stunt difficult could at least get them to move elsewhere, it was suggested.
Putting pressure on everyone from city officials to police was advocated by more than one. Referring to the saying about “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” the retired officer suggested, “We can become the squeak.” Creating an email template for contacting Mayor Harrell and City Councilmembers was suggested.
Other types of immediate action were of the most interest. Hire a security guard? Rent trailer-mounted lights that could ruin the video recording? There didn’t seem to be much hope of increased police presence, as some of the attendees said the SPD officers they’d talked to in the crashes’ aftermath appeared uninterested, claiming this happens all over the city.
But when the meeting ended after about 45 minutes, it was clear one thing already had been achieved – neighbors had met and planned to coalesce, which likely will yield benefits even if the string of hill stunts stops at four.
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Dave Gershgorn
For West Seattle Blog
From the small flags marking veterans’ graves, to the larger one behind the podium, the Stars and Stripes waved in the breeze that swept across Forest Lawn Cemetery during this afternoon’s brief Memorial Day ceremony.
American Legion Post 160 Commander Keith Hughes, an Army veteran, was the featured speaker, presenting what he described as a condensed version of the Legion’s annual message, reminding Americans of “true heroes.” Here’s part of what he said:
He declared that our freedom comes from those who fought for it, not from “the politicians,” and urged everyone to remember that. He concluded with the classic poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.
Before and after his speech, Lexi Nguyen sang – the National Anthem to begin, “God Bless America” to conclude:
Emcee was Forest Lawn’s GM Greg Carlson, who offered gratitude to the 20+ people who showed up for the observance:
After just 15 minutes, the ceremony ended, while the flags atop veterans’ graves fluttered on:
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
In an improvement from their debut match, West Seattle Rhodies FC scored a win Sunday against Eugene, Oregon’s Lane United FC, 2-0. The Rhodies’ second match saw good attendance, albeit less than their debut.
Two new additions for Sunday’s match were inflatable cheering sticks and pink, Rhodies-themed color spray, to use when the team scores a goal. “We didn’t get the chance to use it last time, but expect to see a lot more of it in the future,” said chief marketing officer Marissa Villegas.
Lower attendance didn’t diminish the crowd’s enthusiasm as Nicole, a Rhodies self-proclaimed “superfan,” brought along a flag, one of many seen at the match.
The Rhodies’ next two matches, against Olympia FC and a rematch against Lane United, will take them away from their home field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. They’ll be back in West Seattle on June 8th, then returning for their final two matches at home on the 25th and 28th. To learn more about Rhodies FC, and to purchase tickets to future games, go here.
This photo of a West Seattle Memorial Day ceremony is from Chad with Troop 282:
(Photo by E. Caron)
Scouts from Scouting America Troop 282 performed a flag ceremony in honor of Memorial Day for residents of SHAG Arrowhead Gardens this morning.
The troop meets Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9 at shelter 1 in Lincoln Park starting June 3rd. Come join us!
Today’s low-low tide wasn’t just good for wildlife-watching. At Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, A Cleaner Alki volunteers worked to remove a huge tire from the beach. Thanks to Kevin Freitas for sending us that photo and others from the West Seattle shore, including his child with an octopus:
West Seattle’s west-facing shore drew a crowd:
Today’s low tide was out to -3.4 feet at 10:50 am, and tomorrow it’s even lower – -4.0 feet at 11:34 am.
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
SDOT reps continued their series of walking tours this past Wednesday in Highland Park, with the same goal as the previous two: Identify areas where sidewalks or walkways could be built with funding from the 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy.
“We want to hear everything and anything to make this neighborhood safer and better for the community,” said Brian Dougherty, deputy director of the project development division, as the crowd gathered in Highland Park Elementary School for the walking tour. The levy, which was approved last year by voters, allows for over 250 new blocks of sidewalks around the city by 2029.
The goal of a walk-along is to give residents a chance to put the city officials in their shoes, walking them through the neighborhood and pointing out areas that need to be fixed. As with the North Delridge tour earlier this spring, the event was also briefly attended by Seattle City Council District 1 representative Rob Saka, who addressed the crowd.
“It is my honor to represent this neighborhood; this is the kind of work that changes lives and helps keep people safe” Said Saka, “There are certain communities, such as Highland Park and Arbor Heights, which are bearing the brunt of this (lack of support), but now we finally have the political support and the resources to invest in this project.”
As the group walked through Highland Park several key issues were pointed out, such as a lack of speed bumps, according to community member John Murphy. “We’ve been asking for speed bumps since 2004. My car’s been hit, and my boat’s been hit. We’ve basically given up.” He was concerned about 14th/Thistle.
Other key issues include adding a curb ramp to Cloverdale and 14th, addressing the dangerous blind turns at 7th and Cloverdale, and improving safety and security measures at Henderson and 9th.
The latter is a location that several community members including Mike York, and Kay Kirkpatrick, of HPAC and the Highland Park Improvement Club, say often sees unhoused people parking their RVs and other vehicless. Kirkpatrick and York both expressed safety concerns, and said they’d like to reduce the amount of traffic the area gets.
A final concern, one which SDOT addressed early on in the walking tour, was the issue of oversized blocks. The levy approves the construction of blocks, within a certain size limit. Any neighborhood blocks which exceed that limit will be considered as two for the purpose of construction. In Highland Park, many streets far exceed the block size standard, which is roughly 240 feet.
“Aside from a few hiccups, all of this is broadly achievable,” Dougherty said at the end of the walking tour. He said the final report should be released closer to the end of the year, and that it will address the concerns laid out by the community. Find out more about the sidewalk-building program here.
(WSB photo: Flags at Forest Lawn)
Here’s info you might find useful on this Memorial Day Monday:
TRANSIT
Metro: Sunday schedule
West Seattle Water Taxi and its shuttles: Regular weekday schedule
Washington State Ferries: Changes include two-boat weekend schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth
Sound Transit: Schedule changes here
Other services: See a list here
TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Our page highlighting local cameras is here
SDOT’s map with cameras and alerts from around the city is here
CLOSURES/CHANGES
Seattle Public Library facilities
Schools
Government offices
Banks
No charge for street parking in Seattle neighborhoods with city pay stations
OPEN
Highland Park Spraypark (11 am-8 pm, 1100 SW Cloverdale)
Colman Pool (noon-7 pm, on Lincoln Park shore, session schedule here)
SPECIAL EVENTS
*The traditional Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW), 2 pm, all welcome
*Final day for for Art on the Corner art sale to benefit nonprofit work, 8:30 am-3 pm (39th/Holden)
*Low-low tide today, -3.4 feet at 10:50 am. The scaled-back Seattle Aquarium beach naturalist program will be at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach) 9-11:30 am
*Holiday-weekend sale – Moon Room Shop and Wellness is “offering 15-20% off items in store and online” again today. Find Moon Room (a WSB sponsor) online here or in person at 5902 California SW, open 11 am-5 pm today
Anything else we should know/let others know about? Texting’s the best way to reach us today – 206-293-6302 – thank you!
10:52 PM: For the fourth time in less than two weeks, someone has crashed a suspected stolen car on SW Alaska west of The Junction and fled the scene. This time, the driver hit a utility pole and then got into what’s described as a white Hyundai Elantra to leave the scene. The crashed car is reported to be a Hyundai Sonata with Oregon plates and ignition damage. Officers are telling dispatch that the pole is in danger of falling so the car can’t be removed until City Light can come deal with it. At least one sign was reportedly taken out by the impact too.
11:15 PM: Thanks to the two readers who sent photos, added above. One texted that they talked to police – “there are four of them out here, none of them had any idea this has been happening.” The most recent one was last Wednesday morning.
12:19 AM: One of the area residents says the car’s been towed and its removal shows the pole damage:
ADDED 3:47 PM: A commenter says community members are gathering at Ercolini Park at 6 pm to talk about all this. Meantime, dozens of homes in the area were without power for several hours today as a result of the pole damage done by the crash:
Power has just been restored.
Quick notes about three businesses with reason to celebrate:
4TH ANNIVERSARY: Tomorrow (Monday, May 26) the Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW) is celebrating four years in business – stop by between 1-4 pm for “door prizes, wheel demos, pottery for sale, smash burgers, make a pinch pot.” Or just to congratulate proprietor Frances!
40TH ANNIVERSARY: Set your calendar for the weekend of June 7-8, when CAPERS in The Junction (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) will celebrate 40 years in business! Treats, prizes, more, and a chance to congratulate proprietor Lisa. The weekend will be preceded by a special reunion for CAPERS employees past and present – if that includes you, and you’re not already set to go, the contact info is in our calendar listing.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN NEW HQ: Rambo Total Pest Control has an unusual anniversary story to tell – the longtime WSB sponsor is based in Puyallup but has generations of roots in West Seattle, and many customers. They just celebrated a year in their headquarters, a renovated Puyallup house dubbed “The Castle” – after working on it for more than three years – and wanted to share its story.
It’s not spring without a Canada Goose baby picture from Alki photographer David Hutchinson, who just sent this one. We also recently received a family pic from Rainer Klett:
Everything you never knew about Canada Geese, you can find here, including the much-cited fact that they mate for life.
Loop the ‘Lupe 2025 – four events in one! – is less than two weeks away. The Mount (WSB sponsor) invites you to join their Senior Saunter Squad. Get a deal, too!:
Join The Mount’s Saunter Squad at Loop the ‘Lupe!
Loop the ‘Lupe is The Mount’s Senior Saunter athletes’ annual tradition and we invite the West Seattle community to join us with a special discount!
You’re as young as you feel, so let’s show everyone how it’s done — whether you are 65, 75, 85 or more — come Saunter with us on a quarter-mile 100% flat walk for people of all ability levels!
Saturday, June 7
12:00 p.m. Warmup
12:15 p.m. Senior SaunterOther events happening from 11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Sign up for Loop the Lupe now through the link: bit.ly/pmsvloopthelupe
For a 15% discount, use code SAUNTER5. ($23 + Signup Fee with our discount code.)
Loop the ‘Lupe also brings a 5K obstacle course, 5K fun run, and Youth Dash to Walt Hundley Playfield, next to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose community and social programs benefit from the proceeds.
Even here on the brink of summer, plans are being made for this year’s winter holidays. Artists and crafters are invited to apply now for this year’s Fauntleroy Art Show – here’s the announcement:
If you’ve been thinking about participating in this year’s Fauntleroy Art Show on Nov. 14-16, you have until Sept. 10 to apply.
(Wearable art by Gretchen Curtis, Harbor Island Yarnworks, at last year’s show – photo by Ana Cecilia Del Claro)
Hosted by Fauntleroy Church since 2008, the show has earned a reputation for showcasing the exceptional creativity and craftsmanship of local artists and artistic crafters.
Applicants in any medium must reside in or have studio space in West Seattle, Burien, South Park, Georgetown, or Vashon Island. Details and the application form are at fauntleroyucc.org/art-show.
For a second day we have a brown-water report – Gatewood on Saturday, further south today. Rebecca reports, “We’ve started getting brown water at our home in north Arbor Heights, lower Fauntleroy.” The Seattle Public Utilities water-woes map doesn’t show any emergency incidents in that area, so it might be more hydrant testing, but always report problems like this to SPU’s 206-386-1800 hotline just in case.
You hope it never happens – but need to be ready in case it does. Last Sunday, our calendar and event list included a Disaster Resilience Ride organized by West Seattle Bike Connections, whose Kate Wells sent a report and photos:
We had great weather, great attendance (including a couple of kids) and great speakers! Riders learned about the Seattle Emergency Hubs system, assembling a go-bag, food and water resilience, building community, and dealing with utilities.
We also stopped by the Delridge Tool Library as a possible resource after a disaster. There was interest in doing a similar ride again in the future.
To find out what else West Seattle Bike Connections is up to, go here.
Family and friends of Steve Ross are sharing this remembrance with his community:
Rev. Dr. Stephen E. Ross
19 January 1951 – 29 April 2025Rev. Dr. Stephen E. Ross passed away at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, with his partner and spouse of nearly 54 years, Beverly, at his side. Steve had battled several chronic illnesses for many decades; in the end, his heart simply gave out. He was 74 years old.
The second son of Edgar and Florence Ross (a professor of music and a lifelong lover of books), Steve always valued education and pursued learning throughout his life. A 1969 graduate of Mount Pleasant (Michigan) High School, he went on to receive a Bachelor of Individualized Studies from Central Michigan University in 1974. It was at CMU that he met and married Beverly, charming her with his wit and hilarity. He earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the University of Dubuque (Iowa) Theological Seminary in 1977. One of his proudest educational accomplishments was completion of his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, in 1989.
Steve spent his career as a pastor for the Presbyterian Church (USA), serving first as a student pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster (Wisconsin; 1975-1977); then as full pastor at the First United Presbyterian Church of Tuscola (Illinois; 1977-1983), Charles Street Presbyterian Church in Rockford (Illinois; 1983-1985), the First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire (Iowa; 1985-1994), Lower Valley Presbyterian Church in Califon (New Jersey; 1994-2000), and Bloomsbury Presbyterian Church (New Jersey; 2001-2009) before taking an early retirement due to disability. Throughout this time, he also provided occasional pulpit supply for other local churches and served as a chaplain for local hospitals.
In 2010, Steve and Bev relocated to Federal Way to enjoy their retirement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They became active members of the Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church (Des Moines, Washington). Throughout his adulthood, Steve found strong community as a Mason, belonging to Snow Lodge #44 (LeClaire, Iowa) and Phillipsburg (New Jersey) Lodge #52 before retiring to Washington. Once in Washington, Steve became involved with the Thornton F. McElroy Masonic Lodge #302 (Federal Way). A crowning achievement in the later part of his life was serving as Worshipful Master of this lodge in 2017. Steve and Bev moved to the West Seattle neighborhood in 2023.
Steve was a gifted musician, poet, orator, and teacher, and he regularly utilized these skills in his sermons and services. With his musical partner Bob Jensen, Steve wrote and performed a number of original songs that reflected the progressive values of the reformed Christian protestant tradition.
Despite devoting his life to the church, Steve struggled deeply with his calling to be a minister. His progressive social values and his belief that faith should be constantly questioned, challenged, and worked on rather than blindly followed often created tension in the church communities he served. Even so, he remained a dedicated servant of the Presbyterian Church, even when it occasionally broke his heart.
Steve was active in outdoor ministry and spent many years donating time and energy to Presbyterian camps. He had an early love of nature and traveling, fostered through time in the Boy Scouts of America and through family vacations. Annual camping and RV trips across the United States while his daughters were growing up are the basis of many formative family memories, and he continued to travel internationally and domestically in his retirement.
No matter what else was happening in his world or in his health, Steve was always an extremely proud dad and devoted family man, gleefully attending every performance, celebration, game, play, or other important event in his daughters’ lives and later in his grandchildren’s lives. He delighted in the successes of his family and was a familiar fixture in both of his daughters’ communities right up until the end of his life.
Steve was known among family and friends, colleagues and congregants, for his wisdom, inquisitiveness, and humor, and his creative and fascinating mind will be missed.
Steve is survived by his wife, Beverly (Thornton) Ross of Seattle; his daughters, Deanna (known as “D”) Ohlandt (Chad Ohlandt), of Alexandria, Virginia, and Angela Ross (Jeff Loidhamer) of Seattle; as well as his grandchildren, Callen, Zachariah, and Gillian Ohlandt, and Arli Loidhamer. He is also survived by his brothers, David Ross of El Paso, Texas, and Philip Ross of Flint, Michigan, and several nieces and nephews and their children.
Celebrations of life will be scheduled for the coming months with an effort to make participation easy for those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in his name to the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad (through the nonprofit Western Forest Industries Museum) or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(‘Sailing’ sea lion, photographed by Stewart L.)
Day two of the holiday weekend – here are highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ART ON THE CORNER: Second of three days for art sale to benefit nonprofit work, 8:30 am-3 pm. (39th/Holden)
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Today’s Sunday Funday run leaves from Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon), 9 am.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, with spring produce (lots of greens! asparagus too) plus beverages, flowers, cheese, yogurt, fish, meat, prepared hot food, baked goods, nuts, dried peppers, garlic, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
MASTER GARDENERS: While at the market, you can look for Master Gardeners, ready to answer your questions! Sundays this spring and summer, they’re back at the market, 10 am-2 pm.
BACH & PANCAKES EXTRAVAGANZA: Kenyon Hall says presale tickets for this 10 am-1 pm event are sold out but they will accept walkups – as explained here. (7904 35th SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: The first of six days with low-low tides! Today it’s out to -2.2 feet at 10:07 am.
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am Sundays, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)
MOON ROOM HOLIDAY WEEKEND SALE: Moon Room Shop and Wellness is “offering 15-20% off items in store and online” again today and Monday. Find Moon Room (a WSB sponsor) online here or in person at 5902 California SW, open 11 am-5 pm today.
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool to get something done? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESISTS: Sunday signholding in The Junction (California/Alaska), 11:30 am-1:30 pm.
THIRD WEEKEND FOR COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open again today during the third of six preseason weekends, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: First Sunday of the season for these free tours! Grounds at 3201 Alki SW open at 1 pm; last tour starts 3:45 pm; more info in our calendar listing.
RHODIES FC’S SECOND HOME GAME: 2 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Rhodies FC‘s 2 pm match vs. Lane United FC (tickets here).
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
POCKET TRIVIA: Every other Sunday, 7 pm trivia at Corner Pocket (4302 SW Alaska).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Wrap up your weekend with Sunday night music provided by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could feature on the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The report was sent by Anthony:
Around 8:05 tonight, I discovered my bike was no longer locked to the street sign where I left it. No evidence left behind, no damaged parts, and no damage to the immediate area. I left my bike locked to a speed-limit sign on the sidewalk near 3404 SW Roxbury St, just east of The Missing Piece game café. That was around 1:55 pm, the last time I saw the bike.
The bike is a Rad Power Bikes RadMission 1, blue with orange trim . The serial is MI1F21V0323. This picture is not my bike, but it’s about the same in appearance.
My bike has several reflective stickers placed all over the frame and battery. Also on the side of the battery case, there is a distinctive sticker, shown here. There is also a roadside repair kit wrapped around the top bar. The handlebars have sideview mirrors on each side, and there is a cupholder on the left side of the handlebar stem.
I do not have a police report at time of writing (still working on it), but I will share it once I do.
ADDED: Report # is 2025-909022.
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