West Seattle, Washington
20 Friday
Spring is the start of outdoor sale season, and the West Seattle Eagles have one for your calendar, especially if you’re interested in being a seller. Here’s the announcement:
Plant and Craft Sale – April 26, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the West Seattle Eagles Club. Join us for a plant, art and craft sale in the south parking lot, accompanied by a BBQ selling hamburgers and hot dogs from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
We welcome friends or associates of members to participate in the sale. You do not need to be a West Seattle Eagles member. Spots are available for $15 each; please provide your own plant rack or table. Proceeds from the spots will benefit Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
This event is the perfect opportunity to sell plants, pots, and/or garden art from your garden. It’s also an ideal venue for artists, crafters, and anyone who enjoys making unique garden creations. If you are interested in participating, please contact Sue Irvin at irvdiamonds@comcast.net.
The Eagles’ HQ is next to the post office, at 44xx California SW in The Junction.
Less than four months until the 2025 Alki Art Fair! You can get in the spirit right now by dreaming up a design for the T-shirt contest announced this week:
Alki Art Fair is requesting artists to submit a design for the 2025 Alki Art Fair T-Shirt! The winning submission will receive a $200 award and recognition on the Alki Art Fair website. The design will be featured on the 2025 Alki Art Fair T-Shirt and may also be used for posters and other marketing materials for the fair.
Submissions should include the name “Alki Art Fair” somewhere in the design and reflect the mission of Alki Art Fair, which is to celebrate arts and music with the goal of advancing art education and appreciation by offering opportunities for community involvement and cultural diversity through art. Submissions must be family-friendly and appropriate for all Alki Art Fair attendees. The design must include 3 colors or less. The dates for this year’s fair are July 18-20.
Please submit your design as a high-resolution image or vector file no later than May 1st to info@alkiartfair.org. Include your name and phone number and please specify if you are under the age of 18 and provide a parent or guardian contact name and phone number. Submissions are welcome from artists of all ages.
The winning submission will be chosen by the Alki Art Fair Board. The submissions will be reviewed on originality, composition and representation of the Alki Art Fair mission. Proceeds from the sale of the T-shirt will support Alki Art Fair.
Interested in entering? Find more info here!
Thanks to Kevin Seda-Kane for the photos and report on how Troop 799 spent their Saturday:
The annual Pinewood Derby took place at the West Seattle VFW. Scouts designed their own cars and raced them against each other. Lots of fun, designs, and good times were had.
Categories of competition were best design and fastest car.
The Pinewood Derby is a Scouting tradition with more than 70 years of history, as recounted here.
If you’ve walked the waterfront path at Lincoln Park lately, you too might have seen a river otter engaged in beachfront dining. The photo above was sent by KT, taken by husband Robert on Friday; the one below is from Adam, taken on Saturday:
And yes, those are RIVER otters, not sea otters, which are seldom seen around here. Learn more about them here – and don’t be surprised to see one crossing a road or sidewalk, as sometimes their dens are inland.
(Added: Photo by Robin Sinner, from Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook)
9:58 AM: If you can spare time for Sunday whale-watching, Kersti Muul reports orcas were passing Constellation Park, southbound, a short time ago. That means they’ll eventually have to turn around and head back this way, so keep watch, and let us know if you see them!
10:08 AM: Kersti says they’re now passing Brace Point, “mid-channel.”
1:39 PM: Kersti just texted to report they’re northbound now, headed toward Brace Point, “east in channel.”
2:02 PM: Kersti says thry’re now making a close pass by Lincoln Park.
(Spring sunset at Alki, photo by Tami Lenzie)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are possibilities for your Sunday:
POP-UP BRUNCH: Rice, Beans, & Happiness is popping up outside Milpa Masa (34th/Webster) 9 am-2 pm.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Today’s 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: Open 10 am-2 pm, with early-spring produce (root vegetables! lots of greens! cabbage! apples!) 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)
DUWAMISH TRIBE LONGHOUSE & CULTURAL CENTER: The Longhouse is open for visitors, 10 am-5 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
MONTHLY GRIEF CIRCLE: Any kind of grief is OK for you to bring to this gathering, 10:30 am at Nurture Wellbeing/Studio 102 (6307 California SW) – full details here.
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am Sundays, first class free if you pre-register. Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)
GUILA’S 70TH BIRTHDAY BASH & OPEN-WATER SWIM SEASON START: 11 am epic celebration at Alki – details in our calendar listing; everyone’s invited.
SIGNMAKING FOR HANDS OFF! 2 SESSIONS: 11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) or 3:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), making signs for next Saturday’s mobilization at Seattle Center. Space is limited today.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool to get your project going, or to finish assembling a holiday gift? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC WORKSHOP: Last chance to learn at a St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church music workshop, 12:15 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (3050 California SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), the club’s monthly gathering, this time discussing “The Idiot.” Arrive early to buy your beverage!
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Also at 3 pm at C & P, The Go Janes perform. No cover, all ages!
FREE COMMUNITY YOGA: 5 pm class at Dragonfly (3270 California SW).
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL: 5:30-6:30 pm at Bethany Community Church (8600 9th SW) in Highland Park, all welcome.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Looking for Sunday night music? Find it with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photos by Dave Gershgorn)
Today’s most vivid event: The White Center Roper Romp, a chance to put on wig, shades, caftan, and sandals before channeling the spirit of TV’s classically sassy Helen Roper. Photographer Dave Gershgorn surveyed the scene for WSB and partner site White Center Now. Above, Bradi “Helen” Jones rocked the hatch seating outside Tim’s Tavern, before she and other Helens gathered for their fabulous photo-op:
Tim’s was also hosting the White Center Vintage Sale today, and what crowd could better appreciate the concept?
David “Helen” Mazza was among those browsing the wares (and wearables):
Tim’s was also a venue for this weekend’s Tikipalooza, so some aloha-wear was co-mingled with the caftans. Everyone had their own slightly different twist on being Helen-esque – note Ingrid “Helen” Falid‘s outerwear:
The Helens crawled White Center’s bar scene, including a stop at Beer Star across from Tim’s:
Though Helen Roper’s been gone from TV for more than 40 years, clearly she’ll never be forgotten!
Greg reports this theft happened to his mother-in-law on the northeast side of The Junction – maybe you’ll find one or more of these items discarded: Two 8×11 envelopes from Amazon, woman’s black fuzzy zip-up short jacket, no hood – house and car keys were in it.
A West Seattleite found an e-bike they’ve been trying to get back to its owner:
Comfort cruiser type, step-through bicycle found in North Admiral area on March 15. It has been listed on Bike Index for a couple of weeks and trying to reunite with its owner. Please contact with bike details to claim; color, make, model, serial number, etc. She’s a beauty.
Yours? Email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.
“It’s scary.” That’s why, Roxie told us, she organized some of her Brookdale Admiral Heights neighbors for a protest this afternoon. The federal changes aren’t the only things that scare her – inaction by concerned citizens, she said, is scary too. So this was the action taken today by about two dozen seniors who stood and sat on multiple corners at Admiral/California, about half a block south of their building.
Their signs addressed a variety of areas of concern, from Social Security to the Veterans Administration to chief cutter Elon Musk.
They drew a fair amount of honking from people in passing cars. Organizer Roxie, by the way, is 90 years old, and said she had a history of political involvement back when she lived in Montana. She’s not interested in going back there, though – she’s worried that if Social Security is cut, she’ll have to get family there to take her in.
Six weeks from today – on Saturday, May 10 – most sellers and buyers will be recovering from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – marking its 20th anniversary this year, since the first one was in 2005! We at WSB didn’t launch it but we’ve been coordinating it since 2008. It’s one big day with hundreds of sales all around the peninsula, shown on a map/list that we make available one week before sale day. First step to get on the map/list is to register, starting this Tuesday, April 1; we’ll announce it here when the form is open and ready to go. Official sale hours on May 10 are 9 am-3 pm, but some start early and some start late – if you plan extra hours (or even day/s), include that in your up-to-25-words listing when you register! We’re excited about another big day of person-to-person recycling, so set your calendar.
Twice a month for the next six months, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is bringing back its popular walking tour of Alki. Twelve tours might sound like a lot, but they filled up fast last year, so the SWSHS wants you to know that registration is open now:
Our popular Alki History Walking Tours return this Spring.
Learn about the history of Alki Beach, the peoples who have lived here and how settlement by various groups and individuals has left its mark on Alki. Visit historic and cultural sites in the area and discuss how our understanding of the area and its people continues to evolve.
Tours include stops at the Log House Museum, Fir Lodge/Alki Homestead, historic sites and monuments at Alki Beach, and Doc Maynard’s home in West Seattle.
Tours are offered rain or shine and include about one mile of walking with multiple stops. The tour is ADA accessible although there are no stops that include seating.
To register for a walking tour, please click on the date you would like to join us (find the dates listed and linked here).
This program is FREE although registration required. Suggested donation $15.
All tours begin at 11 am at the Log House Museum at 3003 61st Ave SW.
In addition to what’s on our West Seattle list for today/tonight, here’s an event downtown with West Seattleites in the spotlight! From Heather Pilder Olson:
We wanted to let you know about a new TV pilot written and produced by West Seattle women! It’s called A Broad Abroad and it’s a comedy about the making of a travel show. It’s Rick Steves’ Europe meets Waiting for Guffman, with an irreverent female host.
A Broad Abroad is a broad comedy. Former A-list actress Vera takes a D-list job as a travel show host to resurrect her career after a public fall from grace. But while shooting the pilot in Italy, her irresponsible nepo-baby director is arrested, and Vera must step in to save the show, her job, and her budding romance with her cameraman.
Written and produced by Heather Pilder Olson, starring and produced by Angela DiMarco, two West Seattle women! Directed by Debra Pralle, this pilot was filmed in Italy in 2023 and has been making the rounds at film festivals in the US and abroad. Our dream is to turn it into an episodic TV series.
We have a special screening coming up at the Post Alley Film Festival in Seattle on March 29 (tonight). Hope you can join us for a good laugh! You can view the trailer here.
Screening and ticket information here: siff.net/cinema/in-theaters/post-alley-film-festival-x39141
The screening of “A Broad Abroad,” plus Q&A, is set for the end of the one-day festival, around 6:25 pm, at SIFF Film Center(167 Republican St., on the Seattle Center campus).
(WSB photos by Jason Grotelueschen)
Our area’s two biggest high schools faced off in a boys-soccer match on Friday – Chief Sealth International High School vs. West Seattle High School at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
The Wildcats got out to an early 1-0 lead, and the Seahawks never caught up.
Final score was WSHS 2, Chief Sealth 0.
Both teams have matches on Monday afternoon – WSHS (2-3) vs. Seattle Academy, 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield; CSIHS (1-4) vs. Evergreen, 4:30 pm at NCSWAC.
(Recent misty morning at Lincoln Park, photo by Elyse Slotnick)
As usual, lots of possibilities on our Saturday list, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar, but we begin with a transit reminder:
METRO SERVICE CHANGE: Today a variety of systemwide changes kick in during Metro’s twice-yearly “service change.” West Seattle routes are scheduled for three changes – read about them here.
Now, whether you’re getting there by bus and/or bike or foot or car, the event list:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Start your weekend on the run! Meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free community meditation, 9 am at Inner Alchemy‘s sanctuary/studio (3618 SW Alaska).
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Then at 10 am, join others for the full weekly walk in Lincoln Park (also meet at 47th/Fauntleroy).
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Susan Pascal, Jamie Findlay, Chris Symer with “mid-century vibes,” 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
GRIEFSHARE: If you have lost someone close to you, this is for you. 13-week series continues today, 10:30 am, Grace Church (10323 28th SW).
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – “This is a free, weekly, in-person active writing group grounded in the Amherst Writers and Artists method. It is a safe, critique-free space. Writers of all levels welcome, 16 and up.” Our calendar listing has location and RSVP info.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), meant for kids 0-5.
TERRAPLANTED GRAND OPENING: The new plant shop in South Delridge officially celebrates today including a ribboncutting at noon! 11 am-7 pm. (9439 16th SW)
FREE TAX HELP: 11 am-3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW) – but if you don’t already have a slot reserved, you’re probably out of luck.
FAMILY READING TIME: 11 am family reading time is back at new home of Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW).
VINTAGE SALE: Noon-6 pm at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW) in White Center, along with today’s Tikipalooza and Roper Romp festivities (see listings below).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the newest exhibit, about the West Duwamish Greenbelt! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
FRUIT TREE CLASS AT WEST SEATTLE NURSERY: 1 pm at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor), class in fruit-tree planting basics and early care, with City Fruit, suggested donation $10-$15.
GARDENING CLASS AT THE LIBRARY: 1 pm class at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), free class in growing plants from seeds. Call ahead to sign up if you can – walk-ins only if there’s room.
HUNT FOR SPRING: 1 pm at The Heron’s Nest (4818 Puget Way SW), family-friendly spring celebration with an egg hunt, scavenger hunt, more.
MAKE HANDBUILT ANIMALS WITH KIRSTEN: 1 pm at The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW) – details in our calendar listing.
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PROTEST AGAINST PROGRAM CUTS: 3-4 pm, senior residents of Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) plan to protest federal-program cuts, gathering outside their building.
WHITE CENTER ROPER ROMP: 3-6 pm, gathering of Helen Roper wanna-bes, wigs, caftans, and all, as previewed here. Epicenter is Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW) in White Center.
FREE MASSAGE: Walk-in clinic at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm.
NEW LOCATION CELEBRATION: 4-8 pm, with 4:30 pm ribboncutting, Lumina Vascular Health and Laser Clinic celebrates its new location. (6075 California SW)
BASEBALL BENEFIT: 6 pm dinner and auction at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) to benefit WSHS Baseball Boosters – details in our preview (follow the link to bid even if you can’t attend).
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, DJO album listening party. Free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Tonight – 8th anniversary show for West Seattle’s longest-running drag extravaganza, West End Girls! Doors 7, showtime 8, tickets here or at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Doors 7, music 7:30, Ranger and the Re-Arrangers bring “gypsy jazz” to Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), tickets here.
TIKIPALOOZA IN WHITE CENTER: 7 pm, this weekend’s celebration of tiki tunes continues at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center) tickets and schedule here.
THIRD NIGHT FOR ‘CHICAGO’ AT WSHS: 7:30 pm at West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California SW), a huge student-led production of “Chicago” continues its run – details in our calendar listing.
CIRCA OFFER FOR SHOWGOERS: If you go to “Chicago,” save your playbill and present it at nearby Circa (2605 California SW; WSB sponsor) for $5 off!
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Spinning starts at 9 pm with DJ Grizz at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Want to sing on your Saturday night? 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome to be listed on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
10:26 PM: A big SFD response is headed for the 3800 block of 20th SW [vicinity map] for a reported house fire. Updates to come.
10:32 PM: Firefighters are focusing efforts on the house’s second floor and attic.
10:40 PM: SFD says the fire is under control and no injuries are involved. “Looks like it was a wall fire,” firefighters also have told dispatch.
10:42 PM: And now the fire’s been declared “tapped” (out).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
2022: RVs were cleared on Andover. A bicycle lane was installed. No RV returns.
2023. RVs were cleared on Harbor Avenue. Parking-restriction signs were installed. No RV returns.
2024: RVs were cleared on Trenton by Westwood Village. Pavement markings and parking-restriction signs were installed. No RV returns.
So, Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview residents asked Wednesday night, when will some sort of permanent action happen in their neighborhoods?
The question was asked because encampments – RV and otherwise – were the main topic of this month’s HPAC meeting, facilitated at Delridge Library by co-chairs Kay Kirkpatrick and Barb Biondo. With the looming concern of stormy weather on the way (thunderclaps later resounded outside the meeting room), 20 people – including city reps – showed up. In addition to reps from the Unified Care Team. CARE Community Crisis Responders, Seattle Police, two of the three members of City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s staff – chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko and district director Erik Schmidt.Ko said Saka has met with the mayor’s office recently to “discuss these issues.”
HPAC’s pre-meeting preview noted that the city’s assessment of how many RVs and encampments were in the area was a dramatic undercount; one neighbor did an informal survey right before the meeting. Longtime city homelessness-response rep Tom Van Bronkhorst explained what the Unified Care Team does and doesn’t. The UCT is ‘really focused on people on the streets, doing outreach to them …(and) offer(ing) them something,” he explained. “The response from the city continues to evolve as the situation changes and we learn what works and what doesn’t.” UCT also “is not a first-responding group,” he explained.”If you feel threatened, or like something bad is happening, call 911.”
Regarding RVs: “We know we’ve got a problem, and it’s a big one … the SODO neighborhood also has a big problem … With RVs, the city objective right now is not to ‘rid the city of RVs’; people living in vehicles have (legal) rights to live in their vehicles … we are not on a mission to impound every RV …. we are on a mission to keep those RVs moving … they move from area to area. Why are they here? Some of them might have family here … maybe there’s a lot of unrestricted parking … ” He paused then for questions and comments.
One attendee mentioned Find It Fix It being a “wealth of data” on which areas do and don’t have encampments, so he wants to know why there’s a problem here but not in other areas of West Seattle. … If this was to happen on Beach Drive, Admiral, Alki …” Someone else chimed in, “It wouldn’t.” He said he asks friends in such neighborhoods “where are your encampments at?” And they don’t have them. Van Bronkhorst said the city doesn’t tell people where to go. The attendee said he’s tried reporting an encampment by 18th/Trenton that “got really bad,” on a site whose owner tried to get police to trespass squatters. “They may not be pushed here, but they group here.”
Van Bronkhorst reiterated that other areas of the city – like Ballard – are heavily impacted too.
The attendee said one RV finally moved on after eight months, though he assessed its residents were more “the working poor” than “the hard-core drug users.”
If someone does not move on, Van Bronkhorst acknowledged, they don’t have consequences. Are the policies in writing? asked anther attendee. And why aren’t all parking policies – like vehicle widths – being enforced?
Van Bronkhorst described the MDAR (Multi-Department Administrative) rules, put together by a task force in 2017. Those rules spell out how to approach encampments, how they offer shelter, how they must offer to store people’s belongings, how they notify people when a removal is happening.
Why isn’t a task force convened to review those rules periodically? asked an attendee. Van Bronkhorst said he didn’t know. He then explained still more about the Unified Care Team, which has reps from all the different departments “that touch homelessness response.” He suggested referring to specific potential violations when reporting problems – like “overly wide vehicles.” He also said people might consider suggesting specifically that the MDARs be reviewed. He also reiterated that filing a Find It Fix It report is the fastest way to get something into the city’s queue for evaluating a situation and its potential hazards, among other things. Situations are assigned “points” by what they find.
What about safe lots? asked another attendee – lots that would be “truly appealing” with showers and other facilities to serve people. “I just feel like there’s no improvement … I don’t see a change.” 16 RVs, 9 vehicles, and 4 tents within walking distance of 18th and Trenton …. 9 RVs just at 9th/Henderson, said the person who’d done an informal survey just before the meeting. “How many times do we have to clean up 9th/Henderson? I want action…. I know you say you move them around … we don’t want you to (just) move them around … we want safe places where I can walk my grandkids …” She mentioned tents and intoxicated people along the pathway for which the community fought between Chief Sealth IHS and Westwood Village. Near tears, she repeated, “I want some action so people who live nearby can enjoy their neighborhood.”
The discussion continued to intensify. Everyone in the room raised their hands when asked who had submitted Find It Fix It tickets. Do more reports for a place get it more points? asked one attendee. No, said Von Bronkhorst. That attendee – who grew more furious as she spoke – talked about an encampment by Longfellow Creek and the Vietnamese Cultural Center (whose director Lee Bui was in attendance too). “They’re cutting down trees, and I would get in trouble if I did that at my house.”
Van Bronkhorst then said a problem with abating encampments was a lack of shelter, as there are “not many units” available in Tiny Home Villages. What about the completed tiny homes in storage in SODO? Van Bronkhorst said a budget issue had gotten in the way of expanding THVs. The room momentarily broke into chatter about other budget priorities. Van Bronkhorst then said things can be done to discourage RVsl someone had suggested funding for the Highland Park Way hill bikes-and-more lane be redirected, and Van Bronkhorst noted that bike lanes had been successful in discouraging RVs, just one way of “activating” space that otherwise might be re-encamped after a sweep.
So who do they suggeest “activation” to? asked Kirkpatrick, saying they’d tried making suggestions to SDOT before. Va Bronkhorst cautioned that street-side changes have to be carefully managed to avoid conflicts with residential parking needs. OK,said one attendee, then: “Why can’t they just not enforce (restrictions) for those (housed residents) like they don’t enforce everything?”
Another attendee said he was told to stop repeatedly reporting a particular situation because that would move it to the back of the queue. (Van Bronkhorst said he would look into whether that’s true.) This attendee said he had video and other evidence of drug use and production in RVs that are part of a ring. He said that outreach workers would show up and talk to the people there, and that the outreach workers were being “played like a fiddle.” What if, instead of moving one block, RV residents were told they have to move five miles?
After attendees repeated, “We want to be safe,” there were questions about what to do next, how to “take it to the next level.” Councilmember Saka’s chief of staff Ko said, “We’re bringing it to the right level – the mayor’s level.” She also said they were scheduling a “walking tour”to see “what can be done short term” for starters. They’ve also been meeting with SDOT, she said.
HPAC co-chair Kirkpatrick pressed, “We don’t want this (discussion to end here) and then we never hear again – so when are you going to come back?”
No specific promises were made, aside from a commitment that this indeed wouldn’t be the end of the discussion.
NEXT MEETING: HPAC usually meets on fourth Wednesdays; watch here for updates.
Rainbow sightings to the north late in the day! Above is from Kevin Stock, who explains, “We caught this photo of the Kittitas headed to Fauntleroy as we were docking at Vashon about 5 p.m. today.” The next view is from John-Michael Bennett III:
And from longtime WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen at Walt Hundley Playfield:
Tomorrow’s likely to have some sunshine as well as some showers, according to the National Weather Service.
Boosters of West Seattle High School‘s state-champion baseball team invite you to join them for a dinner and auction Saturday night – and you can bid even if you can’t be there! Here’s the announcement
Come out and support the WSHS Baseball Team by purchasing your auction tickets for the 2025 Grand Slam Social & Fundraiser!
Entry: $40 (Players and kids 12 & under FREE!)
Your support helps fund uniforms, equipment, and program essentials—let’s rally together for WSHS Baseball!
Can’t make the auction? You can still bid online or make a donation to support the team! Every contribution helps!
Scan the QR code or go to WSHS Baseball Grand Slam Social & Fundraiser.
The event starts at 6 pm tomorrow (Saturday, March 29) at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds).
6:45 PM: Happening until 7:30 at the temporary home of Alki Elementary (historic Schmitz Park Elementary at 5000 SW Spokane), students’ first-ever Makers’ Market! Treats, tunes, crafts, more in the cafeteria and hallways, and a BBQ outside.
ADDED POST-EVENT: A few more photos – the student face-painters by the door were popular:
Lots of custom items for sale – personalized bracelets, for example:
And this table’s offerings included pet treats:
Musical performances were happening in the hallway. Big crowd – congratulations to all on what they’re hoping to make an annual tradition.
5:30 PM: Big response for a crash on the westbound bridge near the 1st Ave exit. SFD is extricating one injured person from one of the vehicles. If you’re headed southbound from downtown, staying on I-5 and using the exit that’ll get you to the 1st Ave So. Bridge is a better choice.
5:37 PM: They’ve rescued the trapped person.
5:41 PM: SFD says the injured person is in stable condition and will be taken to a hospital.
6:30 PM: SDOT’s traffic center says the scene has cleared.
4:37 PM: King County Roads announced late this afternoon that its closure of 16th SW is ending earlier than planned:
We’re opening early! Our crews plan to reopen the intersection of 16th Ave SW & SW 104th St today, March 28th. Expect lane restrictions & reduced parking thru April 18.
The closure was for utility work preceding a bigger project to rechannelize and repave stretches of 16th between. 100th and 106th. Here’s the backstory.
5:23 PM: Just went over to check; it’s indeed open again.
Four notes this afternoon as cuts in D.C. reverberate here in “the other Washington”:
(WSB photo, last Saturday)
CARE-A-VAN SUSPENDED: The state Health Department’s Care-a-Van mobile health service was part of the resource fair at Westwood Village last Saturday. That was one of its last stops before the state learned the feds have defunded it, tweeting this morning:
We received notice from the CDC that our funding for Care-A-Van has been terminated, effective March 24, 2025. As a result of this unexpected decision, we must immediately suspend Care-A-Van operations. Thank you to all of our requesters and community partners for your support.
SENIORS PLAN PROTEST: As noted in our West Seattle Event Calendar, we received an announcement that residents at Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) plan a protest outside their building at 3 pm Saturday. The announcement says they’ll be protesting cuts to programs as pursued by the federal DOGE operation.
PREPARING FOR APRIL 5 PARTICIPATION: West Seattle Indivisible is leading two sign-making events this Sunday in advance of the April 5 “Hands Off” rally at Seattle Center, protesting cuts to programs/services – one at 11 am Sunday in High Point, one at 3:30 pm in Admiral. (They want to be sure you know the venues have limited space.)
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE: The City Council’s new Federal Administration and Policy Changes Committee, set up to help councilmembers stay informed on D.C. changes affecting Seattle, will have its second meeting Thursday (April 3) at 2 pm, focusing on housing issues. (This is a “select committee,” so all councilmembers are on it.) Citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck sent this announcement today with details.
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