West Seattle, Washington
15 Saturday
By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
West Seattle Indivisible members gathered Sunday for the first time since last month’s second nationwide No Kings demonstration, and while plans for the next protest were part of the discussion, the most urgent topic was community support in a time of growing need.
More than 70 people showed up for Sunday’s meeting at the Center for Active Living in The Junction. Organizers Laurie Reinhardt and Amy Daly-Donovan said they saw this meeting as a sign of their movement’s growth and potential for more of it. “[We’re here to talk tonight about] how we can spread our tentacles, how we can grow and reach, in ways we aren’t able to do today.” said Reinhardt.
They began with a debrief of the second No Kings demonstration on October 18th, held in many locations, including here in West Seattle at The Junction. West Seattle Indivisible said its final count for the rally here was around 1,500 attendees, five times the number who gathered here the day of the first No Kings demonstration.
But mainly they looked toward the future. The biggest announcement for the night was that West Seattle Indivisible is tentatively planning a march for late January, roughly around the time of last year’s inauguration, on either January 17th or 24th. They plan to start around Hiawatha Playfield and proceed to The Junction. One planned feature, a member from the events-planning team said, is an artistic procession of signs: “We want to create 365 signs to embody this year, one for each day naming what we have lost, a display reminding us and the public that our grief is collective, and that these things we have lost are not gone forever, and we are fighting to keep them or fighting to get them back.” They are in talks this week to plan the event, including obtaining permits from the city.
Attendees also heard more immediate ways to take civic action to support neighbors in need.
Keith Hughes of the Westside Neighbors Shelter took the podium, speaking to the need for the shelter. “We are a [non-profit] organization, all of our support comes from this community, […] and a lot of people working at that level together makes a difference,” Hughes said. He said that the shelter had hosted 72 people the previous day, and that recently there has been a sharp increase in the amount of people the shelter has served, so donations to help cover the shelter’s costs are welcome.
Hughes closed his pitch with a somber anecdote relating to the shelter’s need increasing because of the fedeerak government shutdown: “I have right now six ladies coming to the shelter every morning for breakfast, in their late 50s and 60s. All of them are government employees who have been laid off [because of the shutdown]. […] The face of homelessness is changing, and it’s changing quickly. It’s not just drug addicts and alcoholics on the street – it’s people like you and me who have lost their job, and we need to stand up for them in these tough times.”
West Seattle Indivisible members also heard from two representatives of the West Seattle Mutual Aid Party. “We are a mutual aid group, working out of the Highland Park neighborhood, with members all over West Seattle and White Center, helping to support unhoused neighbors. We provide [things like] food, water, hygiene items, survival supplies; we help fill in those gaps that aren’t being served by [public] programs,” they said, adding, “Even though we can’t change material circumstances overnight, we can make things a little safer.”
They said that people interested in the West Seattle Mutual Aid Party could attend one of two events they were hosting this week: their monthly arts and crafts night tomorrow (Tuesday, November 11), 4:30-8 PM at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), and CPR/Overdose Response training on Wednesday the 12th at The Heron’s Nest (4818 Puget Way SW).
Kate, who described herself as a “recent Chicago transplant,” passed out small whistles to meeting attendees on behalf of the Washington Whistle Warriors. She said she was inspired to take up the cause after activists in Chicago recently used whistles as a way of communicating to neighbors and fellow officers that ICE officers were in the area. If you’d like to find out more about her organization, you can visit the Whistle Warriors’ page here.
The gathering also was intended to gather supplies for local food banks, particularly the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank. “As we know, we’re in another precarious moment in the midst of the Trump Administration, where SNAP benefits are being threatened. But people have come to the table to contribute to local food banks and mutual aid efforts,” said Reinhardt. They planned to bring a large amount of donations from the meeting to WCFB this afternoon.
The group also talked about the importance of conversation. Group leaders said that between this meeting and the prior one, they held a challenge for each member to talk to at least ten other people about difficult political subjects. Many participated, and at least one member, Donna, said they’ll continue focusing on ways to engage others in conversation.
The organizers also passed out a flyer to all attendees with 13 actions members could take. Many of these actions reflected the same messages shared by the speakers of the night – donate to mutual-aid organizations and continue strengthening the organization. But they also emphasized that members should contact their representatives on political issues they care about, such as phoning congressional representatives, or participating in Postcards 4 Democracy.
Daly-Donovan also encouraged members to consider several other organizations for mutual-aid support, such as the Long Haul Kitchen, and for members to see the Mutual Aid Hub website for other local opportunities.
The meeting ended with a potluck, and more conversation.
(Photo courtesy Casa
That’s the latest addition to the ever-livelier mini-business district north of Morgan Junction, Casa Luna. Proprietors Aja and Christopher emailed to say they’re “sharing space with Rainier Hair Studio. We are Casa Luna: Art & Artifacts, selling mostly local, mostly handmade, with a little vintage and a few unique finds in the mix as well. We have beautiful art, pottery, knitted goods, metalwork, jewelry, perfume, and more.” They’re at 5619 California SW, open 11 am-6 pm Thursdays through Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment. It joins a long retail block also including Moon Room Shop and Wellness (5902 California SW; WSB sponsor) and Tails to Astonish (5633 California SW) as well as beloved community coffeehouse C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
4:03 PM: Just in, the latest results from King County Elections. In the Seattle mayor’s race, Katie Wilson now leads Bruce Harrell, by 91 votes:
SEATTLE MAYOR
Katie Wilson – 133,469 – 49.83%
Bruce Harrell* – 133,378 – 49.79%
4:21 PM: Number-crunching … Wilson’s count rose 21,334 votes since the last round on Friday, while Harrell gained 16,943 … Wilson votes were 56% of the 38,391 ballots added today; 44% were Harrell votes. … 267,875 Seattle ballots have been counted so far; the ballot-return statistics say 282,115 Seattle ballots have been received. … Though tomorrow is the Veterans Day holiday, the KC Elections website says there WILL be another vote count released around 4 pm Tuesday.
3:51 PM: Orcas are in the area! Kersti Muul sent word of a small group southbound off Bainbridge Island as of about an hour ago.
4:13 PM: Update from Kersti: The orcas are now approaching the Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry lanes.
4:33 PM: She says they’re close to shore as they pass Brace Point.
Thanks to Gary Benson for sending the photo and story:
November 10th, longtime West Seattle resident Bob Burnham turns 100 years old!
He was born on November 10, 1925 to Walter and Dorthea Burnham in Wichita, Kansas. He has vivid memories as a young boy of walking in his father’s airplane shop, where a famous racing plane was born: the Travel Air ‘Mystery Ship’ that went on to win the 1929 Thompson Trophy Race. The plane was so fast it missed a pylon on the race route, had to double back and go by it again — and still won the race! One of the ‘Mystery Ships’ is in the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago.
Growing up in this atmosphere, young Bob knew he had caught the ‘Aeronautical bug’! After military service and graduating from Wichita State U in Kansas, he married Janet Rummer in 1949. They eventually moved to Seattle in 1963, where he was employed by the Boeing Company as an aeronautical engineer for 45 years, creating airplane designs in the ‘Black Box’ area.
He was a private pilot for many years, is a faithful member of West Side Presbyterian Church and a wonderful Dad to his three sons (Charlie, Steve, Don), one daughter (Jane), and five generations of grandchildren that love him.
His secret to long life? Well, his Mom, Dorthea, almost lived to be 102. He loves classical music, the daily challenge of crosswords and sudoku puzzles. Oh — and he can also draw an airplane design on a paper napkin and make your head spin as he describes the aeronautics of it all!
Congratulations, Bob on the legacy you’ve had in your life of 100 years! You are loved by many. -Gary Benson
Just about every day, we publish requests for support – volunteers, donations, etc. We don’t always get to hear about (or see) how, or whether, people answered the call. Recently, we published educator Cheyanne Chadwick‘s request to support her afterschool STEM program at West Seattle Elementary with snacks – kids learn better when they’re not hungry. Here’s the update we received from her:
I wanted to give you and the West Seattle Blog community an update and a thank you for your support.
After my call for snack donations, I was blown away by the community’s outpouring of support. Over 30 individual donors contributed $1,100 in monetary donations and over $700 in snack donations, like veggie straws, trail mix, protein bars, and more. One generous West Seattleite has signed up to bring a fresh snack option, like cheese sticks, apples, carrot sticks, and more, 3 weeks out of every month.
I tried to keep a record of everyone who donated so I might thank everyone by name, but there were just too many of you (what a beautiful problem to have!), and people are still reaching out! I get teary-eyed when I tell people about the absolutely incredible generosity of the West Seattle community and what you have done for my program. Not only do I have what I need to cover seconds and thirds at snack time, but y’all may have covered the entirety of my snack costs, allowing me to invest that money back into the program and the learning supplies I need to teach these young people snacks!
Snack time is such a joyful part of our program. The students are thrilled to be able to go back for a snack if they are still hungry, and they rave about all the different options I can lay out for them. My heart is so full to know that, even with SNAP benefits at risk and understanding how that might impact the West Seattle Elementary community, my students will get a nutritious and delicious snack to fuel their brilliant minds as we work together.
I am beyond grateful for what you all have done for my students. How lucky am I to live in a community that is willing to show up for its children with such a wave of generosity? I will be forever humbled by your support and grateful for the warmth you have brought to my classroom.
I have had a few people reach out in the past few weeks, asking whether there is any more need, and I will be sure to let you all know if and when my snack stores need replenishing.
Thank you, West Seattle. Thank you so much.
The West Seattle light rail plan might change when Sound Transit revisits its long-range plan next year. But how? Your next chance to hear what might happen has just been announced – an event at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) one week from tonight. Here’s the announcement we just received from the office of our local King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda:
Learn about how plans for light rail expansion to West Seattle are progressing and what upcoming Sound Transit Board discussions mean for West Seattle residents.
Councilmember Mosqueda will be co-hosting the West Seattle Light Rail Visioning Forum with Transportation Choices Coalition, the 34th District Democrats, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, County Executive Shannon Braddock, Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine, and Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka will be a co-host and there as well! This will be an opportunity to hear updates from Sound Transit about initial design work and possible cost savings analysis the agency has been working on for the West Seattle alignment, and to get a preview of the possible designs that may continue to be evaluated pending future Sound Transit Board analysis on possible options for light rail to West Seattle.
Date: Monday, November 17th
Time: 5:30 – 7 pm (Doors open at 5 pm)
Location: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Wy SW
Organizers want to be clear – what you’ll see and hear will NOT be official proposals, at least at this stage:
This will be a preview of some preliminary cost-saving design work on options to bring light rail to West Seattle—and to inform community members on how to stay engaged and informed as the agency continues its analysis and Sound Transit Board discussions continue. Note: this is an early preview of some preliminary thinking on possible ways to move forward, with many discussions and much analysis still to be completed and authorized by the Sound Transit Board — none of these numbers are final and these proposals are still to be discussed with ST board members.
Of the announced co-hosts, one is a ST Board member – Braddock – but as she didn’t run for the permanent job as County Executive, that position on the board will be taken over by Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay, who is already on the board, meaning there’ll be a vacancy to fill.
(More fall colors before they’re gone – Gatewood photo by Troy Sterk)
For highlights of what’s happening in West Seattle today/tonight, here’s our list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (got something to add? please send info!):
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE: Drop donations of warm clothing in the bin at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-5 pm weekdays.
BABY STORY TIME: Also at Southwest Library, 12 pm-12:30 pm.
HOMEWORK HELP: Free drop-in homework help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4 pm to 5:45 pm.
UKRAINE UPDATE: West Seattle resident and relief volunteer Peter Gelpi is back from Ukraine and giving a public presentation tonight (organized by the West Seattle Hatters) about what’s happening there and ways people are helping, 6 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th SW and SW Myrtle).
BOOK EVENT AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins talks about his book “In One Ear,” 6 pm, “moderated by Anne-Lynne Williams (Lotte Kestner, Trespassers William), special guest Marco Collins (The End, KEXP,KUOW),” free, all ages, but signing segment of the event requires book purchase – it’s available at tonight’s event, “ahead of the official launch,” says ESR. (4559 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group for people experiencing grief – participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee; book a spot here. (4034 California SW)
MOVIE MONDAY AT BENBOW ROOM: Two classic movies every Monday at 7 pm – tonight “Fight Club” and “Se7en.” (4210 SW Admiral Way)
CHESS NIGHT AT MISSION CANTINA: Another new calendar addition:
Chess night every second and fourth Monday. 7-9 PM in the upstairs area at Mission Cantina
(2325 California SW). All levels of chess players welcome. 5 and 10 minute games, over the board chess. Order food and drink at the bar.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three places to 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: Doors open at 6:45 for 7 pm meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are invited to The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: South-end Monday night meditation – 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 with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, 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!
As we get started on Monday, here’s a reason to look forward to Friday, as announced by the West Seattle High School PTSA:
West Seattle High School PTSA will host its Fall Fundraiser on Friday, November 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the WSHS Commons.
Tickets are $25 and available here.
WSHS PTSA is an independent non-profit organization that supports the students and faculty of WSHS with programs, grants and advocacy. Proceeds from last year’s Fall Fundraiser helped make 30 teacher and student club grants possible. The grants have brought writers to ninth-grade classes to mentor students, provided clay and glazes for ceramics classes, bought couches for the school library, and much more.
Tickets include Mediterranean heavy appetizers and a special non-alcoholic mixed drink. The evening’s entertainment will include a performance by a WSHS student jazz ensemble. You will also have a chance to buy ceramic pieces by WSHS 3-D Art students and photographs by students in WSHS 2-D Art classes.
A silent auction will include dozens of gift cards and fun experiences from West Seattle businesses. And a live auction will feature a band-signed Pearl Jam show poster (above) inspired by Mark Twain‘s ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn,’ a one-of-a-kind dinner at Canlis, an unforgettable date night at Pike Place, and more.
If you cannot attend, but would like to make a donation please go to https://wshsptsa.ejoinme.org/tickets2025.
Contact Paul Bugala (president@wshsptsa.org) with any questions.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, November 10, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Mostly cloudy, intermittent rain likely, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise will be at 7:07 am; sunset will be at 4:38 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – WSF says the Triangle Route is expected to return to a three-boat schedule today, with M/V Cathlamet, M/V Chimacum, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where; ferry alerts will update with any changes.
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – Now on regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
HOLIDAY TOMORROW
Tuesday is Veterans Day – no school, most government facilities closed, but transit schedules are all the same as regular weekdays.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
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!
SUNDAY NIGHT: According to a summary released by Seattle Police tonight, a jogger was attacked at 16th SW and SW Barton around 8:30 this morning. He told police he was approached by several people and then, unprovoked, one man hit him on the side of his head with a gun and then fired shots into the air. He apparently did not suffer major injuries, as he was reported to have declined medical attention, but police found shell casings in the area where the victim reported he was attacked, just outside a parked RV. They could not find the attacker, described as a white man in his 40s or 50s, 5’8″, dark clothing (we listened to archived radio communication but there were no other descriptive details). If you have any information, the incident number is 2025-328946.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Adding the narrative we requested and obtained from SPD:
On 11-09-25, while assigned to the SW Precinct as unit 1F1, I was dispatched to investigate a reported robbery in the area of [9000 BLK] 16 Ave SW. The call was broadcast as follows: “BLK HAND GUN. 10 MIN AGO OUTSIDE. A VAN OF PEOPLE PULLED UP NEXT TO RP AND PULLED A GUN ON HIM, PISTOL WHIPPED HIM, AND TOOK HIS WALLET. RP CAN STILL SEE VAN WITH SUSPS INSIDE.”
Upon arrival, I contacted the reporting party/victim, identified as XXXX XXXX VICTIM (DOB: XXXX). VICTIM appeared intoxicated, and I detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath as he spoke. VICTIM stated he was hungover.
VICTIM stated that at approximately 0815 hours, while jogging near 16 Ave SW and SW Barton St, a group of three to five people called him over to look at a book. When he approached, a white male, approximately 5’8”, 40–50 years old, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, struck him on the left side of his face with a handgun, causing pain. I observed redness and a small abrasion consistent with his account. VICTIM refused medical aid at the scene. VICTIM stated the suspect then said, “This is for Trump,” and fired two shots into the air. VICTIM stated no property was taken, no demands were made, and he was not further threatened. He stated he did not give anyone permission to assault him and that he could identify the suspect if he saw him again.
Although the initial CAD entry stated that a wallet was taken, VICTIM clarified during the investigation that no property was taken and no robbery demands occurred.
VICTIM stated that the suspect was last seen near an RV bearing Washington license plate #XXXXXXX, which was parked in the area of 16 Ave SW and SW Barton St. I transported VICTIM to that location, where four individuals were contacted near the RV. VICTIM did not positively identify any of them as involved. The suspects were not located in or around the RV at the time of our arrival.
While officers canvassed the area, Officer XXXX #8992 located two spent shell casings near the RV. Officer XXXX photographed VICTIM’s facial injury and will complete a follow-up evidence report. Refer to Officer XXXX’s report for additional details.
I conducted an area canvas for witnesses and spoke with one resident, who stated she did not see or hear anything. No surveillance cameras were observed in the immediate area at this time.
VICTIM provided a recorded statement, which was uploaded to AXON. He also provided his mother’s contact number, XXXX XXXXX, at XXX-XXX-XXXX, in case he could not be reached.
Sgt. XXXX #6728 and A/Sgt. XXXX were on scene and screened the incident. Based on the victim’s statement that no demands were made and no property was taken, the elements of robbery were not established at this time.
VICTIM alleged the incident was a hate crime due to the suspect’s statement. Sgt. XXXX determined that the elements of a hate crime were not established.
(Dress-rehearsal photos by teacher Daniel Wiener)
Arthur Miller‘s play “The Crucible” is 72 years old, and as relevant now as when he wrote it in 1953. It’s the latest student theater production at West Seattle High School, opening this Thursday – here’s the announcement:
We would like to invite you to West Seattle High School’s production of “The Crucible,” written by Arthur Miller and directed by Allison Irvine.
This play, written in 1953 as an “act of desperation” against the rise of McCarthyism and anti-Communist fears in the United States, tells a fictionalized story of the Salem Witch Trials. Throughout it we see the dangers inherent in a theocratic society where isolation and harsh expectations break down trust between neighbors. The show reminds us of the necessity of standing up for the civil rights of ourselves and others and refusing to go along with a crowd that demands bloodshed and revenge. Our students have been incredibly devoted to the hard work of this piece for the past two months and we are excited to share it with the community!
“The Crucible” runs November 13-15 & 20-22 at the West Seattle High School theater. All performances begin at 7:30 pm. Production information and ticket info are available at wsmusicanddrama.org
WSHS is at 3000 California SW; the theater entrance is closest to the south-end school entrance off the parking lot.
It was such a spectacular sunset, even wires couldn’t ruin it! The photo of tonight’s sunset, looking toward Alki Point Lighthouse, is from Steven Rice. Forecast for the week ahead suggests we won’t see much of the sunny weather that graced this weekend – with a near-record high today (63, just one degree below the record-for-this-date 64) – maybe some sun on Tuesday, otherwise rain. (Which is needed, a we’re still 6+ inches below normal for the calendar year.)
This time of year, most of our “countdown” reminders are about holiday events. This afternoon, an exception to that rule: We’re exactly six months from next year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – Saturday, May 9, 2026. It’s always the second Saturday in May, ever since the first year in 2005 (we took it over in 2008), but before each year is out, a few people inquire about the date, so we publish the occasional reminder. If you’re a new arrival, WSCGSD is not one big sale, but rather an occasion for hundreds of sales all over the peninsula (most years including a few to the south in White Center, North Shorewood, and vicinity too), at houses, apartment complexes, schools, businesses, all sorts of venues. We produce a numbered map and sale list, with registration opening at the start of April and lasting 3+ weeks; the map (both printable and clickable versions) is available one week before sale day. Ours wasn’t Seattle’s first Community Garage Sale Day, but it’s become the biggest. So if you’re setting calendar reminders for next year, May 9, 2026 – six months from today – is the next WSCGSD.
Thanks to the texter who sent the photo and report that a tree is down across Fairmount, under the Admiral Way Bridge. They report SDOT has been notified “and will respond.”
1 PM: Until 3 pm today, you’re invited to go to upper Fauntleroy Way and SW Director [map] – near the public overlook – and volunteers will invite you down to the banks of Fauntleroy Creek, to see if any coho spawners are in view. We have a team member there and will update as soon as we hear from him!
1:14 PM: WSB’s Torin Record-Sand reports that so far today, salmon watchers have seen two carcasses, no live fish.
Longtime creek volunteer Dennis Hinton says the two were pulled out by a raccoon – but they had spawned before that,
So far, the count this year of coho making it to the spawning area is eight, but they’ve seen about 200 near the creek mouth not far from the ferry dock, where hungry seals have had a heyday, so, of these two and the six others seen: “They’ve made it through a lot of predators to get up here.”
1:55 PM: As of about 15 minutes ago, creek volunteers have counted 54 visitors today.
Many families with little kids, and even though no live fish have shown up yet today, the carcasses have inspired many questions!
2:56 PM: Shoutout to volunteer Elena for the salmon cookies:
Visitors are receiving information on how to volunteer and donate to support the Fauntleroy Watershed Council‘s work supporting and advocating for the creek and its wildlife – all that info is linked here.
MONDAY UPDATE: Creek steward Judy Pickens tells us they counted 100 visitors in all during the two-hour window. And today, two more coho made it into the creek – after somehow surviving a gauntlet of predators, mostly harbor seals, but even a river otter joining the buffet line.
Seattle Police have issued a citywide alert about scammers offering roof repairs, and we have one such report from a West Seattleite. First, here’s the SPD alert:
Seattle police detectives urge community members to be wary of fraudulent roofing and construction scammers that recently stole $74,000 from a Seattle resident.
On Oct. 27, a 53-year-old developmentally delayed victim living near the Ravenna neighborhood was approached by a man named “Frank,” asking if he wanted an estimate for a new roof. He then scammed the victim into writing him checks for $74,000 for a new roof.
“Frank” and his accomplice “Mark” have New York-style accents, and claim to work for Lakeside Roofing and Masonry.
After getting the money, the suspects dug a trench along the victim’s house under the guise of a cracked foundation. They also began deconstructing the victim’s roof under the guise of a potentially dangerous chimney.
The victim fears retaliation from the suspects for calling the police, as the suspects remain active in Seattle. Detectives are urging residents to be wary of anyone soliciting them for roofing, construction, or masonry work. They recommend the following tips to avoid being scammed:
-Get at least three estimates from different roofing companies.
-Don’t pay more than 1/3 of the agreed upon price upfront. Don’t pay anything more until the job is complete.
-Always ask for a written contract before any work is done, and only if the contractor needs it to purchase materials.
-Check the Better Business Bureau to confirm their legitimacy.
-Check with the Department of Revenue to ensure they have a Unified Business Identifier number.
-Ask for photos of jobs they’ve completed and check for their Yelp or Google ratings.
-Call 911 if they try to go onto your roof without permission.
-If elderly people are living alone, tell the scammers they need to speak with their adult children before making any decisions.
-Don’t feel pressured into making quick financial decisions.
-If you’re being told to give them money or their roof will suffer damages, call 911.Doing some due diligence will help deter the scammers from returning and asking for money.
Detectives in the General Investigations Unit are actively working this case. Anyone that may have fallen victim to these scams are asked to call 911, or the SPD Non-Emergency Line at 206-625-5011.
We’ve received one such report in West Seattle – Linda says this happened to a friend of hers last weekend:
Two people stopped at my friend’s house to let him know they were in the neighborhood working on a roof and said they saw something flapping on his roof which they could fix it for $20 (basically being very friendly and helpful). My friend gave them the go ahead as well as the $20.
Both individuals then proceeded to go up on the roof. When my friend heard a noise, he climbed up the ladder to see what was going on. He found one individual working as a lookout while the other one was causing actual damage to the roof. The “roofers” stopped at that point and came down off the roof. My friend did not get a license plate number or any information which he could use to report this to the police. So he’s now looking at a roof repair which will cost much more (but won’t be done by these scammers).
Per the SPD advice, even if you don’t have specifics like plate numbers, call police.
Sealth volleyball is state bound! (thanks to Jen Rice and Ken Perez for the team photo after today’s win)
Game photos by Oliver Hamlin
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The volleyball squad from Chief Sealth International High School went 1-1 Saturday at the District 2 2A championships hosted at Evergreen High School in White Center, and the Seahawks will head to Yakima next weekend for the state tournament.
In their first match of the day against Cedarcrest, Sealth dropped a hard-fought 5-set contest (25-21, 20-25, 25-9, 26-28, 13-15), but then rallied with a 4-set win (25-17, 25-18, 19-25, 25-19) over Nathan Hale (which had topped Lindbergh earlier in the day).
Here are some photos of the Sealth squad in action, during today’s first game:
Coach Lori Toilolo:
Triana Tuia:
Sylvia Kas:
Kas, celebrating with teammates:
Violet Lindow:
Parker Wahl:
Nia Long:
Sasha Lee:
Malia Perez:
Perez with happy teammates:
Next up for Sealth: The state tournament in Yakima next weekend, with their opponent TBD.
(Photo by Kevin Freitas)
Here are today’s highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more listings!) and inbox:
WESTIES RUN CLUB: This week’s 9 am Sunday Funday run starts at Current Coffee in North Admiral (2206 California SW).
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Weekly games are back at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Small-group class at 9:30 am at Mama Be Well (4034-A California SW); preregistration info is in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual in its regular spot on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in fall produce season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, garlic, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, more.
LAST DAY FOR SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE PICKUPS: If you participated in this year’s showcase at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), today’s your last day to retrieve your artwork. Open 10 am-6 pm today.
FISHER SCONE WAGON: 10:30 am-4 pm, the truck with fair-style scones visits Metropolitan Market (41st SW and SW Admira Way).
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
COZY GAMING SUNDAYS: Come on in to Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) and get cozy, 11 am-5 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST SIGNHOLDING & FOOD DRIVE: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, the demonstration has added a food drive to support the community – look for the bin. Every Sunday (California SW & SW Alaska).
STONE FOX SALON CHARITY HAIRCUTS: “Pay what you can” benefit for indigenous communities, noon-4 pm, cash only. (4813 California SW)
FREE COMMUNITY CLAY DAY: Go to Rain City Clay and play! 12:30-4 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
FAUNTLEROY ‘OPEN CREEK’: It’s salmon season, and volunteer Fauntleroy Creek watchers have seen some spawners, so they’re hosting an “open creek” 1-3 pm so you can come down to creekside and look too. Go to upper Fauntleroy Way and SW Director, near the fish ladder overlook, and volunteers will invite you downl
HOPE ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: 1-3 pm, Hope Lutheran School (4456 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) opens the doors for prospective elementary-school families to visit.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Relax and 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)
WEST SEATTLE MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: This month, discussing “Pale Fire” by Vladimir Nabokov. Meeting at 3 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: What’s next after No Kings? How can you best support your community? These and other questions will be discussed, plus a potluck and food drive, 3:30 pm at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Mid Century Modern performs in-store at 5 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, Sunday nights are live-music nights with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(September 21 WSB photo, Pastor Andrew on the podium at Peace Day event)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
West Seattle’s highest-profile pastor won’t hold that role for much longer.
Admiral Church‘s Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom is headed down the highway – joining a church in the Tacoma area, where he lives.
But rather than a tearful farewell, he hopes you’ll join him at a joyful party one week from tonight.
“I want people to come on November 15, I want people to roast me and make fun of me, come be playful and continue the energy …” He’ll even welcome the memories that lead to critiques. “I also want to hear about how i missed the mark … I want to say ‘thank you’.”
His gratitude is for 11 years with Admiral Church, the youngest pastor ever called by West Seattle’s oldest church.
“They helped form me into the minister I am today.” And the formation has included lessons in humility, as he recalls a church member joking after his departure announcement that “I was full of myself when I got there.” He was, and is, of a generation that “isn’t interested in church,” believing that “it’s not doing anything that matters to us.”
So how and why did he become a minister, then?
“I thought I was going to be an elementary teacher,” he reveals, inspired by a teacher in fifth grade who saw something in him. He went to college to seek a teaching credential, majoring in anthropology, but always “had a heart for the disenfranchised … a call to address violence, and people who were being victimized.”
He went to Bosnia for the 10th anniversary of the truce signing. Conley-Holcom subsequently realized that “being a teacher won’t address all this” – so he changed his educational direction and went into genocide studies, but eventually “got disenfranchised with academia … a lot of posturing and performance.”
Another life-changing event helped him reorder his priorities: A ‘bad car accident.” After recovering, he worked at a rape crisis center, and then a crisis resolution center. Then he met his wife, whose Christian faith inspired him to investigate yet another direction. “I started attending this evangelical outreach on campus [in Bellingham], but some core theology stuff didn’t sit right.” He checked out a Unitarian church, but felt there was “not enough God.” He then went to United Church of Christ, “the denomination I grew up in.”
A realization dawned: “What if all this stuff is the same thing?” As in, all the “stuff” he’d been doing – advocacy, youth work, teaching, fellowship – “what if all this is actually ministry?”
With that, he went into seminary, without a certainty of what would follow: “I wasn’t sure I could go to parish ministry.”
But – he did. Coinciding with his wife getting into a doctoral program at UW, he learned that Admiral UCC had an opening. “They originally discounted my application … but then something moved in the room, and they pulled it back out.”
Despite an uncomfortable “clandestine” visit to the church, in which he and his wife were pointed out as visitors – “we thought we’d never go back” – he was offered the job. “OK, God, you got something planned for me,” he remembers thinking. He accepted and was mentored by Rev. David Kratz, former pastor of Fauntleroy UCC. “You gotta love people,” he says Rev. Kratz told him – “and I was like, ‘you gotta radicalize them, get them in the streets’ …” while, he says, his mentor wished him “good luck with that.”
Over time, Rev. Conley-Holcom admits, “I’ve come to believe that being saved really means you’re loved and you’re lovable and capable of loving others and that’s the way you can do social change … you can resist tyranny and violence – such a big part of my call.”
He also learned that being a pastor doesn’t mean you have to be angelic: “People trust me because I swear! I said to a friend, ‘can we just admit that’s a really low bar?’ … (Churches do) a really sh–ty job of meeting people where they are. (But) I showed up and Admiral already knew how to welcome, how to greet the stranger, how to be present and curious about each other … they just needed help scaffolding that. … This congregation has existed for more than 125 years. They’re the original church of West Seattle!”
If you’re wondering about the fate of the church’s project to develop its campus into housing – plus a new home for itself and the community organizations it hosts – Conley-Holcom says that will be just fine without him: “They already had a vision for this redevelopment project … One of the reasons I’m glad I’m leaving now, I want the project to flourish as one of the core commitments of the congregation.” (Ground could break in the new year; Admiral Church already has moved its services to temporary quarters at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church.)
At Admiral, he’s served a congregation largely made up of “hard-left elders.” He’s doing a 180 for his new job, serving as children, youth and families minister for “a more politically diverse community.” That community is Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood, founded as a “Scandinavian immigrant church,” in a community that’s “become a richer place, but (has) also a lot of poverty.” He says Mountain View has “walked the walk” as much as “talked the talk,” building and “giving away” facilities/programs including a food bank and community center.
It’s not just politics – he’s expecting to grapple with big questions such as, “how do you keep the faith in a time when there’s more austerity, more fear … how do we equip the youth of today” to deal with all that and more?
He’s also undeniably excited – maybe even relieved – to finally be working closer to home, which has been in Tacoma for eight years. “It’s going to halve my commute.” And it means more time with his 7 1/2-year-old son, who is growing up fast, and will be able to come to Dad’s church – “Admiral doesn’t have a kids’ program … I’m worried he won’t know what ‘church’ is, a special cultural human institution.”
And one that is “in a reformation time,” the sort he says scholars believe happens every half-millennium or so. “If (the church) is alive, it should be changing and growing … too many Christians acquiesced to the politics of the country and stepped out of alignment … (to put it) kind of broadly, Christianity has been hijacked by a white nationalist narrative.” But he says the way to take that on is the way espoused by the ACLU … rather than trying to silence, “you speak more … (we) need to gather more people who believe in humility, generosity, and welcom(ing) because that’s the way … that’s His way. We need to be addressing the fear – there’s too much self-righteousness and certainty; incompleteness is one of my core values!”
(2024 photo, Rev. Conley-Holcom and WS PFLAG co-founder Cori)
His time with Admiral Church has had many highlights – helping launch a PFLAG group – “that looks like ‘church’ to me, people coming together to care for each other” – and working what was for a time an active Moms Demand Action group, which dovetailed with one of his key questions, “how do we have a conversation about keeping kids safe?” He has also ministered to residents at Brookdale Admiral Heights almost weekly for a decade plus, and led Bible study at Aegis Living‘s Admiral complex.
(WSB photo, 2017: Rev. Conley-Holcom with Anti-Hate Alaska Junction’s Susan Oatis)
He also has taught anti-racist workshops and book discussions, and Bystander Intervention workshops. But the church’s work overall goes far beyond what he does, Conley-Holcom stresses: “There’s so much love coming out of and through Admiral Church.” He thinks he’s leaving at a good time because “they won’t have to [simultaneously] grieve me and the building,” which will likely be demolished next year as the redevelopment project proceeds. The church is also, he notes, starting a strategic-planning process: “What do the next years look like?”
As that proceeds without him, he wants “everybody to know I’m humbled and honored, blessed to (have been) part of the West Seattle community.” He was particularly moved at the West Seattle Indivisible International Day of Peace event in September, when he was introduced simply as “our Pastor Andrew.” That was “the biggest compliment I could have gotten.”
But bring those jokes as well as compliments and fond memories, to next Sunday’s party. Here are the details, provided by Admiral Church’s Anita Shaffer:
Saturday, November 15, 6:00-9:00 pm, program at 7:00. St John the Baptist Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 3050 California Ave SW. Plenty of parking in the West Seattle High School parking lot, follow the balloons to the party. Pizza baked fresh on site by Elemental Pizza; cake, appropriate celebratory beverages. FREE, donations accepted. Open to the community. Anyone who has had a connection to Pastor Andrew and his wide-ranging ministry and justice work is welcome. Come say goodbye!
As for the church’s next pastor, Shaffer explains that UCC churches choose their own, and the search process is under way, with a new pastor potentially coming on board in mid-2026. “In the meantime, Rev. Allysa De Wolf, a fine local UCC pastoral colleague of Andrew’s who has subbed for him in the past will be Admiral Church’s interim.”
(File photo, 63rd/Alki commemorative monument)
If you can take time out for a walking tour this Thursday afternoon (November 13), you can learn about what happened exactly 174 years earlier. The invitation is from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:
Join us for a special tour commemorating the 1851 anniversary of the first settlers landing on Alki Beach. 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.
The tour includes 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.
The tour is 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.
This program is FREE although registration required. Suggested donation $15.
The anniversary tour will take place on Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. After the tour is over, feel free to grab a snack before exploring the West Seattle Art Walk’s Alki stops along the Alki beachfront and at the Log House Museum.
The Log House Museum is at 3003 61st SW.
Sent by Justin:
This is a spliced collection of the video footage I have of this prowler in our driveway last night around 550 am. We live near the Charlestown water tower. To be clear … he didn’t just prowl, he tried to break into our car and more actively tried to break into our trailer (removed cover and unlatched many latches trying to open the pop top).
Side note: Next chance to bring concerns to local police will likely be the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s upcoming gathering, 7 pm Tuesday, November 18, at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW).
With less than three weeks until Thanksgiving, we’re working on this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, so we can launch it this week! If you haven’t already sent information on your holiday-season event, bazaar/pop-up shop, donation drive, fundraiser, performance, special hours, holiday food ordering, etc. … now’s the time to get that info to us so we can share it with everybody. Whatever you want the community to know, westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to send it so we can get it into the guide (and if time/date-specific, into our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar too) – thank you!
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