West Seattle, Washington
06 Monday
(1:32 pm note – sorry about the technical trouble that led to an old list being displayed with the new one – fixed now!)
(Rhododendrons, photographed by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s what’s ahead today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks again to everyone who sends events for us to share!):
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Here’s our list of what’s planned at local churches we’ve heard from.
PASSOVER CONTINUES … through April 9.
FREE PLAYSPACE: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is hosting playspace today until noon. (42nd SW & SW Juneau)
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 10 am-3 pm today, blood drive at Bethany Community Church (8600 9th SW).
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY RUN/WALK: Free, fun gathering, 10 am, starting from Lincoln Park parking lot #2 – so if you didn’t see it in our calendar in time, make a note on yours for next week! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Whether you’re planting or planning – the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm – north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
TODDLER STORY TIME IN WESTWOOD: 10:30 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME IN ADMIRAL: 10:30 am at West Seattle Library (2306 42nd SW).
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, all levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!)
CROSSTOWN SOFTBALL: Big softball game today – Chief Sealth IHS vs. West Seattle HS at 4 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is on today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two Thursday night events at HPCS this week – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Anthony’s “Finn.”
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
HELP HARVEST FOOD: Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) needs volunteers to help harvest fresh food that will be donated to food banks (and you can take some home too). Just be there 5-7 pm!
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle!
LISTENING PARTY: Be one of the first to hear new music by Good Kid, 5 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW).
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 California SW), April’s first class, all levels welcome.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, starting from Good Society (California SW and SW Lander), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run!
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: If walking is more your speed, meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fontanelle for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE BOOK CLUB: 7 pm, it’s that magical night each month that various venues open up to let you in to read and chat – or don’t chat! See this month’s list on the WSBC website.
‘SOUND OF MUSIC’ OPENING NIGHT: First night for West Seattle High School‘s production of the classic musical, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Mason Derleth, Alter Expressions, Lucas Simonton, 7 pm, $10 cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
CLASSIC BINGO: 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
LIVE AT TIM’S: 7 pm, Eric Blu & the Soul Revue with Michael Pearsall and Friends, all ages, no cover. (16th SW and SW 98th, White Center)
TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE VOID: A relatively new West Seattle trivia night! 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Spinning happens tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Tomås, starting at 8 pm. 21+.
JOKES AT THE JUNCTION: 8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW), the best of the Washington’s Funniest Mammal competition.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather April 18 to celebrate the life of Darlene Wyosnick, and are sharing this remembrance with her community:
Darlene Wyosnick (née Streeter) passed away peacefully on the morning of March 21, 2026. She bravely battled cancer, ultimately succumbing to complications from a fall that occurred on December 30, 2025.
Darlene was born on October 13, 1938, on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Clarence (Doc), and mother, Ruth, were wonderful parents, and she and her brother, Edward (Ed), were raised in a loving family. Clarence was a shoe salesman with a store in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and Ruth was an executive secretary. Darlene looked back fondly on these early days in their Englewood neighborhood, recalling nights filled with the sound of kids playing and a neighbor practicing violin. She also inherited from her dad a lifelong love for her favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs.
Music and athletics were a prominent part of Darlene’s childhood, especially at Harper High School. She studied classical piano, played the timpani in the concert band, and competed in volleyball and baseball. She talked often about the mischief she would get into, referring to herself as a rascal who got into a lot of trouble. Most of this was innocent fun, but she knew she frequently tested the patience of her parents. She also established a strong faith in God, with church remaining a prominent part of the rest of her life.
In 1957, Darlene took an office job at a sheet metal company. It was there that she met her first husband, Richard Kirk. Richard’s first wife had died of polio, so Darlene became the mother of his two sons, Phil and Brian Kirk. Together, she and Richard had three more children: Sherri, Richard (Jr.), and Eric Kirk.
Darlene married her second husband, David Wyosnick, in 1978. They started a family in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park and had their son, Ian Wyosnick. They later moved to Lombard, Illinois, where they lived for over 40 years. During this time, she worked at the College of DuPage and became deeply involved with their church, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lombard. A particular highlight of her time there was volunteering with Team Eve, where she would bring Eve, a golden retriever, to visit people in need of support. She remained deeply devoted to her autistic son, Eric, faithfully spending nearly every weekend with him and becoming an advocate for autistic people.
In 2021, Dave and Darlene moved to Seattle to be near family. They had always loved visiting the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and quickly ingrained themselves into the West Seattle community. They became active members of Hope Lutheran Church, and Darlene continued her lifelong love of animals by volunteering at the Burien Animal Shelter.
Darlene lived a life guided by love, faith, and kindness. She judged people by the content of their character and would gladly invite anyone over for a meal, where she would treat them as a member of her own family. She was a wonderful person who will be missed by many. Her legacy of love lives on through all of those she touched.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence (Doc) and Ruth Streeter; her brother, Ed Streeter; her first husband, Richard Kirk; and her grandchildren, Matthew Kirk and Jared Kirk.
Darlene is survived by her husband, David Wyosnick; her children, Phil (Lesia) Kirk, Brian (Marie) Kirk, Sherri (John) Daedelow, Richard (Katherine) Kirk, Eric Kirk, and Ian (Elizabeth) Wyosnick; and her grandchildren, Misty Navarro, Jeff Kirk, Nathan Daedelow, Jacob Kirk, Natalie Wyosnick, and Holly Wyosnick.
Celebration of life ceremonies will be held on April 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church (4456 42nd Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116), and on July 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church (215 S Lincoln Ave, Lombard, IL 60148).
In lieu of flowers, please donate online to Oak-Leyden Developmental Services to support the autistic adult community.
(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)
6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, April 2, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high in the low 50s. Sunrise at 6:45 am; sunset at 7:40 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule through April 10.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for last-minute changes.
ROAD/TUNNEL WORK
-As noted Wednesday, the repaving work on eastbound SW Barton by Roxhill Park has begun.
-WSDOT plans a tunnel closure overnight Friday night:
Both directions of the State Route 99 tunnel in Seattle will close from 10 p.m. Friday, April 3, to 6 a.m. Saturday, April 4, for maintenance.
Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will start closing northbound and southbound lanes at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, with the tunnel fully closed by 10 p.m. People going south on SR 99 will need to take the Harrison Street off-ramp, while northbound SR 99 travelers must exit at Alaskan Way. The Sixth Avenue and Royal Brougham Way on-ramps also will close at 9 p.m.
Crews will perform several important tasks during the closure, including:
Testing fire suppression systems
Cleaning and marking drains
Fixing lights
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (fully open but 25 mph speed limit):
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 trouble 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 photos and video)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The atmosphere was relentlessly upbeat at tonight’s overflow-crowd West Seattle light-rail forum, organized by King County Councilmember, Sound Transit Board member, and North Delridge resident Teresa Mosqueda as a sequel to the one she presented last November.
Last time, the beef was that there wasn’t enough time for Q&A, so she promised at the outset tonight that her two-hour event would allot fully half the time to that – and that’s exactly what happened.
No major new information was presented, but some takeaways of note did emerge. Mosqueda declared that “this is a critical moment” for the West Seattle light-rail plan, which doesn’t yet have a full-speed-ahead commitment from the ST Board, while ST staff keeps trying to close multi-billion-dollar budget gaps. We recorded the full meeting on video in four sections – here are the introductions, which also included welcomes from Rachel Porter of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Shannon Woodard of DNDA (which owns the venue):
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center brimmed with people – including an overflow area (where Zumba would usually be happening this time). West Seattle Urbanism members were out in force, sitting together in the audience in special T-shirts, holding signs, and spiritedly applauding many of the points made.
Along with Councilmember Mosqueda, other elected officials on hand included Mayor Katie Wilson – who spoke – and City Councilmember Rob Saka – who did not, as well as State Representative Brianna Thomas and School Board president Gina Topp. Mosqueda did much of the talking and had enough ebullience for a trainload of supporters, stressing that the West Seattle project is “shovel ready” (that was explained later) and recapping some points of ST’s latest proposal, as well as two things she hopes to get the agency to do – give displaced businesses the right of first refusal for the new spaces in stations on their old sites, and partly offset their rent before they have to vacate, so they can stay as long as possible. Meantime, she handed the mic to Mayor Wilson, who’s also a new ST Board member, and spoke enthusiastically of ST’s big event last Saturday, opening the cross-Lake Washington line, and elaborated on the “shovel-ready” term, saying she expects “shovels in the ground this year.”
Mayor Wilson said West Seattle light rail is a “historic opportunity we need to seize.” She expressed confidence that the ST Board would come up with a plan to deliver light rail, and vowed that as a “lifelong transit rider and longtime transit organizer,” she would ensure it happens. She wasn’t around for questions later because she left after speaking, saying her “little orange tornado” – aka daughter, who had accompanied her – had to get to bed.
Councilmember Mosqueda then introduced the Sound Transit team – CEO Dow Constantine (who noted he started the job almost exactly a year ago) and executives Brad Owen and Jason Hampton.
Constantine, like Wilson, noted the cross-lake service launch and said the fulfillment of a decades-long dream was proof “we have the expertise, creativity, resolve,” to get ST3 done. And he specifically promised: “We will get to Tacoma, we will get to Everett, we will get to Issaquah and other points on the Eastside, believe me, we will get to Ballard, and we are going to get to West Seattle. It won’t be easy – nothing worth doing ever is.” The latter declarations were tonight’s only allusions to potential “approaches” shown to the board during its recent retreat, potentially cutting out Ballard and in one case deferring West Seattle. The “approaches” weren’t mentioned in the presentation by Owen and Hampton at all:
What they did focus on, as the video shows, is the proposal we reported three weeks ago, when it was first presented to an ST Board committee – dropping the Avalon station, shifting part of the Delridge alignment north and relocating the tunnel portal, and shrinking the Junction station.
This is all part of a plan that could cut the cost by up to two and a half billion dollars.
Some of the notable points:
-The presentation (here’s the full slide deck) included a look at the rendering of the new cross-Duwamish bridge that would be built for light rail – which they also noted would not put any supports in the water.
-Not only would the Junction station be shallower (35 feet instead of up to 70), the Delridge station would be “brought up” so escalators and stairs would be shorter
-They’d said previously that dropping the Avalon station would have little impact on ridership; tonight, we learned how little – 200 riders
-The “crossover” area that would be dropped from the Junction plan would have been up to 130 feet deep
-The new plan “does not preclude extending (light rail) to the south
“We believe there’s a lot of opportunity,” they concluded.
Then, the hour of Q&A, with some comments thrown in:
First and most recognizably was Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association, saying that while it’s not perfect, this just needs to get done.
Takeaways (including some clarifications, and some reiterations of long-made points) from the rest of Q&A
*No, WS is not a dead end – it will connect to the “spine” and take people all the way to the Everett end eventually
*How does projected ridership compare to the rest of the system? The ST execs said they didn’t have comparison numbers but Delridge was projected around 5,800 daily and The Junction aroud 7,600, while SODO would be an increasingly important transfer spot.
*It was clarified that no grocery stores will be affected by the revamped Junction plan
*The fact that Jefferson Square will be spared – yes, even Nikko Teriyaki! – was reiterated
*This has been said time and again but it was said again tonight – Metro won’t change bus routing until Ballard light rail opens, so the downtown lines will remain in service at least until then (separate from the “approaches,” Ballard still is officially expected to be running in 2039).
Two Metro reps indicated extensive planning continues for bus routes’ future
*Speaking of buses, someone asked, how many light rail riders would have been bus riders instead? The ST duo didn’t really have an answer for that.
*They’re expecting “lots of good union jobs” in constructing the West Seattle Link Extension, confirmed Katie Garrow of MLK Labor, who had spoken briefly earlier in the evening. And she and Councilmember Mosqueda promised those would be available widely.
*What does “shovel-ready” really mean? Owen replied that it means early work paving the way for construction – first acquiring needed property, then drlling test holes, and working with SDOT to see what could be done in the right of way. “It’s not like we hit the ground running and the whole area’s torn up on day one.” A bit later, he said they’re working on contracts now so that if and when the official green light is given, they’d be ready to “push them out” and start getting contractors on board.
*Couldn’t the second downtown tunnel be dropped to save billions? Owen said it would be “incredibly complicated” to try to operate the expanded system without a secod tunnel.
*Would both West Seattle stations open at the same time? Yes.
*Will special efforts be made to ensure people from Alki and Beach Drive can get to Link, since they’ve lost bus service over the years? The Metro team said there’s an effort under way to study long-suspended service, and that there would be community involvement.
One of the last questions – when will a decision be made? End of the second quarter, Owen said. Mosqueda, though, said she hoped sooner, like May.
10:44 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” for a possible fire in the 6500 block of 34th SW. Updates to come.
10:47 PM: SFD believes this was a false alarm, so they’re dismissing all but one unit.
(WSB file photo)
In two and a half weeks, if you can spare just a few hours, Seattle’s only river – much of which runs along our peninsula – needs you. April 18 brings the spring “Duwamish Alive!” multi-site work party – here’s the announcement from the Duwamish Alive! Coalition:
Duwamish Alive! Celebrate Earth Month by Caring for Our Duwamish River
Volunteer on Saturday, April 18, 10 am-2 pmJoin us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Duwamish Alive! while caring for Seattle’s only RIVER — the Duwamish, as we work together to improve its health. Volunteers will be restoring native habitat on in multiple urban parks and open spaces from Seattle to Kent in the ongoing effort to keep our river alive and healthy for our communities, salmon and the Puget Sound. Proving that by working together, we can make a substantial difference in improving the health of our region. We be working at sites, from Kent to Seattle to restore and preserve our areas of native habitat in the river’s watershed.
The river’s watershed includes forested areas such as the Duwamish Greenbelt, one of the largest in the lower section of the river, provides important air and water filtration of pollution, especially storm runoff one of the major sources polluting our waters. Tree canopy cover also reduces our summer heat domes, unequally affecting low income, communities of color to a greater degree. The river’s ecosystem supports 5 salmon species including the threatened Chinook salmon which is a critical food source for our Southern Resident Orcas; along with wildlife that includes river otters, beavers, bald eagles, and blue herons. Each of our habitat sites supports this web of life while providing important environmental benefits to our communities – we are all connected.
We are honored to help steward these locations which are the ancestral lands and waters of the Duwamish Peoples who have been here for thousands of years. Join us in caring for these special places. Family friendly, ALL are welcome. Tools and instruction are provided.
To volunteer, visit DuwamishAlive.org to see the different volunteer opportunities and register for the site of your choice.
That’s video of this morning’s City Council Land Use and Sustainability Committee meeting, which included a discussion of Mayor Katie Wilson‘s proposed legislation to facilitate adding shelter space. Though the mayor has yet to announce the plan for where that’ll happen, the discussion focused almost entirely on expanding existing tiny-house villages. One of the mayor’s proposal would increase the number of people who could stay at a tiny-house village any given time to 150 (from the current 100), and would allow one site in each council district to host up to 250 people – more than double the current cap. Again, no specific sites are proposed for increases yet, but one “hypothetical” example of how it might work was in the presentation, a “what if” regarding southeast West Seattle’s Camp Second Chance:
Again, Jon Grant from the mayor’s office emphasized that is just a hypothetical example – and note the word on the side – but it’s an example of the kind of expansion the city is looking at, to find room for hundreds more people without having to find new village sites. The committee, chaired by new Councilmember Eddie Lin, also heard from organizations including LIHI – which manages most of the tiny-home villages in Seattle including Camp Second Chance and the upcoming Glassyard Commons tiny-home/RV site, also in southeast West Seattle – and treatment and outreach providers, who addressed the aspiration of “service-rich” shelter. No votes were taken today, but the mayor’s proposals will come before this committee for that before going to the full council.
Thanks to the commenter who noted that the work has begun on SW Barton, on the fifth day after bus traffic was rerouted to Trenton and layovers to 25th SW. Previous communication suggested there might be more of a gap, but since this repaving-and-more work is scheduled to last until fall, the sooner they could get going, the better. Details of the project to rebuild the bus-battered pavement are here. As shown in our photo, the work is narrowing travel lanes on Barton alongside Roxhill Park and eastward to 26th, so plan accordingly if you’re headed that way.
3:01 PM: We’re at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center (southeast side of campus) with astronomy educator Alice Enevoldsen to watch the Artemis II Moon-flyby-mission launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, still on for a launch window that opens at 3:24 pm our time. If you’re nearby, come on over – this is on three huge screens.
3:14 PM: The countdown is paused at 10 minutes while the launch team at KSC does some technical checks.
3:25 PM: After polling various key personnel – including the astronauts – regarding readiness, they’ve started the “terminal count” (10 minutes to go, at 3:25 pm if all goes well). Today’s launch window – if they have any other reason to pause – is until 5:24 pm our time.
(Alice and others watching liftoff)
3:38 PM: And off they went, with a successful launch, cheered by those gathered here; the astronauts are now traveling at 15,000 miles an hour, and as Alice explained, passed the most dangerous part of the early going, when they hit “Max Q.”
3:48 PM: All’s still well. Alice is explaining key points of the mission – first they’re heading into Earth orbit; they’re expected to fly by the Moon on Day 5 of the planned 10-day mission. We’re headed back to HQ, where we’ll add video of the liftoff excitement. (Update: Added.)
1 PM: Amid the murk, orcas are heading back into Elliott Bay right now, reports Kersti Muul, who says it’s the “cookie-cutter” whales that have drawn so much interest in recent weeks. Thanks again to everyone who’s shared photos/video of recent sightings (you can scroll this WSB archive to see) – please let us know if you see them today!
2:20 PM: Thanks to Liz for the photo we added above, and thanks to the commenters with location updates!
(WSB photo, 2024 Boat Swap. This year, snow gear too!)
Also seeking sellers – Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) is holding a spring Ski and Boat Swap this Saturday. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – proprietor Greg Whittaker explains, “This is the inaugural addition of winter sports to our annual spring boat swap. So if you have gear you are not using in the Ski/Snowboard/Kayak/SUP realm and want to participate you have until Friday to get it ready.” Info for sellers and prospective buyers is here. Dropoffs are 2-5:30 pm Friday; swap hours are 10 am to 5 pm Saturday.
As planned, we’ve just opened registration for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coordinated since 2008 by WSB. WSCGSD is the second Saturday in May as always – this year that’s May 9 – and if you’re planning to have a sale, here’s where to register.
If you haven’t heard about West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day before – it’s one day with many sales of many sizes, all around the peninsula, open at least 9 am-3 pm on sale day (earlier and/or later if sellers choose to). WSCGSD is not the only neighborhood sale day in Seattle, but it’s become the biggest. Registration for WSCGSD gets your sale onto the map and into the listings guide, which we publish a week before sale day and promote regionally – shoppers show up from as far away as Eastern Washington!
You can sign up any time you’re ready over the next three weeks. Same classifications and fees we’ve had for the 20+ years we’ve coordinated WSCGSD. Before you register, be ready with your up-to-20-word sale listing – think about what you’re selling that’s popular and/or unusual, for example. Any questions, email westseattleblog@gmail.com or call/text our hotline at 206-293-6302. Updates to come (including whatever we hear about multi-seller sites offering space for people who have small sales/no place for a sale – if your venue plans to do that, please tell us ASAP so we can incorporate it into announcements)!
(The West Seattle Nursery baby hummingbirds, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time – here’s what’s happening today/tonight:
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Here’s our list of what’s planned at local churches we’ve heard from.
PASSOVER BEGINS … this evening.
REMINDER – WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks start from 47th/Fontanelle (so if you didn’t see this in the calendar and missed it because of our late list today, here’s your reminder for next week).
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the new location of Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
VR FOR TEENS’ MENTAL HEALTH: 2:30 pm, teen program at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
ARTEMIS II LAUNCH WATCH EVENT: As previewed here Tuesday, join NASA Solar System Ambassador and astronomy educator Alice Enevoldsen at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center (6000 16th SW), 2:45 pm to watch the scheduled launch of the moon-flyby mission – this could change if launch plans change, so check here and Alice’s website before going.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: No local home games/matches on the Metro League schedule today.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: 6 pm gathering at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor). This month’s book is “The Alteration” by Kingsley Amis.
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm drop-in session to get creative – bring your own project or get a suggestion! (3400 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Want to talk about our city’s growth, present and future, as the City Council reviews round 2 of rezoning? You’re invited to this 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
PIANO NIGHT: At Upwell (4811 California SW), monthly piano night 6-8 pm.
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: 6 pm at the West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), non-members welcome too.
KUNDALINI YOGA: Now at 6 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Get moving at midweek – go on the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces!
LIGHT RAIL FORUM: Community forum with elected officials and Sound Transit executives to talk about the state of the West Seattle light-rail plan, 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
HUM-IN PROTEST: This gathering is for protesting via sound vibration, 6:30-7 pm Wednesdays at Junction Plaza Park (42nd SW and SW Alaska).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four West Seattle trivia venues tonight – 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play, cash prizes … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia starts at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The stage is yours at West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather April 11 to remember Ray Hart, and are sharing this remembrance with the community now:
Ray Hart passed away in Burien on February 26, 2026 due to complications of Lewy Body Dementia.
Born October 7, 1942, in Tacoma, raised in Eastern Washington and Coeur d’Alene Idaho, Ray lived his adult life in West Seattle and Kihei, HI. Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, community member, child, and lifelong educator. Ray raised his children in West Seattle, in the Sunrise Heights neighborhood. He taught elementary school in the Highline School District at North Hill and Olympic Elementary through the 1970’s and 80’s and actively served for many years on the board of High Point’s Holly Co-op Preschool. He also taught elementary school while living on Maui for the next 27 years, where he also helped establish the island’s first public charter school. Ray and Carla returned to West Seattle in 2019 shortly before Ray was diagnosed with dementia.
Ray will be missed very much by Carla, his wife of 58 years; daughter Ranette (Jay) of West Seattle; sons Carl (Katie) of West Seattle and Matthew of Kihei, HI; and his cherished grandchildren Ivo, Mary Kate, Luce, and Louis, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, caregivers, and friends.
Share memories of Ray and visit the full obituary page & online guestbook at emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/ronald-ray-hart
A Funeral Mass will be held April 11, 2026, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7001 35th Ave SW, followed by a short lunch reception at OLG’s Walmesley Center and a 2:30 PM Committal ceremony at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, Shoreline. Aloha wear is welcome, in honor of Ray’s much loved life and dear friends on Maui.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kihei Charter School, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, or the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
(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)
8:59 AM: Police are being dispatched to a crash on the eastbound bridge at the NB 99 offramp.
9:17 AM: They report all eastbound lanes are temporarily blocked “while we we get the vehicles out of the roadway.”
9:18 AM: Now a crash is reported on Admiral Way at Hanford – a driver “crashed into a wall” but is not seriously hurt.
10:08 AM: Signal trouble reported at West Marginal and Spokane. (Remember a broken signal is an all-way stop.)
10:49 AM: Now a crash is reported on the westbound bridge “near the Admiral Way offramp.” … One texter sees an SUV and a tow truck and says traffic is “barely sneaking past.”
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Rainy, high around 50. Sunrise at 6:47 am; sunset at 7:39 pm.
(Michelle Green’s sunset view while whale-watching last night)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule through April 10.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for last-minute changes.
STADIUM ZONE
The Mariners‘ season-opening homestand ends with a day game vs. the Yankees, 1:10 pm.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (fully open but 25 mph speed limit):
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 trouble 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!
11:55 PM: Police and fire are at the scene of what’s reported as a flipped-car crash at California/Harbor. The initial SFD dispatch was large but quickly downsized. Harbor is blocked in the area.
12:10 AM: The downsizing was because the driver “self-extricated.” They’re being investigated for DUI.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Where what’s likely West Seattle’s longest retaining wall once sported these murals along its street side …
… and art like this along its block-long alley side …
… it’s all now a drab gray that was blank for about a day until it drew this protest:
We got tips about this last weekend. The wall story on the north and west sides of the CVS/ex-Rite Aid lot (5217 California SW) dates back almost three years – here’s our first report from 2023, about what was given the name the “West Side Wall.” We learned shortly afterward that not only was renowned West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen the creator of the baseball mural on the SW Dawson side, but also shepherding the evolving multi-artist project on the alley side.
That’s who the first reader to tell us about the paintout, Jared, contacted when he discovered it a few days ago. He told us Hansen was on the case. We contacted Hansen directly and met him at the wall this afternoon to talk about what happened and what’s next.
The situation is “really unfortunate,” he told us. “This alley was a great place” to make art. Not all graffiti-style, either.
He says someone complained to the city, the city sent CVS an abatement letter, and – not knowing the history behind the wall art, since it wasn’t anywhere in writing – the corporation hired a paint crew.
As soon as Hansen heard about it, he got busy contacting CVS management. “CVS is supportive,” he said – that included the acquisitions director, whose portfolio included this store (converted from Rite Aid last summer), and district manager. He says they’re in contact with the city and restoration can start once they have an acknowledgment in writing that it’s not going to generate another abatement action.
The “West Side Wall” was more organized than it might have appeared to casual viewers, Hansen explained – the alley-wall art rotated – an artist who came to work on the alley might decide which was the “ugliest” of the current crop and paint something new in that space. Meantime, he said the artists policed the work to ensure “no hate,” among other rules.
He and some of the artists also did weeding and trash pickup periodically – including syringes and mini liquor bottles – and Hansen said he’d also moved along some people who tried to camp in the alley, which stretches from Dawson to Brandon Streets, with back yards and garages lining the west side.
Before talking to Hansen today, we had sent an inquiry to CVS corporate to ask if they indeed had initiated the paintout; the reply came at the end of the day today from corporate communicator Amy Thibault, who confirmed it was them: “The wall was recently painted after we received complaints from community members about graphic and offensive content. We’re in touch with a local artist and the city about the wall and evaluating potential ways to ensure local artists can continue showcase their work in a way that all can enjoy.”
We also inquired today with the city Department of Construction and Inspections – which handles this type of complaint – but haven’t heard back yet.
Hansen says part of the situation might be a “blessing in disguise” – he expects this will lead to a written record of the art agreement, to avoid something like this happening again, at least as long as CVS is leasing the property (which is owned by an unrelated investment firm that Hansen said he tried to reach but couldn’t). He says he probably won’t re-create his baseball murals, instead considering featuring Kraken hockey or Sounders soccer, maybe even the once-and-future Sonics. But first he’s going to continue checking in daily until the situation is resolved: “I’ll do whatever I can to get this wall back.”
That would include, if there was a way, talking with whomever complained, to listen to their concerns and explain what a place like this means to artists. (If that’s you, you can reach him through his website.)
Just heard from a Seaview resident who is near 47th and Juneau and wondering if anyone else is experiencing brown water. If it happens to you, please be sure to contact Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800 – causes can vary, from hydrant testing to water-system problems (nothing mapped currently).
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A change in ownership for Roxy’s Casino and Roxbury Lanes (2823 SW Roxbury Street) means the neighborhood landmark is now one of the Imperial Palace Casinos, the third in a trio that includes locations in Auburn and Tukwila. The casino group took over operations late last month, and while there’s some new staff, big changes are not in the works. “Our goal is to keep it substantially the same,” the casino group’s president Shaun Jensen told WSB. “The property has been here a very long time, and we want to stay true to that legacy.”
That’s exactly what the longtime ownership group had in mind when they sold the business. “They’re the ones we wanted to sell to,” says Vern Westerdahl, one of the original Roxbury Investment Group LLC members. He says Imperial Palace Casinos is more like, “…how a family-run business would run it.” Westerdahl and a changing group of LLC members have run Roxbury Lanes since 2004, when they took over operations from AMF Bowling Centers. At the time, what would become the casino was basically an empty room. “The Lions Club would meet there one time a month. They had gambling there at one time, but lost the license way back when. AMF wasn’t doing much with it.” They changed that, building out the card room and adding other amenities along the way. Westerdahl says over the years the ownership group included Doug and Glenda Harrell, who also owned Magic Lanes, the White Center bowling center that closed in 2011, and was later converted into a church. Members of the Harrell family also owned the Roxbury property for a number of years.
Meantime, the Roxbury property changed hands multiple times, including a sale in 2016 to an Arizona LLC called Store Master Funding VIII. This last October, members of the Roxbury Investment Group LLC and some additional investors formed a new LLC, The Spirit of Magic, to buy the property from which they had operated their business for more than 20 years. Westerdahl says that $5.83 million sale was not ideal, but a necessity because of the rising cost of leasing the space. “It’s pretty expensive to do business in this area. The only thing that made sense was to buy the land and building.”
The building was constructed in 1957, and there is a lot under that one roof: the bowling alley, an arcade, a restaurant and bar, and the casino card room. It advertises a wide variety of entertainment, from kids’ birthday bowling parties to Texas Hold ‘Em and racing simulators. The new owners are still adjusting to the new space. “We’ll keep hours the same,” Jensen said. “We’re brand new to this area, so still learning a lot of the area and what makes the most sense.” The other Imperial Palace Casinos don’t have bowling or arcades, so this is new territory in more ways than one. “At our Auburn and Tukwila casinos, we are 21 and over. This is a new demographic, but it’s welcoming change.”
Jensen says the acquisition was a matter of good timing all the way around. “Our owner is always looking to expand the business and grow the footprint.” Jensen says they are working to keep as much of the staff at the Roxbury location as possible, while working in staff from other locations as needed.
Westerdahl says Imperial Palace Casinos has a 3-year lease to start, and the option to buy the property in the future, which leaves open the potential that the business and property would once again be under one umbrella in just a few years. In the meantime, he and the other LLC members have done a hard pivot from being longtime operators to landlords, and as he ties up loose ends and hands over vendor accounts, he says that’s a good feeling. “We had it up for sale because we’re not spring chickens anymore. It’s in their hands and out of our hands. It’s all theirs now.”
By this time tomorrow, registration will be open for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day! WSCGSD is always the second Saturday in May; this year, that’s on the early side, May 9. Official hours are 9 am-3 pm, but sellers are welcome to start earlier and/or end later (some even add days) – just be sure to include that in the description when you register your sale. WSCGSD is not one big sale but rather hundreds of sales of all sizes, all over West Seattle (often a bit to the south, too), residences, businesses, schools, nonprofits, block sales, whoever and wherever! WSB has coordinated WSCGSD since 2008 (it was founded by a long-gone community organization in 2005), and after three weeks of registration, we start making the map and list so they’ll be available a week before sale day. So watch WSB for the registration link when it’s ready to go on Wednesday!
P.S. If anyone’s offering spaces for very small sales this year, we haven’t heard from them yet – but we’d love a heads-up at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(NASA photo, February)
When West Seattle educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen led her spring change-of-seasons sunset watch a week and a half ago (WSB coverage here), she told attendees that she hoped to lead a launch-watch event for the Artemis II mission to fly by the Moon. As of this afternoon, it’s on for tomorrow – here’s her announcement:
Join Alice Enevoldsen, NASA Solar System Ambassador and South Seattle College Astronomy & Physics Faculty member, to watch the NASA livestream of the historic Artemis II launch, sending people back to circle the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
This event will start at 2:45 pm on Wednesday, April 1, and could go as late as 6 pm depending on the launch itself. The launch is scheduled for 3:24 pm Seattle time.
Location will be on main campus at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW), Jerry M Brockey building.
The time and date of this event may change: launch windows require suitable weather and every technical detail going correctly. Please visit alicesastroinfo.com/2026/03/artemis-ii-livestream-launch-watch for links to the most recent updates on my event and nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii for updates on the mission.
1:04 PM: Thanks for the tip. SFD and SPD have responded to what we’re told is a “rollover” crash on 26th SW south of Westwood Village. We’re off to check it out.
1:28 PM: Thanks to another texter who sent the photo as well as clarification that it’s on 26th between Barton and Cambridge.
1:35 PM: At least two parked vehicles were damaged, an officer just told dispatch.
1:46 PM: The flipped car was righted and towed and the street has reopened.
Today we welcome our newest sponsor, Fruits to Fronds Garden Design. New sponsors get the chance to tell you what they’re all about – so here’s what Fruits to Fronds Garden Design wants you to know:
Fruits to Fronds is a full-service gardening and landscape design business that has been located in West Seattle for over 28 years. Owner Shannon Toal has been providing the greater Seattle area with beautiful outdoor spaces that are as ecologically beneficial as they are attractive. Her experience and expertise can be found in the many types of gardens she has designed and installed. From native plants to zen gardens, pollinator to bird and butterfly friendly gardens, Shannon and the Fruits to Fronds crew are committed to developing environmentally sustainable gardens that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
What sets Fruits to Fronds apart is their commitment to blend environmental thinking with garden design. They are committed to creating landscapes that can help support Western Washington’s native flora and fauna. This is exemplified by their Backyard Bee Project, which seeks to support native pollinator Mason Bees with shelter and food as they pollinate your garden. The best part – Mason Bees don’t sting or bite! The Fruits to Fronds team is proud to offer bee shelter installation.
They will introduce bee cocoons and provide annual care as the insects progress through their life cycle.
Fruits to Fronds offers a suite of gardening services from initial design and installation to ongoing maintenance. From recurring monthly visit to keep your garden looking its best or just a seasonal visit, the Fruits to Fronds team can accommodate any level of work.
General Services Include:
-Garden design and installation
-Garden renovations and clean up
-Regular maintenance and weeding
-Fruit tree and specialty pruning
-Bee house installation and care
-Rock work and hardscaping
Whether you’re looking to just maintain your existing garden, or completely rethink your personal landscape, Shannon and her team at Fruits to Fronds are happy to discuss how to bring out the best in your garden and yard.
Fruits to Fronds, LLC
Website fruitstofronds.com
Email fruitstofronds@gmail.com
Phone 206-355-7600
We thank Fruits to Fronds Garden Design for choosing to advertise their services by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in joining our sponsor team? Please email WSBAdvertising@wsbsales.com for information – thank you!
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