Exactly two months ago, on a sunny Wednesday, an unusual Celebration of Life filled a North Admiral home with visitors.

The honoree was present for the party – and died at its conclusion.

72-year-old Shepherd D. Siegel, Ph.D. – a close friend of our family since shortly after our West Seattle arrival in 1991 – chose the timing of his death, looming as the unavoidable end of an unwinnable battle with ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease, with which he had been diagnosed in 2024.

The retired educator and author of two books remained lively and energetic for months, even as ALS took away his physical capabilities one by one. Shep had spent years evangelizing and embodying playfulness. My late husband Patrick Sand considered Shep “the world’s oldest teenager.” Countless speakers at his pre-death party talked about the life and light he brought into their lives.

One of Shep’s books is about the Trickster, and the archetype’s depictions, from The Coyote to Bugs Bunny. Here’s a short presentation he gave almost a decade ago:

Toward the end of his nine-hour celebration on January 14, in the spirit of the trickster cartoon rabbit, guests were offered carrots to tuck into his shroud. (Or red roses.)

A week earlier, during our last private visit with Shep – who toward the end had been communicating via an eye-operated keyboard and synthesized “voice” – he granted me permission to publish an obituary with his “farewell speech,” which he delivered at his celebration via the aforementioned “voice”:

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

John Lennon or Martin Buber?

As a middle child, I seek the connections that bring us all together and I encourage you to make some today.

Growing up as a Jew, I learned at an early age the paramount value of liberation and freeing ourselves from slavery, whatever our egypt might be.

Growing up in the Bay Area in the sixties, I was taken with the hippie philosophy of bringing spirituality into daily life and the human possibility for peace and love. But I also joined the Yippies to lay bare the absurdity, harm and nonsense of power itself. The political and spiritual should intertwine. And there was a war to end.

Music comes out of the earth of human relationships — the political — and reaches for the heavens — the spiritual. So I earned a credential as a music teacher.

But I ended up teaching incarcerated youth in lockup. The justice system called them little criminals and the medical model in this age of labels would use terms like emotionally and learning disabled. Unwilling to see these kids as either evil or sick, I came up with a label. I told folks that I worked with the Culturally Disgruntled. I developed an internship program, curriculum, and case management model that was proven to create career and college success for such youth.

My career as an educator was based on economically empowering youth with disabilities, because — and forgive my use of the word weak — a society is only as strong as its weakest link.

Eventually I was at the helm of vocational education for all students in the Seattle school system. I discovered how the progressive movement had forgotten this valuable form of education and its ability to build the middle class.

Yet I couldn’t help but notice how people with developmental disabilities, and the Yippies and some musicians, were in touch with their sense of playfulness. So I wrote a book about play in politics and culture.

Then I was introduced to the Trickster archetype. So I rewrote the book that became Disruptive Play. The followup was Tricking Power. Read them and my posts at shepherdsiegel.com

I had the pleasure of playing the bass instrument in TexMex, jazz, country, rock, and mariachi bands. Okay, mainly rock and roll. Thanks for listening.

And thanks for listening to the music of our friendships. God knows it’s what’s kept me going all these years. Honor me by loving each other. I am me as you are me as you are we and we are all together.

MY NAME IS Shepherd Dogfriend Siegel and I approve this message.

Shep did not have children but was a beloved godparent, uncle, mentor, friend, etc. to many kids. He is survived by so many people who loved him, including his partner Susan, a Canadian with whom he maintained a long-distance relationship that began shortly before his diagnosis. His cat Spidey is in her care.

He loved many types of music and was such a devotée of the Grateful Dead – an attendee at his celebration joked that by dying a few days earlier, the Dead’s Bob Weir was Shep’s opening act – that he wanted to be “played out” by everyone listening to the Dead’s album “Anthem of the Sun.”

Shep chose to be composted into 3 cubic feet of soil by Recompose, a process that he arranged to have started at their Georgetown facility three days after his death – on International Trickster Day, which he invented. A long-stemmed red rose that we brought home from the last visitation there is only now about to lose its petals, two full months later.

Shep’s “Fare Thee Well” event was coordinated by My End of Life Northwest, whose death doula Cassidy Bastien not only worked with Shep and his partner and caretakers but also communicated thoroughly with guests in advance about what to expect. FAQs about regulated Death With Dignity in our state are answered here.

-Tracy Record, WSB editor/publisher

Big plans for the future of our past: Southwest Seattle Historical Society invites you to upcoming gala

March 14, 2026 9:00 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

We can learn from and celebrate the past as we head into the future, and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is leading the way. You can support the SWSHS and hear what’s next by attending Tides of History, its upcoming spring gala and auction – always featuring amazing items. Here’s what to know about what’s coming up:

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is proud to preserve the stories of the Duwamish Peninsula. And its biggest annual fundraiser is just a few weeks away.

Join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society on Friday, April 10 for its annual Spring Gala and Auction, held at Salty’s on Alki. The theme, Tides of History, acknowledges the critical role of history and history-keepers, and celebrates the future of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – including an upcoming museum overhaul. Support local history while enjoying live music, a menu of heavy appetizers, a cash bar, and an exclusive Live Auction.

An online auction will go live Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 9 (auction donations are still being accepted!).

Guest speaker Roger Evans is the curator at the Washington State Black Legacy Institute and the project lead for the Seattle Griot Project which empowers and raises awareness of Black history through the preservation and exhibition of Black cultural heritage. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society has partnered with WSBLI since the organization moved into the Sanctuary at Admiral last year.

The gala will also honor special guests whose stories will be featured in an upcoming permanent exhibit. These guests include the Tengu Club; Carol-Ann Thornton, who was the first student of color to desegregate Alki Elementary School; and more.

The annual Gala and Auction raises critical funds for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Log House Museum. This year, fundraising will be directed towards a major exhibit installation.

This summer, the organization will install a permanent, interactive exhibit at the Log House Museum – a result of more than two years of planning supported by Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. The exhibit will connect the stories told at the museum to the waterfront, prioritize artifact display and interactive experiences, extend to the exterior of the museum, and highlight stories of communities across the Duwamish Peninsula.

While the work is underway, the organization will continue ongoing initiatives, including developing its Native Plant Garden (supported by the West Seattle Garden Tour), a marketing rebranding, new America250 programming, participating in West Seattle Art Walk with Alki business partners, and partnerships with youth organizations, supporting young people in documenting and sharing local history.

The Log House Museum is where West Seattle’s history lives and grows. Join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society on Friday, April 10 to raise the tides of history. Learn more and register at: loghousemuseum.org.

WSB is media sponsor for the SWSHS event again this year.

Local resistance organizers answer ‘what good does protesting do?’ and other questions @ 34th District Democrats panel

March 14, 2026 7:19 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle protests

By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

In the wake of violence during immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Chicago in recent months, many community groups have stepped up to ask the question: What could we do if it happened here? This was the topic of discussion during the pre-meeting program at the 34th District Democrats‘ March gathering; they invited five community organizers to speak about what they’ve learned from the past few months, and how they can apply it to organizing community-driven non-violent resistance here.

Chief among these organizers was Kenny Austin, who assembled Wednesday night’s panel. He recently created the 34th DDs’ Non-Violent Resistance Committee, which aims to research the best way to conduct such activity in the district. Joining him on the panel were Binh Truong, general manager of fieldwork for Common Power; Emily Gaggia, director of the “adopt-a-corner” campaign for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network; Laurie Reinhardt, co-founder of West Seattle Indivisible; and Devin Hermanson, founder of Defund Musk.

The panel was moderated by veteran Seattle journalist Erica C. Barnett, founder and publisher of online non-profit news publication PubliCola.

The overall question which seemed to hang in the air in back and forth between Barnett and the panelists was the relevance and results of protests by community organizations. One of her first questions regarded what advice the organizers would give for people interested in getting engaged in projects aiming to help people directly targeted by the administration.

(Reader photo, ‘No Kings’ protest in WS Junction in October)

“Sometimes it’s like ‘are we doing anything?’ I’ve read tons of snarky comments on social media etc critiquing No Kings [protest theme], asking what is it really doing? It’s doing so much. I’m the guy that takes emails, I get emails all the time, people saying ‘Wow, I haven’t come out yet, and I’ve been kinda quiet, but I drive by and see you and your signs every week and it gives me hope.’ Sometimes those people come and they stand next to us with their signs, and it’s beautiful. That’s how we build community and give someone a chance to come into it.” said Hermanson.

(WSB photo, January vigil organized by WS Indivisible)

Reinhardt seconded that one of the most important aspects of local activism is a sense of communal belonging. “There are people I call ‘on the couch,’ they are politically motivated, but not inclined to do something. And they are awash in despair, with the flood of what we’re getting every day – but the people I interact with – […] I don’t see that despair among people who are in the movement, we are joyful, we are happy, we are engaged, and united on a very hyper-local level.”

“If there’s one thing I’d add – when I hear some naysayers asking what does a march to do to help people – it shows people you care about them, you support them, especially migrant communities. It’s a powerful message to let people who are afraid know there are people who have their back.” said Austin.

The conversation turned toward the more pressing matters which organizations such as Austin’s are aiming to tackle, such as persistent fears that the Trump Administration may hamper midterm voting in multiple states. Barnett asked the participants what they would do to prevent such a thing.

While a few participants concurred that Washington state voting rights are not as endangered as those in some other states, they still said that there were ways to help, and threats to worry about. A persistent theme was making sure to help neighbors get to voting sites, as well as watch for potential interruption in such sites. (Austin noted the 2024 ballot-box arson in Vancouver, Washington.)

“If you can’t go out of state to [volunteer in organizing for states with worse voting rights], something you can do here is protect your neighbors – if a neighbor is afraid of the polls because of the law enforcement, you can help them get there and look after them.” said Truong.

Barnett closed the panel by asking what was giving the participants hope to push forward in their efforts.

Many of the participants said that simply seeing the community engagement that has come out of recent protests has given them the strength and mental fortitude they need to continue in their work. “One of the things that gives me the most joy and the most hope is to watch large mobilizations actualize […] each time [we go out to protest], the numbers have grown. […] When all you can see is heads in every direction and you’re talking to one another, and you’ve got a common vernacular, common position and perspective on the world today, you can just stand there and feel it – that gives me hope.” said Reinhardt. “If someone asked me a year ago if we were gonna see people out in the streets saying ICE out for good, 3 years ago that wasn’t there, 4 years ago that wasn’t there. [Now, seeing this response], we were dumbfounded, there were many tears shed. That keeps me sane.” said Gaggia.

34TH MEETING, POST-PANEL: After the panel concluded, the 34th conducted their more organization oriented business. These included items such as amendments to the bylaws for special elections, the appointment of a new Precinct Committee Officer (Megan Atchinson), and their future platform for the year. Notably, this last item reflected some of the same concerns that were raised in the panel: A relatively new member of the 34th objected that the platform did not include a section specifically on advocacy for immigrants’ rights. Other members agreed, and their upcoming platform will go back for further revision and deliberation at the next meeting.

They closed with a few announcements. Their upcoming 2026 fundraiser will be taking place at the recently opened White Center HUB on May 30th, between 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Their next organizational meeting will be on April 8th, and will feature tabling from local organizers in the district, organized in association with the West Seattle Joiners. As the next meeting gets closer, you’ll find more information online at 34dems.org.

YOU CAN HELP: Donations sought for 80-person breakfast at Westside Neighbors Shelter

March 14, 2026 6:22 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| How to help | Triangle | West Seattle news

That’s a view inside the sleeping area at Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle, which maxes out at 35 people except for cold-weather emergencies declared by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, when 45 people can stay (KCRHA funding pays for extra security on those nights). Breakfast, however, is a different story, and they’ve been serving 80 people on the recent frosty mornings. So Laurie from the shelter board has forwarded this donation request list for breakfast – “the latest items we’re out of and really need”:

Ground coffee
Powdered coffee creamer
Instant hot chocolate packets
Instant oatmeal packets
Cup-o-noodles and ramen
Socks, stocking caps, winter gloves
Warm jackets

We have people come in in this weather wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, and that’s all they have.

If you’re able to donate, dropoff hours are 7-11 am and 6-9 pm (the shelter is closed and the doors locked at other times); also, you can use this Amazon wish list to order online and have items sent directly to the shelter.

BIZNOTE: More stores join the grocery-gate trend

March 14, 2026 3:46 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks for tips about changes at West Seattle’s QFC stores, adding a railing and swinging gates inside the entrance. We stopped by the Junction QFC (4550 42nd Ave SW) to find out about them.

We caught up there with manager Niko, who explained that the new gate brings the store in line with most other QFCs, which already have these installed as an “anti-theft” device to deter shoplifting. The Junction location took a little longer because of the unusual configuration of the store, with the main entrance on a corner that includes an elevator arriving from other floors.

The new railing, installed a couple of weeks ago, extends from the in-store Starbucks to the registers and has an automatic gate that swings in to allow entry. From the store side, the signage identifies it as an emergency exit only. “There’s a weird beeping sound but it’s doing what’s intended,” says Niko. Once a customer enters, the intended exit is via the register area.

The Junction QFC has also made some other changes over the years, including labeling the SW Alaska Street side entrance as an emergency door and installing a locking liquor cabinet at the front of the store. They also have a security guard on duty during the 20 hours they are open, from 5 am to 1 am. The location opened September 16, 2009, and is owned by Kroger.

Need college $? Deadlines approaching for two scholarships offered by Rotary Club of West Seattle

March 14, 2026 2:28 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

College is costly. If you or someone in your family needs help, the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is offering two scholarships – and the application deadline is approaching. Here’s what you need to know:

Did you know that the Rotary Club of West Seattle awards multiple scholarships every year? The West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation is now accepting applications for:

Gambriell Scholarship — named after the late Vern Gambriell, a West Seattle homebuilder, this scholarship is awarded to a student who could not otherwise attend college. The amount is variable.

Past Presidents Scholarship — $6,000 is awarded each year to a student from a non-Rotarian family who lives in West Seattle or attends a high school in the West Seattle area, or a West Seattle resident who is transferring from a two-year to a four-year college, or a West Seattle resident who recently earned a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing a higher degree.

For more information about the scholarships, visit the West Seattle Rotary Scholarship webpage. Note the April 1 deadline.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen hybrid Highlander

March 14, 2026 11:58 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Reader report via text:

Our Highlander hybrid was stolen last night from in front of our house on 48th Avenue SW.

License BRV0618, VIN (ending in) –77488, police report 26-70621

If you find it, call 911 and refer to that SPD incident number.

FOLLOWUP: Washington State Ferries’ revised pet policy still afloat

March 14, 2026 10:56 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Pets | Transportation | West Seattle news

Washington State Ferries’ trial balloon for a new pet policy will be floating a little longer. The changes, which started last August, have been extended to last at least until the end of the spring. That means passengers with leashed dogs will continue to be allowed in most public passenger areas until either modified rules are approved or the existing policy goes back into effect. For years, dogs outside of vehicles and carriers were limited to outdoor passenger areas, like shelter decks, which are unheated.
(A very good dog on the shelter deck, 2018)
At a WSF public meeting in January, WSF Assistant Secretary John Vezina said a permanent policy could be expected within a couple of weeks, but then WSF posted a travel alert bulletin earlier this week announcing the extension of the trial: “We will continue trialing an updated pet policy through spring 2026. Dogs on leashes are allowed in all passenger areas during this trial period, except onboard food galleys. Other pets must be in a crate or carrier. Service animals are welcome everywhere, as required by law. Livestock must stay in appropriate enclosures at all times. We are reviewing the trial policy and will provide an update on our pet policy before summer 2026.”

There are additional rules for dogs that at least partly mirror what’s expected of human passengers: No feet on the seats (big dogs stay on the floor and small ones on laps) and clean up after yourself. But crew can also direct dogs and their owners out of the passenger cabin to outside areas for behavior or safety issues.

You can give feedback on the trial policy here.

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 32 notes!

March 14, 2026 6:30 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday photo by Jeff Johnson)

Happy Saturday! It’s still just a bit above freezing as we start the day, but the forecast calls for some sun and a high in the 40s. Our notes for today/tonight are as usual mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Final weekend! Find times and locations for nearby cookie booths using the search tool here.

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you can join the Saturday 8 am free group run.

FREE MEDITATION: Get a calming start to your weekend with Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).

INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile before the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fontanelle.

GET IT FIXED! Need help repairing something? Bring it to the fieldhouse at Steve Cox Memorial Park (9:30 am-12:30 pm) for today’s repair event – details in our calendar listing. (1321 SW 102nd, White Center)

SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am weekends, sing to classics and enjoy a breakfast buffet at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), ticket link in our calendar listing.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, open today! New plants in! St. Patrick’s Day sale continues today. North end of campus at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor)

STORY TIME AND CRAFTS: For the kids! 10 am at Highland Park Corner Store. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

DAHLIA TUBER SALE: 10 am-3 pm sale. (4557 51st Place SW)

MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

VILLAGE GREEN OPEN HOUSE: Learn about senior living at Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) by visiting during today’s open house, 10:30 am-noon.

FREE WRITING GROUP CANCELED: 10:30 am free, weekly, in-person, critique-free group will NOT meet today.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), for families with kids up to 5 years old.

FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, noon-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open for community visitors on Saturdays, noon-3 pm. Free. (2236 SW Orchard)

‘CHAOS NO MORE’ WORKSHOP: 1 pm, get ready for spring cleaning! Workshop at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Special event today: “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: Join us for mystical wine, corned beef and colcannon!”

DROP-IN SEED PLANTING: 1-2:30 pm today and tomorrow for members of the Growing Gardeners Club at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor).

CABI SHOWCASE: Fashion at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California sW), 2 pm.

LEARN ABOUT PREPAREDNESS VOLUNTEERING: Neighborhood Emergency Hubs are where you’d go in case of catastrophe – and they run on volunteer power. 2 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), come learn how to be part of yours.

FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)

‘ROOTED IN WHITE CENTER‘: At its new White Center HUB (8th SW and SW 108th), the White Center Community Development Association hosts the first official screening of its new documentary, 6:45 pm.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffeehouse (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Travis Bear and Friends with acoustic music including Celtic sounds and fiddling. Free, all ages.

RANGER AND THE RE-ARRANGERS Live at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm, with “Hot Club Swing“ – get tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE MEAD CENTER: 7 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), The She-Shandies, perform a special St. Patrick’s Day show. No cover, all ages.

LIVE AT TIM’S: Irish Fest 3 at Tim’s in White Center, 7 pm. $10 cover. (16th SW & SW 98th)

NORTHWEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: “Music for the Soul” concert, 8 pm at Holy Rosary Church (42nd SW and SW Genesee), presenting “epic and uplifting pieces,” including two by Northwest composers. Tickets at the door.

REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm, Soul Focus FM with the tunes tonight. (4547 California SW)

SKATE PARTY: 9 pm-midnight at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk & hip-hop, $18 plus $5 skate rental.

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Want to sing? Karaoke with Rone starts at 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)

Have a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar, where listings are free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

VIDEO: After the flakes, the pipes! Cascadia Pipe Band’s West Seattle visit

March 13, 2026 11:59 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

St. Patrick’s Day is four days away, but the Wearing of the Green has commenced in West Seattle, as the Cascadia Pipe Band defied the snow and showed up for their planned West Seattle Pub Crawl. Talarico’s Pizzeria was the first stop:

After all, what goes better with a big pizza and a big drink than a big sound?

The band made multiple stops while on the peninsula; they perform around the region and travel beyond – last year at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, they tied for sixth place.

They welcome donations to support their performing and competing, and if you’re interested in helping out, you can do it online here.

P.S. For more West Seattle events in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit over the next three days, see our calendar and daily event lists!

WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Friday evening updates, including Junction crash, weather records

March 13, 2026 5:00 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Earlier snow reports: Early morning … morning commute … late morning and afternoon)

5 PM: One week until spring and that photo just texted to us tells the story – a day full of end-of-winter snow. It’s still barely above freezing, but the National Weather Service insists tomorrow will get to the mid-40s. If you’re planning to brave slushy roads and head out tonight, we didn’t publish a highlight list today but there are options in the WSB Weet Seattle Event Calendar. Updates to come – thanks to everybody who’s shared photos and updates – text 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

TRAFFIC INFO: The 1st Avenue South Bridge is now fully open … wherever you’re headed, the city’s traffic cams are here.

5:53 PM: One of the events on our calendar for tonight, the Cascadia Pipe and Drum Band‘s pre-St. Patrick’s Day West Seattle pub crawl, is definitely on. Our photographer just caught up with them inside their very crowded first stop, Talarico’s; their schedule for the rest of the night is in our calendar listing. (More in a separate story later.)

6:52 PM: Also in The Junction, thanks for the tips on this crash (and for the photo):

SFD’s response closed out quickly, so apparently no serious injuries, but onlookers said it appeared up to four drivers were involved. … (added) Shortly thereafter, SFD was called back because one person realized they might have suffered a head injury.

7:25 PM: The California/Alaska live traffic cam shows this is still blocking part of the street, but at least one tow truck is on scene.

8:24 PM: Back to the snow itself – Tim and Bradi Jones sent this pic:

9:27 PM: From the NWS (caps are theirs):

…RECORD DAILY MAXIMUM RAINFALL SET AT SEATTLE-TACOMA WA AIRPORT…

A RECORD RAINFALL OF 1.15 INCHES WAS SET AT SEATTLE-TACOMA WA AIRPORT TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 0.7 INCHES SET IN 1961.

…RECORD DAILY MAXIMUM SNOWFALL SET AT SEATTLE-TACOMA WA AIRPORT…

A RECORD SNOWFALL OF 3.0 INCHES WAS SET AT SEATTLE-TACOMA WA AIRPORT TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 1.7 INCHES SET IN 1955.

3 ways to help with Chief Sealth International High School PTSA spring dinner/auction

March 13, 2026 3:41 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(File photo)

Two weeks from tomorrow, the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA and other school supporters hopes to see you at “Spring into Action,” the annual dinner and auction to benefit the school and its students. Right now, you have three ways to help – buy tickets, donate money or auction items, and/or be a sponsor! The gateway to any or all of those options is here. The event is planned for 5:30-9 pm Saturday, March 28, at Fauntleroy Church‘s Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW).

CLOSURE OVER: 1st Avenue South Bridge fully open again

March 13, 2026 1:52 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

1:52 PM: After a two-day extension of the repair period, tonight’s the night that the Washington State Department of Transportation said it expected to reopen the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. So rather than waiting to see if it happens, we asked WSDOT spokesperson RB McKeon if things were still on schedule (particularly given today’s snow). Yes, McKeon replied, saying “we are still on track to reopen the First Avenue S bridge by 11:59 pm tonight.” While all lanes are expected to be open after this first phase of repairing damaged steel plates, WSDOT has said the speed limit across the NB bridge will remain at 25 mph while they get ready to replace some of those plates sometime next month. We’ll update this story when the bridge reopens.

3:43 PM: And just in from WSDOT: “All lanes on the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South Bridge have reopened with a reduced speed limit of 25 mph after five days of emergency repairs. On-ramps to northbound SR 509 and SR 99 also have reopened in the area.”

P.S. No date yet for the April repair closure.

WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Updates including closures, changes, fallen trees blocking streets …

March 13, 2026 9:16 am

| 35 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Reader photo, texted from North Admiral)

9:16 AM: Snow’s still falling as the commute period ends and we’re getting word of some closures/changes, so we’re launching this separate report. We’ll add to the following lists as needed, in addition to adding other photos/updates. (Info/photos to share? Text 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

CLOSURES (update 1:20 pm)
-Stay ‘n’ Play at Arbor Heights Community Church
-West Seattle Golf Course
-Kennedy High School in Burien closing at 10:30 am
-Summit Atlas middle/high school closing at 12:30 pm
-Westside School closing early: Preschool–2nd Grade: 1:30 pm; 3rd–4th Grade: 1:45 pm; Middle School: 2:00 pm. No after-school programming, including EDP and athletics.

CHANGES
-Delayed opening for Delridge Community Center, 11 am

10:14 AM: Texter says the downed tree on SW Webster west of 35th SW is still blocking the street … Another texter says they have 3″ of snow on the ground in Highland Park.

10:29 AM: First school closure, added to closure list above – texter reports (and website verifies) that Kennedy Catholic HS in Burien (attended by many West Seattleites) is closing at 10:30 am and canceling all after-school/evening events.

10:58 AM: Wires/tree trouble continues a road closure at 52nd Place SW and SW Genesee [map] … Caroline sent this pic from Westcrest Park with a different tree reminder:

She says tree branches on the lower, wooded Westcrest loop are “laden with snow and actively falling across the trail.” Good reminder to avoid being out in wooded areas while this wet almost-spring snow is still falling and bringing down trees/limbs.

11:42 AM: Police were just dispatched to another tree-fallen-on-road, this time 6500 block of 18th SW [map]. … Also, a tree down in the 8100 block of Delridge Way SW [map].

12:04 PM: Still snowing steadily! The National Weather Service‘s mid-morning “forecast discussion” expected the snow level to rise to 1,000′ (double the city’s highest elevation, which is at 35th/Myrtle) by now, so no word yet how soon this will turn to rain.

12:54 PM: Still snow, although we noticed the half-inch or so that had built up atop our fence has melted. Meantime, yet another tree branch vs. wire, with some street blockage, just reported in the 10000 block of 35th SW.

1:20 PM: We’ll continue to update here – just added another school’s early closure above – but we’re also going to add a few news stories atop the site before we start an afternoon weather report.

1:30 PM: Tree down and blocking part of the street at Dumar/Orchard. … And a few minutes after that, we got a reader report that a tree is down across Fairmount about a quarter-mile uphill from Harbor Avenue SW.

2:44 PM: It’s finally turned to mostly rain. So go build in the snow before it’s gone!

(Photo sent by K Smith)

4:34 PM: The snow has picked back up again, though the National Weather Service continues to downplay it.

WEATHER, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Snowy Friday, 5th day of 1st Avenue South Bridge northbound closure

March 13, 2026 5:57 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

7:59 AM: Thanks to everyone for snow reports in comments! (We’ll have a gallery later too.)

Also thanks for the report on the wires-down call at 14th/Barton involving a tree fire.

8:36 AM: Tree down on cars by LA Fitness (thanks for the tip and photo):

8:51 AM: Tree down in 3500 block of SW Webster, per police radio, blocking the street.

9:03 AM: Steady snow up here now.

Earlier:

5:57 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, March 13, 2026, fifth day of the repair closure for the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. The South Park Bridge is a major detour route:

The West Seattle low bridge too.

SLUSHY WEATHER

As noted a few hours ago, the oft-predicted “rain/snow mix” tipped the latter way for some, so beware of lingering slush. But at least where we are, the rain seems to be in charge again. The forecast says the mix may continue this morning, with some fog – high in the low 40s. Sunrise is at 7:26 am; sunset at 7:12 pm. One week until spring!

MORE SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

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.

CHECK WEATHER/TRAFFIC VIA 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.

TRANSIT TODAY

West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for any changes to the 3-boat schedule.

Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes. (Note that buses usually traveling the NB 1st Avenue S. Bridge are using the South Park Bridge, but no missed stops, Metro told us.)

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!