West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
Congratulations to Elliot Caron and Andrew Orland, West Seattle’s newest Eagle Scouts. They’re part of Troop 282, which provided the report and photos:
Amid wild applause and celebration on Sunday, June 8th, West Seattle’s Troop 282 awarded the prestigious Eagle Scout rank to Elliot Caron and Andrew Orland — an honor earned by only 6% of all eligible scouts. Their achievement marks their culmination of years of dedication, leadership, and service to the community. Each of their projects reflect their interests in building up communities and bringing people together.
Elliot, a senior at West Seattle High School, is set to embark on his next adventure at the University of San Diego, where he’ll pursue academics as well as compete on their Division 1 crew team.
His Eagle Scout project (above) for Explorer West Middle School was designing and building benches and a meeting area to serve as a space that will serve students, parents, and educators for years to come.
Andrew, a junior at The Northwest School, helped West Seattle’s elder community at Arrowhead Gardens. His Eagle Scout project (below) was to transform an outdoor space into a welcoming garden area with a bench for residents to enjoy.
As he looks ahead to his college journey, Andrew is exploring schools where he can continue his passion for competitive soccer.
Troop 282, founded in 1949, stands out as one of the few Scouting troops that welcome both boys and girls — and boasts one of the highest percentages of youth who successfully achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. The Troop gathers at West Side Presbyterian Church, offering a welcoming space for new members looking to embark on their own Scouting adventures. More details about joining can be found at troop282.net.
While Seattle’s biggest gathering as part of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations Saturday will be on Capitol Hill, gatherings have been announced at various spots and times in West Seattle. Here are the ones for which we received announcements:
Admiral/California gathering #1, 11 am-noon
Junction rally, California/Alaska, 11:30 am-1 pm
Arrowhead Gardens residents gathering along Olson Place, noon-3 pm
South Delridge Community Resistance “flash mob”: Noon-2 pm, 9400 block of Delridge Way SW
Admiral/California gathering #2, with Old Tyme Adults for Democracy, 2 pm-3 pm
SIDE NOTE #1: Various state and local political leaders issued statements earlier today urging protesters to be peaceful. And here’s what SPD has posted.
SIDE NOTE #2: Some West Seattle-linked bus routes will have reroutes on the other side of the bay because of the anticipated crowd. If you’re planning on taking Metro to the main rally – West Seattle Indivisible plans meetups at transit centers at 10:30 am.
We’ve been telling you about the Morgan Junction Community Festival, now just hours away, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, in and around Morgan Junction Park! Among the community groups you’ll find there, along with entertainment and business/vendor booths, is Schmitz Park Creek Restore, which sent this announcement for us to share:
Schmitz Park Restore welcomes friends and fans of Schmitz Park to visit our booth and children’s activity center at the upcoming Morgan Junction Community Festival on Saturday June 14, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Schmitz Park Restore, a local nonprofit corporation is working to protect, restore and celebrate Schmitz Preserve Park and to “daylight” its eponymous creek all the way to Alki. Our exhibit will begin at the street entrance on California Ave to Beveridge Place. It will offer children, and their parents, the chance to “imagineer” a walk from Schmitz Park’s Ancient Forest all the way down to Alki Beach. Street chalk drawings will show how Schmitz Park’s artesian creek could one day again meet the sea at Alki Beach and Cove. Free street chalk will be available to allow visitors to draw in the fish, birds and other critters and plants that could then make their homes in Schmitz Preserve Park. We will also have booths and tables chockfull of information about the Park and Schmitz Park Restore and its “Ivy League” activities to save West Seattle’s Ancient Forest For further details and information visit www.schmitzparkcreekrestore.org; write to schmitzparkcreekrestore@gmail.com, or phone 206 935 8139.
It’s been more than a year since Schmitz Park Creek Restore debuted their dream (WSB coverage here).
Just in from the city’s Unified Care Team:
On Tuesday, June 17, the Unified Care Team (UCT) will be performing activities to ensure specific street parking are accessible to the public and conduct a thorough cleaning of the location. As of today, A-frame signs were placed indicating no parking in designated areas from 6/17 – 6/21. A visual map of these designated areas is (above).
UCT has been and will continue to provide regular site cleanings to the above sites as well as other areas in Highland Park in hopes of mitigating public impact by removing trash, debris, and dangerous objects like propane tanks and human waste.
If you observe returning vehicles, not in compliance with city parking regulations, please report them as abandoned vehicles using the City’s Find It, Fix It mobile app. As always, dangerous or criminal activity should be reported to 9-1-1 including drug use, theft, and trespassing.
Please reach out to UCT’s community liaison Tom Van Bronkhorst (tom.vanbronkhorst@seattle.gov) with any further questions.
If you’re having trouble reading the map, it includes the area often brought up at HP community meetings, 9th/Henderson.
Today’s the deadline to buy discount Mariners tickets benefiting Chief Sealth International High School sports teams – they asked us to mention it one more time before it’s too late:
Tickets can be purchased using the QR code on our flyer or by clicking this link: schoolpay.com/pay/for/Mariners-vs-Astros–July-18th-710PM/Sd5GIel
The game is Friday July 18th at 7:10 PM against the Houston Astros. It is also an ’80s-themed fireworks night!
View Level Seats – $20 each
Main Level Seats – $30 each
Last day to purchase tickets is Friday, June 13th (today).
Proceeds will directly support Chief Sealth Football and Chief Sealth Girls Bowling.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you are in love with love stories, you’ll want to be at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center on Saturday (June 14).
The Emerald City Romance Writers group is bringing in more than 60 authors to meet fans, sell books, and revel in all things romantic.
This is the second year for the event, held in August last year. We talked with ECRW’s president, who writes as EL Roux. They explain that the event was created to “help promote local romance writers in the local community.” In other words – you’ve heard the exhortations “shop local,” “eat local,” etc., so consider this “read local”!
It’s not just about reading. Other participants include what EL describes as a tattoo-art business run by veterans, who’ll be offering, of course, romance-themed tattoos. Podcasters are expected.
You’ll get the chance to purchase directly from authors, and a mobile romance bookstore will be on site too.
You’ll also find fun ways to discover new – or, new to you – authors, such as “Blind Date with a Book” – you specify the “trope” (the type of romance, for example, “enemies to lovers”) and you’ll get a book to try.
Hottest current trends in romance stories? Romance/fantasy, for young-adult readers (say, early 20s). Just so happens that EL specializes in romance/fantasy, as well as romance/sci-fi, in fact. Take a look at all the genres that will be featured, and the writers and vendors related to them!
Alessa Winters – Paranormal Romance
Alex Washoe – Contemporary Romance, Fantasy Romance, Historical Fiction, Mysteries
Amanda Shelley – Contemporary Romance, New adult, Sports Romance, Single Parent Romance
Amelia Cole – Fantasy, dystopian, and scifi romances & urban fantasy
Anna Alkire – contemporary romance, romantic comedy
Annabeth Albert – LGBTQ, contemporary, romance, small town,
Asa Maria Bradley – Paranormal Romance & Romantasy
Becca Ryden – Fantasy/Romance
Beguiled Books – Seattle mobile romance bookstore
Boobs Non-Profit – All genres
Bookmomma and candy daddy – Blind date with a book
Bree Wiley – Queer Contemporary Romance
Brent Archer – Gay contemporary romance
Brittany Tucker – Adult & YA Fantasy
C.L. Collier – Contemporary romance
Chanté A. Campbell – Fantasy Romance
Chelsey Ann Tompkins – Adult Fantasy Romance
Christian Braver – Steamy contemporary romance
Christina Sol – Romantic suspense
Claire Marti – Contemporary Romance; Romcom
Coral Alejandra Moore – Fantasy and Paranormal Romance
D.W. Marshall – Romance: Suspense, contemporary, steamy,
Darcy McGuire – Historical Romance
Denise Wells – Contemporary, rom-com-suspense
Deysi O’Donal & Poppy Aster – Scifi romance (Deysi) dark paranormal romance (Poppy)
E. M. Epps & Augustine Lang – e Fantasy and Romantic Fantasy, Regency Romance
E.L. Roux – Scifi Romance and Low Fantasy Romance
Erika Vanzin – Spicy Contemporary Romance
Heather Greye – SciFi Romance/Futuristic Romance
James L. Sutter – Queer young adult romance, fantasy
Jaycee Jarvis – Fantasy Romance
Jen Flanagan – Cozy mystery & paranormal romance
Jessica Salina – Urban fantasy romance & romantic comedy
Joelle Lynne – MM Contemporary Romance
Julia Wyld – Romance Fantasy, Contemporary Romance
Justin Schuelke – LGBTQ+ m/m romance, urban fantasy, murder mystery
K. L. Parsons – Adventure Romance
Kari Harrison – MC Romance
Kate Pelczar – Romance
Kelly Vincent/Kat Vinson – YA Contemporary/LGBTQ and Adult Contemporary Romance
Kerrie Biehl – Paranormal Romance
Kerry Kilpatrick – LGBTQIA
Lily Riley – Paranormal romance, sci-fi romance, fantasy romance
Lindsey Sparks – Time Travel Romance, Fantasy Romance, Sci Fi Romance
Lore Townsend – Contemporary Romance
Lynne Hancock Pearson – Contemporary Romance
Maida Malby – Contemporary Romance
Mason Frost – Gay Romance
Matilda Lockwood – Historical romance
Meredith Spies – MM and MX paranormal romance, contemporaries, cozies
MsMorbid Art – Fantasy & Monster Romance Illustration
Nicola Tyche – Fantasy Romance, Romantasy
Paperback Pleasures – Romance Podcast, Booktok, and Store
Romance Recs Podcast – Romance Podcast
S.M. McCoy & Stevie Marie – Fantasy Romance, Sci-fi Romance, Alien Romance, Mythology and Legends
Samantha Jon – Upmarket romance, literary fiction, gothic romance
Serena Bell – Romantic comedy
Shelli Stevens – Spicy contemporaries and one paranormal series
Sonya Rhen – SciFi, Romance, Poetry
Stephanie K Clemens – Fantasy, Mystery and Cozy Fantasy
Tantri Wija – Romance, detective, fantasy, paranormal, fiction
Tori Fields – Contemporary, Instalove Romance
Victoria Weyland – Monster Romance
Victoria Woods
EL says they used feedback from last year for planning this event, so you’ll notice changes if you went to that one – more one-on-one time with authors, for example. Tickets are available online – 11 am early VIP admission, or general admission at noon; the event runs until 5 pm.
12:32 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the 6000 block of Beach Drive SW [map], where a driver initially was reported to have hit a parked car that had two people inside, but the SFD dispatch now describes it as “car into house.” Updates to come.
12:38 PM: Firefighters say everyone’s out of the car – which they say is “on the sidewalk” – so they’re reducing the response.
12:48 PM: SFD has completely closed its response; police have called for two tow trucks.
The Fourth of July is three weeks away. So we’re taking a moment for a quick reminder that the Admiral Neighborhood Association will again present a long-running holiday tradition, open to both participants and spectators!
The West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade will start from 44th/Sunset [map] at 10 am on Friday, July 4. Aside from the fire engine and famous blue pickup that lead the parade, it’s a non-motorized, show-up-and-participate extravaganza – winding across a few blocks in North Admiral before ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for a mini-family fun fair, including sack races, other kids’ activities, food/treat trucks, and usually a chance for a closer look at the aforementioned fire engine. It all wraps up around noon so you can move on to whatever you have planned for the rest of the day. (WSB is the parade’s media sponsor; if this is your first year and you wonder what it’s like, here’s our coverage – including video – of last year’s parade.)
As reported here last week, West Seattle Brake Service‘s longtime owner John Thompson has retired, and the business name (etc.) has been sold to another local family-owned auto shop, West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor). WS Autoworks’ Kacie and Chris Christensen sent photos and news of a big sale this weekend:
This Saturday and Sunday 9-2 at 4464 37th Ave SW. Tons of vintage automotive tools and equipment, storage, benches, vises, cabinets.
The photos show just a few of the items that will be available.
We’re told the former owners will be presiding.
(Penny sent the photo, captioned, ‘A secret artist leaves work in Lincoln Park)
Here’s our Friday highlights list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – shorter than usual as some regular venues have nothing on the calendar for tonight:
CITY COUNCIL TALKS REZONING: 9:30 am, the City Council meets as the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan. Here’s the agenda; you can watch live via Seattle Channel. (Note that the committee’s next major public hearing is June 23.)
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: 10 am-11:30 am – open gym for little kids is available at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
STUDENT FUNDRAISING RUNS: We’ve previewed these two that welcome community pledges of support – both are happening today:
–Roxhill Elementary Jog-A-Thon
–Alki Elementary Alki-A-Thon
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Hey, the sun’s supposed to be back this afternoon, so we’re reminding you that the spraypark is open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: 6 pm doors, 6:30 pm show for the first of two nights for Kenyon Hall Cabaret, Pride Edition. Tonight’s sold out, “limited tickets” for tomorrow – check here. (7904 35th SW)
GET CREATIVE: Make an egg carton at Potterings (3400 Harbor SW) – 6-9 pm. Registration info and other details are in our calendar listing.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Lady Coco tonight! (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD: Skating to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors at 9 pm, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. Tonight: Loose Wing, Low Hums.
PRIDE COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER: All month long, Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) offers a special cocktail, The Sylvia River-ita, with half the proceeds supporting Lambert House.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, June 13, 2025.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Many local independent/parochial schools conclude their school year today. Major exceptions: Seattle Public Schools‘ last day is next Wednesday (June 18);Vashon Island gets out June 24, Highline Public Schools on June 25. Already out: Summit Atlas (charter middle/high school) in Arbor Heights.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, then clearing, high in the mid-60s. Today’s sunrise was again at 5:11 am (as early as it gets, and staying there another 10 days); sunset will be at 9:08 pm.
ROAD WORK
-The Admiral Way Bridge is now one lane each way on the north side, with the south side closed for the ongoing strengthening/refurbishing work.
TRANSIT TODAY, + REROUTES SATURDAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule today, some reroutes tomorrow in anticipation of the No Kings demonstrations.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus weeknights with Mariners’ home games (and some other events).
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet. M/V Salish serves as the “bonus boat”. Three-boat service is still expected to relaunch on June 30th.
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners are back home starting tonight, 7:10 pm vs. Guardians, fireworks night.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Received tonight from a longtime reader:
Tonight around 8:15 I left Easy Street, walked along Alaska, said goodbye to my friend, and headed North up the alley to my car that was parked in the Northernmost lot behind The Beer Junction.
A man with a black kn95 mask, dark gray cap, dark/gray nondescript clothing, came at me perpendicularly from the first parking lot. I walked confidently, looked at him, and had that creepy feeling. I’m guessing he was 5’8-5’10, taller than me but not by much.
He followed me up the alley, keeping several paces behind me. A woman was walking toward me down the alley. We had a conversation, and after I headed quickly to my car. He followed, and stopped about 6 cars away, semi hiding at the back of a car.
I started my car, and intended on taking a photo of him, but he disappeared.
It was still daylight, and on an Art Walk night!
I just wanted to make people aware that someone is looking to be a jerk, and looking for victims.
Seems like a good time to remind you of two more free SPD-led personal-safety classes coming up:
Thursday, July 17th
6 pm – 8 pm
At the SW Precinct – Community Meeting Room – 2300 SW Webster St
Register here : wsjunction.wufoo.com/forms/r1okt4zf1moho5sMonday, July 28th
6 pm – 8 pm
Virtual – Teams link to be provided before event
Register here : wsjunction.wufoo.com/forms/rus05xi17w2lnw
Learn more about the class here : https://www.seattle.gov/police/crime-prevention/personal-safety-training
Two followups tonight:
POLICE LOOKING FOR VIDEO: Late last night, we reported on gunfire incidents in Alki and Fairmount Park. Tonight, Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite has sent out investigators’ request for video evidence in one of them:
Yesterday evening (6/11/25) around midnight – there were multiple locations of shots fired.
Multiple vehicles were struck, and a few locations of property damage were located.
We are requesting all community members in the North Admiral & Alki area to please review their camera footage.
If you have any footage of a dark colored vehicle (possibly a Mercedes), driving at a high rate of speed, shooting from their vehicle – please contact me. I can provide a link to upload the footage into our evidence system.
jennifer.satterwhite@seattle.gov is her email address.
CHARGE FILED IN SEACREST GUN ARREST: The man arrested at Seacrest last Sunday morning after allegedly threatening to shoot another man is now charged. 19-year-old Jose Romero-Coto of Renton is charged with first-degree assault. The charging documents tell basically the same story as the narrative we obtained on followup, saying the incident happened in the overflow lot east of Salty’s and that Romero-Coto allegedly threatened the victim – sticking a gun against his abdomen – just for looking at him, which happened while the victim and his girlfriend were walking to the waterfront seating area in the lot to watch the sunrise. As previously reported, police eventually caught up with Romero-Coto at Seacrest and found a Glock handgun, stolen from Federal Way, in his car. No charge has been filed in connection with that yet. The narrative also mentions the victim’s girlfriend allegedly being assaulted by a woman who was with Romero-Coto; that case was referred to the City Attorney’s Office as a misdemeanor, so we’re researching it separately. Romero-Coto remains in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
5:17 PM: That’s the official list of participants in tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk, happening right now in business districts from Alki to Morgan Junction! Artist receptions are previewed here, and most go until at least 8 pm. You have extra options starting at 6 – The Art of Music mini-concerts, and the Junction Pride celebration. We’re headed out to visit some of tonight’s stops – updates to come!
5:55 PM: Our first photo is from the West Seattle HS student exhibit at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor):
West Seattle High School Media Arts Program reception until 8 pm. Student work from West Seattle High School, about 40 students represented. In this exhibition, we are proud to showcase many student artworks from both Beginning and Advanced Photography and Graphic Design classes, as well as projects from Technology Student Association State competition. Please enjoy just a sampling of the talent and dedication our students have to the Media Arts including Digital and Analog photographs, Fashion Design, bookmaking, and more!
6:14 PM: Above and below, seen at VAIN as the 6:30 procession to Walk All Ways nears.
Closer to California/Alaska, Compass Real Estate is showing work tonight by Beverley Hill, this quarter’s official Art Walk poster artist.
And you’ll find multiple artists/vendors inside Jet City Labs:
This is on until 8 pm – read about it here!
7:02 PM: More than 40 people have been marching across Walk-All-Ways for the Pride rally organized by VAIN. They were joined by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka:
“Honk if you love gay people!” one rally leader hollered at drivers stopped for the signal after one crossing, and several obliged, as did passing drivers before and after the bullhorn-amplified invitation. Right now, bonus fun at the intersection – Better As Brass is about to perform in front of KeyBank.
8:11 PM: It was a beautiful night for The Art of Music performances too – curator John Redenbaugh sent this photo of My Real Job at Soprano’s Antico Pizza & Pasta Restaurant:
Next Art Walk will be the Summer Fest Eve edition on July 10th, when you’ll be able to stroll the closed-to-traffic Junction streets as festival preps proceed!
3:58 PM: The Morgan Community Association is again kicking off festival season with its short-and-sweet Morgan Junction Community Festival, now just two days away, 10 am-2 pm Saturday (June 14) in and around Morgan Junction Park (west side of California SW, north of Fauntleroy Way). The entertainment schedule is in our most-recent preview – starting with longtime festival fave The Bubbleman at 10 am. Businesses and community groups are part of the festival too, including booths behind the Zeeks Pizza/Whisky West building. From the MoCA festival-preview newsletter, here are more lineups:
In Morgan Junction Park, you’ll find:
MJAWA – Morgan Junction All Ways Association: @mjawa_ws
34th District Democrats – https://34dems.org/
West Seattle Blog – https://westseattleblog.com/
Morgan Community Association (MoCA) – morganjunction.orgBehind Zeeks/Whisky West you’ll find:
CraftLab Seattle – https://www.craftlabseattle.com/
Westside Neighbors Shelter – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550536740459
A Cleaner Alki – https://www.facebook.com/groups/acleaneralki
Seattle Police Department and SDP Community Service Officers – https://www.seattle.gov/police/about-us/police-locations/southwest-precinct, https://www.seattle.gov/police/community-policing/cso
Seattle Emergency HUBS/West Seattle Be Prepared – https://seattleemergencyhubs.org/, http://westseattlebeprepared.org/
West Seattle Nursery with Sierra Shea Real Estate – https://www.westseattlenursery.com/, https://sierrashea.johnlscott.com/home
West Seattle Food Bank – West Seattle Food Bank
MODE Music – https://www.instagram.com/modemusicandpa , https://www.instagram.com/modemusicws/
Sunshine Arts and Crafts – mgsschramm@gmail.com
Nepenthe Massage – https://iworkforlove.com/
Edward Jones Financial Advice – dominic.hernandez@edwardjones.com
Lumina Vascular Health & Laser Clinic – Lumina_seattle
Gatewood Elementary PTA – https://www.gatewoodpta.org/In Beveridge Place SW you’ll find:
Schmitz Park Creek Restore: SchmitzParkCreekRestore@gmail.com
Hot Tip: Zeeks will be selling individual pizza slices beginning at 11 am.
WSB is a community co-sponsor for the festival – see you there Saturday!
8:15 PM: And as Michael from MoCA reminds us in a comment, if you need parking for the festival, O’Neill Plumbing (WSB sponsor) on the northeast corner of California/Graham is opening up its lot.
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Madison Middle School has unveiled two new community-led murals, as part of a push by the district to increase the number of murals in schools.
(Photo courtesyMadison PTSA)
The first mural is located in the main hallway. It was painted by student volunteers and coordinated by two Madison parents, Brian Peters and Royce Bixby. The project wasn’t just a chance to spruce up the school; it was also an opportunity for the students to exercise creative freedom, according to Audrey.
She is a student at Madison Middle School and helped work on the entryway mural. “I thought it was a really good environment. We got to work on the mural, and spend a lot of time together as friends.” The mural was painted over four 4-hour shifts, and each student volunteered time outside their class schedules, sometimes working until 9 pm.
(WSB photo)
Audrey was particularly proud of the whales in the sky and the mermaid template, both of which she suggested. It was a challenging process (especially painting the Ferris Wheel, which, according to her, took forever), but one she said felt incredibly rewarding.
The sentiment was shared by Bixby, an architect and Madison parent. He and graphic designer (and fellow parent) Peters, the two helped simulate a professional creative environment, planning and collaborating with the students to help realize their vision. Bixby said he was constantly impressed by the students. “We’re helping train the next generation of designers, and I was really impressed. It’s important to bring art to the schools.”
(Photo courtesyMadison PTSA)
“It’s so exciting to see these murals finally come together,” said Madison PTSA Co-President Amber Zeddies. Both murals were funded by the PTSA.
The second mural was painted by West Seattle-born artist Desmond Hansen, who first came to fame from his murals on the side of SDOT signal boxes, many in WS, some scattered across the city. This mural, located in the Madison Middle School Gym, sought to add more life the the building.
(Photo courtesy Madison PTSA)
Working with flexible hours, Hansen focused on Madison’s mascot, the Bulldog. “I’m honored that (the school) reached out to me,” Hansen said. “My son went to Madison, and now he’s moving up to West Seattle (high school). It feels like leaving a Hansen mark on the school, for me and my son.” (To see more of Hansen’s work, check out his website here.)
12:47 PM: Lots of questions about this response, as it’s in such a visible place and the police/fire turnout had some fearing the worst, so we’re mentioning it in case you wondered too. This was initially dispatched as a “motorcycle vs. pedestrian” collision but then described by police as involving a “moped” (ebike or scooter). One person was reported hurt, apparently the rider, as a tow was ordered for the bike; we’re checking on the rider’s condition.
5:02 PM: SFD says the rider, a man in his early 30s, was in stable condition when taken to the hospital. The pedestrian was not hurt.
The West Seattle Junction’s annual Pride Month display of rainbow flags is happening today. The West Seattle Junction Association told us they chose the date because of the celebration that VAIN is leading during tonight’s Art Walk – meet up at the shop (4513 California SW) 6-6:30 pm, then head south to California/Alaska for celebratory dancing.
The Junction’s first rainbow-flag display was in 2019, after an “adopt-a-flag” fundraiser.
(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn from last month’s Peony Festival)
Events like last month’s Peony Festival bring many visitors to the Seattle Chinese Garden on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. But you might not be aware that it’s more than an event venue – it’s a cultural touchstone, and it’s embarking on a new fundraising campaign announced at its annual banquet last weekend. Today the Garden shares this announcement about what happened at the banquet and what it’s raising money for:
At a time when tensions between the national governments of the U.S. and China have been escalating, three hundred people came to the Chinatown-International District last weekend to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Seattle Chinese Garden and to reaffirm our people-to-people ties with Seattle’s Sister City of Chongqing. “With the rise in international tensions and anti-Asian prejudice, there has never been a more important time to educate people about the beauty and importance of Chinese culture and to increase public understanding of Chinese communities locally and around the world,” said Evelyn Yenson, a member of the Chinese Garden board.
Former Governor Gary Locke was even more passionate in his remarks to those in attendance, “We need to finish the Chinese Garden to show our pride in Chinese culture and heritage and to fight back against current efforts to brand everyone of Chinese heritage as somehow a potential spy for the People’s Republic of China or un-American. We are proud of our Chinese heritage, and we are loyal Americans.”
During the evening, the Chinese Garden board honored Jerry and Charlene Lee for their long service to the community and for their steadfast support for the garden. Representatives of the City of Seattle and King County read proclamations in honor of the Chinese Garden and the Lees.
Paige Miller, a Chinese Garden board member, announced a bold plan to raise over $30 million to build out the Central Garden including a teahouse, four-story tower, scholar’s studio, and multiple smaller buildings, ponds, and Mirror Lake. Last year the City of Seattle put $5 million in its budget for the capital campaign. Combined with Chongqing’s commitment to provide Chinese building materials and skilled artisan labor and the other pledged gifts from individuals, the campaign has reached $15 million in pledges, nearly halfway to its goal. “We are so excited to be nearly halfway to our goal as we publicly announce this campaign,” said Lincoln Ferris, president of the board. Jerry Lee, in his remarks, urged the community to rally to support the garden. “Now is the time to make it happen,” he urged.
The Seattle Chinese Garden was conceived in the mid-1980s as a joint project between Seattle and Chongqing, a city of thirty three million people in a mountainous region of southwest China. The garden is located on the campus of South Seattle College in West Seattle, high on a ridge with a view over the harbor toward downtown Seattle. The first construction began in 1999. The garden’s mission is to celebrate classical Chinese culture through the activities in the garden and to serve as a living bridge of friendship between the people of Chongqing and the people of Seattle.
Proclamations from the City of Seattle and King County were presented in honor of the garden’s 35th anniversary. For more information about the Chinese Garden and the campaign visit the website at seattlechinesegarden.org.
(From WSB files, reader photo of fireworks debris collected post-Fourth at Walt Hundley Playfield)
Though the Fourth of July is still three weeks away, Seattle Parks has gone public with this year’s plan for keeping lights on at some fields to try to deter fireworks use. This year’s plan includes lights for July 3 and 4 at the same four West Seattle fields as last year, but this time the lights at the three synthetic-turf fields on the list will stay on an extra four hours. Here’s the announcement – we’ve excised the non-West Seattle locations:
Two of West Seattle’s artificial-turf fields, Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex and Madison Middle School, are owned by Seattle Public Schools, which has not announced its plans (we’re checking). NCSWAC had last year’s most significant fireworks-related damage.
(Photo by Susan Whiting Kemp)
Big day and night! Here are our Thursday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can look ahead any time – this daily list is just a reminder):
Q&A DROP-IN FOR OVERFLOW-CONTROL PROJECT: 10 am-noon, visit Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW) to talk with project-team members about the new Combined Sewer Overflow project proposed to include a 7-million-gallon storage tank off West Marginal Way SW.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Spring gardening season continues! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
ALL ABOUT THE FIFA WORLD CUP: One year away from the mega-tournament that will include matches in Seattle! What do you need to know? The guest at today’s noon West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) will explain.
DESIGN YOUR WORK LIFE: Free presentation at noon at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW).
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to get the details of where they’re playing today.
DROP-IN CHESS: 4-5:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), youth up to 18 years old are invited to drop in and play.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, JUNE EDITION: Some events start as early as 4 pm; the major window is 5-8 pm. Here’s the preview we published on Wednesday including this month’s venue list for art and food/drink specials.
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of three regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Swagg-N-Wagon.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Last but never least, HPCS is the starting point for running 3 miles, or walking a shorter path, in the neighborhood near HPCS with the Run Club, leaving from the store at 6:30 pm, returning for beverages – info here.
SOUTH PARK SAFETY: Walking tour with SDOT exploring future pedestrian possibilities. Meet at 4:30 pm at 7th Avenue South and South Henderson.
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle! And it’s a West Seattle Art Club venue tonight, too!
DENNY IMS POETRY SLAM: 6 pm at the Denny International Middle School Galleria (2701 SW Kenyon), see and hear dozens of student poets perform their work. Community members invited!
JUNCTION PRIDE CELEBRATION: 6 pm, meet up at VAIN (4513 California SW), then at 6:30 pm, head to Walk-All-Ways to dance and celebrate!
DUWAMISH CEMETERY HISTORY: Join Invisible Histories for tonight’s Words, Writers, Southwest Stories, online at 6 pm, to learn about this almost-forgotten history. Register here to get the link.
LEARN ABOUT SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS: As previewed Wednesday, 6 pm panel discussion/Q&A at Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton) – free to attend, RSVP requested if you can.
THE ART OF MUSIC: Three performances tonight to complement the Art Walk, all running 6 pm-7:45 pm – one in Admiral, one in The Junction, one in Morgan Junction. See the lineup here.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: This group’s 6 pm weekly Thursday run starts at The Good Society in Admiral (California/Lander).
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Prefer to walk? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm, Patrick Rifflin performs Thursdays at Pegasus Pizza in The Junction (4520 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIE: 6:30 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation (7141 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.
SEA LEMON AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm performance, free, all ages. Signing too, if you’ve bought the album! (4559 California SW)
DJ NIGHT: The weekend starts spinning early at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Lady Coco, 9 pm.
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!
(WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin)
~300 of our area’s young adults are waking up today for their first full day as high-school graduates. They are the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2025, whose commencement was celebrated last night at Memorial Stadium downtown. With the school band playing “Pomp and Circumstance,” faculty and about-to-be-grads made their grand entrance, with Sealth principal Hope Perry and School Board president Gina Topp leading the procession:
(WSB video by Tracy Record)
This was Perry’s first graduation ceremony as CSIHS principal.
She spoke of how proud she is of her students, for their questioning, their advocating, her certainty that their “resilience will create a community of leaders,”
Questions were at the heart of the speech given by featured student speaker Ryan Tran – “who am I? … who am I supposed to be, who am I meant to be … who are we?”
He also told the parents and guardians looking on from the Memorial Stadium stands, “As much as you are proud of us, we are proud of you.”
The featured staff speaker, teacher Angelia Thornton, told the Class of ’25, “You can pave your own way – you don’t have to follow.”
Then, what those on the field and in the stands had been awaiting – the reading of names as the seniors streamed onto and off the stage:
Emma Haynes led the tassel move:
Shortly thereafter, after some engaged in the ceremonial cap toss, it was time to bid farewell to the faculty as the new grads exited the stadium on the way to the next chapter of their lives.
P.S. The Sealth ceremony included a bonus performance by the band, directed by Joey Roberts:
If you want to see the entire ceremony, here’s the recording of the district’s stream. SPS is streaming all ceremonies, including West Seattle High School‘s upcoming graduation, set for 5 pm Tuesday (June 17).
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, June 12, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, then clearing, high near 70. Today’s sunrise was again at 5:11 am (as early as it gets, and staying there a while); sunset will be again at 9:07 pm.
ROAD WORK
-The Admiral Way Bridge is now one lane each way on the north side, with the south side closed for the ongoing strengthening/refurbishing work.
SCHOOL SCHEDULES
Many local independent/parochial schools conclude their school year tomorrow (Friday, June 13). Seattle Public Schools‘ last day is next Wednesday. For neighboring districts – Vashon Island gets out June 24, Highline Public Schools on June 25. Already out: Summit Atlas (charter middle/high school) in Arbor Heights.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus weeknights with Mariners’ home games (and some other events). More info here.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet. M/V Salish serves as the “bonus boat”. Three-boat service is still expected to relaunch on June 30th.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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