West Seattle, Washington
20 Sunday
6:47 PM: Thanks for the tip. The low bridge is having “mechanical issues” again – avoid TFN.
7:19 PM: More bridge trouble (thanks for this tip too):A crash is blocking lane(s) of the westbound high bridge near the crest.
8:02 PM: SDOT says the high bridge is clear.
9:18 PM: Just checked back on the low-bridge live camera – it has reopened. Reminder that it’s scheduled to close next weekend for more repair work.
(Canoes off Duwamish Head, photos by Clarence Higuera)
You may have seen several tribal canoes departing from Don Armeni Boat Ramp this morning, headed for downtown and the 34th Salmon Homecoming. The event at Waterfront Park next to the ferris wheel continues until 8 pm, with workshops, food and cultural sharing. 
(Paddlers headed for the Salmon Homecoming included Duwamish Tribal Council member Ken Workman, front center)
A non-profit group organizes the event annually to coincide with the return of salmon to local waters. The canoes launching late morning from West Seattle included Duwamish, Puyallup, and Snohomish canoe families, and were joined by canoes from other tribes as they reached Pier 62.
As noted here earlier this week, salmon are due in local creeks soon
Even if you can only get to one stop on the West Seattle Art Tour, you’ll likely see a lot!
We visited Stop #1 a little while ago, and like most stops, the lineup features guest artists as well as the host. In the front yard here, we found Jennifer Kegel of Elmgrove Pottery, and talked with her about her stained-glass-inspired designs. In the backyard are the bright paintings and mixed-media work of Debbi Murray:
Debbi’s husband Steve was standing in for her when we visited. Inside the house, Kassie Hennessey was discussing her feather drawings with an Art Tour-ist:
And toward the front of the house, we met host Lea Basile-Lazarus, who posed with one of her paper-pulp paintings:
And as proof that the Art Tour is for all ages, on our way up the front stairs, we passed a family with elementary-age kids, excitedly discussing their plan to walk to two more stops. One more hour of Art Touring to go today, until 5 pm, and then a full second day tomorrow (Sunday), 10 am-5 pm. Free – find the maps and lists here! (When you arrive in the area of a stop, you’ll see signage, so don’t worry about getting lost.)
1:30 PM: California/Graham is one of the dozen-plus streetcorners where West Seattle Indivisible has protesters standing in vigil this afternoon for people whose deaths were linked to ICE activity. This was scheduled weeks ago, so it’s a coincidence that it’s happening hours after ICE officers swept into West Seattle, reportedly taking away three people and leaving behind their vehicle with construction equipment, smashed windows, and flat tires. This demonstration is expected to continue until 3 pm. We’re off to check some other intersections where at least one person per corner planned to hold memorial signs.
1:39 PM: We have passed several on our way up to The Junction, where signholders are at the many-cornered California/Edmunds intersection.
1:58 PM: Above, at California/Oregon; below, California/Alaska:
2:21 PM: At California/Charlestown:
2:42 PM: And at California/Admiral:
For 40 joyful minutes this morning, hundreds of people joined in and along South Park streets to celebrate Latin American heritage and culture, participating in or watching Seattle’s annual Fiestas Patrias parade. Above is our unedited video of the entire parade, with musicians, folkloric and Indigenous dancers, scooters, unicyclists, floats and vehicles from sponsor Sea Mar Community Health Centers (representing their locations from Clark County in the south to Whatcom County in the north), concluding with more than 50 horseback riders, Grand Marshal was West Seattleite Teresa Mosqueda, District 8 King County Councilmember from North Delridge, riding in a classic Mustang convertible:
Other West Seattleite sightings included Chief Sealth IHS football players and the Proyecto Saber program from Sealth and neighboring Denny IMS. The parade just concluded at its ending point at the South Park Community Center (we recorded video from its starting point at 14th Avenue South and South Henderson), but the Fiestas Patrias celebration continues all weekend with a festival at Seattle Center downtown, also presented by Sea Mar.
9:17 AM: We’ve received multiple reports of this, including the following just sent by a reader:
ICE just terrorized our neighborhood and took three poor souls away. They pinned in the car and busted out windows pulling them from their car. and damaged our car. Now we have to clean up the mess!!!
11:49 AM: Received from another reader:
Here are some pictures of the truck of the crew ICE arrested this morning. It had slashed tires and busted windows. Truck had construction equipment inside.
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB
Huge night for West Seattle High School quarterback Carlos Patino (above) as the Wildcats scored their first football win of the season, 54-14 over Lincoln last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. Patino threw for 7 touchdowns and ran one in too.; the defense scored a safety and Grady Scheff caught an interception. Justice Nguyen caught three touchdowns while Scheff and Cohen Cicero caught two each. Here’s Scheff running past Lincoln defenders after catching a pass from Patino to score a touchdown on the opening drive:
Big night for the fans too:
Here’s Nguyen preparing to catch a pass from Patino before taking it into the endzone:
Below, Nguyen breaks a tackle on his way to his second touchdown
Kian Deeds, kicking an extra point.
Cicero catches a pass for a touchdown:
Cicero and Patino, celebrating a touchdown in the second quarter:
The Cheer Team had a spirited night:
Dylan Seaborn-Diaz rushing in the fourth quarter.
And Patino throwing his seventh touchdown of the game:
The Wildcats are home again next week, 7 pm Friday (September 25) vs. Roosevelt at NCSWAC,
(Late-summer blossoms, photographed by Bob Burns)
Here’s our list of what to know as the weekend begins, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ORCA HALF, DAY 1: Both days this weekend feature runs of the Orca Half, from Lincoln Park to Don Armeni, with shuttles from the finish line to start line beginning at 6:15 am, running starting in waves at 7:30 am. (No road closures.)
BAKERY POP-UP: Mr. Bun’s Bakery plans a pop-up to celebrate its first anniversary, 8-11 am (6031 37th SW).
RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: 8:15 am, get your weekend going with an at-your-pace run. (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor).
GET ‘HEAVILY MEDITATED’ FOR FREE: 8:45 am at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), free meditation to start your weekend!
SECOND-TIME SALE: First of two days to shop this curated rummage sale, previewed here. 9 am-4 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW).
HIKE WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT TRAILS: 9:30 am, meet at Arboretum entrance on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WEST SEATTLE ART TOUR: Dozens of artists, spread among 16 stops where you can see how they work! It’s the first day of the free annual West Seattle Art Tour, 10 am-5 pm, interactive and printable maps here – browse the artist and location lists and decide where to go and who to see!
FIESTAS PATRIAS PARADE: The annual parade celebrating Latin American heritage and culture rolls out from 14th Avenue South and South Henderson at 10 am, then goes north on 14th, west on Cloverdale to South Park Community Center.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: Larger location this season! 10 am-2 pm, shop for fruit and vegetables, prepared food and beverages, artisan body care, makers’ creations, more! (9th SW and SW Henderson)
STORY TIME IN HIGHLAND PARK: 10 am at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), story time and an activity with Club Branching Out.
WESTFEST: 10 am-10 pm, second day of Holy Rosary School‘s annual “carnival of community,” with rides, games, food, entertainment – see the lineup here. (42nd/Genesee)
DACHSHUND WALK: 10 am Saturdays, dachshunds and their people meet up at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) for a group walk.
ADMIRAL HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Meet at 10 am at 37th SW and SW Admiral Way – but first, register here!
DAY OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: 10 am-4 pm at the Log House Museum (3003 61st SW), register to vote, get election questions answered, hear inspirational stories!
TREE CARE SKILL SHARE & WORK PARTY: 10 am-1 pm, restoration work along Longfellow Creek – register to get location information.
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.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am, free, in-person, active writing group – see our calendar listing for info on how to participate.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE JUNIOR WILDCATS GAME DAY: Come out to see the West Seattle Junior Wildcats Football and Cheer youth take the field at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), noon-4 pm.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: Noon-5 pm, last chance to take your pup to Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW) to swim! Just dogs, no humans. Fundraiser.
FINAL POST-SEASON WEEKEND AT COLMAN POOL: Second-to-last chance to swim in the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park, sessions noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ANTI-ICE PROTEST: West Seattle Indivisible plans to have protesters at more than a dpzen streetcorners along California Avenue SW, 1-3 pm, as explained here.
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: 1-6 pm, wine bar and tasting room open on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
POKEMON MEETUP: 2-4 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW).
WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: Free short, specific sessions at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm, first come, first served.
SIP ‘N’ SPIN: 6-8:30 pm session to try your hand at the pottery wheel at Rain City Clay (4208 SW 100th).
OFF THE RECORD: “Vinyl culture meets live music” in this hybrid event at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), doors 5, vinyl 6:30, live music 7:30, tickets here.
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: Record-release party – hear new music by Beck, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
‘THE CHINESE LADY’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, first Saturday night performance of the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) – tickets available here.
REVELRY ROOM SPINNING: 9 pm with DJ Riz Rollins. (4547 California SW)
SATURDAY NIGHT SKATING: 9 pm to midnight, skate at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk and hip-hop, $18 (plus $5 skate rental).
KARAOKE AT TRIANGLE PUB: 9 pm, add your voice to Megastar Karaoke with KDJ Mythikal at Max’s Triangle Pub. (9454 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday night karaoke with Rone begins at 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Planning a West Seattle event/class/show/etc. that’s open to the community? Tell us about it; it’s free to list something in our Event Calendar, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Police are looking for a silver 2001 four-door Infiniti reportedly stolen by carjackers within the past half-hour or so. This is reported to have happened in the 9400 block of Delridge Way. The initial description over police radio was “four unknown-race males,” late teens or early 20s, wearing masks. No other details so far.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Right after last night’s Alki Community Council meeting, we reported one headline – the launch of a donation drive to deal with cracks in the Alki Statue of Liberty’s pedestal. Tonight, the rest of what happened at the meeting, facilitated by ACC president Charlotte Starck:
ALKI CRIME AND SAFETY: ACC leaders have been fighting for city attention and action on this issue, particularly after the Fourth of July mayhem. They’ve met with officials but wanted to give community members a chance to hear firsthand what’s happening (or not), and to ask questions.
First of two guests was Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair acknowledged that crime “definitely has upticked” on Alki, particularly gunfire. Statswise, Capt. Bair said robberies are up in Alki, and there’s a “pattern” right now with armed robbers hitting small convenience-type stores. While they usually have video systems, sometimes the employee(s) on duty don’t have access to the system, so officers can’t access it immediately and can’t circulate images quickly. Despite the recent “uptick,” Capt. Bair said, data shows shots-fired incidents are actually down from last year – eight so far this year, compared to 10 in the same period of 2025.
She explained that when officers respond, they collect casings because they have “fingerprints” from specific guns. “We do this forensic testing on every casing,” she said. They can track guns, though they are often passed around. Gun crimes are also discussed on a citywide weekly call. For those who wonder if most of the gunfire incidents are gang-related, Capt. Bair said two of the Alki cases fell into that category. There also was one case of gang graffiti, and she said it was removed quickly. The precinct commander also touched on Alki business burglaries.
One attendee said her perception is that fewer police have been seen on Alki. Capt. Bair acknowledged it takes too long to get there and that needs to improve. She said she’d like to deploy bicycle officers but some officers don’t want to get bicycle training because they might subsequently be deployed to protest duty, since, she said, that’s the current priority for bicycle officers. She said she also had tried to get an Alki outpost, with space “offered to us” near Don Armeni, but red tape strangled it. But she did have officers on “directed patrol,” assigned to Alki. Staffing remains a challenge, she said, with 10 officers per shift if everyone’s working. “We’re definitely doing better in our recruiting,” she said, although she said that the end of hiring bonuses might affect that.
Then Alison Holcomb, Mayor Wilson’s public-safety director, stepped up; Starck talked about the 20-block area of terror and danger on July 4 – she’s collected exhaustive documentation including videos – and said she and others are hoping to figure out to ensure that doesn’t happen next year.
Addressing what Capt. Bair had said about hiring bonuses, Holcomb contended that shouldn’t be a big deal because police salaries were boosted in the newest contract. She also suggested that the bonuses attracted too many unqualified recruits who “washed out.” She said they are concerned about burning out the high-level officers who are training those recruits.
She also made a point of saying that Mayor Wilson is not anti-police. She wants officers who truly care about the city, Holcomb insisted, and she wants to end the “police chief churn” – which Holcomb said was the result of some previous chiefs she considered to be “circuit chiefs” who worked in Seattle to check a box on their resume. (Aside from recently departed Chief Shon Barnes, it wasn’t clear who she might have been referring to; the previous two chiefs had both worked their way up from within SPD, not counting Interim Chief Sue Rahr, who came out of retirement to fill in.)
Holcomb – who described herself as a former longtime criminal-defense attorney and ACLU executive – said what matters most is the relationship police are building with their community. “We’re thinking about the policing that’s actually going to work for you and your community,” She also talked a bit about how crime prevention might factor into that.
Q&A was where things got intermittently contentious. One Alki businessperson said police are slow to respond when called. A co-worker of his asked why Alki can’t get cameras, noting a recent downtown violent crime in which video helped lead to an arrest. “No camera has ever prevented a crime from happening,” Holcomb declared, while going on to say that “the mayor and I are not anti-camera … The mayor has not said no to cameras” but instead has “just launched a pilot … and we won’t do anything else until we evaluate it.” She said the council “broke their promise” by calling for an expanded program without being sure that they’re not photographing people in the privacy of their own homes. Holcomb said all Wilson has asked for is to pause the expansion. “This question is going to be answered this year,” she promised, adding,”Mayor Wilson does understand the cameras serve a purpose.”
What about the short police staffing? Holcomb reiterated that 47 percent of recruits “washed out.”
Back to the camera issue, Starck asked, would Alki ever get them? If the camera expansion eventually proceeds, what would the criteria be? Holcomb then suggested that the policy analysis should also be seen in the light of other spending priorities for the expected budget crunch – things she thinks should be better at preventing crime, like more police, more lights (which Alki community members have asked for), etc. She said cameras can help bring someone to justice after a crime but can’t prevent it.
Back to the Fourth of July fireworks mayhem- “it felt like a war zone” that night, an attendee said, as concern resurfaced about how to ensure it didn’t happen again next year. Another attendee suggested there should be a public meeting just on that issue. Holcomb said that should be up to Starck, who promptly said she’ll schedule it. But considering fireworks are illegal, some wanted to know, “Why aren’t the rules being enforced?” At that point, Holcomb snapped, “I get it, you just want to send everybody to jail. I want to stop the crime from happening in the first place.”
“We just want to be safe,” somebody in the front row countered, and Starck emphasized that.
Also at the meeting:
ALKI TRICK OR TREAT: It’s scheduled for 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, October 24. Volunteers needed!
ALKI HOLIDAY LIGHTS: Friday, November 27, is when the Christmas Ship comes to Alki, so that’s the night for the ACC Holiday Lights celebration at the beach. Volunteers are needed for this too!
RESTORING RECREATION TO ALKI CC: As we’ve reported, the Alki Community Center has been a child-care/preschool facility for more than a decade, and the city has said that’s not expected to change any time soon. But the ACC is trying to get some recreation programs restored, and Starck said they’re “making some progress.” As a first step, there are new programs at Alki Bathhouse – Starck provided us with details post-meeting:
The Watercolor and Mindfulness & Meditation are new classes are at the Alki Bathhouse.
Go to the Seattle Parks Home page, and click on “Activities.”. Then scroll down to the “when” “where” section and input or click on the Alki Bathhouse as the location.
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/seattle/home?onlineSiteId=0
The watercolor class and meditation classes are listed.
NEXT MEETING: 7 pm October 15, tsunami awareness and political candidates! Watch for updates online between meeting.
The photo and report were sent by Patricia:
(L-R: Melanie Baer, Patricia Shuster, Antoine Smith, Sokphal Tun)
West Seattle runners Patti Shuster, Sokphal Tun, Melanie Baer, and Antoine Smith were recently in Australia to run the Sydney 5k and Marathon races on August 29th and 30th. The Sydney Marathon is one of the eight prestigious and sought-after world major marathons. They are all fans of our own local running store, West Seattle Runner.
Another two-day event to consider for your weekend plans – the Fauntleroy Church Second-Time Sale! Here’s the preview sent to us to share with you:
Another huge Second-Time Sale at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California Ave. SW) will open at 9:00 am tomorrow (9/19) with just about anything you might need or simply fall in love with, at a bargain price.
(Above, the ‘stuffie menagerie’ is part of the toy section)
Since 1992, the congregation has welcomed donations throughout the year to make this much more than a rummage sale. Items have been curated, cleaned, tested, and organized for easy browsing. The sale will have housewares, jewelry, furniture, craft supplies, sports gear, tools, and more, including a bake sale with treats to take home or nibble while shopping.
Hours are 9 am-4 pm Saturday and 11:30 am-3:00 pm Sunday. The church has off-street parking and elevator access to all sale level.
Photos were taken by Ana Del Claro as volunteers were finishing setting up earlier today.
West Seattle’s biggest art event of the year is hours away!
The 2026 West Seattle Art Tour is happening both days this weekend, 10 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday. What’s different about the West Seattle Art Tour is that you get to see artists in their studios, with behind-the-scenes views of their creative work. Many artists with studios are hosting “guest artists” too, so most stops bring you the chance to meet more than one artist. A multitude of media is featured – photography, pottery, painting, paper, printmaking, drawing, digital, textile, glass, jewelry, sculpture … you can browse the artists A-Z here, browse the 16 tour sites here, and find the map – printable or interactive – by going here. The West Seattle Art Tour is organized by the artists and supported by community sponsors (including WSB). You decide how much to see – from one stop to all 16!
Two years after the city chose Homestead Community Land Trust as the developer for an “affordable homeownership” project at 16th SW and SW Holden, you can’t see signs of change at the fenced ex-substation yet, but we have an update:
The plan is in the city permit system now, with a recent early-stage filing, and Homestead CLT will be at next Wednesday’s HPAC meeting with the newest information. Even before that appearance was confirmed, Homestead CLT CEO Kathleen Hosfeld told WSB they were working to “convene conversations [with the community] about some design choices before we submit a permit” – so the HPAC meeting is part of that:
Homestead Community Land Trust and SMR Architects have been working to incorporate the community’s early guidance about what should be built at the former Dumar Substation site. We will share an update on the project’s design and permitting timeline and invite further community input, particularly on options for the ground-floor commercial or retail space. We will also answer general questions about the project.
HPAC meets Wednesday at 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
As announced in 2024, the city Office of Housing committed to investing up to $3 million to “support the creation of 21 permanently affordable homes” on the site. (They’ll be for sale, not rent.) The ground-floor commercial (or retail) space is something community members advocated for. The preliminary site plan filed with the city shows an outline for a four-story building with 20 units, two live-work units, and a commercial space. The primary residential entry would be on 16th, while the residential and live-work units’ entries would be on Holden, and a “garage entry” is listed off the west-side alley. Hosfeld says they’re still working on more funding in hopes work can start next year, planning to apply for a share of the state’s Housing Trust Fund. The ~9,400-square-foot site is one of the ex-substations the city decided to dispose of more than a decade ago.
(WSB photo)
Starbird Chicken has just announced the opening date for its West Seattle location at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW): Monday, September 28, 11 am-9 pm. And they’re planning a giveaway:
The first 200 guests will receive a free meal, available on a first-come, first-served basis with no sign-up required. One lucky guest will also win a golden ticket with their meal, earning them free Starbird for an entire year: good for one entrée a week for 52 weeks.
As we’ve reported previously, Starbird is opening in the spot where MOD Pizza closed in May 2024. This is Starbird’s first location in our state.
Checking the early-morning police calls, we found a confirmed incident of early-morning gunfire. The 911 call came from someone near Beach Drive and SW Oregon around 2:20 am, in the Me Kwa Mooks Park/Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook area. According to radio archives, the responding officers found “shotgun rounds.” We just obtained the report narrative from SPD; it described what was found as “two spent shotgun 20GA casings.” Police say nearby residents reported noticing a “black sedan leaving southbound” after the shots. No injuries or property damage reported.
(On Elliott Bay this morning – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
The weekend’s almost in view. Here are highlights for the rest of your Friday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Late-summer gardening? The center has plants! Open until 3 pm on the north end of the main campus of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
COMMUNITY NOTARY DAY: Need something notarized? Visit Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3-5 pm.
DOG SWIMMING: The annual end-of-season Dog Days swim sessions are all week at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW), 4-7 pm. Fee. Dogs only in the pool, not people!
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK: 5-9 pm, one ticket gets you 14 tastes as wineries pair up with businesses around The Junction, ticket link in our calendar listing – or pay in person at the check-in spots.
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, and/or buy a bottle.
SOCIAL DANCE ON PUGET RIDGE: Free swing dancing at Puget Ridge Cohousing (7020 18th SW), doors open at 5:45, lesson starts at 6, dancing follows!
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, singer-songwriterJ.R. Rhodes at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
MOVIE IN THE PARK: Watch “Monsters Inc.” in the Camp Long meadow, free, 6 pm. (5200 35th SW)
KENYON HALL OPEN MIC: Sign up at 6, perform at 6:30 pm, Kenyon Hall‘s monthly open mic (7904 35th SW), all ages, free to both performers and audience.
ART AND STEEL: Art show with music, panel discussion, more, presented by DNDA and Nucor at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6:30-10 pm.
WESTFEST: Night 1 of the festival presented by Holy Rosary School (42nd/Genesee) – see the stage lineup in our preview.
ALBUM-RELEASE SHOW AT EASY STREET: Will Roesner performs to celebrate “Natural Love,” 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), all ages, free.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: One local team has a home football game – 7 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – West Seattle HS hosting Lincoln.
NEW PLAY AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, second night for “The Chinese Lady” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) – info including ticket link is in our calendar listing.
EMO NIGHT AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, show at 8, Mike’s Emo Band, Feeling This, Emo Sing-A-Long. $10 at the door, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALBUM RELEASE SHOW AT TIM’S: Summer Sleeves heads the bill, with KRANE and The Linens, 8:30 pm at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center), all ages until 10 pm.
SPINNING: Revelry Room (4547 California SW) regular Friday night spinning – with DJ Vitamin D tonight, starting at 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, Yellfire & Hiss, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
MEGASTAR KARAOKE: 9 pm at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW).
If you have something for our event lists and ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather September 26 to remember Carla Butzerin, and are sharing this remembrance with her community:
Carla Amelia Butzerin was born November 20th, 1962 in Seattle to parents Kathryn Constance and Marcus Joseph Butzerin. She passed away at her West Seattle home on September 2nd, 2026.
Carla grew up in West Seattle and attended Kennedy High School and the University of Washington, where she graduated summa cum laude from the UW School of Business.
Carla passed all four parts of the CPA exam on her first try and worked as a certified public accountant in West Seattle during her early years. More recently, she lived a quiet life at her home in West Seattle, assisting her aging parents. She loved cats and dogs and doted on her own pets as well as fostering pets for shelters and elderly neighbors. Carla was an affectionate, kind-hearted soul who loved her family and friends. She is deeply missed.
A Buddhist memorial ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 26th at 11:00 am, followed immediately by an informal celebration of life. Carla is survived by her sisters JoAnne Butzerin, Teresa Roth, and Mary Le Seur, and brother Peter Butzerin, as well as 14 nieces and nephews and 13 grand nieces and nephews. Her parents and beloved brother Robert preceded her in death, with Robert passing away on January 18 of this year.
Carla’s memorial ceremony and celebration of life will be held at the family’s West Seattle home. For directions, please call Mary Kathryn LaSeur at 206-280-8596 or JoAnne Marie Butzerin at 206-501-8526.
(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)
6:027 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, September 18, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Increasing sunshine expected throughout the day, high in the low 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:51 am today; sunset will be at 7:14 pm. (Countdown: Four days until the official start of fall.)
PATH REMINDER
The foot/bike path closure by the West Seattle Bridge, for Sound Transit work, is scheduled to continue until Sunday.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the three-boat schedule.
Check the alert page for any late-breaking changes.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with later-night schedule Fridays (tonight!) and Saturdays (for three more weeks).
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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!
(WSB photo)
One week ago, we visited the Alki Statue of Liberty to ponder those who gathered by the statue to mourn on and after 9/11, 25 years earlier. Tonight, the Alki Community Council launched a donation drive to get the statue a new “coat” – protective coating to stop its base from cracking. Leading the ACC meeting, president Charlotte Starck said “the good news is it’s fixable and doesn’t cost that much,” about $4,000. The ACC maintains the plaza, dedicated in 2008, with money left over from the community donations that funded it back then, money that’s not accessible for work like this, so they’re launching a drive to raise $5,000 to cover the cost. You can donate here. “It’s either, do something about it, or sit here and watch it deteriorate,” Starck said. This was one of three major topics at tonight’s meeting; we’ll report on the other two tomorrow!
ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Close-up photo of the cracks, from the ACC:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The last person to comment at this afternoon’s Roxhill Park community-safety meeting got to the heart of the matter:
The panel at the head of the crowded meeting room was full of enforcers and responders. The problem ultimately belonged in the laps of the policymakers.
But none of them were there, though otherwise it was an impressive assemblage of panelists facing the room at Village Green West Seattle (WSB sponsor), which organized the meeting with Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite.
Director Eva Thomas opened, asking for civility for a “constructive dialogue where everybody has the right to be heard.” Here’s our video of the meeting, followed by our recap:
Represented agencies, departments, and teams included:
Unified Care Team
Seattle Police
Seattle Fire
King County Sheriff’s Office
Seattle Parks and Recreation
Satterwhite facilitated.
She first gave the mic to UCT representatives (above) who talked about their processes. She said their goal is “to keep places safe and accessible,” citywide.
Next UCT rep was the regional manager for this area, Darius Foster. He also talked about processes. “Harm reduction strategies” are their focus, he said, from service provision to cleanup. “At the end of the day our goal is to resolve.a location.” He said their response is not based on the number of service requests they get. He also said there are legal rules they have to follow – including outreach before a clearance. They do need some SPD response, as on-site secuity: “They are not engaged with unhoused individuals unless they absolutely need to be.” Safety, dignity, and compassion are important, he said. They also have to plan ahead – several weeks to several months – and they are well aware sites are often repopulated soon after clearances. But they try to ensure that “the temperature is lowered” and the sites don’t become as bad as they had been.
An Alternative Response Team rep spoke next- they are law-enforcement officers, he explained. (Lt. Ziemer is the commander of the unit.) Safety issues are brought to his attention, and this one rose higher on the UCT’s list after the shooting.
A Parks rep spoke next.He said Park Rangers have beefed up their patrols of Roxhill Park “for at least the next few weeks.” He was followed by a Parks rep who said Roxhill Park has two fulltime maintenance personnel who go there every day. Right now they’re working to “open up” the trail that leads from the bus stop,
Monty Powell, Village Green’s owner, spoke first in Q&A: “This is a serious problem.” He asked if the city can clear “the secrecy” out of the park. He also asked if police can remove troublemakers as trespassers. “What they’re doing out there is destroying the value of this community.” He was applauded.
The Parks crew rep said “we are working to open up some sightlines” but also said the park’s bog can’t be entirely cleared of vegetation, for ecological reasons.
Powell expressed a request to collaborate with Parks, saying they share a 600-foot line. Parks mentioned the experiment to bring back water to the box, and said the first section involved in the experiment has water and is not encamped, so they hope to expand that.
Asked about trespassing, the Alternative Response rep said they have to follow the MDAR rules. They also could enforce Parks trespassing rules. “So it can be enforced, but will it be?” asked Powell. That’s up to the responding officer, he said.
So if an individual is setting up a tenant, are they breaing the law? Yes, but there’s a clear set of city rules about how that can be addressed. The UCT rep underscored that, noting there is a distinct set of rules for addressing encampments as opposed to individuals.
Another man said signage says no one’s allowed in the park 11-7 (overnight), but people are there, and he doesn’t feel safe.
Satterwhite asked precinct Operations Lt. Pat Daley how SPD would respond to crime in an encampment. He urged that criminal activity be reported to 911.
What if an illegal fire is reported? SFD Lt. Shata Stephenson with the city Fire Marshal’s office said they evaluate whether there’s a safety risk to firefighters, and what kind of risk the fire poses.
An attendee mentioned numerous calls about fires and was told they wouldn’t come out because the fire was contained. But smoke is an issue, she said. Lt. Stephenson said if it’s a small fire they might not put it out.
Next attendee to speak said he’s concerned because “We’re dancing around the problem.” He also said the smoke causes irritation. He said the smoke is the problem, a “public hazard,” not the housing status of the person. He was concerned about action not being taken because “it’s an encampment.” But in response, Foster from the UCT says encampment status doesn’t mean no action. He said they’re working on policies and are determine to ensure this site doesn’t get back to what it was. But a lot of multi-level collaboration is needed.
The next person to speak said he has teenage daughters who have been harassed in the park. He says his parking lot has crime with perpetrators that leave him feeling like he is the intruder. He said he’s never wanted to own a gun but is thinking about it now.
An attendee then called out from the audience that “they have more rights than we do” because of the rules and policies.
Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair said bluntly, “We can’t enforce our way out of homelessness …We are working on it as a city.” She said they are “trying to get creative” with enforcing laws. She brought up the “extraordinary amount of theft” at Westwood Village and how they are working on that, in collaboration with businesses.” The theft-targeted businesses are seen by some as a source of “free stuff” and they’re working on taking that away. She said, “Things have changed,” since she returned to patrol operations in 2021. She is encouraged.that the two new tiny-home villages in West Seattle and South Park will help matters by getting more people off the street and on their feet. They do what they can to enforce laws in the meantime, but staffing remains an issue, Capt. Bair said – they have 10 officers per shift on a good day, and sometimes all they can do is “triage.” She agreed that it’s disheartening but “we all are aware” and the community can help: Online reports, calls to the non-emergency line,private security camera video. Even just being at a meeting like this helps. Don’t move from the area, she urged – stay and fight. She also noted there had been a clearance last weekend just east of Chief Sealth International High School.
A King County Sheriff’s Office detective from the transit unit – therefore responsible for buses and bus stops – spoke briefly. He was followed by a volunteer from A Cleaner Alki who said they’ve cleaned up Roxhill Park many times. She said they’ve offered a lot of ideas about things that could be changed in the park “to make it less inviting” to troublemakers, particular drug users/sellers. “Move the places that people do their drugs,” like benches. The Parks and Rec staffer said they have a staffing challenge too. “Our staff are going out there every day and filling their trucks with at least three loads of trash,” but they have to tend to dozens of other parks too.
UCT at that point said a tent or structure constitutes an “encampment.”
Another question was about bus stops and it was reiterated that KCSO is responsible for those – but if something is happening now, call 911.
And the last person to speak said that those who came to answer questions are “enforcers,” but not policy-makers, and they need to have a face-to-face with them. (No elected officials were in attendance, but Michael Taylor-Judd from City Councilmember Rob Saka’s office was in the audience.
Meeting video added above at 10:10 pm.
(Added: SFD on site, reader photo)
6:33 PM: Thanks for the many tips on this. Avoid the Fauntleroy ferry dock area on Fauntleroy Way for a while – there’s an emergency response for an injured man. Nobody who tipped us seemed to know exactly what happened until we got a call just now from someone who said that they were a witness and that the injured man was on a bicycle and collided with a driver. The witness says they and others jumped into action to treat the man’s injuries, SFD also responded and we’re checking with them on his condition.
8:48 PM: This was actually an “isolated bicycle collision,” according to SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo, who says firefighters “treated an approx. 50-year-old male who was in stable condition. The patient declined transportation to a hospital.”
We received this road-work alert late today from SDOT – part of SW 106th is scheduled to be repaved on multiple days later this month:
What: Street Repaving
Where: SW 106th St between 32nd Ave SW and 39th Ave SW
When: Monday, Sept 21 – Wednesday, Sept 23
Monday, Sept 28 – Thursday, Oct 1
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Daily*Weather permitting
SDOT will remove and repave the top 2 inches of the street at the location listed above.
Parking will be restricted. o 72 hours before the work starts and parking restrictions begin, “NO PARKING”
signs will be placed on the street.Monday, Sept 21 – Wednesday, Sept 23
o SW 106th St between 35th Ave SW and 32nd Ave SW will be reduced to a single lane alternating between eastbound and westbound traffic.
o Driveways will be CLOSED during working hours. Driveway access will be provided to the extent possible, but there may be delays of up to one hour to let equipment clear or to let new asphalt cool down enough to accept traffic loads. Monday, Sept 28 – Tuesday, Sept 29
o SW 106th St from 35th Ave SW to 34th Ave SW will be CLOSED with Local Access Only.
o 35th Ave SW at SW 106th St will be reduced to a single lane alternating between northbound and southbound traffic.
o Driveways will be CLOSED during working hours. Driveway access will be provided to the extent possible, but there may be delays of up to one hour to let equipment clear or to let new asphalt cool down enough to accept traffic loads. Wednesday, Sept 30 – Thursday, Oct 1
o SW 106th St from 35th Ave SW to 39th Ave SW will be CLOSED with Local Access Only.
o 35th Ave SW at SW 106th St will be reduced to a single lane alternating between northbound and southbound traffic
Here’s a PDF version of the notice, with contact info if you have questions.
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