West Seattle, Washington
21 Monday
Details are few so far, but police are investigating a reported armed robbery just after 10 pm in Morgan Junction. The initial report was that it happened at the gas station/mini-mart at 6540 California SW (though it should be noted, that address has two other businesses open at this hour, Domino’s Pizza and the BECU ATM). The only descriptive info sent out over the radio was a Black man in his 20s, no other details. Since there’s been so little radio traffic on this, we might not find out more until the written report is available.
Thanks to JayDee for sending the photo of tonight’s sunset, second-to-last one of summer 2026. Tuesday (September 22) will bring the first sunset of fall – about two hours after the equinox moment (5:05 pm) – and you can welcome the change of seasons by watching with educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park. She’ll be there 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm; official sunset time is 7:07 pm, but the sun could drop below the timberline as early as 6:50 pm. The gathering spot is on the park’s top level, upslope from the tennis courts (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW) and P-patch. If you haven’t been to one of Alice’s sunset watches, the location is perfect because that area of the park has granite markers and paths aligned with the setting sun’s locations for equinoxes and solstices. Free, all ages, educational, and fun!
Thanks to Eddie for the photo and update – the Sound Transit work on the bike/foot path from Delridge alongside the West Seattle Bridge, scheduled to continue through today, ended early, and he found the path reopened on Saturday. The work involved soil sampling along the area where a new light-rail-only bridge is planned to be part of the West Seattle Link Extension project.
Community members of all ages can get vaccinated at clinics coming up at local schools – here’s the announcement we were asked to share to you (corrected):
Seattle Visiting Nurse Association runs annual flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics at various middle and high schools in partnership with Seattle Public Schools.
These clinics are open to the public, but appointments are required. Our first clinic is coming up on 10/4 at Louisa Boren STEM K-8.
These clinics are open to the public, but appointments are required. The registration link is also below—please feel free to re-title it for your communications. Our first clinic is coming up on 10/10 at Louisa Boren STEM K-8.
Patients will be able to get a flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, or both in the same appointment. We can vaccinate kids 4 and up for flu and 5 and up for COVID-19. All patients can receive COVID-19 vaccines this season due to a Washington State Department of Health order.
We will be using the updated Moderna products for 2025. Each patient needs their own registration, in their name, with their information.
We are currently able to accept almost all local health plans, including Medicare and Apple Health, but cannot accept Cigna, Tricare, or First Choice insurance.
If anyone has questions, they can email us at info@seattlevna.com.
Here’s the registration link.
On Sundays we often look ahead to events in the coming week. This Thursday evening, Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) will host a West Seattle writer’s book launch: “Climate Anxiety and Spiritual Resilience” by Suzanne Crawford O’Brien. The author is a professor at Pacific Lutheran University. From the publisher’s description:
Religious and Indigenous practices that counter despair, cultivate courage, and sustain moral action in the fight for environmental justice. Climate change is an ecological and political crisis, but it is also a spiritual one. Fractured relationships with the natural systems that sustain us and frustration with leaders’ seeming inability to respond, has led many to grief, despair, burnout, and moral exhaustion. Indeed, current research on eco-anxiety and climate grief show that emotional overwhelm undermines collective action, even when solutions are known and available.
But there is a path forward, one found within religious and Indigenous traditions that have long cultivated practices for living with loss, sustaining hope, and acting ethically within fragile ecosystems. By bringing the psychology of climate grief into conversation with Indigenous and religious traditions, this book offers a framework for moving beyond paralysis toward resilient, justice-centered engagement. Each chapter draws on case studies from diverse Indigenous and religious traditions. challenging extractive worldviews, emphasizing relationality and interdependence, and grounding justice in care for land, community, and future generations. Together, they explore what it means to engage in inner activism: the work of moral courage, clarity, and presence that makes sustained ecological action possible. Practices of mindfulness, ritual, lament, storytelling, and community accountability are presented not as private coping strategies but as sources of collective resilience and ethical commitment. Emphasizing hope without denial and action without burnout, this book offers spiritual resources for transforming grief into courage, solidarity, and sustained engagement for ecological justice.
If you’re interested in attending the 6 pm event on Thursday (September 24), RSVP here ASAP, as there’s an attendance cap. All ages welcome; wine for 21+ attendees.
If you couldn’t get to this weekend’s biggest rummage sale on Saturday, you have another chance, until 3 pm today – and the deals are even bigger, because everything is half-price! We just stopped by Fauntleroy Church‘s Second-Time Sale for photos of what remains available. This curated sale raising money for church programs (such as the popular Recycle Roundup, which returns on October 3) has a wide variety of items in good shape – toys, housewares, furniture, games, clothing, jewelry, tools, sports gear, more.
It’s in (and outside) the church Fellowship Hall, 9140 California SW.
Two coyote reports received Saturday (thank you!):
AT NINO CANTU SOUTHWEST ATHLETIC COMPLEX: This one photographed by Jessie didn’t need a invitation to take the field:
We saw this healthy looking coyote running across the soccer field above the pickleball courts at the sports complex at about 7:10 (Saturday) night while we walked the dogs.
ON THE BLUFF: This may be the same coyote roaming blufftop yards along Sunset SW as reported here last Sunday, but this photo’s from Joe:
Coyote visit on Sunday morning 9/13, North Admiral/Sunset Bluff.
We publish coyote sightings fpr awareness, not alarm; some people still don’t realize they share our neighborhoods. Learn more about coyotes here.
(Orca Half runners on Saturday, photo by Clarence Higuera – the race repeats this morning!)
Here’s what to know for summer’s final Sunday – mostly listings from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
ORCA HALF, DAY 2: A second day today for the Orca Half, from Lincoln Park to Don Armeni, with shuttles from the finish line to start line, and running starting in waves around 7:30 am. (No road closures.)
WEST SEATTLE RUNNING CLUB: 8:30 am, meet at Alki Statue of Liberty (61st/Alki) to run with friends old and new.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: 9 am, Westies Run Club meets at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for today’s run.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
WEST SEATTLE ART TOUR: Dozens of artists, spread among 16 stops where you can see how they work! It’s the second 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! (WSB is a co-sponsor of the tour.)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Now in the still-bountiful end-of-summer produce-and-products season, open for shopping and eating (as it is every weekend of the year, even holidays), 10 am-2 pm, California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska.
MASTER GARDENERS CLINIC: Also in The Junction – this season’s last chance to get your gardening questions answered at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm.
MAKERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, monthly 206 Makers’ Market at Jet City Labs. (4540 California SW)
THE WORKS SEATTLE POP-UP: 10 am-2 pm crafting outside The Works Seattle‘s new Junction location (4540 California SW) – make shrinky-dink keychains.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open today! Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? Look for it at, and borrow it from, the West Seattle Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
SECOND-TIME SALE: Second of two days to shop this curated rummage sale, previewed here. 11:30 am-3 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, weekly action in The Junction.
COLMAN POOL FINALE: Noon-7 pm, this year’s last postseason weekend wraps up at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SNAIL MAIL SUNDAY AT MR. B’S: Monthly writing event at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), 1-4 pm.
WATCH THE SEAHAWKS AT THE HYDRANT: Bring your pup! Weekly watch parties, with today’s kickoff at 1:25 pm. (4541 California SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome Sunday afternoons (among other times) at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) – open 2-5 pm today, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – this month’s title, “Dandelion Wine.”
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 3-5 pm, Orville Johnson & Mark Graham at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
ARTSWEST MATINEE: First 3 pm performance of “The Chinese Lady” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW).
EVERGREEN ENSEMBLE: Choral concert, 3 pm at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee).
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: This month’s meeting focuses on neighborhood protection amid the ongoing ICE activity, 3:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW).
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, nighttime tea service with teas curated by host Jack Sanders, info here. (4547 California SW)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Richard Gilewitz performs at 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, with prizes. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm jazz with the D-Lux Jazz Trio at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or assisting with, an event that should be on the WSB community Event Calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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.
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