(Photo courtesy West Seattle Realty’s Kevin Broveleit)

That was just part of the crowd filling the West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) front-room event space last night, as Madison Middle School presented the first of two “community poetry salons.” Dozens of students presented poems they’d memorized. Educator Robin Russell described it as “a celebration of both poetry and the tenacity it takes to excel at the skill of memorization and the art of recitation.” We were there for part of the salon and recorded a sampling of student readings, with poems both contemporary and classic:

If you weren’t part of last night’s overflow crowd, good news – they’re doing it again in two weeks, at 2 pm Sunday, March 16. West Seattle Realty is on the ground floor of the Admiral Station Apartments, across from Hiawatha, at 2715 California SW.

Those are fireworks, not gunshots

March 1, 2025 8:49 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Gatewood | West Seattle news | Westwood

If you’ve heard the booms from Gatewood, Upper Fauntleroy, Westwood, etc., those are fireworks, not gunshots. We’ve heard them all, and police in the area have seen them. We’re just mentioning it because we’ve gotten a few texts and dispatchers/calltakers say they’re getting deluged.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Ex-Bel Gatto equipment to be auctioned off

March 1, 2025 6:54 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The future of the Fauntleroy space that was briefly Bel Gatto and long The Original Bakery remains a question mark. Andrea sent us the link to an online auction of the space’s bakery and café equipment, to be held March 11-18 by veteran auctioneers James G. Murphy Co. After closing Bel Gatto in January, less than a year after opening the bakery/café next to his company’s restaurant Endolyne Joe’s, Peter Levy of Chow Foods told WSB, “There is no decision yet as to what we will be doing with the space that housed the bakery.” That sounded as if he and his company would decide its future, but when we contacted him after learning about the auction, he replied, “I am not sure of what the future use of the space will be. The Landlord will be making that determination.” We’re working to reach the building’s owners to find out if they plan to offer the space for lease. The online auction, meantime, is offering almost 60 items/groups of items, from “assorted plates” to a donut fryer to pizza ovens to bakery display cases/shelving.

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SUNDAY TRAFFIC ALERT: Part of Highway 99 closing for Hot Chocolate Run

March 1, 2025 5:30 pm

| Comments Off on SUNDAY TRAFFIC ALERT: Part of Highway 99 closing for Hot Chocolate Run

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you’re headed to North Seattle or beyond via Highway 99 on Sunday, this alert is for you:

Northbound State Route 99 in Seattle between Republican Street and North 50th Street will close from 6 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 2 for the Hot Chocolate Run event. People using the SR 99 tunnel will have to exit at Republican Street.

Additionally, the southbound SR 99 exit to eastbound Harrison Street will close. People can still exit to westbound Harrison Street.

People traveling through Seattle Sunday morning should use alternate routes or expect delays and detours.

The race is affecting some downtown surface streets too.

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COUNTDOWN: One week until Special Olympics of Washington Polar Plunge party @ Alki

March 1, 2025 3:23 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2020 Polar Plunge)

Next Saturday (March 8), around Alki Bathhouse, you can expect a lively celebration as the Special Olympics of Washington‘s fundraising Polar Plunge returns. The only thing this has in common with the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim is that if you participate, you go into the chilly waters of Elliott Bay – but this one happens in waves, not in one giant group. And even if you’re not plunging, you’re invited to enjoy food trucks and a beer garden (details on that are here). It’ll be an all-day party at the beach (starting around 11 am), including a costume contest for plungers (12:15 pm). Here’s where to sign up (individuals or teams) to be part of the Plunging (which starts at 1 pm).

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WEEKEND WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas off West Seattle (photos added)

March 1, 2025 12:29 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

12:29 PM: Just in from Kersti Muul, a report of “orcas close to shore northbound, heading toward Me-Kwa-Mooks” (Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, 4500 block Beach Drive). Let us know if you see them!

1:15 PM: Now approaching Constellation Park, per Kersti.

5:14 PM: Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo above, taken today as the orcas left Elliott Bay.

6:57 PM: And thanks to Robin Sinner for sending this photo, also taken today:

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Fauntleroy/Alaska work

March 1, 2025 12:25 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

You might want to avoid Fauntleroy/Alaska this afternoon, particularly if you’re heading toward the intersection from eastbound Alaska – the work crew that’s currently at the southeast corner has narrowed the lanes, so there’s a backup. Here’s a surface-level look at what they’re doing right now:

Some buses are rerouted off that stretch of Alaska because of the work, too, and the Metro advisory says that could last all weekend.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Home-invasion burglary

March 1, 2025 10:43 am

| 24 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

10:43 AM: Reader report from a resident on 26th SW north of Roxbury who called this in to 911 around 4 pm Friday:

I was not feeling well and was asleep when I was awakened by a woman with a flashlight coming into my room. I chased her down stairs and caught her as she was fleeing out my front door. This is when a male accomplice came back and pushed me while demanding I let her go.

The police did not see a point of entry. Since, the doors were open and undamaged I decided to check my back yard and discovered they had removed a glass panel from a bedroom window as a point of entry. The person that installed my security doors told me that they would never get through one of their doors and it would be more likely that an intruder would come through a window instead.

I immediately noticed that all my keys were gone. This has resulted in my spending a considerable amount of money trying to remedy the situation.

The case number is 25-55434.

The victim did not include descriptive information, so we’re asking on followup.

2:46 PM: Here’s their reply regarding descriptions:

Both of them were in their late 20s to 30 with dark complexions; he was about 5’10” with short black hair and a medium build, dressed in all-black clothing, and he was carrying a paper bag with unknown items.

She was also in her late 20s to 30, about 5’8″ with a dark complexion and black shoulder-length hair and had a medium build and spoke with a slight accent. She was also dressed in all-black clothing. She dropped her flashlight and pair of tin snips while I was chasing her out. The items were turned over to SPD.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 28 options!

March 1, 2025 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(The Brothers on Friday, with some receding fog – photo by David Hutchinson)

Here’s what’s happening on your Saturday, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales continue today! Go here to look for a cookie booth near you – multiple troops are selling at various spots, during various time slots, in West Seattle. (Is your troop out selling cookies? We’re going to try to get some pics but we welcome yours too – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.

HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free community meditation, 9 am at Inner Alchemy‘s sanctuary/studio (3618 SW Alaska).

VOLUNTEER AT NORTH SHOREWOOD PARK: Give some TLC to this nearby neighborhood gem, 9 am-noon. Info here. (10044 24th SW)

WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: 9:30 am, this month’s first class at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW) – info in our calendar listing.

INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, 9:30 am, for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Then at 10 am, you’re invited to join others for the full weekly walk in Lincoln Park (also meet at 47th/Fauntleroy).

MORNING MUSIC: 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.

GRIEFSHARE: If you have lost someone close to you, this is for you. Third week of 13-week series today, 10:30 am, Grace Church (10323 28th SW).

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – “This is a free, weekly, in-person active writing group grounded in the Amherst Writers and Artists method. It is a safe, critique-free space. Writers of all levels welcome, 16 and up.” Our calendar listing has location and RSVP info.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), meant for kids 0-5.

.FREE TAX HELP: 11 am-3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).

FAMILY READING TIME: 11 am family reading time returns at new home of Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the newest exhibit, about the West Duwamish Greenbelt! (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

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

BASKETBALL TRYOUTS: 1-7:30 pm, multiple sessions for boys and girls by age group, for No Limits Academy at Greenbridge (9800 8th SW) – details here.

LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Mac Potts performs, doors at 2, show at 2:30, all ages; get ticket(s) here. (7904 35th SW)

FREE MASSAGE: Walk-in clinic at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm.

FOR FAMILIES WITH BABIES: 3-4:30 pm at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW) – today, Early Speech Skills and Baby Sign Play Group.

(Crescent moon setting behind Mt. Washington – photo by Dan Ciske)

ASTRA LUMINA: The illuminated walk at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge continues. 5:45 pm and later entry times; ticket cost varies. (6000 16th SW)

EVENING MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Circle of Songs, acoustic event hosted by David Guilbault, 6-8 pm at the coffeehouse (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, Asterhouse album-release party, hosted by KEXP’s Troy Nelson. No cover, all ages. (4559 California SW)

FINAL WEEKEND FOR ‘COVENANT’: See the play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) at 7:30 pm; get tickets online here.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Tonight – Festival of Friends presents Bandmixers!

Bandmixers-Discography events feature curated cover bands showcasing select tracks from some of rock music’s most iconic albums. Performing bands are made up of musicians from within the Festival of Friends Events musician community. Our Volume 15 installment includes the music of Queens of the Stone Age, The Cure, Pretenders and The Ramones. Join us for a great night of community live performances!

Doors 7, music 8, 21+, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT SPRUCE HILL WINERY: 7:30 pm, singer-songwriter Angela Adams performs. 1 drink minimum, no cover. Our calendar listing explains how to reserve a table. (2960 4th Ave. S., SODO; WSB sph

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Spinning starts 9 pm at Revelry Room – check here to see who. (4547 California SW)

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday night singing! 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)

West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome to be listed on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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