day : 07/03/2025 11 results

VIDEO: West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA celebrates community connections and shows how your support can strengthen them

| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/video)

By Tracy Record and Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA is about connections – connecting with your community and neighbors as well as connecting with yourself via fitness, health, and fun.

That message was at the heart of Wednesday night’s community dinner to launch this year’s fund drive for the Y (a longtime WSB sponsor). Attendees enjoyed a free buffet catered by West Seattle’s own Peninsula Soul Food – one of the Y’s neighbors at Distinguished Foods in The Triangle, another connection.

Branch executive Cleveland King II offered heartfelt thoughts at the night’s conclusion, stressting that “The most important thing when you come into the YMCA is how the people interact.”

More people – especially youth – can be served thanks to donors’ generosity, mused longtime board member Calvin Saunders: “Let’s get our kids help.”

Board chair Linnea Westerlind, emceeing the event, spoke of another way the West Seattle/Fauntleroy Y is increasing connections with youth – a plan to expand its leadership to add two teenagers each year, a group too often “overlooked and underappreciated” in what they can offer:

The Y connects with thousands of kids and teens each year through Camp Colman and Camp Orkila. Jason Lane, senior executive director for camping and outdoor leadership, talked about how camp experiences promote community awareness, self-confidence and a wonder for the natural world, and lead to more than a million volunteer hours. He then introduced Camp Colman’s executive director Danielia Barron, who also speaks in this clip:

Even more frequent than camp trips, young Y members get to connect via sports programs. The Y is working on expanding access and adding a new competitive basketball league, as program director Liz Abbott and health/wellness director Madisson Cordova discussed:

Third through eighth graders are invited to tryouts next weekend (as previously mentioned here). And when they’re not on the court, perhaps they’re in the pool; the West Seattle Y is renowned for its aquatics programs, led by Jenna Gill, who said her mission is to promote universal safety and awareness around water, which involves much more than learning to swim:

The Y connects people across the age spectrum – elders as well as youth – and Cordova returned to the microphone to talk about plans for growing the Active Older Adults resources, with a cancer-survivorship program in the works as well as line dancing, and hopes for an AOA coordinator, if the support comes in:

Whatever the program, each participant has a story, often brimming with inspiration. Board member Chris O’Claire told the story of how a physically challenged teenager named Luca connected with support and increased confidence and independence via a scholarship membership at the Y:

The more the Y can raise during this year’s fund drive, the more they can offer access to people like Luca and others of all ages and abilities. So it’s up to community supporters to pick up the ball and run with it. If you can give, here’s where to start.

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Where should SDOT build sidewalks/walkways in North Delridge? Walk-and-talk event ahead

March 7, 2025 8:04 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Safety | West Seattle news

The Seattle Transportation Levy includes money for some of the many areas around the city that need sidewalks. Just a drop in the bucket – SDOT says 11,000 blocks around the city are sidewalk-less, while the levy has funding for 350 blocks of new sidewalks/walkways. 10 of those blocks will be in North Delridge, according to SDOT. A commitment’s already been made for the long-promised SW Brandon sidewalk as an “anticipated initial (levy) project.” Where else does North Delridge most need sidewalks? SDOT has just announced a walk-and-talk event to give community members a chance to talk about it:

Want to see new safe places to walk in the Delridge neighborhood? Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.

Date: Wednesday March 19th, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) and then walk the neighborhood with us!

Kids are welcome! Rain or shine.

Here’s the official flyer for the event.

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FOLLOWUP: Artist Dozfy restores vandalized Alki Beach mural

March 7, 2025 5:20 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

5:20 PM: Two days after someone vandalized the sea-life mural on Alki Beach’s relatively new restroom building, artist Patrick “Dozfy” Nguyen was there restoring it today, as he told us he likely would do. The photos are courtesy of Alki resident Cami, who also shared her photo of the extensive damage shortly after it was done.

Dozfy painted the mural last June.

5:20 PM: Dozfy just sent post-restoration photos too, including this one showing two sides:

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: West Seattle water polo team’s Tread-a-Thon – and invitation for new members

March 7, 2025 4:11 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

One of our area’s newest high-school-sports teams invites community support for a fundraiser tomorrow – and is welcoming new team members, too! Here’s the update:

Members of the girls’ West Seattle Water Polo Team are holding their 2nd annual Tread-a-thon event to raise funds for their expanded second season, which is already filled with many firsts: first year with 2 coaches, first year with a JV team, first year in Division 2. The team has more than doubled in number of players over last year’s team, so we have added games.

The Tread-a-thon is this Saturday, March 8, from 3:30-5 pm at Southwest Pool. Players will tread for 100 minutes without touching the sides or bottom of the pool and without using floatation devices. Sponsors are invited to pledge per minute or a flat amount. Members of the team invite the West Seattle community to help by donating to their cause!

The girls formed this team last year and had a wonderfully successful inaugural season after gaining permission from the league to play, but no funds were provided by the school or district for the team. This year, all the teams in the district are additionally managing a 30% increase in pool rental fees. Donations will fund scholarships, pay for pool-rental time, league fees, and equipment.

Girls from any high school are welcome to join the team. Head coach Steve McKinnon and Assistant Coach Jojo Southwell are ready to quickly bring new players to proficiency. Practices will be 2 mornings per week before school with home games on Friday evening. Practices started on this week and the season runs through late-May with 25 players including our first player from Chief Sealth International High School.

For more information, email wshswaterpolo@gmail.com.

Donations gratefully accepted at this link: paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@2

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BIZNOTE: Change of plans for Flower Lab in Admiral

March 7, 2025 2:12 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Katie, in photo provided by Flower Lab)

Last November, after Bebop Waffle Shop announced its closure at 2600 California SW, with its proprietor planning a pivot to an event space, co-housed Flower Lab was planning to transition to online-only. That’s still the plan, but it’ll be short-lived, explains proprietor Katie in this open letter she shared with WSB as well as her customers:

Wendy and Paul Damoth, the building and business has had my heart and strengthened my floral passion – I’m so honored to have steered the ship these past 4 years. Thank you for being part of this journey. This special community and its ceaseless support has meant everything.
We will be selling off the bulk of all retail, some furniture and some vessels over the next month – please don’t hesitate to come visit and maybe take a piece of Flower Lab with you!

Additionally, I would love to offer referrals and recommendations for your future floral needs, as this community has many wonderful floral designers to choose from.

With love and gratitude,
Katie
Owner, Flower Lab

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Evergreen Ensemble concert Sunday, with ticket discount

March 7, 2025 12:28 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This Sunday, the Evergreen Ensemble brings their vocal artistry back to West Seattle, after sponsoring WSB this week to amplify the invitation to prospective concertgoers. They’re also offering a discount code that’ll get you 30 percent off the ticket price! Here’s the announcement:

Evergreen Ensemble Concert
REQUIEM

March 9 – 3:00 pm, Holy Rosary Catholic Church (4139 42nd Ave SW)
evergreenensemble.com/requiem

For 30% off your ticket order, use the discount code REQUIEM30

Come hear Evergreen Ensemble’s final solo concert series of their 2024-2025 season; a stirring program that looks at the ways we confront death and tragedy through our music, and how despite the experiences of pain and despair, we can move forward with resiliency, grace, and hope.

The concert features two larger works for unaccompanied choir. Dale Trumbore‘s How to Go On was written following the death of a loved one for poet Barbara Crooker and asks, “How can we go on, knowing the end of the story?” The piece answers the question in eight movements that range from questioning and doubt, to introspection, and to an acceptance of mortality. Herbert Howells’ timeless Requiem was famously set aside after the untimely death of his 9-year-old son and was not performed for over 45 years before he was convinced to release it, at which point it quickly was recognized as one of the great choral masterpieces of the 20th century.

The program will close with a West-coast premiere of a beautiful piece titled Dawn by WA composer John Muehleisen, originally commissioned as a companion piece to the Howells. Finally, the concert will end with a beautiful set of African American Spirituals, which of course give us a message of struggle and perseverance from a group of people dealing with unspeakable worldly oppression, and who still call to us all to move forward in hope and love.

They hope the concert offers people some relief from any stress, anxiety, or grief they may be experiencing, and that they can look forward to at least an hour and a half with us where they can be in community and hear music that can soothe the soul and send them back into the world refreshed and hopeful!

For more information or to purchase tickets you can visit evergreenensemble.com/requiem or purchase your tickets at the door. For anyone ordering tickets in advance, you can use the discount code REQUIEM30 for 30% off your order!

You can learn more about the Evergreen Ensemble here.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Here’s why a state ferry is in tow

March 7, 2025 11:50 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Multiple texters – including the one who sent that photo – told us about Washington State Ferries‘ M/V Tacoma under tow off Alki. No, it’s not another ferry breakdown. We checked with WSF, and spokesperson Dana Warr explained, “The Tacoma has been in drydock at Vigor Shipyard and today is moving to Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility for continuation of planned preservation work. The vessel is expected to return to service late March or early April.”

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YOU CAN HELP! Early volunteer request for one of West Seattle’s first summer festivals

March 7, 2025 11:28 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, June 2024)

Before we get to the heart of festival season in July, an early spot of summer fun arrives thanks to the Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association. This year, the festival’s on June 14 – still more than three months away, but as this announcement explains, they’re hoping to get volunteers involved now!

Hello everyone in Morgan Junction, and around West Seattle!

The annual Morgan Junction Community Festival is coming up on Saturday, June 14 from 10 am to 2 pm. Event sponsor Morgan Community Association (MoCA) is pleased that the Bubbleman and other fun acts will be returning to Morgan Junction Park along with local vendors and community information booths. We’re hoping that everyone will come out to join us that day.

AND…

We’re hoping some new people will join us to help with planning, preparation and day of event support for this long standing community festival. We need a Vendor lead, a PR lead and a Volunteer lead. Not interested in a lead position? Any help you’d like to offer would be very welcome. The time commitment isn’t huge; one meeting per month and day of event. Please contact us at mocacnc@gmail.com if you are willing and interested.

THANK YOU and see you on June 14 at the Morgan Junction Community Festival!

Haven’t been to the festival before? Here’s our as-it-happened coverage from last year.

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Tax help x 2, music, skating, cookies, more for your West Seattle Friday

March 7, 2025 9:54 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Blossom time! These were photographed earlier this week by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Friday is here again! Here’s what’s up today/tonight, mostly from the West Seattle Event Calendar:

STAY ‘N’ PLAY: 10 am-11:30 am, weekly free drop-in playtime at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

FREE TAX HELP EVENT #1: Drop-in help at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), 11 am-4 pm, appointments recommended.

BABY STORY TIME: Noon-12:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).

QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

FREE TAX HELP EVENT #2: 4-8 pm in the library at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), for students and families, no appointment needed, info in our calendar listing.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales start their second weekend today! Go here to look for a cookie booth near you – multiple troops are selling at various spots in West Seattle.

OPEN MIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Open mic for all genres at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, all ages, no cover.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Miss World, Tapwire, Someone’s Daughter, Yeti Set Go, doors at 6 pm and music at 7 pm, details here, $10, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Justa the Bob Oligarch 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’s slate: Mother Root, Fox Medicine.

If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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HAPPENING NOW: Gatewood Elementary’s online auction

March 7, 2025 9:01 am

| 1 COMMENT

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

It’s fundraising season for many school groups and other nonprofits. Among them, the Gatewood Elementary PTA, which has just launched an online auction this morning – anybody can bid. The parent who let us know about this points out, “With the significant budget cuts facing Seattle Public Schools, the support of the West Seattle community is more important than ever.” If you skim the auction site, you’ll see a wide variety of items up for grabs, including tickets, gift cards, memberships, more. Here’s the link to browse and/or bid! The auction is open for a week, leading up to the PTA’s in-person fundraiser a week from tonight.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Friday + spring-forward weekend notes

March 7, 2025 6:03 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, March 7, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Forecast – partly sunny, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:37 am and 6:04 pm.

WEEKEND NOTES, INCLUDING TIME CHANGE

-Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 am Sunday, when we “spring forward” an hour to 3 am.

-The Alki Bathhouse vicinity will be busy all day Saturday because of the Special Olympics of Washington Polar Plunge fundraiser, which will include multiple food trucks, a beer garden, and likely vehicles from participating public-safety responders.

-Saturday morning, expect extra traffic on northbound 16th SW near South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) because of the 9 am-noon recycling-dropoff event.

ROAD WORK

-In Morgan Junction, work at the NB California bus stop north of Fauntleroy is expected to continue today, with a lane closure.

-In White Center, another reminder that 16th will be closed at the 104th intersection starting Monday.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth serving as the “bonus boat.”

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides 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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