SUNDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The missing 12-year-old South Park girl has been found safe.

Earlier:

Port of Seattle promoting sustainability initiatives

| Environment | Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

The Port of Seattle is working on sustainability, and has been sponsoring WSB this month to offer information about its efforts, including this message:

(Port of Seattle photos)

The Port of Seattle is striving for a “SEA CHANGE” — a fundamental transformation toward sustainability across its aviation and maritime operations. This ambitious goal requires long-term commitment, innovation, and collaboration. The journey is not without challenges, but the Port has made remarkable progress in reducing environmental impact, modernizing infrastructure, and investing in clean energy solutions. Notably, the Port is on track to decarbonize its operations by 2040, working alongside cruise lines, airlines, and tenants to adopt sustainable practices.

Key accomplishments include groundbreaking environmental initiatives, such as becoming the first U.S. airport to remove harmful PFAS chemicals from fire trucks and mandating shore-power use for cruise ships by 2027.

Efforts to reduce single-use plastics at SEA Airport have also led to significant waste reduction. Additionally, the Port has cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% through renewable natural gas and secured federal funding for maritime decarbonization projects.

Land and water stewardship remain priorities, with the Port removing over 40 tons of marine debris and conducting extensive research on fish monitoring and shoreline restoration.

Environmental cleanup efforts have also advanced, with the EPA finalizing the East Waterway Record of Decision, and a promising soil-washing study offering an alternative to traditional disposal methods for PCB-contaminated soil. Parks and public spaces were recertified as Salmon-Safe, reinforcing the Port’s commitment to sustainable ecosystems.

The Port continues to invest in sustainable infrastructure, with major environmental assessments, noise compatibility studies, and climate resilience initiatives underway. Community engagement remains integral, with over 50 public habitat tours and volunteer events conducted, alongside grant funding for local environmental projects. Looking ahead to 2025, the Port remains committed to fostering partnerships and advancing sustainability efforts to drive the SEA CHANGE needed for a greener future.

The Port is overseen by five elected commissioners (as well as staff); their contact info is here.

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From health care to haircuts to hygiene: Resource fair planned March 22 at Westwood Village

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police | Westwood

For one day later this month, the vacant ex-Bed Bath and Beyond/Spirit Halloween space at Westwood Village will have a new use: Two weeks from today, on Saturday, March 22, that space will be home to a big resource fair meant to connect people with services to improve their lives. Here’s the official flyer, sent to us by Seattle Police Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite:

No pre-registration requested – just show up between 11 am and 3 pm March 22.

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Digital wayfinding comes to Fauntleroy Park

March 8, 2025 2:48 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Photo by Dave Gershgorn)

By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

Digital wayfinding in Fauntleroy Park has just gone live.

The Fauntleroy Watershed Council is introducing this resource so that anyone with a smartphone can navigate the park’s well-maintained trails and learn about points of interest along the way. It works like this:

-Locate the poster showing the map below on the kiosk at the SW Barton or 97th St. entrance to the park. (You may instead go directly to fauntleroywatershed.org/index.php/park or here to access the map.)

-Scan the QR code on the poster to download a geo-referenced map using Avenza Maps from fauntleroywatershed.org. (You may instead download a static map to use as a guide.)

The program will follow you as you walk the trail and provide information about points of interest when you come to them.

With input from other volunteers, Tracy Randle and Sam To worked on the project over several months. They were drawn to the technical challenge as well as by wayfinding’s potential as an education tool. Chris Nack made sure that users will find the map and text about points of interest on the council’s website (fauntleroywatershed.org).

“This initial edition of the map incorporates existing points of interest,” Tracy said, including the tree walk created in 2023. “It’s now our baseline for adding features that visitors suggest and as habitat features change over time.”

Members of the project team will be demonstrating the map during the Fauntleroy Community Association Annual Meeting and Food Fest on March 18, starting at 6 pm in The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). Park visitors may submit updates to the map anytime at fauntleroywatershed.org/index.php/contact.

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PHOTOS: Alki’s Special Olympics-benefiting Polar Plunge 2025, with costumes and food trucks

March 8, 2025 12:14 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 12:14 PM: This afternoon, Special Olympics of Washington is making a splash at Alki with this year’s Polar Plunge fundraiser.

(WSB photos)

The plunging starts in an hour or so – but right now, 10 food trucks are lined up near Alki Bathhouse as part of the celebration:

Here’s who we saw there (links added):

Tabassum
Theo’s Gyros
Ryan’s Rez-ipes
Cheese Pit
Whateke
Sam Choy’s Poké to the Max
Big Boys
Sugar and Spoon
Kathmandu Momocha
Goodbelly

We’ll have coverage of the plunging later! The trucks are expected to stay until 4-ish; the event has a beer garden too.

ADDED, SECOND REPORT: Photographer Dave Gershgorn was there for WSB as teams showed off their contests – and then plunged! Biggest fundraisers were Erik Johnson’s Nearly Nekkid Norwegians:

Biggest team, the Judgy Plungers (from Amazon’s legal department):

Lots of spirited plungers went into the water in waves:

Some were in no rush to get back out:

Others showed off on the sand:

These two found a moment for a pause:

This was the third of five Polar Plunges that are raising money for Special Olympics of Washington around the state – the final two are in Anacortes next Saturday, and the Tri-Cities a week after that.

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UPDATE: First West Seattle recycle/reuse/shredding dropoff event of the year

March 8, 2025 9:20 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| Environment | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

9:20 AM: We’re on Puget Ridge to check out what’s happening in the first hour of this morning’s recycling/reusing/dropoff event in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and West Seattle Junction Association. For starters, the line of cars stretches about a block past the SSC south entrance. Updates to come.

9:45 AM: Once you’re in the lot, things appear to be moving smoothly. Parking is to the west; the trucks are in a line to the east; lots of volunteers to direct you, and carts on wheels that you can borrow if you need one.

Above, that’s WSJA executive director Chris Mackay directing drivers as they arrive for dropoffs.

10:06 AM: The line of cars waiting to get into the lot is very short now! Fewer than 10 cars before the lot entrance.

12:20 PM: Commenters note that the electronics-recycling truck hit capacity before the event is over. If you still have those types of items waiting to be recycled, that’s part of what they’ll be taking, as usual, at the Fauntleroy Church Recycle Roundup, a free dropoff event 9 am-3 pm Saturday, April 26 – we’ll publish the official item list when it’s available.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY! 32 notes for the last day before we ‘spring forward’

March 8, 2025 6:03 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Almost spring! Photo by Gary Pro)

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

TIME CHANGE: First a big reminder – tonight (yes, technically tomorrow, 2 am Sunday) we “spring forward” an hour, as Daylight Saving Time returns.

TRAFFIC NOTES: Metro advisories warn of “construction” again this weekend at Fauntleroy/Alaska, so if you have to head through that intersection, be forewarned. (We’ll go there later this morning for a look at what specifically is or is not affected.) … Beware a possible backup on northbound 16th SW on Puget Ridge this morning because of the next event:

RECYCLE/REUSE/SHREDDING EVENT: 9 am-noon (or until all the trucks fill up and leave, whichever comes first), the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and West Seattle Junction Association team up again for the free recycling/shredding event in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). This time, you’ll park and walk your item(s) to the dropoff stations (assistance will be available for people who are mobility-challenged). The list of what will and won’t be accepted is here.

(Troop 42886, which will have a cookie booth today outside Three Little Birds/Alair at 3270 California SW)

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 welcome photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY ONLINE AUCTION: Continuing today, all are welcome to bid on the many items, experiences, packages, etc. raising money for the Gatewood Gators – start here.

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet up 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).

INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 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). ‘

MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS CLEARANCE SALE: “We’re offering our best discounts of the season on all of our winter gear!” says Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor). Open 10 am-6 pm today.

FAMILY MOVIE: All are welcome at this screening of “My Neighbor Totoro,” 10 am at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), benefiting Rainier Valley Co-op Preschool.

PLANT A MIYAWAKI FOREST: 10 am-1 pm today, you can continue the work this group of volunteers did last month near Longfellow Creek:

Go here to register and get details.

(29th SW & SW Brandon)

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. Fourth 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.

POLAR PLUNGE, WITH BEER GARDEN & FOOD TRUCKS: All-day fundraiser for Special Olympics of Washington at Alki Beach, by the bathhouse (60th/Alki). Register here to plunge – that starts at 1 pm, after a 12:15 pm costume contest; there’s also a Winter Beer Garden and up to 10 food trucks!

.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).

MAKE HANDBUILT ANIMALS: 1-3 pm, join Kristen for this session at The Clay Cauldron. Our calendar listing explains how to register. (5214 Delridge Way SW)

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

WATER POLO TREAD-A-THON: 3:30-5 pm at Southwest Pool, members of the West Seattle Water Polo team are treading water to raise money, as previewed here. Donate here! (2801 SW Thistle)

ASTRA LUMINA: The illuminated walk at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge continues this weekend and wraps up next weekend. 6 pm and later entry times; ticket cost varies. (6000 16th SW)

‘CARTOON MESS LIVE’ AT KENYON HALL: Doors 7, show 7:30, unique animated improv at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – as explained here (where you’ll also find ticket info).

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, The Punktuals‘ album-release party,. No cover, all ages. (4559 California SW)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Tonight – Fat Saturn, Leo Leo, Jones & Cole!Doors 7, music 8, 21+, $10 cover.
(3803 Delridge Way SW)

THE BIG LE-BOWL-SKI: Bowling and movie night! 7-9 pm, bowl at West Seattle Bowl (39th/Oregon); 9:30-11:30 pm, watch “The Big Lebowski” at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW). Get your ticket(s) here.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Spinning starts 9 pm with DJ Shonuph 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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