West Seattle, Washington
23 Sunday
Another commercial-leasing sign caught the eye of two readers who tipped us about it late today/tonight – the northeast corner of California/Admiral, where Wells Fargo closed almost exactly a year ago, has a tenant on the way. Wells Fargo sold the building six months ago for $6.3 million to Mercer Island-based commercial investor/developer Henbart (the former bank is just part of the building). After confirming the “leased” sign, we inquired with the listing broker, Jason Miller of Kidder Mathews, who says he can’t identify the tenant but did describe it as a “local business.” (Nothing in permit or license files yet.)
Thanks for the tip. A little over a month after West Seattle Brewing closed at 4415 Fauntleroy Way SW – where an eviction notice had just gone up – the space is now officially up for lease. Signage on the building, as shown in our photo, offers only a phone number; cross-referencing that number points primarily to an apartment complex in the Capitol Hill area. The space was long a little store called Tervo’s; then in 2011, it became the Corner Store and Deli, and a year later West Seattle Brewing took over.
Thanks to the reader who provided heads-up on this – a laser light show from the Space Needle on Friday night, likely visible here across the bay. Here’s the alert sent by Needle management:
On Friday, March 14 the Seattle skies will be full of color and light, as the Space Needle will host
GuideStar, a laser light show from 7:30 PM-9:30 PM.30 primary-colored laser beams will shine from the top of the tower for an evening of cosmic exploration and wonder. GuideStar draws inspiration from astronomical guide stars—laser systems used in observatories to create artificial stars. This immersive installation is created by visual artists Mendi + Keith Obadike and supported by Seattle arts non-profit Wa Na Wari.
The event will begin at 7:30 PM and end at 9:30 PM. The best viewing is from Seattle Center’s International Fountain Lawn, or anywhere you have a clear view of the Space Needle. The beams are complemented by slow-moving, ambient music that can be simulcast here.
You can see a video simulation here.
ADDED: The artists tell us it should indeed be viewable from here – visiting Alki to gauge that possibility was part of their planning.
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Last month we told you about Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) proprietor Erin Rubin and others speaking in support of State House Bill 1733, which would increase the allowable amount of reimbursement if you’re going to be displaced by a project like Sound Transit light rail. State House Rep. Brianna Thomas‘s office sends word that HB 1733 passed out of the House on a unanimous vote Tuesday. Rep. Thomas and our area’s other state House Rep., Joe Fitzgibbon, are among the sponsors. Next, the bill goes to the State Senate. Here’s the latest version; it would raise the limit to $200,000, from the current $50,000, and allow future increases based on inflation. Rep. Thomas’s update summarizes it as follows:
This bill increases financial assistance for people, businesses, farms, and nonprofits forced to relocate due to government projects. Under this bill, displaced individuals and organizations can receive payments to cover moving expenses, lost property, and the costs of finding a new location. The bill also allows eligible individuals to opt for a fixed payment instead of itemized reimbursements, providing more flexibility in how they manage their relocation.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Neighborhood meetings are often a prime example of how to catch up with your community for a relatively short time investment. Last night, the Admiral Neighborhood Association packed a lot into less than two hours, facilitated by president Joanie Jacobs, stressing “think of this as your living room.”
CRIME REPORTS DOWN: It’s seemed quieter lately; stats presented last night suggest that’s not an erroneous perception on our part. Southwest Precinct Community Liaison Officer German Barreto brought the area’s latest stats. “Everything’s been going down” in West Seattle, except for thefts. For Admiral, everything except robbery has decreased in the past month, compared to a year earlier – Admiral has had 4 robbery reports in a month (which can include “shoplifting turned violent,” Barreto noted), compared to 2 in the same month last year. A notable decline was in motor-vehicle thefts – four in the past month, compared to 10 a year earlier. Also noted, the Southwest Precinct has a new liaison from the City Attorney’s Office (we followed up today with the CAO, which tells us that Rachel Wang is now in that role for both the Southwest and South Precincts). Later in the meeting, ANA’s communications lead Dan Jacobs mentioned that he’s the Admiral neighborhood rep to the newly revived Southwest Precinct Advisory Council, which is meeting – all welcome – next Tuesday (March 18), 6;30 pm at the precinct, featuring the new SPD Chief Shon Barnes.
OVERVIEW OF SUMMER EVENTS: Not too soon to think summer! President Jacobs said they’ll have a summer volunteer meeting in June. The West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade has new coordinators. They’re starting to plan for the various components like food trucks and sack races. They might have a marching band lead the parade. Meeting-goers stressed that this is a BIG parade, four-digit participation, as our annual “here’s the entire parade” videos have shown, like the one below from last year!)
Admiral Music in the Parks is set for July 17, 24, 31, three different parks again this year, and there’ll be a “knitting circle” at each concert … For the late-summer Admiral Block Party (that’s the name it’ll go by this year), the first organizational meeting just happened, and it’ll be “very neighborhood focused,” on the fourth Saturday in August.
(WSB file photo)
HIAWATHA UPDATES; ANA’s communications person Dan Jacobs shared some info obtained from Seattle Parks, which is expecting to send a rep to the next general ANA meeting, May 13.
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce wants to remind you that your nominations for this year’s Westside Awards are due by this Friday night (March 14)! Another reminder of what they’re all about:
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2025 Westside Awards, recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals making a significant impact in West Seattle.
Community members are encouraged to submit nominations in the following categories:
• Westside Business of the Year – Recognizing an established business (3+ years) demonstrating success, growth, and community involvement.
• Westside Emerging Business of the Year – Honoring a promising new business (under 3 years) making a strong impact in the community.
• Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year – Celebrating non-profit organizations dedicated to social good and community service.
• Westsider of the Year – Recognizing an individual who has made a lasting impact through leadership, volunteerism, or service.Nominations can be made online here.
See past winners here
. This year’s winners will be celebrated at the Westside Awards breakfast on May 14 – you can register now to attend.
P.S. The Chamber’s monthly lunch meeting tomorrow features outgoing King County Executive Dow Constantine – ticket info is here.
Travis reports an unusual theft:
Just wanted to report to you that last night someone stole my tail lights from my 2023 Ford 150 Lightning. It appears that they unscrewed the tailgate cover plate to gain access to the locking mechanism and then somehow opened the tail gate. This allowed access to the tail lights and from there was a quick removal. The worst part of all is that they cut the wiring harness instead of unplugging the tail light, which will make this even more difficult and expensive to repair. This took place near the intersection of SW Thistle and 20th Ave SW.
We’ll add the report number when available.
(Daffodil, photographed by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s our list of what’s happening on your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Wednesdays at 10 am, too! Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore’s new location. (4522 California SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: All levels welcome, noon-4 pm at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury).
FREE WEBINAR FOR FAMILIES WITH BABIES: Learn how to prevent food allergies while introducing solid food to your baby. Free webinar presented by Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor), 12:30 pm. Our calendar listing has the link you can use to register for this (and to view past Lunch & Learn presentations).
REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales continue today, after school! Go here to look for a cookie booth near you – multiple troops are selling at various spots, during various time slots, in West Seattle, through this weekend.
HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm free drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: Monthly event at the West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW) but membership is NOT required. 6 pm, all ages, everyone welcome. Coincides with the Eagles’ Taco Night if you want to buy food. More info in our calendar listing.
POETRY AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, PoetryBridge gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Open invitation to the group’s weekly meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW)
FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB MEMBERSHIP MEETING: 6:30 pm at Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW) – info in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations on our West Seattle list: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Our area’s largest political group has its monthly meeting at 7 pm at the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW). See the agenda here, including King County Executive candidate spotlights and a farewell to former State Sen., now state Commerce Director, Joe Nguyen.
MUSIC BINGO: Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Ready to take the mic and show your talents? 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Considering the incentive, spaces for this upcoming West Seattle blood drive might go fast, so we’re mentioning it early:
Join Electric Butter Marketing and Seattle Sorbets in West Seattle on Tuesday, April 15th, and give the gift of life—while treating yourself! Donate a pint of blood and receive a coupon for a pint of Seattle Sorbet as a thank-you.
📍 Location: 4001 44th Ave SW
🕘 Date & Time: Tuesday, April 15th, 9 am-4 pmHow It Works:
Schedule Your Appointment: Visit Bloodworks Northwest to reserve your spot.
https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/75982Donate Blood: Head to the West Seattle location on April 15th to make your life-saving donation.
Claim Your Treat: At check-in, use code “VT07” to receive your Seattle Sorbets coupon!
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast – rainy, high around 50. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:27 am and 7:11 pm.
ROAD WORK
-In White Center, another reminder that 16th is closed at 104th again today.
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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