day : 16/03/2025 9 results

VIDEO: From transit safety to international angst, here’s what the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce heard from King County Executive Dow Constantine

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Whether he is or isn’t Sound Transit‘s next CEO, King County Executive Dow Constantine didn’t say much about ST when he spoke to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce this past Thursday.

Not that they asked him to – the announced theme was “King County Conversations,” and it was likely the last time Constantine would speak to the group as County Executive, a job he’s leaving after four 4-year terms. Here’s our video of what he said, after the Chamber’s executive director Rachel Porter introduced him; our summary follows:

He opened with some personal info, as if he were a new arrival introducing himself for the first time, rather than a quarter-century-plus veteran of elected office. He noted his dietary discipline (vegan, as was the lunch buffet catered by Peninsula Soul Food), his first job (Alki Spud), his daughter and parents’ ages (10 and nineties), among other datapoints. And he noted that he’s served as county executive through “global financial meltdowns, the pandemic, three governors, four presidential administrations, seven (Seattle) mayors … It’s been an interesting experience … the challenges we face are significant and often daunting.” Those challenges are ever-changing, he added.

First one he addressed was public safety, particularly on transit.

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WEEK AHEAD: West Seattle schools plan ‘Walk-Ins’ on Wednesday

March 16, 2025 8:44 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle protests | West Seattle schools

We’ve heard so far from educators at ~~two~~ three local schools organizing “Walk-Ins” before classes Wednesday morning (March 19) as part of a nationwide demonstration against education cuts. Organizers are inviting community members to join staff and students. Here’s the invitation for West Seattle High School‘s Walk-In:

Staff, students, and community members of West Seattle High School (including community businesses and supportive neighbors) will be participating in a WALK-IN to celebrate our school, and to stand against cuts to ANY of the programs that serve our precious students.

School WALK-INs are happening across the country this Wednesday, March 19, for the same reasons; to stand as communities, for our children. The format is simple. 30 minutes to an hour prior to the start of the school day, staff members, students, parents, and supportive community members (including people from local businesses that serve our schools) gather in front of the schools to show support. Signs, musical instruments, carafes of coffee or tea and snacks to share are welcome. Then, about 20 to 30 minutes prior to the school day, we march as a body into the school.

Of course, we cannot have people who are not staff or students enter parts of the building that are not right up front, directly by the exits, because we need to maintain security, and begin our school day, but we can share context, contacts, ideas, and fellowship prior to our work days beginning. If anyone from West Seattle — parents, alumni, and Beloved Community members see this, and want to join us Wednesday morning, we will be gathering at 7:45 AM in front of the school, on California Avenue.

We’ve also heard from organizers at Denny International Middle School, who asked us to share this:

This Wednesday, March 19, please join staff, students, and family/community members at Denny International Middle School at 7:15 AM (prior to school starting) in a Walk-In protest of potential cuts in funding to our public schools due to the dismantling of the US Department of Education. This will culminate at 7:35 AM with staff and students walking in to school in solidarity. Prior to the Walk-In, there will be chanting and conversations. School appropriate signs geared toward these cuts are welcome.

Denny is at 2601 SW Kenyon; WSHS is at 3000 California SW. Meantime, we’ll add to the list if we hear from any other schools.

ADDED MONDAY: We’ve also heard from Genesee Hill Elementary, which is planning “a walk-in event for March 19, starting at 7 AM. Staff, families, and students are all welcome to meet at the front of the school to rally for public schools. We are gathering to support our students and families. The rally will last about 25 minutes. We will walk around the school and into the playground.” GHES is at 5013 SW Dakota.

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WEEK AHEAD: Q&A with local legislators during ‘telephone town hall’ Monday night

March 16, 2025 6:55 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

State legislators are in the second half of a session with some huge decisions yet to be made, and you have the chance tomorrow night to hear updates from local legislators as well as ask questions and offer comments about what they should do. The three legislators who represent the 34th District – including West Seattle, White Center, and Vashon/Maury Islands – are having a “telephone town hall” tomorrow night (Monday, March 17). This is an audio-only event, 6-7 pm, with State Senator Emily Alvarado and State House Representatives Joe Fitzgibbon (who is also House Majority Leader) and Brianna Thomas. Many phones in the district should ring right at 6 pm with the invitation to join the meeting; if you don’t get the call, or if you just want to proactively call in anyway, at 6 pm call 855-756-7520 and enter 120781# when prompted for the extension number. (You’ll also find that info in our calendar listing for the “telephone town hall.”)

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LAST CALL! Final hours for West Seattle Girl Scouts’ cookie booths

March 16, 2025 5:08 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Members of Girl Scout Troop 46282 were among those selling cookies in West Seattle on this final day of the in-person cookie-booth season. WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen found them outside Easy Street Records today, during the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. “I really like selling cookies, because we get the chance to meet new people,” said Maddie, one of the Scouts eagerly inviting passers-by to purchase cookies and support the troop. “And it helps us support the troop to go hiking, swimming, and camping.” Haley, another scout – holding a sign for Women’s History Month – added that camping is her favorite Scouting activity because it “Has a lot of marshmallows.” This troop’s booth is done for the day but if you want to run out for final $6 box(es) of this year’s cookies, other troops are scheduled (according to the online lookup) to be selling until 8 pm at all three local Safeways and both West Seattle QFCs.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglary at city’s Joint Training Facility

March 16, 2025 3:09 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photo. North-side JTF gate, bordering Arrowhead Gardens property; vehicle entry gate is off Myers, on east side)

3:09 PM: Thanks to the texter who tipped us to what they described as a “major break-in overnight” at the Joint Training Facility, operated by the city primarily for Fire Department training, on the southeast edge of West Seattle (9401 Myers Way S.). We’ve obtained the preliminary police summary, which says officers were called to the JTF just after 8 am today, after SFD employees discovered what had happened:

SFD personnel arrived to find a SFD vehicle at the entrance and the vehicle entry gate heavily damaged. It appeared that sometime overnight a portion of the fencing had been cut and entry made. Inside, a SFD vehicle was broken into and used to ram the door of of the engine bay where entry was gained. A SFD ax was found on the ground near the bay. Three separate trailers on the property was also broken into, seemingly by use of the ax. The SFD vehicle was then used to ram through the entry gate for the suspect(s) to exit from the property. There are some cameras present on the property and a link was provided to upload any footage. At time of this report, it was unknown what property, if any, was taken.

We have asked SFD for comment on that, as well as whether the damage etc. is affecting operations as suggested by our texter, and will add any additional information we get.

4:28 PM: Here’s the SFD statement we received from spokesperson Kristin Hanson:

In the late evening hours on March 15, there was a break-in at the City’s Joint Training Facility, which is a property shared by the Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Public Utilities. The fire department has filed a police report with the Seattle Police Department and is currently conducting an inventory of stolen and damaged items. SPD is investigating this as a burglary. A total estimate on cost of damages will likely be available later this week.

We are deeply disappointed this has occurred, especially at a facility that is utilized for training firefighter recruits on saving the lives of others.

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WEEKEND SCENE: West Seattle Runner’s 4th annual Leprechaun Leg Group Run

March 16, 2025 2:59 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Runner)

More than 40 people came out in the early-morning chill for the 4th annual Leprechaun Leg Group Run presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor)! They started from the (mostly) green turf of Hiawatha across the street from the Admiral District shop. and wrapped up at Good Society neaerby. In addition to seasonally themed fun runs like this, West Seattle Runner invites you to show up for regular weekly free group runs too – as listed on their website’s events page (and in the WSB Event Calendar too): Tuesdays at 6:15 pm, meet at the shop (2743 California SW) and go over to the track to run; Wednesdays at 6:15 pm and Saturdays at 8 am, group runs leave from the shop.

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HAPPENING NOW: St. Patrick’s Day eve with Irish Fest at Ounces

March 16, 2025 1:25 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Hayden Yu Andersen)

Ounces Taproom & Beer Garden in North Delridge is starting St. Patrick’s Day celebrations a day early, with a host of activities today until 7 pm. It began at noon today, with an all-ages free Irish line dancing class, led by the West Seattle Irish Dancers (photo above), and a Green Fun Run along the Alki Trail.

They will be serving green beer, Irish stout, as well as green and glittery cider (courtesy of One Tree Hard Cider). This is one of the St. Patrick’s Day-themed West Seattle events featured on the list we published Saturday, as well as today’s full WS event rundown. (If we’re missing any, please let us know!)

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About the emergency response at Seacrest

March 16, 2025 10:41 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Reader photo)

In case you’re in the Seacrest (Water Taxi/Marination ma kai) vicinity and wondering about the emergency response, with SFD there now: According to dispatch and to the witness who sent the photo – they were on the Water Taxi, which had just left – a man jumped into the water in a suspected attempt at self-harm. The witness says the Water Taxi quickly returned to the dock, as its crew, along with divers and others, rushed to help; the witness told us via text, “I was very impressed by how quickly (the) crew reacted, very professional and efficient. They had life rings, one of them wa wearing a dry suit, and after very quickly tying the boat up, were running off with a first-aid kit. (The) boat captain showed some pretty amazing skills, racing to the dock uncomfortably fast and stopped it on a dime in the perfect position.” The man was pulled out of the water and is now getting help and will be taken to a hospital.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 20 notes!

March 16, 2025 6:16 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Recent sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are possibilities for your Sunday, including more St. Patrick’s Day-themed events:

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales end 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.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S LEPRECHAUN LEG GROUP RUN: Meet at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) by 9 am for this wearing-of-the-green 3-mile fun run, which ends at nearby Good Society.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Today’s run leaves from Ampersand (2536 Alki SW), 9 am.

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open 10 am-2 pm, with late-winter produce (root vegetables! greens! cabbage! apples!) plus beverages, flowers, cheese, yogurt, fish, meat, prepared hot food, baked goods, nuts, dried peppers, garlic, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

DUWAMISH TRIBE LONGHOUSE & CULTURAL CENTER: The Longhouse is open for visitors, 10 am-5 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am Sundays, first class free if you pre-register. Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)

DONATION DRIVE: Warm outerwear? Blamkets? New underwear/socks? That’s part of the wish list for this month’s dropoff donation drive outside Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 11 am-3 pm.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool to get your project going, or to finish assembling a holiday gift? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

IRISH FEST AT OUNCES: Noon-7 pm celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, one day early, green beer and all. Info here, starting with two events at noon:
–Free Irish line-dance class
–Green run
Everything happens at the tap room/beer garden (3809 Delridge Way SW).

MUSIC TALKS: Free workshop for those interested in reading music and singing, 12:15 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW).

COMMUNITY CLOG-DANCING LESSONS: Final Sunday with 1 pm lessons at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

MADISON STUDENTS’ POETRY SALON: Missed the first one (WSB coverage here)? Be at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 2 pm today to see and hear Madison MS students recite poetry!

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)

PLAY CRIBBAGE: These Sunday sessions are for more-advanced players, 2 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), membership not required.

MAGICAL STRINGS: 2:30 pm St. Patrick’s Day concert at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).

‘RAIN MUSIC’: That’s the theme of today’s Music Northwest concert, directed by Dr. Jane Harty, at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), 3 pm, featuring the world-premiere work “17 Names for Rain” by Northwest composer Sean Osborn. Details and ticket info are in our calendar listing. (See the full program here.)

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Local singer-songwriter Jim Page performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) 3-5 pm today.

ASTRA LUMINA: Last night to catch the celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Tonight, 7:15 pm and later admission times. Tickets and info here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music – the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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