day : 27/03/2025 10 results

Missed opening night of ‘Chicago’ at WSHS? Five more chances to see ‘ambitious and elaborate’ production

The West Seattle High School production of “Chicago,” which opened tonight, is so big, it has its own trailer video (watch it above)! And a triple-digit total of students and others involved. Here’s the overview:

Get ready to be razzle-dazzled as West Seattle High School proudly presents Chicago: High School Edition, bringing all the glitz, glamour, and intrigue of the legendary Broadway musical to the local stage! The production continues on March 28, 29, and April 2, 3, and 4 at the West Seattle High School Auditorium. Tickets here!

Set in the roaring 1920s, Chicago follows the story of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two fame-hungry women caught up in a whirlwind of crime, corruption, and showbiz. With iconic Kander & Ebb songs like All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle, this thrilling production promises an unforgettable night of music, dance, and drama.

The cast, crew, and orchestra are fantastic this year and feature some very talented seniors, making this production especially meaningful. This production is one of the most ambitious and elaborate ever attempted by the high school. The set alone is a major achievement… but you have to come see it to appreciate it!

“This show is a celebration of all of our students’ hard work and artistic excellence,” said Daniel Wiener, the production’s director. “We’re thrilled to share their incredible performances with the community.”

Tickets are available at westsidedramatickets.ludus.com/index.php

Don’t miss your chance to experience this spectacular production and support the future stars of musical theater!

Along with director Wiener, the production also involves Band Director Ethan Thomas, Vocal Director Taylor Fritts, and Choreographer Sarah Brown (WSHS class of 2021), who produced the trailer. Curtain goes up at 7:30 pm. The theater is on the south side of the school, steps from the gym, at 3000 California SW.

Here’s when Seattle Parks wants to close Alki Beach, Don Armeni Boat Ramp this summer. One more West Seattle park proposed for changes too

With about two months to go until Memorial Day, Seattle Parks has just unveiled its proposed plan for Alki Beach Park and Don Armeni Boat Ramp hours this summer – and it’s proposing a permanent change for Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Deputy superintendent Daisy Catague just briefed the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners on this year’s proposed hours, pending a public hearing and vote next month. First, from the slide deck used for the briefing, here’s the list including Alki (which would have the same closing time as last summer):

“Seasonal” means Memorial Day to Labor Day, Catague explained. The key word on that slide, however, is “permanent”; for the last several years, changes have been made, always explained as a “pilot” project. Parks is also proposing a permanent seasonal change for Don Armeni Boat Ramp:

Parks also is proposing permanently shifting Hamilton Viewpoint Park hours, currently 4 am to 11:30 pm, changing to 6 am to 10 pm. Catague says there was a pilot of those hours dating back to 2015. If you want to have a say in the process, here’s the timeline:

The hearing and vote will be at meetings of the Parks and Rec Board, and you can participate either in person at Park HQ downtown, or remotely – agendas will appear here.

ROAD WORK ALERT: Next week’s North Delridge project

(SDOT camera, looking north over Delridge Way north of Genesee)

If you’ve noticed the signage on Delridge Way near Genesee and wondered about the impending “traffic revision,” today we obtained the official SDOT notice for long-in-the-works northbound repaving:

What: Street Repaving
Where: Delridge Way SW between SW Genesee St & SW Dakota St
When: Monday, March 31 – Monday, April 7. 7 AM – 6 PM each day.
*Weather permitting

At the location and hours listed above:
 SDOT will replace several concrete panels in the northbound lanes of Delridge Way SW between SW Genesee St & SW Dakota St.
 Parking will be restricted:
o 72 hours before work starts and parking restrictions begin, “NO PARKING” signs will be placed on the street.

 SDOT crews will facilitate and maintain driveway access to the homes fronting the northbound lane between SW Genesee St & SW Dakota St to the extent possible.
 Sidewalk access will not be impacted.
Contact King County Metro for bus-stop impacts.

o Lane shifts will be in effect 24 hours a day for the duration of the project.
 Northbound traffic will be shifted to the southbound travel lane.
 One northbound lane and one southbound lane will be maintained on the west side of the median.
 Northbound traffic will be restricted from turning left onto SW Genesee 24 hours a day for the duration of the project.

P.S. Reader Jay pointed out that someone reprogrammed one of the illuminated signboards earlier today. We asked SDOT if security’s been tightened and haven’t yet gotten an answer to that.

VIDEO: Sound Transit Board votes unanimously to appoint Dow Constantine as next CEO

3:42 PM: We’re in the Sound Transit board room at Union Station downtown, where ST board members have just voted unanimously to appoint Dow Constantine – the West Seattleite in his fourth and final term as King County Executive – as the transit agency’s CEO. The vote followed their search consultant’s recap of the process, including defense of the candidate confidentiality, and members’ reiteration of their confidence that Constantine was the most qualified and will “hit the ground running.” Board members’ remarks also acknowledged the big issues facing the agency, and one mentioned that Constantine “will not get a honeymoon” – those issues need to be addressed fast. As we reported yesterday, his starting salary will be $450,000.

He entered the board room right after the vote and is speaking next. (Added: Here are the 55 minutes of video including the discussion of his nomination, the vote, and his remarks afterward:)

4:14 PM: Constantine promised his new bosses that he will prioritize “regionality, transparency, stability, reliability, safety, and cleanliness.” He also vowed “we will navigate these choppy waters together,” alluding to the many intensifying challenges facing the agency, not the least of which is funding. We spoke to him briefly afterward; more on that after we’re back at HQ, but first, he confirmed that he’ll start work at ST on April 1 (next Tuesday) and that deputy county executive Shannon Braddock – also a West Seattleite – will take over on an interim basis until the County Council decides what to do until a new CE is chosen by voters this fall.

ADDED THURSDAY EVENING: Here are our two hallway questions, post-vote:

Here’s the Sound Transit news release with the announcement.

WEST SEATTLE. CRIME WATCH: Police targeting shoplifters at Westwood Village

Listening to police radio lately, we’ve heard a lot more dispatches for officers to respond to reports of shoplifting at Westwood Village. Police are also continuing to run targeted stings, and released a short summary about another one last night, so we asked for more details – here’s the report narrative we received, in its entirety (with the suspect’s name redacted, as she is not yet charged in this case):

On March 26, 2025, Officers were conducting Retail Theft Operations, at Target (located at 2800 SW Barton), which suffers a significant amount of retail theft.

The mission of this operation is to disrupt shoplifting, the trafficking of stolen goods, criminal activity, and other criminal activity that negatively impacts the public’s quality of life in the City of Seattle.

A sworn Seattle Police Detective XXXXXXXX was inside the store’s office observing the security cameras. Arrestee xxxxxx entered the store and selected items that were displayed for sale. xxxxxx concealed items in her bag, then exited the store, passing all points of sale, making no attempt to pay for the merchandise.

Det. XXXXXXXX described xxxxxx to officers waiting to stop and arrest her. Officers subsequently stopped xxxxxx. Det. XXXXXXXX confirmed officers had apprehended the correct suspect.

Officers photographed and returned the stolen items to Target. They also obtained a receipt for the stolen items. The total amount for the items taken was $90.97.

Officers developed probable cause to arrest xxxxxx for RCW 9A.52.030, Burglary 2nd Degree. … xxxxxx was previously trespassed from Target by CW/XXXXX and was arrested by SPD on 01/09/2025 for Burglary 2nd Degree after having been trespassed and re-entering the store and stealing. CW/XXXXX immediately recognized xxxxxx as soon as she entered the store because she was just trespassed on 11/29/2024. (She) was transported and booked into the King County Jail.

The suspect is 24 years old and still in jail; she will likely have a bail/probable-cause hearing this afternoon. The original short summary from SPD mentioned two other arrests, but no details were offered on those.

FOLLOWUP: Seattle City Light’s long-delayed Brace Point project now out to bid

(Reader photo: Sign seen in project zone July 2021)

After another outage in the Brace Point area south of Fauntleroy last weekend, we followed up with Seattle City Light regarding the long-delayed upgrade project meant to increase the undergrounded system’s reliability in the area. SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang says the project finally has gone out to bid:

The cable replacement project construction package has officially gone to advertisement (Wednesday), with contractor bids scheduled to open on April 23rd, 2025. Once bids are open, we will go through an evaluation phase and proceed with signing a contract with the successful construction company. It is anticipated that notice to proceed will be issued by early summer 2025.

There’s backstory in this WSB archive story; the project originally was set to start five years ago, and “permit problems” were cited as a major reason for initial delays. Once the work starts, the project page says, it’s expected to last almost two years.

From the ‘dumped/possibly stolen’ file: Recognize this car seat?

Some recent reader reports of car break-ins/thefts mentioned car seats stolen in the process. So in case this is one of them, we’re publishing this reader report from Kay:

At the entry to the PeeWee field at Riverview Playfields- Looks too nice to be just dumped!

‘Chicago’ at WSHS, ‘Frozen’ at OLG, more on your West Seattle Thursday list!

(Photo by Lance Mercer – seen from Lincoln Park)

Today/tonight, from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are the highlights (something to add? please let us know!):

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Spring is starting Week 2! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 10:30 am-10 pm at MOD Pizza Westwood Village (2800 SW Barton), mention Denny International Middle School‘s fundraiser and part of the proceeds of your purchase will go toward it.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to find out where they’re playing today.

SOUND TRANSIT BOARD MEETING: 1:30-4 pm, downtown and online, scheduled to include the vote on appointing Dow Constantine as CEO. The agenda explains how to comment/watch.

SUFFRAGE FIRST! 2 pm performance at Village Green-West Seattle (2615 SW Barton), free but RSVP requested.

SPORTS: – One local high-school game tonight – Chief Sealth IHS baseball vs. Seattle Academy at Delridge Playfield at 3 pm.

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of three regular Thursday night events tonight here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Vandalz.

WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Also an every-Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also tonight, run 3 miles, or walk a shorter path, in the neighborhood near HPCS with the Run Club, leaving from the store at 6:30 pm – info here.

VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!

WESTIES RUN CLUB COMMUNITY 5K: This group’s 6 pm weekly Thursday run now departs from The Good Society in Admiral (California/Lander) and tonight the Westies team up with Orca Run Club for a “community 5K.”

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: If you’re not up for running, how about walking? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm, Patrick Rifflin performs Thursdays at Pegasus Pizza in The Junction (4520 California SW).

OLG 8TH GRADERS PRESENT ‘FROZEN’: One night only, and the community’s invited! Doors open at the Walmesley Center at 6:30 pm, showtime at 7 pm for Our Lady of Guadalupe 8th graders’ production of “Frozen.” (3401 SW Myrtle)

OPENING NIGHT FLYOVER: If you see two U.S. Navy Growlers pass by, it’s for the Mariners’ opening-night flyover, as we noted on Wednesday. (Game starts at 7:10 pm.)

OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘CHICAGO’ AT WSHS: 7:30 pm at West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California SW), a huge student-led production of “Chicago” opens its run – details in our calendar listing.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Tonight at The Skylark! Doors 6, music 7, Miscomings, Faith in Strangers, 9-5 Hyperf–k, Give Me Gold. $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet, hosted by Good Old-Fashioned Local Trivia (9614 14th SW).

DJ NIGHT: The weekend starts early at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Kingblind and Teenage Rampage, starting at 8 pm.

Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!:

YOU CAN HELP: School selling flower baskets for fundraiser

Thinking of flower baskets this year? The Bridge School cooperative elementary is selling baskets as a fundraiser:

Hanging Flower Basket Fundraiser
Now through April 11

Pickup date: Friday, May 2 or Saturday, May 3 at The Bridge School (10300 28th Ave SW)

The Bridge School is holding our annual Hanging Basket Fundraiser. We’re excited to offer beautiful 12″ Premium Hanging Baskets from Van Wingerden Greenhouses. Options are available for both sun and shade exposure. Add some color to your own porch, or pick one up as a Mother’s Day Gift!

Price is $45 each. Baskets will be available for pickup at the Bridge School (10300 28th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146) on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3.

Order at /tinyurl.com/bp9ebk2w

The growers are the same ones who create the West Seattle Junction’s hanging baskets!

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Thursday toplines

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, March 27, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Back to normal – more rain expected, high in the mid-50s! Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:57 am and 7:32 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water TaxiWest Seattle service is normal.

Metro busesRegular 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.”

ROAD WORK

-Utility crews have been working this week on SW Holden west of 16th and on 16th north of Myrtle.

-In White Center, the 16th SW closure at 104th continues, with detours.

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!