day : 31/03/2025 10 results

(WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin)

That’s Guila Muir, celebrating her 70th birthday at Alki Beach on Sunday. Not just on the beach – but also in the water!

Guila is a legend in the local community of open-water swimmers – those folks you see swimming off Alki, and sometimes far beyond! She tells WSB she’s not only celebrating the milestone birthday, but also 20 years of open-water swimming:

Her birthday party on Sunday also doubled as the kickoff for this year’s open-water-swimming season, though as she’ll tell you, “many swim year-round.” Kind of difficult to get a group shot in the water, so Guila and friends did that on dry land:

Among her personal highlights in the water, organizing the history-making Silver Seals of the Salish Sea crossing between Bainbridge and Alki back in 2021; she was also part of the Salish Sirens relay last year. So her party celebrated good times past and present.

Back in 2019, we covered a panel discussion hosted by Muir featuring other women from the open-water swimming community explaining their sport.

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TUESDAY: City Council’s Transportation Committee focuses on existing traffic-safety cameras

March 31, 2025 9:58 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

While adding new types of enforcement/safety cameras has been under discussion in recent years, the city already deploys several types, including school-zone speed-enforcement cameras, red-light cameras, and transit-lane cameras. Are they making a difference? That’s one of the issues set for discussion when SDOT talks about cameras at 9:30 am tomorrow with the City Council’s Transportation Committee, chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka. You can watch the meeting here and/or get the basics by looking at the slide decks and memo already linked to the agenda. (Info you’ll find includes the fact the city hasn’t installed a new red-light camera since 2013 – West Seattle has two – and new school-zone cameras on the way include California SW near West Seattle HS and SW Admiral Way near the permanent site of Alki Elementary.) This meeting includes a public-comment period, and the agenda has info on that too.

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LIFTOFF! West Seattle High School’s Rocketry Club looking for a boost

March 31, 2025 8:06 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

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

(Photos courtesy WSHS Rocketry Club)

We love hearing from, and about, clubs, teams, and other student achievers at local schools. There’s always something someone new – this is the first time we’ve heard from a Rocketry Club! Here’s the message they asked us to share with you:

We are West Seattle High School’s Rocketry Club! We compete in rocketry competitions, where we have to design, build, and fly our own rockets to a set altitude and get down without breaking our payload of two eggs. Our club is working to break accessibility barriers to STEM in the school and create a welcoming environment for students to learn, make mistakes, and have fun. As a competitive club, our goal is to build a team of students — and a rocket — to win The American Rocketry Challenge, a nationwide competition for student rocketeers! Our club is often found late at night after school trying to fix a problem, having fun, and building rockets. We are unique in our competition, being one of very few schools to have an active controlled airbrake that eliminates randomness from our launches.

While this airbrake is very cool, it is also very costly, and our club needs more funds in order to sustain our rate of development. With the competition deadline soon approaching, we are seeking donations to our club for us to buy more parts for our rockets. Currently our team has spent over $1,700 out of pocket, and we need the help of the community in order to get the resources needed to be one of the top 100 teams that make it to finals this year. Any amount of money would be greatly appreciated! These donations would go to buying more rocket motors, spare electronics, and extra rocket parts. Thank you for supporting the West Seattle High School Rocketry Club!
schoolpay.com/pay/for/Rocketry-Club–Donations/S2NkHt

Updates on our club can be found on Instagram at wshsrocketry!

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SUNSET WHALE-WATCHING: Resident orcas headed this way, southbound

March 31, 2025 7:15 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Whales

If you’re by the water watching the sunbreak sunset, you might see Southern Resident Killer Whales – Kersti Muul says J-Pod is southbound from north Elliott Bay, east in the channel. And baby J62 is still “alive and well.”

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West Seattleite Shannon Braddock might make King County history Tuesday

March 31, 2025 4:21 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

As we noted after King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s appointment last Thursday as the new CEO of Sound Transit, he will likely be succeeded – at least temporarily – by Deputy County Executive Shannon Braddock, who like Constantine is a West Seattle resident. If the King County Council votes tomorrow (Tuesday, April 1, 1:30 pm meeting, streaming here) to appoint Braddock as acting county executive, she will make history as the first woman ever to hold that position. Braddock has worked in local government for 20 years, according to her bio on the King County website, including serving as chief of staff for both Constantine and for former County Councilmember Joe McDermott. Braddock is not among those who, so far, have announced they’re running for the executive position, which became up for grabs when Constantine announced – months before his Sound Transit appointment – that he did not plan to seek a fifth term.

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BIZNOTE: With warm weather on the horizon, Alki Kayak Tours opens for the season

March 31, 2025 2:13 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Alki Kayak Tours)

Warm weather is in view and it’s time to get out on the water, so Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is open for the season! Here’s the announcement from Gill at AKT:

We’re excited to share that Alki Kayak Tours (AKT) is officially open for the 2025 season! With the first 70° day of the year upon us this weekend, we’re ready to help the West Seattle Community make a splash and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Here’s what folks can look forward to at AKT:

•Lessons and instruction available 7 days a week, by appointment

•Hourly rental walk-ups this Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 6:00 PM (rentals appts available on website)

Come join us at Alki Kayak Tours to soak up the sun and make unforgettable memories on the water!

AKT is based at Seacrest Pier, along with Marination ma kai and the West Seattle Water Taxi dock.

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Repaving – and peat removal – ahead for SW Barton between Westwood Village and Roxhill Park

March 31, 2025 12:12 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | Westwood

Today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin brings word of a repaving project planned for SW Barton between 26th and 29th, to fix road damage blamed on buses. The bulletin specifically notes that a two-week comment period is now open regarding the determination that the project doesn’t need a full environmental-impact study; it has a “checklist,” from which we extracted this:

King County Metro buses on the RapidRide C route have a layover location on SW Barton Street between 26th Ave SW and 29th Ave SW in Seattle, WA. The layover location is within peat settlement prone and liquefaction prone environmentally critical areas (ECAs). Due to the heavy loads imposed by routine bus use over an inadequate roadbase, the roadway has experienced settling, resulting in dislocated concrete panels. To address this issue, SDOT proposes to repair the roadbed by removing existing peat deposits and filling the subgrade with lightweight cellular concrete, then installing new concrete panels on the roadway surface. An existing wastewater main is located below the roadway, within the area to be filled with stabilizing material. The wastewater main will be relocated to a position approximately one foot below and slightly north of its current location. This will move the pipe out of the area to be filled with concrete and align it with the post-construction road grade.

To support the project goals described above and meet City of Seattle construction standards, the project will also repair or improve the surrounding drainage infrastructure, curb lines, curb ramps, and sidewalks.

We contacted SDOT to find out more; they pointed us to this project page which says the work is expected to happen this fall. They also told us that official notification of nearby residents and businesses is expected to start with a mailer going out next week. Meantime, if you want to comment on the aforementioned environmental aspect, this notice explains how. There’s been a longrunning project aimed at saving the peat bog in adjacent Roxhill Park, so we’ll be looking into how/whether this might affect that, too.

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Soccer fundraiser, meditation, trivia, more for your West Seattle Monday

March 31, 2025 9:58 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Yet more bountiful blossoming! Photo by Lorrie Church)

Here’s our “what’s happening” list today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BABY STORY TIME: Noon today at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), geared toward little ones up to 18 months old.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See City Councilmembers preview what’s ahead for the week and get briefed on current issues such as what’s happening in the Legislature and planning for the FIFA World Cup, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch (no public-comment period at this meeting).

HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING: As previewed here Sunday, the State Senate Transportation Committee has a 4 pm hearing on HB 1423, which would allow cities to try using cameras to enforce vehicle-noise rules.

‘DINE OUT FOR WSHS BOYS’ SOCCER’: 5-9 pm, Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) will be open just for this West Seattle High School boys-soccer fundraiser, with a percentage of proceeds going to support the team.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio with Listening to Grief. (4034A California SW).

MEDITATION AT ALKI UCC: Every Monday, doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Three Monday night places to play! … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Another location for Monday night meditation – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights – jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday nights, it’s your turn to sing during karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Online auction opens soon, in-person event ticket sales end tomorrow for Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School fundraiser

March 31, 2025 9:14 am

| 1 COMMENT

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

School fundraiser season continues, and Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School has both an online auction all this week and a Saturday gala for which ticket sales end tomorrow:

Do you have an itch to shop but don’t want to leave the house? Look no further! Holy Family Bilingual School’s Online Auction kicks off April 2nd-6th and we have something for everyone! From tickets to your favorite sporting events, gift cards to support local businesses 🛒, to summer gear and much more!

All proceeds will go toward the development of our **After School Club Program** for our Falcons, with additional funds benefiting scholarships and enrichment opportunities.

Want to celebrate with us in style? 🎉 Don’t miss out on our **Gala Party**! Dress up in your best Brazilian Carnival attire, enjoy delicious food, drinks, and dance the night away!

**Tickets are on sale now – but hurry, they close on Tuesday, April 1st at 1 PM!** Click this link to grab yours!

Your support helps us soar—**Thank you for supporting our Falcons!**

This flyer has more information.

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TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Last day of March

March 31, 2025 6:00 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Last day of March

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, March 31, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Your Monday forecast is partly sunny with a chance of showers, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:49 am and 7:38 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule – first weekday since the “service change,” with three West Seattle routes affected.

Water Taxi – West Seattle service is normal.

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

ROAD WORK

-This week, repaving work is set for NB Delridge Way between Genesee and Dakota – details here.

-In White Center, the 16th/104th closure is over – work wrapped up earlier than planned.

STADIUM ZONE

–Mariners’ opening homestand continues with a 6:40 pm game vs. Detroit.

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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