West Seattle, Washington
24 Saturday
Friday’s the night that you can sip, stroll, and help the West Seattle Junction Association raise money to raise the bar on West Seattle Summer Fest music. And the weather looks fairly promising for the first-ever Rock Walk, described by WSJA as “a night of different tastes from wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries – with all proceeds supporting live music at Summer Fest.” If you didn’t already buy tickets, online sales are closed BUT WSJA tells us you can still get in on it – buy your ticket at one of the check-in locations:
Jet City Labs – 4547 California Ave SW
John L. Scott Realty – 4445 California Ave SW
Rock Walk (and last-minute in-person ticketing) starts at 5 pm Friday. (Summer Fest is just three months away, BTW, July 11-13!).
(WSB photos)
5:15 PM: It’s West Seattle Art Walk night in dozens of places around the peninsula, either hosting artist receptions or offering food/drink specials to people out enjoying art! Tonight’s biggest spotlight is shining on Alki Beach (and the sun is too, just as we arrived), where businesses have rejoined the Art Walk lineup for an incentive to invite people to the beach. Tonight five venues are participating, coordinated by the Alki Community Council, and they’re showing work by student artists from Alki Elementary. Above is from our first stop, Blue Moon Burgers; also participating at the beach tonight, West Seattle Arcade, Gary’s Place, Alki Hair Design, and the Log House Museum – our second stop:
You can see the list and map of tonight’s venues all over West Seattle here, and browse info about tonight’s artists and receptions – most of which are continuing until at least 8 pm – by going here.
6:10 PM: We stopped at the other Alki venues and discovered an adult artist at Gary’s Place:
Sibling West Seattle Arcade is featuring student art plus Naomi Benson‘s work:
And Alki Hair Design is also featuring the photography of Dené Miles:
Next month, after its late-April opening, Alki Coffee Company plans to join the Alki participants for Art Walk too.
After leading classes elsewhere to help more people discover the joy of making pottery, West Seattle artist/entrepreneur Lora Radford is opening a studio, offering memberships and workshops/classes. Potterings will be at ActivSpace (3400 Harbor Avenue SW, #132), and Lora describes it as “a new creative space for beginners,” elaborating in the grand-opening announcement:
Potterings is the perfect place for you if you’ve ever wanted to try pottery but didn’t know where to start! Whether you’ve never touched clay or are looking for a fun, hands-on experience, our studio is designed to be welcoming, stress-free, and full of creative possibilities. We officially open on May 1, 2025, and we’re celebrating with a Grand Opening on May 2 & 3 — featuring free mini try-it workshops, chances to win a free workshop, add your creative touch to the Potterings ceramic sign, and free bubble glazing (you’ve got to try it to believe it!)
Friday, May 2, 6-8 pm – Open House with snacks and refreshments. Chance to win a free workshop! Learn about the Potterings membership.
Saturday, May 3, 12-5 pm – Free mini workshops including trinket dish, coat hook, plant holder, bubble glazing, chance to win a free workshop. Learn about the Potterings membership.
Both days, you’ll have a chance to add your creative touch to the community-created Potterings sign that will be displayed in the studio!
You can also find out about memberships by going here, and see the open studio and workshop/class schedule via the Potterings calendar.
After nine days of registration, more than 220 sales are signed up for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 – the 20th-anniversary edition of the annual day for what we call “person-to-person recycling,” all over the peninsula. This year’s WSCGSD is on May 10, the second Saturday in May as usual, 9 am-3 pm (you can start earlier and/or end later if you choose to). In addition to all the individual sales signed up, we have school groups, nonprofits, businesses, block sales … and watch for an update tomorrow on multi-seller sites, if you’re looking for someplace to sell YOUR stuff. Registration will continue for two more weeks, through April 24; if you are ready to register your sale, draft your up-to-25-words listing and go here to register! (Also as usual, the WSCGSD map will be available online – in interactive and printable-list formats – one week before sale day.)
(Norwegian Bliss arriving in April 2024 – photo by Lynn Hall)
The Port of Seattle sent a reminder today that cruise-ship season starts this Saturday (April 12) – here’s the full-season schedule, with the last scheduled cruise-ship call to be on October 19th. The port says it’s expecting 298 sailings with 1.9 million “revenue passengers, which comes out to more than 900,000 unique passengers.” The headline for today’s announcement (which you can read in full here) is that this is the first season with shore power available at all three of Seattle’s cruise-ship berths. (Update: We followed up to ask how many of the visiting ships are expected to use it. Port spokesperson Chris Guizlo told us 71 percent of the calls are shore-power-capable.) The berth closest to West Seattle is Pier 66 downtown, and that will host mostly Norwegian Cruise Line ships this season, including the one that starts the season on Saturday, Norwegian Bliss (also the first ship last year, as shown above). Among them will be a Seattle first-timer – the port notes, “This June, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth will spend its first home port season in Seattle. The vessel will offer eleven sailings this season, with 7- to 11-day itineraries from June to September.”
With Easter just 10 days away, local churches are sending info for our seasonal list of services – including Holy Week – and other special events. If yours hasn’t, there’s still time; send the dates/times/brief descriptions to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Here’s what we have so far. Several plan egg hunts, which we’ll be cross-referencing in a separate list before this weekend.)
P.S. Passover starts this weekend and we’ll list any community events we get word of, too.
Big day and night around the peninsula! First, it’s West Seattle Art Walk night – here again is the venue list for both art exhibits and food/drink specials:
Our preview is here – don’t miss the Alki student-art displays – and this month’s guide to receptions and featured artists is here. Most events are 5-8 pm; scroll through this month’s guide for specifics. (WSB is an Art Walk sponsor.)
Now, here’s what else is happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ONLINE AUCTION’S LAST DAY: In advance of Friday night’s Southwest Seattle Historical Society spring gala, the online auction concludes today and is open to all for bidding – go here!
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Spring is now in its fourth week! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to get info on where they’re playing today.
SPORTS: – One local high-school game today – West Seattle HS fastpitch softball vs. Lincoln at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) at 4 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 Paparepas.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: This is also an every-Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: HPCS is also starting point tonight for running 3 miles, or walking 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! And tonight – enjoy this quarter’s artist, as part of the West Seattle Art Walk.
WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: 6 pm online, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s monthly speaker series focuses on the history of photography this time – info, including how to get the link, is in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: This group’s 6 pm weekly Thursday run now departs from The Good Society in Admiral (California/Lander).
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: Signups for young musicians is at 5, music at 6, during this monthly event at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Another way to get out on your feet tonight – 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).
ALKI BEACH HOURS: As we’ve been reporting, Seattle Parks is looking at hours changes for Alki Beach Park, Don Armeni Boat Ramp, and Hamilton Viewpoint. Tonight is the Parks Board public hearing, 6:30 pm meeting – the agenda includes info on how to participate, either online or in-person (downtown)
Update: Canceled LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Racoma‘s album-release show is at 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW)! Free, all ages.
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 Supreme La Rock, starting at 7 pm.
‘ATHENA’ AT ARTSWEST: Opening-night performance, 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse (4711 California SW), for the new production “Athena,” by Gracie Gardner – get tickets here.
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!
Family and friends are remembering Rick Cocker, and sharing this with his community:
Richard “Rick” LeRoy Cocker, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and respected public-relations professional, passed away peacefully at home in West Seattle on April 3, 2025, at the age of 72.
Rick was born in Elgin, Illinois, to Myron and Marge Cocker, both of whom preceded him in death. He was raised in the Pacific Northwest and graduated from the University of Washington.
Rick’s career reflected both his sharp intellect and his steady, thoughtful nature. In high school, he spent summers in North Bend working on a forest fire crew for the Department of Natural Resources. During college, he worked as a copy aide at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. After graduation, he took a reporting job at the Bellingham Herald. In 1977, Rick and his wife Pam embarked on one of their greatest adventures — moving to Washington, D.C., where Rick briefly worked for Congressman Lloyd Meeds and later served as Press Secretary to Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson.
Following Senator Jackson’s passing, Rick and Pam returned to Seattle, where he led communications for the Port of Seattle. He later founded his own public-relations firm, The Cocker Company, which became Cocker Fennessy when he partnered with Anne Fennessy. Over the years, Rick took pride in representing a wide range of clients and industries — from aviation and maritime to education, Native American tribes, and all levels of government. He believed deeply in the power of clear, ethical communication and in doing work that made a difference.
Rick was also a strong advocate for supporting women in the workplace, a value rooted in admiration for his mother, Marge Cocker — one of the first female pilots in the Pacific Northwest and a former editor of Pacific Northwest Magazine at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Her trailblazing example shaped Rick’s deep respect for women’s leadership and voices throughout his life and career.
Rick married the love of his life, Pamela (Pam) Palmer, on June 23, 1973. They were married for over 50 years and built a beautiful life together. Rick is survived by Pam; their daughters, Sarah (Adam) Sherman and Claire (Matthew) O’Connell; and seven beloved grandchildren: Jane Sherman, Mae Sherman, Theodore Sherman, Harrison O’Connell, Eleanor O’Connell, Ford O’Connell, and Ruth O’Connell.
He is also survived by siblings Scott Compton, Robin Ihli, and Debbie Ahlers, and was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Cocker.
In retirement, Rick found joy in gardening, woodworking, photography, and daily walks on his treadmill — he took his Fitbit step count seriously. More than anything, he cherished time with Pam, his children, and his grandchildren. Rick was known for his kindness, calm presence, and quiet devotion. He lived by the words: “Always take the high road — it’s far less traveled.”
The family will celebrate Rick’s life privately.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, April 10, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Your Thursday forecast is for clouds this morning, showers and breeziness this afternoon, high around 65. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:29 am and 7:52 pm. (Next Wednesday brings the first 8+ pm sunset!)
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle servicen; spring/summer schedule, with later-in-the-evening sailings two nights a week, starts Saturday (April 12).
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.
ROAD WORK
-The Admiral Way Bridge’s outside lane on the east/southbound side remains closed.
-The daily SW 100th closure in White Center, 15th to 16th, has been extended through the 18th, according to King County Roads. (Thanks to Gill for the heads-up.)
NEXT WEEK
–Seattle Public Schools are out on spring break next week.
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: In addition to 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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