West Seattle, Washington
01 Thursday
(Scouts and volunteers at Camp Long – photo by Erik Bell)
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Camp Long got TLC Sunday from more than 70 volunteers and Girl Scouts from 11 troops, pulling up invasive weeds, picking up trash, and helping spread fresh wood chips across a handful of campsites as part of a yearly Earth Day cleanup event.
“This year has been easier,” said Maya, one of the Scouts in attendance. Maya and fellow Girl
Scout Izzy attended the first cleanup last year, but this year they’re acting as youth leaders, helping younger Girl Scouts participate in the event.
Camp Long is traditionally the location of the local West Seattle Girl Scout Summer Day Camp. When deciding what they would do for Earth Day last year, event organizer Alexa Huggins said the park seemed like the perfect choice. Huggins is with Service Unit 550, which encompasses all Girl Scout troops in West Seattle and Vashon.
The help has an impact beyond just cleaning up the park. In November of last year, historic Camp Long Lodge was the target of an arson attack which caused an estimated $1.2 million in damages, and led to the loss of many historical documents. So this was heartening. “We really appreciate the love and support, especially right now,” said Camp Long supervisor Matt Kostle, who was there to help organize and assist volunteers on his day off.
(WSB photo by Hayden Andersen)
“(The Girl Scouts) get very excited, because they care about this camp. Especially after the fire, a lot of them want to know what they can do to help,” Huggins said.
(Scouts hold up their finds – WSB photo by Hayden Andersen)
The younger scouts were especially excited, seeking out the most interesting pieces of trash to show off. The highlight of the day by far was Troop 42886’s Eleanor and Dela, who managed to find an old bucket, broken baseball bat and a plastic easter egg which they theorized was “eaten by a squirrel”.
(Huggins speaking to scouts and volunteers – photo by Erik Bell)
Next year, Huggins said, they’ll have to set up a reward for the most interesting piece of garbage picked up by the scouts.
The tools for the event were supplied by Erik Bell of our area’s most prolific volunteer cleanup group, A Cleaner Alki. Bell says it’s a good experience for everyone to get involved in cleaning local parks, especially younger people. “It helps to get them out here, and show them that they can make a difference.”
If you’re interested in supporting cleanups like these, Bell says you can support A Cleaner Alki here. To get involved with Girl Scouts by volunteering or joining, find out more here.
Three food biznotes tonight:
(Hajime Sato at Mashiko in 2009 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
MASHIKO FOUNDER HEADING BACK WESTWARD: Thanks for the tips! The original chef and owner of Mashiko in The Junction says he is heading back to the Pacific Northwest after closing Sozai, the Detroit-area restaurant he opened in 2021. Just where Hajime Sato will land is not yet public, but reaction to his announcement on social media had dozens of commenters hoping it would be near them. The fact that he’s won a James Beard Award in the interim is likely adding to the interest in his next venture.
Three employees purchased Mashiko when Sato left for the Midwest in 2019. With a focus on sustainable seafood at Mashiko for the final 10 years of the 25 he ran the restaurant here, it wasn’t a stretch for Sato to continue those values when opening Sozai. The positive feedback in the suburban city of Clawson was immediate, and in the years that followed, Sato was honored with a number of awards, including the James Beard Award last year for Best Chef Great Lakes, which includes a 5-state area. He had been a James Beard finalist the previous year. Sato’s post on social media says:
After an extended time of reflection, it is clear that the best thing for my family is for us to return to the Pacific Northwest.
It will be extremely difficult to leave Sozai behind. I put everything I had into building something special for my customers and to further my work as a sustainable seafood advocate. Thank you to everyone who has shared wonderful times with me at Sozai. I will cherish those memories. My sincerest hope is that you will continue to try new things!
We have inquiries out about where in this region he’s headed and will update with any new information we get. (8:46 PM: He messaged us back to say he has no further comment right now.)
SAKE DINNER AT UPWELL: A couple blocks south of Mashiko, a one-of-a-kind dining and drinking experience is two nights away – Upwell Wine and Coffee sent us the announcement that they’re teaming with Maison V for a multi-course sake dinner this Wednesday (April 30), three seatings, $185 per person (gratuity included), with curated food and sake pairings courtesy of Upwell’s Chef Rosanne and Maison V’s team. Interested? Get your seat at the table by going here.
NEW PIZZA: Yes, West Seattle is getting a new pizza option. Thanks to Ian for the tip on this, after he saw the sign in the window at KBM Commissary Kitchen, 5604 Delridge Way SW (home to other popular pick-up eateries). Pizza Ritual, whih promises “naturally leavened wood-fired pizza,” says it’ll be serving up its pies a day or two week starting next month.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of city and contractor crews along the east end of Sylvan Way (north of The Home Depot) earlier today. They were there for an encampment on Longfellow Creek. Not long after receiving the photo/tip, we went over for a firsthand look, but the last crew was leaving. The nearby Vietnamese Cultural Center and others have voiced concerns about the encampment; we checked with the city Unified Care Team to find out exactly what was happening today, and spokesperson Kate Jacobs replied, “The Unified Care Team deep-cleaned an area today in Longfellow Creek Greenspace at Sylvan Way SW by removing accumulated trash and debris related to an unauthorized encampment. UCT will provide ongoing trash mitigation to reduce the public impact of this site until a full resolution can be completed. Simultaneously, outreach teams continue engagement efforts as they work to connect individuals with shelter and supportive services that meet their needs.”
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: We asked Jacobs about a timeline for the “full resolution.” Her reply today: “The Longfellow Creek Greenspace is scheduled for resolution in the next 3-4 weeks. We do not provide specific resolution dates in advance, since schedules are subject to change based on a variety of factors including site conditions and resources. UCT will provide ongoing trash mitigation to reduce the public impact of this site until the resolution is complete.”
(WSB photo, 2023 Loop the ‘Lupe)
Are you looped in yet? We’re a little more than a month away from this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe at Walt Hundley Playfield, but we’re just days away from the current registration deal expiring! Here’s an update with some other news from organizer Brian Callanan:
Loop the ‘Lupe — the ONLY obstacle-course race in Seattle city limits–is coming up on June 7, and time is running out for you to get your best deal! We have options for participants age 3 to 93, and we’re asking everyone to get signed up before May 1 (this Thursday) to save $10 on your registration fees (compared to race-day prices). Team discounts with 4+ entrants!
Plus, new this year, we’re teaming up with West Seattle Junction FC and Rhodies FC (our local pre-professional soccer teams) to present a free exposition match at 1:30 p.m., after our final event of the day. Then, at 2:00 p.m., we’re featuring a Penalty Kick Shootout event for Loop the ‘Lupe entrants age 16+! Only 20 tickets, at a price of $25, are available to entrants age 16+. All entrants in the shootout will receive free tickets to a West Seattle Junction FC/Rhodies match, and our shootout winner will receive a special West Seattle soccer prize pack!
Junction FC and the Rhodies start their seasons even before Loop the ‘Lupe – they take the field in mid-May. Loop the ‘Lupe, meantime – with community co-sponsors also including WSB – raises money for the intensive community social work done by Our Lady of Guadalupe. And even if you don’t want to try the obstacle course, you’ve got options – including a Fun Run, Youth Dash, and Senior Saunter – go here. (Fast!)
(Salmon hats and a salmon song gave fry a festive send-off)
Story by Judy Pickens
Photos by John Sturtevant
Special to West Seattle Blog
Preschoolers from The Cove School in the Admiral District opened salmon-release season today on Fauntleroy Creek. Teachers brought the coho fry the 22 students had helped rear through the Salmon in the Schools program, and a like number of parents, grandparents, and others came to celebrate with the children. Volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council gave a hand to be sure the inch-long fish had a gentle entry into the water.
(Dennis Hinton has been helping students put fish in the creek for 15 years)
Twenty two seems to be the number this spring – 22 volunteers to staff 22 school releases on the schedule (a record number), plus an all-ages community release on Sunday, June 1, 1:00-3:00 pm at the big bridge in Fauntleroy Park. By then, nearly 800 students will have come and roughly 2,000 fry will have started their year-long stay in the creek.
(Young, elder, and in between hands released 134 healthy coho fry)
Since late March, fry released last spring have been leaving the creek as smolts for their two years in saltwater. Volunteers will continue to check net traps in the upper and lower creek twice daily through most of May. So far, they have documented 18 smolts headed for nearshore habitat in Fauntleroy Cove to fatten up before moving into open water.
A West Seattle ATM and convenience store were both hit in a short period of time early Saturday morning. Today we’ve obtained police-report narrative on both incidents:
ATM BREAK-IN: One incident involved the freestanding BECU ATM in the 6500 block of California SW. Police responded to a “tracking alarm” at 5 am Saturday pointing to a location outside the city. At the ATM itself, they discovered its rear door had been forced open, as had a metal/concrete security panel inside, possibly with a “jaws of life” (the type of tool typically used by firefighters to rescue trapped people from vehicles). Meantime, SPD says the “tracking alarm” led officers from other agencies to a location in Bonney Lake where they found a stolen vehicle “possibly involved” in the ATM incident. The vehicle, and a suspect possibly seen in security video from the incident, took off but was later recovered; police subsequently got a search warrant for a storage unit they say was linked to the suspect. Inside they found “several items of evidence” including two “jaws of life.” No arrest(s) reported yet. This incident is 25-111240 if you have any information.
STORE BREAK-IN: Also around 5 am Saturday, police got word of a break-in that happened an hour or so earlier at the El Quetzal mini-mart at Arrowhead Gardens in southeast West Seattle. They were told that someone saw two people in a “black Roadster” trying to pull open the doors with a chain, and that “a male was seen taking items from the store.” They were unable to get into the store to check on what had been taken but noted that they could see “the cigarette display had been disturbed.” The same two people were reported also to have been trying to kick in a parking-garage door. If you have any information on this incident, the number is 25-111217.
(File photo via SPU)
It’s prime time for mulching, soil-enriching, etc., and you’ve got the opportunity this Saturday to do that with FREE compost that’s being given away at a West Seattle event. GROW just sent us the announcement to be sure you know they’re partnering with Seattle Public Utilities to offer up to a half-yard of compost, 9 am until 1 pm (or until it runs out, if sooner) on Saturday, May 3, at Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW – near the P-Patch, per GROW). Bring your own container and shovel!
(Be careful when working outdoors! Robin’s eggs spotted by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s our “what’s happening” list for this murky Monday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LOW-LOW TIDE: -2.9 feet at 11:57 am, and even lower the next two days (here’s the tide chart).
BABY STORY TIME: Southwest Library’s noontime event is not happening today.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See City Councilmembers preview what’s ahead for the week, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch (no public-comment period at this meeting).
SPORTS: Busy day/night for local high-school competition – Chief Sealth IHS plays softball vs. Franklin at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 3:30 pm; West Seattle HS boys’soccer has a match at 4 pm vs. Seattle Academy at Delridge Playfield and a baseball game vs. Blanchet at 7 at NCSWAC.
HOMEWORK HELP: K-12 students can get free drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Your dinner dollars can help the West Seattle HS Boys’ Soccer program if you get food tonight from Due Cucina (4437 California SW), 5-9 pm – tell them you’re there for the soccer fundraiser!
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: Be seen and heard in your sorrow. 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio with Listening to Grief. Registration/fee info here. (4034A California SW).
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four Three places you can play tonight! … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MEDITATION AT ALKI UCC: Every Monday – doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: More Monday night calming – 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 presents live music on Monday nights – jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday nights, singers welcome for 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 we*************@***il.com – thank you!
Thanks for the tip. Seattle School Board members are hosting events around the city for general “community engagement,” not just linked to one specific issue or program, and the next one is at Denny International Middle School in West Seattle on Wednesday. All are welcome to attend in the library at Denny (2601 SW Kenyon) 5:30-7 pm Wednesday (April 30). The district hasn’t announced which School Board directors plan to attend – we’re checking – but you can count on this area’s elected representative Gina Topp, who currently serves as the board’s president.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 28, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Clouds and likely showers, high near 60. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 5:56 am and 8:18 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, which means later-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays.
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 eastbound/southbound side is still closed.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct:
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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