(WSB photos by Anne Higuera unless otherwise credited)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

A misty, wet start to low-low tide season did not deter people from flocking to shorelines at midday today to discover sea life left exposed by the receding Sound. South of Lincoln Park, dozens gathered among the towering piers of the ferry dock, forming circles around interesting finds and calling out to friends.

Among them were many beach naturalists trained by the Seattle Aquarium who plan to be at the beach during low tides sharing what they know with friends and curious neighbors whether it’s part of a formal program or not.

Tide-pooling during a low, low tide involves walking a hundred or more yards over sand and seabed that in some areas is exposed only a handful of days a year.

Rubber boots are a good idea, along with looking very carefully where you step. Bigger marine animals like sea stars and sea anemones are easy to spot.

So are the egg collars from Moon Snails, which look a bit like shaped plastic.

The smaller creatures require a keen eye and a little luck. Having someone who can point out a Shaggy Mouse nudibranch (Aeolidia loui) or know that the flat worm wriggling across the wet sand is likely a White Line Ribbon worm makes low tides into educational outings.

It’s also especially exciting to find things like a small Red Octopus biding her time until the tide comes back in. Pat, who took the photo, said the consensus was that this one is a female.

(Photo courtesy Pat Reaville)

There are several organizations in the area (including MAST and the Environmental Science Center) that have beach naturalist programs, but the Seattle Aquarium’s has been the largest, consistently staffing around a dozen locations, including two beaches in West Seattle. The Aquarium is planning to run their program again this year, but doesn’t yet have dates set. “The team tells me we are very close,” said Aquarium spokesperson Tim Kuniholm last week. It’s expected that the Aquarium program will have a significantly shorter list of events this year after layoffs in January. That program and Cedar River Salmon Journey relied on 300+ volunteers, who have been in limbo for a number of months, waiting to hear what’s next. Some have moved on to other opportunities, or just decided they’ll go to the beach no matter what.

Today, a naturalist who was let go in the round of layoffs was holding up a Leather Star to show other former Aquarium volunteers. They are supposed to have a scent similar to garlic, so everyone took a good whiff. She also pointed out a shrimp and other smaller creatures that might otherwise go unnoticed.

In talking with Aquarium volunteers today and others in recent weeks, we heard most express resignation and/or sadness at the changes being made to the naturalist program, but they also are making a point of reaching out to other volunteers to meet up, as they did today. One is even working to organize an informal club — the West Seattle Low Tide All Stars — in part to facilitate meetups between former volunteers on low-tide days.

Today that happened organically, with knowledgeable naturalists just as excited about what they were finding as were kids, families, and others peering into tidepools and wading in the water, trying to take in everything they could see before the tide began to inch back up again.

There is another very low tide tomorrow – -3.4 feet, same as today, just before 1:30 pm.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: School vandalism; day-care burglary

April 29, 2025 8:40 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports from facilities serving children:

SCHOOL VANDALISM: After seeing a short Seattle Police summary about vandalism in the 5000 block of SW Spokane – the location of Alki Elementary‘s temporary home in the former Schmitz Park Elementary – we contacted Seattle Public Schools late Monday to ask for information. Here’s what we received at the end of the day today:

During the weekend, offensive language was spray-painted across multiple areas of the Schmitz Park Elementary/Alki Elementary campus. Our Seattle Public Schools Safety and Security Team responded swiftly, working overnight to cover the graffiti before the school day began on Monday. Emergency Maintenance also ensured the area was cleaned thoroughly the following day. A police report was filed, and a law enforcement officer visited the site to gather evidence. We continue to offer our full cooperation to the police investigation.

BRIGHT HORIZONS BREAK-IN: After hearing a bit about a police response at the day-care center on the lower level of the Link mixed-use building in The Triangle last night, we requested and obtained the police report today. It says someone broke the door glass while a janitor was on site, though he didn’t see it happen. The report says a laptop and 10 iPads were missing.

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Feds issue ‘record of decision’ for project

April 29, 2025 6:17 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

The Federal Transit Administration had most recently set today as the target date for its Record of Decision on Sound Transit‘s West Seattle Link Extension project, and at day’s end, ST announced the FTA has indeed just issued the ROD. As ST explains in its announcement, this ends the environmental-review phase and allows the project to move into final design. As noted at last week’s ST Board meeting, though, the agency has some milestones of its own ahead, including revising cost estimates and making funding decisions.

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WHALES: Orcas off West Seattle (photos added)

April 29, 2025 5:42 pm

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| West Seattle news | Whales

5:42 PM: Orcas have been in the area much of the day – we heard a report of some off south Vashon Island this morning, but nothing further; now Kersti Muul sends word of ocas “milling mid-channel south of Lincoln Park, surface active.” So if you’re in west-facing West Seattle, keep watch!

5:50 PM: Kersti says orcas are now northbound, passing Me-Kwa-Mooks/Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, close enough to see easily without binoculars.

9:29 PM: The whales subsequently went into Elliott Bay; thanks to Steve Pumphrey for sending the photos above and below, taken from Duwamish Head just after 7:40 tonight!

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About the helicopter over south West Seattle and vicinity

April 29, 2025 4:23 pm

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| Helicopter | West Seattle news

4:23 PM: That’s the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Guardian One, which often assists other agencies. We’re working to find out what it’s doing right now – nothing big has been on the SPD frequency, though one officer radio’ed in that they’re “with county.”

4:50 PM: KCSO says it wasn’t them; we’ve been driving around looking on the ground, no sign of a response. So we still don’t know yet.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: In Pizza We Crust making permit progress

April 29, 2025 3:30 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photo)

It’s been more than a year since we first told you about In Pizza We Crust going bricks-and-mortar in the former Swinery space at 3207 California SW. A commenter asked last night about their status, so we checked in with proprietor Stephanie Tran, who tells WSB:

We are still pending our building permit with the city of Seattle, going on 13 months now. The building was originally set up for food production and needs to be changed to restaurant use which creates a big energy flag with the city. A new HVAC system will be installed sometime in May once the city approves it. Beyond that, our architect and permit specialist are reviewing with the city and negotiating other things like windows and insulation. Its an old 1940’s building and some of the windows are original single pane windows.

The good news is the city has approved our occupancy and ADA portion of the permit.

Stephanie says they hope to announce a grand-opening date as soon as they get full permit approval. Stephanie and team have built a following for their pizza operating from a truck, till now.

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HAPPENING NOW: You can bid in Friends of Roxhill Elementary’s online auction

April 29, 2025 1:57 pm

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

Local businesses and organizations have again stepped up to donate auction items to help a local school – and now it’s your turn to pitch in by bidding! Here’s the announcement from Friends of Roxhill Elementary:

The entire West Seattle community is invited to bid in Friends of Roxhill Elementary’s online fundraising auction from now through Saturday, May 3 at 4:30 pm.

With our school facing reduced resources next year, our “Roxstar” students need support now more than ever. Thanks to many generous West Seattle businesses, every dollar raised goes directly back to help the students, teachers, and families who make up the Roxhill school community.

Items available for bidding include:

*Family outings to the zoo, aquarium, Museum of Flight, MoPOP, and more
*Birthday party packages + kids art/music classes and camps
*VIP tailgate + 4 tickets to UW Football opening day
*Sounders and Mariners single-game tickets or Junction FC and Rhodies season tickets!
*Romantic date nights + restaurant, bakery, and cafe gift certificates
*Practical services for your home and family
*Donation funds to support the Kings & Queens student empowerment club and new soccer goals for the playground

Buy something you’re already planning to get or treat yourself. Every item supports local students!

Bid on items now. (Use the “Max Bid” feature for fast and easy bidding.)

Question about the auction? Email au**********@***il.com.

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YOU CAN HELP! Painting date set for Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook waterfront mural

April 29, 2025 12:01 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Those are the updated concepts by artist Nalisha Estrellas for the upcoming mural on the long retaining wall that lines the waterfront section of Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW). We first told you about the plan for the 189-foot-long mural back in January. Now, it’s almost time to paint it, and your help is welcome! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

We will be painting the mural on Saturday, May 17, starting at 10:00 am. You will see two-hour blocks for sign up. You are welcome to take multiple spots if you choose. Be sure to wear paint clothes.

Here is the SignUp Genius link.
signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EAFA82CA4FFCE9-56078754-community#/

Right now, volunteers are prepping the wall. And the day before the volunteer event on May 17, a special group of young volunteers – third-graders from Lafayette Elementary – will be visiting to help.

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FYI: Seattle Public Library branches will be closed Thursday

April 29, 2025 11:15 am

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| West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

If you need to visit a Seattle Public Library branch in person, today and tomorrow are good days to do it, as SPL is closing its locations on Thursday (May 1) for a staff in-service day. SPL does this annually “for systemwide staff training and team-building.” Its announcement notes, “All location book drops will remain open, so feel free to drop off your materials. No Library materials will be due on that day.”

(All SPL locations and hours are listed/mapped here.)

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Low-low tide, Pope memorial, trivia, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

April 29, 2025 9:58 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Bucky Hayes-McQueen)

Here’s our list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-time participant.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), with two members reporting back on their recent visit to the club’s service project in Costa Rica.

BELGIAN BEER WEEK: Actually longer than a week at The Beer Junction (4511 California SW), open noon-10 pm today, with the spotlight on Belgian “and Belgian-inspired” beverages.

LOW-LOW TIDE: All the way out to -3.4 feet at 12:41 pm (here’s the tide chart).

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email co*****@******ld.net.)

SPORTS: No local high-school teams playing on local fields today.

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers are available to help K-12 students with their homework.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

MEMORIAL MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS: West Seattle Catholics will gather at 6 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe (7100 35th SW).

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Later sunsets bring more time for evening runs – tonight at 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has details on signing up before you go.

BINGO X 2: Play – free! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW) … Talarico’s Pizzeria also offers 8 pm bingo (4718 California SW).

TRIVIA X 6: Five trivia options tonight – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) … and Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW – last one of the season).

Hosting an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar, from which we draw our daily lists too – just email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!

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Celebration of Life planned May 15 for James C. Hanson, 1930-2025

April 29, 2025 9:05 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather May 15 to remember James Hanson, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:

In Loving Memory of
James Carroll Hanson
July 21, 1930 – April 12, 2025

James Carroll Hanson, born in Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away on April 12, 2025. He was raised on a farm, where he developed a strong work ethic that guided him throughout his life.

On September 26, 1953, James married the love of his life, Betty Wentz. Together, they shared 72 wonderful years of marriage.

In 1955, James moved to Seattle with his family and began a career with Boeing.

James was a skilled woodworker who took great pride in creating keepsake items for his family and friends. His craftsmanship and creativity touched the lives of many.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Hanson, and their children: Jaye (Kevin), Wendy (Matt), Kevin (Lina), and Kristi (Frank); eight grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

James will be lovingly remembered for his gentle spirit, his kindness, his devotion to family, and the beautiful legacy he crafted with his own hands.

Celebration of life will be May 15th, 2-4 pm, at Holiday Bridge Park Retirement Community.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to we*************@***il.com)

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info, with bridge crash

April 29, 2025 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:40 AM: Heavy eastbound bridge traffic – crash near 4th.

8:54 AM: Eastbound traffic still heavy – main bridge access routes have been very slow going. (Jay says Delridge is “worst in months.”) But the actual crash scene is now clear, SDOT says.

11:11 AM: SFD tells us no injuries were reported in the crash.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Cloudy, more rain likely, high near 60. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 5:54 am and 8:19 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”. Low-low tides at midday today may affect some service.

ROAD WORK

-The Admiral Way Bridge’s outside lane on the eastbound/southbound side is still closed.

STADIUM ZONE

-Mariners are home tonight vs. the Angels, 6:40 pm.

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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