West Seattle, Washington

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day : 20/05/2025 13 results

FOLLOWUP: 48th/Charlestown park on the front burner again. Local mom hopes you’ll help keep it there
May 20, 2025 9:23 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

More than a year has passed since Seattle Parks announced that planning had resumed for one of its three long-“landbanked” West Seattle park sites, the one at 48th/Charlestown [map]. At the time, Parks said it expected the park to be finished by mid-2025.

That’s a few months away, and the project hasn’t even gone out to bid yet. But it’s not far from that stage, a Parks manager said during an informal meeting at the site with a neighborhood resident who wants to ensure the park is built to plan by donating money and time – and hopes other neighbors will want to do the same.

First, here’s what we learned about where the project stands: You might recall the site is one of three in West Seattle that the city bought and “landbanked” as future parks more than a decade ago. As Parks’ Rhys Harrington said during the informal meeting, this project “stalled out” before the pandemic. It already had a design, resulting from community collaboration – a fairly simple “neighborhood green” with an oval of lawn, some seating, a play area for kids, a mini-stage in a raised area toward the site’s southwest corner.

It also had a larger budget. Now, Harrington said, the construction budget is $730,000, so some features – like the mini-stage – might have to be dropped. He explained that they’ll send it out to bid with some features as “additives” to the basic plan (lighting, for example). The design is being “revisited” right now so that it’ll have full documents and cost estimates within about two months.

News of that shortfall is what got neighborhood mom Jordan Colvin involved. She’s hoping community contributions and involvement can ensure the park is built to the original plan, or close to it, in part via a Neighborhood Matching Fund grant that could be available if enough money and time is donated.

She explained to WSB that her family learned about the landbanked project after moving a block from the site and “saw an opportunity to contribute to both the community and raise awareness of childhood cancer.” Working with a West Seattle artist, the Colvins plan to financially back some of the park’s components and to donate a public art piece in honor of their son, Parker, one of 16,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States.

During the informal park meeting, Jordan also explained that after they had chosen Parker’s name, they learned it meant “guardian of parks.” So remembering him via involvement in building this park – where his 4-year-old brother will play – seemed perfect.

Exactly what and where the artwork will be in the park, that has yet to be worked out. But Jordan is hopeful that area neighbors will join her quest to ensure the park is “as great as it can be”; to ensure flexibility, Harrington said, they’ll go out to bed with some features characterized as “additives,” so they reduce the chances of base bids so high they’ll have to do a second round of bidding.

Assuming nothing like that gets in the way, Harrington said the park project could break ground this September. He explained that it’s vaulted ahead of the other two landbanked West Seattle park projects because it’s the closest to being “shovel-ready,” even though design updates are required – much of the construction is simple “concrete and earth work.”

If you are interested – or even potentially interested – in involvement with the park project, including Colvin’s quest to corral a Neighborhood Matching Fund grant for the park, you can use this form to connect with her.

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PARK ALERT: Tree still down on Lincoln Park beach path
May 20, 2025 7:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Kelly for the photo. They and others have pointed out that the tree down across Lincoln Park‘s north beach path, first mentioned to us Monday evening and shown in our morning weather/traffic roundup today, still hasn’t been cleared. If on foot, you can step over it, but bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, etc., can’t navigate it as easily. We asked Seattle Parks this morning about the plan for clearing it; no reply yet, though they did acknowledge our inquiry.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: JaK’s Grill in midst of move to new West Seattle Junction space; here’s when they’ll reopen
May 20, 2025 5:28 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Last November, JaK’s Grill announced the timeline for the move from their longtime California Avenue SW location to the former Lodge space at 4209 SW Alaska. In the intervening months, there’s been a major remodel under way in the new space, but the hopes of an April opening slid a little. Today, though, a reader tipped us off that their JaK’s Father’s Day reservation listed the Alaska address, so we went to the Junction to check on the status:

JaK’s served their last meals on California over the weekend, and are now all-hands-on-deck to finish up the new space and move the half-block south before their planned opening date, Friday, June 6th. The interior is not yet camera-ready, but is close to completion, with a main room full of comfy booths, an eye-catching cherry-top bar running nearly the length of the west side of the restaurant, a separate dining area for larger private parties, and plans to have outdoor seating along the sidewalk.

The restaurant website now features an extensive FAQ, which includes answers to pressing questions about the menu (yes, it will change and continue to change with the seasons — more shareable and vegetarian options, plus expanded selection of beef cuts), the staff (yes, they’re moving too) and parking (available in the garage under the building). On site today, we were told the new space will accommodate 25-30 additional seats, which will also mean a slightly larger staff. Menus are still being printed. In the meantime, JaK’s is taking online reservations for June 6th and beyond.

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READER REPORT: West Seattle High School student musicians get Southern California showcase
May 20, 2025 3:56 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

If you wondered why the West Seattle High School Band didn’t play at the West Seattle 5K on Sunday instead of an ad-hoc Alumni Pep Band, here’s one good reason: The band is one of three WSHS music groups visiting Southern California right now, where they were part of a special student showcase. WSHS music director Ethan Thomas sent the photos and report:

The WSHS Band, Orchestra, and Choir traveled down to Southern California this past Saturday to participate in Disney’s Imagination Campus performances at Disneyland and California Adventure. All three groups performed in the parks and attended studio soundtrack workshop sessions.

They planned to wrap up their tour with some time out at Santa Monica before heading home tonight.

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Also seen on the Sound: Southbound orcas
May 20, 2025 2:23 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Busy day on the water. Kersti Muul just sent word that orcas are southbound, approaching the north end of Blake Island, visible with binoculars. from Constellation Park.

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UPDATE: Big Seattle Fire response on land and sea; kayaker ultimately rescued by U.S. Coast Guard
May 20, 2025 1:35 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)

1:35 PM: Thanks for the tips about a big Seattle Fire response along Harbor Avenue SW. They’re checking out a possible person aboard a vessel in trouble. More to come.

1:37 PM: The Coast Guard is also involved in the response and Seattle Fire radio indicates they’ve recovered “a patient” from a vessel.

1:48 PM: USCG is handling the patient, who is not believed to be seriously hurt/ill, and SFD is demobilizing its part of the response.

2:20 PM: Listening back to the initial radio traffic, the incident started with a “sinking vessel” reported somewhere off Blake Island. We haven’t heard what kind of vessel nor what its status is, but will follow up with USCG.

5:34 PM: USCG tells the story via its X account:

A #USCG crew from Station Seattle rescued 1 man this afternoon after his kayak took on water while he was transiting between Alki Point and Blake Island. The man called 911, but dispatchers lost comms with him. The man entered the water at some point after that. The #USCG crew was underway in Elliott Bay at the time. They quickly located and brought the man aboard their boat. Units from @SeattleFire and @KitsapWa also responded. He was seen by EMS in W. Seattle. He was wearing a life jacket during the incident.

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GRATITUDE: West Seattle 5K organizers share thanks and stats
May 20, 2025 12:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

(Photo by Jeffrey Lynch, courtesy West Seattle 5K)

Sunday’s West Seattle 5K (WSB coverage here) was the biggest yet in the fundraising run/walk’s history, which dates back to 2009! Final number of participants in the event coordinated by and benefiting the West Seattle High School PTSA was 1,678, up 7 percent from last year; amount of money raised (after expenses) was almost $62,000, nearly 50 percent more than last year; other stats included 100 volunteers, 91 students registered, 16 staffers registered, and 31 sponsors (including WSB). Along with sending the stats, race organizers are sharing their annual message of thanks:

Thanks to all of you, Sunday’s West Seattle 5k was a great success! Community, the schools and Alki Beach are some of the things we love most about West Seattle, and these all came together Sunday to make this the biggest West Seattle 5K yet.

We had nearly 1,700 participants and raised over $60,000 for much-needed programs for students, teachers, and staff at West Seattle High School.

Thank you to the runners and walkers who participated, our generous sponsors, and our volunteers who made this happen.

Yours Truly, 2025 Race Co-Directors – Kelley O’Connor, Pam Hembrow and Athena Frederick

Volunteers to recognize:

Nicole Ott for securing sponsors and all the hard work that comes with helping them.

Amy Doll for coordinating the supplies, kids, teachers and staff – and sharing her birthday weather with us!

Erik Bell at Bell Fortino for all our graphics needs including shirt design, posters, banners and yard signs.

Fred Northup (and Zola) for serving as our smooth event announcer and nonstop sponsor ideas galore!

Jeff Lynch and Stuart Glascock for stepping in as event photographers.

Renee Phelps, WSHS teacher/NHS adviser and all the NHS students from West Seattle High School for putting out signage, stuffing bags and volunteering the event!

WSHS PTSA Board members – especially Holly and Chau!! Chau, thank you for your tenacity in creating a PEP band and securing our cheerleaders!

Owen Reese for coordinating our volunteers. And thank you to the 100 volunteers who worked the event!

Erika Kussmanan and Adrienne Robideaux for heading up marketing & communications along with our WSHS DECA leaders – Adelyn, Thea, Jhana, Lucia.

Adrienne Robideaux for taking on our Non-Profit Row. We so appreciate you overseeing this important portion of the event

Lori Sherick, Heidi James and Chris O’Claire for being willing to pitch in “WHEREVER”

Ron Knight (WSHS VP), Brian Vance (WSHS Principal) and Xenia Bremseth (WSHS DECA Advisor)- Thank you for embracing student involvement and overall support

Alki businesses and residents – thanks for sharing this special beach for the morning so we could hold this fundraiser to make our local West Seattle High School the best it can be for our students and teachers!

2025 Photos: Stuart photos and Jeff photos

Results: West Seattle 5k 2025 Results Link

Website: westseattle5k.com

Save the date for May 17, 2026!!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Legacy wagon
May 20, 2025 11:47 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo were sent by the mom of this car’s teenage owner:

Stolen from 23rd Ave SW and Cambridge, 1998 Subaru Outback Legacy Wagon. White with gray trim, a dent on the back bumper – driver’s side.

Plate: WA CSE7280
Police Report: 25-135698

If you find it, call 911.

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SUMMER! Morgan Community Festival reveals 2025 entertainment lineup
May 20, 2025 10:53 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, Bubbleman at Morgan Community Festival 2024)

The Bubbleman will be back at this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, two and a half weeks away. Here’s an update from the Morgan Community Association with this year’s entertainment lineup:

The pieces are coming together for an amazing 18th annual Morgan Junction Community Festival. Produced by the Morgan Community Association (MoCA), the family friendly event is on Saturday, June 14th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park, 6311 California Avenue SW.

Entertainment: Here’s the Entertainment Lineup for Morgan Junction Park:

§ The Bubbleman: Returning Festival favorite featuring good clean fun

§ Mikey the Rad Scientist: What will Mikey do?

§ The Potholes: Still slinging funky-fusion!!

§ Crush on Her X: The local dance band playing feel-good originals & covers

§ Gary Benson: Local folk-rock favorite

Get all the details at the MoCA website: morganjunction.org/festival

Like so many other major local events, this one is powered in large part by volunteers and community co-sponsors (WSB is among the latter again this year). More info as the festival gets closer!

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Baseball playoffs, safety class, free West Seattle Community Orchestras concert, more for your Tuesday
May 20, 2025 9:58 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo sent by Shelley in North Admiral)

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

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Weekly advocacy gathering, until noon 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), featuring a guest from the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library.

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

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

ONLINE PERSONAL-SAFETY CLASS: Seattle Police present a free personal-safety class online tonight, 5-7 pm. For registration link and other info, see the original announcement.

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.

UNPLUGGED, A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic musicians and singers are invited to C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, and listeners are welcome too!

FREE CONCERT: West Seattle Community Orchestras’ second and final free concert of the season, 6 pm at Chief Sealth IHS Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle).

UKULELE PLAYERS’ EVENING MEETUP: Once a month you can bring your uke and hang out at The Good Society (California/Lander), 6-8 pm.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: More daylight means 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.

TOASTMASTERS HYBRID MEETING: Grow your leadership and communication skills with West Seattle Toastmasters 832! They meet online and in person at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW) at 6:30 pm.

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).

STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: Opening-round game for West Seattle HS, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) vs. University – you can cheer them on in person; click the TIX icon beneath this game on the bracket page for ticket info.

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 4: Here’s the answer to the question “who’s got trivia in West Seattle 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).

WEST SEATTLE PFLAG: Monthly meeting of the group now in its second year, 7:30 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).

Organizing 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 westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Dolores J. Oliver, 1930-2025
May 20, 2025 9:11 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Dolores Oliver, and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Dolores Justine Oliver (nee Johnson) passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2025 with her four children by her side. Mom was able to be at home under the care of her daughter Lisa in West Seattle for nearly the last ten years of her life.

Born on March 31, 1930 in Seattle to John and Carrie Johnson, she had two sisters – Gerry Craig, (preceded in death, Bob Craig) and Karen Cheha (John Cheha), along with 4 nephews, John, Alan, Jarren, and Jacob.

She attended West Seattle High School and graduated in 1948. She attended Central Washington State College from 1948-49 and had an interest in nursing. She met the love of her life, Donald James Oliver, and soon married in 1952 and remained married until his passing on May 20, 2012. During this time she raised four children (Lindy Oliver, Carrie Oliver (Terry Smith, spouse-deceased) Lisa Huget (Buzz Huget) and Michael Oliver (Janet Osborn, spouse-deceased) who in turn produced 10 grandchildren (Arienne, Reanna, Walker, Lillie, Abigail (deceased), Rebecca, Madelyn, Lydia, Michael and Maggie) and 26 great-grandchildren(Ryker, Ryder, Eva, Apollo, Coco, Raleigh, Terran, Mira, Ricky, Evan (with 3 great-great-grandchildren- Luke, Evalyn and Saorise), Will, Seth, Noah, Silas, Grace, Emmalie, Clara, Audrey, Lizzie, Sadie, Wes, Scarlett, Lila, Cash, Maverick, Rosslyn and Billie). Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the love of her life and this love was clearly reciprocated during her lifetime – be it at home in West Seattle, at Gold Beach on Vashon island or her final years in Grandma’s Cottage behind Lisa’s house. Throughout her life she had a passion for gardening, fostered by her father John Johnson.

As her kids got older, she took on various jobs at Sears and Eddie Bauer and most notably a career serving students with special needs in the Seattle School District for many years (Roxhill, Fairmount). This was her passion, and she was beloved by her students and gained praise from her teachers and administrators alike for her skills and compassion for her students.

She will be missed but oh boy! What an amazing woman!

(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)

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VOLLEYBALL CAMP: West Seattle HS coaches, players offering 3-day camps for 5th-8th graders
May 20, 2025 8:32 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo by Tracy Burrows, November 2024)

Last year, the West Seattle High School volleyball team went to state. This year, the program is offering two 3-day camps for younger players, and registration is open. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

West Seattle Volleyball Announces Two Exciting Spring Volleyball Camps!

Get ready to serve, spike, and set your way into summer! West Seattle Volleyball is thrilled to host two volleyball camps for middle-school-age players looking to improve their skills, build confidence, and have fun on the court. Come join West Seattle’s coaching staff and players from the 2024 District Champion team.

Camp Details:

Camp 1: Current 7th & 8th grade
Dates: June 3-5
Time: 4:15 – 6:45 PM
Location: West Seattle High School

Camp 2: Current 5th & 6th grade
Dates: June 10-12
Time: 4:15 – 6:45 PM
Location: West Seattle High School

Spots are limited — register today! To register, go here.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday notes, including blown-down tree on Lincoln Park path
May 20, 2025 6:03 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Another blustery day expected, breezy, possibly a thunderstorm, maybe some sunbreaks, high around 60. Today’s sunrise was at 5:25 am; sunset will be at 8:46 pm.

(Thanks to Brad for the photo – tree down across Lincoln Park’s north beach path on breezy Monday)

ROAD WORK

-In South Alki, street work for the Alki Standby Generator Project is in its next phase, centered at 64th/Beach Drive – details and maps are here, along with what’s next.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays. Note that the West Seattle Water Taxi WILL sail on Memorial Day.

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet. M/V Salish serves as the “bonus boat”.

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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