day : 06/06/2025 15 results

This time the report is from Pauline in the Fairmount Park area:

I was just outside watering our garden when I noticed that our LFL was completely cleaned out. They left the pencils and bookmarks; I guess these items weren’t good enough! I am heartbroken to think someone would do this. I have read similar stories on the blog. What is wrong with people?!

WEEKEND PREVIEW: West Seattle HS All-School Reunion on Saturday

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Tomorrow (Saturday, June 7), 4-7 pm, the West Seattle High School Alumni Association welcomes all WSHS alums back to the campus for the annual All-School Reunion. It’s a start-of-summer tradition for the Alumni Association to organize this gathering to reconnect with schoolmates, celebrate student achievements, induct alumni into the Hall of Fame, and recognize members of the community.

This year, the two Hall of Fame inductees are Class of ‘66 graduate Kevin Mason, a professional vocalist with 50 years of experience, and Class of ‘63 graduate Gary Drobnack, an international forestry consultant and philanthropist.

The alumni publication Chinook has their stories as well as detailing 68 student scholarship recipients. 42 new scholarships for graduating seniors, and 26 scholarships for returning students. It also lists graduating class-specific events, including the Class of ’75‘s 50th reunion bash, at the West Seattle Golf Course. The day after, Sunday, June 8th, the Class of ’80 will be hosting its 45th reunion from 6-9 pm at Kenyon Hall.

The WSHS Alumni Association’s website has the schedule for tomorrow’s All-School Reunion events, including the traditional Classic Car Show on the driveway west of the historical entrance, also starting at 4 pm.

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WEATHER ALERT: ‘Heat Advisory’ for Sunday and Monday

June 6, 2025 7:47 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Time to get the fans ready if you don’t have A/C – the National Weather Service has announced a Heat Advisory alert for Sunday and Monday. The alert warns of “hot conditions with high temperatures up to 85 to 90 degrees,” and is currently planned to be in effect 10 am Sunday to 10 pm Monday. The alert also warns, “Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.” Today’s high was 79 degrees, 10 degrees above what the NWS says is the seasonal norm.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Summit Atlas Class of 2025 celebrates commencement

June 6, 2025 5:29 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB

Summit Atlas, West Seattle’s only charter school, has just begun summer break. Hours before the last classes of this school year, the middle/high school’s 67 graduating seniors gathered for their commencement ceremony.

(Graduating senior Masarra Aljanabi speaking)

This year’s ceremony was held last night at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center.

(Graduating senior Genesis Desiree Victorio-Contreras embraces teacher Deborah Haislip)

Proud families and friends filled the event venue to help launch the grads into their post-high-school lives.

(Ofelia Cortes takes a moment before thanking her parents)

This year’s graduating class is twice the size of Summit Atlas’s first one back in 2021.

Summit Atlas ASB President Ella Galaites (below) also took to the podium to congratulate her classmates:

Mentors – including teacher Mandy Vu (below) – gave personal remarks about every student graduating:

Next commencement ceremony for a local high school will be Chief Sealth IHS, Wednesday, June 11, 8 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown, which is also where West Seattle HS‘s ceremony is planned for 5 pm Tuesday, June 17.

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MORE MURALS: Sanislo Elementary gets art, and more, from 150 volunteers

June 6, 2025 4:27 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Sanislo Elementary teacher Shannon Crowley for the photos! Above are some of the 150+ volunteers from Deloitte who descended on the Puget Ridge school today for volunteer work including mural painting. The one above is on a portable, and this one in the gym features the school’s namesake, Seattle Fire Captain Stephen Sanislo, who according to this HistoryLink vignette spent 31 years educating children about fire safety:

P.S. Here’s another photo of the portable mural, after it was complete:

Other Sanislo projects planned for the volunteer TLC today included garden beds. This was part of their company’s “Impact Day.”

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: Fun with a purpose at ‘Night Out with WestSide Baby’

June 6, 2025 3:06 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | White Center

WestSide Baby board of directors members

Story, photos and video by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

A festive crowd of supporters gathered Thursday night at the WestSide Baby warehouse headquarters in White Center, to kick off summer in style at A Night Out with WestSide Baby 2025, the organization’s iconic annual fundraiser event and celebration. All proceeds from the event will help the organization provide essential items to thousands of local children and their families.

WestSide Baby was founded in 2001 “in a new mom’s garage” in West Seattle, and celebrates its 25th anniversary next year. The group fulfills an average of 400 orders per week, and in 2024 was able to distribute $3.29 million in diapers, clothing, and essential equipment to families in need. The organization won the Not for Profit of the Year award last month as part of 2025 Westside Awards from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, as we reported here.

The event on Thursday featured food and drink, music, games, guest speakers, a silent auction and “raise the paddle” fundraising, with attendees getting an inside look at WestSide Baby HQ during the festivities:

Organizers emphasize that, yes, providing diapers for kids in need is crucially important to the group’s mission, but they also provide much more than that: think clothing, books, toys, wipes, baby food, car seats and all manner of baby supplies. To that point, taped to the back of every action paddle on Thursday night was a printout of an actual order fulfilled by WestSide Baby just in the past week! One example:

And those paddles were put to good use at the event, with attendees bidding generously to support WestSide Baby’s mission, including this high-participation “raise the paddle” round in which bidders could hold up their fingers to indicate how many boxes worth of size 6 diapers (the group’s most high-demand diaper size) they’d be willing to help buy:

Here is our video of that “raise the paddle” round, which is just one of the many giving levels that attendees participated in, ranging from $45 (the cost of a single box of size 6 diapers) to $5,000, with multiple levels in between. Organizers also announced that someone had also made an anonymous donation of $10,000 to the cause, bringing cheers from the crowd. The silent auction and raffle were big hits, too, with organizers announcing the lucky winners as bidding concluded. The emcees for the evening were WestSide Baby board members Amy Biancofiori (with the paddle in the photo below) and Nicole DeCario:

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BIZNOTE: Taste of Mumbai reopens with new ownership

June 6, 2025 1:36 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(Photo courtesy Taste of Mumbai)

After a month-plus closure initially attributed – via note on the door – to a staffing shortage, Taste of Mumbai has reopened in The Admiral District, under new ownership and management. We got a call today from the restaurant’s new manager, who told us, “Nobody from before is working here now.” Their new hours are 11 am to 11 pm daily, including an 11 am-3 pm lunch buffet (10+ dishes, $22.99). No bar yet but they’re hoping to get their liquor license within a month. They’re keeping the name and improving their online presence. For new owner Vikram Singh, we’re told, this is the first restaurant venture. Under previous ownership, Taste of Mumbai opened in the former Yen Wor Village spot at 2300 California SW a year and a half ago.

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BIZNOTE: CAPERS celebrates 40 years this weekend, and you get the gifts. Owner shares her secret

June 6, 2025 1:18 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

For a small independent business to last 40 months is a feat – let alone 40 years.

But that’s the milestone CAPERS in The Junction (WSB sponsor) is celebrating this weekend – the store’s 40th anniversary.

The party Saturday and Sunday coincides with the start of the annual CAPERS “everything in the store” sale. But CAPERS proprietor Lisa Myers has added a few touches – such as a private reunion party tonight for employees past and present. “We’ve probably had 1,000 employees over the years!” Lisa marveled when we talked this morning for a look ahead to the big weekend. Their tenures, anywhere from one month to 25 years. “They really make the business.”

Yes, but so does the proprietor. What’s her secret for keeping the doors open this long? “Just keep going! I think (some businesspeople) give up too soon, didn’t give it enough time. It takes a long time to get a customer!” You can’t assume everyone knows about you, 40 years or not. “People still come in and ask, ‘are you new?'”

Of course CAPERS offers online shopping, too, but it’s the bricks-and-mortar store that offers the full experience of the home items they sell – although the website also opens the door to people too far to walk through the physical door. Somebody thousands of miles away, for example, bought napkin rings. And it’s the mix of merchandise that keeps CAPERS thriving, Lisa believes; furniture might be atop the list of most-popular items, but barely: “All the departments hold their own .. it’s hard to get rid of a department, since they play off each other.”

After 40 years, what surprises her? Sometimes, it’s “the things that people like.” Sometimes, it’s the pleasant surprise of “the kindness of our community … people are so supportive and kind.” (CAPERS finds ways to enable that, too, such as the annual Giving Tree for the Hickman House shelter housing families who have survived domestic violence.)

You can support this independent local business, as it enters year 41, by joining this weekend’s celebration. Between 10 am and 4 pm both Saturday and Sunday, you can not only be among the first to shop the “20 percent off everything” sale, you can also enter raffle drawings for baskets with items from CAPERS vendors – “our vendors have given us so many gifts!” Lisa exclaims. “Some really good stuff.” They’ll have a “Wheel of Fortune”-style game, too, as well as treats for kids. And the sale lasts through the end of the month. CAPERS is at 4525 California SW.

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Junction Association)

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ONE DAY AWAY: Loop the ‘Lupe 2025 tomorrow! (+ packet pickup today)

June 6, 2025 12:06 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo from Loop the ‘Lupe)

Seattle’s only obstacle-course 5K happens right here in West Seattle, and it’s one of four events comprising tomorrow’s Loop the ‘Lupe (along with the 5K Fun Run, Senior Saunter, and Youth Dash). If you’re already registered, you can pick up your packet 1-6 pm today at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW). If not, you can sign up online right now! The Obstacle Course 5K starts at 11; the Fun Run 5K at noon; the Senior Saunter at 12:15 pm; and the Youth Dash at 1 pm, all at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), just east of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose community and social programs benefit from the proceeds. While you’re signing up, if you’re at least 16 years old, you have a new add-on option this year – the first-ever Penalty Kick Soccer Shootout with West Seattle Junction FC and Rhodies FC players.

Walt Hundley will be a fun place to be on Saturday even if you’re not Loop-ing – you can do some volunteer work (sign up here) or just be a spectator! There’s music, food, and beverages too. Plus health care – as previewed here, the Care-a-Van will be on site, offering vaccines and screenings. WSB is media sponsor for Loop the ‘Lupe, and we’ll see you there!

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FOLLOWUP: Wood chips or gravel? And other next steps toward West Seattle’s second official dog park

June 6, 2025 11:13 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

We went to the site of West Seattle’s future second official dog park (aka off-leash area) toward the end of Thursday’s lightly attended “open house” to get a quick in-person update on what’s next for the project, currently planned for construction next year. (If you’ve missed previous reports, this is in an area south of the West Seattle Stadium parking lot at 4432 35th SW, for which it’s currently used as overflow parking.)

The project team told us this is the last public meeting before construction next summer/fall. The main purpose was to show the “schematic design” they’ve settled on (on the easel shown above, plus page 8 in this slide deck), from the three possibilities they had shown previously. The main changes include an added pathway plus “more developed drainage.” And they still have a few things to decide, such as gravel vs. wood chips; both have their upsides and downsides, fans and detractors.

They also want potential future users to know that an area in the northwest section of the site is still planned for a small lot where city EVs can recharge. No public access, they said. (At one point, you might recall, the entire site was under consideration for a city EV lot INSTEAD of the dog park.)

For one last round of feedback, they now have an online survey you can answer here, and the project webpage features an explanatory video walking you through the current plan. The survey’s open until June 23.

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WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: Student production ‘WWE: The Musical’ becomes a streaming album

June 6, 2025 10:25 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

What was a student-written/directed/produced show at West Seattle High School last year, “WWE: The Musical,” is now a streaming album. One of the show’s creators, now-former WSHS student Roy Keller, explains, “Recently, we recorded the songs from it and are putting it out on streaming this week!” Here’s the announcement, with links:

The wait is finally over… we’re back. The Musical that Stone-cold-stunned the world returns with WWE: THE MUSICAL: The Album Version! Relive the legendary student-led performance and follow John Cena as he fights, sings, and wins his way to the top! he WILL fight, he WILL learn lessons, and he WILL call his mother.

WWE: THE MUSICAL The Album Version is out NOW on all streaming platforms! including but not limited to:
–Spotify open.spotify.com/album/6Mf6O0lxhOMMzXWJGaEmSy?si=pgl-H34kReq1L4VcZ8V8uA
–Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wwe-the-musical/1817627445
–Amazon Music music.amazon.com/albums/B0FBCLCB9Q?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_jleTXNcuvUiL3EKSwkgSkplY8
–YouTube Music music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mW9ulmdpI3Ci85yyQBAwKh2Px3pQZPBSw&si=kDEH_VTBDe5TN5R4
and anywhere else you can find music!

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Food and art openings, HPIC and VFW First Fridays, Pride events, much more for your West Seattle Friday

June 6, 2025 9:57 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

(Photo by Stewart L., fleeting fog on Thursday)

Time for our Friday highlights list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FOOD DRIVE: As previewed here last night, PCC West Seattle (2749 California SW) is hosting a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank today through next Friday. The store’s open until 11 pm.

STAY ‘N’ PLAY: 10 am-11:30 am – open gym for little kids is back at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: The center (a WSB sponsor) is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW) campus.

QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

BECOME A ‘DEMENTIA FRIEND’: Free informational session at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW), 1 pm.

JAK’S GRILL OPENING NIGHT: 4 pm, official opening night for new location. (4209 SW Alaska)

‘FEATHER IN THE WIND’ ART POP-UP OPENING NIGHT: 5-7 pm opening reception for “5 participating artists creating a one-of-a-kind shopping experience in the upstairs annex of Alki Arts (6030 California SW).”

VETERANS’ APPRECIATION NIGHT: 5-9 pm at West Seattle VFW Hall (3602 SW Alaska). Free event with refreshments, all welcome.

YOUTH MINI-PRIDE PARADE: Co-hosted by Community School of West Seattle. Gather at Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW) at 5 pm, parade through downtown WC, return to Future Primitive for treats.

FIRST FRIDAY AT HPIC: No building? No problem! Highland Park Improvement Club is hosting another First Friday celebration at 12th/Holden:

– Nepantla, artist mercado, and watercoloring!
– Kraken hot dogs
– Corn hole and other outdoor games
– Face painting
– Music, merch (!), and more!

Time: 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Family-friendly – just show up!

COFFEEHOUSE OPEN MIC: 6-8 pm, open mic for all genres at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm. All ages, no cover.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Smells Like Queer Spirit: A PNW Queer Showcase, 5 pm at The Skylark, $10 suggested donation. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE AT KENYON HALL: 7 pm doors, 7:30 pm show with Sawyer Best and The Hall’s own Mighty Wurlitzer. Get tickets here. (7904 35th SW)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Nate Thousand tonight! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD: Skating to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors at 9 pm, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. Tonight: Hot Hail, Wisteria Lodge.

If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Tara E. DeGraff, 1973-2025

June 6, 2025 8:45 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Tara DeGraff and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Tara Elaine DeGraff
January 20, 1973 — May 23, 2025

We are deeply saddened to report that our daughter Tara passed away unexpectedly at her home in West Seattle on May 23, 2025.

In her 52 years, she lived a life full of adventure, curiosity, and compassion. From managing Rock Climbing gyms and teaching students, to studying wooden boat construction at the NW School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Townsend and to falling in love with the study of cheese so she could become a certified cheese monger. These last years, she was teaching herself Swedish and the Greek languages as these were two countries she visited and loved.

When she was very young, she left a note for her mom that read “dearest mommy, I’m out in the woods playing with my work.” And that was how she viewed the world; always a serious person who wanted to have joy in everything she did. She loved everything in the natural world and her happiest times were in the woods and beaches of the Northwest spending time with her family and friends.

When Death Comes by Mary Oliver (excerpt)

When its over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
If I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.

Tara did not just visit this world; she engaged with all her heart. A special thank you to those in her life that always showed up for her with love and understanding. Our family will be forever grateful.

Tara is survived by her mother Victoria Nelson and stepfather John McNulty, and an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Share memories & photos at: emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/tara-degraff

– Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle –

(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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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Friday + weekend, with low-bridge and 99 tunnel closures

June 6, 2025 6:01 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, June 6, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high in the mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will be at 9:03 pm.

(Reader photo, Thursday at Alki)

CLOSURES, ROAD WORK

As announced last week (and reconfirmed this week) – the West Seattle low bridge will close this weekend, starting 7 am tomorrow (Saturday).

-Highway 99 tunnel maintenance closure, 10 pm tonight to 6 am Saturday morning.

-The Admiral Way Bridge lanes will change again this weekend, says SDOT.

-16th SW from Roxbury to 100th will close all day and night Saturday for the White Center Pride Street Festival.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus a new addition – late-night service for weeknights with Mariners’ home games (and a few other events). More info here.

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”. Note: Online “open house” for commenting on possible ferry-fare increases/changes is continues here.

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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Grocery strike? Union says local workers voted to reject contract

June 6, 2025 12:48 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The union for grocery-store workers in the region, UFCW 3000, just sent early-early-morning word that thousands of its members – primarily working for Kroger and Albertsons stores – have voted to reject the latest contract offer and authorize a strike. That doesn’t mean they’re definitely striking; the union announcement says that this follows five months of contract talks, and that “Another round of negotiations is scheduled for June 12 and 13. The contract extension agreement can be unilaterally terminated with a 72-hour notice, and a strike could not begin until after the 72-hour notice has run out.” In West Seattle, this involves three Safeway (part of Albertsons) stores and two QFC (part of Kroger) stores; Saar’s, which has a White Center grocery store, is part of this too. It’s been six months since the plan for Kroger and Albertsons to merge was canceled. UFCW 3000 says you can look at the latest contract proposals on its website.