West Seattle, Washington
07 Monday
Story and photos by Hayden Yu Andersen
for West Seattle Blog
As we first reported last week, the Southgate Arcade will open July 11, offering vintage games, rare pinball machines and a greatly expanded private room for birthdays and events. With opening day just two weeks away, we got a sneak peek today inside the upcoming arcade, built inside the former Bank of America just north of Southgate Roller Rink.
Owner Josh Rhoads says it’s been a unique challenge to turn the building, which they had previously used for storage, into a functioning arcade.
“It spent four years as just a storage space, so we focused on trying to make it less sterile and bank-like,” Rhoads said, as he showed off the two-inch thick bulletproof glass protecting the teller’s station, which has since been repurposed into a storage room.
Something he won’t be covering up is the vault. Located to the right of the entrance, the steel vault will be repurposed to hold a rotating cast of more exclusive arcade machines, which visitors will be able to play while inside.
Currently the arcade has almost 30 machines, split between pinball and vintage arcade machines, with a few more on the way before their opening. The machines, much like the music, have been tailored to fit an ’80s and ’90s vibe.
A large portion of the space has been given to the 30-person private room, which is still waiting on finishing touches, including a wall-sized screen projector for games and karaoke. Previously we wrote about how this will expand on the 10-person private room in the Southgate Roller Rink. In addition to the 2-hour rentals, and the option of alcohol from the Southgate Roller Rink’s bar for 21+ events, Rhoads says that on days the room isn’t being used arcade-goers will be able to rent out the room for short, 30-minute intervals to figure out if they’d like to host a party or rent it for longer.
While it’s been a challenge, Rhoads says he’s excited to finally see it come together. Southgate Arcade will be open for all-ages play on Fridays from 5-11 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm.
Reported by Nathan:
Wanted to report a stolen 1998 white Honda Passport in North Admiral on Massachusetts St. last night.
SPD incident # 25-176396
License: WA Plates ANH6353This isn’t the exact car but looks just like (it).
If you find it, call 911, and refer to the incident number above.
SATURDAY UPDATE: Nathan says the car’s been found.
Longtime WSB sponsor Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle has updates including an added location and added services! Here are the details, from LWPTWS proprietor Mark Bouma:
Celebrating Four Years in West Seattle!
(Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle photos)
Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle is celebrating its four-year anniversary! To show our appreciation, we hosted Patient Appreciation Week, recognizing the incredible community that has supported us since day one. Thank you!
New Fauntleroy Clinic Opening Soon!
We’re expanding! On July 8th, 2025, we’ll open our new Fauntleroy Clinic inside The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Ave SW, 3rd Floor), bringing specialized care closer to you. Alison Read (above with LWPT’s Mark Bouma), PT DPT CEEAA Cert-MMOA, will serve as the clinic director, focusing on older adults, individuals with balance impairments, and those experiencing mobility limitations. We offer 1:1 care and 55-minute appointments. Medicare and most insurances accepted. You can book an appointment HERE or call us at 206-906-9207. Click HERE to watch an intro video with Alison!
New Specialized Services
We are proud to introduce new specialized treatments at our clinics, including:
–Dry Needling with Amanda Ford, PT DPT FDNS to improve functionality and relieve pain and tension.
–Musculoskeletal Diagnostic Ultrasound & Biofeedback with Maxwell Ngo, PT DPT, for quick and readily available imaging results and enhanced, informed care.
–Professional Bike Fitting with Erin Heald, PT DPT, ensuring optimal cycling performance.
Supporting Local Soccer Teams
We’re passionate about keeping athletes healthy and in top form! Our clinical team is working alongside Junction FC and Rhodies FC, providing expert care during training and games. Find out why our team of clinicians are trusted by these athletes to keep them playing at their best! Keep an eye out for our tent at upcoming matches — we’d love to see you there!
Expanding Availability at Our Alki Location
To better serve the West Seattle community, we are expanding our hours and adding new clinicians at our Alki location later this Summer. Need an early morning or weekend appointment? We’ve got you covered! Join us in welcoming Jordan Samford, PT DPT MS, Ben Clark, PT DPT, and Olivia Dominguez, PT DPT to our Alki team!
The main location of LWPTWS remains at 1309 Harbor SW.
Thanks to Andrew for the photo. He’s one of several people who asked about the cloud of black smoke visible in the northeast. It’s a 2-alarm fire involving a boat and covered marina on Lake Union, in the 2100 block of Westlake. (If you’re traveling in that area because of work etc., note that police have fully blocked Westlake in the area.)
Here’s a recycling opportunity of sorts: The White Center Library Guild would love to receive your no-longer-needed books, and asked us to share this announcement on WSB as well as our WC site:
Time to make room for more books? The White Center Library Guild accepts donations of books for our sale shelf.
If you need more space for your books or have left over books from your yard sale, please donate them to the White Center Library Guild. We accept old books, new books, and everything in between.
Just take your donations to the library front desk. Contributions help fund children and adult programs at the White Center Library! Thank you!
The library’s location and hours are here – open until 8 pm tonight.
(Seattle Public Utilities photo)
Thanks for the tip! The transfer station (aka dump) closest to West Seattle will close for more than three weeks in August, and Seattle Public Utilities is trying to get the word out early. Here’s the announcement they’re circulating today:
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will temporarily close the South Transfer Station, located at 130 S. Kenyon Street, from August 4 through August 29, 2025, to complete essential safety upgrades and replace the commercial tipping floor used for waste handling. The closure will affect both public customers and account holders. However, contractors will not be impacted.
This critical project involves replacing 35,000 square feet of commercial tipping floor to maintain safe, efficient operations and protect the well-being of staff and the public. The station is expected to reopen Saturday, August 30, 2025, pending construction progress.
Skip a Trip, Plan Ahead, Know Where to Go
During the closure, SPU recommends that customers postpone trips to the transfer station if possible. A list of temporary alternative locations is listed on the website. These locations may have different hours, additional fees, or not accept certain items, so customers are advised to:
*Visit www.seattle.gov/south-transfer-station for a full list of alternative disposal locations by material type and load size.
*Visit the website of the alternative location to verify hours, fees, and items accepted
*Sort and secure loads properly before visiting any alternative facility.
*Bring smaller loads and be prepared for higher-than-usual traffic at other sites.
*Use the “Where Does It Go?” tool online to explore donation, recycling, and curbside collection options.
Additionally, select construction and demolition (C&D) materials must be recycled and cannot be disposed of in Seattle garbage. Materials such as asphalt, bricks, concrete, metal, untreated wood, and gypsum scrap must go to a recycling facility: DTG Hudson St., MCS Recycling, or DTG Renton. Non-recyclable C&D materials can go to WM Eastmont or Black River. Large trailer loads and hydraulic-lift vehicles should use North Transfer Station or WM Eastmont. King County stations at Bow Lake and Renton will accept only small residential loads from Seattle, and may have additional restrictions, such as fees for mattresses and limits on appliance drop-offs. View completed closure guidance and the most up-to-date information on the project timeline, alternative locations, and FAQs at www.seattle.gov/south-transfer-station.
Items Not Accepted at Seattle or King County Transfer Stations:
Radioactive and Hazardous Waste including Oil Paint (and Containers) and Household Chemicals
Ammo, Firearms, Fireworks, Flares, Explosives, Weapons
Sealed Drums, Fuel/Propane/Oil Tanks, Compressed Gas, Fire Extinguishers
Electronics, TVs or Monitors (CRTs)
Furnaces and parts, Wood stoves, Duct work
Asbestos, or material containing asbestos
Dead animals over 15 lbs (call animal control)
SewageSeattle Public Utilities appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation during this necessary closure and encourages everyone to plan ahead, travel light, and dispose smart.
If you haven’t used the transfer station, you might still know it as the huge building just south of the ramp from West Marginal/Holden onto the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. It was built in the early 2010s.
If you see that group walking in West Seattle in the next few hours, say hi! That’s longtime Make-A-Wish volunteer – and retired Pathfinder K-8 PE teacher – Lou Cutler in the blue Make-A-Wish T-shirt, just before he and supporters left the campus on his 74th-birthday fundraising walk around West Seattle. (We previewed it here on Monday, with backstory on the many years he did fundraising laps with students there.) While taking the photo, we asked Lou what he’s taking along on the big walk, and he replied, “Inspiration!” Part of that is on the sign you see on the right side of the photo – Avery is a 9-year-old who’s had a wish granted before, and is currently battling a relapse. But as Lou declared, “There’s no bravery without ‘Avery’!” So he’s raising money to help make wishes come true for kids like her – not only does he raise money, but he also is a volunteer involved in the logistics of bringing those wishes to life. You can help by donating here. And watch for him on his walking route – his group was starting at Pathfinder on Pigeon Point, then “walk(ing) up the Genesee hill to Avalon and follow(ing) that to Alki and at the south end of Lincoln Park we will return to Pathfinder via Fauntleroy.”
(Added: Seattle Channel video of afternoon announcement event)
11:40 AM: Another tax measure might be on the way to your November ballot, and this time it’s not a property-tax levy – it involves business taxes.
This afternoon, it’ll be announced by Mayor Harrell and citywide City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, who call it the “Seattle Shield.” Excerpted from their advance announcement:
Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8, Citywide) announced a new proposal to lower city taxes for approximately 90% of Seattle businesses that currently pay the Business & Occupation (B&O) tax and raise needed new progressive revenue to protect funding to essential services and programs threatened by the Trump administration. …
The City of Seattle currently faces a $251 million deficit across all fund balances, with further financial risk stemming from Trump administration threats to federal funding and economic uncertainty. This proposal would temporarily raise B&O rates to bring in $90 million in net revenues for the City annually with funding dedicated to backfilling essential human services threatened by the Trump administration and maintaining effective ongoing City programs. These include investments in housing vouchers and shelter, food and nutrition access, services for survivors of gender-based violence, and more. With current financial forecasts, this revenue would also allow the City to protect and maintain needed investments in affordable housing. …
How the proposal works:
In 2026, the B&O tax exemption would be increased from $100,000 to $2,000,000, exempting approximately 16,500 small and medium-sized businesses (76% of current taxpayers) from the B&O tax. The City would also create the new B&O deduction, allowing all businesses to only pay B&O taxes on gross receipts above $2 million.
To offset the reduced B&O tax revenues caused by the exemption and deduction, and to address the deficit and Trump administration threats, the B&O tax rate will increase in 2026 from 22 cents per $100 of taxable receipts to 34 cents per $100 for retail, wholesale, and manufacturing companies and from 43 cents per $100 to 65 cents per $100 for service companies.
For the median taxpayer business that has $5 million in gross receipts, they would only pay the B&O tax on $3 million in gross receipts after the $2 million B&O deduction. In this example, their City B&O obligation would go from $15,200 in 2025 to $13,972 in 2026, a decrease of over $1,200.
For a business with $12 million in gross receipts – in the highest quartile of taxpayers – their B&O obligation would go from $31,920 in 2025 to $39,587 in 2026, an increase of $7,667. Approximately 90% of small and medium-sized businesses would see their tax obligation reduced or would be exempted altogether from the tax.
These changes would be effective for four years, from 2026 though 2029, with a councilmanic option to renew them for four additional years from 2030 through 2033.
This would require City Council and voter approval. We’ve asked for the full text of the proposal and will add that when we get it, along with any additional information emerging from the 1 pm event at which this will be officially announced.
5:38 PM: Adding the video from that event atop this story. The full text of the proposal isn’t available yet, so that might have to wait for a followup story. Here’s the entire news release, meantime.
(Bright rose for a gray day, photographed at The Kenney by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fauntleroy (this is a last-minute reminder, so set your calendar for next Wednesday morning too!).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW)
CHAIR YOGA: 10:30 am weekly class at Dragonfly (3270 California SW): $20 drop-in.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.9 feet at 11:18 am.
LOU’S FUNDRAISING WALK: As previewed here, today’s the day retired PE teacher Lou Cutler will walk around the peninsula to raise money for Make-A-Wish, starting at noon from Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point, where he taught for many years. You can donate to help him make kids’ wishes come true by going here!
COLMAN POOL: The open-every-day season also continues at Lincoln Park‘s outdoor, heated salt-water pool! Noon-7 pm; see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WADING POOLS: City says they’ll be open today because sunbreaks and 70ish temps are in the afternoon forecast. Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) will be open noon-5:30 pm; Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) will be open noon-7 pm.
KIDS’ HEALTH WEBINAR: Free webinar with Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor), 12:30 pm:
Understanding PANS/PANDAS: The Link between Infection and Sudden OCD or Tics in Kids
with Dr. Emily Lesnak, ND
June 25th 12:30 – 1 pmPANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome) is an abrupt onset of obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCD) or restrictive eating behavior in the pediatric population. PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) is a subset of PANS with a similar symptom picture to PANS and typically triggered by Group A strep infection (GAS). Join Dr. Lesnak as she covers this topic.
Register for this webinar or watch other past webinars here – neighborhood-naturopathic.com/lunch-and-learn
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE INFO SESSION, ONLINE: 12:30 pm, your chance to find out more about South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – our calendar listing has info on how to participate.
REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: All levels welcome, 2-4:30 pm at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury).
ART WORKSHOP FOR KIDS: 3 pm, join Rec’N The Streets at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
(added) DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: The Neighborhood (6503 California SW) is donating 15 percent of proceeds tonight – including takeout – to Gatewood Elementary. 3-9 pm.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Got something that’s broken? Fix it instead of discarding it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
SUMMER DRAG BINGO: 6 pm at Pine Lake Cellars (5405 California SW), hosted by Jolene Granby.
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: All are welcome at the group’s weekly happy-hour meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW).
OPEN STUDIO AT POTTERINGS: 6 pm, get creative at the studio! (3400 Harbor SW)
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – all welcome.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE RHODIES FC HOME MATCH: 7 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) vs. Olympia. Fan Appreciation Night – kids 10 and under get in free!
LISTENING PARTY: Hear Lorde‘s new album at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.
KUNDALINI YOGA & GONG BATH: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), $35.
MUSIC BINGO: Two places to play tonight – at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm, and monthly MINGO at Three9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), 7:30 pm.
REGULAR TRIVIA x 4: Four West Seattle trivia locations on our Wednesday list: Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) at 7 pm … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday trivia at 8 pm … Quiz Night also begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Your chance at centerstage – 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
COMMUNITY ART NIGHT: 7:30 pm at Wicked Rae’s (3220 California SW) – get hands-on creative! Go here to book your spot.
Got something coming up that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
This weekend, young ballet dancers are invited to audition for West Seattle-based Seattle Civic Dance Theatre‘s holiday production. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Who: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre (West Seattle-based dance nonprofit est. 1985)
What: Free, open ballet auditions for children ages 8-18 for an annual community fundraising performance of “The Magical Doll Maker” (its 36th production)
When: Auditions are Sunday, June 29. Beginning level dancers 11 am-12 pm, Intermediate/Advanced level dancers 12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Where: Auditions will be held at 15811 Ambaum BLVD SW, Suite 160, Burien
How: To Register: Use this link, access the link through our website, or email Allison Gross, SCDT Board President, at scdtboard@gmail.com
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to the first Wednesday of summer, June 25, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, chance of showers, high in the upper 60s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:13 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm, as late as it gets (and staying there through Saturday).
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule today.
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”. Five days until three-boat service is expected to relaunch (next Monday, June 30).
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus weeknights with Mariners home games (and some other events, like tonight’s FIFA Men’s Club World Cup soccer match … read on) …
STADIUM ZONE
6 pm at Lumen Field, the Club World Cup continues, with FC Internazionale Milano vs. CA River Plate. Here’s the plan for how the West Seattle Water Taxi will run in support of matchgoers.
ROAD WORK
-If you’re driving 35th SW through Gatewood, the road is narrowed this week for utility work, and the NB 21 stop at Elmgrove is closed 9 am-3 pm.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
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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