West Seattle, Washington
07 Monday
Thanks to Allyne Armitage for the photo looking south around sunset, as clouds gather – they’re in the forecast for the next few nights, but days are still expected to bring sunshine, including the holiday on Friday. Temperatures are also supposed to be a bit cooler – staying in the 70s – after 87-degree highs the past two days.
When the Seattle Public Schools Board convenes its next meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, July 2), they’ll hear from at least two people who want to express opposition to a district plan to move the Interagency Academy high-school program out of the “Old Roxhill Elementary” building at SW Roxbury and 30th SW. The district also is planning to move the BRIDGES Transition program, for young adults with developmental disabilities, out of the building. Those are the two major programs that the district placed in the “Old Roxhill” building (as explained here) after the Roxhill Elementary program moved to the historic, renovated EC Hughes Elementary building seven years ago. Here’s the letter sent to the BRIDGES and Interagency programs’ students, families, and staff in mid-June by district Chief of Staff Bev Redmond and Associate Superintendent Dr. Rocky Torres-Morales:
Earlier this school year, Seattle Public Schools leadership initiated a series of conversations with students, families, and staff at the Old Roxhill Elementary site, which currently houses some of the Interagency and BRIDGES programs. After careful consideration and in response to the input we received, SPS has developed a proposal to relocate both programs to different sites so that we can better support student learning, needs, and safety.
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, the following changes are being considered:
=Students enrolled in the Old Roxhill Interagency Southwest campus will transition to the Interagency Columbia site (3528 S. Ferdinand St.), a location and learning environment better suited to the program’s goals. Plans are also underway to determine a permanent location for the program in the Southwest region by the 2026-27 school year.
-Students in the Old Roxhill SW BRIDGES program will now attend the BRIDGES at Chief Sealth International High School program site (2600 SW Thistle St.), where they will benefit from being co-located with the resources of a comprehensive school campus. Students who were temporarily attending Old Roxhill SE BRIDGES during the Rainier Beach High School construction project will return to Rainier Beach High School.
As we continue to consider the impact of the move on students, staff, and families, we recognize transitions can bring both excitement and uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive move for each school community.
We are also ensuring the plan aligns with board policy. We are actively working with leadership teams at both receiving campuses to prepare for transition. You can expect to hear directly from your school principals with specific details about what to expect next and how to prepare. We appreciate your continued partnership and trust as we work together to create the best possible learning environments for all students. We will continue to listen as this plan is refined and finalized.
We’ve asked the district if that means the Old Roxhill building would be fully closed or whether it would be kept open for some other use; to date, we have not received an answer, only, “The plan to relocate the Interagency and BRIDGES programs at the Old Roxhill Elementary site is under consideration. As of now, this is just a proposal; there is additional work that needs to be done before the plan is final.” Though there was no elaboration on the “safety” concern voiced in the district’s letter, concerns were voiced after the building was hit by bullets earlier this year.and the building’s general condition was described as “deplorable” 13 years ago, with no major remodeling in the years since (just some seismic-retrofit work).
Back to what happens next: We’re still trying to find out; community members are signed up to speak at tomorrow’s board meeting though there’s no related matter on the board’s agenda.
One day after Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth returned to three-boat service after almost three years, another milestone for Washington State Ferries – a builder has been chosen for its next three new boats. From the announcement:
Governor Bob Ferguson today announced he has selected the $714.5 million bid from Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. Washington State Ferries (WSF) will move forward with the contracting process, following the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years. …
The contract award comes after a comprehensive year-long process of advertising, pre-qualifying shipyards, and answering shipyard requests for clarification. Two shipyards submitted bids. Eastern’s bid was 6% lower than WSF’s own engineer’s estimate, and significantly lower than the other bidder.
The shipyard bid is only part of the new build process. There is an additional approximately $150 million for the first vessel for owner-furnished equipment, construction management, WSF crew training, and risk contingencies. This brings the cost of the first vessel to approximately $405 million, the second to $360 million, and the third to $325 million, as contingency risk decreases with lessons learned from each previous construction. …
According to its website, Eastern Shipbuilding Group has built more than 350 vessels, including ferries. It was one of two bidders; the other was Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Whidbey Island. State law was changed to allow ferries to be built out of state.
(WSB photos)
If you traveled on SW Oregon today west of California SW and wondered about the painting project – Inner Alchemy Treasures and Transformation (4312 SW Oregon) is the next West Seattle Junction business incorporating its streetfront signage into a mural! Artist Cody Huff is painting today – perfect weather, notes Inner Alchemy proprietor Maari Falsetto, who’s supervising:
The mural will incorporate Inner Alchemy’s logo symbol, the purple clematis, with big flowers wrapping around the edge of the building. One flower will likely be done by day’s end, and then painting will resume on Friday. This is one of three locations that comprise Inner Alchemy, which took over the Junction space this past spring – its former storefront at 3043 California SW is now a healing room, and the Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio in the American Legion building in The Triangle hosts classes and workshops.
(File photo)
Now that July is here, outdoor music season has arrived too – this month, that includes West Seattle Summer Fest (July 11-13), Admiral Music in the Parks (July 17, 24, and 31), Alki Art Fair (July 18-20), the West Seattle Big Band Concert in the Park (July 15) … and one multi-night event in which you can participate! That’s the West Seattle Community Orchestras’ Play Along in the Park, 6-8 pm on the next four Tuesdays (not tonight) in July in Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), near the north lot. Rotating WSCO conductors lead full ensembles in “music ranging from classical to contemporary.” Spectators are welcome too, of course, but players are especially encouraged. If you want to play, register here so you’ll get the music parts for the night(s) you want to join in. Free for musicians and audience!
Though at least one social-media site suggested that I Luv Teriyaki in SODO/Georgetown was reopening today, more than two years after a kitchen fire gutted the restaurant, we’ll save you the trip: We checked while running an errand in the area this past hour, and there are no signs (literally or figuratively) of impending reopening. Since we reported on the March 2023 fire, and the teriyaki restaurant has been a favorite for West Seattleites crossing the 1st Avenue South Bridge, fans have been asking us periodically when it’s reopening. We have tried to reach its owner repeatedly in recent weeks and months and have had no luck or callbacks. So we check in person whenever we’re in the vicinity.
(Noctilucent clouds, photographed by Steven Rice)
Here’s our list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER FOOD: As reported here Monday, there are multiple sites in West Seattle where kids can get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks.
CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The meeting that just began includes items related to Sound Transit’s in-city light-rail projects, including West Seattle. Here’s the agenda, which has all the document links. You can watch via Seattle Channel.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: You’re welcome to join this 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.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day, with sessions between noon and 7 pm. Fee.
WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) will be open today, noon-7 pm. Free.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course. (4470 35th SW).
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 2 pm, weekly meeting, open to public comment in person or online. The agenda explains how to watch/participate. Agenda items today include the agreement for Premier to keep operating golf courses including West Seattle.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 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.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).
TOASTMASTERS 832: Hybrid meeting, 6 pm – work on your communication and leadership skills! Online or at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW).
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN WITH HOKA DEMO: Tonight at 6:15 pm, meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run, with a chance to demo Hokas!
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 4: Wondering where to play trivia in West Seattle Tuesday nights? – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), 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).
If you are 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!
Family and friends will gather September 6 to celebrate Dan Monahan‘s life, and they’re sharing this remembrance now with the community:
John Daniel Monahan (Dan) was born on July 26th, 1990 and passed away on April 4th, 2025 in Seattle at the age of 34.
Dan was a creative, thoughtful, and accomplished person who also struggled with a lifetime of physical and mental challenges. He was an insightful nature photographer and a prolific writer of fantasy and satire. He spoke and wrote fluent Japanese, which he taught himself – then lived in Japan teaching English to high school students. He was passionate about the martial arts and was a devoted student of Buddhism. He researched and studied extensively the many layers of the human body including all the trigger points, in order to treat his chronic pain from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. He often supported people who were having troubles in their lives – serving a support role for friends and family who were coping with challenges of the body, mind, or spirit. He worked a long season in the depths of winter at a homeless shelter alongside people who were addicted, sick, and hurting. Dan loved risk, travel and adventure, climbing trees, walls, cliffs, buildings and mountains. He felt most at home in the woods, surrounded by tall forest trees, bodies of water, mountain vistas, and wild animals.
Dan was a beloved son to Viveca and John Monahan. A caring brother to Christina. A cherished nephew to Patricia Monahan and her late husband, Guy Shinkaruk, Moira and Jim McCarthy, Kate Marin, Deirdre Monahan, the late Tom Monahan and his wife, Mary Lester, and the late Mary Wanco and her daughter Melissa Landolfi. He was a dear friend to many from childhood, college, work, community, and life. He will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10:00 am PDT. Please contact the family for more details – vivecamonahan@gmail.com
As we come together to honor Dan’s legacy, we invite all who knew him to share their memories of Dan and upload photos to his memorial page.
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the first day of the month and second day of a holiday-shortened week.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high in upper 70s, clear weather still expected all week, including the Fourth of July. Today’s sunrise was at 5:15 am; sunset will be at 9:10 pm.
ROAD WORK
-Gas work in Highland Park, according to Kay (we’ve since received a notice of bus stop effects for the next 2 weeks too).
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has resumed three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
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) … including, again, tonight:
STADIUM ZONE
The Mariners continue their homestand tonight, with another 6:40 pm game against Kansas City.
TAKING EFFECT TODAY
–Higher toll for the 99 tunnel.
-Higher state gas tax, six cents more a gallon, first increase in nine years.
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!
1:24 AM: Mid-size callout this past half-hour for a fire in the 5000 block of 26th SW. They’ve just declared it “tapped” – out – and assessed it as an “exterior” fire. No injuries reported. We’ll follow up on the cause later this morning.
ADDED: SFD tells us, “Crews were dispatched to 5000 block of 26th Ave SW for a report of a possible electrical fire. They arrived and extinguished a small fire on the exterior of a home. No injuries were reported.”
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