day : 07/07/2025 10 results

Music and memories as West Seattleite Rosa Facciuto celebrates 107th birthday, with advice for what not to do if you want longevity too

Story and photos by Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The lunch room at Brookdale West Seattle was alive with celebration today, as neighbors and friends alike gathered to celebrate resident Rosa Facciuto’s 107th birthday. Partygoers enjoyed lunch and sang along to “Moonglow,” “Sweet Caroline,” and a favorite of Rosa’s, “Hey Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams.

Rosa was born on July 7th, 1918, in Seattle. In her life, she’s seen two world wars, the space race, the civil-rights movement, as well as the rise of the telephone, and later the internet. Today was more than just a birthday celebration; it was a chance to reflect and appreciate the life she’s had so far, including jobs as an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and Seattle Police secretary.

“I’m on top of the world,” Rosa remarked while opening one of the many cards stacked in front of her. The party was in high spirits, and the community showed up with an outpouring of appreciation and support. Many of her friends took the time to write down comments, which were read at the party. “She’s an inspiration to all of us,” one friend wrote. “She is beautiful and intelligent,” snother friend wrote – “But she doesn’t have good eyesight.” Rosa interjected.

“Don’t sit at home and mope, get out and keep active. If you don’t have a job, volunteer.” Facciuto said, when asked if she had any advice for the younger generations. “Don’t abuse yourself either, you’ve got to take care of your body. And choose your friends well. You’ll be all right if you run around with the right people.”

Performing the music today was local musician and community member C.C. Engel. She’s played piano and sang at Rosa’s last three birthday celebrations, and says she’ll keep performing at them for as long as she can. Previously, Engel has worked across Seattle, from New Luck Toy to the Chelan Café. “As long as she’s here, I’ll be here,” Engel promised.

These days, Rosa keeps active as a member of Brookdale’s poetry club and goes to bingo three nights a week. She says she’s grateful for the people she has around her today. “I love everybody here, and I’ll never ever regret that I’ve been here this long.”

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UPDATE: Fire on west edge of Westcrest Park

July 7, 2025 7:06 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

7:06 PM: Firefighters are at 8th SW/SW Trenton right now, working to put out a “brush fire” on the west edge of Westcrest Park. The smoke was visible for miles as we headed there to check it out. Flames charred the slope at the Trenton street end too, west of a park retaining wall, close to apartment buildings.

Fireworks? 911 callers were reporting “booms.” Police are there investigating, too.

(Reader photo)

8:02 PM: An hour and a half after the first SFD crew arrived, the last one just left. Thanks to D for photo we’ve added above, showing why the smoke was visible from afar -leaping flames at one point.

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Man dies at Rotary Viewpoint Park

July 7, 2025 5:56 pm

| 29 COMMENTS

| Triangle | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A nearby resident asked today about an SPD, SFD, and King County Medical Examiner’s Office response last night at Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th SW/SW Alaska). First SFD told us they had responded to a report of a person who had died before medics arrived. SPD said they had no details because officers were still drafting a report. Then the ME’s daily list of investigated deaths arrived, and this case was already on it. They list the 47-year-old man’s cause of death as an accidental overdose of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. There’s no information about whether he had been living at the park, which as we’ve reported has been the site of encampments. According to the ME’s report, which comes out on regular business days, his was one of 11 overdose deaths in King County investigated in the past three days; seven were listed as occurring in residences (addresses are not listed in those cases), two in vehicles, one in a parking lot, and this one in a park.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search for bank robber

July 7, 2025 4:23 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

4:23 PM: If you’re noticing the police north of The Junction, they’re looking for a bank robber after a holdup was reported at the WaFd Bank in the 4100 block of California SW. A K-9 team is part of the search. The robber is described as female, Asian, 18-20 years old, light bandanna, light clothing, last seen eastbound on SW Dakota from the bank (which is at California/Dakota).

5:32 PM: No further updates and the search has downsized. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 25-190224.

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WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST: Farmers Market on the move

July 7, 2025 3:32 pm

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| West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Before the week gets busy, here’s our annual reminder that the West Seattle Farmers’ Market will NOT be in its usual place next Sunday, because pf West Seattle Summer Fest. It’ll be on California north of Oregon (the stretch you can see in our photo above, looking northwestward over the back of the “road closed” sign in place for yesterday’s mega-busy market). Regular time – 10 am-2 pm Sunday – and many of your favorite vendors, but one block north. (That stretch of street holds the main stage for the first two days of the festival, but that’ll be broken down and removed overnight after Saturday night’s shows; there’ll still be music on Sunday, but just on the West Side Stage, off SW Alaska west of California). Lots more festival info all week, and we look forward to seeing you at Summer Fest – brought to you by the West Seattle Junction Association (with community co-sponsors including WSB) – 1 pm-8 pm (music till 11) on Friday, 10 am-8 pm (music till 11) on Saturday, 10 am-5 pm (with the Farmers’ Market!) on Sunday.

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Need $ for a community event/project? Here’s how to get it from the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund

July 7, 2025 1:51 pm

| Comments Off on Need $ for a community event/project? Here’s how to get it from the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

If your neighborhood/group/organization has a great idea but is short on money to turn it into reality, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund might be able to help. It’s accepting applications for this year’s grants, explained in this announcement:

This granting program consists of two funds – the Community Partnership Fund and the Small Sparks Fund – which support grassroots projects that build stronger communities. 

-The Community Partnership Fund provides funding up to $50,000. Applications are currently open and must be submitted by 11:59 pm on September 8, 2025. This fund provides opportunities to create large and lasting impacts in your community by supporting community organizing, public art projects, park improvements, cultural events, design and construction of community facilities, and more. 

-The Small Sparks Fund provides funding up to $5,000 per project, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis through October 31. This fund is designed to support small community activities such as neighborhood clean-ups, block parties, community art projects, workshops, and more. 

The NMF team is hosting three virtual workshops for those interested in applying to the fund. Each workshop will provide an overview of the grant, the qualities of a strong application, and the review process.

The first workshop is a little over a week away, on Tuesday, July 15. The dates, times, and links are all listed here.

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PLAN AHEAD! 2025 West Seattle Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt sign-up time

July 7, 2025 12:04 pm

| Comments Off on PLAN AHEAD! 2025 West Seattle Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt sign-up time

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Love scavenger hunts? Summer Scramble is back, and coordinator/founder Alice Kuder wants you to be able to plan ahead! Here’s her announcement:

The 3rd annual Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt is coming to West Seattle, running from Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3rd. It’s FREE, FUN, and FAMILY FRIENDLY!

Discover hidden treasure in West Seattle with friends, family, or all by yourself. Whether you are a newcomer or long-time resident, Summer Scramble is a free community treasure hunt designed to introduce you to parts of West Seattle you may not have experienced before. Even better, by playing, you will discover some awesome local businesses and “communication hubs”, AND compete to win the booty from one of three treasure chests.

How do you play? It’s so easy! Go to wondersinaliceland.com. Register your team, then download the instructions today. Then, on July 31st, download the bingo-style clue sheet and map and hit the streets to solve as many of the 25 clues as you can. When you solve a clue, go to that location and take a selfie in front of it. Send your selfies to me at a url to be announced. Participating businesses will display a Summer Scramble sign in the front window that includes the phrase, “You’re clued in!”

Each team that solves at least 15 clues will qualify for the treasure chest drawings. That’s all there is to it!

The hunt is open to everyone of all ages. It begins at 12:01 AM on Thursday, July 31st, and ends at 7 PM on Sunday, August 3rd. Registration is open now, but you can register and send selfies anytime during those four days.

Summer Scramble is orchestrated by Alice Kuder, Preparedness Coach at Just in Case, because she loves scavenger hunts, small businesses, West Seattle, and creating opportunities for free fun!

Questions? Contact Alice Kuder, 206-708-9800, Alice@JustInCasePlans.com, wondersinaliceland.com
81 teams participated last year.

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Options for your West Seattle Monday

July 7, 2025 9:57 am

| Comments Off on Options for your West Seattle Monday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lincoln Park, seen from ferry)

Here’s what’s on the Monday highlight list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (are we missing something? let us know!):

FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 am story time is open to wee ones and their parents/guardians/caretakers. (9010 35th SW)

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: Continuing through Labor Day, the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day, noon-7 pm. Fee.

WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) are scheduled to be open today, noon-7 pm. Free.

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm “briefing meeting” today; see the agenda here;
watch live via Seattle Channel. (No public comment at the briefing meetings.)

CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players welcome too!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group, participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee.(4034 California SW)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Three places you can play tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

ALKI MEDITATION: Every Monday – doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, and the meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly pool tournament starts at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: More Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Live music on Mondays! Jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: ‘One Seattle Day of Service’ on Saturday

July 7, 2025 9:02 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Quick reminder that the city has declared Saturday (July 12) this year’s “One Seattle Day of Service,” with volunteer opportunities offered citywide.

If you’re interested in checking out remaining openings, the first step is to register, and you’ll find the link in the original announcement. (Local events with openings include one with Schmitz Park Creek Restore, still with dozens of spots when we checked this morning.)

P.S. Two events at Webster Pond have 40+ openings, too!

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Post-holiday Monday info

July 7, 2025 6:03 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, July 7, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high near 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:20 am; sunset will be at 9:08 pm.

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; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events).

ROAD WORK

-Tomorrow and Wednesday, “potholing” work is planned for the Fauntleroy Way intersection with the ferry dock, as previewed here.

-16th SW is set for speed-cushion installation near Cloverdale and near Trenton; we’re awaiting more info from SDOT.

SUMMER FEST LATER THIS WEEK

-The street closures for West Seattle Summer Fest start rolling out Thursday afternoon (see that day’s timeline here), and from Thursday night through Sunday night, California will be closed north (to Genesee) and south (to Edmunds) of SW Oregon, and SW Alaska will be closed between 44th on the west side and 42nd on the east side.

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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