Story and photos by Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“God’s animals inhabit the skies, the land, and the sea; we share the Earth with them, and like them rely on God’s blessing to sustain and preserve us.”

Those were the words spoken by Rev. Elise Johnstone marking today’s “Blessing of the Animals” at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Admiral, where a wide menagerie gathered. Around 35 people came together with their families and their pets to receive the blessing, which customarily occurs around the day marking the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. This year, the blessing coincided exactly with the date of the feast, which occurs every year on October 4th.
Rev. Johnstone and Fr. Robert Stevens presided, delivering a small sermon. We recorded her reading Psalm 104 along with the crowd:

After the readings, the presiders then blessed a basket of St. Francis medals meant to confer the blessing onto the animals as the annual blessing is in honor of the patron saint of animals’ feast day. They then went out into the crowd to hand out the medals.

The event drew a variety of animals with their people. Many brought their canine companions:

We also saw someone who had brought their cat along:

Robbie, age 7)

A guinea pig was in attendance too:

(Boba)

One person even brought their stuffed dog Ginger, which they said had kept them company through many difficult times for more than 40 years.

Reverend Johnstone wanted to emphasize that the event is for all animals, no matter the size or species. She said unique highlights of past years have included people bringing stick bugs, and even a multiple-feet-long python.

The event ended with a fairly traditional and formal recitation, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord … Thanks be to God.” Before ending, Reverend Johnstone added: “But let’s go out with a good bark as well.” And as soon as she finished speaking, the chorus of dogs started up.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Outside lane blocked by westbound West Seattle Bridge pullout

October 4, 2025 8:15 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to Sage K. for the tip. They saw a “stalled Jeep” blocking the outside lane just before the westbound Walking on Logs pullout, “making things a bit dangerous.” We’ve also just heard a dispatch for what was described as a possible two-vehicle collision in that area. Bottom line, if you know of anyone about to head that way, tell them heads-up at that last curve.

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VIDEO: See today’s commercial filming on Harbor/Alki

October 4, 2025 8:02 pm

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| Seen around town | West Seattle news

Thanks to Erin for the video! We’ve been telling you for a few days about the parking restrictions today along part of Harbor/Alki Avenues, attributed to a production company with a lot of car commercials among its credits. The neighbor who originally tipped us said a Toyota logo was seen during some advance work, and indeed, that’s what it seems to be – we screengrabbed Erin’s video, tried an online image search, and it came back as the Toyota b74X electric SUV. The parking restrictions also are supposed to be in effect Monday (October 6), but not tomorrow.

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YOU CAN HELP: First Lutheran Church fills ‘Cup of Blessing’ for West Seattle Food Bank – featuring WS trivia!

October 4, 2025 4:56 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Just two weeks until this fun fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank! From First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

Cup of Blessing Dinner Returns October 18, 2025 with West Seattle Trivia

The First Lutheran Church of West Seattle is delighted to host the annual Cup of Blessing Dinner on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. This beloved community event raises vital funds for the West Seattle Food Bank and provides a warm evening of fellowship, fun, and outstanding food.

This year’s theme, “West Seattle Trivia,” will bring a local twist to the evening. Guests are encouraged to brush up on their neighborhood knowledge as trivia questions are woven into the program, making for an interactive and lively atmosphere.

Attendees will enjoy a delicious buffet style dinner from Ivar’s Acres of Clams, featuring entrées such as salmon and chicken with delicious sides.

Robbin Peterson and Serena Streitman will be representing the West Seattle Food Bank, and will be the evening’s guest speakers, sharing updates on the organization’s work in addressing food insecurity across the neighborhood. With rising demand for assistance, every ticket sold makes a direct impact.

In addition to the dinner and trivia, guests can participate in a Dessert Dash, a spirited race to bid on and claim delectable desserts, as well as a raffle offering fantastic prizes. Every aspect of the evening is designed to bring people together while raising money for an essential cause.

The Cup of Blessing Dinner is about more than just a meal, it’s about building community, sharing fellowship, and making a tangible difference for our neighbors in need.

You are Invited! Tickets are available now at bit.ly/CupofBlessings2025. Seating is limited, and 100 percent of proceeds — including ticket costs — go directly to the West Seattle Food Bank.

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READER REPORT: Abandoned green bicycle

October 4, 2025 2:55 pm

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| Found bicycles | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Kristy:

I saw this bike on a run this morning around 10:30. Someone may be looking for it.

She saw it where 24th meets 25th in Delridge.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Fauntleroy’s Great Pumpkin Search 2025

October 4, 2025 1:21 pm

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| Fauntleroy | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

The Great Pumpkin Search is on in Fauntleroy! Volunteers hid 175 pumpkins similar to that one around the Endolyne business district, and organizers with the Fauntleroy Community Association are now presiding over the search from a tent at the corner of 45th SW and Brace Point, across from Endolyne Joe’s:

Some of the pumpkins are redeemable for prizes – one per searcher. The search is on until 3 pm, or until all the pumpkins are found – just a few searchers in the early going, so you have time to get there!

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s how the West Seattle Alzheimer’s Support Group Walk went

October 4, 2025 12:29 pm

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| Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

As previewed here, an informal walk was scheduled in West Seattle again this year on the same day as the big citywide Walk to End Alzheimer’s. It happened this morning; we just got this report, from Connie:

The West Seattle Alzheimer’s Support Group rallied to the cause Saturday for the annual Walk To End Alzheimer’s. Upward of three dozen, men, women, children, and dogs from West Seattle walked a stretch of 35th Ave SW near the water tower, to coincide with the larger event at Seattle Center.

The annual walk is part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the many forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and to provide support for families living with disease – through resources, advocacy, and research to find a cure. The West Seattle walk was organized by support group facilitator Martha Smith.

If you’re interested in the group, here’s more info.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Do you know who hit this car?

October 4, 2025 10:29 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Linda is seeking help figuring out who hit her car in Upper Morgan Junction:

Our car was hit last night right about midnight. There were pieces of the vehicle which hit our car left behind so we know the car is a metallic blue-gray. It will have front-end damage likely mostly on the passenger side and the side mirror will be missing its cover. The driver was going southbound on 40th Avenue toward Morgan. We’re hoping someone may have captured a picture of the car or license plate on a security cam or may see the car around their neighborhood. Any help would be much appreciated.

If you have any information, l_c_turner (at) hotmail (dot) com is the best way to contact Linda. The SPD report number is 25-290106.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 41 notes!

October 4, 2025 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Tom Trulin)

Welcome to the first weekend of October! Here’s our big West Seattle list for Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

TRAFFIC/TRANSPORTATION/PARKING ALERTS: Many parking spaces are off-limits today (and Monday) between Don Armeni Boat Ramp and Luna/Anchor Park because of a film shoot … South Park Bridge is closed again 7 pm tonight to 6 am Sunday because of Duwamish River cleanup work … The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route remains on a two-boat-plus-unscheduled-third-boat schedule (as linked here).

FREE SAUNA: As previewed here Friday, Metro is bringing a mobile sauna to Seacrest (Cove 2) so you can sweat and then plunge into Elliott Bay (or vice versa), 8 am-10 am. (1660 Harbor SW)

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Kick-start your weekend with a run? West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!

GARAGE/YARD SALES: Anyone having a yard/garage sale today? Check listings in the WSB Community Forums. (If you have a sale to add, but don’t have a login for that section, go to westseattleblog/log-in – thanks!)

VACCINE CLINIC: 9 am-3 pm at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), open to all, but follow that link to get an appointment first.

URBAN FARMING WORKSHOP: 9 am at Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon), the second workshop in a series that will teach you about growing food in an urban community garden, as previewed here. Today’s topic: “Winter gardening. You can grow a variety of vegetables year-round.”

HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.

UW BEACH-VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: The Huskies are back at Alki Beach today (and tomorrow) starting at 9 am.

WEST SEATTLE ALZHEIMER’S WALK: Don’t want to, or can’t, go to the big walk downtown? A local support group has again organized a smaller West Seattle walk on the same day. Meet up at 9:30 am at 35th/Myrtle, by the water tower.

INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed by this 10 am walk, which you can join even if you didn’t go on the introductory walk. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: Just a few more weeks to shop at this weekly market! Open 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, in and around the courtyard at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, sweet treats, body-care products, more!

WHITE CENTER HEIGHTS TREE PLANTING: Big planting event 10 am-1 pm – sign up here ASAP! (10208 7th SW)

MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

FREE WRITING GROUP: On hiatus; no gathering until mid-October

ALKI HISTORY WALK: 11 am – openings remain as of early this morning. Meet at the Log House Museum. (61st/Stevens)

FREE ECO-TOUR: Starting at the Duwamish Longhouse (4705 West Marginal Way SW), 11 am-noon.

FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)

OKTOBERFEST AT HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE: Beer, brats, pretzels, games, more, noon-7 pm celebration at Highland Park Corner Store. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: More Oktoberfest! Second day of festivities at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), open noon-9 pm today.

POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Bonus monthly Saturday morning session of long-distance handwritten advocacy, noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

FAUNTLEROY PUMPKIN SEARCH: Come to the Endolyne business district 1-3 pm for the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s Pumpkin Search. (9200 block 45th SW)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

SUPER SMASH SATURDAYS: Three Saturdays a month at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW), open 1 pn-10 pm.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:

The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Bring your furry, scaly, feathered, etc. friend(s) to the St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church parking lot (3050 California SW) for the annual blessings in honor of St. Francis, 2 pm.

WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS SHELTER OPEN HOUSE: 2-4 pm, the shelter in The Triangle opens its doors for a Q&A and presentation. (3618 SW Alaska)

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MEDICAL HARM: Learn how in this free presentation at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3 pm. (2306 42nd SW)

FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)

LITTLE FREE ART GALLERY: Grand reopening, 4-5 pm, as previewed here. (38th SW between Morgan and Graham)

EVENING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Monthly unplugged event Circle of Songs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, no cover, all ages.

LIVE AT EASY STREET: 7 pm at Morpho performs live in-store (4559 California SW), free, all ages.

‘THE ROOMMATE’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain, second weekend for the curret play at the Junction playhouuse; ticket link in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm (doors at 7) tonight it’s Full Life Crisis, The Cheap Cassettes, Memphis Radio Kings, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ King Coko at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).

SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight, with rotating DJ Josh and DJ NightMere, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)

Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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PHOTOS/VIDEO: WSHS football wins big over Franklin

October 4, 2025 12:25 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Photos by Oliver Hamlin
For West Seattle Blog

In a strong showing on Friday night, the West Seattle High School football squad dominated Franklin by a score of 41-6 under the lights at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, to remain unbeaten at 4-0.

This one was all Wildcats from the opening whistle, scoring 5 touchdowns in the first half to take a 34-0 lead, and the visitors from Franklin not scoring a point until getting a touchdown as time expired at the end of the game. The referees did a “run clock” for most of the 2nd half, with minimal stoppages, due to WSHS having a comfortable 34-point lead at the time, which meant that the game was finished before 9 pm (in just 1 hour and 55 minutes).

There was a sizable home crowd on hand for the game, and the fans had a lot to cheer about.

Here’s our video of the opening kickoff:

WSHS wasted no time making a big play, with senior Sorin Smith (#6) grabbing an interception just 1:30 into the game. A minute later, junior QB Desmond Parkinson (#12) found senior Miles Guidry (#5) for a TD pass:

The extra point by senior Jonah Pelander (#7) gave the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.

With 5:24 left in the first quarter, WSHS got another interception, this one from senior Ford Fitterer (#40), and the Wildcats offense moved down the field, with Parkinson doing work through the air:

…and on the ground, capping off the drive with a QB run:

The extra point made it 14-0, which remained the score at the end of the first quarter.

Just one minute into the 2nd quarter, the Wildcats kept the momentum going:

…with a long TD pass from Parkinson to sophomore Grady Scheff (#10):

…and the kick put WSHS in front 21-0.

The visiting Quakers couldn’t get anything going on offense in the first half, with the stout Wildcat defense keeping Franklin in check and getting the ball back quickly and repeatedly.

WSHS continued moving the ball, including work by senior Jesse Hansen-Wilson (#43):

With five minutes left in the quarter, WSHS scored again on a short TD pass from Parkinson to senior LJ Moody (#3):

…which put the Wildcats on top 28-0 after the extra point.

With 1:53 remaining in the quarter, Parkinson again connected with Moody, this time for a long TD pass:

…but the extra point was blocked, making the score 34-0 at the half.

Here’s our video of the WSHS marching band entertaining the crowd with their halftime performance:

And here are some halftime photos:

The 3rd quarter was scoreless, with both teams trading possessions. A WSHS drive stalled with 8:02 left in the quarter after losing a fumble that was recovered by Franklin, but the Wildcat defense stepped up and forced a punt.

The 4th quarter had more of the same until WSHS freshman Lennox Parkinson (#22) broke free and scored on a TD run, and the extra point put the Wildcats up 41-0.

It wasn’t until the final minute of the contest that the Quakers made a serious threat to score, moving into the red zone and then ultimately getting a TD catch from senior Deurian McNeil (#0) as time expired, to make the final score 41-6 in favor of WSHS.

Head coach Anthony Stordahl‘s Wildcats remain undefeated at 4-0 for the season:

Throughout the game, the WSHS cheer squad and band were also hard at work:

Up next for the Wildcats: On the road against Lakeside on Thursday, October 9, at 7 pm. (Lakeside lost 28-0 to Chief Sealth on Thursday night. Sealth had also defeated Franklin earlier in the season, 20-0).

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