West Seattle, Washington
02 Friday
For Brandi Carlile, launching “Returning to Myself” meant returning to a familiar, beloved venue … Easy Street Records. That’s where she chose to perform on release day for her new album, a special show for those buying “Returning to Myself” through Easy Street, a show that maxed out shortly after the surprise announcement earlier this week. Then those who got a spot lined up around the historic Hamm Building – here’s how it looked two hours before showtime:
(Photo sent by Hayk)
Once the doors opened at 6, it was a full house of fans:
And more looking in from the street, until the “garage door” was partly opened:
Carlile not only sang the title track and first single from “Returning to Myself,” but also one of her most-loved songs, “The Story“:
And back to the new album, with “Church and State“:
Carlile last took to the Easy Street stage in a surprise appearance with her longtime band members the Hanseroth Twins eleven months ago. Meantime, Easy Street has several in-store shows most weeks – go here to see who’s next.
When City Councilmembers start proposing budget amendments next week, District 1’s Rob Saka plans to suggest funding for the all-wheels area, aka skate dot, at Morgan Junction Park. That’s according to both skate-dot advocacy coalition MJAWA and a list of likely budget amendments from Councilmember Saka’s office. To cover the $850,000 that Parks now says the skate dot would cost (backstory here), MJAWA spokesperson Matt Johnston says, the idea now is for Saka to propose $700,000 be written into the city budget, which MJAWA then says would unlock an additional $150,000 in Saka Proposed Amendments 10-24-25Parks matching fund money. They’re lining up supporters to speak at the council’s Tuesday (October 28) 9:30 am meeting as well as the November 6 public hearing, and they’re explaining more about what happens next in this post on the MJAWA website.
SIDE NOTE: Here’s the full list of budget amendments Councilmember Saka is considering, also including the Camp Long restoration project; official proposals are due next week, and then go into formal review with eventual council votes on whether to include them in the budget.
Another annual Halloween-season tradition is shining bright! We’ve shown this in previous years and every year it’s a don’t miss sight. The photos were sent by Chuck, who wrote, “My neighbor Jason carves 100 pumpkins every year. All with differing features and each one lit. It’s quite a display.”
And those are just SOME of them! They’re on Genesee Hill, near 52nd SW and SW Dakota. … With one week left until Halloween, there’s still time to show your decorations, or your favorite sighting … photos are appreciated at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The mascot awaits hundreds of runners of all ages tomorrow (Saturday, October 25) morning at Lincoln Park! The weather won’t stop this year’s West Seattle Monster Dash, 9:30 am in the central upper park, with the starting line near Shelter #1 (as shown in this park map). It’s a fundraiser for the West Seattle Cooperative Preschools and it’s not too late to register – the Monster Dash 5K is at 9:30 am, and the Kids’ Dash is 10:30 am. Lots of fun family activities too. Costumes encouraged!
(File photo courtesy A Cleaner Alki)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
More than six months after learning a critical grant would not be renewed, community-cleanup group A Cleaner Alki is still working on new ways to keep their efforts around the peninsula and beyond going strong.
“We have to figure out how to make it sustainable,” says founder Erik Bell, who is continuing to support 4-6 cleanups a week, despite “burning my candle at both ends.” The funds from a 2-year Department of Ecology grant ran out in June.
Bell says the group is now counting on the continued support of some long-time monthly donors. Some others have employer matches to their donations and there is occasionally a corporate group who does cleanup as a public service, but he’s feeling the funding gap. He recently met with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka to talk about potential new sources of funding, and is open to community input about grants that might be a good match for ACA. Donations are made through the non-profit Seattle Parks Foundation, which serves as its fiscal sponsor – that does not mean bankrolling the group, just helping it process donations.
This weekend ACA is getting a boost of community support from a Saturday night dinner at the West Seattle Eagles (4426 California Ave SW). This is the second fundraising dinner put on by Anne and Ron Weglin, who did the first in July. They’ll have teriyaki chicken with rice, marinated cucumbers, and key lime pie available from 5:30-7 pm. You don’t need to be a member to attend and a live band is scheduled to play after the dinner. (Dinner is $14/cash per person, all ages until 10 pm.)
Bell will also be tabling at the upcoming Joiner Jamboree, a gathering of 40+ community groups and clubs on November 8 that West Seattleites can learn about and consider joining. The Jamboree takes inspiration from the documentary “Join or Die,” which is being shown the previous night, and explores the correlation between thriving democracies and how much citizens connect with each other by joining clubs and associations. “It speaks so much to what we’re doing and how people are feeling,” says Bell. When he started ACA several years ago, he had in his mind that the cleanup would be the main goal. But he was surprised to find that it’s turned out, “The cleanups are a byproduct of doing community-building and fellowship. We’ll get some stuff done, but you’re talking to the person next to you. It’s what’s missing in our society: Making connections, knowing your neighbors, feeling that your civic duty is to make your community better.”
For more information about A Cleaner Alki, including a link for donations, go to ACA’s website. “Join or Die” will be screened Friday, November 7, at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation (7141 California Ave SW) from 7-9 pm; doors open at at 6:45 pm with a discussion following the movie. The Joiner Jamboree will be Saturday, Nov. 8 at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California Ave SW) from 11 am-3 pm.
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB
3:30 PM: As shown in our screengrab from the Admiral/California traffic cam, Admiral District trick-or-treating is under way, with umbrellas joining treat bags as accessories this year! The participants stretch from Avamere and Mioposto (WSB sponsor) in North Admiral to Shug’s and Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor) at California/Charlestown – the map is on the Admiral Neighborhood Association website, but we’ve heard from businesses NOT on the map that are participating too, like Alki Mail (47th/Admiral) and Zelda Zonk (2210 California SW), so there’s a ton of treats to be had! It’s continuing until 6 pm; photojournalist Oliver Hamlin is out on the route for WSB, and just caught up with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) proprietors Lori and Tim:
6:12 PM: Adding more photos from Oliver:
Erica Brady of FIT4MOM and son Levi:
Destiny Itano of Seattle Yarn guarded the candy bowl, dressed as a shark in a sweater.
Note their crowd bracing against the rain:
The Grobe family chose Pokémon themed costumes:
We found Heat Miser and Snow Miser outside West Wings:
Rebecca Rice of Arthur’s conjured up a witch outfit:
So did Modern Roots proprietor Jessica Forsythe:
And Freda McCrae at Brookdale Admiral Heights, appreciating a trick-or-treating hot dog:
Then there was “Hugz the Clown”:
Avian King is proprietor of The Summerland, a new business:
The Moore family had a milk-and-cookies theme going:
At Mission Cantina, the giant skeleton was in the spotlight.
And even more characters:
More trick-or-treat events are ahead this weekend, starting with Alki Beach businesses noon-2 pm Saturday, Trail or Treat at Camp Long cabins 3:30-7 pm Saturday, Trunk or Treat at Hope School 6:30-8 pm Saturday, and during the Junction Harvest Festival 11 am-2 pm Sunday!
2:10 PM: No injuries, and no visuals, but possible traffic effects from a two-car crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge. We had trouble verifying the location until a friend reported it’s “at the curve by the statues … one car is spun around and there is a second car involved.”
2:45 PM: Thanks to those who’ve since sent photos, including the one above. As you can see, the barrier’s been pushed out of position, which adds an extra element to clearing the scene – and getting through it safely.
The video and photos were sent by Bill, one of multiple victims of overnight vandalism that damaged multiple car windshields:
Smashed a bunch of windshields on Avalon last night in West Seattle. Here’s a couple photos, but there’s a lot more car smashed.
My car is barely drivable for a one-way trip to work early morning as a healthcare provider. Hopefully it’s replaced before I start my way home.
We’ll add the police-report number when we get it (please let us know if you were also a victim and already have one).
Going into the busy Friday afternoon commute period, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route remains down to two boats. M/V Sealth went out of service this morning, in need of repairs, and it’s at the WSF Eagle Harbor facility (Bainbridge Island) to get worked on, so M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet are on the 2-boat schedule (timetables are linked here). Compounding matters, the South Vashon route (Tahlequah-Point Defiance) had some cancellations this morning too.
(WSB photo, 2023 salmon welcome)
After watching the forecast for days, Fauntleroy Watershed volunteers have decided to go ahead with what might be an abbreviated – yet spirited as always – community salmon-welcoming gathering on Sunday. From Judy Pickens:
With an atmospheric river poised to flush pollutants out of Fauntleroy Creek this weekend, the annual drumming on Sunday afternoon will sweeten the invitation for spawners to come in from the cove.
Salmon lovers are a hearty bunch, willing to put up with a little or a lot of rain to give our coho a spirited welcome. Those with drums or other instruments can be under cover for what may be an abbreviated program starting at 4 pm Sunday near the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way SW). The sound of drumming will draw you down to creek level.
The drumming will kick off Salmon Watch 2025. Two dozen volunteers will be checking the lower creek daily to document the number and condition of the coho that come in (last year they counted a record 347).
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WSHS senior LJ Moody (#3) catches a deep pass near the end zone on Senior Night vs O’Dea
Story and videos by Jason Grotelueschen
Photos by Oliver Hamlin
For West Seattle Blog
Seniors from the West Seattle High School football and cheer squads were honored Thursday night as the Wildcats took on O’Dea at West Seattle Stadium, in a special matchup of the season’s top two Metro League football teams.
After a hard-fought scoreless first quarter, followed by a very-not-scoreless second quarter (with 6 combined touchdowns!) made it 28-14 O’Dea at halftime, the Fighting Irish steadily pulled away in the second half and topped the Wildcats by a final score of 56-14, handing WSHS their first loss of the season.
WSHS came in undefeated at 6-0 and on top of the Metro League Sound Division football standings, while O’Dea (the defending 3A state champions, current top-ranked 3A team in WA, and tops in the Metro League Mountain Division) were 6-1 with their only defeat coming in a non-conference season-opening narrow loss to 4A powerhouse Graham-Kapowsin.
As we previewed yesterday, the Thursday game represented a change of plans due to the fact that both the schools’ opponents had to forfeit their respective games this week, opening the door for a last-minute opportunity to shuffle schedules and have WSHS and O’Dea square off in a marquee late-season contest (for WSHS, it’s their final game of the season before the playoffs).
It was Senior Night for both schools, and the game was moved from Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex to West Seattle Stadium (which is O’Dea’s home field). The rain held off and it was a nice night for football, with a good crowd on hand for both schools.
WSHS coach Anthony Stordahl (pictured below during Thursday’s game) told us that he couldn’t be prouder of how his team played against one of the best football programs in the state, under tough scheduling circumstances. “The kids on this team showed resilience and a lot of heart; we could have just taken a forfeit and moved on, but these kids love to compete.”
Now, Stordahl’s squad moves on to the playoffs, and after tonight’s area high school football action they’ll know who their next opponent will be.
Stordahl added that this game had extra-special significance for him personally, as he was able to share the field as a coach for the first time with Monte Kohler, who has coached O’Dea since the mid-1980s and last month reached 395 career wins to become the all-time winningest high school football coach in Washington state. Stordahl played for Kohler as part of O’Dea’s 1994 state championship team.
On Thursday night, the senior class was in the spotlight, and Stordahl told us that he’s “very thankful we got a chance to celebrate the seniors; they deserve a lot of credit in building the culture of this team.” He added that WSHS will be moving up next year to the Mountain Division of the Metro League, competing with programs like O’Dea and Seattle Prep, and that this is possible “because of the standard this senior class has set.”
An hour before the game, WSHS introduced and honored its senior football players and their families:
Here are photos of some of the football seniors and their families, including Rafi and Ari Fein-Wallace:
Sorin Smith:
Gabe Crawford:
Esayas Brigham:
Jack Freeborne:
And Ford Fitterer:
Here’s our full video of the ceremony:
WSHS cheer coach Nadine Nguyen told us that this senior class “has been the heart of our team, showing dedication, leadership and spirit every step of the way,” and that they truly have inspired the team with their hard work and unity, leaving a lasting legacy for the program.
Here are photos of some of the senior cheer members alongside their families, including Nayeli Martinez:
Ella McNamara (left) and sister Sophie:
Hannah Niguidula:
Ariana Trevino:
And Izzy McKamey:
Here’s our video of the cheer seniors (apologies for the audio quality; the organizers had to use a portable PA system and it was overpowered by the halftime crowd noise):
WSHS had also been planning to honor their senior band members on Thursday night, but the decision was made to recognize them at a future WSHS sporting event.
As for the big game itself, it began with a hard-fought scoreless first quarter, as both teams traded possessions but couldn’t convert points. WSHS missed a field goal with 8 minutes left in the 1st quarter, and the Wildcats played stout defense and recovered O’Dea fumbles on two consecutive possessions to stall drives by the Irish:
Early in the second quarter, O’Dea scored on a touchdown run, and with the extra point took a 7-0 lead with 11 minutes left in the quarter.
About 5 minutes later, the scoring flurry began as the two teams combined for 5 TDs in the last 7 minutes of the first half, starting with an O’Dea TD run to take a 14-0 lead with 6:24 left in the 2nd quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, WSHS senior LJ Moody (#3) took a long return to midfield to give the Wildcats great field position. Not long after, Moody struck again, hauling in a long pass from junior QB Desmond Parkinson (#12):
The Wildcats couldn’t convert in the red zone, and attempted a field goal, but it was blocked and returned by O’Dea all the way to the WSHS 20-yard-line. A couple of plays later, O’Dea scored on short run to extend their lead to 21-0 with just over 3 minutes left in the 2nd quarter.
After the kickoff, WSHS put together a nice drive and then cashed in on long TD pass from Parkinson to junior Justice Nguyen (#1). The extra point was blocked, and the score was 21-6 with 1:36 left before half.
O’Dea took the kickoff and wasted no time, hitting a long TD pass to make it 28-6 with 1:25 left in the 2nd quarter.
WSHS then put together a quick drive (featuring several pass connections between Parkinson and Moody), capped off by going for it in the red zone on 4th down in the final seconds of the 1st half, as Parkinson and Nguyen connected on another TD pass:
Then the Wildcats pulled off a successful 2-point conversion on a pass to junior Aidan Croppi, to make the score 28-14 in favor of O’Dea at the halftime break.
O’Dea struck quickly in the opening minutes of the 2nd half, scoring on a TD run to take a 35-14 lead. This was followed by another TD with 8:20 left in the 3rd quarter to make it 42-14, which was the score after three quarters.
In the final quarter, the Irish defense continued to bottle up the Wildcat offense, and O’Dea added two more TDs to make the final score 56-14.
Up next for the Wildcat squad: Playoffs! Details and opponent are TBD; we will post game information as soon as it’s confirmed, dependent on tonight’s area high school football results.
We start today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar with Hallo-weekend #1’s first big event:
ADMIRAL DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: That’s the map – expanded this year! – of venues planning to participate in this year’s Admiral District Trick-or-Treating, 3-6 pm. Rain or shine!
(added) ALKI MAIL & DISPATCH TOO: They’re not officially on the map but Alki Mail & Dispatch (47th and Admiral) is just a few blocks west and as a major Halloween devotée, proprietor Bree invites trick-or-treaters to visit the “Haunted Dispatch” – not just today, but also on Halloween, when they’ll have goodie bags:
Now the rest of what’s up:
FREE INDOOR PLAY: “Stay and Play” is open 10 am-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), with toys for the little ones and coffee for their chaperones.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community creations are on display throughout Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), and you can visit any time during regular hours, 10 am-6 pm today.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
BABY STORY TIME: 11 am to 11:30 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), free.
PUMPKIN JUNCTION: The Beer Junction (4511 California SW) offers at least 15 pumpkin beers on tap to celebrate the season.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about local history – open noon-4 pm today.
QI-GONG: Natalia‘s Friday sessions are 12:30-1 pm at La Choza (10401 47th SW).
SKI SWAP DROPOFF: Participating in this weekend’s Mountain to Sound Outfitters West Seattle Ski Swap? Drop off your items 2-5:30 pm at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska).
HALLOWEEN-THEMED KARAOKE AT THE SKYLARK: Live band Halloween-themed karaoke at The Skylark with Dylan Lost, sign up at 7, sing starting at 8. Song list here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle.
COFFEEHOUSE COMEDY: Midnight Mystery Theater at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm.
FREE TEEN SWIM: 6-7 pm at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle), free swim session for ages 13=18.
BRANDI CARLILE AT EASY STREET, SOLD OUT: Just in case you wonder about what’ll certainly be a big crowd at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) for tonight’s 7 pm show – advance album buyers will be filling the shop
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Supreme La Rock. (4547 California SW)
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING: Skating with live music – tonight, Earshot Jazz Brass Queens / DJ Big Peach – 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. Tickets here.
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!
One week until Halloween! Again this year, readers reminded us about the Teal Pumpkin Project, “a simple way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in 13 children living with food allergies, and many others impacted by intolerances and other conditions.” If you’re interested, you can use this map, and we’ll also have a calendar entry for local Teal Pumpkin homes we hear from – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, October 24, 2025 – start of this year’s first of two Hallo-weekends.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Rain, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise will be at 7:40 am; sunset, at 6:05 pm. (We “fall back” one hour in 9 days.)
HALLO-WEEKEND ALERTS
-Today (October 24), Admiral District trick-or-treating is set for 3-6 pm – no street closures .
-Saturday (October 25), Alki trick-or-treating is set for noon-2 pm – no street closures
-Sunday (October 26), the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival will take over an extra block (California south of Alaska) of the heart of The Junction, while the Farmers’ Market occupies its usual block. SW Alaska also will be closed from 42nd to 44th.
ROAD WORK
-The 60th, 61st, 62nd Alki speed-bump work hadn’t started by Thursday afternoon.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three boats on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where; ferry alerts will update with any changes.
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – Now on regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
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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