West Seattle, Washington
01 Thursday
10:06 PM: Police are arriving at the scene of a two-vehicle crash reported at California/Dakota, with at least two people hurt.
11:06 PM: Police have just reopened the street. We went to the scene after a report that one vehicle had ended up on the lawn of a church – First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – is on the southwest corner – but all we could see was one vehicle on the sidewalk. We’re following up with SFD regarding the people who were hurt.
ADDED 9:45 AM MONDAY: SFD responded:
There were four patients, and all were in stable condition:
14-year-old-male, not transported to the hospital
15-year-old-female, not transported to the hospital
16-year-old-female, transported by AMR to HMC
17-year-old-male, transported by AMR to HMC
(AMR is the private ambulance service, usually indicates a less-serious injury/illness than would require transport by an SFD medic unit.)
11:21 AM: A reader citing family involvement says the boy listed as 14 is actually 15 and the girl listed as 15 is 16.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
2026 may finally be The Hydrant‘s year.
More than 10 years after “coming soon” plans were first announced to open The Hydrant at 4541 California Ave SW in The Junction, one of the business owners tells WSB the actual opening date may finally be nigh. “It really is imminent,” says Beya Mark.
Mark and her husband Cliff own and run Next-to-Nature, the pet product store next door at 4543 California Ave SW as well. While keeping that business going, they have worked on and permitted the build-out of The Hydrant space as a bar and coffee shop where people and their dogs are welcome. Mark describes the decade-long quest to open the space as a “very trying period,” particularly because they were paying rent the entire time. She says the extended time led to all kinds of speculation about the source of the delays and what she says were outlandish suggestions about why it could possibly take so long. “We’re not a drug front,” she laughs. “We’ve been pretty quiet about the whole thing because there is so much speculation out there,” she adds.
The reality, she says, is that there were fire code and permitted-use issues to work through, including adding a sheetrock barrier between the two businesses, and a lot of back and forth around what the city would require. “It was bizarre because we would get one opinion and then another, and they disagreed on what we needed to do.”
But they have gotten far enough along to be able to rent the space out for private events and use the retail area as a “pop-up” space for Next-to-Nature products during the Christmas shopping season. It will remain open for retail into the new year.
When The Hydrant opens for its intended purpose, hopefully early in 2026, Mark says, “We want to be a meeting place [and] cater to the coffee crowd, who want to come in and work with their pups.” They will serve wine and beer, mocktails and coffee, along with offering retail items that might appeal to their customers. “It’s mainly going to be community-focused, with merchandise for humans and pets, geared toward the outdoorsy lifestyle.” Mark says they will focus on French and Washington state wines and ciders, with space for up to 25 offerings on tap. They also hope to partner with nearby restaurants so that food can be ordered in, with the possibility of even collaborating with a food truck on the alley side.
While a firm opening date is still elusive, Mark says people and their pups won’t have to wait much longer for the long-promised place to gather. “We are in the final phases of the permitting,” Mark says confidently, adding that they are still “moving forward and staying positive.”
Spencer saw these bicycles left roadside in Gatewood:
If you recognize any or all of them, let us know & we’ll connect you.
Speaking of birds … our previous report this afternoon was a periodic gallery of bird photos contributed by WSB readers. Now more bird news – a book launch coming up in a few weeks! West Seattle writer Susan Rich is editor of “Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds“ and sent the announcement of the event, a WordsWest pop-up:
Come celebrate Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds – Book and Book Launch 6:00 PM Thursday, January 22 at C and P Coffee Company (5612 California SW).
Readers include West Seattle contributors Elizabeth Austen, Kristie MacLean, Susan Rich, Harold Taw — as well as Allen Braden, Paul Hlava Ceballos, Laura Da, Greg November, Renee Simms, and more!
Books for sale along with complimentary refreshments!
Read more about the book on this one-sheet.
Thanks to everyone who’s sent enough bird photos that we can bring you this Sunday gallery! Above, Lindsay Gonzalez saw the “brown crow” – technically known as “leucistic” – with one of its more-common-colored counterparts at Westwood Village. (Our fascination with these dates back to the saga of “Leucy,” who died in the 2009 heat wave.) We also received two owl photos – a Barn Owl, which Zutsea says is the first one they’ve seen in 20+ years in West Seattle:
And we’ll confess, this next owl photo wasn’t taken in West Seattle, but it was sent to us by WSB reader Tanya Stambuk, who photographed this Great Horned Owl in Gig Harbor:
(They HAVE been seen here, too.) We don’t have an ID on this bird – a hawk? – photographed by Jon Anderson:
Now a few much-smaller birds – Gene Pavola caught a hummingbird pausing:
Joshua Crowgey sent this pic of a Dark-eyed Junco:
From Jerry Simmons, an Orange-crowned Warbler:
He also sent this Bald Eagle photo:
And we conclude with another bird seen on the shore =- Robin Sinner photographed Sanderlings at Constellation Park:
Once more, HUGE thanks to everyone who’s sent bird photos through the year, as well as wildlife, other scenery, and breaking news too – we really appreciate being able to share your discoveries – westseattleblog@gmail.com is optimal but if/when text works better for you – and when it’s breaking news – we’re at 206-293-6302.
On Christmas Day, we reported on a break-in at WaFd Bank on the north side of The Junction. A check of police records and radio archives also indicated a possible burglary that morning at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor), but not enough information to confirm one, until we heard back today from owner Marcia Bruno. She tells WSB:
It looks like it was one guy with long dark hair. It happened early Christmas morning. They stole all of our jewelry , some tools and our radios. It’s more annoying than anything else. We haven’t been broken into for years so it’s just a reminder that people are still out there.
If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 2025-376533.
(Saturday morning photo by James Bratsanos)
Much quieter than last Sunday, but you have a few options, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find more listings!) and inbox – we’ve also noted some recurring events that are NOT happening today:
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Weekly games at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Not scheduled today.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual in its regular spot on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in winter produce season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more. (Note that our state’s flooding may be affecting some of the growers you usually see.)
FREE NIA CLASS: Now starting at 10:15 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WESTIES RUN CLUB: No Sunday run today – holiday break.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Closed through New Year’s Day.
‘SUNDAY SOLIDARITY ACTION’: West Seattle Resist‘s Sunday 11:30 am-1:30 pm sign-holding event, also including a drop-off food drive. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Meet at 2:30 pm to chat, 3 pm to discuss this month’s book, C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), full details in our calendar listing.
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: Now twice monthly, second and fourth Sundays, 5-8 pm, with host Morgue Anne, free, all ages. (9444 Delridge Way SW)
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 5 pm and onward tonight. Tickets and info here.
LIVE AT TIM’S: 7 pm, live music at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW, White Center), with Daggerhands, Glass Cannons, Kira Severy, all ages.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
BLACK TEA: Late-night tea tasting at Revelry Room (behind 4547 California SW), 9 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Or maybe you have a New Year’s Eve/Day listing for our West Seattle Holiday Guide? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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