VIDEO: See inside state-of-the-art training tool for electric vehicles in South Seattle College’s Automotive Technology program

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Though the employment picture is cloudy in some industries, others are desperate for more trained workers, and some of those booming fields are at the heart of programs at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge.

One of them – Automotive Technology – is celebrating the recent arrival you see above: A uniquely configured training vehicle for students to learn how to work on EVs.

We were there as it was shown off during an event at the campus’s Steve and Sharon Huling Automotive Technology Center, with one of its namesakes on hand, as well as educators, local advisers, SSC president Dr. Monica Brown, and a leader from the college system’s fundraising foundation.

The training vehicle, created by Consulab from a car it purchased from Tesla, offers invaluable visuals – a college one-sheet explains that it “exposes every component — motors, batteries, charging systems, power electronics —while using a high-voltage emulator for safe, hands-on diagnostics and troubleshooting.” It’s the latest addition to what SSC notes is the only independent – not tied to a specific manufacturer – EV training program in the area.

SSC’s Dean of Automotive, Aviation, Heavy Diesel, and Welding, Ferdinand Orbino, said the high-tech addition underscores the skill sets needed for automotive technology now – “part electrician, part coder, part mechanic:

After he spoke, it was back out into the learning area, where Automotive Technology faculty member Teryn Kilgore explained what the Consulab trainer can be used for and how it works:

The Consulab trainer was obtained with the help of a $147,000 state grant. It’s being incorporated gradually into the program. The Seattle Colleges not only continue to seek grant funding but also are happy to have supporters like the Huling family, as Dr. Brown noted in her remarks:

Steve Huling also spoke, talking about how he got involved, and how much growth he’s seen in the program:

Other participants in the event included Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) owner Todd Ainsworth, a member of the program’s Technical Advisory Committee; his business now services EVs, and he verified the need for technicians to get training.

As more funding is sought and obtained, the next major step for SSC is to launch a Battery Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Training certificate program next fall; they’re exploring evening class times so currently employed technicians can attend after work to “upskill.” In the longer run, Battery Electric and Hybrid Vehicle training will also become part of the two-year Associate of Applied Science program. Details about Automotive Technology training, teaching, and giving at SSC can be found here.

TREE-CYCLING: One reason you don’t have to rush your tree out. One reason not to let it linger.

December 29, 2025 7:09 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | Safety | West Seattle news

Seattle Public Utilities’ policies/schedule regarding Christmas-tree disposal:

Customers can compost trees and holiday greens for free from December 26 – January 31! Remove all decorations, cut into sections 4-foot or less, and place trees or bundled greens next to your Food & Yard Waste cart on your regular collection day. Apartment residents may place up to two trees next to each Food & Yard waste cart at no charge. You can also drop off up to 3 trees less than 8 feet in length at a Transfer Station.

And also, a reminder that the “regular collection day” is disrupted for some again this week:

No change for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday pickup customers, but no collection on Thursday, so Thursday customers will get pickup on Friday, Friday customers will get pickup on Saturday. The transfer stations are closed on New Year’s Day too. So bottom line, you have until the end of January for free tree disposal – but if your tree is drying out, better to avoid fire risk by not letting it stay until it’s unsafe.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Nursery burglary aftermath. Recognize the burglar?

December 29, 2025 4:41 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

That’s the burglar who broke into West Seattle Nursery on Christmas morning, as reported here over the weekend. Today the nursery has provided that image as well as an update on its recovery:

We’ve repaired our back gate, cleaned up glass from the two doors that were forced open (one to our Garden Center and one to our Greenhouse), and secured the damaged doors with bolted wood. Please excuse the slight draft until we are able to replace our doors.

We’re still taking inventory to determine everything that was stolen, which includes all our jewelry, some tools, a laptop, our walkie talkies, and even a garbage can used to carry items away. If you have any information on who the person in the picture is, please let us know. They were masked, but they appear to have long dark hair and black Adidas Samba shoes.

While this thief may have stolen items and broken our doors (and our spirits for a moment), we are grateful that all of our customers and employees are safe. Thank you to the employees who helped clean up the glass, temporarily secure the doors, and continue reviewing our missing inventory. Please be safe out there!

According to the police report – incident # 2025-376533 if you have any information – security video indicated the burglar arrived just before 5 am Christmas Day. Owner Marcia Bruno told us this was their first burglary in years; our archives show one in summer 2019.

West Seattle New Year’s Eve/Day 2025-2026: The toplines. And last call to add to the Holiday Guide!

December 29, 2025 3:06 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(Of course the Space Needle has fireworks and drones again. Above, January 1, 2019 photo by Robert Spears)

Just two days until New Year’s Eve. All the info we have is in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – including two big parties in The Junction:

MASQUERADE at Revelry Room/Jet City Labs (info here)
THE FINAL TOAST with West Seattle Supper Club at Phoenecia (info here)

We’ve also previewed West Seattle’s only NYE parade and NYE/NYD walks, plus of course the Alki Beach Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s morning. And we’ve even found a library branch celebrating 2026 twelve hours early.

What are we missing? Not too late to add. westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

VIDEO: Demolition work at old Roxhill School site

December 29, 2025 1:05 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

1:05 PM: Thanks for the tip! While at least one West Seattle school is planning to bring in new portable classrooms – as reported here – old ones are being demolished right now at another local Seattle Public Schools site. After the reader tip, we checked city records, which show that demolition-permit applications were filed back in March for three portables on the northeast side of the old Roxhill Elementary site at 9430 30th SW, issued weeks later, and a crew is there doing teardown (and ensuing debris cleanup, as shown in our video above) today. The permits are only for the portables; files show no demolition application or permit for the campus buildings. You might recall that the SPS School Board gave its approval last summer to new locations for the programs that had been using the old school site; at the time, the district declined comment on future plans for the site, so in light of the demolition work, we’re asking again, and will update with whatever we hear back.

2:30 PM: SPS spokesperson Teresa Shaw replied to our inquiry, saying there are no updates regarding plans for the site, and as for why they’re tearing these portables down instead of moving them: “The portables are being demolished because we cannot move them to another location as they do not have a Labor & Industries (L&I) certification label/tag, which is required to legally move them to another location within Washington State.”

HELPING: Three local restaurants part of 40+-business benefit for growers hit by flooding

December 29, 2025 11:43 am

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Though our area escaped the deluge that had catastrophic effects for many people elsewhere in our state, we’re affected too – particularly because of the huge losses suffered by regional farmers. Three local restaurants are part of an upcoming benefit for them – the announcement comes from the event host, Alki’s Driftwood Restaurant:

Seattle’s restaurant community is coming together to support the farmers who make our work possible.

On January 5, over 40 Seattle-area businesses and restaurants will unite for a fundraiser benefiting The Good Farmer Fund, providing emergency relief to Washington farmers impacted by recent flooding and extreme weather. The fundraiser will take place during Driftwood’s 3rd Anniversary Party, hosted at Driftwood Restaurant in West Seattle.

Farmers are the foundation of our industry. They grow our food, care for the land, and sustain our local food system often while operating on razor-thin margins. When disaster strikes, restaurants feel it too. This event is our chance to give back and show up for the people who make what we do possible.

100% of the raffle tickets sold will benefit The Good Farmer Fund, a program of Neighborhood Farmers Markets, which has distributed more than $790,000 in emergency financial relief to small farms across Washington since 2008.

Raffle items include:

Gift Cards
Tasting Menus
Private Dinners
Cooking Classes
Coffee Experiences
Baked Goods
Sport Tickets

Participating restaurants of note include:
Atoma
Archipelago
Beast and Cleaver
Corson Building
Driftwood
Il Nido
Off Alley
Pancita
Pidgin Cooperative
Surrel
TOMO

The event will be an open-house–style anniversary celebration on January 5 at 4 pm till 8 pm. Drawing happens at 8 pm, Event Ticket includes light bites, Coffee, Music and Fellowship. Drinks will be made available for purchase throughout the night.

Raffle Tickets Can be Purchased here: givebutter.com/GoodFarmerFundEvent

Entry tickets to the event sold separately here: 3rd Anniversary Celebration!

Driftwood is at 2722 Alki Avenue SW.

From Music Quiz to Winter Celebration Story Time, here’s our list for your West Seattle Monday

December 29, 2025 9:57 am

| Comments Off on From Music Quiz to Winter Celebration Story Time, here’s our list for your West Seattle Monday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunday sunset at Constellation Park – photo by Jen Popp)

For today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE: Still a few more days to bring donations of warm clothing to the bin at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-5 pm again today.

FAUNTLEROY FESTIVAL OF TREES: The Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees is open for public drop-in viewing, 9 am-noon Monday through Wednesday. You can vote for your favorite(s) by bringing nonperishable food-bank donation(s) to stack beneath it/them! (9140 California SW)

STORY TIME & WINTER CELEBRATION AT SW LIBRARY: 10:30 am-noon, Southwest Library celebrates winter: “Join us for an all-ages story time on the main floor of the branch. Afterwards stay for hot cocoa, cookies, crafts and jigsaw puzzles.” (9010 35th SW)

CRAFTY NIGHT AT TIM’S: 6-9 pm at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW, White Center):

Bring your yarn, your needles, your sketchbook, painting, or whatever project you’ve been “meaning to get back to” and come hang out with other crafty humans in a low-pressure, come-as-you-are space. No agenda, no workshop, no rules. Just a cozy Monday night to stitch, knit, crochet, embroider, sketch, glue-gun, bead, or quietly curse at your current work-in-progress alongside folks who get it. All skill levels welcome. Grab a drink, grab a seat, and make something.

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

‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee; RSVP here. (4034 California SW)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 4: Four venues for trivia/quiz tonight! … Every-other-week Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions … 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, TAKING A BREAK: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC is canceled again this week, resuming January 5.

POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players – enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music 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 as always to everybody who sends info for our calendar and Holiday Guide; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

GIVING: 2026’s first blood drives in West Seattle

December 29, 2025 9:08 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

If you can donate blood, Bloodworks Northwest is hoping you’ll sign up for one of their upcoming opportunities in West Seattle:

January is National Blood Donor Month, and it couldn’t come at a better time. The winter months are tough with holiday distractions, cold/rainy/snowy weather and flu season, mean fewer donations and a greater risk of shortages. But you can change that. Just one hour of your time and a pint of blood can make a world of difference for someone facing surgery, cancer treatment, or trauma.

Please sign up for one of the West Seattle blood drives by using this link: donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/name/?sn=West_Seattle

If you need help booking an appointment, please contact the DONOR CARE TEAM at schedule@bloodworksnw.org or 800-398-7888

For information about preparing for blood donation, including eligibility requirements, please visit www.BloodworksNW.org

TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Last Monday of 2025

December 29, 2025 6:00 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Last Monday of 2025

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, December 29, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

The forecast says we’ll see some sunshine, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 7:57 am (as late as it gets, and it’s staying there for another week); sunset at 4:26 pm.

SCHOOL’S STILL OUT

Winter break continues for a second week (most if not all schools reopen Monday, January 5).

TRANSIT TODAY & BEYOND

West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service resumes, fall/winter schedule. The Water Taxi will NOT run on New Year’s Day, but will run fare-free on New Year’s Eve (all day Wednesday).

Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route has its third boat back and is now on the winter schedule, per WSF’s alerts page.

Metro buses – They’re back on the regular weekday schedule and routes in our area; they’ll be fare-free from 3 am Wednesday until 3 am Thursday (New Year’s Eve/Day)..

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is 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 at the scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!