West Seattle, Washington
10 Tuesday
We’ve reported before on the library-building work done by West Seattleite Alina Guyon and her nonprofit Libraries For All – from projects far (like this one in India) to projects near (like this one for Mary’s Place). Now she wants to let you know how West Seattle businesses helped her with a project in north-central Washington;
A new library was recently built through the nonprofit Libraries for All, and one of the best parts of the project was getting to do it by shopping local. While the library itself is located in the Methow Valley at Room One’s Teen Center for at-risk youth, the heart of the project came together right here in West Seattle, thanks to a few incredible small businesses.
Pegasus Book Exchange helped thoughtfully curate a book collection tailored specifically to teens, making sure the shelves were filled with engaging, age-appropriate titles young people would actually be excited to read.
Terraplanted helped select plants that would thrive indoors with minimal maintenance and no direct sunlight, bringing warmth and life into the space.
The Missing Piece rounded out the library by helping choose board and card games perfectly suited for a teen audience—encouraging connection, creativity, and fun. This library came together smoothly because of the knowledge, care, and generosity of these local businesses, and it’s a great reminder of how far community support can reach when we choose to shop local.
You can learn more about this project at libraries4all.com.
Alina’s work dates back almost a decade to her Girl Scout days!
When Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) proprietor Frank Gross announced on New Year’s Day that his store (and “roommate” The Bass Shop) will move to the Admiral District, he noted that TRG’s current space already has a new tenant lined up, NW Fitness Project. We’d actually reported six months earlier on NWFP’s tentative plan to take over a different West Seattle space. That didn’t work out but they’re thrilled about moving to Morgan Junction, and have provided more info:
(NW Fitness Project photo: L-R, co-owners Matthew Holland, Alec Bulat, Jeremy Stewart, Norah Davis, Kyle Davis)
The “small-group fitness studio” was founded in Fremont eight years ago and is adding three new owners as it expands. Their lease for the TRG space at 6400 California SW starts May 1st, and they hope to open in June. TRG’s Gross will continue to own the building he’s leaving, and NW Fitness Project co-owner Kyle Davis says, “Having fellow small business owners as our landlords for this first expansion feels exactly right.” He adds, “We’re not expanding because we can – we’re expanding because our community has grown organically into West Seattle. Many of our long-term members have moved to the area, and we have [ownership] team members like Jeremy Stewart who live there. This isn’t about aggressive growth; it’s about following our people.” Stewart, Alec Bulat, and Norah Davis are the new owners that NW Fitness Project is promoting from within. Stewart, who will also be West Seattle’s general manager, says, “We’re proving you can create meaningful career paths for trainers while building something that lasts for clients.” In the months ahead, they invite interested community members to visit the Fremont location for trial classes – “small group” meaning 10 people maximum – and/or connect with the proprietors via norah@nwfitnessproject.com.
Last week we reported on damage to the outdoor mailboxes at both West Seattle Post Offices – The Junction here, Westwood Village here. At week’s end we sent followup inquiries to the USPS’s regional media liaison Janella Herron, who replied today. She wouldn’t comment on whether either or both of the incidents involved theft or just vandalism, saying only that “Damage to both boxes (was) outside of retail hours.” She said the incidents had been referred to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. As for a timeline for replacement or repair, “Repair or replacement of these out-of-service collection boxes is based on availability of replacement parts / products and I am unable to provide a timeline.” The Junction box has since been removed, but the Westwood box was still in place when we went by this afternoon and may even be in service, as it was no longer taped closed nor marked with the OUT OF SERVICE sign that had been placed on it by Friday afternoon (photo above).
Two business burglaries to report – one today that we have confirmed with the business owner, one late Thursday that we confirmed today by obtaining the police narrative:
MEEPLES GAMES: The photos were sent by Meeples proprietor Laura Schneider after we contacted her to ask about this morning’s burglary.
She told WSB:
Two people, black Ram truck with a broken headlight.
It happened at 2:00 am. They broke the glass on the door. The big things they got were Magic Commander decks and Warhammer models. We lock up the valuable stuff at night.
No one was hurt, we cleaned up the glass, and we’re all boarded up now, so forward we go.
If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 26-003730.
CLINIC BURGLARY, 1 ARRESTED: Just before midnight on New Year’s Day (Thursday night), police responded to the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health clinic on the north side of Westwood Village after getting word that it had been broken into and the burglar was believed to still be inside. They arrested a 29-year-old man who is still in jail in lieu of $30,000 bail. The police-report narrative says he broke in, tore the alarm system out of the wall, then ransacked desks and cabinets. Once officers went in – after loudspeaker warnings that he was under arrest – they found him hiding in a closet. The report also says:
(The suspect) had numerous items on his person and in a bag adjacent to him. Those items included a XXXX ID card and XXXX, numerous credit/debit cards belonging to other persons, mail items belonging to other persons, hundreds of Pokemon cards, and other miscellaneous items.
School’s back in session and the end-of-semester looms. The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) has an offer for teens looking for somewhere to study:
Free Study Café for all High School Students
Join us for a free study café at the West Seattle YMCA this Sunday, January 11th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM!
– Get prepared for finals week with a dedicated space to study with friends
– Volunteer tutors on hand to offer assistance
– Coffee, Energy Drinks, Snacks, and Raffle Prizes will be provided by the YMCA
– Free to all students
The Y is at 36th SW and SW Snoqualmie in the West Seattle Triangle.
(Added: Reader photo)
10:59 AM: Thanks for the tips. Emergency responders are on the scene of a flipped-car crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. The EB bridge is down to one lane in the area. Updates to come.
11:07 AM: A second vehicle was involved, according to police’s call for two tow trucks plus this photo sent by a bus rider, who says:
A rollover crash right in front of my H-line bus on the West Seattle bridge (eastbound) … The bus driver stopped and helped the driver of the upside-down car get out.
11:11 AM: SFD is leaving, which clears the scene on the bridge traffic camera enough to see where this happened:
11:36 AM: Tow trucks and SDOT cleanup crews are there now. Police told dispatch two lanes are open at the scene. No indication that anyone was seriously hurt, but we’re following up with SFD.
12:04 PM: Still blocking the two inside lanes.
12:19 PM: The scene is now clear and all lanes are open. SFD tells us they treated one person, an 84-year-old woman, who was in stable condition and declined to be transported to a hospital. (We don’t know whether she was a driver or passenger, just that she was the only person SFD needed to check out.)
(Hummingbird silhouetted at sunrise – photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what’s up for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BUNNIES! As reported a bit earlier this morning, the Special Bunny pop-up with adoptable bunnies and fundraising calendars continues until at least 11 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FAUNTLEROY FESTIVAL OF TREES: Need one last bit of Christmas before saying so long to the season? The Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees is open for one of the final sessions of public drop-in viewing, 9 am-noon daily through this Thursday. You can vote for your favorite(s) by bringing nonperishable food-bank donation(s) to stack beneath it/them! (9140 California SW)
BABY STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: At noon, Southwest Library hosts Baby Story Time. (9010 35th SW)
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & FARMER BENEFIT: Driftwood (2722 Alki SW) celebrates its third anniversary with a ticketed open-house event featuring a raffle to help flood-stricken farmers in the region – details and ticket/raffle links in our calendar listing.
HOMEWORK HELP AT HIGH POINT LIBRARY: 4-5:45 pm, free drop-in help with volunteers is available to students. (3411 SW Raymond)
BEFORE THE BADGE: Online community dialogues with SPD recruits – 5:30-7:30 pm – registration info is in our calendar listing.
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 3: Three venues for trivia/quiz 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: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC is back this week, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are invited to 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!
That’s Jenna with Dino, one of three rescue rabbits she brought to Special Bunny‘s pop-up in a covered spot on the C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) back patio this morning. Also there are two other adoptable bunnies, Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm, who had a young visitor when we stopped by:
The main purpose of Jenna, Dino, Pebbles, and Bamm-Bamm’s visit is to sell calendars raising money for Special Bunny’s rescue work. They’ll be there until at least 11 am.
Thanks to Mark Erskine for the photos! This is what Lincoln Park‘s shore looked like at high tide shortly after 7 am, at 13.0 feet the highest predicted high tide of the year (along with next December 26).
The actual water level was a bit higher than predicted, according to this NOAA chart, but nothing calamitous. Tomorrow’s predicted high tide is almost as high as today’s – 12.9 feet at 7:43 am.
strong>6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, January 5, 2026, back to school and back to the post-holiday routines.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast predicts sunshine today, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 7:57 am; sunset at 4:32 pm. (Last day before the sunrise starts getting earlier!)
(Sunday sunset at Constellation Park, photographed by Susan Romanenghi)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is on a two-boat schedule until at least tomorrow. Check WSF’s alerts page for any last-minute changes.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
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 on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
This morning’s predicted high tide is 13.0 feet – tying next December 26 for the highest predicted high tide of the year. This one’s likely to be higher than predicted due to atmospheric conditions – the red line on this graph tracks it. High tide arrives at 7:08 am; a Coastal Flood Advisory alert is in effect 4 am to 9 am, but no major problems are expected.
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