West Seattle, Washington
18 Wednesday
Last but not least, the oddest photo to cross our virtual desk today. Tom Trulin spotted these “Whale Spa” brand chairs seemingly dumped on SW Director Street in Fauntleroy, near 44th. Whether stolen or unwanted, strange place to dump big items like these. Maybe you have the solution to the mystery.
ADDED SATURDAY: Tom reports they were reported and have been taken away.
10:23 PM: Around 9:45 pm, a loud crashing sound rang through the California/Thistle vicinity on the Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood line. Our photo shows the aftermath. A driver went through what was a fairly elaborate DO NOT ENTER barricade, over the raised concrete island, into the stub of California SW south of it, then turned around quickly and went back to the intersection. Too dark for us to see but someone called it in to SPD as a red Honda SUV that subsequently headed eastbound on Thistle. No injuries that we know of
11:02 PM: Someone already reported the damage to SDOT; a crew just showed up.
9:38 PM: SPD is arriving at the scene of another incident repoorted near “the curve” by the Walking On Logs/Welcome to West Seattle pullout, on this rainy night. We haven’t seen a visual but emergency radio describes a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria “in the grass” off the road. Apparently no injuries, as SFD has been canceled. No pole or other damage this time, police told dispatch.
10:23 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ll be blocking both westbound lanes for a bit while the tow truck driver does their work.
10:50 PM: Both westbound lanes have reopened.
Ashlee reports “very brown water” in Seaview, near 50th and Hudson. No incidents on the Seattle Public Utilities map, no major SFD incidents in the area, so we offered the usual advice – report to SPU at 206-386-1800.
Though the Southwest Precinct has postponed the community meeting originally planned for this Tuesday, a key precinct staffer will be at the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s every-other-month general gathering that might. If you have questions about local crime/safety issues, Matt Brown is on the agenda for the 7 pm Tuesday (January 13) meeting, happening at the Admiral HUB (former church’s adjacent gathering space, 4320 SW Hill). All are welcome to be there to talk/hear about other Admiral-area happenings/issues too.
(August 2023 photo by Jamie Kinney)
Less than seven months until Seafair‘s biggest weekend – and a blue-and-gold reminder of that will be seen and heard over Seattle tomorrow. Blue Angels jet #7 is bringing in the U.S. Navy demonstration team’s advance reps to start planning for this year’s Seafair Air Show, July 31-August 2. The jet is expected to arrive at Boeing Field – just east of West Seattle – around 2 pm Monday (and the forecast suggests the rain may pause by then). The advance team is expected to be here for two days; they are USN Cdr. Lilly Montana, who also was one of last year’s winter visitors, and newly joined Blue Angels pilot USN Lt. Ronny Hafeza.
MONDAY NOTE: The arrival has been postponed until tomorrow, time TBD.
As noted in our calendar/event list, the regular Sunday protest by West Seattle Resist at California/Alaska expanded today to incorporate the “ICE Out for Good” of protests nationwide sparked by the shooting death of Renée Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The traffic-cam screen grab above is from 11 am; watching the live feed, we saw demonstrators standing at corners and along the Farmers’ Market street-closure barricades until the intersection opened periodically for pedestrians, at which time some marched back and forth. About an hour and a half later, we had a photographer there for a bit:
(WSB photos, this and next)
This was a “satellite” protest, as one texter put it, as West Seattle Indivisible was a co-sponsor of what was expected to be the largest demonstration in the city today, at midday at Cal Anderson Park. Meantime, we received some photos of the West Seattle demonstration from local texters, including these:
The protest was scheduled to conclude around 1:30 pm, and the live traffic camera verifies it’s over (as is today’s Farmers’ Market, though California north of Alaska remains closed for market breakdown).
12:44 PM: Thanks for the tips and video. This past hour, firefighters were called to the center of the main Jefferson Square lot to put out that car fire. Here’s our photo of the aftermath:
Firefighters wouldn’t comment to our photographer regarding the suspected cause – they had to move on because the department is currently crunched citywide with two building fires in other neighborhoods, one of which has gone to two alarms. However, the fire appeared to have started in the engine compartment, and there were no police on scene or any other indication of anything suspicious.
ADDED 1:08 PM: Thanks to Josh for this video showing the fire and SFD as Engine 36 rolled up and started work:
He says he spoke to the car’s owner and loaned her his phone so she could call a friend for help.
(WSB photo)
Roman and Perla have already run out of their last batch of tortillas at Milpa Masa on what will be the last day of business for their Sunrise Heights tortilleria for a while. Thanks to Christopher for sending the link to Milpa Masa’s announcement that they’re closing indefinitely after today. An excerpt:
…As some of you may know, we were forced to shut down our wholesale business at the end of 2024 due to equipment limitations and space capacity issues. Wholesale was the backbone of our operation, and losing it had a significant financial impact on us. Transitioning to a retail-only model and opening three days a week helped to some extent, but ultimately kept us from moving forward.
Our current space is not equipped with the infrastructure needed to cook and serve hot food, something that would have made a meaningful difference. However, we were hesitant to invest further in a space we knew we would quickly outgrow. With that in mind, we turned our focus toward finding angel investors who shared our long-term vision and values. Unfortunately, we underestimated how challenging it would be to find the right kind of partners aligned with what we are building.
While we will continue that search, we’ve reached a point where, without securing the necessary funding, we can no longer afford to keep the business open. Our hope is to pause, and not end Milpa Masa until we can raise the capital needed to grow into the next stage of the company.
If you know someone who may be interested in investing in a values-driven food business centered on heirloom corn, craft, and long-term impact, we would be incredibly grateful for an introduction.
We went right over to Milpa Masa’s 3416 SW Webster HQ after getting the tip today; they told us they’ve already sold out of tortillas and just have some salsa left to sell, so they might not stay open until their usual 2 pm closing, but expected to hang around a while for goodbyes.
Family and friends of Bud Schultz will gather January 24 to remember him, and are sharing this remembrance with his community now:
Harold “Bud” William Schultz
November 11, 1929 — December 23, 2025Harold William Schultz (Bud) was born on November 11th, 1929 in Glendive, Montana, to Harry and Johanna Schultz. Bud had two sisters, Lucille and Grace. Bud went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 23rd, 2025.
Bud is survived by his wife of 67-½ years, Korene, their two children, five granddaughters, and seven great-grandchildren. Bud is also survived by his younger sister, Grace. Bud and Korene were members of Hope Lutheran Church for the last 66 years, where over the years Bud held several different lay positions including being on the board of elders, school board chairman, and was actively involved in Hope’s evangelism program.
Bud worked for the railroad and at a department store before joining the United States Air Force. Upon exiting the Air Force, he attended Montana State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, being the first of his family to graduate from college.
Bud spent nearly forty years working for the Boeing Company as a manufacturing engineer, well-known for his expertise in sheet-metal forming and traveling to many locations to help with challenging manufacturing processes. He was active in his community and ran for political office (State Senate) in 1966.
Bud never met a stranger, only friends he had yet to know, and now he has had the joy of meeting his Savior face to face.
A Memorial Service will be held, Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Hope Lutheran Church in West Seattle.
Please share memories of Bud and photos on the guestbook, at: emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/harold-schultz
Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(Song Sparrow, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
On just the second Sunday of the new year, the event list is starting to lengthen! So here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find more listings!):
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is back in action, 9 am run leaving today from the beach across from Alki Coffee Co. (2742 Alki SW).
‘ICE OUT FOR GOOD’ PROTEST: Special focus and expanded time for West Seattle Resist‘s Sunday sign-holding event, starting at 9 am this time. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Weekly Sunday morning games at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: 9:30 am at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual on California SW 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.
GUIDED BREATHWORK JOURNEY: 10 am – preregister ASAP to get the Morgan Junction location.
FREE NIA CLASS: Now starting at 10:15 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
SCREAM TIME: Scream Club Seattle is gathering on the second Sunday of the month this time, 1 pm at Lincoln Park’s northernmost waterfront picnic shelter. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
STUDY CAFE FOR HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS: 1-4 pm today, high-school students are welcome to study at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor), free, membership not required, snacks, raffle prizes, and drinks provided.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Spend part of your Sunday afternoon relaxing at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
FABRIC DESIGN WORKSHOP: Join local artist Stacey Sterling at Alki Arts for this art workshop, 3-5 pm. Our calendar listing has the registration link. (6030 California SW)
FREE CLASSICAL-MUSIC CONCERT: Ladies’ Musical Club at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), 3 pm, featuring woodwind music.
AT C & P COFFEE: Scott Herman & Vito Chiechi, 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: 3:30 pm general meeting – featured topic “Health Care for All” – at the Center for Active Living. (4217 SW Oregon)
OPEN HOUSE AT NEPENTHE: Art, free chair massage, light snacks and beverages – stop by! 4-6 pm. (9447 35th SW)
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: Now twice monthly, trivia hosted by Morgue Anne, 5-8 pm. (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, 5:15 pm and onward tonight. Tickets and info here.
LIVE AT TIM’S: 2 pm, Return of Deadgrass at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW, White Center), all ages.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play, prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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