West Seattle, Washington
11 Wednesday
West Seattle Junction playhouse ArtsWest opens its next production this week: Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Topdog/Underdog” by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton. The cast features Yusef Seevers as Booth and ML Roberts as Lincoln. After a sold-out Wednesday night discount preview, the official run is Thursdays through Sundays, February 5-March 1. (Opening night is sold out too!) Here’s how ArtsWest describes its new production:
Winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, “Topdog/Underdog” is a darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity and is Suzan-Lori Parks’ groundbreaking riff on the way we are defined by history. The play tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, two brothers whose names were given to them as a joke, foretelling a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment. Haunted by the past, the brothers are forced to confront the shattering reality of their future.
ArtsWest and The Hansberry Project have been co-producers since 2014. Founded in 2004, The Hansberry Project is a professional black theatre company dedicated to the artistic exploration of African American life, history and culture. Past co-productions include audience favorites “Clyde’s” by Lynn Nottage (2024) and “Sunset Baby” by Dominique Morriseau (2019). “Topdog/Underdog” marks the fifth collaboration between the two theater companies; each with Valerie Curtis-Newton in the role of director.
“Topdog/Underdog” is about the struggle to reach success in a system that is rigged. This drama packs a punch with as much comedy as it has intensity. A rooming house room the size of a boxing ring becomes a pressure cooker for the two brothers who share a past and are carving their own paths as they strive towards their dreams for the future. Director Valerie Curtis-Newton remarks, “The life of a dog in the fight is a life that breeds paranoia. The under dog is always watching their back and struggling to reach the top. The top dog gets to call the shots, but for how long? “Topdog/Underdog” puts the pain of that cycle under a microscope with the hope that in investigating it, we can learn to break it.”
“Topdog/Underdog” is the third production of ArtsWest’s 2025-2026 Season titled Between Us. The season features 5 bold contemporary plays that explore the invisible threads that bind us — the responsibilities we bear for one another, the debts of care we carry, and the lifelines we extend in moments of crisis. In TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, two brothers wrestle with what they owe one another whether it be a roof over their head, a cut of their paycheck, or a watchful eye while the play asks audiences to contemplate the systems of oppression in America and what we owe our communities to create change.
ArtsWest is at 4711 California SW. Tickets are available online here, by phone at 206-938-0339, and at the box office, Thursday – Saturday 2 pm-7 pm, Sundays 11 am-3 pm.
After a few years in which catalytic-converter theft was seldom heard of, we see Mto have had at least a mini-resurgence lately. Kate emailed today to report:
Reading about the recent catalytic converter reports – wanted to let you know that my 2000 Toyota 4Runner was hit in the Gatewood neighborhood- near 37th and Holden. It was stolen on Sunday, 1/19. But just verified via mechanic last week. From shops I have been talking to – sounds like there may be a recent uptick in West Seattle.
“Thank you” is one of our favorite phrases, so we’re happy to share this message for you about the request we published from West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) a week and a half ago, as they planned their exhibit for the upcoming Northwest Flower and Garden Festival. WSN’s Marie McKinsey emailed the photo and message:
We asked you to put out the word that we wanted old books. This is a FRACTION of what we got. Thank you and the community!
The question invariably arises – voters passed a levy, so how’s the money being spent? SDOT has just released its “draft plan” for spending Seattle Transportation Levy dollars this year. You’ll recall that voters approved the eight-year, $1.55 billion levy in fall 2024, so this is its second year. The draft 2-026 plan – see it in its entirety here – will be presented Thursday morning (February 5) to the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee chaired by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka. It lists hundreds of projects/locations by name, though without specifics, so we went through it to get the West Seattle highlights, under the classifications used in the plan. Note that these are just the West Seattle mentions – and there are hundreds of projects listed from elsewhere in the city; projects are generally categorized in the plan as either being in design this year or starting construction:
VISION ZERO: Highland Park Way hill project, design
California/Oregon, construction
SW Barton between 26th and 29th, construction
West Seattle Bridge central eastbound span, construction
TRAFFIC CALMING: Harbor Ave from California to Spokane, construction
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL: Projects for Denny IMS, Highland Park Elementary, Madison MS, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Roxhill Elementary zones
‘NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATED SAFETY PROJECTS’: Highland Park greenway/traffic calming, North Delridge all-way stop, South Delridge traffic calming and daylighting
‘NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS’: Planning will start for 26th between Brandon and Juneau. 63rd between Alki and Admiral, SW 100th between 35th and 44th, SW 106th between 35th and Marine View Drive, SSW Holden between 12th and 11th
SPOT PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, ASPHALT: 35th SW, 108th to 111th; 106th, 32nd to 35th
SPOT PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, CONCRETE: 30th/Genesee
TRANSIT SPOT IMPROVEMENTS: Barton/29th layover, construction; Fauntleroy/Rose, design
SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION: Barton, 21st-23rd; Brandon, Delridge-23rd and 25th-26th; Hudson, Delridge to 26th
SIDEWALK DESIGN: 21st, Dawson to Graham; 22nd, Henderson to Thistle; Brandon, 26th to 30th
CURB RAMPS: 30th/Dakota, 31st/Barton, 45th/Charlestown, 47th/Frontenac, California at Ida, Austin, Webster
CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS: SW Charlestown, 45th to 55th; Delridge at Cloverdale, design
NEW SIGNAL: California/Walker
SIGNAL MAINTENANCE AND CROSSING IMPROVEMENT: California/Erskine/Edmunds
SIGNAL TIMING: Design for 47th/Admiral improvement
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS: 26th/Barton, Fauntleroy/Dawson, design
NEW PROTECTED BIKE LANE: Highland Park Way hill project, design
PROTECTED BIKE LANE UPGRADE: Admiral Way, Spokane to Lander, design
‘PEOPLE STREETS’: Lander, 18th, in design
FREIGHT: SW Manning crossing improvement, “derelict rail removal” on West Marginal Way
Some categories promised such a high number of projects – like sidewalk repairs – that they weren’t called out by name/location. Also keep in mind that this is not the entirety of what SDOT is working on – just what the levy is funding; they have other non-levy work too. Many of these led us to wonder “what exactly will be done THERE?” and so we have followup questions out to SDOT. Meantime, you can watch their briefing for the council committee at 9:30 am Thursday, either in person or via Seattle Channel. The agenda explains how to comment, though also keep in mind, this isn’t something they’ll be voting on. One more note: As for how they spent levy dollars in Year 1, this new “dashboard” might answer some questions.
(WSB photo of future EV lot, last November)
For everyone watching for signs of construction at Morgan Junction’s future city-operated EV-charging lot site, you won’t have to wait much longer – Seattle City Light says on-site work is finally about to begin. SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang says contractor Zenisco Inc. “will begin work at the … site this week.” She adds, “We currently anticipate the chargers will be operational in August 2026.” Eight chargers are planned for the lot, on the site of a long-ago SCL substation kittycorner across SW Morgan from West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). We first reported on the project almost four years ago, at which the utility had hoped to start work within a year. We’re asking for any construction notice that might have gone to neighbors with details also helpful to people who drive, ride, and walk in that area, as well as any new details about one component of construction expected to require trenching on Fauntleroy Way, north of the site.
Seattle Public Schools‘ new superintendent Ben Shuldiner is officially on the job after School Board president Gina Topp administered his oath of office this morning at Mercer International Middle School on Beacon Hill.
It preceded a short media briefing, in which he answered questions about safety and spending. Here’s what happened, (added) starting with district video of the event:
District chief of staff Bev Redmond opened with a statement about the “deep loss” of two teens shot to death in South Seattle Friday and led a moment of silence; four schools in South Seattle are on modified schedules today as part of the response. She said police are still actively investigating. A bit later in the event, School Board president Topp echoed the sentiment.
“An important moment for Seattle Public Schools” is how Redmond then described the start of Shuldiner’s tenure as superintendent. Topp said the former Lansing, MI, superintendent would lead the Seattle district in improving “trust” and “outcomes.” She administered the oath of office to him.
He then took the microphone, starting by saying that last night he had visited the neighborhood where the deadly shootings happened. He then said he was asked about his hope for the year, and turned the question to, “what is OUR hope?” He repeated what he’d said during the interview process – he wants SPS to be the best urban public-school district in America. Safety is vital; so is “raising the bar,” because he believes students will rise to what’s expected of them. He did not speak for long, saying that he didn’t believe anyone really wanted “to hear me speak” – that educators, students, and families instead wanted to get on with the work of education. He said “the collective we” is what will “make this district terrific.”
Media Q&A followed. First question: How to make students safe? He said there are a variety of tactics such as cameras, “single point of entry,” but it’s also “about having a relationship with SPD” and family involvement. “We can do some gold-standard things inside the building” but then must work with the community on everything else.
Second question: Do they need community members watching bus stops, police at bus stops, to keep students safe? (Friday’s shootings happened at a bus stop.) Shuldiner said it’s important for everyone to “work together,” and that would lead to change. He said brainstorming with the community would be vital.
Third question was also about the district’s specific plans for helping students deal with the news of Friday’s shootings, and Shuldiner recapped the support the district was offering – bringing in counselors, giving students time to talk about it. Redmond said the district would offer those supports throughout the week.
Fourth question was about Shuldiner’s promises of transparency in communication. He said he would do his best and pointed to a message he had sent to families last night. If the community has a request and it becomes reality, for example, he said they would follow up and offer proof that it had happened (a photo of equipment installation, for example).
Fifth question recounted Shuldiner’s talk about budget review during interviews last year “to make sure everybody’s in the right place.” Will budgetary challenges result in layoffs? He replied, “There is a pot of money that we need to fill, what does that look like?”- they don’t yet know. Maybe positions will be eliminated through attrition (such as retirement), for example. “I don’t think initially you’re going to see any (changes/cuts) large-scale.”
Sixth question was about immigration-enforcement concerns on campuses. Shuldiner replied that the district has worked hard ‘to get information out” to communities. That’s important, but so is “the law … and understanding what we can and cannot do,” he said. “The school building … is probably the safest place for children to be,” not just because of physical security of schools but because there are administrators and (district) lawyers as resources that can be drawn on. “School is the safest place to be.”
Seventh question was about his communication plans. He will write a weekly letter to the community and is reviving a “roundtable” involving students, plus planning to visit schools. He also invited students and others to email him. “My job is to be a superintendent for all the people.”
The event was wrapped at 8:39 am, after a little more than half an hour.
(WSB photo, today)
11:02 AM: One month before the South Delridge Walgreens (9456 16th SW) announced its impending closure late last summer, we had reported it was on the market. Now, it’s been sold. The sale, first reported by the Daily Journal of Commerce, was for $2.4 million – a third below the $3.75 million asking price in our previous story, plus less than half what the site/building is valued at in county records, and less than half what it sold for in 2003. The new owner of the 53,000-square-foot site is Team Amalfi LLC, whose principals include real-estate broker/developer James Tjoa; he’s been involved with other West Seattle projects including a 12-home site on Pigeon Point. We have a message out to ask about plans for the ex-Walgreens site; nothing’s showing up in city files so far.
1:12 PM: Went over for a new photo of the building (substituted above for the originally used King County Assessor file photo); discovered the new owner has signs up offering the building for lease:
The listing offers the option of leasing just part of the building.
(Early blooming camellia, seen in Gatewood)
As a new week begins, here’s what’s on our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
FREE INFO ON DIGESTIVE HEALTH: 12:30 pm online, you can learn “Why SIBO Keeps Coming Back — and What’s Really Behind the Relapse” with Dr. Megan Taylor, ND, FABNG, from Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing explains how to get the link (and how to get the recording later).
‘SOLUTIONS, NOT RESOLUTIONS’: Weekly speaker series starts with 1 pm presentation on “Paperwork and Packing Tape” at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW). Our calendar listing explains how to RSVP.
FREE HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in assistance for K-12 students at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.
‘BEFORE THE BADGE’: 5:30 pm online dialogue with SPD recruits, all community members welcome. Our calendar listing explains how to get the link to participate.
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 – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee; RSVP/register 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).
MEDITATE IN ALKI: 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)
MEDITATE IN FAUNTLEROY: 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.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 9 pm Mondays, karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks as always to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Bill Gill and sharing this remembrance with his community:
Bill passed away on December 27, 2025 (79 years old) in Seattle. He was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in 1946. Survived by his son James, daughter-in-law Susie, grandson LJ, great-grandson Benjamin, and his wife of 20 years, Karen.
Bill spent his younger life in West Virginia, joined the Navy after high school, lived in California, Texas, and resided in Seattle for the last 40 years.
He was an outdoor adventurist and attempted a Mt. Rainier climb twice but was disappointedly turned back because of inclement weather. He was an avid bicyclist and during his working years loved to plan weekend bicycle jaunts to new areas. He assisted in Puget Sound Save the Octopi for several years. He also loved cooking and trying new recipes.
His career spanned the Pac Bell Telephone Company, Boeing, and Federal Home Loan Bank. He took an early retirement and volunteered at Highline Hospital for several years, where he was truly appreciated and loved. He also helped run a home- and pet-sitting business and spent time in Mexico. Bill truly enjoyed his retirement years and his time at Highline, and pet-sitting was one of the highlights of his adult life.
He struggled with many medical issues over the years but in typical Bill style always had a positive attitude and a warm sincere smile. He thoroughly enjoyed his last six months at Brookdale Admiral, getting involved with many activities and making friends with residents and loving staff members.
Bill loved to study history, was an avid reader and movie buff; he could quote lines off the cuff from both consistently. His FAVORITE book was “Bad Dad Jokes” and he shared them daily with everyone. He was a member of the “Bookies” Book Club of West Seattle for over a decade.
Friends and family describe Bill as “living and loving” the moment at any given moment. He was truly a gentle loving Giant. RIP, SWEET Bill.
(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)
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, February 2, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Today’s forecast is for more rain, high in the low 50s; then the rest of the week is expected to be drier and warmer. Sunrise at 7:34 am; sunset at 5:12 pm.
(Saturday’s sunset, looking toward Three Tree Point – photo by Chris Frankovich)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular three-boat weekday service on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route; check WSF’s alerts for 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!
12:38 AM: Police are in the 9200 block of 16th SW [vicinity map] investigating what’s reported to have been a hit-run crash that left a motorcyclist seriously injured. They’re looking for what they say witnesses described as a brown, older Ford F-150, likely to be damaged and leaking fluid. (Added: Officers tell dispatch witnesses say it was last seen heading eastbound on either Barton or Henderson.) If you have any information, the case # to refer to is 26-032194.
9:17 AM: SFD tells us the motorcyclist is a 51-year-old man who was in stable condition when taken to a hospital. We’re checking on whether police found the suspected hit-run vehicle/driver.
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