West Seattle, Washington
05 Thursday
Almost two months after the February 21 date emerged for Hiawatha Community Center‘s grand reopening, Seattle Parks finally announced details today.
The event is set for 10 am to noon that day (one week from this Saturday), and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hot beverages, tours, and a “free tot activity.” The center’s been closed almost six years, first for the pandemic, then kept closed when there was anticipation its stabilization project was on the brink of starting – which it turned out not to be. A chunk of the closure was blamed on a wait for federal grant money. The scope of the project later expanded to add elements that will make Hiawatha the city’s first fully electrified community center; total price tag cited by the city, $7.5 million. That’s almost twice what was cited when it went out to bid two years ago.
At least one more day for the two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, per Washington State Ferries:
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is running the two-boat schedule through Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Salish is currently running as a third, unscheduled vessel to help move additional traffic and help keep the #1 and #2 vessels on time. We’re working on a service plan for the rest of the week, and we’ll send updated schedule information as soon as it’s available.
WSF also of course is bracing for increased ridership on many routes tomorrow, and says, “To support increased traffic, we’re also adding crewing to many of our vessels and terminals during the day.::
Planning to take the West Seattle Water Taxi to get downtown for Wednesday’s Seahawks victory parade? Not only will the boat(s) keep filling up, heading out, heading back, and repeating as often as it takes to get everyone across the bay (and, afterward, back), the Water Taxi shuttle buses will add service too. A spokesperson tells WSB, “West Seattle Water Taxi Shuttle routes 773 and 775 will have extra service on Wednesday 2/11/2026 between 8 AM and 4 PM for the Seahawks Victory Parade, with additional buses departing about 15 minutes after normally scheduled trips, as well as extra service between 9:00 am and 10:30 am.” The shuttle buses are free but the Water Taxi itself is not, so you’re reminded to be ready for that. Metro also is running shuttles downtown and has updated its parade-day-transit post with info on that. (Reminder that we’ll have extra coverage tomorrow morning too with transit/traffic info including updates from the Water Taxi dock at Seacrest.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Beavers are beneficial – not a nuisance.
That’s a big message carried on their behalf by “Freelance Beaver Detective” Pamela Adams, who was featured speaker at this afternoon’s weekly lunch meeting of the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor).
She gave attendees a crash course in beaver biology, first explaining how she happened into her intense interest in urban beavers – particularly in eastern West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek, where she says five beaver families, 30+ beavers, are currently living. “This is becoming quite a bit of research.” She’s also now the subject of a film (watch the trailer here).
She’s found all sorts of other wildlife, including salamanders, and says the beaver dams have helped increase the Longfellow Creek coho because the water is cleaner near their dams. Beavers are “like a probiotic in our watershed” – and they’re on the upswing, after they were all but eradicated over the centuries by humans who didn’t want them around.
They live in family groups and are monogamous – they’ll mate for life. Two of the local families live on the golf course. They also prefer to stay in the water; they are “not always destroyers of trees,” she reiterated. “Their flat scaly trail stores their fat – and that’s their imprints.” Their tails include “a little vertebrae.” They slap their tails to communicate. Their construction includes many different structures and challenges. “They don’t usually live in the dams,” she noted, Most of the construction work is done by the females.
Longfellow Creek was devoid of beavers 30+ years ago, according to a city biologist report that Adams found, but then one was sighted at a creek celebration on April 15, 2000. Flash forward to last May, when she helped a biologist release a baby beaver that needed a new family. A few hours later, an adult beaver showed up and took it to join the rest of the family. “When you see them in person … it’s like you’re seeing a kind of divinity.”
She says she’s trying to get city departments to work together to stop destroying/displacing the Longfellow dams, given their ecological benefit. Beavers benefit birds too, she agreed after a Rotarian brought that up during the Q&A sections. Find out more about Adams’ work (and see videos – our clip above is mostly a chance to hear her short talk, as the projection screen was partly blocked) on her website.
Also at the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting:
EARL CRUZEN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: Four students from the Automotive Technology program at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) took turns at the podium to thank Rotarians for the tool sets that are at the heart of the scholarship, which one recipient said was “everything that I needed to get started in the automotive industry.” (Here’s the story behind the scholarship’s namesake, who died nine years ago.)
GAMBRIELL SCHOLARSHIP: Applications are open now – here’s the link. April 1 is the application deadline.
NEXT WEEK: The meeting next Tuesday (February 17) will have two guests – artist Saya Moriyasu and, just confirmed during today’s meeting, U.S. House Rep. Pramila Jayapal (who is a West Seattle resident when not in D.C.).
The Rotary Club of West Seattle meets at noon Tuesdays most weeks at the West Seattle Golf Course. Guests can inquire about checking out meetings – find out how here.
Seattle Police are looking for a voyeurism suspect after an incident late last night on Alki. We heard a bit about it in emergency-radio communication and requested the narrative today; SPD sent this summary:
At about 11:00 pm, Seattle police officers responded to reports of a “male seen staring into a female’s window and masturbating” in the 2700 block of 62nd Avenue SW. Officers arrived and met with both the 911 caller and the victim, who was unharmed. Officers found the suspect’s vehicle and identified the driver, yet he fled the area on foot before they arrived. No arrest has been made at this time.
Police developed probable cause to arrest the suspect for Voyeurism in a Public Place. They are actively searching for the man, a Hispanic male in his 40s driving a black and blue 2006 Acura RL Sedan with a dent in the front left quarter panel. Anyone that witnesses this type of behavior is asked to call 911 immediately. Reference: 2026-39490. Residents in the area are encouraged to keep their doors locked and draw their shades for privacy.
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Today is the last day you can vote to elect a member of the King Conservation District Board of Supervisors for District 3, encompassing Seattle, Vashon/Maury Islands, and parts of Renton and Tukwila.
As we reminded you in previous coverage, the KCD is a special-purpose district, or a limited-purpose local government that specializes in a specific function. The KCD serves to provide “technical assistance to private residents in forest management, farm conservation planning, wildfire preparedness, and streamside and shoreline enhancement,” according to the KCD website. They also work with cities and public organizations to assist with community-oriented conservation like community gardens and urban-forest canopies.
The vote is between three candidates – Erica Chung, Csenka Favorini-Csorba, and Chris Porter, whose full statements can be found here. Porter, a former supervisor, is from West-Seattle, with Chung residing in Queen Anne, and Favorini-Csorba, a current supervisor, in White Center.
Voter turnout has increased a bit since our last report, from 5,467 people or 1% of eligible voters to 7,221 or 1.48%. This election is held completely separate from the standard cycles, so you didn’t get a ballot in the mail. Ballots can be returned electronically using the online ballot access system accessible through KCD’s website. The portal works with most smartphones and web browsers. You have until 8 p.m. tonight to vote, if you haven’t already.
(WSB reader photo from February 5, 2014, paradegoers catching C Line in Junction)
We’ll be out tomorrow morning reporting on paradegoers outbound from West Seattle but we ourselves probably won’t be joining the blue-and-green crush on the other side of the bay, so in the year-round WSB spirit of community collaboration, we’re hoping to get a pic from you and/or some of the West Seattle 12s who will be there too, as we did in 2014 (as shown here). It’s as much about the crowd than the players – see anybody with awesome gear (maybe even your crew)? Super sign? Text our hotline 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com when you can – thank you in advance and have fun!
(Last night’s sunset colors, photographed by Bruce Gaumond)
Here are today’s daily event notes/reminders, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE: Bring your little one(s) to play! 9 am-noon most Tuesdays and Thursdays at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau).
DONATE AT NEW CLOTHESLINE LOCATION: Second of three days that donated clothes – season-appropriate – will be accepted 10 am-1 pm at the new West Seattle Clothesline location (5444 Delridge Way SW).
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: A 10-11:30 am free playgroup for kids 0-5 and their caregivers, at Bridge School Cooperative Elementary (10300 28th SW).
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today featuring Pamela Adams, “the Freelance Beaver Detective.” (4470 35th SW).
FREE PRESENTATION ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING: Noon at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor) – our calendar listing has the RSVP link.
CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome to play! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.
CITY COUNCIL: At 2 pm, the council holds its main weekly meeting. The agenda explains how to comment and/or watch.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: At High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) – volunteers available to help K-12 students, 4-5:45 pm.
(added) RESTAURANT POP-UP: “Crave pops up at The Neighborhood, Filipino street fusion. 4 pm-8 pm or while supplies last.” (6503 California Ave SW)
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
PRAYER VIGIL AT ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAZA: Nondenominational gathering, 5:30-6:30 pm, as previewed here. (61st SW and Alki SW)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly FCA board meeting at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), 6 pm, community members welcome too.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS’ MEETUP: Monthly gathering at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor) is at 6 pm tonight.
TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: 6:30 pm Tuesdays at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), come sing with the Boeing Employees Choir, even if you don’t work for Boeing – email in advance to RSVP.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group meditation at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.
BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 5: Five places where you can play trivia on Tuesdays – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW) … Trivia at Christos on Alki (2508 Alki SW), 7:15 pm.
If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Bill reports brown water in Arbor Heights, vicinity of SW 99th and 39th SW. No incidents currently on the Seattle Public Utilities trouble map. Any time you notice this, the SPU number to call is 206-386-1800. It can sometimes be a sign of as-yet-unreported trouble with a nearby line, but it also can be a result of SFD testing a nearby hydrant.
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Mostly sunshine in the forecast for today, high in the low 50s. Sunrise at 7:22 am; sunset at 5:25 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Per WSF’s alert page, it’s the two-boat schedule again today with the third unscheduled “bonus boat.”
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
SUPER BOWL PARADE DAY TOMORROW
*Here’s the Seahawks‘ infopage about the 11 am Wednesday parade – including the route map – northbound on 4th Avenue from Washington to Cedar.
*Here’s the transit infopage. From West Seattle, the Water Taxi will add service as needed – rather than publishing a special schedule, spokesperson Al Sanders told us, the “plan is to operate similar to a RapidRide route, when all the people on the dock are onboard, the vessel will leave, drop passengers off and return. The goal is to have people not waiting longer than the normal vessel departure time. For quicker boarding, Riders are encouraged to have their fare payment handy, details are online.”
*What if you’re just trying to get downtown? The city says “streets that intersect with 4th Avenue (will) be closed between Lumen Field and the Seattle Center, with congestion along surrounding side streets. Vehicles exiting I-90 onto 4th Avenue will be directed to 4th Avenue in the southbound direction. I-5 and I-90 on and offramps will be held briefly at the start of the parade but will open shortly after.”
(Again, this is for TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 11, NOT 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!
| 7 COMMENTS