West Seattle, Washington
29 Sunday
By Charlotte Starck
Special to West Seattle Blog
On March 3, my brother Jim Starck and I will board a plane to Detroit carrying something far too fragile to ship — our grandfather’s 1930 Fisher Body Napoleonic model coach, carefully secured inside the handcrafted wooden box he built for it himself.
It will be the first time the carriage has ever left the Seattle area.
(Irvin Starck and the carriage, photo in locket)
Nearly ninety-five years ago, as a teenager in South Dakota during the Great Depression, our grandfather, Irvin A. Starck, obtained one of the very first Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild model coach plans provided by the Guild – the inaugural year of what would become General Motors’ long running and most influential youth outreach and recruiting initiative aimed at getting boys into auto engineering.
He had a natural-born talent for building things and hoped to enter it by the Guild contest.
But, life happened. He was living in poverty during the Depression. He scrambled to work multiple jobs to survive. And just couldn’t sacrifice the time to focus on the model before the submission deadline.
But he never got rid of it. He kept it. For a someday.
We didn’t fully understand how poor he was then – until much later. One Thanksgiving, I noticed he never put mashed potatoes on his plate. (It was our favorite.) I finally asked why. He replied, “During the Depression, we didn’t have money for food. At one point, he said, that’s all we had. I had to eat potatoes for a few weeks.” He hated them ever since.
That moment stuck with me. As an adolescent, it was the first time I became aware of how fortunate I was to have food on the table every night. When he explained more of those days, it gave new meaning to the unfinished coach.
Eventually he moved to Seattle, was hired at Boeing, and spent 30 years as a machinist building airplanes. Precision became his profession.
And one day, he started to work on it again. Slowly. In the evenings after his shifts on the line, or when our grandmother was a little grumpy. Down to the garage he would go. To his own creative world. Under dim lights, hunched over his workbench with his glasses low on his nose.
The oversized plans, yellow with age, were mounted on the wall above as he shaped parts so small he sometimes held them in a vice. If a tool did not exist to create a detail, he fabricated one. He built the tool to build the design pressed into leather. He made tools to craft the intricate patterns that embellished the plated wheels. Complex parts didn’t stop him. He just built them.
He kept at it. This was not tinkering. It was mastery.
In 1985 — fifty-five years after getting the plans — he announced it was finished. That same year, he entered it in the model competition at the Washington State (Puyallup) Fair and won the top prize, a Blue Ribbon. News of the precision craftsmanship traveled from the fairgrounds all the way to General Motors headquarters in Detroit.
An executive wrote inviting him to place the carriage in the GM Heritage Museum.
He declined.
Having only recently completed it after more than half a century, he told us, with a chuckle, “I just finished it.” He wanted a little time to appreciate his own work.
Some facts from the Fair:
Irvin A. Starck’s Fisher Body Napoleonic Model Coach:
• Purchased: 1930 (first-year issue of the Guild contest)
• Completed: 1985 – Seattle, Washington
• Blue Ribbon: Washington State Puyallup Fair (1985)
• Estimated labor: 18,000 hours
• Approximate parts: 2,000
The Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild contest was created during the Great Depression as both a recruiting pipeline and a youth outreach initiative.
Thousands of teenagers and their families participated. The 1/18-scale Napoleonic coach — based on Fisher Body’s iconic emblem inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte’s ceremonial carriage — became a symbol of craftsmanship and design excellence during the transition from horse-drawn transport to the automobile age.
My brother and I talked and agreed that it was time for others to see it. We contacted Kevin Kirbitz, Chief of GM Heritage. Over the decades, he has seen several surviving Guild coaches in fair shape. But he told us they had not seen one with this level of beauty and precision craftsmanship. General Motors is opening a new Heritage Center museum next spring, and Kevin said they would be honored to include our grandfather’s carriage in the permanent collection.
Now, 40 years after he first declined GM’s invitation — and nearly 95 years after he got the original plans — our grandfather’s carriage will finally return to Detroit.
It’s an emotional trip, because we love our grandfather so much and miss him dearly; he died in 2002. He taught us how to finish something you start. How to be patient when you don’t see all the pieces. How to find solutions and move forward. And how to do work you can be proud of.
Before it departs the Pacific Northwest, we believe this represents more than industrial history. It is a Seattle story — a Boeing machinist’s Depression-era dream completed over fifty-five years in a garage, honored at the Washington State Fair, and now returning to Detroit as part of American industrial heritage.
We will depart March 3rd to deliver it to the GM Heritage Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
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Charlotte Starck is a former journalist currently engaged in civic and community service as president of the Alki Community Council.
Two months ago, Gay showed us how a tree took out Little Free Library #8702, uphill from Lowman Beach. Tonight, Gay sent this update, with photos!
The LFL on 48th and Graham is back in business. Our friend Dana and crew from Legendary Tree got the space all ready yesterday. Matt Lukin repaired it and put it back up today.
Shoutout to Pegasus Books for the continued support.
Thanks to Denny International Middle School student/family advocate and Kingmaker facilitator Keenen Allen Ladd for the report and photo from Denny’s Black History Month assembly today:
(From left, CM Saka, Keenen Allen Ladd, Dr. Mia Williams of SPS Office of African American Male Achievement, 8th grade math teacher Ms. Brown, Denny principal Mary Ingraham)
During our Black History Month Assembly, our students delivered powerful presentations honoring Black trailblazers and our Kingmaker students recited our King’s Pledge with pride and excellence. The program was a meaningful celebration of culture, history, and student leadership.
We were also honored to welcome Councilmember Rob Saka, who officially proclaimed today, February 25, 2026 as “Denny International Middle School Black History Month Day” in the City of Seattle. It was a powerful civic moment for our students to witness their school and community recognized at the city level.
To find out more about the Kingmaker program, you can read about it here.
(WSB file photo)
Last weekend, we noted that the next West Seattle recycle/reuse event was exactly a month away. Now, courtesy of one of the lead organizers – the West Seattle Junction Association – we have details on what you’ll be able to drop off during the 9 am-noon event on Saturday, March 21, so you can start planning. First, a reminder that the location is changing – now in the south parking lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), which is accessible via the southernmost SSC entrance off 16th.
Now the list:
ACCEPTED ITEMS:
Small propane canisters
Fluorescent tubes and bulbs
Household batteries
Clothing, bedding, curtains in good condition
Small electronics (TVs, computers, cellphones)
Small appliances (non-freon)
Foam blocks (polystyrene only)
Paper for shredding (limit: 4 boxes)
home goods and toysNON-ACCEPTED ITEMS (which are included but not limited to):
Furniture
Hazardous waste
Bicycle/tricycles
CRT tube TVs
Mattresses
AC units
Car seats
Stained, ripped or worn-out fabrics
Automotive waste
Construction waste
Garbage, compost and household recycling items
Mismatched items (single shoes, etc.)
If you’re looking for suggestions about how to best dispose of those items or others not mentioned at all, check out this Seattle Public Utilities lookup tool. And a wider variety of electronic items will be accepted (though we don’t have the official list yet) at the Fauntleroy Church Recycle Roundup – which is exactly two months from today, on April 25.
If you’ve been hoping for a chance to hear from/talk with new Seattle Public Schools superintendent Ben Shuldiner, this district announcement says your chance is coming up in about a month (we’ve highlighted it in bold at the end of the list below):
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner is hosting a series of community engagement meetings across the city to listen, learn, and begin building trust with students, families, staff, and community members.
The “Meet Superintendent Shuldiner” community conversations will take place in each School Board Director District, along with a citywide virtual session. School Board Directors representing each region are expected to attend. All sessions are open to the public, and attendees do not need to live in a specific district to participate.
These conversations mark an important step in Superintendent Shuldiner’s commitment to listening deeply to community experiences, capturing feedback, and following through with action.
WHAT
Community Conversations with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner
WHO
Ben Shuldiner, Superintendent, Seattle Public Schools
School Board Directors (by district)
Seattle Public Schools students, families, staff, and community membersWHEN & WHERE
Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
1301 E Yesler Way, SeattleTuesday, March 3 | 7:30–8:30 p.m.
South Shore K–8
4800 S Henderson St., SeattleTuesday, March 10 | 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Salmon Bay K–8
1810 NW 65th St., SeattleTuesday, March 17 | 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Eckstein Middle School
3003 NE 75th St., SeattleTuesday, March 24 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
McClure Middle School
1915 1st Ave W., SeattleThursday, March 26 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
James Baldwin Elementary
11725 1st Ave NE, SeattleTuesday, March 31 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
West Seattle Elementary
6760 34th Ave SW, SeattleThursday, April 2 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Virtual (online; link forthcoming)
DETAILSSessions will include introductions, full‑group discussion, small‑group breakout conversations, and open Q&A.
Interpretation services will be provided at every session in Amharic, American Sign Language, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
All sessions will be livestreamed and recorded on the SPSTV YouTube channel.
Superintendent Shuldiner will also be visiting every Seattle Public Schools campus during his first 100 days in the role.
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
We’re checking in again with the latest updates on bills sponsored by local 34th District legislators – State House Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, State House Rep. Brianna Thomas, and State Senator Emily Alvarado. Significant cutoffs for this year’s Washington State legislative session are rapidly approaching, with the 2026 session scheduled to close on March 12. You can find details on any bill below by using the “find a bill” link here to access its page with more details, including full text, and ways to comment.
POSSIBILITY TO ADVANCE: Today, Feb, 25, is the last day for in-committee reports to be read in the opposite house, minding that all bills eligible to advance at this point have already been passed in their house of origin. This cutoff date does not apply to bills in House fiscal committees or Senate Ways and Means or Transportation committees, which are subject to a Mar. 2 deadline. The last step for bills to pass their designated committee and advance is for the bill to be voted on by the committee during an executive session. Currently, two 34th district legislator bills are scheduled for executive session today, which will determine their potential to move forward. These include:
SB 6026– Sen. Alvarado
Local governments must include residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. Prohibits requirement for groundfloor commercial and mixed-use in these zones– subject to exceptions.
(Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Local Government this morning.)
SB 5911– Sen. Alvarado
Prohibits the Department of Children, Youth, and Families from applying funds for or on behalf of a person in extended foster care as a reimbursement for the cost of care. Strengthening the financial stability of persons in the care of DCYF.
(Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Early Learning and Human Services today at 1:30 p.m.)
LATER-DEADLINE BILLS: While Feb. 25 is the cutoff for most in-committee readings, some bills are eligible to stay in committee until Mar. 2 and have an additional week. These include:
HB 2215– Rep. Fitzgibbon
Reduces emissions threshold determining covered entity status and compliance obligation in the Cap-and-Invest Program for certain fuel suppliers. Requires them to report emissions to the Department of Ecology. Prohibits state from awarding a procurement contract to certain fuel suppliers, with some exceptions.
(Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.)
HB 2251– Rep. Fitzgibbon
Repeals three of the Climate Commitment Act funding accounts and replaces them with the Climate Commitment Act Operating Account and the Climate Commitment Act Capital Account. Makes changes to the use of CCA funding and distribution of revenue.
(Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation Friday at 1:30 p.m.)
SB 6027– Sen. Alvarado
Changes the allowable uses for local sales and use tax for housing and related services. Changes the eligible uses of funding in the Affordable Housing for All Account. Updates the definition of emergency housing for property tax exemptions for low-income persons or victims of domestic violence.
Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Finance on Feb 26 at 8:00 a.m.
SB 5500– Sen. Alvarado
Asserts that a DCFY biennial report that includes a market rate survey also includes a current cost of quality child-care study and a cost of quality child-care study defined by the early educator design team.
APPROVED IN COMMITTEE: These are bills that have already been voted on and approved by their designated committee, some of which were approved just yesterday. These bills have been referred to the House or Senate Rules Committee, from which they are eligible to be pulled onto the floor calendar for a debate and vote. These include:
HB 2123– Rep. Fitzgibbon
Candidates, campaigns, sponsors of electioneering communication or political advertising must confirm the absence of foreign national influence through a certificate, when the value of the contribution totals more than $6,000.
(Approved by Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections, referred to Rules)
HB 2367– Rep. Fitzgibbon
Eliminating limitations on imposing emissions requirements for coal facilities inconsistent with the greenhouse gas Emissions Performance Standard.
HB 2303– Rep.Thomas
Prohibiting employers from microchipping employees.
(Approved by Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce, referred to Rules.)
HB 2355– Rep. Thomas
Creates labor protections for domestic workers including minimum wage and overtime requirements.
(number corrected) HB 2495– Rep. Thomas
Exempts consultations between the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and federally recognized tributes from the Open Public Meetings Act during site certification. Tribal consultation must be offered within 90 days of receiving an application for site certification.
SB 5496– Sen. Alvarado
Limits excessive home buying by certain entities including those with interest in more than 100 single family residences, with some exceptions.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Housing today at 4:00 p.m. (Passed by House Committee on Housing)
SB 5647– Sen. Alvarado
Value increased of personal property that can be sold by a water-sewer district without notice to $5,400. Value of retail property that may be sold privately by a water-sewer district increased to $7,500.
SB 5993– Sen. Alvarado
Lowering the interest rate for medical debt. Prohibits interest from being charged, and requires a refund for interest paid for medical debt in certain circumstances.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary Tuesday. (Approved by the House Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary).
MISSED PREVIOUS DEADLINE: Our last report detailed bills that hadn’t yet been passed in their original house, but were still eligible to move forward. While some did advance and are listed above, others were subject to the Feb. 17 cutoff date, which was the last day to consider a bill in its house of origin. These include:
HB 2517– Rep. Fitzgibbon
Enables agreements with regional transit authority to establish development standards that vary from otherwise applicable regulations not involving compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, in order to accommodate transit facilities.
SB 5647– Sen. Alvarado
Expands the Real Estate excise tax exemption for self-help housing.
SB 6173– Sen. Alvarado
Creates an Apple Health Employer Assessment imposed on all employers with employees enrolled in Medicaid, going toward the State Health Care Affordability Act.
SB 6069– Sen. Alvarado
Requires cities and counties to allow permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and indoor emergency shelters in certain zones.
WHAT’S NEXT: The last day to consider bills in their opposite house is coming up on Mar. 6, with the exception of “budgets, matters necessary to implement budgets, matters that affect state revenue, initiatives to the legislature and alternatives, differences between the two houses, and business related to the interim or closing of the session,” according to the 2026 Session Cutoff Calendar available on leg.wa.gov.
(WSB photo: Matt Hutchins and Kevin Broveleit at West Seattle Realty event)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One of the most pointed audience questions during last night’s discussion of “Zoning Changes in Seattle” was whether everyone whose property has been, or will be, upzoned by those changes is aware of it.
All the discussion leader, local architect Matt Hutchins, could say was, in essence, if not, they should – this all has been years in the making, and it’s not over yet.”You can not like the outcome, but you can’t say this was done hastily,” he contended. (He’s had something of an inside view, as co-chair of the city-convened Planning Commission.)
More than two dozen people filled the seats at West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Kevin Broveleit both hosted and participated. Here’s our full video of the event:
Though it was a full house at WSR, those were just two dozen out of hundreds of thousands – Hutchins’ slide deck included the projection that by mid-century, the city of Seattle’s population could hit 1 million. That’s why city, county, and state leaders have been changing zoning to accommodate more housing. And the city has just launched its next round.
Hutchins touched on many points in his presentation – including how replacement of older residential units with newer, denser buildings increases housing affordability, even if it’s the classic case of one older $750,000 house getting replaced with three smaller new homes selling for that or more. (His term for what happens: “Vacancy chains.”) He showed a multitude of examples of types of housing now allowed on some if not all single-family sites, including a phrase you might have heard, “stacked flats.” (Those buildings could hold up to 11 units and four stories, in certain cases, Hutchins said, or even 16 one-bedroom “deed-restricted, for-sale” units.)
He also explained why rezoning only means what can be done on a site, not what will, and discussed reasons why redevelopment hasn’t happened as quickly as it could have. According to Hutchins, one factor in Seattle is the Mandatory Housing Affordability component, requiring a builder either to include “affordable” housing in their project, or pay a fee that the city would apply toward funding it somewhere else. That fee currently must be paid before construction, Hutchins says, and that’s a dealbreaker for some builders who would be better able to afford the fee if it was collected afterward, when the units are sold.
In the meantime, a lot of building is being done with homeowners in the role of “developer” – Hutchins and Broveleit said “backyard cottages” are a surprisingly sizable percentage of home sales right now. With most lots now able to be developed into at least four units, Hutchins said this will “open the door to a new kind of competition among architects – who’s going to design the best backyard duplex.” He showed an example of a duplex that could be home to multiple generations of the same family.
And it’s not only about housing; he noted that corner stores and child-care businesses. Overall, “you’re going to see all kinds of variants” of projects because of the way the code (zoning) was written.
Bottom line, toward the end of the hour-and-a-half event, was a declaration that “density and affordability doesn’t have to be scary – (you have to) get people talking to each other.”
WHAT’S NEXT: This was a community-led event, not official, but plenty of official proceedings are coming up. Most importantly: The dates are set for consideration of the next phase of city rezoning, the Centers and Corridors proposals, as the council meets as the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan:
March 19 – 2:00 PM meeting
April 6 – Public Hearing 9:30 AM
May 29 – Public Hearing 9:30 AM
June 4 – 1:00 PM
June 18 – 1:00 PM
The Centers and Corridors proposal was unveiled a month ago.
(Tuesday’s sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)
Midweek highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, where you can look ahead days/weeks at a time:
PRAYER ROOM: Community prayer room open at All Souls at Trinity in Gatewood as part of citywide initiative, drop in any time before 7 pm. (7551 35th SW)
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks started from 47th/Fontanelle (so if you didn’t see this in the calendar in time, here’s your reminder for next week).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the new location of Missing Piece (4707 California SW).”
ART WORKSHOP: Drop-in art for kids withRec ‘N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3-4:30 pm.
DINE-OUT BENEFIT: Get food from/at The Neighborhood 4-9 pm tonight and part of the proceeds will benefit Tilden School (WSB sponsor). The restaurant is in Morgan Junction (6503 California SW).
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: Back after break! 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
POSTCARD-WRITING: 5 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), West Seattle Indivisible invites you to join in.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: Chanel your creativity! 6-8 pm, drop in and create at this cozy pottery studio. (3400 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Interested in our city’s growth, present and future? You’re invited to this 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
NO HPAC MEETING: The community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge is not meeting this month, but check their website for many things you should know in the meantime.
KUNDALINI YOGA: Now at 6 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Get moving at midweek – go on the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: Be among the first to hear new Bruno Mars music, “The Romantic,” 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
COMMUNITY CHOIR OPEN REHEARSALS: Drop in and sing! 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
‘RECLAIMING OURSELVES’ INFO SESSION: 7 pm online, find out about the Listening to Grief x West Seattle Neurofeedback upcoming workshop series.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues on tonight’s list, starting at Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), 7 pm, free to play … 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play, cash prizes … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … Update: trivia is ON tonight at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: You can take the stage during West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather Saturday (February 28) to celebrate the life of Patricia Loftis. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:
Patricia Jane Loftis, 81, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, in Seattle. She was born on September 15, 1944, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, New York, to Robert Faull Loftis and Margaret Josephine Loftis.
Patricia was raised in Ilion, New York, where she attended Annunciation Elementary School and Ilion Central High School, graduating with the Class of 1962. She continued her education at Utica College and later graduated from the New York College of Forestry, where she studied forest botany—an early reflection of her deep appreciation for nature and lifelong love of learning.
After college, Patricia spent a year in Chile with the Peace Corps, an experience that embodied her adventurous spirit and commitment to service. The Peace Corps was life-changing for her and resulted in a beautiful, enduring community of friendship and support. She later relocated permanently to Seattle, Washington, where she built her life and family in the West Seattle neighborhood.
Patricia worked in catering for many years before creating a culinary training program for high school students at Chief Sealth International High School, where she worked for approximately 20 years. She inspired and encouraged countless young people to find joy and fulfillment in the culinary arts. When former students saw her in the neighborhood, they would cheerfully greet her as “Mrs. C.” She also volunteered at the West Seattle Food Bank, quietly giving her time in service to others in her community.
After retiring from the Seattle School District in 2019, Patricia embraced a new and very important role: devoted dog caregiver. She happily took care of her daughter Shannon’s dogs—first Ramen and later Soba, both cavapoos—becoming a trusted companion, daily walker, and enthusiastic treat-giver. Their routines brought her joy, laughter, and plenty of furry companionship.
An avid swimmer, Patricia was a longtime member of the Arbor Heights Pool, where she found joy, routine, and friendship. She was a regular at the early bird swim and at every potluck.
Patricia loved travel and adventure and lived a full, curious life shaped by exploration, service, and meaningful connections. She took several trips to Europe, with France and Switzerland among her favorite destinations. Wherever she went, finding a bakery was always a priority.
She was predeceased by her parents; her godson and nephew, Scott Fifield; and her nephew, Michael Fifield. Patricia is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Chappon; her children, Shannon Chappon and her husband, Huy Son, and Brian Chappon and his wife, Heather Chappon, and their daughter, Elyse; her sisters, Jeanne Farnsworth and Sandra Russell; her brother, Robert Loftis; and her nieces, nephew, cousins, and extended family.
Though Patricia experienced dementia toward the end of her life, she never forgot her family and close friends, who remained constant in her heart. She will be remembered for her kindness, resilience, and the full life of travel, service, and adventure she embraced.
An open-house celebration of Patricia’s life will be held on February 28 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the home of her daughter, Shannon Chappon. Please message Shannon for details at shannonchappon@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patricia’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at:
act.alz.org/site/TR/ActiveEvents/IL-Illinois?pg=personal&px=23006880&fr_id=19346
(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)
If you’re a local artist and interested in being part of this year’s West Seattle Art Tour, you have three more days to apply! Here’s the reminder from organizers:
The West Seattle Art Tour is accepting artist applications for its third annual event on September 19–20, 2026, until Saturday, February 28 at 11:59 pm.
This self-guided, two-day event connects local artists with collectors and art enthusiasts. Through a juried process, selected artists display work at host sites — artists’ homes and studios accommodating multiple participants. Visitors navigate using printed maps, digital maps, and social media.
We welcome submissions in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, mixed media, and other mediums from artists demonstrating unique vision and technical mastery.
Key Details:
Apply online: www.westseattlearttour.org/forartists
Deadline: February 28, 2026, 11:59 pm
Eligibility: Artists must live, work, or teach in West Seattle, or demonstrate an ongoing community connection.Full criteria at www.westseattlearttour.org
Questions or want to support the tour? Email info@westseattlearttour.org or visit www.westseattlearttour.org
WSB is the Art Tour’s media sponsor again this year.
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sun and rain possibilities are again in the forecast – high in the low 50s. Sunrise at 6:57 am; sunset at 5:48 pm.
BRIDGE ALERTS
*Be aware, the West Seattle low bridge was having trouble earlier this morning; as of half an hour ago it was back in operation.
*Lane closures continue on the NB 1st Avenue South Bridge – plus a speed-limit reduction to 25 mph – until further notice.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for any changes to the 3-boat schedule.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes.
TAP TO PAY
One last reminder – it’s now the third day of expanded card acceptance on transit around the region.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (note that SDOT may still be having some trouble – we’ve reported it – so if the “live” framegrabs seem stuck, choose almost any camera from SDOT’s page and view live video instead)
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 (see the alert above):
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!
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