West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
For West Seattle Blog
The hottest party in West Seattle on Saturday night was tongue-burning, eye-watering hot.
It filled a paint shop in The Triangle with more than 100 people there to dare – they dared to try making it through 10 hot wings, progressing up the heat scale.
The invite-only gathering was “Hot Ones 10,” inspired by and named after a YouTube series.
This was the 10th annual version of what began as a gathering of friends in a back yard and has expanded exponentially to the size of last night’s party: ~500+ wings, donated by a local meat processor, with a nominal entry fee that added up to a donation of more than $400 for Unified Sports via the West Seattle Booster Club.
(L-R, Eric Tirnauer, Steve Cole, Sean Cummings, Paul Morton)
Party host was Sean Cummings, proprietor of All-Pro Painting, who noted that he and his friends’ kids are now teenagers and they bring the fire, so to speak. The party started two hours before the wings, which were prepared by Claiborne Bell and team at nearby Distinguished Foods Kitchens. Live music shook the shop courtesy of Ruston Rock – “my mom’s kick-ass cover band,” as Sean explained it.
(Mom’s the drummer.)
Videos of highlights from past Hot Ones looped on screens, while some wing-awaiters played foosball, ping-pong, and hoops – warming up for the hot stuff.
For a while, what was to come was only hinted at with bottles of milk and even hot-pink Pepto-Bismol strategically placed.
As the wings’ arrival neared, the room was reconfigured with two long tables for participants. Emcee Steve Cole, wearing a suit the color of most hot sauces, barked out the rules (most notably “you only have to take one bite” to survive a round of wings).
They took a count of who was in it for wings (including three vegetarians). The sauces were announced as the wings were distributed:
Advice was offered too – “try not to touch your eyes.” (Many pulled on gloves to avoid skin contact too.) Once everyone had their wing for the round, the countdown to eating it was “THREE, TWO, ONE, BURN!”
Three rounds in, no one looked too miserable, yet. This was truly a “for the fun of it” faceoff, though, as the only real prizes were beads, different collors depending on how far you made it.
As things got spicier, there was definitely capsaicin in the air.
(Even on the sidelines, your correspondent’s nose tickled.) After round #5, someone requested ice cream to calm their mouth, eliciting a round of good-natured boos. For round #6, emcee Steve announced it as “the real deal,” with a habanero-based sauce. But it took up to round #8 before a yelp or two was heard from somewhere in the crowd. “That one escalated quickly,” a wing-eater observed. Fist-bumping and milk-guzzling ensued.
This was not a “last person standing” type of event; we couldn’t stay all the way to the end of the wings, leaving after observing through round 8, but Sean tells us “about 80 percent” of the participants endured them all. He also tells us they ended up with a 150-wing surplus, so those were re-donated, to nearby Westside Neighbors Shelter.
Another neighborhood group with a notable event in the week ahead is the Fauntleroy Community Association. The FCA’s annual membership meeting Tuesday is known as the Food Fest because of bites contributed by local businesses. It’s also a chance to mingle with local nonprofits and what FCA describes as “civic-minded” organizations (we’ll be there to promote West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, now just a month and a half away on Saturday, May 9). And the Food Fest will briefly convene everyone in attendance for the annual FCA board election. It’s a free event, but you’ll have the opportunity to renew or initiate FCA membership, supporting the organization’s community work. This will be in The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), south end of historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 6-8 pm Tuesday (March 24).
Notice something missing along the west stretch of Admiral Way? Paul Twibell sent the explanation:
The Cougulance is gone.
For over a decade, the Cougar Ambulance, “The Cougulance,” has held a spot in the 59th block of Admiral Way. Yesterday I sold it to a couple that lives in Pullman. It has been a staple at WSU during football season. It has been on Billboards, banners, news reports, and commercials. Twice it has appeared on ESPN’s Gameday.
(2020 screengrab from ESPN – West Point was a reference to an unrelated location)
It will have many more years of tailgating with its new owners.
Many of you loved it, some of you hated it, a few of you damaged it, a couple of you tried to have it towed. Thank you to all of you who appreciated it, and saw it as a West Seattle landmark. To the rest… whatever.
GO COUGS!
Paul Twibell
When SDOT held an online meeting earlier this month about the Highland Park Way lane-conversion project (WSB coverage here), community group HPAC‘s co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick got the project team to commit to something the coalition had long been requesting – attending an HPAC meeting to answer community questions. They’re keeping that promise this Wednesday (March 25), 6 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). HPAC’s meeting announcement says they’re hoping SDOT team members’ in-person appearance will allow “in-depth conversation with the community and a chance to really drill down into the work they are doing.” The project would convert the outside downhill driving lane on the Highland Park Way hill to a bicycle/pedestrian path; the newest version of the plan would separate that path from the remaining driving lane via removable jersey barriers as shown in graphic above), so it could revert to a driving lane in case of a major event like the 2020-2022 West Seattle Bridge closure. HPAC also hopes to update the Glassyard Commons RV/tiny-home site project at Wednesday’s meeting.
Christian J. Pearson‘s ceramic birds have a surprise inside, making them audible art too (hint: gently shake one). That was pointed out by one of the other five artists also in the “Feather in the Wind” pop-up, in its final day upstairs at Alki Arts in Morgan Junction (6030 California SW) until 6 pm. It’s a light-filled space, and not just because of the windows:
Jody Wally‘s ceramic work includes lamps – functional as well as beautiful. Or if you’re contemplating sending someone a note. Gretchen Flickinger has original prints on her cards:
Kassie Hennessey‘s feather studies inspired the pop-up’s name:
Angie Marcelynas – The Little Merle – incorporates recycled material into her jewelry, including new charm bracelets at this weekend’s pop-up:
Sketcher Pam Lustig is an addition to the “Feather in the Wind” roster since last pop-up:
You have until 6 pm to meet the artists, browse their work, and enjoy complimentary snacks – look for the staircase just north of the main Alki Arts entrance.
Mary Springer, a longtime luminary in the local performing-arts world, has died. Her family shares this remembrance with word of her memorial service next month:
Mary Opland Springer, a light to all who were lucky to know her, passed away on March 3, 2026, in Seattle. Services will be held at 2 pm on May 16th at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave SW, West Seattle. A reception will follow and all are welcome.
Mary was born on May 15, 1951, in Pipestone, MN, to AnnaMae and Allen (Al) Opland, the third of their three children. Their home was filled with music and laughter, and the gift of music would follow Mary throughout her life.
After moving to Missoula, MT, to finish her undergraduate degree, Mary met Rick Springer and on August 3, 1975, they married. She was a devoted and magical mother to their two children, Anna Cronin and Jonathan Springer.
In 1980 they moved to Seattle, where she spent the rest of her life teaching music and theater to kids across Puget Sound. Students who had the good fortune to attend her schools learned how to be brave, pushing themselves to try new things and reach new heights under her loving direction.
Mary was a deeply gifted educator who took great joy in crafting lessons and guiding students to explore material, helping them see the world with new eyes. She frequently taught other educators, held workshops at education conferences, and went back to school in her late 40s to get her master’s degree in education. Being an educator was an identity that she wore proudly.
Early in her career, she held theater summer camps that later blossomed into one of her proudest achievements – a community theatre troupe called Twelfth Night Productions (TNP). Over more than 25 years, TNP grew into a beautiful and welcoming community where artists could explore, find belonging, and create lasting friendships that are more like family. TNP became a beloved West Seattle institution, producing four shows a year, including an annual summer musical and holiday radio play.
Mary’s beautiful life touched thousands of lives, and the world is an infinitely better place because she was here.
Mary is survived by her family: husband Rick Springer, daughter Anna Cronin and son-in-law Travis Cronin, son Jonathan Springer and daughter-in-law Shally Springer, and grandchildren Cassius Springer, Oliver Cronin, Laila Springer, and Cecilia (Cece) Cronin.
(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)
(Cherry blossoms, photographed by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s the event lineup for spring’s first Sunday (spring arrived on Friday!), mostly from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, but starting with an off-peninsula traffic alert:
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is meeting at Highland Park Corner Store at 9 am today for a today’s Sunday Funday run. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
BUNNY PORTRAITS ALL BOOKED UP: Just an update on this calendar listing – no appointments left.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in early spring produce-and-products season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, apples, more – and lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and chow down on a buffet breakfast.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
FOOD & SHOPPING POP-UP: 11 am-5 pm again today, “Good Foods and Vintage Goods” pop-up, featuring Highbrow Hedonist. (5001 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FREE TAX HELP, BUT BE AWARE … 11 am-4 pm at Southwest Library, registration strongly encouraged as we’re told the slots have been all booked up. (9010 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
GROUP ART SHOW: Last of three days for Feather in the Wind group show upstairs at Alki Arts (6030 California SW), with six artists, noon-6 pm.
TIDEPOOLING: Seattle Parks is offering guided tidepooling today – meet at 1:30 pm at Constellation Park (63rd SW and Beach Drive SW), info here. Low tide is -1.2 feet at 2:09 pm.
PLANT-REPOTTING POTLUCK: 2 pm at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), fun way to spring into spring.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re invited to hang out at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
‘SMART PEOPLE’: Final performance of the play at Acts on Stage Theater at 3 pm; ticket info here. (10806 12th SW, White Center)
HOW TO WRITE AN OBITUARY: Whether it’s someone else’s, or your own, there’s an art to it, and you can learn about that at 3 pm today at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – our calendar listing has the registration link. (2306 42nd SW)
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S: 5-8 pm, play trivia at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW) with host Morgue Anne.
LIVE AT TIM’S: 7 pm Sunday night all-ages show at Tim’s Tavern, with Matt Unger, The Rolling Thunder,Velvet Armada, Sweet Cheeks; get tickets here. (16th SW & SW 98th, White Center)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm,jazz to wrap up your weekend, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
Organizing, or working on, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| 1 COMMENT