West Seattle, Washington
22 Friday
Two months ago, we first told you about an early-stage plan to replace the empty ex-clinic at 4550 Fauntleroy Way SW with a new clinic. The development firm working on the project still hasn’t disclosed which health-care organization would run it, but new documents in city files reveal more about the plan. According to this presentation document, zoning issues have forced the project team to move the location of the building on the site, which has streets on three sides (Fauntleroy Way north, 38th SW east, SW Alaska south).
Though the 12,800-sf, 24/7 facility is not proposed to be a full-fledged hospital, documents say it would offer a higher level of emergency medical services than currently available on the peninsula – here’s the overview:
The proposed project is a medical and emergency services facility intended to address a documented gap in healthcare access within the West Seattle community. This gap is due to:
 Single-chokepoint geography – bridge & tunnel dependent
 All existing EDs [emergency departments] require 18-38 minutes in normal traffic
 ~100,000 residents with no walk-to or close-drive ED option
 Fastest-growing 65+ population segment – highest ED utilization
 No Level I or II trauma in the peninsula – ambulance must bridge
 Public transit not viable for emergency situations
According to the presentation document, they’re looking for city clarification on 10 points, including whether the facility can be exempt from required “full street-level activation” because it’s a medical facility. The current building on the site has been vacant since Virginia Mason Franciscan Health moved almost a year and a half ago.
This Sunday night, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) begins a year of celebrating its half-century old organ with the first of four concerts:
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the gallery Noack organ. To mark this important event, four concerts are planned from April 2026 to February 2027. This series is in honor and memory of Andrew King, cantor and organist at First Lutheran for 50+ years.
*The first program will be on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 7 pm, with Nathan Laube, Associate Professor of Organ at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
*On Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 3 pm, the second concert in the series will include a Concerto for Keyboard in d minor, BWV 1052, by J. S. Bach, performed by our organist/choirmaster Dana Robinson and joined by a chamber group of period instruments led by Tekla Cunningham of the Seattle Bach Festival. The program will also include selections for two organs. The other organist is Paul Tegels, organist/choirmaster at Christ Church, Tacoma, and Associate Professor Emeritus of Organ at Pacific Lutheran University.
*The third concert in the series will be played by Michael Kleinschmidt, who is Canon for Cathedral Music at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral here in Seattle. Before coming to St. Mark’s, he served as Canon for Cathedral Music at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. He holds degrees from Eastman School of Music and Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. He has played recitals across the world, has a keen appreciation for the ministry of music for children, and serves on the faculty of the Royal School of Church Music summer courses. This concert will take place on Saturday, November 7th at 3 pm
*Our fourth and final concert will be on Sunday, February 8, 2027 at 3 pm. The recitalist is Anne Laver, Associate Professor of Organ and University Organist at Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music. She has performed in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and in the United States. Anne is often a featured artist at conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Organ Historical Society, the Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies, and the Goteborg International Organ Academy in Sweden. In 2010 she was awarded 2nd prize in the AGO National Young Artist Competition in Organ Performance.
Mark your calendar. These are going to be outstanding programs. All extremely talented artists, yet all very different. This will give us all a marvelous experience of the diversity of the gallery Noack organ.
Admission is free; donations are welcome to support future events. These events are open to the entire West Seattle community and beyond!
The organ was the first of its kind in the region when designed and built in 1976.
Got your tickets yet? There’s a whole lot more soccer this spring/summer than that famous international tournament. The full season schedules are out for West Seattle pre-pro teams Junction FC and Rhodies FC. All listed matches are at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), which, as reported here recently, will have some enhancements this year. First, the Junction FC matches:
West Seattle Junction FC vs Tacoma Stars
Sunday, May 10th, 5:15 PMWest Seattle Junction FC vs Midlakes United
Sunday, June 7th, 2:00 PMWest Seattle Junction FC vs Ballard FC
Sunday, June 21st, 5:15 PMWest Seattle Junction FC vs Bigfoot FC
Wednesday, July 1st, 7:00 PMWest Seattle Junction FC vs FC Olympia
Sunday, July 5th, 2:00 PMWest Seattle Junction FC vs Snohomish United
Friday, July 10th, 7:00 PMWest Seattle Junction FC vs Portland Bangers FC
Sunday, July 12th, 2:00 PM
And here’s the Rhodies’ home schedule:
West Seattle Rhodies FC vs Tacoma Galaxy
Sunday, May 10th, 2:00 PMWest Seattle Rhodies FC vs Snohomish United
Sunday, May 17th, 2:00 PMWest Seattle Rhodies FC vs Salmon Bay FC
Sunday, May 24th, 6:00 PMWest Seattle Rhodies FC vs Bigfoot FC
Sunday, June 14th, 2:00 PMWest Seattle Rhodies FC vs Portland Cherry Bombs FC
Sunday, June 21st, 2:00 PMWest Seattle Rhodies FC vs FC Olympia
Wednesday, June 24th, 7:00 PM
Note that opening day, Sunday, May 10, is a doubleheader with both teams playing matches
This year’s Westside Awards. will be presented next month by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce – but first, the organization is gathering nominations, and if you want to suggest a business, organization, or community leader, you have one more day! Here again are the four categories:
• Westside Business of the Year recognizes an established business (3 or more years in operation) demonstrating growth, excellence in customer service, and meaningful community involvement.
• Westside Emerging Business of the Year honors a newer business (under 3 years) already making its presence felt through innovation, community engagement and gaining momentum.
• Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year highlights a nonprofit whose dedication to service and social good has left a visible mark on West Seattle.
• Westsider of the Year recognizes an individual whose leadership, volunteerism, or service has strengthened the community.
Chamber board members choose the winners, who’ll be celebrated at a breakfast event May 20 at The Hall at Fauntleroy. To send in a nomination, use this form – by 5 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, April 15)! (See the list of past winners here.)
Via email and text, we got two reports today about this fire-gutted Little Free Library:
Another Little Free Library vandalism, unfortunately. This one is in Highland Park, happened some time Friday morning. Fortunately SFD got to it before the fire spread outside the box. But it’s a total loss.
The other reader who reported it says it’s near 14th SW and SW Barton and sent a closer photo:
So sad we have literal book burning in the neighborhood. This one often hosts great progressive books, too.
Not sure who left the flowers but it’s clear others are mourning.
They added:
On my way back I tried to see what books were burned. The bottom ones are tight in there but a loose one is Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. It’s a book by a Jewish Holocaust camp survivor. Today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
We haven’t yet found the incident numbers but will add if/when we do. Last year in late spring, we had several reports of LFL vandalism – via someone removing books. We also had an LFL arson report from Gatewood in 2024.
12:26 PM: “It’s going to be here for a while.” That’s one police officer’s assessment of that truck/trailer, wrapped around the barrier where the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, NB 99 offramp, and 1st Avenue S. onramp meet. It’s slowing but not blocking traffic at the moment, as they strategize what kind of tow crew it’s going to take to clear it. The trailer is empty, police told dispatch; no SFD dispatch so far, so apparently no serious injuries.
12:35 PM: The scene has widened a bit and traffic is moving more slowly past the scene, which police are warning “is going to e a long-term closure.”
1:29 PM: Not cleared yet and the response has expanded, so traffic past the scene is more sluggish, as the updated traffic-cam screenshot (from a few minutes ago) shows.
1:49 PM: All eastbound traffic is now being stopped, police just told dispatch.
2:01 PM: Traffic’s moving again, though the scene has not yet cleared.
2:11 PM: And now it has, with “traffic flowing as normal,” officers radioed.
(WSB photo by Oliver Hamlin, May 2025)
West Seattle’s “pool with a view,” outdoor saltwater Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park, will open again for pre-season weekends starting in “early May” though the exact date hasn’t yet been announced. Registration for summer swim lessons at Colman Pool is already open and today’s the last registration milestone date for the summer season – at noon today, Seattle Parks opens reservations for pool parties. Most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the season – June 26-August 30 – and Mondays, August 3-24, Colman Pool is available 7-8 pm for private parties of up to 30 people, for a $365 fee. Here’s the direct link to the page where reservations open at noon. (And you can watch here for the full 2026 schedule to appear any day now.)
Thanks to Jerry Simmons for the photo – he says it’s a Cooper’s Hawk. From our bird’s-eye view, here are event notes/reminders/listings for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE AT CHURCH OF NAZARENE CLOSED THIS WEEK … because of spring break.
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: Open today, now through 11:30 am at The Bridge School Cooperative Elementary (10300 28th SW), just drop in! Older siblings on spring break welcome this week too.
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.
‘GROUNDED CONVERSATIONS’: Free drop-in coaching at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), 10:40 am to noon.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today Major Roy Wild, regional commander of the Salvation Army. (4470 35th SW)
FREE ICE CREAM: Noon-8 pm, it’s free cone (or cup) day at Ben & Jerry’s (2742 Alki SW), no restrictions on flavor etc. – as noted in our preview, you can get civic info too.
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.
OTHER EVENTS AT THE CENTER: Dozens every week! Go here for the full Center for Active Living calendar.
CITY COUNCIL: At City Hall, at 2 pm, the council holds its main weekly meeting. Today’s agenda explains how to comment and/or watch. Items today include finalizing the library levy.
NO DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: Library event canceled this week because of spring break.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: One team is playing at home – Chief Sealth IHS boys soccer has a match vs. Seattle Academy at 4 pm at Delridge Playfield (Delridge Way SW and SW Alaska).
CREATIVE SKILLSHARING: 4:30-8 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) with West Seattle Mutual Aid.
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.
INTERFAITH PRAYER VIGIL: Continuing weekly, 5:30-6:30 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. (61st SW and Alki SW)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 6 pm monthly board meeting at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), community members welcome.
SACRED BIRTH PRENATAL YOGA SERIES: 6 pm, series begins – info in our calendar listing. (7358 35th SW)
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 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 4: Four venues for trivia tonight – 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).
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!
Family and friends will gather Friday to remember Wesley ‘Chief’ Goss, and are sharing this with the community:
‘
Wesley Joseph “Chief” Goss, 78, of Seattle, passed away on March 30, 2026. He was born on March 7, 1948, in Tacoma.
Wess dedicated 40 years of his life to the Seattle Fire Department, rising through the ranks to serve as Battalion Chief. Throughout his distinguished career, he was known not only for his leadership, but for his lasting contributions to the department and the community he served. He was instrumental in creating the MAP program, which improved firefighter accountability and enhanced emergency response times. Wess also served for 18 years as President of the Officers Association, advocating for his fellow firefighters with strength and integrity. His commitment to honoring those who served extended beyond his career, as he played a key role in the creation of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Occidental Square.
Known affectionately as “Chief Goss,” Wess lived by the motto, “Work hard and play harder.” Outside of his career, he found great joy in traveling and spending time at the family’s cabin by the lake, where he created lasting memories with those he loved most. Wess was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Marie Goss; his daughter, Elena Gruner, and son-in-law, Eric Gruner; his grandson, Nick Gruner; and his brother, Larry Goss. He will be remembered for his dedication, strength, and the deep love he held for his family and community.
His legacy of service, bravery, courageous leadership, boldness, and compassion will live on in the many lives he touched.
His Funeral Mass is Friday (April 17) at 11 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle, preceded by 10 am recitation of the Rosary.
Please share memories, photos, and condolences with the family on the guestbook at: www.emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/wesley-goss
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)
7:52 AM: Crash on east section of Eb West Seattle Bridge.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Seattle Public Schools and some others are on spring break all week.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Rainy, breezy, high = upper 40s. Sunrise at 6:22 am; sunset at 7:57 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, which means extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route still on a two-boat schedule with a third, unscheduled boat. Check WSF’s alert page for any last-minute changes.
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 (25 mph speed limit):
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 trouble 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!
2:46 AM: SPD and SFD are arriving in The Triangle after a report that someone might have been shot near 36th SW and SW Snoqualmie. No confirmation yet.
2:52 AM: Still no victim or evidence of a shooting found, police say. The just-in-case SFD response is waiting at Station 32 (38th/Alaska).
2:55 AM: One officer reports talking to someone in the area who is saying what sounded to one 911 caller like a “shot” might have been “a car backfire.” Another officer then reported finding a trail of blood leading “across 35th toward the encampment and the golf course.”
3:20 AM: Apparently that led nowhere – though they haven’t acknowledged it over the air, the SFD log shows the responding units have just been cleared and the call’s been closed.
9:31 AM: Here’s the SPD report narrative:
At approximately 0239 hrs on 04/14/2026, one call came in to 911 stating that a male had possibly shot another male near 36 AV SW and SW Snoqualmie St. The caller, who wanted to remain anonymous, first reported hearing a gunshot, then when asked if anyone had been shot, they reported that there was a possible shooting victim. While several units were enroute to the location, other callers called in reporting a fight involving 2-4 males in the same area.
Several units arrived in the area. Found on S Snoqualmie St, just east of 36 AV S, was a pair
of shoes in the street and several small blood droplets on the south sidewalk.A XXX male was found in the same block, around the corner. He stated that he heard guys fighting in the street, but said there were no shots fired. Another witness, listed above, said that, from her apartment window, she saw three males running eastbound towards 35th AV SW, one of them stated that he was hurt. She said that she heard one of the other males tell the injured male that he should call 911 and he said that he would not do so. She said a vehicle pulled up, one male handed something to someone in the vehicle and the vehicle left southbound on 36th. She also stated that she may have heard the vehicle backfire.
We followed the trail of small blood drops eastbound across 35th to a tent on the east side of 35th, but the tent was empty.
An extensive check for any victims or evidence of a shooting was conducted with negative results. The scene was photographed and released.
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