West Seattle, Washington
10 Sunday
Saturday’s lineup of events will be monumental (as you can see by checking our Event Calendar). Here’s an invitation to one event we just got word of, from Camp Long supervisor Matt Kostle, who shares news of volunteer assistance earlier this week, too:
Big THANKS to A Cleaner Alki and several Girl Scout Troops for coming out to do some cleanup at the park for Earth Week! Photos (show) all the hard work they did! And now it’s your chance to help out at our Camp Long Cleanup Saturday (April 25th) from 1-3 pm! Plus join the Advisory Council afterward to roast some marshmallows!
See flyer for more details. Register here!
Camp Long’s entrance is at 5200 35th SW.
After shutting down for electrical work earlier this week, as noted here Tuesday, the Space Age gas station at 35th SW and SW Holden reopened tonight. Four pumps are open, and two others are expected to be back in service Monday, but station staff told us no further closures are anticipated. If you need to fill up tonight, they’re open until 10 pm.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Fundraisers continue to be scheduled to keep co-op preschool programs at South Seattle and North Seattle Colleges from closing, even as a deadline looms to raise $2 million to sustain the parent education programs through the next school year. As we reported early this month, parent education programs at South and other community and technical statewide are no longer eligible for funding as they exist now under a new model that focuses on credentialed programs and workforce development. Those parent education programs include co-op preschools that have educated hundreds of thousands of students statewide since the 1940s. There are 5 cooperative preschool locations in West Seattle, through South Seattle College.
Co-op supporters gathered at South on April 9 to rally during a meeting on campus of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), the group that oversaw development of the new funding model. Supporters have been asking for a 1-year deferral from the board to give them time to either make adjustments to the program that would qualify parent education under the new funding model, or find alternate funding. The implications of the funding model change to parent education were only made clear within the last few months.
We checked back with the state board’s communications director to see if the board is actively considering the deferral request. “We are discussing all options,” Rachelle Alongi said. “We continue to have conversations and work closely with community and technical colleges as they make local decisions about budget and funding. Our goal is to help them navigate workable solutions that best meet the needs of their communities, students, faculty, and staff.”
Even as parent-education organizers are asking for the deferral, supporters at North and South are banding together to raise $2 million for the 2,100 students they usually enroll. Organizers say that would be enough for the 2026-2027 school year, or if they raise less than the goal, to make payments on a loan to keep the program and its preschools going. So far, the online donation page shows they are 1/3 of the way toward their goal.
There are fundraisers scheduled for the next two weekends. Tomorrow’s includes a walk around Green Lake in support of the programs.
Let’s get out and Move for Parents and Children!
What: Move-a-Thon to raise money for Seattle Colleges Parent Education and Cooperative Preschool Programs
When: April 25th from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Where: Greenlake – start at the Green Lake Bath House
A second fundraiser is taking place May 3rd at the Future Primitive locations in West Seattle and White Center, with a portion of sales that day going toward the program. More info on that here.
4:57 PM: Moments after we published the preceding item about the Delridge Native Forest Garden, a tree fell on the other side of Delridge Way SW, according to what a police officer just told dispatch. It’s reported to be a ~50-foot tree, blocking the southbound side of Delridge at Webster (by the Southwest Precinct). We’re headed over to see.
5:15 PM: Photo added. Our crew reports it’s only partly blocking the lane, and traffic is getting by, both ways.
(Photo from Daniel)
Last weekend, we published Daniel‘s reader report reminding people about the roadside Delridge Native Forest Garden as a potential spot to take a walk. Today, in fact, SDOT has announced a Tree Walk for the site – actually three walks on the afternoon of Friday, May 15. RSVPs are required and you’ll find the links, along with more details, here.
One of this weekend’s many big events in West Seattle is the annual Rock and Gem Show, with exhibitors setting up right now at Alki Masonic Center at 40th/Edmunds in The Junction. Admission is free and there’ll be a lot to see – even a model train! – 10 am to 5 pm both Saturday and Sunday, presented by the West Seattle Rock Club.
Three weeks from tonight – on Friday, May 15 – you’ll be able to explore the Northwest wine world without leaving West Seattle. The WS Junction Association is selling tickets now for the spring Wine Walk:
This event will pair 36 Pacific Northwest wineries with 34 local merchants for an unforgettable evening of sipping and strolling. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just enjoy discovering new favorites, this is your chance to taste incredible regional wines while exploring the heart of West Seattle.
Your $40 ticket includes:
– 14 tasting tickets (1 oz pours)
– A West Seattle Wine Walk bottle tote bag
– A keepsake wine glassThe event runs 5-9 pm. Get checked in, get your glass, tickets, tote bag for bottle purchases (tax free!) and map of locations, and off you go to sip wine with friends. No drinking on the streets! Additional tastes can be purchased at the event. $5 for 3 tastes.
Two check-in locations this time – listed on the page where you’ll find the link to buy your ticket(s) right now.
(Volunteer Ann Dunbar helped students measure a torso in centimeters)
Story by Judy Pickens
Photos by Tom Trulin
Special to West Seattle Blog
Students from the Urban Nature Preschool got a taste of scientific research on Thursday when they did the annual survey of stonefly exoskeletons in lower Fauntleroy Creek.
As nymphs, stoneflies are a major food source for juvenile coho. Mature stoneflies crawl out of the water in the spring and leave their exoskeletons behind as they take flight, and students have been counting and measuring them since 2000. Their findings are a way to track both quantity of food available to the fish and how clean the water is.
(Finding exoskeletons on bridges required close examination)
With the school’s outdoor focus, the four-year-olds already knew a lot about the creek and, with support from teachers and volunteers, they were up to the challenge of following study protocol. Three teams closely examined trees and bridges while a fourth measured torsos as adults recorded the numbers.
(Volunteer Ann Dunbar helped students measure a torso in centimeters)
After teams reported their findings, volunteer Alana Khayat added the numbers to line graphs so students could see how they compared to findings since 2015.
(Early-morning photo by Kent Rhodes)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always peek days/weeks ahead):
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER Spring is garden time! See what’s new at the center, open today, 10 am-3 pm at north end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW).
STAY ‘N’ PLAY … weekly indoor playtime for preschool-age kids, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
NO STORY TIME TODAY … canceled @ Delridge Library.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history, noon-4 pm. (61st SW and SW Stevens)
LEARN ABOUT THE CITY NATURE CHALLENGE … on a guided walk along Longfellow Creek, 3:30 pm, meet at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW).
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Two boys’ soccer matches at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – Chief Sealth IHS vs. Cleveland at 5 pm, West Seattle HS vs. Lincoln at 7 pm.
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: Girl Scout Troop 41843‘s second of three babysitting events, 5-9 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) – check if there are still openings.
HISTORY COMES ALIVE AT HARBOR ISLAND: 6-10 pm tours featuring depictions of stories you probably haven’t ever heard, tickets here (if any remain), our preview here. (3235 16th SW)
COFFEEHOUSE COMEDY: 6 pm, radio-style comedy with Midnight Mystery Theater at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
COMMUNITY DEFENSE FUNDRAISER: Song, dance, vendors at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm, $20 at the door to support White Center organization assisting immigrants.
HOTTIES OF COMEDY AT KENYON HALL: Two shows, 7 and 9 pm, with “a new lineup of some of the funniest comedians in the PNW to talk about life, love, and all the weird stuff inbetween.” (7904 35th SW)
FOO FIGHTERS LISTENING PARTY: 7 pm, hear the new recording at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW). Free, all ages.
SOUND AND CEREMONY: Guided visualization at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), 7 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with The Bale Jumpers, Salt Horse, The Drive Through. Doors at 7, music at 8. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘WALDEN’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, second weekend for ArtsWest‘s “speculative fiction” play. (4711 California SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), spinning tonight with DJ Peg, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to music during the Bowie Goth Skate, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(2025 WSB photo by Oliver Hamlin)
Thanks to Jimmy for the tip! The full schedule is up for Colman Pool, the outdoor salt-water pool operated by the city on the shore at Lincoln Park. Here’s how it starts:
Preseason Weekends: May 9 to June 7, 2026
May 9-10, May 16-17, May 23-25 (Memorial Day), May 30-31, and June 6-7Each day will have 4 swims:
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Each swim will have 4 lap lanes (50 meters) and 1/2 open pool for recreational use. The 1 meter diving board will be open.
After that:
Main Season: June 13 – Aug. 30, 2026
Colman Pool will operate 7 days a week from June 13 to August 30, including the July 4th holiday.Closures and Holidays
Swim Meet closure: June 19-20
Swim Meet closure: July 9-11Postseason Weekends: Sept 5-7, 13-14, and 19-20, 2026
For full details, see the pool’s website.
6:01 AM: Good morning! Almost the weekend – welcome to Friday, April 24, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunny through the weekend, today’s high in the low 60s. Sunrise at 6:03 am; sunset at 8:12 pm.
(Photo by Ryan Caple)
MAJOR CLOSURE ALERT FOR TOMORROW
One more reminder – the Cascade Bicycle Club (WSB sponsor) Emerald City Ride will keep motor-vehicle traffic off part of southbound Highway 99 and the westbound West Seattle Bridge for a few hours Saturday morning (April 25), and will put hundreds of riders on West Seattle streets too – details here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedules Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route still on a two-boat schedule with a third, unscheduled boat. Check WSF’s alert page for last-minute changes. And note work at the Fauntleroy dock next week could affect ferry users.
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!
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