West Seattle, Washington
05 Saturday
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Representatives from Sound Transit held an in-person drop-in forum on Tuesday night at Jet City Labs (4547 California Ave. SW) in The Junction, as part of the organization’s latest outreach efforts.
In particular, West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE) project team members from Community Engagement and Real Property were available to answer questions and speak directly with anyone affected by the upcoming ST Board vote about property acquisition. ST invited impacted property owners and community members to attend the event to learn more about the WSLE project, property acquisition efforts and the relocation process.
ST team members in attendance included Tanya Johnson, Rhonda Thomsen, and Scott Matetich, pictured left-to-right below speaking with neighbor Kelsey Johnold who is a homeowner near 41st and Alaska, which is one of the areas that will be significantly impacted by the current version of the WSLE project:
Johnold said that she wanted to take the opportunity to speak to the team, and to bring back literature and information for her neighbors who will also be impacted by the ST plans.
Also present from the ST team were Dani Schmidt and Hannah Rudin:
ST staff said the timing of Tuesday’s session was intentional, with ST’s System Expansion Committee meeting coming up Thursday (August 13), when 55 proposed property acquisitions will first be presented to ST Board. (They’re all listed here; about half are on the easternmost – SODO – stretch of the extension.) In late June, the ST Board approved a $400+ million spending installment for WS light rail (WSB coverage here).
The meeting was the first of four WSLE community events in August, with three others happening next week including an in-person event in SODO on Aug. 18th, and virtual events on the 19th and 20th. (Thanks to reader Bill for the last-minute tip on tonight’s meeting.)
Reported by reader HL:
Last night around 840 – 9 pm during a walk on 44th Ave, my boyfriend and I came upon the wooded entrance to Solstice Park at the top of the stairs on 44th Ave. We saw that someone had started a fire next to the stairs, and upon closer examination saw that something like a piece of clothing had been lit on fire. A small fire which was two feet high and one foot in diameter had begun. I called out to see if someone was tending the fire and heard no response. At that point I ran to the neighbor’s house just north of the entrance, rang the doorbell, and a nice gentlemen named Alan answered the door. I asked for a bucket of water to put out a fire and he grabbed a gallon milk jug filled with water from his garden which I took and put on the flames. He followed with another bucket of water and we ensured everything had been extinguished. Only after leaving did we realize that the Head and Shoulders shampoo bottle next to the fire may have been filled with gasoline.
Stay cautious. Stay vigilant. Stay safe. We must protect each other!!!
We asked HL if anyone had called 911; they had not, since they’d put out the fire. We’d advise calling anyway; among other reasons, sometimes this type of thing can be part of a pattern happening in an area, which you wouldn’t know but the firefighters (or even police) might.
On August 10, 1976, that 18-foot-tall totem pole was dedicated at Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th and Alaska). In honor of the 50th anniversary, members of the Rotary Club of West Seattle walked to the park today from their regular lunch-meeting location a short distance away at the WS Golf Course, and gathered for a brief commemoration.
Rotary president Stefanie Felix introduced Tom Wise, who told the park and pole’s story at today’s gathering.
Wise’s five-minute speech included the most notorious chapter in the pole’s history, when it was stolen and recovered in 2009:
Rotarians Duane Ruud and the late Ken Wise relentlessly sleuthed until the pole was found, as extensively covered here at the time. Ruud was among those at today’s celebration:
The pole was reinstalled and rededicated in August 2010, four days before Ken Wise died. In telling the story of the park and pole today, Tom Wise noted that the park “is not just a project of the past (but) a living symbol.”
The pole was carved in 1976 by Native artist Robin Young, who attended the rededication after its reinstallation in 2010. Today’s event was low-key, just part of the club’s weekly meeting, so no special guests were on hand, just a brief acknowledgment of the past and a look ahead to the future.
Here’s another early warning about utility work that might have a visible, potentially startling, side effect – Seattle Public Utilities plans another round of sewer-system inspections in Arbor Heights, using water vapor. Here’s what SPU wants you to know:
SPU will inspect the sewer system in Arbor Heights in late August- early September using water vapor. The water vapor can look like smoke, but it is a safe, non-toxic, non-staining water-based vapor. The testing helps SPU identify leaks and pipe connection issues and plan for future improvements.
Some of the streets of the testing area include SW Roxbury, 35th Ave SW, 37th Ave SW, 39th Ave SW, Marine View Drive SW, SW 100th Street, SW 106th Street. You can view the attached mailer, which residents will receive about one week before testing, for a full map of the testing area.
Homes and businesses will continue to receive normal water and sewer services and will not be impacted for more than 30 minutes. However, we are prioritizing testing before school starts around Arbor Heights Elementary and Westside School. Summit Atlas, a 6-12 school in the area, will be in session when testing begins. However, we are working with our partners to provide notice and reduce impacts.
Customers can learn more about the Water Vapor Testing process, how to prepare, and where to go with any concerns on our website.
According to our archives, SPU did some of this testing last summer too.
Last week, when SDOT announced the completion of the repaving project in the bus-layover zone on SW Barton alongside Roxhill Park, we learned that Metro wasn’t planning to return buses to their original routes until the spring “service change” next year – even though the Barton completion was announced weeks before the fall “service change” at the end of this month. We asked Metro if that was really true – that a five-month project would be done for seven months by the time it could be put to its intended use – and they said yes, as we reported last Friday. Then today, Metro spokesperson Al Sanders sent an update, saying the buses will likely return to Barton “within a matter of weeks” after all:
The final decision on when the stops will reopen is up to Bus Operations. Bus Operations has said that when they are notified by SDOT’s project team that the work is fully completed, preparations will begin on returning to those stops and ending the reroute.
There is no exact time, but it will likely be within a matter of weeks, depending on the information we receive from SDOT. While it might appear to the public the project is “done” and service can be restored, we want to ensure that our buses are not interfering with any final work that SDOT must complete in their construction zone.
Starting with last spring’s “service change,” the buses that used Barton were rerouted to Trenton because of the repaving work.
Indie-rock band The Mountain Goats filled Easy Street Records with fans last night as they performed just days after releasing their new album “Days.” It’s their 24th full-length studio album. WSB contributor Anne Higuera was there and recorded three of the songs. Above is one of the songs from the new album, “Shallow Grave”; below is their gold-record single “No Children,” which they played after band member John Darnielle told its backstory:
And this is another of The Mountain Goats’ best-known songs, “This Year.”
The band also played a variety of songs from “Days” and the unreleased fan favorite, “You Were Cool.” You can peek ahead to Easy Street’s upcoming in-store events via this page; we always feature them on the daily WSB highlight lists, too.
Before the new Alki Elementary School opens, there’s one loose end to tie up from the old school – project manager Brian Fabella says that many of the engraved bricks from the old school were salvaged and can be picked up at specific times this week and next:
Beginning this Wednesday, community members may pick up engraved brick pavers that were salvaged during the demolition of the former Alki Elementary School. Several alumni have contacted Principal Mason and me asking about the pavers. While some pavers could not be salvaged, those that were saved have been cleaned by the contractor and are available for pickup. They are located along the construction fence near the sidewalk at 59th Avenue SW and Stevens Street, near the new playground installation.
Pickup hours are:
-This week: Wednesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
-Next week: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Outside of these hours, the pavers will be secured behind locked construction fencing.
The school’s community ribboncutting celebration is a little over two weeks away, 10:30 am August 26. (Here’s our report with a look inside the new school two weeks ago.)
(Smoke-free Monday photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
Here’s our list of event notes/reminders/listings for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 5 As noted here pre-hunt, no daily clues this year unless a float remains stubbornly unfound (and there HAVE been some clues as a result) – watch for the hand-blown floats all over West Seattle. As of midmorning today, 64 floats have been released and 39 have been found, according to the official website, which shows status when floats are found (provided the finder has used the special QR code).
SUMMER FOOD DRIVE: If you can help, the food drive is continuing daily at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) – our story has the list of what is most needed.
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.
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily operations continue at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) – free, scheduled 11 am-8 pm daily.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW; WSB sponsor); today’s program celebrates the 50th anniversary of the totem pole at Rotary Viewpoint Park.
WADING POOLS OPEN: With sunshine and warm weather, West Seattle’s regular wading-pool lineup will be open – noon to 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way, upper park near the north lot) and at EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily sessions continue at the outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
CHESS CLUB: All levels! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
OTHER EVENTS AT THE CENTER: Dozens every week! Go here for the full Center for Active Living calendar.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly 2 pm meeting; here’s the agenda, which explains how to participate, in person or remotely.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases. “Wine wars” in the spotlight tonight – Northwest vs. Spain.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
TUESDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB: Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) are presenting this weekly event for stand-up paddleboarders – details here – 5:30 pm. (1660 Harbor SW)
INTERFAITH FREEDOM VIGIL: Weekly, 5:30-6:30 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza candlelight vigil open to all. (61st SW and Alki SW)
FAUNTLEROY BICYCLING SAFETY FORUM: 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), in the wake of the death of rider Maridee Bonadea, her family and community members will meet with city, county, and state officials in this forum organized by the Fauntleroy Community Association to get long-advocated safety improvements. All welcome.
STORY TIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm at Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW), weekly story time for kids, followed by a garden activity.
THE GOOD SOCIETY BOOK CLUB: 6:30 pm; this month’s title is in our calendar listing. (California/Lander)
OPEN MIC: 6:30 pm signups, 7 pm music at weekly open mic hosted by Levi Said at Tim’s (16th SW and SW 98th) in White Center.
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.
PASS THE AUX: Interactive music game at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 7 pm.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons continue at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 7 pm – lots of info in our ongoing 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 Tuesday trivia venues – 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, 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 to play, prizes. (2306 California SW).
KARAOKE AT POGGIE TAVERN: 9 pm Tuesdays, until 1:30 am, your turn to sing! (4717 California SW)
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!
With the new school year approaching, Roots of Empathy needs volunteer instructors – and volunteer families with babies. Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based, internationally recognized classroom program serving children ages 5–13. We’ve reached 1.2 million children globally with our school-based programs, and we have research to prove impact.
Roots of Empathy reduces aggression, increases sharing, caring, and inclusion, and promotes resilience, well-being, and positive mental health.
Our mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Our vision is to change the world, child by child. We do this by having trained volunteer Instructors guide elementary school students in observing and connecting with a neighborhood baby and parent, building emotional literacy, empathy, and prosocial skills in young children.
Seattle School District has been offering this program in various schools since 2007 and it is growing this next school year. We need volunteer instructors to help deliver the program curriculum in the classroom, as well as volunteer families to be our baby teachers (must be 2-4 months old in October).
We provide a fall training for instructors and mentorship through the first year of instruction. Volunteers come from many backgrounds—former teachers, school counselors, therapists, social workers, parents, grandparents, or anyone familiar and enthusiastic about working with children.
If you would like more information or are interested in participating, please contact Roots of Empathy Program Manager, Melissa Cornwell, via email at mcornwell@rootsofempathy.org
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is for sunshine and a high near 75. Sunrise was at 6:00 am today; sunset will be at 8:28 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule, but a stop closure downtown continuing today affects multiple West Seattle-bound buses – the southbound 3rd/Columbia stop, for Routes 21 56, 57, and 125, plus RapidRide C and H. Details here; the stop is expected to reopen by Thursday evening.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map (note, the cameras are having some trouble as of just after 6 am – if that persists, choose any camera from the map and try the video view):
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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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