West Seattle, Washington
08 Tuesday
Most of the time, late-night loud explosions go unexplained. Not this one, within the past hour. According to police radio, somebody blew up a portable toilet on 45th SW near SW Wildwood Place. The dispatcher suggested it might be city-owned; there’s City Light work south of there and Seattle Public Utilities work north of there. No fire or injuries reported, but officers were on the way to investigate “debris in the street.”
As noted here last night, the educators’ union Seattle Education Association had a general membership meeting tonight. The union took a strike authorization vote, and reports tonight that 91 percent voted yes. But that just means they have voted to authorize a strike if they feel it’s necessary; in the meantime, they’ll continue the talks that date back to June: “We are ready to keep working toward an agreement that gives educators the conditions we need to support every student and build the thriving schools our community deserves.” Tonight’s announcement also says that “Special Education supports, respectful pay, and easing pressurization on educators (are) the major sticking points.”
First – a coyote in Lincoln Park turned some heads today. Evan sent this photo and report:
I saw this coyote in Lincoln Park today at 11:30 am, just calmly following the bluff-side trail, a little southeast of Colman Pool. It didn’t react at all to the dog I was walking.
People might want to be careful to keep their dogs on-leash; I saw one at the east edge of Solstice Park a week before that.
Emma sent this Lincoln Park report earlier today – same area:
We saw a coyote near one of the upper trails in Lincoln Park (~1 pm), where many families and small dogs walk. We could not get a picture, since we had to pick up our dogs, and it only briefly made eye contact with us. It was not aggressive towards us, but we cannot make any presumptions about it’s behavior.
Then tonight, we got this from Joan in Gatewood:
We just saw a coyote calmly trotting down the middle of the sidewalk at 7:15 pm at Myrtle and 37th, just west of the water towers. A cat took off after it; fortunately the owner was outside and the cat was on a leash so he caught it quickly. You can see how close he was to that person and he was not rushing. I couldn’t get a good picture but good idea for everybody to keep their animals indoors.
One more sighting to share – Chris saw this one in Seola Park in south Arbor Heights last week:
As always, we want to note that we report on coyote sightings for awareness, not alarm, and suggest everyone be aware of how to coexist.
(Photo courtesy Metro)
At center above is Metro bus driver Tamieko Cook, photographed with King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Metro genneral manager Michelle Allison, as they presented Cook with the Operator of the Year award. A Metro spokesperson tells us that Cook’s favorite route to drive is the 128, which goes through much of West Seattle as well as the South King County areas where she grew up, such as Boulevard Park. Cook is a second-generation Metro operator – her mom Velda drove buses in the 1980s; Cook first worked as a driver in her early 20s in the mid-1990s. Then she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, working as an engine mechanic; after she got out, she earned degrees from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and Evergreen State College, and returned to Metro. “I like being captain of the ship,” she’s quoted as saying. Her advice for her counterparts: “Always try and lead with respect even if that respect is not mutual.” (Read the full announcement here.)
Reader report from someone trying to trace a relatively distinctive vehicle:
I wanted to see if anyone in the Gatewood/Fauntleroy area has camera footage they can share of someone who appeared to be casing our home after stealing my wallet (which contained my address) Tuesday evening.
At approximately 5:20 pm my wallet (with driver’s license and current address) was stolen from my car at Rainier Golf & Country Club by a man in a white Mercedes Benz SUV with a missing bumper and missing front left panel, tinted windows, and temporary plates. The car looks new other than those features.
The same car (with one driver, same description) was then seen around 5:50 PM at our home in Gatewood (SW Rose St between Fauntleroy and California). They stopped in our driveway, backed up and hit our yard waste bin, and seemed to be looking for our house cameras. They did not get out of the car. The man was wearing a white tank top and was described as a “bad driver.” They did not move even when our nanny entered the driveway. Once our nanny and kids were back inside, they drove away.
Two neighbors saw them, as did our nanny who was walking the dog when they took this picture. The car in question is the one blocking our driveway, parallel to the road. Our second car (also white) is blocked in by this car. We have an open report with SPD, and are looking for additional footage anyone might have of the driver or car from their own cameras between 5:15 PM and 6:45 PM Tuesday. Based on credit card activity, they drove to Denny/SLU area next, and were there by 6:52.
We pieced this together in reverse order. Nanny texted about weird car; then credit fraud; then witness report about parking lot theft at Rainier which matched the same description provided by our nanny hours earlier. At this point we called the police.
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
for West Seattle Blog
One week before the first day of classes for Seattle Public Schools, families, school staff, and district dignitaries gathered to celebrate the newly rebuilt, expanded Alki Elementary School.
The ribboncutting was of course the centerpiece of the ceremony. But it was closely rivaled by free ice cream:
This all followed speeches full of gratitude. Proud Alki Elementary principal Mason Skeffington, resplendent in a suit as blue as nearby Elliott Bay on a sunny day, emceed:
He, district superintendent Ben Shuldiner, and school board president Gina Topp were first to speak:
While praising the “world-class” and “state of the art” project, Shuldiner declared that “what happens inside” – learning and teaching – must be “world-class” too, and restated his goal that Seattle will become the nation’s top urban district.
Topp expressed excitement from a special perspective – saying her daughter will beattending Alki Elementary.
She and other speakers also took time to thank voters for approving the BEX V levy that funded the project, designed by Mahlum Architects and built by Cornerstone Contractors. Appreciation for those who built the school was also expressed by Monty Anderson of the Seattle Building and Construction Trades – he’s the second of three speakers in this video segment, following Evan Smith of Schools First and preceding Andy Sheffer from Seattle Parks and Recreation:
“How cool is it to have a school overlooking a park?” enthused Sheffer, referring to Alki Elementary’s new orientation facing north – the old school’s entrance faced west – which is toward the newly rebuilt playground as well as, beyond it, Alki Playfield and Whale Tail Park:
The playground is still getting some finishing touches:
After the ribboncutting, along with ice-cream scooping outside, attendees streamed inside for their first up-close look at the new school. We had a comprehensive look at its features, inside and out, in this July report. But we went in for a few minutes with today’s crowd:
Classrooms were closed, as educators already have moved in, but there are so many windows – interior and exterior – that everything was on view. All but the kindergarteners will start classes one week from today; the youngest students will start on September 8.
Alki Elementary spent the last three years in the former Schmitz Park Elementary, which the district tells us will be vacant this year so some work can be done.
The finalists for the Washington State Book Awards have been announced, and “Black Gold” by Bob Wyss of West Seattle is on the list! Here’s the announcement:
“Black Gold, The Rise, Reign and Fall of American Coal” today was named a finalist for the Washington State Book Award, Nonfiction/Biography category. Author Bob Wyss, a West Seattle resident, appeared at Paper Boat Booksellers before a packed audience back on October 9.
A winner will be announced September 15.
Black Gold is a narrative nonfiction book that describes the 200-year impact coal had on American culture, society and environment. While coal was a magical elixir that sparked America’s industrial revolution, its legacy and continued life threatens not only the world’s environment but life as we know it. As the summer of 2026 has clearly demonstrated with its deadly heat spells, fires and floods, understanding that heritage is crucial in coping with our changing world.
Critics have called Black Gold “simply the best environmental history every written about the coal industry and the fascinating people who ignited America’s industrial revolution” (William Kovarik). The Nation, which praised Black Gold’s arrival last year, said Wyss “provides readers an often-dramatic episodic overview of coal in American history, the great paradox between power and destruction.”
The annual Washington State Book Awards honor works of outstanding literary merit by Washington authors. An award is given based on the strength of the publication’s literary merit, lasting importance and overall quality.
The awards are a project of The Washington Center for the Book, an affiliate of The Library of Congress Center for the Book administered by Washington State Library.
Wyss is a longtime reporter and editor who has written for several publications including the New York Times and the Providence (R.I) Journal-Bulletin. He is an emeritus professor of journalism from the University of Connecticut and the author of four books. He currently writes a Substack column, news 101, about journalism and the plight of local news in America.
Black Gold was published by the University of California Press.
(Dahlia photographed on Beach Drive by Bob Burns)
Here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (which you can preview any time):
READING WITH TODDLERS: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SPRAYPARK’S OPEN: Daily-splashing season at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
SWIMMING POOL’S OPEN: Daily operations also continue at Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm. Note: A reader reports the pool’s heater is broken; we’re still awaiting Seattle Parks word on that.
WADING POOL: The last one still open in West Seattle – Lincoln Park, 12-7 pm (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, daily through Labor Day).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Play indoors this afternoon! 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW)
ELECTRONICS-RECYCLING DROPOFF: Not in WS, but the last time the organizers had one here, it was a big success, so they want you to know they’re accepting dropoffs today at Burien Library, 2:30-4:30 pm. (400 SW 152nd)
NATIONAL DOG DAY: 4-9 pm, bring your furry friend to Ounces to celebrate! (3809 Delridge Way SW)
CLIMB AT CAMP LONG: Last chance – two special climbing sessions, 5 and 6:30 pm! Our calendar listing has details. (5200 35th SW)
FREE YOGA FOR 12-STEP RECOVERY: Wednesdays this summer, 5-6:30 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio and Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), no registration but MUST arrive no later than 4:55 pm.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: The free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm workshop is happening at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), and the library is open for borrowing.
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Talk about Seattle’s growth – current and future – at the weekly 6 pm meetup – again this week at The Good Society (2701 California SW).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces.
INFO SESSIONS FOR FREE TRAINING PROGRAMS: Also: Get ready for future runs and walks with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor)’s free training programs – two (WALK Fit and GOT Fit) have info sessions tonight, 6:30 and 7 pm, as previewed here.
OPEN MIC AT MR. B’S: Monthly open mic for musicians, singers, poets, or … Hosted by Mr. B himself at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), 6:30 pm signups, 7 pm performances.
PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS: A local group of Spanish-language learners gathers 6:30-8:30 pm at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) to practice – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30-8:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MAD CRAFTY: Bring your craft project to Revelry Room (4547 California SW) for a crafty night, 7-9 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Play music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues – Seaside Grill (2820 Alki SW) at 7 pm … Admiral Pub also has trivia at 7 pm (2306 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … It’s Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia starts at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PEARL JAM ANNIVERSARY LISTENING PARTY: 7 pm listening party at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) to mark the 35th anniversary of “Ten.” Free, all ages.
SALSA DANCING: 8 pm lessons with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
SWING IT WEDNESDAY! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale, South Park).
KARAOKE X 2: In the south end, Megastar Karaoke with KDJ Mythikal at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm … In the north end, sing at Admiral Pub also starting at 9, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
DANCE WITH BALORICO: Lessons at 8 pm and at 9 pm at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
Planning an event, class, workshop, etc., that’s open to community participation/observation/visitation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Even in the age of AI, being able to do your own writing is priceless.So work on it! This time around, “Write YOUR Story” has workshop series for both kids and adults – here’s the announcement:
Write YOUR Story is back and enrollment is open now for the popular children’s workshop and a new adult version!’]
jdouthwa.wixsite.com/writeyourstory1
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: Sundays, 4-5 pm, in the activity room of the Curious Kidstuff toy store in the West Seattle Junction. Twelve sessions, from 9/27/26 to 12/13/26. Free for participating children, ages 7 to 12. Theme: “Fears, Real and Imaginary.” To enroll, email the teacher at: juliawsea@gmail.com.
ADULTS’ WORKSHOP: Thursdays, 5-6 pm, at South Seattle College, from 10/1/26 to 12/3/26. Nine sessions. Priced as low as possible: $89. Theme: “Search and Find”. To enroll: southseattle.edu/continuing-education/classes
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is for increasing sunshine, high in the upper 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:20 am today; sunset will be at 8:01 pm.
(Monday sunset image by Dan Ciske)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.
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:
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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