West Seattle, Washington
24 Tuesday
(WSB photo, March 2025 rally outside WWV Post Office)
Just got word of a rally outside Westwood Village Post Office on Sunday morning. The National Association of Letter Carriers is starting contract talks and planning rallies outside dozens of post offices Sunday. Our tipster explains, “Our union is beginning negotiations for our next contract with USPS. Our branch for the Seattle area is having our rally at the Westwood post office and would love to see folks out supporting our local mail carriers!” (Here’s what the union says it’s “fighting for.”) The rally will be one of seven in our state and is set for 11 am. It’s been eleven months since a rally outside the same post office, attended by more than 100 people, in opposition to feared privatization of the Postal Service.
Lots of reopenings in our news stream lately. Thanks to the reader who texted us that photo today, with a banner showing March 1 as the reopening date for I Luv Teriyaki just across the 1st Avenue S. Bridge from West Seattle. Lots of interest in this restaurant, closed since an afterhours fire – ruled accidental – gutted it three years ago. We went by just a few days ago and the only new banner was one for job openings, so this is new since then. Restaurant co-owner Eva Lo told WSB in late January that they planned to open in about a month; March 1 fits that timeframe (and that’s two days before the third anniversary of the fire).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The first enthusiastic users of Hiawatha Community Center this morning, once the ribbon was cut and the doors were open, were the youngest ones.
Hiawatha’s downstairs gym quickly filled with toddlers and preschoolers zooming around.
(WSB photos from here by Dave Gershgorn)
Among them, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson‘s daughter Josie, who accompanied her mom for a brief speech pre-ribboncutting, in which Wilson declared community centers to be far more than “just amenities”:
She also hailed the conversion of Hiawatha to all-electric: “Our oldest community center is leading the way on our energy future.” As you also saw in that clip, the mayor was followed by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, who (accompanied by daughter Maeve) noted the “who’s who of West Seattle” present for the reopening, and acknowledged the community advocates who pushed the city steadily to make sure the work to strengthen and renovate the 115-year-old center got done.
(Wilson and Saka with former Mayor Greg Nickels, longtime Hiawatha advocate Sharon Nickels, and Maeve Saka)
The center closed in 2020 for the pandemic and then stayed closed because the work seemed imminent, but – as we chronicled here many times – was not. A variety of delays dragged the closure out to almost six years; the eventual price tag, more than $7 million. In her speech today, interim Seattle Parks superintendent Michele Finnegan apologized:
But then, as DJ George Yasutake spun party music like Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration,” it was time to hand ribboncutting scissors to both dignitaries and young community members:
Here’s our clip of the snip:
The party inside included a spread catered by West Seattle’s own Husky Deli:
Parks and Rec swag, too:
If you didn’t get to the celebration, here’s the plan for Hiawatha in the weeks ahead:
Through March 6, there’s drop-in programming –
*Tot Gym 10 am to noon Mondays and Wednesdays
*Fitness Room 10 am-2 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (18 and over)
*Open Gym 2 pm-6 pm Tuesdays and Thursday, 10 am-2 pm Fridays (18 and over)
After that and continuing into June, programming expands to add badminton, pickleball, and basketball (adults except for basketball, which also will be offered for youth) – see the schedule on the center webpage.
(WSB photo, last year’s recycling event)
Reminder, with one month to go – on the first full day of spring, you’ll get a chance to jump-start spring cleaning and de-cluttering with the first big recycling event of the season. New location this time for the 9 am-noon Saturday, March 21, event – the south lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) instead of the north lot. We’re still awaiting the official list of what will be accepted at this free event coordinated by the West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, but typically it’s a variety of recyclables/reusables, and shredding.
(The Brothers, photographed Friday morning by James Bratsanos)
Happy Saturday! The highlights are as usual mostly from the West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you can join the Saturday 8 am free group run.
FREE MEDITATION: Get a quiet start to the weekend with Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile before the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fontanelle.
HIAWATHA CC GRAND REOPENING: 10 am-noon celebration of Hiawatha Community Center‘s reopening after six years! Ribbon-cutting, kid activities, tours, free beverages, music, more. (2700 California SW)
SSC GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, open today! North end of campus at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor)
KNIFE-SHARPENING POP-UP: Kneighborhood Knives is back at Hotwire Coffeehouse (4410 California SW), 10 am-5 pm.
PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Visit the Community School of West Seattle (9450 22nd SW) 10 am-noon.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am free, weekly, in-person, critique-free group – details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), geared toward families with kids up to 5 years old.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, noon-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).
NEW YEAR AT VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center celebrates Vietnamese New Year, noon-2 pm, with a lion dance, flag-raising, martial arts, food, more. Free. (2236 SW Orchard)
MENDING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: White Center Solidarity is organizing this community mending/repairing event, noon-3 pm, no cover. (9444 Delridge Way SW)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
YOGA & NUTRITION WORKSHOP: 1-3 pm at Lagom Studios (4509 SW Wildwood Place) in Fauntleroy – our calendar listing has full details.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
GARDEN PLANNING: 1:30-3 pm, preregister for this workshop at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
CYBER UNICORN STORY HOUR: 5:30-8 pm open-mic series at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffeehouse (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Roo Forrest and Friends perform. Free, all ages.
ASTRA LUMINA: Held over into late winter, the celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, first admission 6:15 pm. Tickets and info here; extended through February.
LISTENING PARTY: 7 pm, be at Easy Street Records to be among the first to hear Mitski‘s new music. (4559 California SW)
HOTTIES OF COMEDY: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW): “Featuring six incredible comedians from the Pacific Northwest, this night is all about big laughs, bold perspectives, and redefining what it really means to be ‘hot’.”
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG: Online tickets are sold out for ArtsWest‘s 7:30 pm performance, but you can check at the box office to see if anything opened up. (4711 California SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm show with Shell the Ghost, Far Far Far, Midnight Snack, $12 at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm, Deejay Hershe. (4547 California SW)
SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk & hip-hop, $18 plus $5 skate rental.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Have a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome to a listing on our calendar, free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The former church at 2656 42nd SW filled with spirit again Thursday night as gospel songs outnumbered speeches at the Washington State Black Legacy Institute‘s first-anniversary celebration. WSBLI president Kateesha Atterberry introduced singer Dee Scott to open the program with “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem:
Lifting the voices of the Black community, past, present, and future, is at the heart of the WSBLI’s mission, Atterberry explained:
The institute’s work for the “preservation, empowerment, and future of the Black legacy,” as Atterberry described it, was lauded by the guest speaker who preceded Atterberry, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, calling WSBLI “a unique community gem”:
The music, too, came with a history lesson. Before the Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir‘s first song, its director Kent Stevenson talked about how a cornerstone of gospel music came from a communication invention by enslaved people when their “overseers” tried to keep them from communicating – the spiritual:
The choir is less than a year old. A much deeper history in local gospel music belongs to Dr. Rose Wallace-Croone, who interspersed her first songs with historical reminiscences about how her family came to this state in the ’40s, drawn by the prospect for good jobs:
More celebration of Black achievement came in a preview of upcoming Impact Awards – Alvertis Brooks, Jr., of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, talked about recipients WSBLI and Percy The Barber from nearby Rain City Barbershop:
Brooks noted that the RVCDF will be active in helping West Seattle businesses not just survive, but thrive, with light rail (they’re hosting weekly drop-in sessions at WSBLI). Thriving through adversity was in the spirit of the choir’s performance of “The Storm Is Passing Over”:
And the program closed with both the choir and soloist Wallace-Croone:
While he wasn’t in the speaking lineup, WSBLI’s continuously on-site leader Roger Evans was praised by Atterberry, who also had a major announcement: For those who’ve tried to find out more online about WSBLI, it’s been a challenge until now, but that’s changed, because they’ve launched a website at wsbli.com. That’s where you can learn more about what WSBLI is doing and how to support it.
(Reader-contributed file photo)
Since Wednesday night, we’ve been reporting on WSDOT‘s closure of two northbound lanes on the 1st Avenue South Bridge after inspectors found problems that need to be repaired. Thursday’s followup included a WSDOT promise of an update March 6. The question: Why not until then, and would the lanes remain closed until then? Here’s how spokesperson RB McKeon responded:
Our bridge engineers and inspectors need some time to analyze what they found in the field, develop recommendations, scope, timeline, source materials, etc… We believe that two weeks is a reasonable timeframe for us to be able to do that work and then come back to the public with additional information. To be clear, March 6 is the date we have indicated that we will come back to the public to share updates. We have not indicated that the lanes will reopen on March 6. As noted in yesterday’s updates, it is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline, but crews are actively working to determine next steps and will share updates by March 6. The lane closures are in place until bridge inspectors have determined the lanes are safe to reopen.
The bridge is two separate structures; the northbound side was built in 1956, 40 years before the southbound side. It served as a major detour route to get across the Duwamish River while the West Seattle Bridge was closed for two and a half years 2020-2022.
Even the signage on California SW got a refresh before Hiawatha Community Center‘s grand reopening tomorrow. The Seattle Parks “rainbow sign” might look similar to its predecessor, but the lettering style is different these days. One sign that’s not getting a refresh or replacement is this marquee-style sign that had stood on a pole nearby; a commenter noticed its absence and pulled this image from Google Maps Street View (showing the old rainbow sign, too):
We asked Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor about it; she replied, “The green sign near California was removed as it was in disrepair.” In addition to the rainbow-sign replacement, she said, Parks crews planned to “prun(e) the bushes back to improve visibility of that sign before the opening.” All are welcome at tomorrow’s celebration, starting at 10 am. The center is just north of West Seattle High School, at 2700 California SW, and has been closed since 2020.
A package thief has been seen on multiple security cameras, according to the reader who sent these images:
I saw a post on the Ring app about a package thief. I saw and reported this same woman yesterday. 4300 block of California.
The police report filed by the reader is # 26-048420.
It took a bit longer than first promised, but a taco truck is now open at the ex-Walgreens in South Delridge. We first reported two and a half weeks ago that the site’s new owner was planning to bring in food trucks, starting with El Gran Taco, likely within days. We’ve been going by almost daily to see whether the truck had arrived yet, and just now spotted it for the first time. In a brief conversation, they told us it’s their second day there, and they plan to be open Mondays through Saturdays, 11 am to 8 pm. (El Gran Taco also has a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in White Center, 10230 16th SW.) A spokesperson for the 15th/16th/Roxbury site’s new owner James Tjoa told us their focus is on finding at least one new tenant for the site, as the building is relatively new and demolishing it for redevelopment wouldn’t likely make sense for another 10 years or so, but in the meantime, they’re hoping food trucks will help “activate” the site.
(May 2024 photo by Allyne Armitage)
Thanks for the tip! The Cascade Bicycle Club is bringing back the Emerald City Ride, and it again will briefly close the westbound West Seattle Bridge to motor-vehicle traffic. The ride is set for Saturday morning, April 25, with registration opening this Tuesday (February 24). Aside from the ride day being Saturday this time (it was Sunday last time), the plan is pretty much the same as two years ago (WSB coverage here), starting in the stadium zone, riding onto southbound 99 and onto the westbound bridge, then continuing on a route around West Seattle, then back downtown via the bike/foot path on the West Seattle low bridge. The route map and other details are here. Cascade spokesperson Paul Tolmé tells WSB that the bridge/highway closure is planned for 6 to 10 am (our as-it-happened coverage noted that it reopened earlier than planned last time), and again will only involve the westbound bridge/southbound 99, while the other directions stay open to regular traffic. Cascade says they’re hoping for 4,000 riders, which would be a third more than the 2024 turnout. Before that year, as recapped here, previous Emerald City Rides in the 2010s had routes including the 520 Bridge, Aurora Bridge, and even the old Alaskan Way Viaduct
As we’ve reported, zoning changes are leading to neighborhood changes, primarily more housing, as “single-family” zoning no longer exists. The city has incorporated zoning changes as required by the state, and more are on the way, with the recent introduction of what the city calls the the Centers and Corridors legislation. Whether or not you’re a current or aspiring property owner, you might be wondering how all this could affect where you live or where you’re hoping to live. At 6 pm Tuesday (February 24), West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) in Amiral hosts a presentation and Q&A with longtime West Seattle architect Matt Hutchins, and all are welcome to come listen and/or ask questions. In addition to his work, Hutchins has also long been involved with community and civic projects, from Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza to the city-convened Design Review Board; he partnered with WS Realty in 2024 for a presentation on “middle housing,” which part of the newest zoning changes enables. It’s a free event; RSVP is requested at info@westseattlerealty.com – then on Tuesday night, go to the WSR offices and event space at 2715 California SW.
here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BOYS’ SWIM AND DIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS: State championships start today in Federal Way, and we’ve had reports on the local student-athletes who’ve qualified. Preparation doesn’t only happen in the pool! Last night a Chief Sealth International =High School team supporter sent us the pic of CSIHS athletes carb-loading in preparation. Good luck to all the local competitors! Ongoing results are linked here.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER Spring gets ever closer; every dry day is another chance to get ready. The center is open today, 10 am-3 pm at north end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW).
STAY ‘N’ PLAY CANCELED: Free indoor playtime for little ones and their caregivers is canceled this week because of school break.
FREE TAX HELP: Drop in at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) 11 am-4 pm and get help with your taxes!
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about and enjoy local history – open noon-4 pm today.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: Winter session continues at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 12:30 pm-2 pm Fridays, no registration required.
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy by the bottle.
RAINBOW BINGO: Center for Active Living reports tonight’s session is sold out.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 6-8 pm, singer-songwriter J.R. Rhodes at C & P Coffee. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
ASTRA LUMINA: Two more weekends for the celestially inspired lights-and-sound show at Seattle Chinese Garden on the north end of the South Seattle College campus (6000 16th SW); first admission at 6:15 pm, get tickets here.
KENYON HALL OPEN MIC: Signups at 6, performances at 6:30 pm, all-ages open mic is back at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).
CLASSIC BINGO: 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW): “It’s free to play with some fun prizes. With Richard the sassiest host in Seattle.”
‘TOPDOG/UNDERDOG’: Third weekend for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm curtain, online tickets are sold out so check the box office.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Swinson and the Expedition, Lookout Mountain Lookout, doors at 7, show at 7:30. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), with DJ Peg, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to DJ Hershe on the floor, 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!
Expanded service means an expanded need for volunteer help at Margie’s, the Center for Active Living café open to the community. Here’s the request we were asked to share with you:
Beginning in March, The Center for Active Living will offer extended programming each Wednesday afternoon, and The Center’s onsite cafe, Margie’s, will also be open between the hours of 3:00-5:30 PM. The cafe will offer wine and beer, light snacks, and baked goods for purchase.
To operate the cafe during these hours, The Center is looking for volunteers to cover the Wednesday shifts and is looking for individuals with a Washington state permit to serve alcohol (called a MAST permit) and/or a King County Food Worker permit. Both permits can be obtained via online learning, and any individual who takes these courses to become a volunteer at Margie’s can be reimbursed for each course.
The cafe is a vibrant place where people can gather to connect, share a meal or snacks, and is a great way to connect with West Seattle’s wonderful senior community.
For more information, please contact Danny Perez, Volunteer Coordinator, at dannyp@wscenter.org, or complete a volunteer application at the following link: https://sc-ws.my.salesforce-sites.com/VolunteerApplication/VOL_Application
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, February 20, 2026, with schools’ mid-winter break ending after today.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Finally saw some light snow Thursday morning! It isn’t back in the forecast until tonight – mostly cloudy until then. High in the low 40s. Sunrise at 7:06 am; sunset at 5:40 pm.
(Thursday morning photo by James Bratsanos)
LANE-CLOSURE ALERTS
*Lane closures continue on the NB 1st Avenue South Bridge – plus a speed-limit reduction.
*Survey crews on West Marginal and just to the northwest are scheduled to close lanes again tonight, as explained here.
*When work continues on the protected Admiral Way hill bike lane, look for closures of the outside driving lane.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for any changes to the 3-boat schedule.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes.
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 (see the update above):
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 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!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The colorful canopies in the background of our Roxhill Park photo were the only hint from a distance that something “huge” was being celebrated this morning – the successful experiment to restore part of the park’s peat bog, one of the few remaining in the region, at a site that historically fed into Longfellow Creek, and the Duwamish River beyond.
As we showed you after our preview visit to the bog earlier this week, the experiment, more than a decade in the making, is returning a dried-out bog “cell” to the wetland it is meant to be. Under the bark chips, a 300-foot-long vinyl barrier was installed late last year to keep water where it should remain, likened at one long-ago meeting to “fixing a bathtub.” The main architect of the pilot solution, Steve Winter of Natural Systems Design, was among the people who spoke as light snow fell – last one in our 28-minute video, after Duwamish Alive Coalition‘s Sharon Leishman, deputy Parks superintendent Daisy Catague, DNDA‘s interim executive director Shannon Woodard, and Neina Chapa from American Rivers:
Winter explained that the root of the problem was what was done during rapid development in the ’50s and ’60s, as with so many cities – water was something “to be moved through our systems really quickly. What we’re doing here … is really reversing that acceleration.” So they studied the groundwater and figured out how to “get in front” of it – so the barrier went eight feet under Cell 4, “so [the water] you see is about four feet higher than it was for many, many decades,” and now it’s rehydrating the peat. As for the future, he said, “there’s three other cells where we could do this, and that’s where the power of this project is,” including synergy with a Seattle Public Utilities project that could bring stormwater back to the bog too, meaning this is bringing the bog “one step closer to restoring the headwater of Longfellow Creek.”
This morning’s celebration event, which Winter and Chapa jokingly dubbed a “peat party,” wasn’t just speeches – it also offered hands-on projects, such as a mini-stormwater filter you could build with Mikaela Ebbeson, DNDA environmental-education coordinator:
At the Seattle Parks table, environmental education program specialist Nicole Parish-Andrews was offering bracelet-making and wildlife displays (that’s a beaver skull at top left):
Emceeing the event, Leishman repeatedly hailed the power of community in making this day possible – and reiterated that it’ll be vital in figuring out how to go forward and build on this first successful test. Meantime, you can see the restored area for yourself by walking just a short distance east from the park’s play area and looking south of the trail, beyond the chips. You can also watch the DNDA calendar for Roxhill restoration volunteer events – hundreds of plantings are busy taking root already.
(Photos courtesy West Seattle Nursery)
That’s the newest thing flowering for West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) – their Grand Prize trophy from the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival! You might recall their call – and community members’ response – for books to include. Here’s what they became:
Here’s how WSN announced the win:
Many long days went into building this display, and we are so proud of what our crew created. Thank you to every person who worked tirelessly to bring our garden library shed concept to life.
The care poured into every small (and not so small) detail is what makes this woodland escape feel so effortlessly homey.
“Where Stories Take Root” was designed as a cozy reading retreat nestled among ferns, shade-loving shrubs, and trees, a space where structure and landscape blur together. A deck extends over a gently moving pond, wooden bowls drift and softly knock against one another, and a sunken seating circle invites you to slow down and stay a while. Look up and you’ll find a chandelier crafted from books. Look closer and you’ll see pages fanned into floral forms. Every detail has a story.
Also:
People often ask where those big Madrone branches on the corners came from. One of our employees has Madrones in his yard and these were broken off during a wind storm.
You can see how many of those donated books were used. Again, thank you to the community for stepping up and helping.
You can see the display firsthand at the Flower and Garden Festival – at the Convention Center downtown – through Sunday (February 22).
When SPD announced back in December that one of Police Chief Shon Barnes‘s “Our City, Our Safety” regional meetings would be held in West Seattle on March 11, the location was announced as the Alki Bathhouse. In a reminder announcement sent around today, that has changed:
You are invited to influence the Seattle Police Department’s safety approach for your neighborhood during our third “Our City, Our Safety” conversation of 2026!
On March 11, 2026, please join Seattle Chief of Police Shon Barnes and leaders from SPD’s Southwest Precinct to have a frank conversation about safety. Please join us! Mark your calendar for 6:00-7:30 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle St,) on March 11, 2026!
At Our City, Our Safety, you’ll be able voice your hopes and concerns about public safety in your neighborhood to help co-develop ways that we can do better – from upcoming community engagement programs to approaches to crime prevention.
The previous announcement has more details about how the meeting is supposed to work.
Stefanie reports finding stolen mail, some opened and some not, dumped in her trash bin – just before it was scheduled for pickup today. At least some of it was from the north side of High Point, not far from her neighborhood. So if you’re in that area, be aware a mail thief has been busy.
3:20 PM: No word yet on whatever inspectors found that led to the closure of two lanes across the 1st Avenue South Bridge overnight, as reported here. We asked WSDOT for details; a spokesperson told us, “Our bridge engineers are on site today doing further assessments, after which we should be able to provide an update.” They also have opened the HOV lane to all traffic, in hopes that will reduce the potential for backups, though at “reduced speeds of 25 MPH over the bridge.” The bridge is a state-owned structure that was put to use as the major bridge across the Duwamish River during the two and a half years the West Seattle Bridge was out of service 2020-2022. It’s actually two bridges of different ages – the northbound side is older, built 70 years ago (lots of background in this story we published in 2020).
4:35 PM: More info just in from WSDOT. What the inspectors initially found, they tell WSB, was “concerns with the steel grid bridge deck. … Bridge engineers are on site conducting a more detailed assessment. It is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline, but crews are actively working to determine next steps and will share updates by March 6th.” The update we received in response to followup questions also says:
Like many structures across the system, it requires ongoing maintenance and targeted repairs to remain in service. The last significant repairs to this bridge occurred in 2020, when 14 deck panels were replaced. This lane reduction closure highlights the critical need for investment in preservation of our transportation system. Governor Ferguson proposed a $2.1 billion investment in preservation including $1.1 billion for bridges.
As for what this means if you use the bridge, WSDOT reiterates:
To protect public safety, two right lanes are closed and speed in the open lanes has been reduced to 25 mph. The HOV lane is open to all traffic until further notice to help maintain capacity. The bridge remains open and operational, including for maritime traffic, and vessel openings will continue as needed.
People traveling through the area should expect significant and ongoing delays, especially northbound into Seattle. These impacts come on top of existing lane reductions on I-5, which continue to affect regional travel.
6:31 PM: WSDOT has now issued a news release with more details on what we reported above, and a bit more background on the bridge’s most-recent challenges.
Starting Monday (February 23), you’ll be able to use more than just an ORCA card on most regional transit services if you want to “tap to pay.” Here’s the announcement we received today:
On February 23, ORCA is launching a new Tap to Pay feature allowing riders to use credit and debit cards, and digital wallets, to pay for transit across the Puget Sound region.
Riders can simply tap their contactless Visa, Mastercard, Discover® Network, or American Express credit or debit cards, or cards in digital wallets, using Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, or Samsung Pay™ to ride. This new feature expands access to public transportation and supports seamless travel experiences for both daily riders and visitors alike.
This new feature also comes as Seattle and the Puget Sound region prepare to host several large events in 2026. With many international visitors expected to travel across the region, Tap to Pay simplifies transit and aligns with global expectations for convenient payment options. …
How the new Tap to Pay feature works:
Riders can pay for transit with most contactless-enabled credit or debit cards with a contactless symbol, or with digital credit or debit cards via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, by tapping their cards or smart devices on ORCA card readers.
ORCA cards will still be issued and accepted across the region on buses, trains, and ferries. ORCA cards continue to provide the most cost-effective, convenient benefits for many riders across the region, especially those enrolled in free or reduced fare programs such as ORCA LIFT, Senior RRFP, Disabled RRFP, Youth, and those with employer or organization sponsored ORCA cards.
Contactless payments through ORCA are not accepted on:
Seattle Monorail
Washington State Ferries
King County Metro DART, Community Vans, Metro Flex
Community Transit DART, Zip Shuttle
Pierce Transit SHUTTLE, Pierce Transit Runner
Everett Transit ParatransitSome of these services may offer other ways to pay using contactless payments outside of the ORCA system. Tap to Pay will soon be available on Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries, Foot Ferries, and King County Water Taxi.
Riders paying with contactless credit or debit cards are charged an adult fare and will still receive the ORCA 2-hour transfer window benefit, allowing for seamless transfers across Puget Sound, as they do today.
Riders cannot receive discounts (Senior, Youth, ORCA LIFT, Disabled) or passes. Riders with ORCA cards that receive discounts are encouraged to keep tapping their existing ORCA cards.
Customers will not be able to pay for multiple riders or groups using one card or device. Every rider will need their own payment method.
Cards need to be tapped directly on the ORCA card readers. Riders should remove physical cards from their wallets before tapping to avoid unwanted charges on other cards or tap failures.
If you have both an ORCA card and a credit or debit card in Google Wallet™, the card reader should default to charging your digital ORCA card when tapped. If you wish to use a digital credit or debit card, select that form of payment on your smart device before tapping.
For Apple Pay users with Express Mode enabled, riders can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a card reader to ride transit across the Puget Sound Region — without having to unlock or wake up their device. And with power reserve, if their iPhone needs to be charged, they can still use it to ride transit.
Riders who tap with a contactless payment method may be subject to fare inspection on some services. Fare inspectors will not scan credit or debit cards; however, they will ask Tap to Pay riders to share the last 4 digits of their card number to confirm fare was paid. This allows fare inspectors to input the last 4 digits of the card used to confirm that the fare transaction occurred. More information on how fare inspection will work can be found here: https://info.myorca.com/contactless/#fareinspection
ORCA cards remain the best option for many, but this enhancement to the ORCA Product suite makes riding transit easier than ever for all types of riders.
Learn more at info.myORCA.com/contactless
11:59 AM: Thanks to Gregg for the report – the Admiral Way protected-bike-lane upgrade work on the hill north of the West Seattle Bridge is under way today. Less than a week ago, we reported SDOT‘s confirmation of what’s being done here:
The existing bike lanes on Admiral Way between Spokane and Lander will be upgraded with concrete pre-cast curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.
We are not proposing to change the current lane or curb space configurations. The upgrade is intended to improve safety for people biking uphill and reduce instances of vehicles parking in the bike lane.
We’ll check in on the progress later this afternoon.
2:59 PM: WSB’s Macey Wurm went to the work zone for photographs, and reports that the crew wasn’t expected to finish the work today (above, see the pre-cast curbs that are being installed) but is likely to finish up this weekend. In the meantime, while they’re there, be aware of temporary lane reduction in the work zone.
(Olympics early this morning, photographed by Mark Erskine)
Here’s what’s on our list for the hours ahead, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks again to everyone who sends events for us to list!):
FREE PLAYSPACE, CANCELED: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is NOT hosting playspace today, because of school break.
GATHERING AT THE VOID: Escape your home office for a few hours! “Work, Game, Craft, or Chat! At The Void” hangout at The Void, 10 am-noon Thursdays. (5048 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY RUN/WALK: New free, fun gathering, 10 am, starting from Lincoln Park parking lot #2. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Whether you’re planting or planning – the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm – north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
ROXHILL BOG CELEBRATION: Learn about and tour the pilot project aimed at saving the wetland and Roxhill Park, 10:30 am-noon, with art projects and more fun for all. (29th/Barton, look for the canopies) More info in our calendar listing!
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME IN ADMIRAL: West Seattle Library story time (2306 42nd SW), 10:30 am.
(added) SCONES AT THE STORE: Metropolitan Market at 41st/Admiral is hosting the Fisher Scone Wagon again today, 11 am-4:30 pm.(Thanks to Margaret for the tip!)
NEW YEAR’S AT VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Special open hours, noon-2 pm, again today. (2236 SW Orchard)
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, all levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!)
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is on today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events at HPCS – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Asian Crazy .
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle!
LONG DISTANCE ADVOCACY: Write postcards with Postcards 4 Democracy at Great American Diner (4752 California SW), monthly “happy hour” event, 5-7 pm.
(added) LOCAL BIZ BINGO AT WELCOME ROAD WINERY: 6 pm:
Featuring prizes from: RowdyBox, Artist & Muse Salon, Public Shop, the West Seattle Junction Association, and fabulous Kraken gear courtesy of a West Seattle neighbor!
BINGO NIGHT TONIGHT
Thursday, 2/19
Starting at 6 pm
Book a table to guarantee your seat! Bingo is a midweek treat!Join us for a night of fun, good company and delightful prizes from West Seattle businesses and light snacks while you sip $5 glasses of your favorite pour!
(3804 California SW)
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, starting from Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run!
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: If you’d rather walk, meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fontanelle for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
WSBLI FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Help the Washington State Black Legacy Institute celebrate its first anniversary in its Admiral District home, 6:30 pm – our calendar listing has details and the registration link, (2656 42nd SW)
ADMIRAL PUB TRIVIA: 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
CONSCIOUS CONNECTIONS: Fight the loneliness epidemic with this monthly gathering, 7:15 pm at Revitalize Spa – our calendar listing has registration information. (8142 15th SW)
‘TOPDOG/UNDERDOG’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, third week for this ArtsWest production, “Topdog/Underdog.” Online tickets are sold out for the rest of the run, but check with the theater box office! (4711 California SW)
TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE VOID: Newest West Seattle trivia night! 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Spinning happens tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Marvelette, starting at 8 pm. 21+.
DJ NIGHT AT EASY STREET: Also at 8 pm, DJ Depeche Mike spins iconic vinyl from 1986 at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW). All ages.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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