West Seattle, Washington
14 Tuesday
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.
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
After eight weeks of planning and construction, 9th graders from Maritime High School are bringing their floating-wetlands pilot project to a close in West Seattle waters, another step toward saving salon.
The school’s entire freshman class – 23 students – worked together learning how to use hand tools, power drills, and a newfound understanding of a human-made floating wetland’s restorative role in the Duwamish River’s ecosystem.
The project was a partnership with the River Access Paddle Program and the Port of Seattle, funded by the Rose Foundation. Saturday morning at Herrings House Park on the river, community members were invited to be involved with the construction of the last two floating wetlands, with the first two entirely built and planted by the students two weeks ago.
Floating wetlands are being used to provide habitat for juvenile salmon. The lower part of the Duwamish River is highly industrialized and the banks are mostly “armored,” which means rock without a place for juvenile salmon to feed, as explained by Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive Coalition. These juveniles need their bodies to adapt to go from freshwater to saltwater, and the wetlands help create a space for these necessary changes.
Leishman was also involved in a floating-wetlands project with the University of Washington in 2019 in Lake Union. This project differs in that these use air-infused recycled glass instead of plastic for buoyancy. This change was made in an effort to eliminate the harms of microplastics.
This was the first floating wetlands project taken on by Maritime High School, and its continuance in the future will depend on whether or not the program can secure a location for more wetlands to go. In this case, George Blumberg with the port helped the school to find the location – a dock space on Harbor Island that the port can’t rent out by the port because it’s too small for boats.
Regardless, the school will continue with projects that incorporate similar learning outcomes. “The thing that really works for us and that we want to replicate is: How do we combine some of that construction skills training that we want to do with restoration?” mused Tyson Trudel, who works at Northwest Maritime, which brings the “intensely maritime parts” of the curriculum to the school.
Coinciding with the community assistance in building the second two floating wetlands was the semiannual kayak cleanup organized by the Duwamish Alive Coalition. In the spring, this garbage cleanup project is hosted with salmon retention in mind. The first group of kayakers went out at 10:30 Saturday morning, with the second deploying around 12:30.
Both projects are centered around taking care of the Duwamish River and its surrounding land. “This area right here has such huge environmental, social, and historical significance because Seattle would not be the place it is today without the industry that started in this valley,” Leishman said.
You have a chance to help next Saturday in the spring edition of the mega-work party Duwamish Alive! Partner organizations include Dirt Corps and the Green Seattle Partnership. Dirt Corps, an organization specializing in developing skills for green jobs, will be at həʔapus park, and Green Seattle will be at Herring’s House. The Duwamish Alive Coalition also plans to present awards to four dedicated volunteers in the opening event at Herring’s House park. To volunteer Saturday at a Duwamish Alive! site, go here.
Now more than halfway through registration time for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2026 – if you haven’t registered your sale yet, you have nine more days, until late the night of Wednesday, April 22 – then we start making the map and list for the big day, always the second Saturday in May, and this year that’s May 9. Almost 350 sales signed up so far – venues so far include yard sales, patio sales, planting-strip sales, driveway sales, sidewalk sales, courtyard sales, business sales, school sales, block sales, corner sales, church sales, table sales, and of course, garage sales! The types of sales span a wide range too – moving sales, downsizing sales, kid-outgrew-everything sales, kid-going-to-college sales, de-cluttering sales, plant sales, remodeling-leftover sales, memorabilia sales … It’s a day of person-to-person recycling and meeting neighbors … watch for the map and list to be announced here one week before sale day! Need to sign up your sale? Go here (and be equipped with your up-to-20-words description of why yours is a sale not to be missed!).
(WSB photo, Saturday night)
As we first reported last month, some of Seattle Parks‘ “summer” hours this year are starting on May 1 – and this past weekend, we photographed illuminated signage announcing that along Alki, while noting the city had yet to make a full detailed announcement. Today, it’s finally out, including info on beach-fire season, which will start the Friday before Memorial Day:
With the summer season approaching, Seattle Parks and Recreation is reminding visitors of summer park hours, boat ramp access, and beach fire rules at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens.
Below are key details to help you plan ahead, including summer hours and beach fire season dates.
Summer Hours at Parks and Boat Ramps
This summer, starting Friday, May 1, 2026, the permanent summer hours will be in effect at select parks and boat ramps across Seattle:Alki Beach and Golden Gardens:
Summer Hours (May 1, 2026 — September 30, 2026): 4 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Non-Summer Hours (September 30, 2026 — April 30, 2027): 4 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.Don Armeni and Eddie Vine Boat Ramps:
Summer Hours (May 1, 2026 — September 30, 2026): 4 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Non-Summer Hours (September 30, 2026 — April 30, 2027): Open 24 hoursThese seasonal hours help support safe, enjoyable use during peak visitation while aligning with staffing and safety resources.
Beach Fire and Park Rules
Starting Friday, May 22, 2026, beach fires will be permitted at designated fire pits at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens seven days a week on a first come, first served basis. Bringing your own fire pit is not allowed, and no propane fire pits/rings are allowed.-Fires must be extinguished by 10 p.m.
-Fires allowed 7 days a week starting Friday, May 22 through Tuesday, September 1.
-Staff will be on-site to manage and assist with putting out fires at 10 p.m.
-Parking lot gates will be locked and the park will close at 10:30 p.m. for summer hours.
-Please only burn clean (natural, bare, dry cord-wood) wood and douse your fire completely before leaving.
-Light a fire ONLY in one of the installed fire containers
-Use only clean, dry firewood
-Please douse your fire with water, not sand
-Fires are not allowed during air pollution alerts; we will post sign
-Please don’t remove any materials from the park, beach or dunes
-Please dispose of trash and ashes in the containers provided for each. (SMC 18.12.260)
-Be considerate of others–please, no loud or amplified music! (SMC 18.12.170)
-Remember, no alcohol or smoking are allowed, and parks are drug-free zones.
-Beach fire rules are outlined in detail in the Seattle Municipal Code section 18.12.270 and in our Beach Fires Policy.If you see an illegal fire, call 911. For current burn ban and air quality questions, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
Fire pits at Golden Gardens and Alki are unlocked by 5:30 p.m. Please extinguish all beach fires (using water, not sand) by 10 p.m. in order to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished in ample time before the park’s closure.
We’re committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all that visit Seattle parks! Thank you for doing your part to follow park guidelines and help keep these spaces welcoming for this summer.
Summer plans on Alki are expected to be among the topics at the Alki Community Council‘s monthly meeting Thursday (April 16), 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
The Holy Rosary Church bell tower has been silent lately, Charlaine e-mailed to say, wondering if that’s temporary:
We live close to Holy Rosary Church & have always enjoyed their bells – which normally chime at specific times every day & also play songs on Sundays & especially on holidays. Christmas & Easter are wonderful! We realized the other day that we haven’t heard the bells since Christmastime – not daily & nothing on Easter. We aren’t members of Holy Rosary so are wondering what’s up – are they being repaired?
That’s indeed what’s been going on, Holy Rosary’s Deyette Swegle and maintenance staff told us, but they should be back soon:
Your observant reader is correct that they have not been hearing the bells since the mechanism was broken.
Our Schulmerich Carillon digital bell system stopped working in late February and we had to give up the bells for Lent. We sent them to the manufacturer in Cincinnati for repairs (i.e., software upgrade). Fortunately, they were just returned and will be reinstalled and ringing again (this) week. We look forward to once again sharing the tower bells with our West Seattle community!
The installation crew arrived today, we’re told, and the church’s “goal is to have them working by this weekend.” The bell system has long been digital, by the way, as this 2019 WSB story reminds us.
Out of the WSB inbox:
This bike has been sitting on the corner of Alki Ave SW and 62nd Ave SW for over a week now. The strange thing is that the bike is not locked to the bike rack and based on research it’s valued around $2,000. After looking at camera footage, it was left here on 4/6/2026. I am not sure if it is stolen or maybe it ran out of battery and the person isn’t able to get it back to their house but figured someone might be looking for it.
12:43 PM: Seattle Fire crews report extricating two people at the scene of a crash at 45th/Alaska. Updates to come.
(Photo added)
12:46 PM: Most of the initially sizable response is being dismissed.
1:04 PM: Scene still blocked; photo added. We’re checking with SFD re: injuries.
2:39 PM: Added another photo, from a nearby resident. Meantime, SFD tells WSB, “Two adult patients were assessed for minor injuries.” Neither had to be taken to a hospital.
(March 29, emergency response at 35th/Alaska after assaults)
12:16 PM: We’re at City Hall, where District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka and staff just confirmed that a sweep is planned at the Rotary Viewpoint Park (etc.) encampment off 35th SW and SW Alaska this week. We were here for a new periodic media Q&A opportunity with councilmembers (Saka was one of two participants) when we got first word from Keith Hughes of nearby Westside Neighbors Shelter, currently closed for the season to overnight stays and closed TFN for other services because of renovation/repair work, He CC’d us on communication to th city expressing concern that temperatures are forecast into the 30s Wednesday night. This all follows recent incidents including an overdose death a few days ago and the recent assaults on three people. We’ll be looking for posted notices once we get back to the peninsula, and we’re checking with the city reps who did not mention any sweep plans when we inquired last week. If this indeed happens Wednesday, it would be one day before a neighborhood group is scheduled to meet for an update on the situation.
5:58 PM: Finally got a chance to go look for the notice(s). We saw one, shown above, on the fencing near the top of the driveway into/out of the stadium/golf course lot. It indeed announces a sweep for Wednesday morning (April 15) and lists a posting time of 2 pm last Friday – the day after city reps told us only that they were “actively monitoring” the site. Here’s a closer look at the notice:
It lists the targeted area as Avalon to Brandon, 35th to 31st.
(File photo of Norwegian Jade via Wikimedia Commons)
One more sign of spring: Seattle’s cruise-ship season is about to start. The first scheduled ship is scheduled to arrive this Friday at downtown’s Pier 66, Norwegian Cruise Lines‘ 2,300-passenger Norwegian Jade. As is often the case toward the start and end of the season, this is a ship making a one-time stop here rather than one of the ships you’ll see weekly on round-trip sailings. The first of those will arrive two days later, Holland America Line’s Noordam, sailing Sundays from Pier 91 on the north side of the bay. Some new ships are calling this year, like Virgin Voyages‘ just-launched Brilliant Lady, debuting here May 21. This year’s Seattle cruise season runs through Sunday, October 11; see the full season schedule here.
(Photo by Rosalie Miller, who explains, “White-bowed Smoothwing flower fly on ceanothus enjoying Sunday sunbreak”)
Here’s your Monday list of highlights, most (but not all) from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
SPRING BREAK SERVICE WEEK: 10 am-1 pm today and daily all week, volunteer work parties with DNDA at EC Hughes Park (2850 SW Holden).
FREE TAX HELP: The deadline’s almost here. If you need assistance, today from 11 am-4 pm, find drop-in help at Alki Masonic Center. (4736 40th SW)
RESUME WORKSHOP FOR TEENS: Noon-4 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). Free.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Regular 2 pm meeting is on today – no public-comment period in this meeting, but the agenda explains how to watch.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Two baseball games. – West Seattle HS vs. Roosevelt, 4 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), which is also where, at 7 pm, the Chief Sealth IHS plays Franklin.
NO FREE HOMEWORK HELP THIS WEEK … since it’s spring break for many schools.
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUPS: 4 pm and 6:30 pm, weekly group gatherings for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!
ALKI MEDITATION: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 2: Two venues for trivia/quiz tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) and 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are welcome to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Close out your Monday with a song (or two, or three, or …) – karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Big thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Teens interested in a unique leadership-skills opportunity are invited to apply to be sponsored to atted Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp – here’s the announcement:
The Rotary Club of West Seattle will sponsor two local high school students to attend RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) Northwest at Camp Colman in Longbranch on June 4-7, 2026. Participants develop leadership skills, have fun, and make connections. Students residing in West Seattle, age 15-17, and in 10th or 11th grade at the time of the event can apply/register at www.bit.ly/49SRGv6. Applicants should pick West Seattle (135) as their sponsoring club and must compellingly fill in the “What do you hope to gain by attending?” field. Note the May 1 deadline.
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, April 13, 2026. Seattle Public Schools and some others are on spring break all week, while some are just back from break.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Cloudy, periodic rain likely, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise at 6:24 am; sunset at 7:56 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, possibly into late April. 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!
As we first reported last Monday, Seattle Parks is circulating a “draft racquet-sports strategy” that would split up tennis and pickleball sites, with an initial reduction in the number of outdoor courts for pickleball. It’s launching a round of feedback starting with a survey opening Thursday, and including community meetings. None of those meetings are planned for West Seattle. But this Thursday, the racquet-sports strategy on the agenda for the Alki Community Council meeting, since the courts on the north side of Alki Playfield are involved, proposed as tennis-only. The ACC meets in-person-only at 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) on Thursday (April 16) and the agenda also includes other Parks issues as well as public-safety updates.
Alki Beach Ben & Jerry’s – co-housed with Alki Coffee Co. at 2742 Alki Avenue SW – will offer free ice-cream cones noon-8 pm this Tuesday (April 14). The announcement that six Ben & Jerry’s around the region will participate, including Alki, says it’s a “global tradition of giving away free ice cream to thank fans and celebrate community” and that this year’s giveaway day “will also highlight the region’s strong civic spirit.” In that spirit, the nonprofit, nonpartisan League of Women Voters plans to have reps at Alki to register voters and offer election info. According to the company website, there’s no rules about what flavors they’re giving away – get your favorite.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
More change is on the way for the heart of the Luna Park mini-business district.
Shannon Felix and Jon Felix are looking for new ownership for Avalon Glassworks, which they’ve owned for 23 of its 33 years at 2914 SW Avalon Way.
Their one-of-a-kind business – West Seattle’s only commercial glass-blowing studio and retail shop – is next door to Luna Park Café, which itself changed ownership in 2024 after 35 years.
We talked to the Felixes this afternoon at Avalon Glassworks. Shannon said the decision to sell the business has been a decade in the making. “I’m calling it ‘retiring’ because I don’t have another job or business I’m going to, but” – she said cheerily – “I have a beach house, family in California, a fun dog, a fun husband,” and she feels she’s learned everything she can about art retailing, so it’s time to do something else. Running a small business can be intense, the Felixes know, and for the past decade or so, they’ve been putting things off like visiting family and friends, but now it feels like time to stop deferring, start doing.
They and their landlords – the Bennett family – really want the space to remain a glass-blowing shop, the Felixes say. They’ll be turning it over in good condition, with newer equipment (the sale flyer has specs), and they hope there’s an experienced glass blower who’s ready for their own studio/shop, “somebody with the likelihood of succeeding,” out there.
But they say that won’t be their chief glass-blower Sean Welch, who’s worked for Avalon Glassworks for 20 years – he wants to keep creating blown-glass art, not run a shop, they explain.
But he’s “certainly one of the secrets to our success,” and they count their landlords as another. We asked about highlights of their 23 years; Shannon says she’s “enjoyed coming in every day (and) making new things every day … It’s hard to leave something I love, but I know there are other things [out there] I’m going to love too.”
Ideally, they’d love to be able to turn over the shop by “early summer.” Contact Shannon through the shop to find out more (including getting the entire flyer), or stop by during Avalon Glassworks’s business hours.
Alki’s beach-volleyball courts were in low-key use when Bob Burns took that photo a little over a week ago, but later this week, that will change: The University of Washington beach-volleyball team will host the Alki Beach Invitational next Friday and Saturday. According to the online schedule, participating schools include Portland, Florida Atlantic, Oregon, and Boise State, which hosted the tournament in which the Huskies played this weekend.
The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) is hosting community events again, and this Wednesday it will be the meeting site for a community coalition that used to meet there regularly, the Morgan Community Association. MoCA meets quarterly and has rotated through various sites, as well as gathering online, in recent years. At 7 pm Wednesday (April 15), it’ll be a hybrid meeting, with a variety of highlights and updates, including officer elections, public-safety info, and the latest on the Morgan Junction Park addition. See the agenda in our calendar listing, which includes the online link if you can’t attend in person.
(WSB photo)
Today is the second and final day of this donation dropoff at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to support farmworkers:
Community Garden Donation Drive
Join C&P Coffee Company, WashMasks Mutual Aid, Nuestra Casa, & rural organizers in supporting food access in the Lower Yakima Valley by donating plant starts or tools to their community garden.
Requested plant starts: jalapeño, tomato, pinto beans, bush beans, cucumber, corn, strawberry, basil, thyme, rosemary, epazote, hierbabuena (peppermint), cilantro, lavender, sunflowers, nasturtium, chamomile, marigold
Requested tools & supplies: soil, compost, wheelbarrow, large pots, garden gloves for youth & adults, extra long hose, a bistro table set, or gardening tools
Donations can be dropped off at the coffeehouse until 1 pm today. The chair in our photo is next to the table at the back patio where you’ll find the volunteers.
(Great Blue Heron seen at Seacrest this week by WSB contributor Anne Higuera)
Some weekly events, some special events in our lineup for your Sunday, mostly from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is meeting at Highland Park Corner Store at 9 am today for a today’s Sunday Funday run. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 16TH ANNIVERSARY: 10 am HOKA demo run/walk kicks off today’s celebration – treats afterward! (2743 California SW)
DONATION DRIVE FOR FARMWORKERS: Plant starts, tools, supplies needed for community garden – dropoff donation drive 10 am-1 pm again today at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open today and every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in early spring produce-and-products season – roots, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, apples, more – and an abundant selection of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and enjoy a buffet breakfast.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
PLAY DATE AND OPEN HOUSE: Bring your up-to-5-year-old to Little Trailblazers (3003 SW Roxbury), 10:30 am-noon.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FREE TAX HELP: 11 am-4 pm at Southwest Library, registration required – check for openings before going. (9010 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
CELEBRATE POETRY! Write some at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 1-4 pm.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re invited to hang out this afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: This month’s gathering is at 3 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW), discussing “Ravelstein” by Saul Bellow.
FIRST MATINEE OF ‘WALDEN’: ArtsWest‘s new play has a 3 pm curtain today – get ticket(s) here. (4711 California SW)
ARTIST RECEPTION: Susan Clifford‘s new work at Bakery Nouveau (4737 California S), 3:30-5 pm opening reception.
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S: 5 pm, new art-trivia at Mr. B’s Mead Center with host Morgue Anne (9444 Delridge Way SW).
LIVE AT TIM’S: 7 pm Sunday night all-ages show at Tim’s Tavern – jazz singers in Dave Desrochers’ All-Star Jazz Bonanza Extravaganza. (16th SW & SW 98th, White Center)
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm jazz, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or helping with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
or West Seattle Blog
“Then 2025 hit.”
Culture/arts institutions from coast to coast would understand the pain in those three words from Southwest Seattle Historical Society board president Kathy Duncan toward the start of the organization’s Tides of History fundraising gala Friday night at Salty’s on Alki
She primarily spoke about why fundraising was needed more than ever: SWSHS spent more than two years planning its upcoming permanent exhibit, when the new federal administration slashed support for culture, arts, education and more: “Grants that we were pursuing disappeared.” Compounding that, shortly thereafter, tariffs “raised the cost” for much of what they needed.
SWSHS could have pulled back, given up, downsized their vision. They decided to “push forward” instead. And if all goes well, the exhibit – looking at “how the waters around us have connected and divided us – will open this summer at SWSHS’s home on Alki, the Log House Museum. It will be far more than a display case of items – it will include maps, recordings, video, signage outside the building, even a role for the museum’s garden of native plants. Here’s our video of everything Duncan said:
She was preceded by brief words of welcome from Ken Workman, a descendant of Chief Seattle, on behalf of the Native people whose history here goes the furthest back of all:
What’s ahead for the Log House Museum in addition to the new permanent exhibit was detailed by a relatively new member of the staff, program coordinator Oli Castañon Villa, who is planning events including “getting people thinking about the legacy of the United States” in conjunction with America 250, as well as a Riverside Memorial Plaza cleanup in June and a special story time on the Fourth of July:
SWSHS executive director Elizabeth Rudrud, continuing to serve as emcee, introduced spotlight speaker Roger Evans from the Washington State Black Legacy Institute and Seattle Griot Project.
WSBLI is in its second year headquartered at West Seattle’s city-landmarked ex-church formerly known as The Sanctuary. Evans explained in his presentation how they’re focusing on digitization and archiving as well as an oral history collection; he also talked about the challenges of obtaining the historical material they’re gathering, because it’s often in the possession of people who fought hard to preserve it and don’t want to run the risk of losing it.
He said WSBLI and SGP are “coontinuing to build a growing digital archive” and that the space in the ex-church “allows us to bring history to life.” And, he concluded, “We invite partnership; we invite collaboration.”
Bringing it all together was executive director Rudrud, moving from the emcee role to podium as the final pre-auction speaker. Summoning both the night’s theme and the spirit of the forthcoming permanent exhibit, she noted, “The tides of history are powerful, unyielding – they alter our landscape and define our future.” She acknowledged key figures who factor into the community’s history and were in attendance, such as 90-year-old Mas Tahara, historian of the Tengu Fishing Club, which just had its first derby of the year last weekend (watch the auction video below to hear from him):
She also had shout-outs for many others including Carol-Ann Thornton, a key figure in Seattle civil-rights history (and a current member of the SWSHS board):
From the Duwamish Tribe, Kristina Pearson and Nancy Sackman:
West Seattle-residing former Mayor Greg Nickels – who has made history as the only two-term Seattle mayor so far this millennium – and wife Sharon Nickels:
Rudrud also spoke of past SWSHS leaders and many others. Here’s everything she said:
Her talk also included a remembrance of West Seattle native Jim Whittaker, the history-making mountaineer who died this past week. Here’s the short video she played of Whittaker and his twin brother, the late Lou Whittaker, sharing West Seattle memories nine years ago:
“These are the stories of our community,” she observed.
She turned the floor over to one of her predecessors in the SWSHS leadership role, Clay Eals (below left), and board member Mike Shaughnessy (below right), both of whom served as auctioneers again this year, with Shaughnessy coaxing the bidders and Eals talking to key figures in the crowd.
Their section of the event ran 27 minutes – a very entertaining 27 minutes even if you weren’t bidding:
They auctioned off five items (separate from silent- and online-auction items the SWSHS offered):
-A ride on the Zamboni at a Sno-King Ice Rink went for $700
-A two-hour consultation with master garden coach Jeff Daley went for $1100
-A “private speakeasy party wth Shaughnessy and local preservationist John Bennett went for $1,500
-A walking tour of the West Duwamish Greenbelt with Ken Workman wwent for $1,400
-Making your own Husky Deli ice-cream flavor and having a launch party for it (last year’s winning bidder was there and told his story of making mango cardamom ice crea) went for $3,100
The night wrapped up with an auction-night tradition, “raise the paddle” monetary donations, and guests lingered to chat, snack, and admire the view.
It had been noted earlier that the evening’s goal was to raise $30,000 more to help cover the cost of the new exhibit:
Supporting work like this “is about loving your community,” Eals had said, and the tally Rudrud shared with WSB (the event’s media sponsor) today showed a whole lot of love:
Prior to our event last night, we raised $135,000 in contributions toward our exhibit (very new grant from Norcliff Foundation). These include sponsorships, foundation gifts, ticket sales, online auction, and individual contributions. Foundations and sponsors include:
Nucor Steel
Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation
The Norcliff Foundation
City of Seattle Office of Arts and Culture
City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
John Bennett Preservation Foundation
West Seattle Garden ClubIn total, we raised: $51,075 from our Gala and Online Auction including our record breaking fundraising that we reached last night: $31,950 – $11,200 in our live auction (donors provided multiple bids for Master Gardening with Jeff Daley, president of the West Seattle Garden Club, and multiple bids for the private speakeasy), plus $20,750 in Raise the Paddle
WHAT’S NEXT: If all goes well, the new exhibit will open on the Fourth of July. And it’s more than just an exhibit – the SWSHS, founded 42 years ago, wants to carry out a “vision” of transforming how people experience its museum, and local stories. This page on their website (which itself will be transformed soon) explains, and offers you a chance to donate too if you’re so moved.
(WSB file photo from a past Station 37 open house
When the city announced that May 2 will be “Neighbor Day,” we asked the Seattle Fire Department if, as happened on many past occasions, they’d be opening local fire stations to community visitors. Though it’s not mentioned in the Neighbor Day announcement, SFD tells us yes, all stations will be open noon-2 pm on that day (three weeks from today) One caveat, though – the firefighters will remain on call, so if they’re dispatched to an emergency, that could bring an abrupt end to that station’s open house. West Seattle has five fire stations – Station 11 in Highland Park at 16th/Holden, Station 29 in North Admiral at 2139 Ferry Avenue SW, Station 32 in The Triangle at 38th/Alaska, Station 36 at the north end of Delridge beneath the West Seattle Bridge, Station 37 in Sunrise Heights at 35th/Holden.
5:50 PM: Police responding to 911 calls about possible gunfire in High Point have found casings in the 6000 block of 30th SW. The shots are reported to have been fired by someone in a “newer-model black 4-door BMW.” No injuries confirmed so far.
5;55 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ve found a second grouping of casings in the same block.
6:07 PM: And they’re reporting at least one window hit by a bullet.
7:41 PM: Dispatch is telling police a caller reports “seven more” casings or bullets in the same area.
6:44 AM SUNDAY: Here’s the SPD summary:
At 1735 hours, officers responded to several reports of shots fired in the 6000 block 30 Ave SW. Officers arrived and located multiple fired cartridge casings in two separate areas on the east sidewalk. Three homes and a vehicle sustained bullet damage with no reported injuries. Witnesses reported hearing the shots and observing two black sedans with heavy tint leaving the area with one chasing the other.
If you have any information for police, the incident number is 26-99370.
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