West Seattle, Washington
25 Friday
Stolen-car report, received via text:
It’s a really dark blue/looks black 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback station wagon. Stolen between 4 pm yesterday and approximately noon today while parked on 34th Ave SW between Findlay and Brandon. It has lots of dents and dings. License plate number is AMG7833. The police report number is 25-110595.
If you find it, call 911 – and consider letting the owner know too, by text at 206-660-8996.
A year and a half after we first reported that Panda Express was pursuing a Westwood Village space again, the sign is finally up. (Thanks to the texter who tipped us!) If you’re not a frequent WWV visitor, this is the space north of the QFC, occupied by Pet Pros before their move to Jefferson Square (where they closed two years later). More than a decade ago, Panda Express had an early-stage application to take over the WWV space that’s now ATI, but that plan never got to the construction stage. As for when this will open, they haven’t replied to inquiries, but they do have multiple jobs posted, suggesting it won’t be too much longer.
P.S.
(L-R, Caitlin Boyer, Tara Kankesh, Lucia Stemm-Calderon, Annika Lindberg, Adelyn Martin, Ember Wonder)
Thanks to Jen for the photo and report from the Seattle chapter of the American Association of University Women‘s reception this week honoring its 2025 STEM Scholars – high-school juniors recognized for outstanding achievement in math, science, and technology. The six students in the photo, nominated by teachers for the recognition, are the local honorees from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School:
Chief Sealth IHS – Caitlin Boyer (math), Tara Kankesh (science), and Ember Wonder (technology)
West Seattle – Annika Lindberg (math), Lucia Stemm-Calderon (science), and Adelyn Martin (technology)
According to short biographies in the event program, Cailin plans to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics, Tara plans to go into pre-med studies, Ember is interested in a computer-science career, Annika expects to major in engineering, Lucia plans to study biology, and Adelyn is mulling a career in “biology, tech, or finance.”
They were joined by other scholars from around the city at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, where they received certificates and monetary awards. They also got to hear from keynote speaker Alyssa Lind, an educator, researcher, and diver with the Seattle Aquarium who holds a master’s degree in marine biology. The announcement also notes:
The mission of AAUW is to advance gender equity through research, education, and advocacy. AAUW Seattle has been recognizing and honoring high school girls for their talents in math, science, and technology since 2001. The decision to recognize these students in their junior year was made to allow them to add this significant honor to their college applications. Learn more about the Seattle branch of AAUW and STEM Scholar Recognition Program at aauw-seattle.org
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When registration for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 ended last night at 11:30 after three and a half weeks, more than 570 sales were signed up – a new WSCGSD record! We’ve spent the day reviewing the final registrations for sale day (just two weeks from tomorrow – 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 10!), answering WSCGSD questions, and other work making the database ready to turn into the interactive map and printable guide with the numbered locations and descriptions of those 570+ sales. As always, the descriptions promise a vast array of merchandise – two cars, one boat, bikes, plenty of plants, Santa suits, DJ equipment, accordions, pianos, aquarium supplies, “reptile habitat,” even a precious commodity these days – “fresh organic eggs.” And then there’s the sale offering a Honda Element catalytic-converter cage … If Saturday shopping isn’t enough for you, some sellers have added Sunday, a few have added Friday, and some have expanded hours. Some sales have been named – Kitchenpalooza, Bougie on a Budget – while other listings describe a stage of life (along with moving sales and stuff-the-kids-outgrew sales, we have a “changing chapter” sale and many “downsizing” sales. At least two dozen sales with nonprofit beneficiaries, too. You’ll see it all in the map/guide when they’re ready one week before sale day (the link will be here on WSB and at westseattlegaragesale.com). More updates and previews ahead as we get ready for the 20th anniversary WSCGSD!
(Photos courtesy Seattle Dive Tours)
Those are some of the volunteers who removed almost 400 pounds of junk from the water and shore of Elliott Bay off Seacrest last Sunday morning. You’ll recall the West Seattle Water Taxi started late for the day while Seattle Dive Tours led its annual cleanup beneath and around the surface. We asked SDT about the results; they sent these photos and the wrapup:
The clean up went swimmingly. The final weight total for the cleanup was 384.8 lbs! Some item-total highlights are more than 450 cigarette butts, 72 aluminum cans, 5 shoes (including a matching pair of rain boots), 4 cell phones, over 100 fishing lures, and of course the ebike and shopping cart! If you include all the tiny pieces of plastic, it was over 1000 items picked up.
We ended up having 19 shore volunteers, and 14 diver volunteers.
SDT’s Scott Flaherty adds, “We thank all of the volunteers, especially a great number of local shore volunteers and coordination with A Cleaner Alki. Additionally, we always want to recognize Marination Ma Kai for the use of their dumpster to handle the debris.”
Thanks to Stewart L. (above) and Bob Burns (below) for the photos and tips that the Don Armeni Boat Ramp floating-dock work appeared close to completion.
We obtained this update from Seattle Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor: “The float fabricator is finishing up and should be completed with their work today. We have scheduled the substantial completion walk-thru for Tuesday. We anticipate both docks will be open on May 1.” That’s next Thursday; the floats were removed almost half a year ago, because of damage and deterioration, despite being relatively new. The same contractor that did the original work, Bellingham Marine, is re-doing it now.
The photo and report are from Laura:
A box of someone’s family Christmas ornaments / decorations was found in the alley behind my house near Admiral Safeway this morning. It looks like it was stolen and dumped. Could you post a photo of this box to see if I might connect it to the owner?
Recognize it? Contact us and we’ll connect you.
(Sunrise photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s our Friday highlights list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CITY NATURE CHALLENGE BEGINS: Thanks to Roxanne for the tip: The annual City Nature Challenge for Seattle using iNaturalist is happening NOW (April 25 – 28). Read about it here.
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Arbor Heights indoor-play event canceled again today.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: The center (a WSB sponsor) is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD SALE: Get an early start on spring rummage-sale shopping at White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) with the WC Library Guild, 11 am-4 pm (tomorrow too).
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Delridge Library, free! (5423 Delridge Way SW)
QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
DISABILITY EMPOWERMENT CENTER INFO: Outreach event at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) – 1-4 pm, find out about DEC services.
SPORTS: Our area’s two major high schools face off again in boys’ soccer at 4 pm, West Seattle HS vs. Chief Sealth IHS at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle). Also, Sealth plays baseball vs. Rainier Beach at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm
JAZZ & BLUES JAM AT KENYON HALL: Signups at 6, music starts at 6:30 pm, monthly event for learning musicians and early-stage professionals at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW). Free, all ages.
WEST SEATTLE HS MULTICULTURAL NIGHT: 6-8:30 pm at WSHS, performances, cultural displays and resources, food, fun, and everyone’s welcome. (3000 California SW)
MADISON MS SWING DANCE/AUCTION: Check to see if tickets remain for this fun(draiser) at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW), 6 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: The Melonbars, Art Gecko, 222, doors 7 pm, show 8, at The Skylark, $10, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘ATHENA’ AT ARTSWEST: Third weekend! Curtain time tonight is 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse (4711 California SW), for “Athena,” by Gracie Gardner – get tickets here.
FOOD BANK BENEFIT: Not in West Seattle, but not far:
We are putting on a benefit show for the WS and WC food banks.
Bands:
Thrashed Behind the Eyes (including West Seattle members)
Trio of Goats (a one-off trio playing a short set of Black Sabbath covers)
Bad Honey
Aaron Taylor (acoustic set)At Slim’s Last Chance, 5606 1st Ave. S.
Music starts at 7:30 but come early – Slims has a fantastic menu.
No formal cover, but donations accepted and matched to a total of $1,000. We will split the proceeds between the two food banks.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Proh Mic tonight! (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD: Skating to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors at 9 pm, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. Tonight: Cherry Dragon & Noise Service.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
(WSB photo, April 2024)
Among the many things happening in West Seattle tomorrow is one that needs some preparation to get ready for, so we’re reminding you one more time that Saturday (April 26) is when Fauntleroy Church hosts the next twice-yearly Recycle Roundup. See the official list of what they will and won’t acceot by going here. The Recycle Roundup is a free drive-up/ride-up/walk-up event in the church lot at 9140 California SW, 9 am-3 pm, with longtime recycling partner 1 Green Planet.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, April 25, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More sunshine,, high near 70, a bit breezier. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:01 am and 8:13 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, which means later-evening sailings Fridays (tonight!) and Saturdays.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.
STADIUM ZONE
-Mariners are back home, playing the Marlins tonight at 6:40.
ROAD WORK
-The Admiral Way Bridge’s outside lane on the eastbound/southbound side is still closed.
-With the sunny weather, more work crews are out – please let us know if you see a project affecting traffic.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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!
(Photos courtesy Cookie Couture, who’s in the foreground above)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Cookie Couture, founder and hostess of the longest-running drag show in West Seattle, is being bid a fond adieu this Saturday, in what will be her last show — “for a while.” What will happen to the show? Where-oh-where is Cookie Couture headed next? What about her Belle of the Balls bingo night, which she has also hosted to the delight of Skylark crowds? Will the Westside still be the Best Side without Cookie Couture on stage? We asked her to dish on all the deets.
First, she confirmed the West End Girls show will continue with hostess Fraya Love through June. The show, often billed as “A Drag Extravaganza,” has been a monthly staple at The Skylark for more than 8 years, and as Cookie Couture – a West Seattle resident – recalls, “I reached out to them on a whim … I was tired of having to go over to Capitol Hill every time I got booked for a show. At the time, not a lot of LGBTQ stuff was happening in this neck of the woods. I had no expectations of what it was going to be like.” The first show sold out and the momentum never stopped.
West End Girls will at minimum take a hiatus over the summer when Jizzuhbelle Johnson‘s Kenyon Hall Cabaret drag show will take over the Skylark stage during the months when their home stage at Kenyon Hall will be undergoing renovations. The longer-term plan is still up in the air because of the Skylark’s location in the planned path of light rail, but Cookie Couture says she’ll be doing what she can behind the scenes, “…making sure they will continue and thrive regardless of whether I’m involved.”
The Belle of the Balls Bingo night will also continue, with Kimme Kash joining a second host Tuesday nights at 7 pm. Cookie Couture hosted her final bingo night on Tuesday of this week. She recalls collaborating with the Skylark’s bartender Sara when the venue reopened after the pandemic. “We went from 2-3 people [when we started] to [this] Tuesday night, when there was nowhere to sit.”
As Cookie Couture steps away from the show she created, she is celebrating 10 years as a performer, and a drag presence that’s spanned not just her work in West Seattle, but locations citywide where she either performed or produced shows, from Pony on Capitol Hill to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing parties and library story hours for kids to countless appearances for Pride events.
(Cookie and friends from the first West End Girls night in 2017)
That first West End Girls show is still one of her best memories. “The first one we did… I didn’t know what I was doing, A standard show has 5 or 6 performers, and we had 10 or 11. We all walked away with like $30.”
Since then, she’s honed her skills as a producer, and attracted a following that she hopes will continue to show up for the venue that has made it all possible. “I really want people to continue to support The Skylark during these weird uncertain times. There’s really nothing like it in West Seattle: punk rock one night, drag the next. It’s more important than ever to get queer art and things on the fringe out there. [There’s an effort] to minimize people like us and what we do. A “like” and a share online is amazing, but there’s nothing that’s more impactful than directly supporting the businesses.”
So where in the world is Cookie Couture going next? She admits her answer is purposely vague, but she dropped the hint that it does involve the aviation industry. “I’m taking my glamour all over the world in my new position,” she says, adding, very generically, “I’m taking some time off to explore some new opportunities.”
Those opportunities are likely to take her away temporarily, but after living in practically every neighborhood in Seattle, there’s no question where she’ll come back to. “West Seattle will always be home. Regardless if I’m gone for 6 months or 2 years, my heart and home will always be here in West Seattle.”
Cookie Couture is expecting to make appearances here and there in the coming months, particularly during Pride. She says her Instagram page at @cookiecouturequeen is where she’ll post updates. “At this point, I am scraping the bottom of my makeup kit,” she said, but, “Even though I’m putting the wig on the top shelf, it’s never too far out of reach.”
As of this writing “a few tickets” remain for Cookie Couture’s West End Girls “last show, for a while” at 8 pm Saturday (April 26), available here.
P.S. Thanks to the reader who tipped us about Cookie’s impending hiatus and suggested an interview!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Back when the Sound Transit Board first learned the price tag for West Seattle light rail could pass $7 billion – the original combined estimate for the West Seattle and Ballard extensions – some showed signs of nervousness.
A new round of nerves has erupted this month, continuing into today’s full-board meeting.
First hint came at the System Expansion Committee considered proposals earlier this month to spend tens of millions more on early-stage work for the West Seattle and Ballard extensions. The committee sent the proposals to the full board without a recommendation to pass (or not). One of the city of Seattle’s two current board reps, City Councilmember Dan Strauss, warned his council colleagues at their weekly “briefing” meeting that “tensions” were showing on the ST board, particularly regarding the West Seattle costs.
Despite those tensions, the proposals to spend $68 million more – 90 percent of that for the West Seattle project, which is projected for completion seven years before Ballard – were unanimously approved today by the 16 board members at the meeting. (The full slide deck with the proposals’ toplines are in this slide deck; the individual resolutions are linked from the meeting page.) But that was only after a discussion in which those “tensions” were definitely on display. “A lot of us are nervous,” said board member Kristina Walker, a Tacoma City Councilmember.
First, the proposals were presented by an ST team led by Brad Owen, who’s currently in charge of the West Seattle project. “This is needed work,” he contended, to get to the heart of the cost-saving measures that staff has contended they could deploy to shrink the cost and shorten the timeline of the projects approved by voters back in 2016. In essence, the contention was that they’d have to spend money to figure out how to save money. And the contention is that what they learn about cutting costs for the West Seattle project will make it “a vanguard” for savings that can be applied across the entire ST3 plan.
Some board members said that’s the main reason they’d vote to authorize the spending. Board member Christine Frizzell, Mayor of Lynnwood, wondered: Since there had already been previous conversations about “exit ramps” if they decided West Seattle (or any other) project was just too expensive, could this possibly be a case of throwing good money after bad – forcing them eventually to say, they’d spent so much, there was no choice but to plow forward? Other board members’ concerns included the possibility that so much would be sunk into this, it would affect the rest of the ST3 project list and timeline. (With today’s vote, as the slide above shows, they’ve now authorized spending a third of a billion on the West Seattle extension.) Another board member, Fife Mayor Kim Roscoe, was assured by staff that this work also would show them what “pieces” of projects would be possible, if they couldn’t afford to build what was originally proposed.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: New cost estimates are scheduled to be brought to the board this fall, and then they’d decide whether to spend more money – or not.
EARLIER IN THE MEETING: West Seattleite Marilyn Kennell, who’s involved with the light-rail-skeptic Rethink the Link group, repeated a request the group has made, for a new community meeting with ST reps to listen to the information they proposed at their own forum in January (WSB coverage here). Board member Frizzell later said she’d be interested in “meeting with the people from West Seattle.”
Registration for getting your sale on the West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 map has been open all month, since April 1, and now we’re down to the final hours – registration closes at 11:30 tonight.
5:26 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s signed up already, this should be an incredible day of what we sometimes call person-to-person recycling – Saturday, May 10, 2025 is sale day, and more than 540 sellers are on the list already, all over West Seattle (and a bit further south too). Once registration closes, our work as WSCGSD coordinators moves immediately into putting together the map and guide with the full list of sale locations and descriptions so we can make that all available one week in advance of sale day. WSB has been coordinating WSCGSD since 2008; it was founded in 2005, so this is the 20th anniversary! Want to be part of it? Go here before 11:30 tonight!
EARLY FRIDAY: Closed! More than 570 sales registered … a new WSCGSD record. Full update later today.
(Reader photo)
Thanks for the texted photo and tip! A month and a half ago, the “leased” sign went up in the windows of the former Wells Fargo branch at California/Admiral, but the future tenant was not announced … until now … aside from leasing broker Jason Miller telling us it was a “local business.” As shown in the photo above, that business has revealed itself via sign in the window to be pet-supplies store Mud Bay, which has its current West Seattle store a short distance away, at 2611 California SW. The sign says the move will happen “this fall.” The West Seattle store isn’t commenting; we have an inquiry out to the regional mini-chain’s corporate headquarters in Olympia. We don’t know how/whether this factored into the move decision, but the building where the Admiral store is a current tenant has been listed for sale for some months.
First they asked for nominations … then they made their decision … and this afternoon, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has announced who’s receiving this year’s Westside Awards, plus two other special honors:
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses for their leadership at its annual Westside Awards in May. Also in 2025, the West Seattle Chamber will present Lifetime Achievement Awards to two remarkable community leaders: Patrick Sand, co-founder of West Seattle Blog, who will be honored posthumously, and Dawn Leverett, whose lifelong service has left a lasting imprint on West Seattle.
“The Westside Awards celebrate not only success but also reflect the unique spirit of our West Seattle communities,” said Rachel Porter, Executive Director of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. “These honors spotlight the remarkable leaders and businesses whose creativity, dedication, and vision keep our businesses connected and moving forward.”
Westside Business of the Year: West Seattle Runner
West Seattle Runner is more than a specialty running store—it’s a hub for fitness, local events, and neighborhood connection. Their commitment to personalized services and building a supportive running community has made them a standout business in West Seattle.Westside Emerging Business of the Year: Deeds Health
Deeds Health is redefining health-care access in West Seattle with a mission-driven approach to primary care. Led by Dr. Stefie Deeds, the practice is rooted in affordability, transparency, and compassion.Westside Not for Profit of the Year: WestSide Baby
WestSide Baby fills critical gaps by providing diapers, clothing, and gear for local children and families. Their impact is wide-reaching, ensuring that basic needs don’t stand in the way of a child’s safety and development.
Westsider of the Year: Cleveland King, YMCA
Cleveland King of the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA is recognized for his deep commitment to mentorship, youth development, and equity. His leadership creates spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered.Award winners and all nominees will be recognized at the Annual Westside Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 am-9 am, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Early Bird Pricing for tickets is $55/65 per person through April 30, and $65/75 April 30 onward. Get your tickets here or wschamber.com.
To see lists of the Westside Awards’ previous winners, you can go here.
A reader report in West Seattle Crime Watch – Nikkie sends video of an apartment-lobby package prowler:
It occurred at an apartment complex located on Avalon, closer to Genesee. Happened around 12:58 pm (Wednesday). It is a secure building, and I was told he came in through the garage.
Reported to police, but we don’t have the report number yet.
(October photo courtesy Aimee Owenz)
The sister-and-brother team who operate the Aimee Owenz food truck at 35th/Barton have sad news: “We wanted to let the West Seattle Community that we are unfortunately closing. Our last day will be Saturday, April 26th, unless we run out of food before.” Jenn and Zach opened Aimee Owenz about half a year ago, but it’s been a tough time, not just the kinds of challenges facing any new entrepreneurs – we asked Jenn if there was more that she could say, and she replied: “We lost our mom and grandma during this time and need to focus on ourselves. Bad timing too, with the economy being uncertain and the cost of food rising, it is too risky.” Their truck is for sale, too, she added: “If anyone wants to purchase the truck, they can email us at ai**********@***il.com.”
(WSB photo, looking toward Vashon Island from Upper Fauntleroy)
Another sunny spring day! Here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BELGIAN BEER WEEK: Special event continues at The Beer Junction (4511 California SW), open today noon-10 pm.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Spring planting season continues. The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), geared toward kids 3-5.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email we***************************@***il.com to get the latest on where they’re playing today.
SOUND TRANSIT BOARD MEETING: 1:30 pm, with items related to West Seattle light rail on the agenda (find it and other meeting documents here), which explains how to attend either in person or online. First full board meeting since Dow Constantine became CEO.
SPORTS: One local high-school game on the schedule today – 4 pm, West Seattle High School plays softball vs. Nathan Hale at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
DROP-IN CHESS: Play at High Point Library! 4-5:30 pm. All skill levels. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of three regular Thursday night events tonight here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Delfino’s Chicago-Style Pizza.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: This is also an every-Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: HPCS is also the starting point tonight for running 3 miles, or walking a shorter path, in the neighborhood near HPCS with the Run Club, leaving from the store at 6:30 pm, returning for beverages – info here.
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!
(added) FREE MENDING WORKSHOP: 5-8 pm at KAVU (9064 Delridge Way SW), explained in our calendar listing.
SUMMIT ATLAS OPEN HOUSE: The charter middle/high school in Arbor Heights is open for prospective families to visit, 5-7:30 pm. (9601 35th SW)
WESTIES RUN CLUB: This group’s 6 pm weekly Thursday run departs from The Good Society in Admiral (California/Lander).
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Again this week, more good weather for walking – meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm, Patrick Rifflin performs Thursdays at Pegasus Pizza in The Junction (4520 California SW).
‘THE SHAPE OF THE NIGHT’ IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: Opening night, two shows, 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm at Georgetown Steam Plant (6605 13th Ave. S.) – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: DUK, The Slurps, Concrete Island, doors at 6, music at 7. All ages; $10 at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet, hosted by Good Old-Fashioned Local Trivia (9614 14th SW).
DJ NIGHT: The weekend starts spinning early at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Kingblind, starting at 7 pm.
‘ATHENA’ AT ARTSWEST: Third week of the run begins, 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse (4711 California SW), for “Athena,” by Gracie Gardner – get tickets here.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
This Saturday (April 26) brings a long list of events in West Seattle – you can preview most of them via the listings on our West Seattle Event Calendar. We’ll be shouting out some of them in advance, too. That includes Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (36th/Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor). 10 am-1 pm, families are welcome to enjoy free fun activities – no membership required. The list this time around includes:
-Kayak races in the pool
-Glow in the dark yoga and Zumba classes
-Bouncy House
-Basketball mini hoop challenge
-Photobooth
-Face painting
-Hoola hoops
-Wood cookies crafting
-Trail Mix making
-Food samples from Distinguished Foods vendors
-Forgotten Dogs Rescue
No need to preregister – just show up! And if anybody in your household is looking for volunteer hours, the event runs on people power – go here to see what’s available!
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, April 24, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Another sunny day,, high in the upper 60s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:03 am and 8:12 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, which means later-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.
ROAD WORK
-The Admiral Way Bridge’s outside lane on the eastbound/southbound side remains closed.
-With the sunny weather, more work crews are out – please let us know if you see a project affecting traffic.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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!
For those who wondered how a walking tour starting at Westwood Village would address pedestrian safety in South Delridge, here’s how:
(Digital image from SDOT substituted Thursday for previous photo of paper map)
That was the planned route for tonight’s SDOT-coordinated tour, meant to give people a chance to suggest how/where to build “at least 10 blocks” of sidewalks and/or walkways in the area, with money from the billion-and-a-half-dollars-plus Seattle Transportation levy that voters approved last year. The longest stretch of the road, uphill on Barton toward Delridge, actually had sidewalks, but a northward turn, west of Delridge, put participants on a street that did not.
About half of the ~20 people who participated were city employees. SDOT project leaders stressed that the walking route was by no means predetermined as the future-sidewalk route. The community members who participated had some specific suggestions about making walking safer – including the small children they brought along. Participants got to experience a variety of walking conditions.
That included the Barton Place hill where an encampment sprawls across the sidewalk close to the top of the stairway down to 22nd (which has a foil-wrapped railing):
(One walker recalled a Find It Fix It Walk in the area nine years ago, and the goat deployment that followed.) The block north of there was again without sidewalks, and the participating families had a lot to say about that since that was their neighborhood. (They expressed interest in upgrading the 22nd/Trenton crossing, too.)
We left the tour on 22nd to get to HPAC‘s 6:30 meeting; it didn’t appear to be resulting in any particular to-do list- the SDOT reps promised a report would be forthcoming; whatever project area(s) they settle on, they expect to get to “10% design” before year’s end, and construction could start as soon as next year – or as late as 2029. If you have suggestions – crosswalks, lights, and other safety measures, not just sidewalk sites, you can email this team at le***********@*****le.gov.
OTHER AREAS: They’ve already done a tour in North Delridge, and said tonight they’ll be announcing one for Highland Park on May 21.
A texter just told us, “No photo but just saw a coyote in North Admiral at 35th and College.” That’s the second one today, both from the north half of the peninsula, after a long string of sightings mostly in Gatewood and Fauntleroy. Here’s one we received from Fiona near The Junction this morning:
We had a coyote visit our front yard today. We are at 41st between Oregon and Genesee. The resident crows alerted us and eventually ran him off. He/she was very healthy looking.
This also provides us the opportunity to mention researcher Dr. Sam Kreling, previously known for studying Seattle’s urban coyotes. She’s hoping to start a nonprofit “that focuses on helping people live with wildlife, so she’s running a study to find out “what YOUR community needs/wants to live with wildlife and what you might want to learn about the wildlife in your neighborhood.” To respond to Sam’s survey, follow this link.
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 is just two and a half weeks away – Saturday, May 10 – and we’re just about to hit 500 registered sales. We’ve been making lists of the unusual items and descriptions we’ve seen while reviewing listings, but what always strikes us the most is what a wide variety of interests is represented in the items for sale – music, camping, snow sports, water sports, other sports, games, baby gear, kids’ toys, vintage clothing, antique items, and that’s just a start. But right now, the main focus is getting to the end of the three and a half weeks of registration so that we can finalize the list and make the map and listings packet so they’re ready to publish by Saturday morning, May 3. The form is open until 11:30 pm tomorrow (Thursday, April 24) – if you haven’t registered your sale yet, go here ASAP!
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