West Seattle, Washington
07 Thursday
That’s the first sign for a Saturday sale that we’ve seen – and we’re pretty sure it’s for an official West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day sale, as Sale #117 is at 57th and Orleans. We saw the sign, however, in Gatewood, more than three miles from the sale location. Not too soon to put out signs if you feel like it, since we’re now just 60 hours away from the official start of WSCGSD at 9 am Saturday (May 9)! Even if you’ve already looked through the online map, remember to check back for updates including mini-lists and last-minute cancellations (we can’t drop sales from the printable list, just the clickable list, so we make notes on that page of which ones to scratch out). Now,our mini-lists tonight – music!
VINYL RECORDS
#40 (old record player), #122, #196, #395, #409, #428, #432, #454, #480, #554, #614, #653, #655
HUGE VINYL SALE
Sale #409 is Kenyon Hall‘s Vinyl Swap ‘n’ Spin at 7904 35th SW, “hosting vinyl sellers/collectors from the West Side and Greater Seattle – with Live DJs spinning all morning & afternoon.” Also collecting nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
#40 (guitar pedals), #76 (unspecified “musical instruments”), #87 (piano), #156 (keyboard), #159 (guitars), #206 (free piano), #244 (guitar. pedals), #256 (guitars), #302 (guitars), #363 (drum kit), #432 (guitar pedals), #448 (guitar), #534 (vintage alto saxophone)
HUGE GUITAR SALE
Sale #502 is Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor), which has a Garage Sale Day sale every year but this year is really doing it up big because – like many WSCGSD sellers – proprietor Frank Gross is having a Moving Sale, before TRG moves to its bigger new HQ in Admiral. If you want to see the full list of what TRG is selling on Saturday, you can email seattle@thunderroadguitars.com to ask for it.
QUIRKY MUSIC-RELATED ITEM
Sale #16 is offering “vintage rock-concert T-shirts.”
That’s it for tonight’s mini-lists but we’re working on multiple updates for tomorrow as time is flying. We’re also finalizing the list of who’s interested in donations post-sale, so if your nonprofit or other organization is looking for specific items, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com ASAP – thank you! Again, the clickable map is here; the printable list (38 pages, PDF) is here!
P.S. WSCGSD Weather Watch: Mostly sunny, high of 72.
Kamala hopes somebody has seen items taken when her car was broken into:
My car was broken into today between 8am-1:30pm near 30th and Roxbury. A pink metallic bag was taken that contained a lot of personal dance items. I dance with Bailadores de Bronce, and a number of my dance shoes and specific headpieces and accessories are now gone. They won’t be worth anything to the taker, but it will be a large undertaking for me to replace everything. Hoping someone in West Seattle might find the contents dumped somewhere?
Here are photos Kamala sent of some of the stolen items:
(And others.) If you think you’ve found one or more of these items, please let us know and we’ll connect you.
(Google Maps image, looking north on 63rd from Admiral)
With all the traffic-calming features installed in the Alki area so far, including speed bumps across 60th, 61st, and 62nd, residents have asked why not 63rd too, given its use as a straightaway south of Alki Avenue. We asked SDOT again recently and got an answer today: It will get some too, though not any time soon. That answer came in connection with a package of other traffic calming, according to our response from SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
We’ve been focused on traffic calming in the Alki neighborhood and recently installed speed cushions on 60th Ave SW, 61st Ave SW, and 62nd Ave SW to help reduce speeding on nearby north-south streets.
We’re planning to extend similar treatments to 63rd Ave SW between SW Admiral Way and Alki Ave SW, with installation anticipated as early as next year.
Separately, additional traffic calming improvements are under consideration along Alki Ave SW between 58th Ave SW and 63rd Ave SW through the District Project Fund. These could include speed cushions, raised centerlines to encourage slower turns, and intersection visibility upgrades. These proposals are not yet finalized and will ultimately be decided by the City Council.
We also asked about the status of the flashing beacons at 63rd/Beach Drive, where the poles have been up, waiting the lights, for months now, and Bergerson says it could be months more: “We are still awaiting equipment and will move forward with installation once materials arrive, which we expect in the coming months.”
SIDE NOTE: District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka and his staff released a sheaf of updates on other transportation projects this afternoon; we’ll have a report on those later toight.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Center for Active Living “wants to be your community gathering place,” even if you’re not a senior – yet.
So declared The Center’s executive director Amy Lee Derenthal as she spoke to supporters at Tuesday’s “The Center of It All” benefit breakfast, an event so big that it has a new home, Brockey Center at South Seattle College. Besides The Center’s own West Seattle Junction building being a “community gathering place,” she said while making the case for giving, it is also a home to services that you might not need when you first start visiting in your 50s or 60s, “but that eventually become absolutely essential.” Here’s everything Derenthal told the crowd:
A theme woven through the speakers was that The Center is more than it seems, in so many ways. Each week, myriad health and fitness classes are offered (you can see them on The Center’s calendar). Line-dance teacher Chris Banta noted that her specialty isn’t just performed to country music – she and her students have line-danced recently to decidedly not-country artists like Elvis Costello and The Spice Girls.
She didn’t lead a demonstration, but Tai Chi teacher Richard Lazeres did, saying he’d do his best to condense 30 years of teaching into five minutes:
(We also note, checking The Center’s calendar for this report, Lazeres is leading a birding class there as we write!) In a nod to the calendar date – May 5th – Cinco de Mayo music was provided by the mariachi musicians of Estrellas de México, before breakfast was served.
During breakfast, the most moving story came from Katy Aversenti Schumaker, a Center board member who talked about her mom’s time at The Center, while fighting eventually deadly cancer
For anyone in the crowd who wasn’t already a Center volunteer and/or member, a new “Day at The Center” video was shown to give them a taste of what happens there, day in and day out (and some nights too!)
As a fundraiser, this event was fairly simple – rather than auctions, there was a raffle, with tickets sold in the early going, and a monetary donation opportunity toward the end. Attendees had been reminded that memberships only cover 10 percent of The Center’s budget. Some of it comes from grants and government allocations – one elected official that got a shout-out for being there was District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka:
Now that the final totals are in today, Derenthal had this message for supporters:
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Fundraising Breakfast, “The Center Of It All.” It was such a joy to see so many new and familiar faces celebrating together. I’m proud to share that we had 300 people in attendance, a new record for this event!
To our donors who couldn’t be there in person but still contributed to our campaign, thank you! Your support of our work means the world to me.
And a big thank you to Nucor, who surprised us again with a $12,000 matching gift, on top of their already generous sponsorship.
I’m excited to share that, thanks to you, we exceeded our $125,000 fundraising goal and raised more than $150,000! These funds will have a lasting impact on our organization, putting us in a great position to serve more community members in 2026.
Kudos to our peer-to-peer fundraisers, table captains, board members and volunteers for their help to make our event a success.
The message at the heart of it all is, as said at the event, “to meet the broad needs that come up as we all age as human beings.” You can support that any time by going here.
(WSB file photo of Lincoln Park wading pool)
Seattle Parks has just announced its summer aquatics hours. We’ve already reported on the Colman Pool schedule – what’s brand-new today is wading pool/spraypark hours. First to be open will be West Seattle’s lone spraypark, Highland Park (1100 SW Cloverdale), with daily operation 5/23 through 9/7, 11 am to 8 pm every day.
Then come the wading pools (a quick look at last year’s schedule shows they’re opening, and closing, later than last year):
Lincoln Park – 6/27-9/7, every day, noon-7 pm
E.C. Hughes Playground – 6/29-8/23, Mondays, Tuesdays, Sundays, noon-7 pm
Delridge Community Center – 7/1-8/21, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, noon-5:30 pm
Hiawatha Community Center – 7/2-8/22, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, noon-5:30 pm
We’ll link the full citywide announcement when it’s up on the city website. (UPDATE: Here it is.)
Back on April 30, we reported that the community group long working to get a “skate dot” into the Morgan Junction Park Addition project had word that Seattle Parks would present the newest design to the community on May 13. Now it’s official – Parks has sent this announcement about the gathering one week from tonight, which will start at 6 pm instead of the previously reported 5:30:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting an Open House to share an update on the Morgan Junction Park Expansion Schematic Design. Join us on May 13, 2026 from 6 to 7:30 pm, at The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW in West Seattle.
The Open House will provide an opportunity for community members to view the updated schematic design, connect with the project team, and learn more about the current phase of the project.
The expansion area is now open to the public for interim use. The site will remain accessible until the start of Phase II construction, when the existing park, additional parcel, and the Eddy Street right-of-way will be closed off for construction.
Following more extensive than anticipated soil work, the project design has been value engineered to align with available funding and site conditions. Permit review and final design are anticipated to continue through fall 2026 with construction anticipated to begin by late summer 2027.
To view the schematic design, visit: Morgan Junction Park Addition | Engage Seattle Parks
Seattle Parks and Recreation purchased the 0.47-acre property [in the early 2010s] at 6317 California Ave SW, just north of Morgan Junction Park, to expand the park and provide additional open space for this high-density neighborhood. The project was placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic as the City focused on essential services. In September 2022, the Seattle City Council, acting as the Park District Board, approved funding for the project as part of the 2023–2028 Park District cycle.
(Recent sunset, photographed by Curry Gibson)
Here’s our Wednesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time – here’s what’s happening today/tonight:
REMINDER – WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks start from 47th/Fontanelle (so if you didn’t see this in the calendar and missed it here’s your reminder for next week).
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
VR FOR TEEN WELL-BEING: 2:30 pm, explore it at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
ART WITH REC’N THE STREETS: 3-4:30 pm, free art activities at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Here’s what’s on the Metro League schedule today: One softball postseason game, West Seattle HS at 3:30 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), vs. Eastside Catholic.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
TALK ABOUT MENOPAUSE: 4:30 pm at The Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), “menopausal insomnia” is the topic – learn about solutions!
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly gaming event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
ALSO AT MR. B’S – HAPPY HOUR FOR SAD PEOPLE: 5-7 pm with Listening to Grief at Mr. B’s Mead Center.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: The free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm workshop is back at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), and the library is open for borrowing.
FAUNTLEROY/ROSE CROSSING MEETING: 5:30 pm, as previewed here, all are welcome at a community meeting with SDOT at Southwest Library to discuss the plan for this crossing. (9010 35th SW)
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: Play at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ (4426 California SW), starting at 6 pm.
PIANO NIGHT AT UPWELL: 6 pm monthly piano night. (4811 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Discuss our city’s growth, present and future, at the weekly 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: 6 pm, ‘The Centauri Device‘ is this month’s book – talk about it at Paper Boat Booksellers. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
KUNDALINI YOGA: Do it at 6 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Midweek movement – join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces!
HUM-IN PROTEST: Tried [rotesting via sound vibration? Gather 6:30-7 pm Wednesdays at Junction Plaza Park (42nd SW and SW Alaska).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
‘WHAT IT TAKES’: Substance-abuse recovery is is detailed in this documentary having its West Coast premiere at 7 pm at The Admiral Theater (2343 California SW).
MAD CRAFTY: Bring your project to Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 7-9 pm.
PIANO NIGHT AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: All-request piano night, starting at 7 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 3: Three West Seattle trivia venues – Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia starts at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: It’s your stage at West Seattle’s longest-running open-mic night! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SWING IT! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale).
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 9. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
With the school year ending next month,it’s time to finalize where your child(ren) are going to school in the fall. For those still deciding, independent preK-8 Westside School in Arbor Heights (WSB sponsor) is offering online info sessions starting tomorrow:
Westside is hosting a series of Virtual Coffee sessions with our Head of School, Dr. Daryl Wright. These are short, informal Zoom gatherings designed to give prospective families a feel for our community, learn about our approach to joyful learning and high academic standards, and ask questions in a relaxed setting.
Upcoming sessions:
May 7 | 9:00–9:30 am
May 14 | 9:00–9:30 am
May 20 | 11:15–11:45 am
May 29 | 12:00–12:30 pmRegistration is required here, and families will receive the Zoom link after signing up.
9:08 AM: A vehicle is reported to be blocking northbound 35th SW at Barton. SPD is joining SFD at the scene.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Partly sunny, high in the upper 60s. Sunrise was at 5:44 am; sunset will be at 8:28 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is back to the regular three boats. Also, work at the Fauntleroy dock trestle is not expected to wrap up until Friday.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedules Fridays and Saturdays.
CLOSURE ALERTS
-The schedule for 1st Avenue South Bridge northbound repairs – starting with a full closure this weekend – is here, with some nighttime lane closures again tonight for preparation.
-Also, as announced last week, the West Seattle low bridge will be closed to drivers May 16-17.
-And the Highway 99 tunnel is closing both ways overnight late Friday night into early Saturday morning – here’s the WSDOT announcement:
Both directions of the State Route 99 tunnel in Seattle will close from 10 p.m. Friday, May 8, to 6 a.m. Saturday, May 9, for maintenance. Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will start closing northbound and southbound lanes at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, with the tunnel fully closed by 10 p.m. People going south on SR 99 will need to take the Harrison Street off-ramp, while northbound SR 99 travelers must exit at Alaskan Way. The Sixth Avenue North and South Royal Brougham Way/Colorado Avenue South on-ramps also will close at 9 p.m.
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners have a day home game vs. Atlanta today, 1:10 pm.
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!
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2026 is just 84 hours away! At least, the official WSCGSD window – 9 am to 3 pm Saturday, May – is. But some sales will start on Friday, and some will continue on Sunday. So we’ve made lists of those (please let us know if we’ve missed your extra day/s sale, or if you’ve made a last-minute decision to add a day) – reminder, these are days IN ADDITION TO Saturday, not instead of:
ALSO OPEN FRIDAY
Sale #10
Sale #177
Sale #316
Sale #416
Sale #442
Sale #499
Sale #500
Sale #527
Sale #558
Sale #597
Sale #598
Sale #641
ALSO OPEN SUNDAY
Sale #6
Sale #10
Sale #35
Sale #54
Sale #141
Sale #158
Sale #203
Sale #269
Sale #324
Sale #350
Sale #378
Sale #441
Sale #455
Sale #466
Sale #558
Sale #656
If you haven’t explored the map and/or printable list yet, that’s where you’ll find the registered, numbered sales’ addresses, as well as the descriptions provided by sellers when they registered. You can search either one for the type of item that interests you most. Speaking of items, perhaps the most unusual we’ve seen listed is at #323 – “1974 women’s letter sweater.” Got something unusual at yours? Send a pic – westseattleblog@gmail.com – for a spotlight! Meantime, we’re counting down – WSCGSD Weather Watch remains mostly sunny, almost 70 – more previews/updates to come.
It’s often pointed out in comment discussions that many policies attributed to local leadership are actually state policies, and your state legislators are the ones with the power to change them.
(From 34th District Democrats’. promotional graphic)
This Friday (May 8). the three legislators who represent the 34th District – including West Seattle, White Center, amd Vashon/Maury Islands – will face constituents at an in-person Town Hall. The 34th District Democrats are presenting the event featuring Sen. Emily Alvarado and Reps. Joe Fitzgibbon and Brianna Thomas at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 5:30-7 pm Friday. The announcement says the event “will include 30 minutes of opening dialogue and prepared questions and 60 minutes of questions from our live audience.” You don’t have to RSVP but they’re hoping people will so they “have a general idea of how many people to expect.”
Just announced, the recipients of this year’s Westside Awards, presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce from nominees suggested by the community. Here’s the announcement we received from the Chamber:
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize this year’s Westside Award honorees at its annual Westside Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Presented in partnership with Nucor Steel Seattle, the awards celebrate the businesses and individuals whose dedication, vision, and service shape the character of our community year after year.
“West Seattle has always been a community that shows up for itself, and the Westside Awards are our chance to say thank you out loud,” said Rachel Porter, Executive Director of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. “Every honoree this year represents something powerful: the idea that local business and community spirit are not separate things. They are the same.”
Westside Business of the Year: West Seattle Bowl
(2022 photo, student Nathan Tavel’s fundraising bowl-a-thon at West Seattle Bowl)
West Seattle’s only bowling alley started with 14 lanes in 1948, grew to 32 by 1959, and has spent every decade since proving that great businesses grow by giving back. This past year, West Seattle Bowl rebuilt and expanded its community fundraising program, hosting events like Bob’s Bowl-a-Rama for Ronald McDonald House Charities and Turkey Bowl for the West Seattle Food Bank, reaffirming what they have always believed: that a bowling alley can be one of the most powerful gathering places a neighborhood has.
Westside Emerging Business of the Year: Fourth Emerald Games
(WSB file photo)
In 2025, West Seattle residents Joshua and Tiara Silas opened Fourth Emerald Games with their own hands and one simple belief: games are better when you play them together. Built from the ground up as a true third place, it welcomes every age and background through monthly tournaments, community partnerships, and a retro video game lounge that is rooted in inclusion.
Westside Not for Profit of the Year: The Center for Active Living
(File photo, by Holli Margell)
The Center for Active Living fights loneliness and isolation every day, serving West Seattle’s adults through programs, meals, counseling, and a community that members say gave them their first real sense of belonging. In 2025 they expanded their reach significantly, partnering with a number of organizations to bring older adults through their doors each week for activities, lunch, and critical services.
Westsider of the Year: Jessica Pierce
(WSB file photo)
Jessica Pierce founded West Seattle Junction FC and the Rhodies FC on the belief that professional soccer should belong to everyone, hosting free youth clinics that served over 300 kids this year and partnering with King County to distribute 300 free tickets to every match so that no family is ever priced out of the experience.
Award winners and all nominees will be recognized at the Annual Westside Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, May 20, 7:30–9:00 am, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Pricing for tickets is $55/65 per person. Get your tickets at wschamber.com.
Previous Westside Award winners in each category are available at www.wschamber.com/westside-awards.
One of the honorees, the Center for Active Living, had a big event of its own today – the annual fundraising breakfast – and we’ll have a full report on that later tonight.
The report and photo were sent by a resident of SW Genesee north of The Triangle:
Some person/persons stole 4 large planters out of our yard at 9 pm last night 5/4 – total cost of planters over $400.
(Planters in photo taken just before theft victim bought them)
We can’t say for sure, but as they where fairly large, it seems like the person must have seen them and had a large car to load them up or saw them earlier in the day and came back with a car at night to steal them.
Our neighbors did not catch anything on their Ring camera – but if this was a mistake and someone thought they were free for some reason, we would greatly appreciate them back.
Members of the Denny International Middle School and Sanislo Elementary School communities have emailed us to ask us to tell you about Ka’Leah Rhodes, a current Denny and former Sanislo student in the fight of her young life, just 12 years old. A brain aneurysm put Ka’Leah in the hospital last week. She has four siblings, and this unexpected crisis is not only emotionally challenging her family but also posing a financial strain too. Ka’Leah is showing a sign of at least incremental improvement – family friend Jen tells us, “Excitingly, just today, she has started to be a bit more responsive with head nods yes and no! This is a first since this happened last Wed. We know she has a long road ahead. This is just the most incredible family and I know our West Seattle community is going to step up in this incredible time of need.” Family friends like Jen are already doing what they can, but the family can also use help with medical and other expenses, so a crowdfunding page has been set up for Ka’Leah and her family – see it here.
Sent by EK:
Just wanted to get an alert out to our lady runners and bikers. This morning on Alki while my friend and I were riding, an older gentlemen wearing glasses with a salt/pepper beard riding a black bicycle was harassing a runner just past Marination. She told him multiple times to leave her alone and he would not. We stopped to help her and as soon as we did, he took off. This happened at approximately 0700 this morning.
EK says it was verbal harassment. As far as they know, police were not notified – they and the victim were “shook up.” (Be aware that if “harassment” entails threats, for example, it’s definitely a reason to call 911.)
(WSB photo from July 2025 AMP concert at California Place Park)
Just announced by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – this year’s lineup, both bands and locations, for the three Admiral Music in the Parks concerts! Sent by ANA’s Meagan Loftin:
The Admiral Neighborhood Association, with the generous support of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and in partnership with our “Producer” sponsors Far Away Entertainment and the Historic Admiral Theater, is excited to announce the lineup for our summer concert series AMP: Admiral Music in the Parks!
Join us for three weeks of free, family-friendly concerts in our beautiful neighborhood parks this July. We’re leaning into community and joy this summer with spontaneous dance parties in the park, picnics with our neighbors, and most importantly great music! Mark your calendar now to get in on the fun:
6:30 PM on July 16th @ Belvedere Park: Get ready for smokin’ guitars, rock- solid rhythms and dynamic vocal harmony as we welcome Steve Aliment and Annie O’Neill to the stage!
6:30 PM on July 23rd @ California Place Park: Get there early because it’s always a packed show when West Seattle’s fan-favorite Michael Pearsall and Friends return to this pocket park!
6:30 PM on July 30th @ Hamilton Viewpoint Park: We’re closing out AMP 2026 with a bang as we throw an epic dance party to hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s with Driftwood Drive!
AMPlify your summer with the Admiral Neighborhood Association!
If you’re interested in learning more about AMP and our commitment to supporting local musicians, or if you’d like to learn how you can invest in our mission to provide free and accessible public arts programming to everyone in our neighborhood, visit our website, connecttoadmiral.org/amp.
(Recent sunrise photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here are event notes/reminders/listings for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE AT CHURCH OF NAZARENE … open today, now through noon, drop in with your little one(s). (42nd SW and SW Juneau)
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today’s guest speaker: Peter Gelpi talks about what’s happening in Ukraie. (4470 35th SW)
CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome to play! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.
OTHER EVENTS AT THE CENTER: Dozens every week! Go here for the full Center for Active Living calendar.
CITY COUNCIL: At City Hall, at 2 pm, the council holds its main weekly meeting. Today’s agenda explains how to comment and/or watch.
CINCO DE MAYO POP-UP: At The Neighborhood (6503 California SW), starting at 3 pm. Details here.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: Free assistance for students, 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: One playoff game on the Metro League tournament schedule for today at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – in softball, West Seattle HS plays Rainier Beach at 4 pm.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
TUESDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB: Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters launch the Tuesday night event for stand-up paddleboarders – details here – 5:30 pm. (1660 Harbor SW)
INTERFAITH FREEDOM VIGIL: Weekly, 5:30-6:30 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza candlelight vigil open to all. (61st SW and Alki SW)
TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: 6:30 pm Tuesdays at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), come sing with the Boeing Employees Choir, even if you aren’t a Boeing employee – email to RSVP.
OPEN MIC AT TIM’S: 6:30 pm signup, 7 pm start time, free oweekly pen mic hosted by Levi Said at Tim’s (16th SW and SW 98th) in White Center.
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: 7 pm, hear Stephen Sanchez‘s new music early at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), all ages, free.
PAST, PRESENT, ELSEWHERE: Album-listening sessions at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), every Tuesday night, 7-9 pm.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group meditation at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.
BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 4: Four places you can play trivia tonight – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free, hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW).
If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:42 AM: This was logged overnight as a crash under the West Seattle Bridge at 1st/Spokane, but SPD Blotter reports it started with a collision on a bridge offramp, and ended a life:
Seattle police detectives are investigating a fatal collision on the West Seattle Bridge this morning.
At 1:57 a.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a motorcycle crash on the 1st Avenue South off-ramp from the WSB. There, police found a man deceased on the ground below.
The Seattle Fire Department arrived and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.
Police cordoned off the area and detectives with the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) arrived to process the scene.
Detectives determined that the motorcyclist, driving westbound on the WSB, struck a guardrail while taking the off-ramp. The driver flew over the railing, and landed below on the 1st Avenue South sidewalk, where he died from his injuries.
The King County Medical Examiner will take custody of the deceased. Anyone with information is asked to call TCIS at 206-684-8923.
ADDED 2:38 PM: This isn’t the first crash of its kind. Ten years ago, another rider was killed at Spokane/Marginal; we had a followup with his family.
3:59 PM: The King County Medical Examiner has identified the rider as 34-year-old Andrew D. Hedberg.
Congratulations to the Our Lady of Guadalupe School 7th-grade girls for winning the citywide volleyball championship! Here’s how they did it:
Our Lady of Guadalupe 7th Grade Girls Varsity volleyball team won the All-City CYO Playoff Championship Tournament at Bishop Blanchet Sunday night, beating St. Joseph in two straight sets, 25-22, 25-20.
Coach Lori Hinton and Patrick Lamb’s Lady Bulldogs finished the season with a 9-2 record, winning three straight in the single-elimination playoffs, beating St. Pius X and upsetting top-seeded, undefeated St. Anne on Saturday before facing St Joe’s.
“Attitude determines altitude,” said Coach Hinton. “We are so proud of our girls.”
A championship banner will soon hang from the rafters at the OLG gym.
The school’s 8th-Grade Boys also made playoffs and the 6th-Grade Girls Varsity advanced to the semifinals, coming in two points shy of a win in a nail-biting three sets.
6:39 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Becoming sunny, high in the mid-70s. Sunrise was at 5:45 am; sunset will be at 8:27 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is back to the regular three boats. Also, work at the Fauntleroy dock trestle is continuing this week.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedules Fridays and Saturdays.
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners are home for a 6:40 pm game vs. Atlanta again tonight.
CLOSURE ALERTS
The schedule for 1st Avenue South Bridge northbound repairs – starting with a full closure this weekend – has been announced, with some nighttime lane closures this week for preparation. … Also, as announced last week, the West Seattle low bridge will be closed to drivers May 16-17.
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!
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
For West Seattle Blog
West Seattle Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts took the stage during the nonprofit’s “Nourish and Flourish” gala Saturday night and recalled her uncertainty a year earlier about what was ahead.
And while the past year was most of what she feared it would be – rising costs, loosening safety nets – she also voiced appreciation for “the one shining light of this past year … the support we get from this community.”
There they were, surrounding her in the 4105 event venue‘s in-the-round space, the people who stepped up so many times, during the SNAP benefits crisis, for one, and in the need that has brought more people in for the non-food assistance that WSFB provides – emergency rent and utilities assistance, clothes from its Clothesline. Here’s everything Yeatts told the crowd:
Yeatts also recounted The Clothesline’s move to a new home months ago; the day it reopened in its new Delridge location, she recalled, was its busiest day ever, with 72 shoppers.
Other notable numbers from the past year were featured in this video, departing from the usual nonprofit-gala tradition of showing a video featuring clients’ testimonials. This one featured behind-the-scenes images of WSFB staff, and emcee/auctioneer Ian Lindsay invited attendees to cheer for them:
Another round of big cheers was bestowed on this year’s recipients of the food bank’s Nourishing Neighbors Award, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), which Yeatts presented to church representatives including pastor Rev. Bryon Hansen:
First Lutheran Church always has been a strong supporter of the Food Bank, and of the West Seattle Helpline before its merger with WSFB.
In particular, Rev. Hansen’s predecessor, the late Rev. Ron Marshalll, was a deeply devoted supporter, and even wrote a book about the WSFB. The FLCWS contingent accepting the award said it should be an honor for him too.
No doubt he would have agreed with WSFB board president Joe Everett, who called it “more than a food bank,” powered by a “small army of volunteers” as well as the staff and community.
One other person who spent more than a few minutes at the mic was comedian Scott Losse – who brought some laughs to a night that at its heart was about very serious work and what it takes to support it.
Emcee Lindsay, of course, kept things lively.
He called the live auction, which as usual for WSFB events was centered on experiences – like the taco and margarita party with Yeatts and WSFB staffers, with three parties sold for $1,200 each, and getaways to both Northwest and tropical locales. Another gala component boosting the benefit was the Dessert Dash, which Lindsay said brought in about $25,000 from tables vying to get their choice of the desserts that awaited.
And there was a chance to simply commit to a cash donation; one generous donor started with a $10,000 commitment, and from there, a variety of four-, three-, and two-digit sums were promised too.
Today – first weekday after the gala – it was time for some number-crunching. We checked in with development director Robbin Peterson this afternoon, and got this update:
Thanks to our community, Nourish & Flourish raised $202,300 toward our $250,000 spring goal. We’re so close – but not quite there yet. As GiveBIG starts tomorrow, we’re inviting our community to help close that final gap. Give through GiveBIG or our website and help make sure neighbors have what they need to stay nourished and stable.
People caught in the throes of drug addiction can recover. So says Jeff Shulman, a local educator and filmmaker who’s made a movie called “What It Takes“ about a recovery program. The clip above is about its premiere a few days ago (this page has a trailer for the movie itself), and this Wednesday night, there’s (updated) a screening at The Admiral Theater in West Seattle (2343 California SW). He told us via email, “I can promise laughter, tears, and cheers as people share their traumas and their triumphs after the movie. Addiction is devastating people from all walks of life and I am excited to show that recovery is possible.” He added: “More than a screening, the Admiral Theater will host a night of hope, healing, and community connection. Audience members will be invited to share how the film relates to their own journeys and ask questions of me and Sound Health’s Lisa Rogers. We will bring this conversation out of the shadows so people know they are not alone and help is available.” The event at The Admiral starts at 7 pm Wednesday (May 6).
UPDATED TUESDAY: We’ve removed the references to “free” as this is a ticketed event – you can get tickets via The Admiral’s website, or at the door if still available by then.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch followups:
KIDNAP-ATTEMPT SUSPECT ARRAIGNED: 22-year-old Cristien Bugge-Marcum, charged with attempted kidnapping for allegedly grabbing an 8-year-old girl in Gatewood nine days ago, was arraigned today. That’s the hearing at which a defendant enters a plea and other early motions in the case, such as bail review, are argued. According to documents we downloaded from the King County Superior Court system, Bugge-Marcum pleaded not guilty, and Judge Nelson Lee rejected the defense motion to reduce his $750,000 bail. Court documents also say the victim’s parents both spoke at the hearing. Bugge-Marcum is due back in court in two weeks for what’s called an “omnibus” hearing, which among other things is a check-in regarding trial readiness, though trials seldom happen that fast.
SATURDAY MORNING CARJACKING: Early Saturday, we reported on a Harbor Avenue carjacking. We received the police-report narrative today. It doesn’t shine much additional light, except to say that the carjacking happened after the victim pulled over at the scene of a crash that preceded it because they were worried a person from that crash was hurt. We’ve added the narrative to the original report here.
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