West Seattle, Washington
13 Monday
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.
(March 29, emergency response at 35th/Alaska after assaults)
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.
(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 their 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.
That pic is just in from WSB contributor Anne Higuera, on state ferry M/V Kittitas headed from Fauntleroy and Vashon. Let us know if you’ve seen it/them!
(File photo from a reader – that long stretch of greenbelt is the WDG)
Just west of Seattle’s only river, in eastern West Seattle, you’ll find the city’s longest unbroken stretch of forest, the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Last year we reported on a survey asking your thoughts about it, conducted by the Ridge to River Coalition. Now the results are out, and we’ve received this announcement summarizing it and looking ahead to what’s next:
Last year, the Ridge to River Coalition (R2R) invited the community to share experiences and ideas for the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest forest. 589 people completed an online survey. That is an impressive response! To see the results, visit the R2R website r2rduwamish.org. R2R thanks all who participated.
Survey findings will help shape a community vision for the greenbelt that supports environmental stewardship and addresses the needs of the surrounding communities.
Key findings include:
-The West Duwamish Greenbelt is widely viewed as a critical environmental resource and a valued refuge for nature, recreation, and community wellbeing.
-Respondents most frequently engage with the Greenbelt through walking, hiking, nature observation, and informal recreation.
-Environmental protection, personal safety, encampments, wayfinding and maintenance emerged as overall priorities.
-Many respondents expressed concern about balancing improved access with preservation of sensitive ecosystems.
-Top priorities for trail development were wayfinding, developing longer, continuous hiking routes within the greenbelt, and making trails usable in wet weather.
-Community members demonstrated strong interest in continued involvement and stewardship.
R2R is currently inviting adjacent neighbors and landowners to meet for “coffee hours” for more input. Later this year, R2R will return to gather public feedback on options for planning concepts for trails and restoration. Herrera Environmental Consultants is leading a team to perform environmental studies and planning.
The Ridge to River Coalition includes West Seattle and Duwamish Valley community organizations, individuals, and the Duwamish Tribe. This project is funded by grants from the King County Parks Levy Fund and the King Conservation District. Seattle Parks Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of R2R. Seattle Parks and Recreation is reviewing the work as it proceeds. Technical assistance is being provided by the National Park Service’s River and Trail Corridor Assistance Program.
For any questions or comments, please contact info@r2rduwamish.org
Four weeks from now – on Saturday, May 9 – we’ll be in the waning official moments of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2026 (though some are staying open later or even continuing their sales the next day). We are also midway through registration, which opened the morning of April 1 and is closing the evening of April 22; we’re almost up to 300 sales now, as usual, all sizes, all around the peninsula (plus some a bit south/southeast of West Seattle, in White Center, Top Hat, and South Park). We’ve been reviewing/proofreading the listings and noting creative descriptions and unusual items – among them, the seller who describes their sale as a “pop-culture fever dream of vintage ephemera and modern kitsch” and the seller who declares theirs to be a “baby blow-out – the good kind!” plus the seller who promises a “modernist aesthetic from an obsessive thrifter.” Besides all the individual sales, we’ll have block sales, multi-family sales, and a few multi-seller sites that have participated in past years too (including Hotwire Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee).
If you’re planning a sale but haven’t signed up yet, the deadline is 11 pm Wednesday, April 22 to do it, but don’t run the risk you’ll procrastinate and forget until it’s too late – get your up-to-20-words listing ready, and go here to register! Whether you’re selling or shopping, watch for the WSCGSD map to be available online – in clickable and printable-list formats – on May 2, which is one week before sale day.
11:50 AM: It’s a mellow open house happening at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) right now, as proprietor Marcia Bruno describes it, but full of highlights. Want to learn about bees? Washington Bee Atlas volunteers are there:
WBA is working to identify and map our state’s wild bees, and the plants that they favor.
You can find out how to volunteer! Also at the open house, West Seattle author Lori Kothe and her picture book “Birds Near My Home in the City by the Sea“:
(If you can’t get there today, WSN is selling Lori’s book and should have some signed copies too.) After noon, a special highlight – WSN’s own Chelsea Ginnis launching Nosegay Gardens, and will be there to talk about it and the plants she’ll be selling. The open house is on until 2 pm.
1:59 PM: We went back to catch up with Chelsea, who is a fulltime WS Nursery employee and now a wholesale plant grower/seller. She’s focusing on roses and perennials, telling us that if she grows annuals, they’d mostly be “edibles.” She’s also excited about helping educate gardeners and plans to post about rose care this coming week on her website. (She’s actually been in business as a landscaper under the Nosegay Gardens name since 2022, but now she’s no longer taking new clients in that business and focusing on plants – which you of course can buy at WSN, which is open 9 am-7 pm this time of year.)
(WSB photo, September 2025 Recycle Roundup)
If the return of the rain has you spending some time indoors today and wondering what to do – sort your recyclables for West Seattle’s next big free-dropoff recycling event. We’re now exactly two weeks away from the spring Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 9 am-3 pm Saturday, April 25 – here’s the list of what will and won’t be accepted. Twice a year, the church partners with 1 Green Planet to offer this free service to the community; since it’s a six-hour window, they request that you come earlier rather than later, to avoid a last-minute backup.
(Friday night, off Harbor Avenue; WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
Happy Saturday! First, a transportation note:
WATER TAXI’S NEW SCHEDULE: The spring/summer schedule for the West Seattle Water Taxi starts today, including extra weekend daytime runs, and later night runs on Saturdays (starting tonight) and Fridays (starting next Friday), as previewed here.
Now the other Saturday highlights, as usual mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar (if we’re missing something, text info ASAP to 206-293-6302):
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you’re invited to join the Saturday 8 am free group run – kicking off the second day of 16th-anniversary weekend (see below).
FREE MEDITATION: For a calming start to your weekend, check out Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
SCHMITZ PARK IVY PULL: Join Schmitz Park Creek Restore, A Cleaner Alki, others to help save the park’s trees by pulling invasive ivy, 9:30-11:30 am. (56th SW and SW Spokane)
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile before the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fontanelle.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER CELEBRATES 16 YEARS: Second day of anniversary weekend, open 10 am to 5 pm – “discounts, raffle drawings, Hawthorne Chair massage, Lake Washington PT and Hidef PT on site at various times during the weekend. Call ahead for specific questions on scheduling: 206-938-0545.” (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor)
DONATION DRIVE FOR FARMWORKERS: Plant starts, tools, supplies needed for community garden – dropoff donation drive 10 am-1 pm today and tomorrow at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE NURSERY OPEN HOUSE: Spring open house 10 am-2 pm at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor), featuring bees, books, and a new grower!
COMPOST GIVEAWAY: 10 am to 2 pm or while it lasts, bring your own bucket/shovel to Westcrest Park P-Patch (9000 8th SW) for free compost, as previewed here.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, new Saturday hours 10 am-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).
SSC GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, open today! New plants in! North end of campus at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor)
DAHLIA TUBER SALE: 10 am-3 pm, prolific gardener’s overflow for sale. (4557 51st Place SW)
SINGALONG BRUNCH SOLD OUT: 10 am weekends at Admiral Pub, sing to classics – today, Taylor Swift edition, and it’s sold out. Table Reservation for future dates includes a Brunch Buffet! (2306 California SW)
GAME ON FOR KIDS! NAT’L BOARD GAME DAY: Kids are invited to celebrate by playing games at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), 10:30 am-3:30 pm.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am today – free, weekly, in-person, critique-free group resumes today – details including location are in our calendar listing.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), for families with kids up to 5 years old.
ALKI HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Second one of the season! 11 am, leaving from the Log House Museum (61st SW and SW Stevens).
FREE TAX HELP: 11 am-3 pm, no appointment needed, with United Way and West Seattle Food Bank at WS Community Resource Center (6516 35th SW).
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN HAIRCUTS: 11 am-3 pm at Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), Little Shop of Hairdos is cutting hair for 50+ at whatever price they can pay, no appointment necessary, proceeds donated to the center.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Community visitors welcome noon-3 pm at the West Seattle Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard).
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
COMMUNITY NOTARY DAY: 1-3 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), no registration required.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffeehouse (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), singer-songwriter John Shaw. Free, all ages.
‘WALDEN’ AT ARTSWEST: First weekend continues for ArtsWest‘s new play, 7:30 pm curtain. (4711 California SW)
MUSIC AT KENYON HALL Feral Songwriters in the Round at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm, all ages.
CLASSICAL GUITAR CONCERT: 7:30 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau), renowned guitarist Michael Partington will present music by Portland (OR) composer Bryan Johanson to celebrate his 75th year,
MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Pale People, Henry Mansfield, Cats with Bowties, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT TIM’S: Far Reaches, The Unsundered, Guilded Lilly at Tim’s in White Center, 8 pm, all ages. (16th SW & SW 98th)
REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm, Soul Focus FM. (4547 California SW)
SKATE PARTY: 9 pm-midnight at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk & hip-hop, $18 plus $5 skate rental.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Sing with Rone at 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Have a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar, where listings are free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
10:30 PM: Seattle Police and a King County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team are searching for a suspected burglar who might be armed with a gun. This is happening near Delridge and Willow [map], where two people said they were in a residence when they encountered a intruder. If you’re hearing siren bursts, that’s because of the K-9 search. The only description so far is a Black man in his 20s, dressed in all black, with a white bandanna covering much of his face.
11:12 PM: Police are still searching, in a wide area.
11:41 PM: No luck finding the burglar yet but police told dispatch that they found a gun in a bag they believe he discarded.
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