West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
The photos are from a resident near 18th and Orchard, reporting confirmed gunfire in the 7100 block of 18th last night. He reports, “10:19 pm. 6 shots fired. Took SPD an hour to respond and they said ‘well, we looked around earlier and didn’t see anything.” I had to lead them to the pile of shell casings on the street.” Police, he adds, left some of the casings behind, and they were still in view this morning:
They didn’t bother to take any statements despite the fact that there was a witness present who saw the car that did the shooting. A supervisor came by around 11:45 and told the officer present to bag the four shell casings they had found. And then everyone left.
I went back to the scene this morning only to find the two shell casings I had pointed out to the officer still there (including one that he had comically left his business card tented over), 6 bullet holes in the pavement, and a spent round.
I called cops again and they sent an officer out to collect the evidence and he was confused that they hadn’t picked up the casings that I showed them last night. He said that their watch shift was unaware that there had even been a shooting in the area and assumed that since there was no property damage or anyone hurt it just hadn’t been passed on to new shifts.
We suggested that the concerns/questions raised by how this unfolded be brought to the SPD community meeting this Thursday at Delridge Community Center.
The photo and report are from Jackie of Driftwood on Alki:
Chef Dan is at the West Seattle Farmers Market today doing a cooking demo inspired by the season’s best local ingredients. Stop by the market to say hello, then join us at Driftwood this evening or tomorrow for a Memorial Day weekend dinner. Enjoy the sunshine and Alki breezes from our terrace or at the window counter.
The market continues until 2 pm as usual in The Junction.
Meantime, a few readers have asked us lately for an update on Seaglass, which the Driftwood proprietors are opening next door in the ex-Alki Café space, so we asked Jackie, who replied that they’re experiencing “more delays” but hoping for a timeline update in the coming week.
Kim is hoping for help solving this hit-run:
(The) hit-and-run occurred early Saturday the 23rd at Midnight (3300 block of SW Morgan).
I was asleep during the time that this incident occurred, and my neighbor had expressed to me that he heard a loud crash around midnight and saw that a dark gray Prius hit my car (which inherently hit his) and drove off. I’m assuming based on the impact the Prius has a badly dinged up passenger side and their headlight must be smushed in.
My main goal is to locate any kind of camera footage that can help identify the car or license plate for the police report. Any kind of information or video helps!!
If you have any info or video, email us and we’ll connect you.
(Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook shore, photo by Bob Burns)
Mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar, here are highlights of what’s happening (and not) as the holiday weekend continues:
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY ON HOLIDAY: No Westies Run Club run today.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
BACH AND PANCAKES AT KENYON HALL: 10 am at Kenyon Hall – amazing music AND pancakes! (7904 35th SW; online tickets sold out but check at door)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in full spring produce-and-products season – asparagus, lettuce, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, apples, more – and many options for baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, poultry, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
MASTER GARDENERS AT THE MARKET: If you have a gardening question, you can get an answer from a Master Gardener! Their weekly clinics at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continue today, 10 am-2 pm. (Look for their booth toward the south end of the market.)
ARTS AT THE PARK – TSIMSHIAN STORIES: 10 am-2 pm at Myrtle Reservoir Park (35th/Myrtle):
Experience oral history and living traditions right in your neighborhood! On Sunday, May 24, Myrtle Reservoir Park will host Tsimshian Stories: Arts in the Park. This free, all-ages event brings traditional Tsimshian stories and art to life under the open sky. Come take part in a hands-on community project and learn about traditional Northwest Coast weaving! Supported by Seattle’s Arts in Parks program, it’s a wonderful opportunity to gather with neighbors, learn from Indigenous culture-bearers, and celebrate community.
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and enjoy a buffet breakfast – if this morning is sold out, look at dates ahead.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Second day of the season for the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
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)
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)
COLMAN POOL’S THIRD WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, third preseason weekend continues at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome 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)
MUSIC MATINEE AT TIM’S: Fight and Flight, All the Rain at 2 pm at Tim’s in White Center (98th & 16th).
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS/MOVIES BOOK CLUB: 2:30 pm monthly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), this month discussing Kerouac’s “On the Road.”
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S: 5-8 pm trivia with Morgue Anne at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
SOCCER: The top-ranked West Seattle Rhodies FC plays Salmon Bay FC, 6 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
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!
Thanks to Barbara for the tip: 221 Seattle City Light customers are without power in North Delridge – above is a screengrab from the SCL outage map, which shows it as two separate but adjacent outages. No indication yet of the cause.
10:41 PM: According to the SCL outage map, this has been resolved.
As mentioned in our coverage of the Westside Awards celebration, the West Seattle Rhodies FC soccer team is undefeated and ranked #1 – and you can see why when they play their next home match tomorrow (Sunday, May 24). Here’s the preview from Rhodies owner Jessica Pierce (who talked about the Rhodies’ achievements while accepting the Westsider of the Year award):
This past week, West Seattle Rhodies FC remained unbeaten with a dominant 6–1 win over Snohomish United on Sunday at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complexx= and a 5-0 victory over Bigfoot FC in an away game last Friday night. The victory improves the Rhodies to 3–0–0 and moves them into first place in the USL W League Northwest Division. Scoring for West Seattle included Ashley Roni (#21), Avery Nguyen (#30), two goals from Kunie Hirai (#9), Ali Monroe (#2), and Jadyn Holdenried (#17). Adding to the historic start, the USL W League released its national power rankings on May 19, listing the Rhodies as the #1 team in the country. The Rhodies return home on Sunday, May 24th at 6 pm, for the “Battle of the Bridges” against Salmon Bay FC. West Seattle will defend its title after claiming the inaugural trophy last season. Kick-off is set for 6:00 PM at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. Tickets available at www.ws_rhodiesfc.com/tickets.
(PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG)
Along the north and west sides of the CVS site at 5217 California SW, the retaining walls are again alive with art.
We reported earlier this spring about the previous art getting painted over.
It followed a city enforcement action after someone complained and CVS ordered the paintout with no knowledge of the previous permission given by ex-tenant Rite Aid.
Local muralist Desmond Hansen jumped in to get things straightened out.
And now he and others are returning art to the walls.
Photojournalist Dave Gershgorn counted more than half a dozen artists there today.
Thanks to Gretchen for the tip!
Congratulations to the Chief Sealth IHS Seahawks baseball team for another strong season. It ended today in the state tournament opening round, with a 1-0 loss to Othello, on that team’s home field in central Washington. This was the second year in a row that head coach Ernest Policarpio and his team went to state.
(2025 Loop the ‘Lupe – photo by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
Speaking of Our Lady of Guadalupe (as we were earlier today) … its community-service work benefits from the annual four-events-in-one Loop the ‘Lupe, and we are now just two weeks away! On Saturday, June 6, you’re invited to Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) to join in the signature obstacle-course 5K – only one in Seattle! – or a 5K Fun Run, a Kids’ Dash, and a walk geared toward seniors. You can find more info, and register, by going here.
Thanks to Lori Hinton for the photo! Earlier this month she shared the news that the Our Lady of Guadalupe School 7th-grade girls-varsity volleyball team, which she coaches with Patrick Lamb, won the CYO championship. Yesterday, the school held a double banner-raising for the volleyball champs and the 8th-grade boys-varsity basketball team, also CYO champions. Congratulations to both!
The photo and report are from CC:
This box (was seen on a corner, and) looks like it may be important camera equipment.
The finder didn’t mention its current status but if you’re looking for it, let us know and we’ll do what we can to connect you.
11:05 PM: Some West Seattle SFD crews have joined a big response to a South Park address checking to the South Transfer Station.
11:13 PM: SFD says firefighters extinguished a “small fire in the SW corner of the building.” Now they’re focused on clearing out the smoke.
Earlier today, we published the West Seattle Junction Association‘s announcement of this year’s Summer Fest music lineup. The shows are all free to watch – but somebody has to pay the bands – and WSJA is that “somebody,” with help from you. Here’s a fun way to help: The next Rock Walk, a showcase for local beverages and local businesses, set for 5-9 pm Friday, June 19:
-Includes beer, wine, cider and spirits
-Friday, June 19th from 5-9 PM
-$40 ticket includes:
*12 tastes
*Tasting glass
*Tote for purchases
*Map of sip stops
*Approx 30 stops and 30 local beverage partnersFull lineup of participants can be found here.
You can buy your ticket(s) for the Rock Walk by going here.
Whether or not you’re going to WestSide Baby‘s “Night Out“ benefit in two weeks, you can support the local nonprofit by bidding in its online auction, which has just begun! Here’s the announcement:
WestSide Baby’s online auction is live NOW through Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM, featuring incredible experiences, local getaways, sports tickets, and so much more – all generously donated by our amazing community of supporters!
Additional auction items will also be available at A Night Out with WestSide Baby: Celebrating 25 Years, the organization’s upcoming fundraiser and birthday celebration taking place Friday, June 5 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the WestSide Baby warehouse in White Center.
This special evening will celebrate 25 years of WestSide Baby’s work supporting local children and families. They invite you to join in on the fun and celebrate with food, cocktails, games, stories from throughout WestSide Baby’s history, and an inspiring program about the impact the WestSide Baby community has made together over the past quarter century.
Most importantly, all proceeds from the auction and event support WestSide Baby’s mission of providing diapers, clothing, car seats, safe sleep items, and other essentials to local children and families.
Learn more, purchase tickets, or participate in the auction at WestSide Baby.
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Last night’s Alki Community Council meeting had an agenda packed with public safety initiatives, briefings, and plans, along with the presentation of awards to three dedicated community members.
CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY: Lieutenant Pat Daly from the Southwest Precinct was invited up to give the community an overview of crime trends and plans that the department has as Alki starts the summer season. According to Daly, crime in the precinct jurisdiction – West Seattle and South Park – is down by 12% and down in Alki by 10% compared to 4% citywide. He emphasized, however, that these statistics don’t take into account what the department calls “quality of life issues” including minor traffic issues, noise ordinances, and street racing.
As for plans to address these issues in Alki, Daly recounted three initiatives. First, they are proactively closing the Don Armeni Boat Ramp earlier at night to prevent cars from showing up. The department is also emphasizing that officers carry out “directed patrols” along Alki for quality of life issues also including illegal drinking and parking violations. Lastly, the department is still working to finalize an agreement with Seattle Parks and Recreation to deploy officers on the beach on weekend nights to help “close out” the beach.
The lieutenant reiterated the importance of calling 911 about noise complaints, or at least making an online report or a phone report. Not only does this help the department to immediately address the issue, but these reports create data so that the department knows if they are “effectively and efficiently” deploying their resources.
NEW PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY FOR LIME: Stefan Winkler with SDOT provided a presentation on their partnership with Lime eBike and scooters, including plans to update technology and an outline of plans for Alki. Through SDOT’s permit program, vendors pay fees to operate within the city. The program comes with vendor performance expectations, and as of now Lime is the only partner in the program. As of April 1, permit conditions were updated for Lime’s technology to include sidewalk-riding detection, rider-behavior detection, increased parking fines, increased insurance requirements, more than 50% seated devices, and increased equity deployment. Winkler also mentioned efforts to implement technology to detect and prevent tandem riding. (Added: Here’s the SDOT slide deck.)
On Alki, riding is currently allowed on the shared-use path next to the beach and vehicles must be parked at corrals. This spring, a geofence was put along the business side of Alki and Harbor.
NEW PEDESTRIAN SAFETY INITIATIVE: Next up was revealing a new safety initiative by SDOT, resulting from collaboration with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka. The proposed concept will cost roughly $254,000. The councilmember’s office sent over a statement regarding SDOT’s plans:
We reviewed a request for speed humps/cushions and curb bulbs on Alki Ave SW from 59th Ave SW to 63rd Ave SW to reduce driver speeds and enhanced pedestrian safety near Alki Beach. We recommend installing two new speed cushions between 59th Ave SW and 61st Ave SW and adding a vehicle lane edge line. To discourage drivers form bypassing the speed cushions and enhance safety for people biking and rolling, we recommend adding a hardened bike lane buffer between 59th Ave SW and 63rd Ave SW. We also recommend adding a paint and post curb bulb at both 61st Ave SW and 62nd Ave SW to encourage slower driver speeds and improve visibility for all users.
Plans for traffic calmin on 63rd between Alki and Admiral, as reported here recently, require more data collection this summer.
ALKI EMERGENCY HUB: Amy, the new co-captain of the Alki Emergency Hub, gave a quick briefing about the organization and urged neighbors to get involved. The hub stands as a resource for community members in the event of an emergency – a potential disaster or other loss of communication – to connect with operators who are in touch with emergency management systems. They are looking for more people to get involved, and for neighbors to come together in helping one another. If you’re interested, you can learn more at seattleemergencyhubs.org.
PICKLEBALL UPDATE: Seattle Metro Pickleball Association‘s Don Gouley addressed the council with an update on the organization’s petitioning against Seattle Parks and Recreation’s plan to turn some outdoor public courts throughout the city into tennis-only – including in Alki – resulting in the loss of 36 public courts at 7 locations. SMPA has collected more than 3,200 online signatures, which were sent to city council members as well as Mayor Wilson. The city has since revised their strategy to more equally favor pickleball and tennis in the city, with an update Parks plans to release next week, according to Gouley. He noted that the sport has the power to bring generations and communities together, and that taking away these public facilities is “just not right.”
AWARDS: Possibly the most anticipated agenda item was the presentation of three volunteer awards to longtime Alki Community Council members. These awards were given to Kathy Olson, Tony Fragada, and William Winter.
Olson was granted the Enduring Impact Award to commemorate the fact that the Alki Community Council “would not have made it through some of its toughest years without her.” She has spent more than a decade with the organization, and helped to establish and sustain its 501c3 nonprofit status. Aside from her assumption of multiple board leadership roles, she is known for being welcoming at the door, baking cookies for community members, and generally acting in kindness.
The next award recipient was Tony Fragada, who was granted the Leadership and Service Award. Fragada has been involved in the council since the 1990s, and was the president from 2011-2023 after a stint in the early 2000s. He contributed his “time, positive energy, manual labor, and ideas toward making Alki a better place to work and play.” Tony noted that his focus today is nature – encouraging future generation to live in respect of our ecosystems.
The final recipient was William Winter, who got the Alki Lifetime Service Award. Winter has been serving Alki for 38 years which began with his time at the Alki Community School. He started the fundraising effort for the community bathhouse called the Friends of the Alki Bathhouse, and helped start the Alki Art Fair.
The Alki Community Council typically meets on the third Thursday of every month. The council does not schedule meetings for June, August and December, so will presumably pick back up in July.
NOTE: Corrected post-publication – the titles of Tony Fragada’s and William Winter’s awards, and the spelling of the SDOT rep’s name.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
(reader photo)
Thanks for the tips and photo! A “For Rent” sign is now up in the papered windows of the ex-bakery space most recently occupied by Bel Gatto (9253 45th Ave SW), and the long-time location of The Original Bakery at the Wildwood/Endolyne crossroads.
Last year at this time, the Pilates studio in the same building, Lagom Studios (4507 SW Wildwood Place), planned to expand into the bakery area, adding group classes and saunas. In the interim, Lagom Studios took over the space to the west of their studio, adding enough Pilates equipment for group classes.
“It ended up being perfect,” Lagom owner Melina Moore told us this morning. Moore says she realized it was also enough space for her business, particularly when the permitting process and requirements for the ex-bakery went well beyond what she had expected. She withdrew her permit request in late March.
That’s where leasing agent Kirsten DeWitt came into the picture. “We’re now looking for a fresh, new tenant. It could be office space, retail, anything that would be successful.” DeWitt says the 2,000 square foot space is empty of all the restaurant equipment and freshly drywalled, with one restroom. “It’s a blank slate.” The lease will be a base rate plus triple net. “Five years would be ideal,” she says. So far she says she’s received calls from people looking for spaces for coffee shops or restaurants, but they are “trying to stay away from that,” in deference to Endolyne Joe’s next door.
The owner of Joe’s, CHOW Foods, ran Bel Gatto for less than a year, blaming newly mandated wage and payroll costs for making the cafe and bakery unprofitable when it closed in early 2025. That leaves the open question about how to make a business like a bakery pencil out there. Still, the Original Bakery closed in 2023 as a successful neighborhood staple after more than 80 years in business, when owner Bernie Alonzo retired.
Moore of Lagom is excited to continue having her business on a thriving corner, even though giving up the bakery space means she will not be able to offer saunas, as she had planned. She says things worked out as well as they could have. “It’s already connected to my original space.” Moore says the exposed brick walls and tall ceilings have a more expansive feel, which is perfect for what she offers: Pilates, Reiki, sound baths, tea ceremonies and other special events. “Clients love this space too, it’s super airy.”
The West Seattle Junction Association has just announced the music lineup for this year’s festival, which starts Friday, July 10:
FRIDAY, JULY 10
4:00 Ghost Fetish
5:00 Chico Detour
6:00 Thee Deception
7:00 Zookraught
8:00 Blackie
9:00 Caitlin & Brent w/ the Passenger String Quartet
10:00 Alien Crime SyndicateSATURDAY, JULY 11
12:00 Mode Music
12:45 School of Rock
2:00 Beautiful Freaks
3:00 Black Whales
4:00 Massy Ferguson
5:00 Butch Bastard
6:00 ToXic MaX-Q-Linity
7:00 Bog Ore
8:00 Bexley
9:00 Dark Chisme
10:00 True Loves
Again this year, there won’t be mainstage music on Sunday, as that’s the day the Farmers’ Market will be set up on California SW north of SW Oregon. You can preview any or all of the bands’ music via links on this page of the Summer Fest website.
(Photo by Bob Burns)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can preview events days/weeks ahead 24/7):
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE MEMORIAL DAY 5K/10K: As previewed here, 10 am run/walk on campus this morning.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER Spring is garden time! See what’s new at the center, open today, 10 am-3 pm at north end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW).
STAY ‘N’ PLAY … weekly indoor playtime for preschool-age kids, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd). FYI, May 29 is the last one until fall.
FISHER SCONE TRUCK: Thanks to Margaret for the tip – it’s back at Metropolitan Market (41st/42nd/Admiral) 11:30 am-5 pm today with those famous state-fair scones.
NO STORY TIME TODAY … canceled @ Delridge Library again this week.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history, noon-4 pm. (61st SW and SW Stevens)
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: For adult English-language learners, 12:30 pm-2 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
WORLD GOTH DAY AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 3-5 pm, World Goth Day is observed at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), with an “Unhappy Hour” featuring DJ Al spinning.
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: At C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), the Greg Glatzer Jazz Quartet performs 6-8 pm.
DENNY DRAMA MUSICAL: Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Chief Sealth IHS Auditorium for the free presentation of Denny Drama‘s “School of Rock: The Musical.” Free admission.
MUSIC AT KENYON HALL: “Summer Night Sonata” at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) with Abrahamson & Phelps, 7 pm doors, 7:30 pm performance.
LIVE MUSIC AT MR. B’S: The She-Shandies, 7-9 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), no cover, all ages.
PUN SLAM AT THE SKYLARK: It’s the periodic Pun Slam
at The Skylark. Doors at 7, puns at 8. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), spinning tonight with DJ Buttnaked, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to music with Yellfire, So Pitted, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
As announced last month, tonight’s the official start of beach-fire season at Alki. Here are the rules published by Seattle Parks:
Starting Friday, May 22, 2026, beach fires will be permitted at designated fire pits at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens seven days a week on a first come, first served basis. Bringing your own fire pit is not allowed, and no propane fire pits/rings are allowed.
-Fires must be extinguished by 10 p.m.
-Fires allowed 7 days a week starting Friday, May 22 through Tuesday, September 7.
-Staff will be on-site to manage and assist with putting out fires at 10 p.m.
-Parking lot gates will be locked and the park will close at 10:30 p.m. for summer hours.
-Please only burn clean (natural, bare, dry cord-wood) wood and douse your fire completely before leaving.
-Light a fire ONLY in one of the installed fire containers
-Use only clean, dry firewood
-Please douse your fire with water, not sand
-Fires are not allowed during air pollution alerts; we will post sign
-Please don’t remove any materials from the park, beach or dunes
-Please dispose of trash and ashes in the containers provided for each. (SMC 18.12.260)
-Be considerate of others–please, no loud or amplified music! (SMC 18.12.170)
-Remember, no alcohol or smoking are allowed, and parks are drug-free zones.
-Beach fire rules are outlined in detail in the Seattle Municipal Code section 18.12.270 and in our Beach Fires Policy.If you see an illegal fire, call 911. For current burn ban and air quality questions, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
Fire pits at Golden Gardens and Alki are unlocked by 5:30 p.m. Please extinguish all beach fires (using water, not sand) by 10 p.m. in order to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished in ample time before the park’s closure.
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, May 22, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Mostly sunny, low-70s high. Sunrise was at 5:23 am; sunset will be at 8:49 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules today; Sunday schedule on Memorial Day.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule today, holiday schedule for Memorial Day. Check the alert page for any last-minute changes.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedules Fridays and Saturdays. The Water Taxi WILL sail on Memorial Day.
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!
If you have electronics you’d like to recycle, but don’t want to wait until the next Fauntleroy Church Recycle Roundup on October 3, you have an opportunity to do it next week! Here’s the announcement:
The Southwest Library will be hosting a free device-dropoff event with PCs for People (formerly known as InterConnection) on Wednesday, May 27 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. PCs for People will be on-site to accept donations of used electronic devices such as laptops, phones, desktop computers, speakers, and more. PCs for People will wipe all data from donated items, sell and/or refurbish them, and make the devices available to underserved communities.
The full list of accepted items is here.
Southwest Library is at 9010 35th SW.
(2025 WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn)
If you’re looking for a ceremonial way to observe Memorial Day on Monday, Forest Lawn in West Seattle has announced its annual ceremony:
Join us in person to honor and remember at our Annual Memorial Day Celebration (2 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery & Funeral Home)! Pay tribute to those who have served our country with an event of music, speeches and a flag ceremony. Share stories and connect with the community. Whether you come with friends or family, there’s a warm welcome waiting for you. Don’t miss out on a meaningful way to spend the day outdoors.
Forest Lawn’s official address is 6701 30th SW but the ceremony is toward the south side of the cemetery – look for the canopy and flagpole.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Short on funds and running out of time, cooperative preschool program advocates at South Seattle and other colleges are asking for help from everyone from politicians to school administrators to intervene so that the programs don’t close permanently at the end of the school year in early June. As we reported last month, changes in the statewide funding model for community colleges ruled out funding most, if not all parent education programs at community colleges, of which the coop preschools are an integral part.
“Everyone agrees that our programs are important and they should be saved/preserved. And no one is doing anything,” says Jen Giomi, South’s preschool faculty coordinator and a parent educator. In recent weeks, Giomi says more than 100 people joined a call with Governor Bob Ferguson’s office, letters have been sent to U.S. Senator Patty Murray, and a variety of meetings attended, with no commitment so far to keep the 80-year-old program open at 16 colleges statewide.
Organizers have also asked for a deferral from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), which is the group that approved the funding model change. When asked this week if the board is actively considering that request, the SBCTC’s Communications Director Rachelle Alongi replied, “We are working closely with colleges to determine next steps,” though she also confirmed that parent education programs are not on the agenda for the board’s next meetings on June 3rd and 4th. “We are meeting with legislators to discuss the Parent Education Program and how we can support colleges.” She added, “Ultimately, the decision to offer or not offer this program is up to the college.”
While this is true, for colleges to offer it and use state funds to pay for it, the program must meet criteria around credentialing and workforce development that are part of the new funding model. That goes back to SBCTC, which reviews and makes a decision about which programs meet the criteria. Alongi says they have received requests from 5 schools so far. Of those, 3 have been denied and 2 are still under review. Six schools statewide already had certificate programs when the funding model change happened, but their future is not yet clear. “We’re continuing to iron this out,” said Alongi.
(WSB file photo)
Giomi says South Seattle’s Program Approval Request is one of the three that was denied. “It appears that will not be a way to save programs.” She says the reasons given for rejection focused around whether parent education would be required as a credential for jobs, other educational programs or with the state agency Department of Children, Youth, and Families. “We’ve all been told that that parent education certificates are not needed for any jobs. Almost all parent educators got their jobs through their programs. Additionally, 95% of what we explore with parents is that same content as a person studying to get an ECE [Early Childhood Education] degree. For some reason, if parents do the work, it’s not considered workforce, but anyone who studies it, is considered workforce.”
With South Seattle’s Cooperative Preschools parent education program application rejected, and a deferral unknown, finding a way to fund the program, even temporarily, is now even higher priority for organizers. A $2 million fundraising effort launched in April by parent educators to keep just the programs at South Seattle and North Seattle open next year has raised 40% of the needed funds so far. Independent fundraising could be a path forward for the preschools, since they run as individual non-profits. A key thing they will lack if they lose status as part of a college program is insurance, but that can be arranged. It’s that or the other option, as the final two weeks of the school year conclude. “There is no firm deadline, but many Co-ops are already putting plans in place to close or try to go independent,” says Giomi.
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