West Seattle, Washington
12 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Wednesday night, our area’s largest political organization meets online to decide who to endorse in this year’s elections.
This past Saturday night, the 34th District Democrats gathered in person to raise money, snack, sip, and hear many candidates’ pitches.
The fundraiser’s theme was Forward Together, meant as a rallying cry as Democrats here and elsewhere work to find a unified breakthrough in an age of Republican control. As the organization’s first vice chair Rachel Glass said toward the start of the program, the point was “to uplift the work we’re doing to save our democracy.” Chair Jordan Crawley added, “The defense of democracy starts right here. … The moment we’re in (is) an invitation to lead.” But even local, regional, and state Democrats haven’t been marching in lockstep, as evidenced in two recent appearances of the 34th District legislative trio, at which they said working with newly elected Gov. Bob Ferguson had been a challenge.
The disagreements weren’t in evidence Saturday night, though, as the party filled the Washington State Black Legacy Institute in Admiral. Elected officials in attendance included 34th District State Sen. Emily Alvarado, State House Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, County Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda, Claudia Balducci, and Girmay Zahilay, Seattle School Board President Gina Topp, County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion, and Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (the only one of the nine councilmembers to attend). Former elected officials too – including ex-King County Executive, now Sound Transit CEO, Dow Constantine and ex-State Senator, now state Commerce Director, Joe Nguyen.
With Crawley declaring “Elections matter,” he and Glass made way for a parade of candidates. State Sen. Alvarado – running unopposed for a full term in the seat to which she recently was appointed – gave the first and arguably most fiery speech: “We can’t just sit idly by while they try to take our democracy away.” County Councilmembers Zahilay and Balducci, main rivals for the open job of County Executive, gave more standard pitches mostly focusing on local issues and their respective selling points, although Zahilay had an extra point to hit: He arrived in the U.S. at age 3 as a refugee from Sudan – a country now on the federal “travel ban” list. “I’m running today because (a story like mine) is no longer possible.”
The Seattle city race with the most candidates speaking was City Attorney; incumbent Ann Davison, who has run for office in the past as a Republican, was not on hand, but her three challengers Erika Evans, Rory O’Sullivan, and Nathan Rouse made their cases. The two citywide Seattle City Council positions are both on the ballot; Position 8 incumbent Mercedes Rinck cleaved to the spirit of the evening by declaring “Seattle must stand as a beacon of hope and resilience (and) fight against the politics of fascism.” (She has four challengers, none of whom were there.) Position 9 incumbent Sara Nelson wasn’t there but one of her three challengers, Dionne Foster, spoke, proclaiming, “I know our city can do better.”
Burien is part of the 34th, too, so they heard from a few of the candidates in that city’s races, before the event wrapped with a round of “raise-the-paddle” fundraising.
Next up, the group meets online at 6 pm Wednesday (June 11) for endorsements. Here’s the agenda – one block endorsement, followed by a long list of individual ones for contested races. Even if you’re not a member eligible to vote, you can watch the meeting – here’s the registration link; they usually publish the recording to YouTube afterward, too.
Thanks to Tim O’Neill from O’Neill Plumbing (WSB sponsor) for the photos and report on a big win:
All of us here at O’Neill Plumbing are pretty dang proud of our Pee Wee team that just won the championship Saturday !!
We’ve been sponsors since 1974 and don’t have any record of them ever winning the championship !!
Way to go, TEAM OP !!
This is part of the West Seattle Baseball organization, which is now signing people up for Summer Crush – more on that in a separate report!
We reported last month about the King County Wastewater Treatment District’s new plans for West Seattle and South Seattle, including a 7-million-gallon-plus overflow storage tank off West Marginal Way SW. It’s meant to reduce overflows of combined sewage and stormwater into the Duwamish River. If you have questions about that or other parts of the “Mouth of the Duwamish” project, the drop-in session mentioned last month is coming up – here’s the reminder we received:
King County has proposed a solution to control overflows from five combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls at the mouth of the Duwamish River. The proposed solution to improve water quality in the Duwamish River and Elliott Bay includes a new wet weather treatment station in SODO and a new storage tank in West Seattle (Industrial District West). It also includes a new outfall for cleaned water, supporting facilities, and new pipes to connect flows along the way.
Now that we have a proposed solution, we will prepare an engineering report for review by the Washington State Department of Ecology. We will also start the design phase and environmental review.
-Share your questions with the project team
-Attend one of our upcoming drop-in sessions to share your feedback, questions, and concerns.–SODO Home Depot Drop-In: Tuesday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at 2701 Utah Ave. S.
–Delridge Community Center Drop-In: Thursday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to noon at 4501 Delridge Way S.W.Can’t make it? We still want to hear from you! Connect with our team in one of the following ways:
Find us at an upcoming event:
–Georgetown Carnival: Saturday, June 14, from noon to 6 p.m., on Airport Way South between South Lucile Street and South Vale Street.
–Duwamish River Festival: Saturday, August 2, from noon to 5 p.m., at 8700 Dallas Ave. S.
-Contact Bibiana Ocheke-Ameh at dwetweafacilities@kingcounty.gov or (206) 477-5604 to have a one-on-one conversation or invite us to a meeting hosted by your group or organizationVisit kingcounty.gov/MDWetWeatherFacilities to learn the latest updates about the project, access all project materials, and sign up for email updates. If you have suggestions for other ways we can work with you and your neighbors, please let us know!
See a fact sheet about the plan here.
Last Tuesday’s gunfire at 25th/Dakota was related to a family dispute, according to documents in the charge filed against the suspect by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. It was all related to one nearby residence, prosecutors say. They filed a felony first-degree assault charge against 23-year-old Jibril Mohamednur. The documents say the suspect is related to the ex-spouse of a 28-year-old man who allegedly drove by the residence Tuesday morning and fired gunshots toward it. Prosecutors allege Mohamednur then grabbed a gun and ran out to shoot at the first man’s vehicle. They say police had responded to the residence twice in the previous two days for situations involving the divorced couple, one in which the ex-husband allegedly “drove in front of the residence brandishing a firearm.” The charging documents say Mohamednur was identified in part by video from a residential security camera. As shown in a police update we reported in a followup, investigators found a “loaded and chambered firearm” in an Audi also linked to the residence, along with clothes they believe Mohamednur was wearing at the time of the shootout. The court documents also show that he has a criminal record including felony convictions for burglary and identity theft. He remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. The court documents also say police have probable cause to arrest the ex-husband but hadn’t found him as of the time Mohamednur was charged.
On a day like today, hard not to get caught up in summer-fun daydreaming. So we have more news about the peninsula’s biggest party of the year, West Seattle Summer Fest, a little more than a month away – it all starts with Summer Fest Eve on Thursday, July 10, then three days of Summer Fest, Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13. Above is this year’s map, reflecting the changes we mentioned previously – the Kids Zone and food court have swapped sides of SW Alaska, and the West Side Stage will be near the food zone, by Wells Fargo. The map also shows where you’ll find a new feature – free stations to refill your water bottle. Also on the Summer Fest website, the West Seattle Junction Association – which presents Summer Fest – has published the lists of vendors (including year-round merchants with sidewal sales), food and drink (also including year-round businesses with sidewalk cafés during the festival), and the schedule for nonprofits/agencies you’ll find with us and WSJA in the centrally located Info Booth. Main-stage music is on Fridays and Saturdays, on California north of Oregon, running until 11 pm, and on Sunday, that same area will be temporary home to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. This year’s festival hours are 1-8 pm Friday (music until 11), 10 am-8 pm Saturday (music until 11), and 10 am-5 pm Sunday (WSFM until 2 pm). See you there, July 11-13 (and Summer Fest Eve July 10)!
P.S. If you missed the earlier announcement of the music lineup, see that here!
SDOT says the SW Barton bus-layover zone between Roxhill Park and Westwood Village won’t be repaved this year after all, and that changes the plan for this week’s meeting about it:
Our project is being postponed – rather than starting construction in Fall 2025, we will begin work in March 2026. We need to delay our work because a separate project that will affect SW Trenton St (the street that major bus reroutes will use) conflicts with our timeline. Instead of competing for street space and making buses detour on an active construction zone, our project will start later.
We will still have our public meeting but are changing its format into a drop-in session where you can come learn the most up-to-date information. So come see us at our SDOT table outside the former site of the Bed Bath & Beyond in Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton St, Suite A1, across from the Wingstop) on June 11 (Wednesday) from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. And don’t worry. We will still hold a more comprehensive public meeting before construction begins – and will let you know when that meeting is rescheduled for a date in fall 2025.
We asked about the “separate Trenton project.” The reply: More speed humps.
BACKSTORY: We first reported the Barton repaving plan after spotting the permit application in March. SDOT says the temporary replacement layover zone will be on the southwest corner of 25th/Trenton.
(Early summer flowers – photo by Susan Whiting Kemp)
Here’s what’s on the highlight list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (are we missing something? let us know!):
FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 AM story time is open to wee ones and their parents/guardians/caretakers. (9010 35th SW)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day 11 am-8 pm for kids to keep cool! (1100 SW Cloverdale)
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See city councilmembers look ahead to the rest of the week, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch.
HOMEWORK HELP: K-12 students can get free drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.
CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: No need to grieve alone. 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio, join a group with Listening to Grief. Registration/fee info here. (4034A California SW).
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Three places you can play tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALKI MEDITATION: Every Monday – doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)
POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starts at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: More Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Live music on Monday nights – jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE Time to sing at 9 pm Monday nights – karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another announcement as the school year approaches its end: Chief Sealth International High School’s Drama Company will be staging two events to close out 2024-2025. On Saturday and Sunday – June 14th at 6:25 pm and June 15th at 4 pm – it’s the one-act play “The Angel Intrudes” by Floyd Dell. This one-act play is directed by students, and tickets will be just $2.
Then on Saturday, June 21st, at noon, the Intergenerational Theatre Project will present “The Lear Project,”described as a “company-devised piece based on participants’ writings, group exercises and discussions, and the first scene in Shakespeare’s King Lear.” We told you about the Intergenerational Theatre Project earlier this year. Essentially, it pairs students in the Chief Sealth Drama Company with adults to produce a theater show that bridges the generational divide. Tickets for the June 21st show will be free. Find out more about all these shows by going here.
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, June 9, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
After a record high on Sunday (90 degrees), the Heat Advisory alert remains in place until 10 pm, and the forecast is for another sunny day, high in the low 80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:11 am (which is as early as it gets, and it’ll stay there for about two weeks); sunset will be at 9:05 pm.
(Saturday’s sunrise, photographed by Richard Bartlett)
CLOSURES, ROAD WORK
-After a day-and-a-half closure over the weekend, the low bridge is open to all modes of traffic again.
-The Admiral Way Bridge lanes were scheduled to change again by today, says SDOT.
SCHOOL SCHEDULES
Summit Atlas in Arbor Heights has concluded its school year. Many local independent/parochial schools will get out this Friday. Seattle Public Schools‘ last day isn’t until a week from Wednesday. Neighboring districts – Vashon gets out June 24, Highline on June 25.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus a new addition – late-night service for weeknights with Mariners’ home games (and a few other events). More info here.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet. M/V Salish serves as the “bonus boat”.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Big weekend for reunions – especially West Seattle High School alums who time theirs to coincide with the annual All-School Reunion (which was held on Saturday). Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan shared the pic from the reunion of the WSHS Class of 1985, which gathered at his shop/café/music venue! Easy Street opened just three years after the Class of 1985 graduated, so its own 40th anniversary is in view too.
Speaking of protests … Jason sent photos and info about this street-side advocacy action that local kids in Fauntleroy did this afternoon:
Cool to see: a child-driven protest against to-fast drivers on 45th between Concord and Henderson. It’s been a problem here since the bridge closure made people use this route as a shortcut.
According to one of the kids (Lola, holding the sign):
“We hope to get drivers to drive slower and pay more attention to kids who cross back and forth. In the past we’ve seen teenagers driving way over the speed limit and not letting us cross first. We started yesterday at a block party while we were pretending to be police officers and saw cars driving too fast. We pulled the ‘20 is plenty’ signs from the ground and waved them in the air. It seemed to work — people were slowing down, waving, smiling and happily honking. So we thought we do it again today.
“When we yelled ‘20 is plenty’ some people rolled down their windows and yelled ten is plenty! We made paper signs saying ‘20 is plenty’ and had a petition sheet for people to sign if they agreed with us.
“I feel like some of the cars might have listened and acknowledged that there were kids who need to cross the street while others ignored us and kept driving like 30 mph over the speed bump. We hope that we can keep doing this until everyone slows down. Today we set up on the side of the road on a speed bump hoping that cars would see us and slow down. We also have some requests that the speed bumps could be a little bigger, and we need a painted crosswalk and another roundabout.”
The Fauntleroy Community Association has long agitated for more SDOT attention there and elsewhere. That section of 45th has a big project in the works to the north – the culvert replacement, which FCA and Seattle Public Utilities will update at 6 pm Tuesday at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).
Passing through The Junction on Saturday, we noted members of West Seattle Indivisible sign-waving, as planned, to remind people about the “No Kings” rally at Cal Anderson Park next Saturday (June 14), one of hundreds of planned protests nationwide. We’ve also been receiving questions by email, text, and voice about whether anything is planned here in West Seattle. So far, we have two answers:
#1 – If your concern is just getting there, transportation might be available, West Seattle Indivisible says. The group has filled up one bus with people interested in riding together to the Cal Anderson rally, leaving at 11 am Saturday from the West Seattle High School parking lot, $25 suggested donation. If they get enough expressions of interest, they’ll charter a second. You can sign up here if interested.
#2 – For those insistent on staying in West Seattle, Old Tyme Adults for Democracy sent us an announcement today for a street rally on the corners at Admiral/California on Saturday, 2-3 pm. Their group is based at nearby Brookdale Admiral Heights but all are welcome.
6:12 PM: We have multiple reports of a power outage affecting the Element 42 building next to Admiral Safeway. Does it go beyond the building? We don’t know because so far, it’s not showing on the Seattle City Light map. And residents have been having trouble getting through to SCL to be sure they’re at least aware of it – if you call the outage hotline, you get a message saying it’s not working. We’re trying to reach SCL’s after-hours media to see if they can at least confirm it’s being worked on. One of our tipsters say balloons hitting power lines may be to blame.
6:14 PM: Literally while we typed the above paragraph, the outage finally appeared on the map after more than an hour, though for starters it says “one customer” (which could just be a reference to the Element 42 building).
10:42 PM: Map indicates it’s been fixed since last time we checked.
ORIGINAL SUNDAY EVENING REPORT: Thanks to Dave for the tip, after he saw police arresting people in the Seacrest parking lot around 6 am this morning and asked if we knew what that was about. The initial call was labeled “threats” and dispatch audio said people in a car were harassing would-be customers. Now police have released a summary with more to the story, saying it started with a 911 call around 5:20 am from someone reporting they’d been threatened by someone on Harbor Avenue “in an older white Mercedes sedan” and reporting someone else involved was “armed with a black handgun with an extended, translucent magazine.” Officers couldn’t initially find the car where it was first reported but then located it in the Seacrest lot, with four people nearby. They detained al four and eventually arrested two, described as one male suspect and one female suspect. Police got a search warrant for the car and found a stolen handgun inside matching the previous description. The police summary says the male suspect was booked into jail for investigation of felony assault, use of a firearm by a minor, and felony possession of a stolen firearm. Police say the female suspect faces a charge of misdemeanor assault but first was taken to a hospital for a lip laceration, “an injury she sustained while fighting with the female victim prior to police arrival.” No further information but we’ll be following up.
ADDED MONDAY: We followed up on this. First, the male suspect, who was booked into jail, is 19 years old. Second, we’ve obtained the police-report narrative (the XXXXXX redactions are by SPD):
On 06.08.25 at approximately 0522 hours, V/XXXX called 911 to report he had been threatened by a man with a firearm. Several officers responded to the area, and I responded to V/XXXX’ location.
I contacted V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX near 4 Av S / S Spokane St. … V/XXXX appeared to be in a state of shock and seemed detached as I spoke with him. V/XXXX stated that he was parked in the parking lot located on the east side of the 1900 block of Harbor Av SW. This parking lot is private property but is open to the public for free parking. It’s typically used as overflow parking for a nearby business, which was not open at this early hour. V/XXXX stated that he saw a group also parked in this lot, openly drinking alcoholic beverages and being loud. The group was associated with a white Mercedes Benz sedan. V/XXXX suspected it was a C-Class. V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX exited their car to sit on a bench and watch the sunrise above the Seattle skyline.
A male in the other group, later identified as (male suspect), began to yell at V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX. (Male suspect) took offense at being looked at by V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX. (Male suspect) produced a handgun from his waistband and began to brandish it in the direction of V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX. (Male suspect) was yelling about not being looked at, and wanted to know what V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX were doing. A female in (male suspect)’s group, later identified as A/ADULT F/21, then assaulted V/XXXX-XX.
While V/XXXX-XX was being assaulted, (Male suspect) approached V/XXXX and stuck the handgun into his stomach. (Male suspect) stated something to the effect of “get out of here or I’ll shoot you.” V/XXXX provided a detailed description of the firearm. He stated that it was likely a Glock (a black, semi-automatic handgun) equipped with a translucent, extended magazine. The magazine was protruded from the magazine well in the grip of the handgun, and V/XXXX stated that he could see live rounds inside the translucent magazine. Fearing for their lives, V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX fled and called 911.
I then spoke to V/XXXX-XX. She provided a materially similar statement about what led up the incident. She saw (Male suspect) with a firearm in his hand, but it wasn’t clear if she saw (Male suspect) stick it into V/XXXX stomach. (Female suspect) pepper sprayed V/XXXX-XX in the face. V/XXXX-XX didn’t know why this was happening and stated she was struck in the face by (Female suspect). Owing to the debilitating effects of the OC spray, V/XXXX-XX was unable to provide a clear account of precisely how she was assaulted. However, her face was red from the OC spray, her nose ring had been ripped out, and she had a fresh laceration on her right upper arm. V/XXXX-XX stated that she did strike (Female suspect) back in self-defense.
As I conducted these interviews, officers located (Male suspect) and (Female suspect) in the parking lot of Seacrest Park. They, along with the two other people in their group, were detained without incident.
(Male suspect) was intoxicated when he was detained by officers. He admitted to XXXXXX prior to SPD arrival and smelled of alcoholic beverages. After being advised of his Miranda rights, (Male suspect) stated that he had intervened in the fight between his female friend and V/XXXX-XX. (Male suspect) did not expand on what he meant by “intervene”. (Male suspect)denied being in possession of a firearm. (Male suspect) did not have a firearm on his person at the time of his detention. The white Mercedes sedan was located with (Male suspect). The sedan bore Washington plates XXXXXXX, and was a C-Class like V/XXXX suspected. (Male suspect) is one of two registered owners of the vehicle and had the keys to the vehicle on his person. (Male suspect) did not give consent for officers to search his car. …
(Female suspect) was also intoxicated when detained by officers. She also admitted to XXXXXX. (Female suspect) had an injury to her upper lip, and claimed that it was from falling over. She then XXXXX that XXXXX and advised it was from being struck by V/XXXX-XX. She was treated at the scene by SFD. See Ofc XXXXXXXX’s statement for more detail.
I transported V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX to the location where (both suspects) were being detained. Both V/XXXX and V/XXXX-XX identified (Male suspect) as the man who had threatened them with a handgun and (Female suspect) as the female that assaulted V/XXXX-XX. (The two) were transported to the SW Precinct for processing. …
Because the firearm was not located on (Male suspect), I suspected that the firearm used in this crime may be in (his) vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the Southwest Precinct as the SPD processing room was not available.
I applied for and was granted a search warrant for the vehicle by King County Superior Court judge XXXXXX XXXXXXXX. Ofc XXXXXXXX and I searched the vehicle. I located a handgun in the car’s glove box. The firearm is exactly as described by V/XXXX. It is a Glock 20, 10MM semi-automatic handgun. The handgun was loaded with a translucent, 30 Round ETS magazine. I cleared the firearm and discovered there was a round in the chamber. Including the round in the chamber, the handgun was loaded with 30 rounds of brass cased Federal ball ammunition. The rounds all appeared to have intact primers. I function tested the firearm, and it appeared to be a normal Glock handgun. … I ran the serial number for the firearm and was advised by radio that the firearm returned as a Federal Way stolen gun. … (Because male suspect is) only 19 years old. He is therefore not old enough to lawfully possess a handgun in public (and) he is not able to obtain a CPL and is therefore prohibited from having a loaded handgun in his car.
The suspect does not appear to have a felony record. He is likely to have a probable-cause/bail hearing this afternoon; we’ll add whatever we find out about that.
ADDED 7:16 PM: The suspect’s bail, as shown on the jail roster, was set at $100,000.
(SDOT’s latest image, looking west on the bridge)
The cylinder work on the West Seattle low bridge – aka Spokane Street Swing Bridge – is complete, so the closure ended earlier than expected. The bridge is now open again to all users, both motorized and non-motorized.
Two coyote reports, the first with other wildlife involved:
GATEWOOD WILDLIFE: Nathan sent the photo late last night and reports, “Corner of Othello and SW 39th, 11:00 PM, lots of animal noise. The coyote on the left was much bigger than the photo shows, and was aggressively attacking the raccoon on the right. Another raccoon escaped up the hill to the left. The battle ended with everyone alive and frustrated. Does anyone see the bunny by the street sign?”
COYOTE NEAR PELLY PLACE: This report is also from Saturday, via anonymous text: “Coyote spotting. 1 individual, SW Frontenac St and 47th Ave SW.” [map]
Here’s what you need to know about living with coyotes.
You could say it’s like a speakeasy for art. That door and staircase just north of the entrance to Alki Arts (6030 California SW) leads up to the gallery’s annex loft, where this afternoon is your last chance to visit the Feather in the Wind art pop-up show/sale.
Those are the feathers in the name, created by participating artist Kassie Hennessey. As for the wind, it’s an airy little space if you’re looking for somewhere to cool off. Or maybe some gift shopping? Alizah Olivas‘s jewelry awaits, a variety of stones set in silver:
Each of the five artists has a unique focus, particularly Peggy Nelsen‘s handcrafted papier-mache:
“Petey the Party Pumpkin” relates to the story Peggy told us about how she got started. In pandemic year 2020, she was sad that Halloween wouldn’t happen, so she made creations like this as gifts. That led to others, like these moons:
“Sometimes good things can come out of bad situations,” Peggy observed. … Other participating artists include Diane Bellisario, with “modern marquetry,” and Jormain Cady with pottery. They’re all in the upstairs annex until 6 tonight.
(Photo by Steven Rice, from J-Pod visit off Alki, October 2024)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Though there was no strident rhetoric nor calls for action, the latest gathering of The Whale Trail provided a reminder of what federal budget-slashing is doing to science, including work to save endangered species.
The guest of honor was Lynne Barre, who until recently led the Southern Resident Killer Whales recovery program at NOAA. “My NOAA career ended a little sooner than I had planned,” she explained, simply.
Barre’s retirement, regardless of the circumstances, brought out what was described as a who’s-who of behind-the-scenes scientists and support personnel who had worked with her, and other collaborators like The Whale Trail executive director Donna Sandstrom, who knew Barre dating back to the rescue of wayward northern resident orca Springer more than 20 years ago. The Springer rescue is what intensified Sandstrom’s advocacy work; she opened the night with a recounting and an update.
But first, Barre’s time in the spotlight at the recent gathering at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor).
She came from the East Coast to be part of the Springer operation “and stayed.” She had expertise with dolphins “and as you probably know, killer whales are just big dolphins.” Over the years, not only did she lead the Southern Resident Killer Whales recovery program, she also worked with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, and became a branch chief. Working on helping the southern residents recover included undertakings from vessel regulations to transboundary (US/Canada) coordination.
And she listed the many private and public organizations and departments with which she and her team partnered along the way. That included West Seattle-based and -founded organizations like – in addition to The Whale Trail – Killer Whale Tales and Seal Sitters.
Barre described “just a few highlights” from Be Whale Wise – work that began in her East Coast days – to giving former governor Jay Inslee an award for the orca task force he created (with Sandstrom among its members), a task force whose achievements included requirements that boaters give the whales more space. She also noted a proposal to put sunflower stars on the Endangered Species list. What gives her the most hope, Barre added, is that “we’re reaching a whole new generation.” And despite the turmoil of recent months, she reminded attendees that “there still are a lot of people working on this at NOAA.”
Tributes followed from past co-workers and other collaborators. “You have a magnificent record of bringing the community together,” one told her. Another cited longrunning inspiration from her insistence that “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” State orca-recovery coordinator Tara Galuska lamented that Barre’s departure was a major loss, as she was “a leg of the stool” that supported the efforts.
“She’s good at creating a welcoming space for collaboration,” noted Quiet Sound director Rachel Erickson, pointing out that her program is voluntary, and yet participation has reached the point where Puget Sound is “up to 50 percent quieter for the Southern Residents.”
Lynn Shimamoto from Seal Sitters told a West Seattle story about Barre, from the humpback-whale stranding next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock in 2016 (initial WSB coverage here). Seal Sitters and Whale Trail volunteers were among those who worked to set up a perimeter to keep back curious hordes, “and in the middle of all this excitement, Lynne Barre appeared by my side – I am so grateful to you for being there that day.”
When Barre was in charge, “everything was going to be all right,” another collaborator declared, but yet another warned the flip side of that is, the current changes can’t go unremarked on, by anyone who cares. Some of what’s being gutted now are programs that go back to the administration of another Republican president, Richard Nixon, one speaker said, and “it’s important for us nonprofits to voice our concern.” Barre was skillful at navigating concerns and “handling tough crowds so well.”
Toward the end of the tribute, Barre was presented with a going-away gift, a paddle carved from Western red cedar, with its depictions including Springer, honoring Barre as a “great skipper” who had navigated difficult waters, both literally and figuratively. “Regardless of the transition that we are going through – look around the room and realize you are loved by so many people … When you are paddling on your next journey, you will look at the back of the paddle and see your family.” With that family, the presentation continued, “we’ve changed the world … we changed history … we’ve engineered a sea change around the Southern Residents.” Amid all the current government turbulence, Sandstrom added, “the whales are still here … and they need us, as a community, more than ever.”
She had opened the night with what you might call The Whale Trail’s origin story, her involvement with Springer (about which she has written the award-winning young-adult book Orca Rescue! – currently a Summer Book Bingo recommendation) and the “wayward whale”‘s successful return to her home waters. Sandstrom recalled a child’s observation – amid all the official fretting – that
“she might not be sick, she might just be lost, she deserves to go home, her family might be missing her.” Once Springer was back in her home waters, that family came by much sooner than anyone had expected; Sandstrom played a recording of Springer’s excited calls to them when the first Northern Resident orcas came by her holding pen, less than 24 hours before her birth family showed up.
Speaking of births, Sandstrom said Springer may have had her third calf – “up in Ketchikan (Alaska), someone took a photo of someone we think is Springer, and she has another calf.” That would be a sibling to her first calf, Spirit, born 2013, and her second one, Storm, born in 2017. “All this led to The Whale Trail, places where you can watch whales from shore,” 4 in West Seattle, 150 spanning the entire West Coast of North America. And it’s led to successes such as, as mentioned above, progress “quieting the seas … These are public processes that worked … never forget that it can work.” Signs of that are present in more than births – though those are promising, with 11 calves under six years old including seven females – such as trends like the Southern Residents returning to the Salish Sea every summer month starting in 2022, after five years in which they didn’t.
Also involved deeply with the Springer rescue was West Seattle-based researcher Mark Sears, who wasn’t able to attend this gathering, but works with his daughter Maya Sears, who was there. (In addition to orca research, the family is also longtime caretakers of Colman Pool at Lincoln Park – Maya is third generation for that.) Her skills include orca IDing, so everyone can know who’s here when the whales visit. She explained the work that she and her father often do is centered on getting biological samples left behind by the orcas, such as mucus and fecal samples, which assist in assessing their health.
Rather than focus on results, her presentation focused on their methodology – how they follow “fluke prints” to find samples. One rich ground for collection, she said, is an area off Whidbey Island where there’s a “cacophon of life” that attracts the Southern Residents: “J-Pod has spent a lot of time there in the past few years.” She also spoke of J-Pod’s joy and sorrow toward the end of last year, the calf born to J35 Tahlequah that did not survive, another calf born in December that did, and the new J-Pod calf born a few months ago. Since 2023, Maya said, three calves have died, but four have lived.
Looking ahead, she said researchers are making more use of drones, currently to sample the orcas’ breath: “It’s very non-invasive.” Drones also can be equipped with infrared cameras.
The evening ended with a toast to Barre, and mingling for one-on-one conversations about memories – and the future.
Keep up with The Whale Trail’s events and updates at thewhaletrail.org.
Family and friends are remembering Wolfgang Grasst, and sharing this remembrance with his community:
Wolfgang Grasst
July 30, 1940 – May 3, 2025Wolfgang Grasst passed away peacefully at home on May 3, surrounded by his family, after a long journey with dementia. He was 84.
Born in Germany in 1940, Wolfgang immigrated to Seattle with his parents at the age of 14. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1958 and earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. It was there he met his beloved wife Sharon — who still remembers being impressed by his sharp sense of style and his love of a fast car.
Wolfgang was a true entrepreneur at heart. He and his father, Georg, opened Georg Grasst, Inc.—a foreign auto parts business that grew to six locations and a warehouse in Seattle over the course of 25 successful years. Wolfgang brought his passion for quality, innovation, and mentorship into every aspect of the business. He encouraged employees to share ideas and often paid for classes to help them grow. Sharon joined him in running the business, overseeing the accounting side, and their sons pitched in with odd jobs — learning how to paint cars and turn a wrench, just like their dad and Opa.
After stepping away from the auto parts industry, Wolfgang embraced a second career in real estate with Windermere. Gregarious and generous, he thrived in the industry, mentoring newer agents even in a competitive environment. It was never just business for Wolfgang — it was about building relationships and helping others succeed.
Wolfgang and Sharon raised two sons, Wolfgang Jr. and Tony, and he took immense pride in being a father and, later, an Opa to three grandsons and a growing generation of great-grandchildren. He coached soccer teams, hosted epic Easter egg hunts, and built pinewood derby cars that defied the laws of physics (and made a few competitive dads a little suspicious). He believed in the value of education, sending his sons to German summer school and even taking them to Germany to connect with their roots.
Wolfgang’s playful spirit made ordinary days unforgettable: wrestling matches in the living room, ping pong games that no one could win but everyone loved, and VW bug rides through the streets of West Seattle. He was funny, sharp, and always full of energy. Even as his memory faded, his love of music — especially the blues — never left him. He could still light up a room with a good joke or a good tune.
In retirement, Wolfgang found joy in cooking elaborate meals, tackling handyman projects with professional precision, and hosting lively birthday parties where he mixed his signature MaiTais and turned gatherings into celebrations.
He was a man of many talents — engineer, entrepreneur, real estate agent, mentor, cook, handyman, music lover — but most of all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Wolfgang, thank you for all the laughter, lessons, and love. You left your mark on each of us. We miss you deeply—and we celebrate the life you lived so fully.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Seattle Food Bank westseattlefoodbank.org; White Center Food Bank whitecenterfoodbank.org; Public Broadcasting Service pbs.org; or a charity of your choice.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(Tiny cup fungi photographed by Jay Speidell in the West Duwamish Greenbelt)
Here are highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, but starting with a traffic reminder:
WEST SEATTLE LOW BRIDGE CLOSURE: The low bridge (Spokane Street Swing Bridge) is closed for cylinder work – to all surface traffic, both motorized and non-motorized – and will stay closed potentially until late tonight. (We’ll be watching for an early reopening; if you see it open before we do, please call or text 206-293-6302 if you can!)
Now here’s what’s on the happening list:
JUNIOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Regional meet at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW), 9 am-4 pm.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Today’s Sunday Funday run leaves from Uptown Espresso in The Junction (California/Erskine/Edmunds), 9 am.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)
CAPERS’ 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: 10 am-4 pm, help the Junction store (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) celebrate 40 years in business – see our preview plus calendar listing. All-month 20 percent off storewide sale is happening now too!
GRIEF WALK: 10 am – explained here. Meet at the SW Hinds entrance to Schmitz Preserve Park. (5099 SW Hinds)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, with almost-summer produce (strawberries! lots of greens! asparagus!) plus beverages, flowers, cheese, yogurt, fish, meat, prepared hot food, baked goods, nuts, dried peppers, garlic, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
MASTER GARDENERS: While at the market, look for Master Gardeners, ready to answer your questions! Sundays this spring and summer, they’re back at the market, 10 am-2 pm.
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to buy it? 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 RESISTS: Sunday signholding in The Junction (California/Alaska), 11:30 am-1:30 pm.
FIFTH WEEKEND FOR COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open again today during the fifth of six preseason weekends, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.
FEATHER IN THE WIND POP-UP ART SHOW: Third of three days for this pop-up show featuring local artists in the upstairs annex at Alki Arts (6030 California SW), noon-6 pm, lineup in our calendar listing.
LEARN ABOUT POTTERINGS MEMBERSHIP: Become a member at the studio! Find out how it works during a 1 pm info session today. (3400 Harbor SW)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Third Sunday of the season for these free tours! Grounds at 3201 Alki SW open at 1 pm; last tour starts 3:45 pm; more info in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE RHODIES FC HOME MATCH: 2 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) vs. Tacoma.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
JUMP ROPE SHOW: Not only can you watch West Seattle’s own Rain City RopeWorks jump-rope athletes show off, you can jump with them too! 2:30 pm at the Holy Rosary School Gym (42nd/Genesee).
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Circle of Songs, acoustic showcase, 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: General meeting at 3:30 pm at Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), with topics including next Saturday’s “No Kings” rally, plus a fundraising bake sale.
KARAOKE FOR THE SPIRIT: As Pride Month continues, West Seattle’s queer-affirming churches gather at 7 pm tonight at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) for uplifting singing.
CORNER POCKET TRIVIA: 7 pm every other Sunday. (California/Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Weekend’s end brings Sunday night music provided by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could feature on the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Worth noting as dry weather continues, with hotter temperatures on the way – Seattle Fire dispatched four units to Westcrest Park for a brush fire that’s just been extinguished. They identified 8th/Cloverdale and a field with a weight limit, so sounds like it might have been on the reservoir lid. How it started is under investigation.
Plenty of reasons to cheer at this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe today at Walt Hundley Playfield! Organizer Brian Callanan verified it’s the biggest one ever – 770 people registered before and at the four-event fun(draiser). The signature event is the obstacle-course 5K, only one of its kind in the Seattle area – photographer Oliver Hamlin captured the spirit for WSB:
The obstacle course started with “elite” entrants taking off in waves so there wasn’t too much of a traffic jam.
(WSB photos and videos from here down, by Tracy Record)
Three-quarters of an hour later,the “family waves” headed out:
If you didn’t want to climb, jump, or get muddy, a 5K fun run was the perfect option:
And if you wanted a simple walk, the “Senior Saunter” was perfect:
The last of the events was a Kids’ Dash. Even if you weren’t running, walking, dashing, jumping, etc., Loop the ‘Lupe offered both a party atmosphere and a chance to learn about the local businesses and organizations who were community co-sponsors, including some WSB sponsors – here are Kemberly and Alison from Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle:
And Charlie and Hsi Yen from Fitness Together West Seattle in The Junction:
(WSB was media sponsor again this year.)The West Seattle School of Rock provided a lively soundtrack, and the Knights of Columbus grilled up lunch. Loop the ‘Lupe proceeds support Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s community and social work.
3:39 PM: Thanks to Andrew for sending photos from the White Center Pride street festival happening on and along 16th SW between SW Roxbury and SW 100th. Many of the venues along 16th are presenting entertainment and/or activities – Lariat Bar, as usual, has a wrestling ring:
There’s a family play area, too:
We have a photographer there now and plan to add more photos.
5 PM: And here they are (WSB photos from here down):
You can meet the people behind White Center Pride at the festival – above, we photographed Eliot Mills and Linda Falcon. Plenty of performances, including DJs:
Interactive activities include axe-throwing!
And bull-riding:
As mentioned above, wrestling – continuing until 6 pm:
The wrestlers are part of a tournament promoted by DEFY.
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