West Seattle, Washington
14 Friday
If you happened to be awake and within sight of the southeast sky around 12:48 am, you would have seen that stunning fireball. Two WSB readers have shared their views – above, video sent by Derek; below, narrated video by Kevin Freitas.
Kevin included this link you can use to report it if you saw it.
Since the Southwest Precinct is nearby, it’s not necessarily unusual to see police near the Delridge Home Depot, but in this case, they just made a notable arrest. According to police radio, they arrested a man wanted on a half-million-dollar warrant for what the dispatcher noted was a “multitude of crimes” including rape. We don’t have details yet including whether the “multitude of crimes” involved West Seattle cases, but it sounded as if the suspect had been in contact with police regarding his whereabouts before the arrest. We’ll be following up.
(Love-ly sunflower photo from a SODO garden, sent by a West Seattle reader)
The weekend is in sight, and you can get an early start with some of what’s on our highlight list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 8: As previewed here, no daily clues this time unless a float remains unfound – so just keep a look out all over West Seattle. Last announced date for the hunt – all 105 floats wwere released as of this morning and 74 have been found, according to the official website, which will show status when floats are found (provided the finder has used the special QR code). Rachel Porter at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, co-presenting with the WS Junction Association, says all floats will remain out until found, and clues will be added to the webpage as needed.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Still lots of time for summer gardening! Open 10 am-3 pm on the north end of the main campus of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
BABY STORY TIME: 11 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Daily-splashing season continues at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS: Hiawatha (2700 California SW) and Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) are open noon-5:30 pm today, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm.
COLMAN POOL: Noon to 7 pm today, swim in the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – here’s the session schedule.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: 12:30-2 pm, practice with other adult learners at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
BACKPACK BASH: 1World1Sky‘s annual backpack/school supplies giveaway event is 3-6 pm today at South Park Community Center (8319 8th Ave. South).
SUMMER QUEST – PET PAINTING: 3-4:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), all ages -“paint a portrait based on a real shelter pet.”
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, and/or buy a bottle..
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) hosts the monthly Songwriters’ Showcase. No cover, all ages. (5612 California SW)
DRAG AT KENYON HALL: Kenyon Hall Cabaret, 6:30 pm (7904 35th SW), all ages, tickets here.
OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE: GreenStage presents “The Winter’s Tale” at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), follow the signs from the north lot. Free.
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Hear what’s new from Jungle, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, music at 8, for Far The SIK, Panoramics, Madmax. $10 cover. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
MOVIES IN THE PARK: First of two outdoor movies at Maarten Park (42nd/Juneau), free, all welcome, tonight at dusk (8:15-ish) screening “Toy Story.”
SPINNING: Revelry Room (4547 California SW) regular Friday night spinning – with DJ Lady Coco tonight, starting at 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to the music of Mike’s Emo Band & Falling Forever (Tribute to Evanescence), 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
MEGASTAR KARAOKE: 9 pm at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW).
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!
Family and friends will gather August 29 to celebrate the life of Annie Wallace Scott. They’re sharing this remembrance now:
In Loving Memory of Annie Wallace Scott
Our Annie was born on December 5, 1950, in Edinburgh, Scotland, to James and Annie Wallace. She was one of nine children and grew up in a large, rambunctious, very devout Catholic family. Annie loved telling stories about the high jinks and pranks she and her siblings pulled on one another, and there were many!
In 1973, Annie followed her older siblings, Frances and Jim, to Vancouver, Canada. There she met her husband, Jim Scott, and by 1975, she was living in Seattle, beginning a whole new adventure. Within a few years, she welcomed her only child, Heather.
When life took an unexpected turn and Annie became a single mother in a foreign country, she faced it with the strength and independence that would define her throughout her life. Knowing very few people in Seattle, Annie became close with her brother and sister in law, Mary Ann and Tom Scott. Before long, she packed up her things and headed to West Seattle to move in with them and their four children. Once again finding herself surrounded by a big, rambunctious, Catholic family!
Annie was a strong, independent woman who built a life she could be proud of. In the late 1970s, she became a paralegal and went to work for Tim Bradbury, one of Seattle’s first openly gay attorneys. She was working with him when the AIDS epidemic first hit Seattle and witnessed the chaos, sadness, fear, and heartbreak that many people experienced. Those experiences stayed with Annie for the rest of her life, and she became a lifelong supporter of the gay community.
Annie believed deeply in human rights and equality for all. She treated every person she met with kindness and respect, and she never judged someone for being different. She simply believed that everyone deserved to be treated with dignity and compassion.
By 1984, Annie had left the legal field and embarked on what would become a more than 40-year career in real estate. She began working at Cayce & Gain, where she spent many years building a successful career, forming lifelong friendships, and becoming a beloved colleague and friend to so many.
Annie was also deeply devoted to her faith and was very active in Holy Rosary Parish. Her Catholic faith and her church community were an important part of her life. She was equally proud of her Scottish heritage and never lost her love of a good time, a great party, and a good laugh.
Annie was generous, kind, fiercely loyal, and endlessly loving. She had a gift for making people feel welcome and cared for. She was also a beloved aunt to countless nieces and nephews, many of whom affectionately called her BAE—Best Aunt Ever. And honestly, there could not have been a more fitting name.
When Annie was diagnosed with cancer at the end of October 2025, she faced the news with the same courage and generosity that had guided her entire life. She participated in several brand-new chemotherapy trials, telling her daughter that she knew they might not help her, but that perhaps they could help someone else in the future. That was Annie.
Even during her illness, she remained a bright light. Her nurses and doctors would say how much they enjoyed seeing her and how they looked forward to her appointments because she was always such a cheerful presence and a delight to be around. She continued to bring laughter, warmth, and kindness to the people caring for her right up until the very end.
After a short battle with cancer, the Lord called Annie home to Heaven.She is survived by her brothers John, Jim, Joe, and Tony; her sister Mary; her daughter Heather; her granddog Maisie; and countless beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Frances, Margaret and Teresa. Annie also leaves behind so many dear friends, colleagues, and people whose lives she touched along the way.
Annie is missed every single day. There is a tremendous void in our hearts, but we find comfort in knowing that this is not goodbye forever. We will see our Annie again.
A Rosary in Annie’s honor will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed by Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Holy Rosary Church. A celebration of Annie’s life will immediately follow Mass at the Center for Active Living. And because Annie was proudly Scottish, we will honor her the way she would have wanted: with an uplifting wake and a celebration of a beautiful life. Please join us for refreshments, stories, laughter, and a toast to Annie.
Acknowledgements: We would like to say a special thank you to the wonderful caregivers at the European Family Home for the love, kindness, and care you gave our Annie in her last few weeks. Your compassion meant so much to our family, and we are deeply grateful to you all.
(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)
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, August 14, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is the same as Thursday – eventual sunshine with a high in the upper 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:04 am today; sunset will be at 8:22 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays (tonight!) and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
WEEKEND CLOSURES
Reminders:
-Tonight, overnight into Saturday morning, 10 pm to 6 am, Highway 99 tunnel maintenance closure, both ways
-Early Saturday morning through late Sunday night, northbound First Ave. South Bridge repair closure
-All day Saturday, Alki Avenue SW closed between 57th and 61st SW for Alki Beach Pride
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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!
(WSB photo)
Seattle’s biggest tribute to the Seahawks and their fans – visible across Elliott Bay, on the JPMorganChase Center downtown – is not simply because the preseason is about to kick off, but also, our tipster tells us, for the HBO series “Hard Knocks,” which has been chronicling the NFL champions’ training camp.
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Another night of wildfire smoke tinting the setting sun. The photo above is from Chris Frankovich, while the sun was hidden behind clouds; the one below is from WSB senior contributor Christopher Boffoli, when it reappeared between the clouds and the Olympics:
According to the Washington Smoke Blog, the current smoke layer is almost a mile above the surface.
(New timeline, as reflected on Sound Transit website)
6:17 PM: Sound Transit dropped a bombshell during today’s meeting of its board’s System Expansion Committee – the opening date for the West Seattle Link Extension, long at 2032, is now delayed three years to 2035. Here’s how ST summarized it via email late today:
The West Seattle Link Extension is moving forward with an updated project schedule. Under the updated ST3 System Plan, the project remains fully funded and will advance toward construction. The anticipated opening date is now 2035, rather than 2032.
The updated timeline reflects both the cost-saving work completed to make the project affordable and refinements to the construction schedule. Concurrently, the project team continues to advance design and reduce community impacts. These efforts include a new SODO design solution that avoids significant utility relocations on 6th Avenue S., reflecting significant collaboration across Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, Seattle City Light, elected leaders, and community stakeholders.
We know many people have been eagerly anticipating light rail in West Seattle. We’re committed to delivering the project on a realistic timeline the agency can confidently stand behind.
We have more to report from today’s committee meeting and will add that soon.
ADDED 6:55 PM: The major West Seattle news on the committee agenda was originally – as we reported Tuesday night – proposed property acquisitions and a budget increase to pay for them (and other project costs). The presentation of those was when ST executive Brad Owen began the presentation, calling the West Seattle launch-date delay “difficult news to share,” describing it as an “unfortunate consequence as staff worked to identify an affordable path forward for the project, and as the board and the agency focused on addressing a nearly $35 billion gap in our long-range finance plan through the Enterprise Initiative.”
As part of the announcement, ST revealed the aforementioned new design plan for the SODO segment involving city high-voltage lines, as explained here, including:
The new SODO segment design will relocate major City infrastructure, Seattle City Light’s 230 kilovolt and 26 kilovolt transmission poles and lines, entirely within the light rail project footprint in the SODO Busway. This means that Sound Transit will not need to move massive powerlines onto 6th Ave S, which significantly reduces construction and lasting impacts on adjacent properties and businesses. The new design is expected to save the project over $100 million and remove the risk of damage to other critical City transportation and water infrastructure.
Presenting the 55 proposed property acquisitions – about half in SODO, half in West Seattle (all listed here) – ST managers told committee members they had used phone and email to contact all affected property owners to confirm they knew the plan was going to the board.
They also promised that they have a “vacant property strategy” so that none of the properties are unoccupied for more than a few months “before they’re actually needed for construction” and so that they “will not become burdens to the communities in which they are located.”
With a unanimous voice vote, committee members sent the plan to the full board, as they did with this companion resolution, a three-quarters-of-a-billion budget amendment to allow spending almost half a billion dollars for property acquisitions and another $300 million for “construction support services … through final design.”
Both resolutions will be up for a vote of the full board at its next meeting, August 27.
ADDED 8:45 PM: Two more notes – first, in a post elaborating on the email version of the schedule-delay announcement, ST blames part of the delay specifically on the cross-Duwamish-bridge part of the project. Second, for those trying to recall past timeline shifts, we checked our archives:
-2033 was what was originally proposed for the ST3 ballot measure
-2030 is what made it into the ballot measure
-2031 was the revision because of the pandemic
-2032 has been the date since the 2021 “realignment”
-2035 is the new projected WS date
5:44 PM: As previewed earlier, it’s West Seattle Art Walk night!
Our first highliht stop is West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor), where owner Marcia Bruno is also tonight’s featured artist. You might not know that before her WSN days, she had a 15-year career as a jewelry artist!
She gained fame for acrylic work in acrylic, silver, and steel guitar strings, and holds a BFA and MFA. Stop by the nursery before 8 to see the artist and her work! And check out tonight’s other Art Walk venues on this map – click a dot to see who’s where!
6:07 PM: One more stop tonight – Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), which is continuing to host a West Seattle Art Tour preview:
Gretchen Flickinger and Karen Johnson are two of the eight Art Tour artists you can meet tonight at the winery. The Art Tour itself (with WSB among the community co-sponsors) is September 19-20.
Early alert: If you have questions and/or concerns about Washington State Ferries, they’ve just announced the date for their next online systemwide community meetings:
As its busiest summer since 2019 comes to a close, Washington State Ferries is inviting the public to two virtual community meetings on Thursday, Sept. 10. Agency leaders will recap peak-season travel, share what’s ahead and take live questions from the public.
The meetings will also include updates on new hybrid-electric vessels, expanded on-board Wi-Fi, terminal construction and more. Most of each meeting will be reserved for questions from the audience.
WSF online community meetings information
When: 11 a.m. (register here) and 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 (register here)
Where: Online via Zoom
Prior registration is required for these virtual meetings. Each meeting will cover the same material and is designed to give participants the option to join the meeting that best fits their schedule. Participants will be able to ask questions and anyone can also provide comments ahead of time via email – wsfcomms@wsdot.wa.gov
After the meetings, video recordings will be available online on WSF’s community participation page.
3:30pm Thanks for tip and photos. California Ave SW at Willow has been temporarily closed for cleanup following a motor vehicle incident. Seattle Fire was called out at 2:33pm and closed out the call within 30 minutes. We’ll update with more details as we get them.
Update: Road is open again, per commenter.
(WSB photos)
By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
More than forty people came to small section of SW Lander Street west of California SW last night – between local businesses The Good Society and Seattle Yarn, and neighboring Lafayette Elementary – for an SDOT-convened “community design charrette.”
It offered a preview of what the street might look like in the near future, as the purpose of the gathering was for city officials to get feedback about their plans to close the street to vehicle traffic and turn it into a “People Street” within a year.
SDOT closed the small section of SW Lander for the evening, bringing together city reps and associated consultants and designers with community members to talk in-person about the best way to implement changes, and what they might like to see from the project.
The project is a part of the city’s People Streets and Public Spaces Capital Program, which seeks to transform various streets across the city into miniature public parks. Traffic is blocked off, and the designated area is transformed with various architectural improvements and amenities to encourage community gathering and engagement. This site, on SW Lander, is one of two in West Seattle that are currently part of the program; we’ve previously covered the other proposed project, on 18th Avenue SW, between Delridge Way and Southwest Barton (which also had a recent meeting). The city says its goal is to transform SW Lander into public space offering cleaner air as well as an overall sense of safety and security for students.
The meetings for both sites aimed at a very preliminary stage of the process, akin loosely to ‘brainstorming’ with the community in a more free-form atmosphere. No concrete designs were presented; instead, community members were asked to write sticky notes on poster boards asking for feedback on things such as desired features, and put stickers on stock photo ‘mood boards’ representing which features or visuals they would find the most appealing.
The feedback will be used by the city as an initial step before they begin a more formal design processs. Beyond the feedback process, other light activities were available for attendees as well, such as over-sized street board games and coloring books for kids; refreshments were also available, featuring fruit empanadas from the Salvadorean Bakery in White Center.
Despite the festival atmosphere, the project proposal did not come without controversy. In addition to what was provided by the city, some community members brought some of their own boards and posters to protest the proposed project. One board offered two sign-up lists, asking attendees to pick a side: “Yes, close Lander Street” or “No street closure”. The latter choice had garnered around 10 signatures already by 15 minutes into the gathering, while the former had no signatures at all in the early going.
Another poster stapled to a local telephone pole called for neighbors to attend, framing the project as the city cutting off street access to California Avenue.
Words from attendees who spoke to us did not show much more positivity for the project either. “Well, this whole thing sucks!” said one of the attendees, an Admiral resident. “Congestion here is bad, and getting worse. Where are all the parents going to go to pick up their kids? […] The city is doing too much with too little, and too many people.”
People from local businesses and buildings in the block came to share their opinion too. Paul Cesmat, owner of the nearby Admiral Station apartments, came, also delivering a letter to city representatives from the owner of Financial Designs Insurance (in the same block) in absentia. Both of them expressed that the city’s plan would be negligent at best, actively harmful at worst – making it more difficult for emergency vehicles to access the school and commercial block, and increasing traffic congestion for the school: “In my 49 years here, there has never, ever, been an incident with a kid,” Cesmat said. He also expressed frustration with the city’s communication strategy. “There was no real mail notification to the neighbors; just some stuff stapled on the poles.” he said. “Neighbors had to communicate with each other to encourage turnout.”
According to SDOT, there will be more chances for the community to provide feedback through the design process, though dates are yet to be announced. The formal design process will begin this fall, with finalization of a plan expected next winter (early 2027).
(WSB photos)
At last night’s Seattle Police community-safety meeting in West Seattle (report to come), Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair alluded briefly to multiple local encampment clearances this week. One of them is under way right now. Thanks to a tip from Jon, we got over to the Delridge Home Depot area in time for these photos of city crews at the notorious encampment west of the store.
This encampment has been the site of problems including multiple fires. It’s on land that the King County Parcel Viewer shows is owned by the city.
We have a message out to the city seeking information about today’s operation.
The report and photo are out of the WSB inbox this morning:
Red ‘Giant’ brand bike found at the sheltered bus stop on the corner of 35th and Thistle the morning of August 13th 2026
email backstagebob2026@gmail
(We archive all found-bike reports here.)
Welcome to today’s edition of our daily list of what’s up around West Seattle, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks to everyone who sends events for us to share!):
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are open – see our story for locations and other information.
(Look for floats like this – photo provided by WS Chamber of Commerce)
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 7 As noted here pre-hunt, no daily clues this year unless a float remains stubbornly unfound (and there HAVE been some clues as a result) – watch for the hand-blown floats all over West Seattle. As of midmorning today, 92 floats have been released and 58 have been found, according to the official website, which shows status when floats are found (provided the finder has used the special QR code). P.S. The floats were made by Avalon Glassworks before their retirement closure; the float hunt is co-presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and West Seattle Junction Association.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: Blood drive today at Bethany Community Church (8600 9th SW), 10 am-3 pm.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, plant sales featuring and supporting students’ work. North end of SSC campus (6000 16th SW).
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Daily splashing season continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
SWIMMING POOL’S OPEN: Daily operations also continue at Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.
WADING POOLS: The regular three Thursday pools will be open today – Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Hiawatha (noon-5:30 pm, 2700 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, all levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!)
NOURISHING MINDS: 1 pm service-learning opportunity at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
DROP-IN CHESS: The regular High Point Library Thursday event is sheduled today – youth under 18 can drop in 4-5:30 pm to play. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two Thursday night events at HPCS – this week and every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) hosts a food truck. Tonight it’s Spice Waala.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Second Thursdays, venues all over the peninsula are hosting artists; some have food and drink specials too. Here’s the interactive map – click a venue to see what’s happening there. Here are two locations that have sent us listings to make sure you know they’re participating this month:
–West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW) – Marcia Bruno‘s vintage jewelry!
–Zelda Zonk (2210 California SW)
Art Walk hours at most participating venues are 5 pm-8 pm.
HELP HARVEST FOOD: Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) needs volunteers to help harvest fresh food that will be donated to food banks – you can take some home too. Just be there 5-7 pm!
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle. Also stop in for tonight’s Art Walk, featuring the West Seattle Art Tour preview.
WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: 6 pm online speaker series presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, this month featuring Edward Echtle on “Southeast Asian Refugees Finding Home in Washington.” Our calendar listing has details as well as the registration link.
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, starting from Good Society (California SW and SW Lander), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run, with a track-workout alternative.
DUSTY THURSDAYS AT TIM’S: 6-9 pm, The Dusty 45s preceded by Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers, outdoors, all ages, no cover, donations accepted for the musicians. (16th SW and SW 98th, White Center)
TRIVIA AT ADMIRAL PUB: 7 pm trivia at Admiral Pub. (2306 California SW)
TRIVIA AT THE VOID: 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
AT REVELRY ROOM: Tonight, at Revelry Room (4547 California SW) featuring DJ Supreme La Rock starting at 8 pm.
KARAOKE AT MAX’S TRIANGLE PUB: 9 pm to closing time, time tosing! (9454 Delridge Way SW)
LATE-NIGHT LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: 11:30 pm, hear the new release by Phoebe Bridgers, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview list? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The recent major earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela have provided another reminder that one COULD happen here – so preparedness is vital. This Saturday in Morgan Junction, you can help eighborhood volunteers from all over West Seattle be ready by joining in a drill that’s linked to others citywide. Here’s the full explanation:
Imagine a magnitude 6.8 deep earthquake shakes Seattle during business hours (like the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake). More than 200 buildings are damaged and landslides are widespread. Residents are also dealing with hazardous material spills, several large fires, multiple breaks in water and sewer lines, and much of the city is without power. Volunteers from Seattle’s Emergency Hubs respond within hours; they meet up in their neighborhood gathering spot, pull out their gear, and start organizing neighbors.
The scenario above is what Hub volunteers train for but we need the public to help us test our skills. Show up at the following location [West Seattle is one of four citywide] and help us practice matching haves and needs within the community. Experience how neighbors can work together.
Saturday, August 15, from 10 am to 2 pm
Morgan Junction Park
6401 California Ave SWThe public is invited … to learn about the Hubs, to think about their personal preparations for a disaster, and to assist Hubs volunteers in putting their skills to work. “Please stop by. We can’t be sure our system will hold up in a real disaster without involvement from the public. Plus, we’re confident you’ll leave feeling better prepared to take care of your household and your community.” said Ann Forest, exercise coordinator.
The Seattle Emergency Hubs are a grassroots organization dating back to 2008; Hubs gather and share information and match needs and resources within the community in the event of a disaster. The Hubs are locations where neighbors and community members can gather to begin helping themselves before outside assistance arrives. Hubs are active in over 70 locations throughout the city of Seattle and they continue to grow and evolve. Visit seattleemergencyhubs.org for more information, including a map of Hub locations.
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, August 13, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is for eventual sunshine and a high in the upper 70s. Sunrise was at 6:02 am today; sunset will be at 8:24 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule, but a stop closure downtown scheduled to conclude today affects multiple West Seattle-bound buses – the southbound 3rd/Columbia stop, for Routes 21 56, 57, and 125, plus RapidRide C and H. Details here; the stop is expected to reopen by tonight.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
PREVIEW – WEEKEND CLOSURES
Reminders:
-Friday night overnight into Saturday morning, Highway 99 tunnel maintenance closure, both ways
-Early Saturday morning through late Sunday night, northbound First Ave. South Bridge repair closure
-All day Saturday, Alki Avenue SW closed between 57th and 61st SW for Alki Beach Pride
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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!
8:32 PM: Thanks to Carol Ann Joyce for the photo of tonight’s smoke-red setting sun. We didn’t realize the smoke was returning until a yellow tinge took over the mid-afternoon light, and now suddenly, smoky murk. (We know everybody has a personal preference for maps and other tools to track all this; if you don’t, here’s a map showing the fires around the region.)
10:38 PM: Two photos to add – first, from David Hutchinson:
And from Steven Rice:
(WSB photo 7/23/26)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Something is afoot on the second floor of the commercial building across the street from Don Armeni Boat Ramp that is known as Denali. A reader asked what is going on. We’ve been trying to get the full details for more than a month, but the short answer is that the space at 1315 Harbor Ave SW is apparently the new headquarters of Outdoor Research, the outdoor apparel and equipment company that had its headquarters and retail store on 1st Avenue South until the location there closed permanently earlier this year. The longer story and the details of the full move have yet to be shared by the company, but here’s what we know so far:
Outdoor Research posted an announcement on its website in June that West Seattle would soon be home to its corporate headquarters “with a move-in target of late summer 2026.” The announcement noted that a hard look at their old location caused them to move up a timeline for relocation. “The new West Seattle facility offers improved infrastructure for our workforce and a location deeply connected to the Pacific Northwest outdoor lifestyle. Additionally, Outdoor Research will relocate its Seattle flagship retail store to a more central, high-visibility location in the city center.” Neither location has been announced, and repeated calls and emails to OR have yielded no official response so far.
Looking into public records, an electrical permit for the location notes Outdoor Research as the owner of the Denali 2nd floor space, which leasing agent CBRE’s brochure is marketing at 7,916sf. But there’s no building permit yet, and presumably, some kind of tenant improvements will be necessary to accommodate corporate staff. One more tidbit is that office furniture and people have been visible through the windows from the street for a number of months, indicating that some staff is likely already working out of the space. In the meantime, OR’s only brick-and-mortar locations are their outlet stores in Bellingham and Des Moines.
Outdoor Research’s origin story, coincidentally, begins on Denali—the mountain—when, according to the OR website, their founder Ron Gregg had to turn back from summiting because gaiters worn by a fellow climber failed. His focus on creating a foolproof gaiter for mountaineering led to the founding of OR. Could it be it kismet that a company that started with Denali is moving into Denali? We’ll let you know when the folks from OR get back to us.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One year and nine months after a deliberately set fire tore through Camp Long‘s beloved century-old lodge, the rebuild is still years away – now projected for completion in 2032.
That’s part of what we learned this afternoon during a short tour with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka and two of the 34th District‘s state legislators this afternoon.
Seattle Parks deputy superintendent Andy Sheffer led the tour and provided the updates to Councilmember Saka, State Sen. Emily Alvarado, State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, and more than a half-dozen other state and city reps, including members of the elected officials’ staffs.
Sheffer explained that they’ve done some stabilization/preservation work to keep the lodge from completely falling apart during these years of disuse, with the help of ~$1 million insurance money. And the rebuild is in “pre-design.”
But the funding on hand is only enough to get them a third of the way through design, let alone cover the estimated $10 million cost of construction (and Sheffer said he suspects that’s the very low end of what it’ll cost – the rebuild will likely have to be “something better,” electrified and brought up to ADA standards, among other things).
The state legislators were there in hopes the city can get their support in pursuing about $700.000 in funding to for design. As for where the construction funding might be found, Sheffer said the next Seattle Park District funding cycle is one possibility, and they’re pursuing a variety of sources. Saka wondered if community funding via, for example, the Seattle Parks Foundation were an option, and Sheffer said, that too.
He also said that this remains of intense public interest – one of the leading inquiries they get from community members is, what’s up with the Camp Long Lodge? He briefly recounted its role in park uses from an event venue to a support facility for people using other parts of the park, like its rustic cabins, which are rented for camping and used during park festivals.
He noted that it’s not an official city landmark, but the rebuild will have to deal with features of “historic significance, such as “cobblestone masonry” and “heavy timber”:
WHAT’S NEXT: Besides the quest for funding, they will be starting design work and taking it as far as they can with what they have, so, Sheffer said, watch for community-engagement events early next year. They’ve hired a consultant to start the design work.
As part of the almost-complete Spokane Pump Station project in east Admiral, Seattle Public Utilities had sent an alert that they’d be running a high volume of water through the system yesterday and today. Readers wondered how they’d know it was definitely done and the risk of brown water was likely past (we had a few reports yesterdy and last night, though none so far today). We’ve just received word from SPU that the testing is done.
You’d have to closely contemplate the “Bank Day” mural on the north side of Chase at California/Oregon to realize what’s missing – a Nevada-shaped panel on its west edge is gone, showing a section of window instead. West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay tells WSB that Chase had to remove the mural panel because of damage – not vandalism, but water damage. She’s talking with them about their plan for restoring it. This is one of the “Murals of West Seattle” commissioned and installed 30+ years ago; regional muralist Bob Henry did restoration work on it in 2020.
(This morning, SW Wildwood site where Maridee Bonadea died. WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Two months after bicyclist Maridee Bonadea died on SW Wildwood Place a short distance uphill from the Fauntleroy ferry dock, SDOT reps promised last night that they’d initiate some changes within “a few weeks.”
The promise came during a public forum coordinated by the Fauntleroy Community Association, and while community members in attendance were glad to hear it, many said it wasn’t enough. Given that changes were recommended on this stretch of road at least six years ago – recommendations that went unheeded then – they urged the panel of city, state, and county officials to take proactive action elsewhere.
We recorded the entire forum, held at The Hall at Fauntleroy – here’s the video, followed by our summary:
The forum was moderated by FCA president Frank Immel and vice president Catherine Bailey:
Here’s the panel, with reps from SDOT, Washington State Ferries, Metro, Mayor Wilson’s office, and City Councilmember Rob Saka (who said he arrived late because of a marathon council meeting):
First to speak was Ms. Bonadea’s daughter Lani, who said, “I want to believe that you all care about making the streets safer …” but it was “disheartening” that nothing had been done yet, even with a mayoral resolution about bicycle safety the month before the collision.
She also said that while her mother was an amazing person who “did a lot for a lot of people,” that shouldn’t be the reason safety is improved – it should be done on behalf of everyone. “I don’t uderstand why that street has been allowed to function.”
The first panelist to speak was SDOT director Angela Brady, who said her department had a “new policy” for reviewing sites of fatal crashes (although there had been previous policies, we note from our coverage of recent incidents).
SDOT’s safety officer Venu Nemani also spoke about a “new process and policy,” including a semi-annual review of all walking and biking-related collisions in the city.
Then came some specifics for this site: Removing parking on the south side of that block of SW Wildwood (which would include the area where Ms. Bonadea was killed), a new all-way stop at Fauntleroy and Wildwood, and a bike lane. Nemani said SDOT is “working on the conceptual design” for this, and insisted, “We hear you” about wanting safety concerns to be addressed sooner rather than later. (The two-week promise for parking changes later drew a suggestion from a community member that the parking removal could be done overnight – “just put up A-boards.”)
Councilmember Saka spoke next, declaring “this is sobering stuff”:
He said he’s working on “traffic-safety legislation” that would take a broader look at related safety challenges, citing advocates’ request for more daylighting of intersections, side guards on trucks, and mandatory Vision Zero reviews.
Ms. Bonadea’s widow Laura then spoke.
Like her wife’s daughter, she said it’s not just that exceptional people like Maridee “deserve to live” – everyone does. Why wait for a fatal crash? She urged action on problems all over the city, including “bike lanes that suddenly end. SDOT “needs to be proactive, before (more) people die. “I want to see some action” – quickly, urgently, she said.
That’s when Nemani promised the parking removal would be done “in the next few weeks.”
Friends of Ms. Bonadea from the Rainbow Riders group reiterated that urgent action is called for, in other areas with safety challenges too.
Alex Hudson from the mayor’s office assured attendees that her boss wants fast action too.
Some of the problems that community members surfaced were beyond fast action, maybe beyond any action at all, like the declaration that the root issue here was “a ferry dock in the middle of a commmunity,” and no dedicated space for vehicles to line up, just curbspace shared with parked vehicles.
Dock-related concerns were addressed by the WSF reps, primarily via a reminder that a traffic signal is going in later this year where the dock meets Fauntleroy Way.
Other comments included an observation about who was not at the meeting – West Seattle community advocate Leslie Harris, noting she had recently retired from the legal profession, said the City Attorney and a “risk manager” should have been present, as incidents like this can not only lead to devastating loss of life, they can lead to multi-million-dollar lawsuits. She observed, “Sometimes litigation is the only thing that moves bureaucracy – it won’t bring back people (but) will make things happen.”
The demand for action was echoed by numerous attendees. Related issues were surfaced as well, such as the need for enforcement of laws and rules that already exist. More known danger spots were described, including Beach Drive. Another repeated request: Keep the community in the loop as design concepts are developed and timelines are developed. SDOT promised they would. Director Brady also said the community’s help is needed to answer questions of, after parking removal and bike-lane installation, where would families pick up students that ride the ferries to and from Vashon schools?
There also were repeated calls for revisiting work that already had been done but was not acted on – like a 2020 report recommending removal of the Wildwood parking, and long-shelved projects like Fauntleroy Boulevard (in The Triangle). There were questions seeking to clarify processes – how do all the involved departments and agencies communicate? They already have “interagency meetings,” replied Brady.
Speakers made other requests – paint the curb red, once parking is removed; install boulders to reinforce borders with the curbspace; put in speed cushions before the curve onto Fauntleroy … the list went on. Beyond suggestions, the community’s role in what happens next was stressed, too. Community member Robert Pluma declared, “I see a community ready for action.’ And FCA president Immel closed out the meeting with a reminder that “as a volunteer organization, we need your help … we want to see change happen.”
WHAT’S NEXT: SDOT promised to communicate about how and when that change will happen; FCA promised to help circulate that information. And we’ll be following up too.
ADDED 4:09 PM: Since we went to SW Wildwood late this morning and saw no changes, there’s been one. FCA VP Bailey tells WSB via email that temp no-parking signs have since been put up, from Fauntleroy to 36th: “They heard us!” (Wednesday photo added)
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