West Seattle, Washington
21 Wednesday
In the early weeks of Mayor Katie Wilson‘s administration, she’s rolled out announcements of multiple department-head changes, as usually happens when a new mayor takes over. The latest group, announced today, include leadership changes for both Parks and Recreation and Neighborhoods. For the. Parks change, the announcement is brief:
AP Diaz will be leaving as director, and Michele Finnegan will serve as Interim Director.
Former Mayor Bruce Harrell hired Diaz from Los Angeles in fall 2022. Finnegan was promoted last year to senior deputy superintendent.
As for Neighborhoods, that part of the announcement has more details:
The Department of Neighborhoods is dedicated to help neighbors connect, build strong communities, improve their quality of live, and engage with city government. Jenifer Chao will be leaving the Department of Neighborhoods, and Sam Read will fill her role until Quynh Pham becomes Acting Director.
Quyhn is currently the Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon (FLS), a community development organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Little Saigon’s cultural, economic, and historical vitality. Her 14 years of nonprofit development experience have shaped local policy, advanced opportunities for Southeast Asian artists and cultural practitioners, and increased investments in BIPOC initiatives around equitable development and small business resiliency. She is also the mother of two toddlers, who continue to fuel her drive to ensure they grow up in a culturally rich, accessible, and diverse community.
Other new department leaders announced include Andréa Akita at the Office of Housing, Amy Nguyen at the Office of Arts and Culture, Beto Yarce at the Office of Economic Development, and Lylianna Allala at the Office of Sustainability and the Environment. For full details on today’s announcements, here’s the official news release.
Justin in Admiral says he’s just had another e-bike stolen from his condo complex – “this morning, between 8 and 9:30 AM, from the bike rack located in my condominium’s stairwell area. It is a black Specialized e-bike with a plastic basket on the front.” He says the thief left behind a bottle of chocolate milk.
(Texted photo)
Thanks for all the scenic fog photos sent this morning – we’re interspersing a few with today’s event listings, which are mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the list of what’s happening in the hours ahead!
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fontanelle.
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES’ ONLINE COMMUNITY MEETINGS: Two sessions today, noon and 6 pm – register for either or both via the link in our calendar listing.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE’S ONLINE INFO SESSION: 12:30 pm, find out about learning at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle! Our calendar listing has info on registering to get the participation link.
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the new location of Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
FREE ALL-AGES MOVIE: “Paddington,” with popcorn! 2:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), free, registration not required.
ART WORKSHOP: Drop-in art for kids withRec ‘N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3-4:30 pm
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), drop-in help for students.
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, drop in and create! (3400 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: You’re invited to this 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Get moving at midweek on the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, regardless of what pace you run at!
ALSO AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Injury-prevention presentation, designed for those in WSR’s WALK, GET, GOT and FULL Fit training programs, but everyone’s welcome – learn how to supplement your program with strength training. 6:30 pm.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY GATHERING: Hear and talk about what’s happening in the Morgan Junction area – 7 pm gathering at Alki Arts (6030 California SW); agenda (which includes info for watching remotely) is linked in our calendar listing.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
KUNDALINI YOGA: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia spots are on our Wednesday list: at Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), 7 pm, free to play … 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, it’s trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Last week, we had two reports of brown water in Seaview; this morning, one in Admiral, near Hiawatha. No water-service troubles reported in the area, per this Seattle Public Utilities map, but sometimes this can be an early hint of one, so it should always be reported to SPU at 206-386-1800. (Another cause is SFD hydrant testing, though that would seem unlikely on a freezing morning.)
8:57 AM: Eastbound bridge crash near the 4th Avenue exit, per SFD log, but their responders are already leaving, per police radio, which says one lane is blocked … Texter reports trouble this morning with black ice at bottom of Admiral Way hill, connection to Avalon – we’ve had an inquiry out with SDOT about that spot since a reader pointed out earlier this week that the road remains chronically wet in that area.
9:08 AM: Spinout just reported “near Delridge exit” on westbound bridge, per SPD dispatch.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast predicts another sunny day, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise at 7:47 am; sunset at 4:54 pm. (Sunday, the sun sets at 5 pm!)
(Tuesday photo by Bob Burns)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – According to WSF’s alerts page, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on regular three-boat service today. … Also, today is the day for the noon and 6 pm sessions of WSF’s systemwide comunity meetings, online – register for the attendance link here.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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!
(Erik Bell, right, with WS Rotary past president Mark Ward; WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Erik Bell “is everywhere, all the time.”
So marveled Rotary Club of West Seattle past president Mark Ward in presenting the 2026 Patrick Sand Memorial Award to Bell, founder of A Cleaner Alki, today.
The club created the award “to honor the legacy” of WSB co-founder Patrick Sand – “perseverance, responsibility, determination to keep moving forward,” and made him its first recipient, posthumously, one year ago. Erik Bell is the second recipient.
(Photo courtesy A Cleaner Alki)
His four-year-old nonprofit is indeed everywhere – cleaning up and “sprucing up” sites all around the peninsula, and sometimes beyond. This is no casual weekend sideline. His recap of last year alone: 248 organized events, 4,800 volunteer hours, 68,000 pounds of trash and junk. Since A Cleaner Alki’s launch during the pandemic, Ward told club members during their weekly lunch meeting today:
Erik’s commitment to building community while cleaning and protecting the environment has grown tremendously … He’s rallied volunteers for cleanups and invasive-plant removal at our beaches, in parks and greenbelts, beneath the West Seattle Bridge, and along highways, arterials, and bike trails.
One of the most recent challenges he took on: Those tires dumped in Fairmount Ravine, shown here on Saturday. Though neither we nor our tipster knew it at the time, the tires already were on Bell’s radar, and his sleuthing has traced their suspected source, with a law-enforcement investigation hopefully to follow. (Right after today’s meeting, in fact, Bell told us, he was headed out to chase another offshoot of the situation … we last saw him in his familiar white A Cleaner Alki van, custom plates BY AND BY, aimed southbound on 35th from West Seattle Golf Course, where the Rotary has its meetings.)
The club also bestowed on Bell the Paul Harris Fellowship, in honor of Rotary International’s founder.
You can support Erik Bell’s quest for community improvement by pitching in with A Cleaner Alki almost any day – their upcoming cleanups are listed here, and daily DIY “Block Drop” equipment can be found at Alki – or loaned to you if you contact ACA.
6:15 PM: High over the sunset glow, the crescent moon appeared tonight – thanks to Jon Anderson for the photo. But the sky may get vastly more spectacular if the Northern Lights – aka aurora – come back for an encore. As we write this, one of the forecast sites recommended by West Seattle educator Alice Enevoldsen says the geomagnetic activity is at storm level. That’s not a guarantee of aurora appearance, but it’s promising. Last night it was after 2 am when – as shown here in photos and video – it finally became visible. Alice’s site has viewing tips as well as forecast/status links. Updates to come!
9:38 PM: Kevin Freitas got a glimpse and sent the photo above. Still at “storm level”!
10:51 PM: Things have calmed since; Beth sent the photo above – look at it VERY closely – explaining, “Caught some light colors at 10:17 pm. Apparently they can form an arc, like a rainbow, and this is part of that.”
12:35 AM: More photos! Above, that’s from Heather Wright, first person to send pics early today in the first wave. Heather says, “Got another glimpse of the aurora tonight at 10:49 in North Admiral. Not like last night. But still cool to see.” Below, Kevin Freitas sends another view, looking toward the downtown skyline:
Still “storm level” out there, so might not be done yet.
4:15 PM: For those who asked about a lights-and-sirens police response in south West Seattle around 2:30 pm, police were responding to a report of a home burglary in progress. A man was reported to be trying to force entry to a home in Upper Fauntleroy, near 35th SW and SW Trenton. According to dispatch, a person at the house confronted the suspect, who was going to drive away when police arrived and detained him. We’re following up to find out more.
6:55 PM: The jail roster shows the 49-year-old suspect was arrested and booked.
In our Monday morning traffic-and-weather coverage, we had updates on a multiple-vehicle crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. We followed up with SPD to ask for more information on the circumstances, and got this summary as the reply:
On Jan. 19 at about 9:30 a.m., patrol officers responded to a vehicle collision on the West Seattle Bridge.
The suspected impaired driver attempted to flee the scene, yet two bystanders stopped him and were holding onto him, preventing him from leaving the area of the crash. Police arrived and detained the suspect, a 39-year-old man. Officers determined that the suspect collided into two vehicles. Witnesses believed that the suspect’s “high rate-of-speed” was a factor in the collision, according to the police report. Police also impound the suspect’s vehicle, which sustained significant damage. Believing the suspect to be impaired, police arrested him for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) following their on-scene investigation.
Officers transported the suspect to the Southwest Precinct for processing. At the precinct, an SPD Drug Recognition Expert evaluated the suspect and determined that he was impaired. Police transported the suspect to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) while they applied for a DUI search warrant for blood. A judge approved the warrant, and a nurse drew the blood; officers collected it as evidence. The suspect required additional medical treatment at HMC, and officers released him from custody at the hospital.
The Seattle Police Department is grateful that nobody was seriously injured in the collision. And we thank our community members for helping our officers get an impaired driver off the road.
Volunteers of all ages were out working to improve the community as part of the MLK Day of Service during the Monday holiday. Thanks to Friends of Lincoln Park forest steward Lisa McGinty for sharing a report and photos from the event she coordinated with students:
65 mostly West Seattle High School students (and a few from Madison MS) showed up on their day off from school to honor MLK Jr’s legacy and care for the land and each other.
This is the 6th annual MLK Day of Service event that is student-led by members of the WSHS Earth Club.
We were treated to a lovely, sunny morning in the park while students removed blackberry, holly and planted native trees. Their efforts were impressive and will do a lot to make space for native plants to thrive in our urban forests.
Thanks to all the youth who came out to join community and advocate for equitable green spaces in Seattle.
You can help out in Lincoln Park too – check here for upcoming volunteer events.
Orcas are in the area again today. Kersti Muul tells us four orcas are headed northbound, off the south end of Blake Island as of a little while ago.
(Small Milkweed Bug, photographed by Tom Trulin)
Here are today’s daily event notes/reminders, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE: Indoor play at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is open today, 9-noon -just drop in! (42nd SW and SW Juneau)
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: Also open, 10-11:30 am free playgroup for kids 0-5 and their caregivers, at Bridge School Cooperative Elementary (10300 28th SW).
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today featuring presentation of the Patrick Sand Memorial Award (“We Always Show Up”); also, Dr. Carrie Horwitch, M.D., will discuss public health and the MAVEN project.. (4470 35th SW).
AVIATION MAINTENANCE AT SCC – INFO SESSION: 1 pm today:
Are you interested in starting a career as an Aircraft Mechanic? Join us for an online Information Session to learn more about the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at South Seattle College and the steps to get started.
Our calendar listing has info on how to RSVP and get the link.
CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome to play! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.
CITY COUNCIL: At 2 pm, the council holds its main weekly meeting. The agenda explains how to comment and/or watch.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: At High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) – volunteers available to help K-12 students.
CRAFTING AT HARRY’S: 5-7 pm crafting event at Harry’s Beach House (2676 Alki SW) – registration link is in our calendar listing.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: 5:30 pm, families are invited to HPES to learn about the school.
ACOUSTIC MUSIC AT C & P: Unplugged: A Musical Gathering is for all acoustic instrumentalists and singers, 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: Monthly meetup, 6 pm monthly evening meetup, all ukulele players welcome – email for location.
TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: 6:30 pm Tuesdays at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), come sing with the Boeing Employees Choir, even if you don’t work for Boeing – email in advance to RSVP.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.
BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 5: Five locations for trivia on Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW) … Trivia at Christos on Alki (2508 Alki SW), 7:15 pm.
WEST SEATTLE PFLAG MEETING: 7:30 pm, RSVP for location – our calendar listing has the link.
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Two local home games tonight, both at 7:30 pm – Chief Sealth IHS (2600 SW Thistle) hosts Lakeside, West Seattle HS (3000 California SW) hosts Eastside Catholic.
If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather in the weeks ahead to remember Theresa Esztergalyos, and are sharing this remembrance with the community now:
THERESA LOUISE ESZTERGALYOS
Our dear Theresa Louise, born on April 2, 1946, in Sandpoint, ID, passed away at age 79 on January 7, 2026, in Seattle.
In her early childhood, Theresa lived with her parents and older brother in the Glengary/Sagle area near Sandpoint, ID before the family moved to Colfax, WA. After a short time there, they settled in Coeur d’Alene, ID, where Theresa attended St. Thomas Elementary School and later, the Academy of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), graduating before continuing her education at Marylhurst College near Portland, OR.
Before graduating from Marylhurst, Theresa met a kind young man from Hungary, Jules Esztergalyos. He soon asked her to be his bride and in 1968, they were married. Theresa and Jules were blessed with two daughters, Lisa and Maria, who completed their family and brought them great joy. The family made their home in Vancouver, WA where they raised their daughters and tended a lovely cherry orchard. Theresa and Jules loved ballroom dancing and also were fortunate to travel to many foreign countries.
For many years Theresa belonged to the Crafts Unlimited Holiday Boutique group, where she sold her beautifully detailed “Clothespin Dolls’. Her creativity also led her to become a published author with her book ‘The Little Star: A Christmas Story’.
Theresa was known for her kindness, strength, and deep devotion to her family. She was an avid reader, and excellent cook – especially of Hungarian cuisine – and above all else, she possessed a wonderfully creative mind. She was a true artist: drawing, painting, sewing, poetry, needlework, and piano. She had a great fondness for hummingbirds and besides her kitty cats, Puff and Gizi, she also had a little praying mantis friend that she named Montague. Theresa was known for her bright and colorful attire, as well as red lipstick. She definitely was not a Plain Jane!
For the final 14 months of her life Theresa resided at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility (Admiral Heights) in Seattle, so she could be near her daughters and their families. During that time, she made many friends and even began a small art class for fellow residents. Her great and final accomplishment was arranging for a special Christmas tree to be placed in the lobby, decorated with the students’ creative ornaments – an enduring symbol of her generosity and artistic spirit.
She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Esztergalyos and Maria Esztergalyos; her son-in-law Eric Hanson; her grandchildren (who affectionately called her Mummsie) – Louise Schiele, Charles Hanson, and Rex Hanson; her sister Celine (Smith) Lehman; and eight nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth J (Hudon) Smith; her father Paul W Smith; her older brother Paul Smith Jr; her younger brother Dennis Smith; her husband of 48 years, Jules Esztergalyos; and her son-in-law Kenneth Schiele.
Theresa will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family, friends, and all whose lives she has touched. A funeral Mass will be held at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 8701 NE 119th St, Vancouver, WA, on January, 30th, 2026 at 11 am. A private memorial service will be held at Brookdale Admiral Heights, date TBD. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Brookdale Admiral Heights and Vincent J. Picozzi, MD and the oncology team at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.
(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)
9:01 AM: Crash reported on NB Highway 99 just before the Alaskan Way exit.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast predicts another sunny day after some possibly freezing (overnight temperatures fell below freezing) fog. Sunrise at 7:48 am; sunset at 4:52 pm. (Next Sunday, the sun sets at 5 pm!)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service today, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – According to WSF’s alerts page, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is back to three-boat service today.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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!
3:12 AM: The aurora did appear over West Seattle after all! After West Seattle skywatching expert Alice Enevoldsen told us hours earlier that there was a promising chance of it tonight, we tracked it, but even though the numbers looked good, even Alice couldn’t catch a glimpse. But in North Admiral a little over an hour ago, Heather Wright did, sending the photos above and below, and writing: “We had a quick and minor aurora sighting from our house at around 2 am in North Admiral. It was gone within 15 min.”
Alice’s aurora-viewing advice, with info links, is here.
ADDED 9:18 AM: More views of the aurora from early today – here’s a time-lapse from Kevin Freitas:
Heather, who sent the photos above, has since sent video too:
Space.com says this was the result of the “most intense” solar storm in more than 20 years.
ADDED 11:06 AM: More photos – thank you! These two are from Steven Rice:
As previewed here, the newly expanded-in-scope committee chaired by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka got a general SDOT update during its first meeting of the year. The department’s new director Angela Brady was there for the meeeting of the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee, but mostly to introduce chief transportation-safety officer Venu Nemani, who led most of the briefing. As shown in the slide deck presented during the meeting, 25 people were killed on Seattle streets last year, mostly people on foot:
In an attempt to reduce that, SDOT has continued expanding a variety of tactics:
It’s added “no right turn on red” signage in more than 800 places, with fewer than 200 left to add, and is planning more “enhanced crossings” with marked crosswalks:
Speed cameras are still in the study mode, so don’t expect to see those soon.
Also of note, the potential implementation of “shared streets,” which sound somewhat like Healthy Streets:
The presentation mentioned only one West Seattle-specific project, the plan to convert the outside downhill lane on Highland Park Way to a bike/foot path, described as in design this year:
(The project website hasn’t been updated since spring.) No votes at this meeting; it was just a briefing, but a window into where SDOT is focused right now.
A reader sent that photo of Lincoln Park‘s troll Bruun Idun with a small sign of opposition to the Trump Administration’s vow to take over Greenland. You might recall that the troll was installed at the park 2 1/2 years ago by artist Thomas Dambo, who’s from Denmark, the country that governs Greenland as an autonomous territory. The reader tells us the signmaker put similar signs at some of the other Dambo trolls around the area
Listings for Julie Garbutt‘s weekly free “Walking for Well-Being” walks in Lincoln Park are fixtures on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. But she’s just adjusted the meetup location, so we’re calling attention to it here on the main page too:
Walking for Well-Being, Wednesdays @ Meet at 47th/SW Fontanelle
Walking for Well-Being — Move together in nature, Wednesdays/Saturdays @ Lincoln Park 10:00 AM
Join Walking for Well-Being for Movement & Community! Walk together with fellow West Seattleites in and around Lincoln Park –Rain or Shine.
This free weekly walk is organized by Julie Garbutt of Waypower Coaching and takes place at a conversational pace covering 2.5 miles in an hour. All fitness levels are welcome.
Meet us at the corner of 47th Ave SW & SW Fontanelle (near the 76 Gas station). We leave promptly at the listed start times, so please plan to arrive early.The start is next to the black mailbox at the north Lincoln Park Service Entrance at the intersection of 47th Avenue SW and SW Fontanelle Street and features plentiful street parking.
Got something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(File photo courtesy WSJA)
While we’re on the subject of plants … Want to help ensure the West Seattle Junction blooms with hanging baskets full of flowers from spring into fall? The WS Junction Association is offering almost 100 baskets for “adoption” again this year. For $199 per basket (you can adopt more than one if you want to), you cover the costs and support WSJA – a nonprofit whose many accountabilities range from beautification to community events – and get a plaque with a three-line message accompanying your basket. They’ll go up in May and remain into September. Here’s where to go if you’re interested.
Imagine hundreds more people in this photo with West Seattle Nursery owner Marcia Bruno (center), office manager Marie McKinsey (right), and Solid Ground development director Briana Stevenson (left):
(WSB photos)
Those hundreds would be the West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) customers who donated $5,589.37 to Solid Ground during the holiday season – donations that were a seed in their own way, exceeding WSN staff’s hopes, then multiplying with a $1,000 matching donation from WSN plus a match the nonprofit obtained, growing the grand total to $13,178.74, all because of those generous customers. WSN also donated dozens of packets of garden seeds to Solid Ground today – that’s what’s in the box:
The seeds will grow into a variety of produce – peas, beets, cabbage, herbs, even rutabaga. At Marra Farm in South Park, Solid Ground grows about five tons of produce each year to donate to people experiencing food insecurity. Stevenson said they’ve also started a garden at the 31-unit shelter they operate for domestic-violence survivors. Solid Ground also supports a network of 27 food banks. Bruno explained that WSN chose them as this year’s beneficiary after she was impressed by their presentation to a West Seattle Garden Tour committee in which she participates, helping choose WSGT’s annual grant recipients: “They just do a lot of stuff!” Then her staff took over pitching the “add a donation to your purchase” campaign, tracked by a thermometer decorated with apples and peppers:
Observed Stevenson, TV’s “Mister Rogers” advised “Always look for the helpers.” And you could add the importance of recognizing them – as McKinsey explained, “We want to acknowledge the generosity of our customers and thank them publicly.” This is the second year that West Seattle Nursery has done this kind of holiday-season fundraiser – exactly one year ago, we were at the nursery to cover Erin Rubin accepting the seasonal donation results for her nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts.
P.S. If the sunshine has you in the mood to garden, WSN is awash in winter blooms:
(And ask about the purple cyclamen!)
12:46 PM: Heads-up from West Seattle educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen: “Really high aurora alert starting *now*. We’ll see if it lasts until dark here. It may not.” But, in case it does, now you know to check for conditions tonight. See this page on Alice’s website for links to check for aurora possibilities as well as advice on how/where to look, when it’s happening.
5:40 PM: Still a possibility! From Alice’s links, this is the one that will show you if an aurora is happening or imminent.
10:58 PM: We’ve been watching it through the evening, as has Alice, and our photographer even went out to Myrtle Reservoir Park to look. In all, no reports so far.
12:35 AM: Suddenly looking promising, we just heard from Alice. Levels are higher than they’ve been all night.
(Photo of last year’s intergenerational-theater cohort)
The BAYFEST Intergenerational Theatre Project is back – and recruiting! They have some adult openings but are particularly looking for teens to join. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Interested in performing? Would you like to get paid to rehearse and perform with other teens and adults?
Calling all teens for the Spring 2026 cohort of the BAYFEST Intergenerational Theatre Project!
8-10 Teens and 8-10 Senior adults chosen by BAYFEST will meet every 2 weeks or so (except during school holidays) from late February through early June in West Seattle on a weekend morning. We’ll use theatre games and exercises, guided discussions, group collaboration, and writing to create an original piece of theatre that explores intergenerational themes in new and creative ways. The Project will culminate with several public performances in early June.
NO THEATRE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY and TEEN PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A STIPEND OF $25 PER SESSION FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION (and/or community service hours). It is free for participating adults.
Anyone interested in applying should email us ASAP at BAYFESTyouthTheatre@gmail.com . We will send an application. The project will be led by BAYFEST Director Robert Shampain, who has over 35 years experience leading this type of workshop-format project.
NO THEATRE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, just a willingness to commit to working with a multi-generational ensemble and having fun! Visit BAYFESTyouthTheatre.org and follow the links for more info.
This one-sheet about the project has additional background information, too.
(WSB photo – seen in Gatewood)
The list for today/tonight starts with a few MLK Day holiday changes/notes:
LIBRARIES, BANKS, POST OFFICES, GOVERNMENT OFFICES: Closed
SEATTLE PARKS/RECREATION FACILITIES: Here’s what’s closed and what’s open.
SOLID WASTE PICKUP: West Seattle is NOT one of the areas of the city where it’s delayed a day this week.
Now the events, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
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: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee; RSVP here. (4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three venues for trivia/quiz 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: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC is back this week, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
COMEDY!: 7 pm, “Routine Killers” comedy show at Otter on the Rocks in The Admiral District – check here to see if any tickets remain. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are invited to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks as always to everybody 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!
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