West Seattle, Washington
19 Wednesday
(River otter, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time:
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are open for kids and teens under 18 to access food – see our story for locations, times, and other information.
READING WITH TODDLERS: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SPRAYPARK’S OPEN: Daily-splashing season at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
ART & SOL CELEBRATION: Free arts activities for all at this 12-2 pm community celebration with Arts Corps at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
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: Two are scheduled today in West Seattle – Delridge, 12-5:30 pm (4501 Delridge Way SW, final week) and Lincoln Park, 12-7 pm (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, daily through Labor Day).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Play indoors this afternoon! 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW)
WINE & WILLS: 4 pm, free event at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon) – info in our calendar listing.
CLIMB AT CAMP LONG: Again this week – two special climbing sessions, 5 and 6:30 pm! Our calendar listing has details. (5200 35th SW)
FREE YOGA FOR 12-STEP RECOVERY: Wednesdays this summer, 5-6:30 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio and Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), no registration but MUST arrive no later than 4:55 pm.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: The free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm workshop is happening at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), and the library is open for borrowing.
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Talk about Seattle’s growth – current and future – at the weekly 6 pm meetup – again this week at The Good Society (2701 California SW).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces.
INFO SESSIONS FOR FREE TRAINING PROGRAMS: Also: Get ready for future runs with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor)’s free training programs – two have info sessions tonight, 6:30 and 7 pm, as previewed here.
PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS: A local group of Spanish-language learners, dedicated to practicing, gathers 6:30-8:30 pm at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MAD CRAFTY: Bring your craft project to Revelry Room (4547 California SW) for a crafty night, 7-9 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues – Seaside Grill (2820 Alki SW) at 7 pm … Admiral Pub also has trivia at 7 pm (2306 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … It’s Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia starts at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
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)
‘RENT’ AT VASHON CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Take a ferry to enjoy opening night of this production of the classic musical! (19600 Vashon Highway)
SALSA DANCING: 8 pm lessons with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
SWING IT WEDNESDAY! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale, South Park).
KARAOKE X 2: In the south end, Megastar Karaoke with KDJ Mythikal at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm … In the north end, sing at Admiral Pub also starting at 9, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
DANCE WITH BALORICO: Lessons at 8 pm and at 9 pm at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
Planning an event, class, workshop, etc., that’s open to community participation/observation/visitation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just two weeks until the first day of school for thousands of local students, including most at Roxhill Elementary, who you can support with this fundraiser we were asked to tell you about – here’s the announcement from Friends of Roxhill Elementary:
Did you know that teachers at Roxhill spend their own money on classroom supplies, snacks for hungry students, and even field trips? Help provide equitable experiences for all students by giving to the 2026 Roxhill back-to-school fundraiser!
With support from our West Seattle neighbors, Friends of Roxhill provides each teacher at our school with classroom support to provide a rich learning environment for every student.
Last year, donations helped provide multiple trips to Seattle Children’s Theater, the end-of-year field day celebration, and countless classroom supplies such as materials for science projects, new books, and headphones to help students focus.
Our teachers shouldn’t have to spend their own money to provide basic materials and experiences for their classrooms. Your donation directly goes to our teachers to invest in student learning.
• $25: Covers one student
• $100: Covers a table group
• $450: Covers one whole class!
The donation link is here.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is the same as most recent days, again – cloudy start, sunny later, high in the mid-to-upper 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:10 am today; sunset will be at 8:14 pm.
(Tuesday night sunset, by James Bratsanos)
(Monday night moonset, anonymous reader photo)
CLOSURE PREVIEWS
Admiral District closure – Friday 10 am through late Saturday night – Admiral Block Party setup and festival will close California SW between Admiral and College, plus College east of California
West Seattle low bridge, NB 1st Ave.S. Bridge: Both scheduled to close all weekend
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 and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
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 (closing this weekend):
1st Avenue South Bridge (NB closing again this weekend):
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!
(File photo, courtesy Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic)
This Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of a sports tradition – the AAU Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic, which organizers describe as “Seattle’s longest-running outdoor strength-sports event.” Featured sports include push-pull powerlifting, a team double-deadlift event, tire flip, ammo-box carry, and farmer’s walk, starting at 9 am Saturday (August 22) on the beach near the Bathhouse (2701 Alki Avenue SW). Here’s the announcement from organizers:
This milestone 30th anniversary event welcomes competitors of all ages and abilities — from first-time novice lifters to AAU World Champions. The event is drug-tested and sanctioned by the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union).
Hosted by Andrew “Bull” Stewart — AAU Washington State Strength Chairman & Director, 15-year National and World drug-free powerlifting champion, and co-owner of Columbia City Fitness Center in Seattle. Bull has hosted this beloved West Seattle beach event every year for 30 years, and it remains one of the most unique and inclusive strength sports competitions in the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re interested in competing, go here. Interested in supporting/sponsoring the event, including via donating prizes and gift certificates? BullStewart@hotmail.com or 206.854.2678. If you’re a prospective spectator, admission is free – just visit the beach on Saturday.
Thanks to Al for the tip. Endolyne Joe’s in Fauntleroy is closed until Thursday (August 20) for floor refinishing. The sign posted at the restaurant says they expect to reopen at 4 pm Thursday, in time for dinner service.
The holder of that $2.5 million Lotto ticket sold at Admiral Safeway hasn’t claimed it yet, a spokesperson for Washington’s Lottery told us today. But thanks to a reader tip, we’ve learned of a multimillion-dollar coincidence – this isn’t the first Lotto jackpot ticket sold in West Seattle this summer! The July 5th $3.8 million jackpot was won by a player who bought their ticket at the California/Andover mini-mart. And the market’s owners got a $38,000 because of the big win.
2:42 PM: Orcas are headed northbound, currently off Lincoln Park, reports Kersti Muul, who tells us, “Some just passed by (Colman) Pool!) And they’re close to this side of the Sound.
3:47 PM: Photos added, thanks to a reader.
This happened around 9:17 pm last night, and we obtained the report narrative from Seattle Police today: They say a man reported that he was robbed at gunpoint at an ATM at the BECU branch in The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW). Here’s the narrative, as redacted by SPD:
XXXX had arrived at the BECU and parked his vehicle on the street. He entered the BECU where there are two ATM machines in a vestibule area. He had $1,200 in 20-dollar bills that he wanted to deposit into his account. The ATM only allows for 30 bills at a time so he deposited $600 and was waiting for the machine to process the amount when he heard someone shouting behind him. (The victim) turned around and saw the suspect standing in the doorway pointing a black handgun at him.
XXXX believed the gun to be real and realized the suspect was shouting at him and demanding his cash. XXXX handed over the remaining $600 cash but the suspect demanded that he take out more cash. XXXX told the suspect that he couldn’t access more cash because the ATM was still processing his deposit. The suspect continued to demand more cash so XXXX stepped to the side to show the suspect the ATM screen.
The suspect fled from the doorway and ran to a dark-colored mid-size sedan that was parked in front of the entrance. The suspect entered through the driver’s-side door and was last seen driving away southbound on Fauntleroy. XXXX was unable to see if there was anyone else inside the vehicle.
XXXX confirmed the suspect description, stating the suspect was shorter than him at approximately 5’7″ to 5’8″ with a thin build. Although the suspect’s face was mostly covered by a face mask, XXXX believes the suspect to be in his late teens to early 20’s and possibly East African [also black long-sleeved hoodie, black “slouched” pants, black shoes] … XXXX also confirmed that there was a witness to the robbery, who briefly followed the suspect vehicle before returning to BECU. …
The witness called also had called 911, and spoke with police during their investigation. The witness told them the robber’s car had “rear-end bumper damage that was covered in tape”; the report says it also had a burned out tail light and no plates. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 26-243984.
11:43 AM: Police checking out multiple 911 calls about possible gunfire south of The Junction have just confirmed it. Officers report finding casings in an alley west of California SW, near California SW and SW Brandon. No reports of injuries. 911 callers said a small black car might have been associated with this.
11:58 AM: The possibly involved vehicle is also described as having “heavily tinted windows” and might have been spotted “driving erratically” near Fauntleroy and California, so police are on the lookout.
(WSB photos)
12:09 PM: Our photographer found police in the alley north of Brandon, with casing-marker cards in the grass:
If you have any information, the SPD case # is 26-244528.
(Recent photo of two Bald Eagles, sent by Samantha)
Here’s our list of event notes/reminders/listings for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER FOOD DRIVE: The food drive is continuing daily at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) – our story has the list of what is most needed.
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.
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily operations continue at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) – free, scheduled 11 am-8 pm daily.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: No lunch meeting this week – annual membership picnic.
WADING POOLS OPEN: With sunshine and warm weather expected this afternoon, West Seattle’s regular wading-pool lineup will be open – noon to 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way, upper park near the north lot) and at EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden, last week of the season).
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily sessions continue at the outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
CHESS CLUB: All levels! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
OTHER EVENTS AT THE CENTER: Dozens every week! Go here for the full Center for Active Living calendar.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly 2 pm meeting; here’s the agenda, which explains how to participate, in person or remotely.
RESTAURANT POP-UP: The Neighborhood (6503 California SW) hosts Mariscos Panda again today, 3-8 pm.
CREATIVE SKILLSHARE NIGHT: 4:30-7:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
‘IT TAKES A VILLAGE’: Community conversation about safety and gun violence in High Point, 5-7:30 pm at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW), details in our calendar listing.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases. “Wine wars” in the spotlight tonight – Northwest vs. France.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
TUESDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB: Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) are presenting this weekly event for stand-up paddleboarders – details here – 5:30 pm. (1660 Harbor SW)
NO INTERFAITH FREEDOM VIGIL THIS WEEK: But organizers say they’ll be back after a few weeks off.
STORY TIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm at Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW), weekly story time for kids, followed by a garden activity.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, “Unplugged: A Musical Gathering” is for acoustic musicians and singers of all genres! At C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
OPEN MIC: 6:30 pm signups, 7 pm music – weekly open mic hosted by Levi Said at Tim’s (16th SW and SW 98th) in White Center.
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.
PAST, PRESENT, ELSEHERE: Listen to full albums at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 7 pm.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 7 pm – lots of info in our ongoing calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group meditation 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 weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 4: Four Tuesday trivia venues – 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, 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 to play, prizes. (2306 California SW).
KARAOKE AT POGGIE TAVERN: 9 pm until 1:30 am, your turn to sing! (4717 California SW)
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 next month to celebrate the life of Pam Paxton. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing now:
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Pamela “Pam” Paxton (formerly Pam Johnson, née Pam Odegard), who passed away on July 14, 2026 at the age of 79.
Pam was a native of West Seattle, graduating from West Seattle High School in 1965. She then went on to own the Styling Studio Salon, for many years located on Admiral Way. Pam eventually relocated to Des Moines, WA, where she opened Entourage Salon and Spa.
Pam loved life and touched so many in her own way. She loved her family, friends, and her clients, who were also considered family to her.
Pam is survived by her husband, James Paxton, her daughters Tracy Johnson and Michelle Toombs, and her granddaughter Ava Toombs.
There will be a celebration of her life at a private residence in Des Moines on September 12, 2026. If you would like to attend, please send an email to Michelle.toombs7@gmail.com for more information.
(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)
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is the same as most recent days – eventual sunshine, high in the mid-to-upper 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:09 am today; sunset will be at 8:15 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 and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
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 (reminder, closing this weekend):
1st Avenue South Bridge (NB closes again this weekend):
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!
Monday began foggy and gray but concluded colorfully with regional wildfire smoke still in the air. The panorama above was sent by Wyatt; the ferry-enhanced sunset view below is by Yvonne Frankovich:
And this one’s from Carol Ann Joyce:
We don’t have a photo but the moonset had an orange-ish tint too. Some of the smoke seems to be getting down to ground level, as the air-quality readings are in the “moderate” range right now.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If elections aren’t protected, nothing else really matters.
That’s the essence of what state Attorney General Nick Brown told more than 140 people at Sunday’s monthly meeting of West Seattle Indivisible at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Admiral.
Brown – “a proud West Seattleite” – was the first of three guests invited to discuss “all things election,” as WSI leaders Laurie Reinhardt and Amy Daly-Donovan described the theme, but he had a lot more to say. We recorded it all on video, including his replies to attendees’ questions:
As demanding and intense as the AG job is, Brown insisted it’s “so much damn fun!” The AG is not only “the state’s lawyer” but also constitutionally charged with advocating for the people of Washington, he explained. That’s led to a variety of actions to protect consumers and the environment, among other things, and it’s in no small part why, he said, “Every now and then I get to sue the President of the United States.”
70 times, to be specific, Brown said, adding, “I do not relish suing the president … (nor relish that a major part of his job) is protecting people from the president.” Among other results of those lawsuits, he said, the state has kept the federal government from taking away “15 billion dollars in all sorts of funding,” from cancer research to public-school funding that he said was targeted “because we have the audacity to provide (diversity/equity/inclusion) programs” that the administration opposes. He also accused the administration of “hypocrisy” by trying to cut crime-victim funding allocated by a proram “signed by President Ronald Reagan.”
Then to the topic of the day: Brown said he has been active in election protection with other states’ attorneys general and that various possible scenarios are being planned for, even things that were once unimaginable, like armed federal agents showing up at polling places. “The federal government is the biggest threat to the safety of your elections … they want you to be scared, they want your neighbors to be scared … because when more people come out and vote, they lose.”
He didn’t discuss specifics of what’s being planned in response to such “scenarios,” but in open-microphone Q&A, one attendee asked what would be done if indeed “armed federal agents” showed up. It’s illegal, Brown clarified, “and we would be in court immediately.” Could lawbreaking agents be arrested by local police? They could, “but I wouldn’t advise it,” he replied.
Another question involved federal agents breaking the law now – with an attendee asking about the masked ICE officers disregarding our state’s new law against masked law enforcement. “We are running aaainst strong headwinds … a similar law was thrown out in New York” recently (here’s an early-August report).
Other questions included issues related to the immigration crackdown – which Indivisible leaders noted would be next month’s spotlight topic – such as whether the state could take action to end the use of restraints on ICE detainees flown out of Boeing Field. “States have limited authority to dictate how the federal government operates” in situations like this, Brown said, though he wants to hear about “civil-rights violations” “ICE can operate but they can’t violate your civil rights.” A later question involved the recent reports that “shock gloves” were being procured for ICE officers; “if we see them, we’ll evaluate” what to do, Brown said.
He also was asked about “getting money out of politics” – our state has some “good transparency laws,” he replied, and “fairly (stringent) donor limits.”
Other questions brought the discussion back to the upcoming election – with Brown reiterating that the idea of the Trump Administration “attacking” the election process “is not hypothetical any more … Twice he’s tried to change how we count votes. Every state that has said ‘no’ (to such changes) and has been sued (by the federal government) has won … the administration has lost 20 cases.” The best thing voters can do, he added, is fill out the ballot and get it into a drop box – not the US Mail – as soon as you get it (mid-October for the November general election); don’t procrastinate.
That was also stressed when specifics about King County Elections operations and plans emerged in a presentation by chief of staff Kendall Hodson – here’s our video, including the Q&A that followed:
KC Elections has about 80 permanent staffers but will soon be hiring hundreds of temporary workers for the general election. They’re predicting a 75 percent turnout, similar to 2018, which would be double the primary turnout. She too stressed voting sooner rather than later, and offered an added benefit – the earlier ballots are in, the higher percentage of votes they’ll be able to report on election night. In 2020, Hodson said, 90 percent of the results were available on Election Night because so many had been turned in early. She said they hope to have 100 drop boxes in place (update, a KCE spokesperson we checked with today confirms they hope to add 9 countywide but aren’t ready to say where). Also, she advised, sign up for the ballot-tracking service that will notify you when yours is received/verified/counted. Something else you ca do right now – be sure your voter registration is up to date.
Hodson explained why mail-in voting is “accurate and secure,” detailing the auditing and observation measures in place, both in person and via 80 security cameras, as well as access that is limited to workers that have to have both badges and authorized fingerprints.
Along the lines of what Attorney General Brown had mentioned, KC Elections is also “preparing for all scenarios,” with staff training and “incident-response practice,” going through scenarios such as “what if a federal agent is standing in front of (a drop box) – how would they reach the Attorney General’s office as quickly as possible?”
Ballot security was the first question asked in Hodson’s Q&A period. She explained the steps a ballot goes through – it’s scanned, the signature is photographed and verified – even before the ballot envelope is opened – and it goes to the tabulation system. All that takes a lot of people-power, and that led to an extended pitch for those temporary jobs we mentioned earlier – KCE’s voter-services manager Kenny Austin, a West Seattleite, said they’re “good-paying union jobs” and you can register on the county’s jobs site to be notified when they’re posted.
Also speaking to West Seattle Indivisible, executive director Charles Douglas of Common Power, which leads trips to knock on doors in other states and cities, explaining that his organization was started in 2018 ‘by concerned citizens tired of not having an impact on federal elections.” Here’s our video of how he and staffer Binh Truong explained their work:
They urged Indivisible members to join them – on one doorknocking trip or many: “Any Senate or House race worth anything, we’ll be there,” and some other races of outsized importance too; specific candidates they’re supporting this fall include Texas U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico and Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. It’s up to volunteers to cover their travel costs, but for those who truly can’t, Douglas said, help might be available, such as matching funds and donated airline miles. The group so far is planning 30 trips “across 13 states.”
Before the two-hour meeting concluded, the group also heard a slew of announcements, including an exhortation to register people to vote – WSI’s Randy Winn pointed out the millions of people who didn’t vote, registered or not, in major recent elections, outnumbering those who did – and pitches for postcarding, including a commitment to fill out and send at least 5,000 postcards urging “no” votes on November’s three state ballot initiatives. Dates for those events and many more, including recurring demonstrations and trainings, are on the WS Indivisible website here. That’s also where to find info about their next general meeting, 3:30 pm Sunday, September 20.
4:40 PM: Thanks for the tip! A reader called about this just as we were hearing the SPD dispatch. As you can see, this is blocking 2+ lanes of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, and police aren’t there yet.
4:48 PM: Police have arrived and have the eastbound bridge down to one lane. They say the truck has lost a wheel, so they’re calling two tow trucks including a flatbed. No report of injuries.
5:07 PM: The live traffic cam shows they’re getting closer to reopening lanes by pulling the truck and trailer off to the side.
5:11 PM: Two eastbound lanes are now open, officers told dispatch.
5:52 PM: All lanes have reopened. And thanks again to everyone who sent initial tips about this!
Somebody who bought a ticket for Saturday night’s Lotto drawing at Admiral Safeway won the $2.5 million jackpot – but hasn’t claimed it yet, according to a Washington’s Lottery spokesperson. No rush, of course – the ticket is good until February 11. The winning numbers as shown on the lottery website are 1, 10, 23, 27, 28, 49. And Safeway gets a jackpot of sorts for selling the jackpot ticket – $25,000.
(Photo by Clarence Higuera)
One of the street-safety challenges mentioned at last week’s Fauntleroy Community Association-convened forum about bicycling safety was the mingling of parking spaces with ferry queueing on Fauntleroy Way alongside Lincoln Park (and sometimes beyond). At 2 pm weekdays, the space becomes a no-parking zone – and today, right at 2, SPD parking-enforcement officers and tow trucks were there, ready to pounce on violators, WSB contributor Anne Higuera noticed. We’re checking on whether today’s crackdown was part of the SDOT-led response.
We’ve reported before on the Seattle Police “Connect Seattle” program, in which you can register your home security camera(s) so that police know you have one if they are investigating something in the area. Today we have word from Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite that the program is expanding to offer – also voluntary – “integration” for businesses’ camera systems, which would allow police to tap into their real-time streams – here’s the announcement aimed at businesses:
Did you know you can give SPD access to your business security camera to increase safety in your area?
Camera sharing allows the Seattle Police Department access to your camera feeds of publicly accessible areas in case of an emergency near your location. All your cameras or some of them. You set your preferences.
To share your cameras, all you need is a small FususCORE device that plugs into your camera system. Once it’s set up, it enables camera sharing based on your settings without impacting your network.
More information can be found on this webpage: communityconnectseattle.org/camera-integration
If you are ready to take the next step, please contact our Integration Coordinator – Alexis Bourland – abourland@axon.com
The added background information notes, among other things, that businesses interested in participating have to pay for the device connecting their cameras to the SPD system; those start at $350 and are detailed on this page.
This fall, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) has a full slate of four free training programs that will get you ready to run and/or walk further and faster than ever before. Each program has an info session you’ll want to attend first, and those are starting this week:
GET FIT: This is to prepare beginning runners for a half-marathon. Info session: 7 pm Wednesday (August 19)
FULL FIT: Training for a marathon with partners, with beginner and intermediate options. Info session: 6:30 pm Wednesday (August 19)
WALK FIT: This will get you ready for an upcoming 5K and/or 10K walk. Info session: 6:30 pm August 26
GOT FIT: Training for intermediate-to-advanced half-marathoners. Info session: 7 pm August 26
All info sessions are at West Seattle Runner’s shop, 2743 California SW.
Sandy has a warning for others: “My car window was smashed in the underground parking lot of the LA Fitness in West Seattle and my belongings were stolen while I was working out. Letting others know so that they don’t keep any valuables in their car in that parking lot.” Crime-prevention experts advise not leaving anything of value in your vehicle anywhere. P.S. We received Sandy’s report this morning; the time frame wasn’t mentioned, so we’re following up.
ADDED 12:30 PM: Sandy says it happened between 6:30 and 8:30 am today; the temporary SPD report number is T00064484.
Thanks to Rainer Klett for the photo of an Osprey with prey! As we take wing into a new week, here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER FOOD DRIVE: If you can help, the food drive is continuing daily at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) – our story has the list of what is most needed.
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily splashing continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), whatever the weather, 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day.
MOST WADING POOLS’ LAST WEEK: With sunshine and a mid-70s high temperature expected, West Seattle’s regular Monday wading-pool lineup will be open – noon to 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way, upper park near the north lot) and at EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden). Note that except for Lincoln Park, which is open through Labor Day, this is the final scheduled week for wading pools.
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily operation continues at the outdoor saltwater swimming pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: The weekly 2 pm meeting for previews and briefings is canceled today.
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUPS: 6:30 pm, weekly group gatherings for people going through grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too! $5.
PRACTICE SPEAKING SPANISH: 6:30-8:30 pm, this informal group gathers at Future Primitive Brewing in White Center (9832 14th SW), all welcome – just be ready to speak Spanish while participating!
ALKI MEDITATION: Two places to get centered on Monday nights in West Seattle – in the north end, there’s meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: In the south end, free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
COMEDY AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: Monthly “Routine Killers” show at 7 pm, this month with national headliner Duane Goad; tickets remain as of this morning – go here! (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 2: Two venues on our list with trivia tonight- 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), $2 cash to enter … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
MONDAY NIGHT SALSA LESSONS: Series continues, 7 pm with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament, 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska, entrance on California)
PINBALL TOURNAMENT: Sign up at 7, play at 7:30, at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Huge thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar, which we update daily; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Photo courtesy Seattle Civic Dance Theatre)
Seattle Civic Dance Theatre has ballet auditions for its 37th annual production of “The Magical Doll Maker” coming up this Sunday, and registration is open now. SCDT is based in West Seattle; the tryouts are in Burien:
Who: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre (West Seattle-based dance nonprofit est. 1985)
What: Free, open ballet auditions for children ages 8-18 for an annual community fundraising performance of The Magical Doll Maker (its 37th production)
When: Auditions are Sunday, August 23. Beginning level dancers 11 am- 12 pm, Intermediate/Advanced level dancers 12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Where: Auditions will be held at 15811 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Suite 160, Burien
To Register: Access the link below, access the link through our website, or email Allison Gross, SCDT Board President.
Audition registration form: Audition Registration & Performer Contract for The Magical Doll Maker
Seattle Civic Dance Theatre Website
Contact info: Allison Gross, SCDT Board President at scdtboard@gmail.com
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, August 17, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is the same as most recent days – eventual sunshine with a high in the mid-to-upper 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:08 am today; sunset will be at 8:17 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 and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
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 (reminder, closing next weekend):
1st Avenue South Bridge (NB reopened Sunday night as scheduled and closes again next weekend):
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!
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