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BACK TO SCHOOL: Here’s when SDOT plans to activate new school-zone-speed cameras in Admiral
August 27, 2025 5:41 pm
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 |   West Seattle news

Though school starts a week from today, SDOT‘s new California Avenue SW school-zone-speed cameras near West Seattle High School and Lafayette Elementary won’t be in operation right at the start. We’ve been asking SDOT for an update on the cameras’ status, and just got it:

We expect to activate school zone safety camera near West Seattle High School on California Ave SW in the southbound direction mid-September. The northbound camera for West Seattle High School is expected to be activated mid-October due to more complex construction methods at the location.

SDOT is also installing speed cameras on Admiral Way near Alki Elementary, but won’t be activating them until the rebuilt school at 3010 59th SW opens in fall 2026. Here’s the list of schools that already have these cameras (including five in West Seattle). We first mentioned the new cameras’ locations in city-budget coverage almost a year ago.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Purse-seine fishing
August 27, 2025 3:58 pm
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 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Several WSB readers were startled to see purse-seine fishing off West Seattle these past few days – the photo above was taken from Lincoln Park on Tuesday, and another one came in from Upper Alki today:

Purse-seine fishing uses a net to scoop up the catch, which in this case is the same fish that’s filled Lincoln Park’s north shore with people, pink salmon. According to this state Fish and Wildlife Department document, the commercial season in this part of Puget Sound is in its second of three weeks. We’ve run various photos of this type of fishing off West Seattle over the years, but they’ve historically been later in the year, like these scenes from November 2021.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: You can join in red-carpet welcome for West Seattle Elementary students
August 27, 2025 2:20 pm
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 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo, September 2024: WSES staffer Akim Finch welcoming students)

Again this year, the first day of school will begin with the exuberant tradition of a red-carpet welcome for students at West Seattle Elementary. You’re invited to join other community members and WSES staff for the welcome. Just be at the school’s main entrance (on the north side of the campus at 6760 34th SW) 7:15-8 am on Wednesday (September 3). It’s the first red-carpet event for Ritchie Garcia as principal; the longtime assistant principal is leading the school this year after Pamela McCowan-Conyers‘ retirement.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: 45th SW in front of Madison Middle School will continue weekday through-traffic closures
August 27, 2025 1:02 pm
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 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photo, January 2025)

One week from today, Seattle Public Schools begins the 2025-2026 school year. Even if your family doesn’t have a student or school staffer, you’ll be affected by the resumption of school-related traffic and transportation management, including school-zone speed limit and School Street closures. The Madison Middle School PTSA asked us to remind you about their School Street – 45th Avenue SW in front of the school, between SW Spokane and SW Hinds, will close to through traffic on weekdays again this school year. Several other West Seattle schools have set up School Streets; at one, Genesee Hill Elementary, SDOT has declared it to be permanent. This will be the first full year for Madison’s School Street, which was launched last January.

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FOLLOWUP: Long-delayed Brace Point electrical upgrades are starting; online community meeting Thursday
August 27, 2025 11:14 am
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 |   Fauntleroy | Utilities | West Seattle news

News today about another long-delayed city project: The Brace Point underground electrical upgrades are starting, almost six years after the originally projected start date for the project. Thanks to the area resident who shared a notice they’d received, with word that the work is under way on private property now and beginning in public right-of-way in early September. The notice also announced an online community meeting at noon tomorrow (Thursday, August 28) for information and Q&A. We last reported on the project when it went out to bid this past March but hadn’t received City Light notification that work was about to start. Its main component is replacement of underground cables that have failed repeatedly, causing multiple power outages in the neighborhood south of Fauntleroy. The information on the notices mailed to area residents, including how to register for tomorrow’s online meeting, is on the project page. (For backstory on the delays, see this 2022 WSB story.)

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Art-making, game-playing, book discussion, music, more for your West Seattle Wednesday
August 27, 2025 9:58 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Dawn earlier this week, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s our list of quick reminders about what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fauntleroy (this is a last-minute reminder, so would-be walkers can set their calendars for next Wednesday morning!).

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW)

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

ALSO AT HIGHLAND PARK PLAYGROUND: Another chance to learn to break! Beginners welcome too. Free 11 am class. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: The open-every-day season is in its final week at Lincoln Park‘s outdoor, heated salt-water pool! Noon-7 pm; see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WADING POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), West Seattle’s last still-open wading pool is expected to be open noon-7 pm, since the weather is expected to warm up through the day.

FREE MOVIE: All ages welcome to watch “The Wild Robot” at Southwest Library (9010 California SW), 1 pm.

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: All levels welcome, 2-4:30 pm at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury).

DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Fourth Wednesday brings the monthly dine-out fundraiser at The Neighborhood (6503 California SW), 3-9 pm, this time donating part of the proceeds to Alki Beach Academy.

COMMUNITY VOCAL TONING: You and your voice are invited, 5 pm at Alki Arts (6030 California SW).

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix that 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).

OPEN STUDIO AT POTTERINGS: 6 pm, stop in and let your creative self be free! Our calendar listing has the sign-up link and details. (3400 Harbor SW)

CRIBBAGE TOURNAMENT: Play at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ (membership not required; 4426 California SW), 6 pm.

PIANO NIGHT AT UPWELL: Come enjoy music at Upwell Coffee (4811 California SW), 6-9 pm.

FREE ART CLASS: 6 pm, pay what you can, all levels invited to explore watercolors at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

FREE QI-GONG CLASS: 6 pm, meet at south lot of Lincoln Park. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: All are welcome at the group’s weekly happy-hour meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW).

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: An energetic way to enjoy your evening – join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – all welcome.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)

MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB: The club’s August meeting is tonight at 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW); this month’s book is Alua Arthur‘s “Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End.”

MUSIC BINGO: at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

TRIVIA x 4: Four West Seattle trivia locations on our Wednesday list: Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) at 7 pm … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 8 pm … Quiz Night also starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and it’s an 8:30 pm start for trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: You can be in the spotlight – 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SALSA & BACHATA CLASS: Open-level class with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW), 8 pm.

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!

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Invitation from Endolyne Children’s Choir: ‘Come sing with us!’
August 27, 2025 8:59 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Endolyne Children’s Choir, “West Seattle’s community youth choir,” is starting a new season and welcoming new singers – here’s the invitation sent to us to share with you:

Do you know a child who loves to sing? The Endolyne Children’s Choir is kicking off our 23rd season in September and it’s not too late to register! We offer five grade-level-based choir ensembles for singers in grades K-12.

ECC is proud to be West Seattle’s community youth choir. Our mission is to make quality choral music education accessible to as many children as possible. We don’t require an audition or any previous choir experience, and we offer multiple payment tiers, including full scholarship available to anyone.

Our singers learn music theory and vocal technique, build performance skills, make friends, and have fun! Learn more here – and come sing with us!

If you don’t have a potential member in the household but you’re interested in the choir’s work, look for not only their own concerts, but appearances at community events such as The Junction’s Christmas-tree lighting and the summertime West Seattle Grand Parade.

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TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch
August 27, 2025 6:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

No more heat alerts, for now. The forecast for today is mostly cloudy, slight chance of showers, upper 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:21 am; sunset will be at 7:58 pm.

ROAD WORK

-SDOT says Admiral Way Bridge work should mostly wrap up this week, meaning Fairmount Avenue beneath the bridge will reopen. The outside eastbound lane had work crews for a while Tuesday, but was clear by the time we went through at 6:30 pm.

-WSDOT says tunnel-texture work was wrapping up in one more closure overnight and should be over now.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.

Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Issaquah, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights.

STADIUM ZONE

Mariners at home vs. San Diego again today, day game this time – 1:10 pm.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Reopened Sunday afternoon after a day and a half of work. Here’s the view looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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FALL FUN: Holy Rosary’s WestFest sets dates, seeks sponsors
August 26, 2025 11:11 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

The fun doesn’t end when summer’s over. West Seattle celebrates in the fall, too, and organizers of one of the biggest events, Holy Rosary School‘s two-day WestFest, have a two-part announcement – meant to get the dates on your calendar, and welcome potential sponsors:

WestFest is just around the corner, and we’re excited to invite you to be a part of this year’s celebration on September 19th and 20th.

Each year, WestFest brings together our community for two days of fun — complete with a packed beer garden, delicious food booths, thrilling rides, lively bingo, and entertainment in the gym. It’s a wonderful tradition that draws families and neighbors from across the area.

We’d love for you to consider sponsoring WestFest 2025. Sponsorship not only supports Holy Rosary School but also provides your business with excellent visibility through event signage, recognition, and community connection.

For details on sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Bonnie at (206) 226-4046 or bonnierice@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support!

-The WestFest Committee

The festival happens at the Holy Rosary School campus, outdoors and indoors, off 42nd SW between Dakota and Genesee.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: The heat is gone
August 26, 2025 9:15 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Jan Pendergrass)

The setting sun was smoke-pink, but there was good news around sunset tonight – the National Weather Service‘s heat alert expired as expected, and normal temperatures are on the way back. Meantime, the sun had a followup act – a crescent moon:

(Photo by Dawn Roeder)

Labor Day is currently looking to be mostly sunny, with a high in the mid-70s.

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle authors Steve Duda, Susan Rich, Susan Lieu chosen as finalists in Washington State Book Awards
August 26, 2025 5:58 pm
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 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: West Seattle’s tradition of literary excellence, as recognized in the annual Washington State Book Awards, continues! This year’s list of finalists is out, and it includes books by two West Seattle writers:

–Steve Duda‘s fly-fishing essay collection “River Songs: Moments of Wild Wonder in Fly Fishing,” waspublished by West Seattle-headquartered Mountaineers Books. The publisher says the book has been hailed as “rich with bracing, authentic, generous stories–writing that revels in language and spirit … pieces that breathe lived experience, reveal vulnerabilities, and convey a broad perspective of what it means to have ‘a long run with a tight crew’.” Duda’s book is a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction/Memoir division.

–Susan Rich‘s poetry book “Blue Atlas” is a finalist in the Poetry division. its launch last year was held at West Seattle’s C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), during one of the occasional reunions of the WordsWest Literary Series collective of which she is a founder. “Blue Atlas’ is described by publisher Red Hen Press as “a lyrical abortion narrative unlike any other … (that) follows a Jewish woman and her ghosts as they travel from West Africa to Europe and, finally, to the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.” Rich has been a WSBA finalist before, for her book “The Alchemist’s Kitchen.”

The annual Washington State Book Awards, presented by the Washington Center for the Book, honor books published by Washington writers in the previous year. Here’s the full list of current finalists; winners will be announced September 16.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: We learned via a comment below that there’s another West Seattle author to congratulate – Susan Lieu, whose memoir “The Manicurist’s Daughter” is also a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction/Memoir division. Publisher Celadon Books‘ website describes it as “an emotionally raw memoir about the crumbling of the American Dream and a daughter of refugees who searches for answers after her mother dies during plastic surgery.” This is Lieu’s first book but as detailed on her website, she’s also a performer, speaker, podcaster, mom, and … chocolate entrepreneur.

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HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Fundraiser today; busier-than-usual season ahead at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex
August 26, 2025 3:41 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

With the start of school approaching, so are fall sports, including football. Two notes today:

(September 2024 WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

CHIEF SEALTH FUNDRAISER AT MOD PIZZA: Get food from or at MOD Pizza Westwood Village today – they’re open until 10 pm – and part of the proceeds will benefit the Chief Sealth International High School football team, defending Metro League 2A champions. Here’s the flyer we just received – show it at the restaurant, or use the code on the flyer to order online.

BUSIER THAN USUAL SEASON AT NCSWAC: West Seattle’s southernmost stadium, Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), will have a busier season than usual, since Memorial Stadium – also owned by Seattle Public Schools – is out of commission for its rebuild. Rainier Beach, Garfield, and Franklin all have home games scheduled there, as well as Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS. You can check the schedule here (it also shows other Metro League games, including those played at West Seattle Stadium).

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle wooden-boat sculpture Paragon to be demolished Wednesday – but artist says it will be replaced
August 26, 2025 2:31 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo: Paragon, today)

More than a year after the artist who installed Paragon along West Marginal Way SW sounded the alarm about the city’s intent to demolish it for safety concerns, the demolition is scheduled to happen tomorrow. We reported on the situation involving the Paragon sculpture multiple times over the past year. Last time we checked on its status was in spring, when the city’s public-art overseers voted to “deaccession” it – disown it so it could be demolished. While the city says it’s deteriorated dangerously, artist Don Fels has said that’s the city’s fault for not maintaining it properly. He told us in spring that he worked to gather volunteer support and donated materials to rebuild it but then the city insisted he take on a liability level that he could not. In notifying us this morning that demolition is planned for early tomorrow morning, city Office of Arts and Culture spokesperson Otts Bolisay tells WSB that “The steel armature and concrete portions will be left in place through the end of 2026 if Mr. Fels wants to replace the wooden portion of the sculpture.”

We had by then inquired with Fels and he revealed a plan is indeed now proceeding, telling us:

While it is true they are demolishing the wooden section of the sculpture … it is going to be replaced by a new steel (with wooden parts) iteration.

After a lengthy and sometimes harrowing negotiation with the City which has gone on well over a year- I am pleased with the outcome. Thanks to an incredibly generous offer – Nucor Seattle has jumped in to make possible that the Paragon, in a new and even more complete rendition – truer to the original 100-year-old Paragon- will rise again on the site. Nucor is providing engineering, fabrication and installation of the new boat section on the current steel and concrete support. We are currently in the design and engineering phase. Once that is complete we will present the City with our plans. Once approved, fabrication will begin at the Nucor site. Nucor has been wonderful to work with – their expertise, hearts and souls are fully behind the project.

This positive outcome is the result of the amazing support from the West Seattle community, largely of course the result of the WSB, and that of the Seattle Parks Foundation and Allied Arts. I have been astounded by and am extraordinarily grateful for the outpouring. Without the public support, the demolition of the wooden boat would have been followed by demo of the entire sculpture.

When we checked back with A&C’s Bolisay after hearing from Fels, he said the city’s role in this isn’t finalized: “Re-accessioning is a separate process and isn’t guaranteed.” Meantime, a contractor will be on site starting around 7:30 a tomorrow.

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FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Why Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route was down one boat – and one terminal
August 26, 2025 1:26 pm
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 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

1:26 PM: A reader messaged us to report major delays on Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route. WSF has made two announcements of situations likely factoring into this. Biggest is that the route is down one boat, and as a result, one terminal:

#1 Kittitas Out of Service Due to Crewing – Southworth Travel Out of Service

The #1 Kittitas is out of service until further notice, due to crewing. A relief worker is required before we can move the vessel. Southworth travel is out of service until further notice.

Second, there’s paving work at the Vashon terminal parking lot, and that’s affecting the usage of holding lanes, with WSF warning Vashon travelers to “allow extra time for travel.”

P.S. Vessel Watch shows Kittitas is tied up at Southworth, which is a one-slip terminal, so that explains why it’s completely out of service. We’re checking with WSF to see if they have any kind of ETA for finding the needed worker.

1:44 PM: Though the WSF alerts webpage isn’t updated yet, Vessel Watch shows Kittitas has left Southworth and is now sailing again.

1:51 PM: The reader who first tipped us about all this says WSF workers reported Kittitas left Southworth with foot passengers only. Bottom line, if you need to use the Triangle Route ferry/ies, be aware the schedule is currently out the window.

2:03 PM: WSF’s official update: “The #1 Kittitas will return to service at approximately 2:25 p.m.”

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Westwood Village Rite Aid now closed
August 26, 2025 1:11 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

The facade signage is gone and that hand-lettered sign on the door confirms that the only Rite Aid-owned West Seattle drugstore NOT converting to a CVS is officially closed. We first reported two months ago that the Westwood Village Rite Aid store would be closed as of today; the center’s owners have listed the space as available for lease, but no hint of a new tenant so far.

Of the other three Rite Aid-owned West Seattle drugstores, the former RA on California SW has already converted to a CVS; the two Bartell Drugs stores are set to do so within the next two weeks. Meantime, the South Delridge Walgreens – kitty-corner from the closed-and-sold ex-White Center Bartell store – is set to close September 10, as we first reported earlier this month.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: White Center Wendy’s opening delayed
August 26, 2025 11:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

(WSB/WCN photo, last week)

Just in from a spokesperson for the Wendy’s franchisee that’s about to open a White Center restaurant in the ex-KFC/A&W at 16th/102nd:

Opening Delay: The restaurant will not open this coming Friday due to final preparations.

New Target Opening: Aiming for Labor Day.

Exterior Work: Pennants will be installed Thursday, and most outside work will be completed—may appear as if it’s already open.

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Here’s our list for your West Seattle Tuesday
August 26, 2025 9:54 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Stan Delles)

Here’s the Tuesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOUTH TRANSFER STATION CLOSURE CONTINUES: Now extended through September 10.

RESTAURANT CLOSURE: As reported here, Il Nido (2717 61st SW) is planning to close starting today for about a week for emergency repairs.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are invited to 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.

MEDICARE INFO DROP-IN: 11 am at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: In operation every day through next Monday, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch meeting at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW) features speaker Larissa Del Piero, PhD, a clinical psychologist.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is also open, with sessions between noon and 7 pm. Fee.

WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is the last city-run wading pool in operation, noon-7 pm. Free.

CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING CANCELED: 2 pm weekly meeting is canceled as the council’s recess continues.

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.

FREE DROP-IN ROCK CLIMBING: As previewed here, West Seattle park Camp Long (5200 35th SW) is hosting free climbing at Schurman Rock on Tuesday nights this month! Two sessions, first come/first served, 5-6 pm and 6:30-7:30 pm, and you can arrive up to half an hour early to get your spot. Gear provided!

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.

CREATE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), register in advance to work on your project(s).

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.

BINGO X 2: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW) … Talarico’s Pizzeria also offers 8 pm bingo (4718 California SW).

TRIVIA X 4: Four options for Tuesday night trivia – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 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. (2306 California SW).

If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar, from which we draw our daily lists too – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Angela ‘Unakelrea’ Baker, 1940-2025
August 26, 2025 9:04 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Those who knew and loved Angela “Unakelrea” Baker are sharing her story as they bid her farewell:

Friends,

With gratitude and sadness we announce the “wedding day with the divine” for Angela “Unakelrea” Baker, née Joseph, September 22, 1940 – August 17, 2025.

The middle child of 13 children, she was born into a Yup’ik Inuit tribe in Akulerak, Alaska, in 1940, a remote, now-extinct village on the Yukon river near the Bering Sea. Her father Jasper was a reindeer herder, hunter, fisherman, and tribal leader. Her mother Alma, was a strong, determined, and powerful matriarch.

Anyone who met Angela knew her sweet, kind & gentle spirit and usually loved her from the moment upon meeting.

Taken from her family as a child, she survived the brutality of Catholic boarding schooling for Native Alaskan children all the way up through high school. Always resilient in tough situations, she turned that experience into a 40-year nursing career. She graduated from the University of New Mexico, Roswell, as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the early 1960s and moved to Los Angeles to begin her long and venerable nursing career. While there, she cared for many Hollywood movie stars of the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s. While in Los Angeles she was thrust into the hippie generation’s “free love” movement and the Summer of Love in 1967, whereby she attended many Love-Ins in Griffith Park and concerts of 1960s music. She maintained her love of 1960s folk & rock music all her life and attended many great concerts. She was one of the uber-cool ones…

Ever a restless and adventurous spirit, she worked a short time as a nurse in Fairbanks, Alaska, before moving to Medford, Oregon, where she was a highly regarded Intensive Care nurse at Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital from 1970 to 1984. She also worked locally at various nursing facilities before moving to Seattle in 1989. While in Seattle, she worked at numerous clinics, hospitals, qnd nursing facilities, including a nursing project in the Portland area, before retirement in 2005.

She was fiercely independent, brave, adventurous, and a voracious reader. She was active in AA and practiced meditation to maintain her sobriety. After retirement she spent her days at the beach in West Seattle with her sweet dog Lily, beachcombing for treasures and visiting every bookstore she could find.

In 2019 she moved back home to Alaska to spend the remainder of her years living with her eldest sister in Anchorage, where she concluded her life outside of Alaska by speaking only her native “Yugtun” language to the end of her days.
She had only one child, Patrick, who lives with his wife Kathryn in Bremerton, Washington. She is survived by her oldest sister, Christine, a grandchild in Vermont, and scores of cousins, nieces, and nephews in tribal western Alaska and Northern Virginia.

In memory of beloved Angela, kindly consider donating to a local nursing organization, an Alaskan Native or Native American tribe.

As Angela would say amidst the chaos of life….”Easy does it…”

(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)

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TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Tuesday notes; heat alert downgraded
August 26, 2025 6:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The heat-alert has been downgraded; now it’s a Heat Advisory until 8 pm tonight. Monday’s high was a record-tying (for the date) 91 degrees. The forecast for today is sunny, mid-80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:29 am; sunset will be at 8 pm, the last sunset in the 8 pm hour until April 16, 2026.

(Recent sunset photographed by Paige)

ROAD WORK

-SDOT says Admiral Way Bridge work should mostly wrap up this week, meaning Fairmount Avenue beneath the bridge will reopen.

-WSDOT says tunnel-texture work has shifted to southbound 99:

All southbound SR 99 lanes through the tunnel will close from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly through Thursday morning, Aug. 28, for texturing the driving surface. All southbound SR 99 traffic will need to exit to Denny Way. The Sixth Avenue North on-ramp to southbound SR 99 and the right lane of southbound SR 99 will close an hour earlier at 10 p.m. A signed detour around the tunnel closure will use city streets and southbound I-5.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.

Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights. Tonight’s the last extra later-evening-service night for M’s games, because of …

STADIUM ZONE

Mariners at home vs. San Diego again tonight, 6:40 pm.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Reopened Sunday afternoon after a day and a half of work. Here’s the view looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Alki gunfire investigation (updated Tuesday)
August 25, 2025 11:13 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Added: Reader photo)

11:13 PM: Police are investigating Alki gunfire that was reported this past half-hour. One report even came from an officer in the area who told dispatch he had heard a possible shot, and dispatch told him they had just started getting calls. One of those calls was from a resident who said their apartment window near 63rd and Alki had bullet damage. No injuries. So far all police know about who might have done this is a report of a “dark SUV.” If you have any information, contact 911 and reference incident 25-246138.

ADDED 2:38 PM TUESDAY: We obtained the report narrative from SPD – most redactions (names and addresses) are theirs:

At 2253 hours I was in the area of the 2700 block of 64 Ave SW checking the area on another call, 2025-246087 when I heard a single gunshot coming from the vicinity of the 3000 block of Alki Ave SW.

Dispatch advised they were receiving several 911 calls regarding shots fired and provided the following information.

‘’ 1O GUNSHOTS TO THE NORTHEAST, NOTHING ELSE’’

I checked the immediate area around Alki Beach and I did not locate a scene. There were several pedestrians and beachgoers in the area but no one flagged me down.

Dispatch then advised that XXXX was calling from (address), advising that someone had shot through her bedroom window.

I relocated to XXXX address and contacted her and her husband XXXX. They told me the following, XXXX had been asleep in their bed on the 3rd floor. XXXX had gone upstairs and was sitting in bed next to XXXX looking through her phone. She heard 6-10 shots coming from the vicinity of Alki. While debating whether to call 911 she heard another gunshot from outside her residence and felt a pressure in the bedroom. This woke up XXXX reported hearing a crackling sound. XXXX went downstairs and checked outside. When he returned to the bedroom and turned on the light he and XXXX saw a bullet had pierced their bedroom window and into the ceiling.

The bullet entered the bedroom about 10 feet from where XXXX and XXXX were on the bed. I was unable to recover the projectile. I took photos of the damage via AXON Capture and XXXX and XXXX provided an audio statement. I provided them a business card.

Officer XXXX recovered a 9mm fired cartridge casing from in front of the residence. I submitted this casing into evidence.

XXXX and XXXX approached and advised they had heard several shots from the vicinity of Alki before seeing a dark smaller SUV turn into the alley … They then heard a single shot.

XXXX was able to show Officers a video he took on his phone. In it I observed small red SUV turn into the alley and immediately afterword the single gunshot was heard. … I was also able to speak with XXXX. He advised he had been in his residence (address) when he heard the initial volley of gunfire coming from Alki Ave SW. He then heard the single gunshot come from the alley. He did not have any suspect description.

XXXX and XXXX advised that their cameras and their neighbors’ cameras did not record anything. The surrounding area was checked by several Officers but no additional scene or victims were located.

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PREVIEW: ‘Can’t Look Away: The Case Against Social Media’ screens at Admiral Theater on Thursday
August 25, 2025 11:09 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news

This Thursday, a new documentary about social media and children/teenagers will be shown in West Seattle. Here’s the announcement from organizers, inviting you to be there for the film and a discussion afterward:

On Thursday, August 28 at 6:00 p.m., the Admiral Theatre in West Seattle will host a free, one-night-only screening of “Can’t Look Away: The Case Against Social Media” — a gripping new documentary that pulls back the curtain on how social media companies are knowingly harming children.

The film exposes a chilling truth: our kids are addicted to their screens because that’s how these platforms were built to work. With algorithms engineered to exploit developing brains, apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat aren’t just influencing youth culture — they’re fueling a public health crisis.

The statistics are staggering.

-95% of teens use social media; over a third are on it “almost constantly” (Pew Research).
-57% of teen girls report persistent sadness or hopelessness (CDC).
-The American Psychological Association and U.S. Surgeon General have both issued urgent warnings linking social media to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among youth.

But there’s another side to this story — and it starts right here in Seattle.

The Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC), headquartered here, is featured prominently in the film. Led by former tech insiders, SMVLC is preparing a landmark case against Snapchat, arguing the company’s design knowingly contributes to child exploitation, addiction, and harm. They are representing families who’ve experienced devastating losses, including Aaron Ping, who lost his teenage son in December 2024 and will speak on the post-film panel.

The panel also includes:

Laura Marquez-Garrett, attorney with Social Media Victims Law Center
Kelly Stonelake, former Meta employee and whistleblower
Emily Cherkin, M.Ed., public policy expert and “The Screentime Consultant”

Moderated by: Sarah Gardner, CEO of the Heat Initiative

The screening is free and open to everyone; RSVP here to save your seat(s).

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SURVEY: Seattle Public Library has questions for you
August 25, 2025 6:25 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

Whether or not you use the Seattle Public Library, its new community survey is meant for you. Here’s the announcement:

The Seattle Public Library wants to hear from you!

Everyone in Seattle is invited to take a brief community survey that will help shape the Library’s future

How do you feel about The Seattle Public Library’s spaces, collections, programs, and services? Take our brief survey and let us know! Not a Library user? We want to hear from you, too!

The Seattle Public Library is conducting a survey from Monday, August 25 through Wednesday, Sept. 24 to hear from the community, including what is working well, what could use improvement, and what Seattle residents would like to see from the Library in the future.

Visit spl.org/CommunitySurvey to learn more and take the survey.

The survey is available in print and online, and it is available at all Library locations. To ensure the Library receives feedback from a statistically significant and representative sampling of Seattle residents, the survey has been mailed to 15,000 households and translated into six languages other than English, including Amharic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.

To thank participants for sharing their thoughts, Library consultant Olympic Research and Strategy (ORS) is offering a chance to win one of 20 $50 VISA gift cards. To enter the gift card raffle, participants can enter their email address, which will only be used for the raffle and not included as part of survey analysis.

If you’re interested, SPL’s announcement included a summary of how the survey was developed:

The Library hired ORS to provide support on survey development, delivery, and analysis of results. ORS also facilitated four community workshops held at the Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill and Greenwood branches. Over 30 community service providers participated to share direct feedback about Library spaces and services. These organizations represent many interests, ranging from youth, seniors, and low-income family services to literacy and education advocates, housing providers, and arts organizations.

The Library also provided more informal feedback opportunities with patrons at more than a dozen locations. Patrons were encouraged to share how the Library makes them feel, what the Library could do to improve, and even what their dream library might look like.

Feedback provided through the survey, workshops and engagement activities will help inform how the Library shapes its services and spaces to better serve our community.

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BIZNOTE: Pop-up tonight, benefit Wednesday at The Neighborhood
August 25, 2025 4:27 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Two special events this week at Morgan Junction restaurant/bar The Neighborhood (6503 California SW) – first, tonight, through 9 pm, they have a pop-up with Crave. The Neighborhood is usually closed on Monday nights but is open tonight especially for the pop-up. (Free appetizers for diners with reservations – check here.) Then this Wednesday night, it’s the monthly dine-out benefit night, which they’ve been doing the last Wednesday of every month. This week the beneficiary is Alki Beach Academy, the day-care center in the path of light rail. The Neighborhood will donate 15 percent of all sales – in-store and online, food and beverage – that night (August 27) to ABA. And a side note in the announcement we received of the aforementioned events: “We have redone our menu, which will be launched tonight! Some restructuring was done, we added some things, and removed some others, so come on by and check it out!”

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