West Seattle, Washington
09 Wednesday
We’re looking ahead to the first big weekend of (almost) fall, and this is literally the biggest of a long list of events – the second year of “Bend It Like Booker,” 25 nonstop hours of stories, speeches, performances, and more, presented by the 34th District Democrats, Saturday morning through Sunday morning (September 12-13). Here’s the announcement and organizer Rachel Glass‘s suggestions of highlights along the way:
Due to the huge success of BEND IT LIKE BOOKER last year, the 34th District Democrats are once again proud to host this unique and uplifting 25-hour community event inspired by U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s powerful 25-hour and 5-minute speech delivered on the Senate floor on March 31 to April 1, 2025. BEND IT LIKE BOOKER will take place this year starting at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 12, 2026 and will go straight through to 11:15 am, Sunday, September 13 2026, at the Seattle Machinists Hall in South Park. A virtual livestream option will also be available for those wishing to tune in online from anywhere in Washington state and across the country.
BEND IT LIKE BOOKER brings together voices from Seattle and beyond to share personal stories, exciting performances, and informative presentations that shine a light on how folks are being harmed by the Trump Administration’s reckless actions. Audiences also learn about the creative and courageous ways folks are fighting back. Presented through the lenses of those whose lives are being personally impacted, BEND IT LIKE BOOKER seeks to educate our community about Trump’s specific attempts to undermine our institutions and his disregard for the rule of law. The event aims to enlighten, uplift, and galvanize our community toward civic engagement, resisting fascism, and caring for our neighbors.
“As his words echoed throughout the Senate Chambers, Senator Booker sought to uplift the voices of Americans and inspire solidarity on a national platform,” said 34th District Democrats’ 1st Vice Chair Rachel Glass, who organized this event. “BEND IT LIKE BOOKER is our local echo, giving a platform to folks in our community, from the well-known to the historically unheard, to share their own experiences and understand the experiences of others. As we realize that we are not alone in this fight for our rights and our dignity, we find greater power, determination, and a firm sense of purpose with which to reject authoritarianism and restore our democracy!”
Speakers and participants will include elected officials, community leaders, policy experts, artists, and members of the public. Stories from Washingtonians and other Americans will be shared throughout the event, creating a vibrant and varied tapestry of lived experiences, resistance, and celebration of our humanity.
Whether attending in person or tuning in online, all are welcome to join this consecutive 25-hour event, an expression of democracy in action. Tickets are just $15 (all proceeds go to covering the expenses for BEND IT LIKE BOOKER)
The Machinists Hall is at 9125 15th Place South.
For those who can’t devote 25 hours to watching/listening the entire event, we asked organizer Glass which speakers/time periods might be “don’t miss.” Her reply:
**The King County Director of Elections Julie Wise takes the stage Saturday, 9/12, at 11:00 am — her information will be invaluable for folks who are worried about the security and safety of our vote and the fate of our ballots in light of the recent flurry of legal wrangling as the current administration attempts to block mail-in voting.
** Anne Watanabe, retired attorney and on the Board of Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA), will share pertinent information about healthcare for all generations. Her speech focus: Medicare is under attack – here’s how we fight back. She speaks on Saturday, 9/12, at 2:30 pm
**Saturday night is going to be like a Party With a Purpose! There will be Spoken Word performances from award-winning youth from Youth Speaks Seattle (Saturday, 8:00 pm); politi-punk/alternative indie artist from Liberty Strikes will be doing an acoustic set (Saturday, 9:30 pm), Filibusta Rhymes, an Improv/Freestyle Rap Group, collaborated and named especially for Bend It Like Booker (Saturday, 10:00pm), and Mark Smason’s Jazz-Latin Trio Los Bujos (Sunday, 12midnight). And Bonus: A few speakers are speaking in between the performances.
**Sunday morning will also be a real barn-burner! Attorney General Nick Brown takes the stage (Sunday, 9:00 am) talking about some of his office’s important lawsuits brought against the trump administration, addressing the alarming spikes in ICE activity in WA State, and sharing some recent victories his office achieved to protect our Democracy. And the event headliner, our closer, is Travel Writer/TV Personality Rick Steves (Sunday, 10:30 am) who will share amazing and poignant stories, impart his signature wisdom, and inspire us. His message: We learn about our country and ourselves by traveling to other places! Also Bonus: Several speakers in between!
My hope is that even though I have recommended certain speakers as “must-sees” that folks will feel inspired to come and spend some time at the event. No matter what time they come, there will be something engaging, eye-opening, and worthwhile to check out!
(South Seattle College Arboretum – photo sent by Margaret)
Here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (which you can preview any time), but please note that the Seahawks game may change the schedule for some venues (we’ll update when we confirm changes as the day goes on):
READING WITH TODDLERS: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Play indoors this afternoon! 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW)
SEAHAWKS WATCH PARTY AT OUNCES: 5 pm, watch and cheer at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW)
SEAHAWKS WATCH PARTY AT EASY STREET: Soundgarden performs at halftime! Watch party at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) at 5 pm. Free, all ages.
WATCH THE SEAHAWKS AT ADMIRAL PUB: 5:20 pm kickoff. (2306 California 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).
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th 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.
SELF-DISCOVERY AT MR. B’S: 5-8 pm, first of two nights of “The Verse is in the Cards,” guided self-discovery at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW)
POETRY AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: PoetryBridge is on the calendar at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm.
PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS: A local group of Spanish-language learners gathers 6:30-8:30 pm at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) to practice – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30-8:30 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: Play music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four West Seattle trivia venues, but tonight’s football game may be affecting the schedule – which otherwise is: Seaside Grill (2820 Alki SW) at 7 pm … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) weekly at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And Wednesday trivia usually 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)
DANCE WITH BALORICO: Lessons at 8 pm and 9 pm 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)
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!
Recognize that bicycle? Andrew found it in an alley: “Likely stolen and abandoned. Pretty sure that someone wants it back.” If you recognize it, contact us and we’ll connect you.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Everybody’s back to school.
SEAHAWKS SEASON OPENER
The stadium zone will be hopping this afternoon/evening with the Seahawks‘ season starting – 5:20 pm kickoff vs. New England.
(ADDED: Al points out the Mariners have a day game before that – 1:10 pm vs. Texas – so the afternoon will be VERY busy.)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – No extra night runs for the Seahawks game. Regular summer schedule, with later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here; reminder that buses return to SW Barton as of Saturday.
Washington State Ferries – The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is now on a two-boat schedule “for about one week” because M/V Cathlamet is out of service; check the alert page for specifics.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is for some sunshine, high in the mid-70s. Sunrise will be at 6:38 am today; sunset will be at 7:33 pm.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Received tonight from Garrett, this report of a boat prowler in Fauntleroy Cove:
A neighbor alerted me that someone was on my boat. When I paddled out, I found a man who appeared to be in his mid-40s, with a salt-and-pepper beard, skinny with a yellow and black PFD aboard my boat. He had a very nice black Highfield inflatable that was loaded with gear suspected of having been taken from other boats.
He was inside the cabin while I was paddling out and was standing on the transom when I arrived. We had a heated verbal confrontation, and he took off in the inflatable. As we followed alongside him in Puget Sound, he wielded a knife at us.
I contacted the police and the U.S. Coast Guard. Coast Guard officers located him and followed him toward Elliott Bay Marina. Before reaching the marina entrance, he reportedly beached the inflatable on the rocks and ran into the wooded area. I was also told that he brandished a knife at the federal officers.
As of this posting, he has not been apprehended. Please be alert, check your boats, and do not approach him. Call 911 immediately if you see him or have information about his whereabouts.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A wide-ranging Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting just wrapped up, facilitated by FCA president Frank Immel. Here are the major topics:
REMEMBERING ALAN GRAINGER: “He was a very interesting man … He will be missed,” said Immel of the FCA board member who died in July at age 77 (here’s the remembrance we published). His high-profile architecture career inspired reminiscences, too. Vice president Catherine Bailey added that she’ll miss his sense of humor. His talent as a treasurer was also appreciated. Susan Lantz-Dey recalled the colorful decor of Mr. Grainger’s home; Bailey noted he was apparently preparing to participate in an upcoming West Seattle Garden Tour. He was also remembered for his outspoken nature, even if it meant challenging the consensus or status quo.
POLICE UPDATES: Southwest Precinct “Sgt. Joe”, making his first FCA appearance, said things are still trending down, aside from theft, though auto theft is half what it was a year earlier. Asked about the Roxhill Park encampment-clearance aftermath, he acknowledged, “They’re back.” (He didn’t have any updates on the stabbing investigation, though.) The return of the SW Barton Place RVs also was noted, and Sgt. Machak said that years ago, officers themselves used to be able to get RVs towed, but now they aren’t empowered to do that because outreach has to be done first. Asked about staffing, he said Southwest Precinct has “two or three new officers.”
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS: Emergency-preparedness strategist Mac MacDonald, a West Seattleite, said a big quake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone is not an “if” but a “when.” His But people in Seattle are generally not prepared. We’re the only place on the Ring of Fire that hasn’t had a 9.0 quake in the past 300 to 500 years – so we’re in the window right now. “It could happen tomorrow, or not in your lifetime, but it’s going to happen” – a nearly 40 percent chance in the next 50 years, he said. That said: “Fear is inevitable, panic is an option,” but training and preparation can help you avoid panic, a state in which “your IQ drops to near zero.” It’s not just the quake, it’s the tsunami, he warned. Not just one – it could hit in nine waves, he said. A coastal quake would give Seattle two hours to escape the tsunami, he said. And though it might be only a four-foot wave, “it’s relentless.” This is different from a Seattle Fault quake – which could generate a tsunami 40 feet high on the downtown waterfront. West Seattle would be battered too – and streets would be impassable because of fissures. His presentation was meant to be a preview of a full community presentation he was pitching the FCA to organize. (He did hint at a few classic preparedness tips – don’t let your car get below a half-tank of gas; always have shoes in your bedroom so if you have to escape in the middle of the night you’re not walking barefoot on glass shards; have a tent because “you’re going to be living in one” for a while. Bottom line: Complacency is the “true killer.” As local preparedness volunteers have long evangelized, you’ll need to take care of yourself TFN – overwhelmed authorities and responders will not be able to get to you for a while, if ever. Discussion ensued about how and when MacDonald’s full-length presentation could be offered; stay tuned for future info – they talked about sooner rather than later, before the holiday season. “I think this is an important topic, because (the big quake) is GOING to happen,” Immel summarized.
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: October 18 is this year’s date, with a new time, 1-4 pm. There’ll be some logistics changes, too – stand by for news on that – all your favorite features, just in different venues around the Fauntleroy Church/Y/etc. campus. Fundraising is going well; a benefit is coming up at The Birdhouse on September 29, with 20 percent of the proceeds that day going to the FFF.
BICYCLING SAFETY FORUM FOLLOWUP: FCA was pleased by how last month’s forum went and the fast action by SDOT afterward. VP Bailey said the question now is, what next? And what’s next for the Fauntleroy/Rose crossing project? New drawings are due out in mid-October, according to SDOT, she said. As for how things are going with Fauntleroy and Wildwood since the parking removal, it was mentioned that ferry-dock dropoff and pickup traffic for Vashon Island School District “commuter” students is fairly substantial. The question was raised about whether a followup meeting was in order, to discuss various issues such as whether SDOT is or isn’t looking into whether stop signs might be involved at Fauntleroy/Wildwood. There was also discussion about adding sharrows on the pavement.
BOARD RECRUITMENT: The FCA needs new board members, and needs to fill the positions of secretary and treasurer, but those might have to be “new people” – so where do they cast a net to find them? They’re considering starting the search with a letter to FCA members asking if anyone has interest in joining the board. Remaining board members also discussed when they should aim to have those new board officers in place, whether 15 is the optimal number of board members, and even whether the FCA’s community role is evolving, given the number of special-topic meetings they’ve organized in recent months.
PLANTERS: Board member Lantz-Dey had updates on the Endolyne-area flower boxes and said a fall work party will be organized.
WHAT’S NEXT: The FCA board meets on second Tuesdays, 6 pm, at historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Among the guests at the October 13 meeting will be a rep from Washington State Ferries to talk about the dock project, particularly the soon-to-be-installed signal
West Seattle has something increasingly rare – its own playhouse. Your next chance to take advantage of that: ArtsWest (4711 California SW) is about to launch its new season, with the first play “The Chinese Lady” opening next week – here are the details:
ArtsWest and Yun Theatre present THE CHINESE LADY by Lloyd Suh, directed by Zenaida Rose Smith and Christie Zhao. The cast features Zoe Ding and Sebastian Wang. THE CHINESE LADY performs at ArtsWest from September 17th to October 11th, 2026. Tickets are available online at artswest.org or by phone at (206) 938.0963.
THE CHINESE LADY inspired by the story of Afong Moy, a Chinese woman displayed as a living exhibit in 1800s America. Allegedly the first Chinese woman to set foot on U.S. soil, she is 14 years old when she’s brought to the United States from Guangzhou, China in 1834. Told in first person from her point of view, she holds nothing back as she recounts a half-century of performing her culture to curious onlookers. Afong shows them how she eats, what she wears, and the highlight of the event: how she walks with bound feet. As the decades wear on, her celebrated sideshow comes to define and challenge her very sense of identity. Her dreams and aspirations shift with the passing of time as she discovers what it means to reclaim her story. THE CHINESE LADY is a funny, heartbreaking, and devastatingly contemporary portrait of America through the eyes of a young Chinese woman.
“The play feels very present now — not even parallel,” reflects co-director and founding artistic director of Yun Theatre, Christie Zhao, “Chinamaxxing has been trending on TikTok, where China suddenly becomes fashionable and desirable through very clear, consumable images — tai chi, tea, public transportation, certain aesthetics. It can feel almost like browsing a shiny display store. The image of China can change very quickly, while Chinese people can still be stereotyped or excluded. More visibility does not necessarily lead to more understanding; it can also create more projection. We see people and cultures more than ever through media, but that doesn’t mean the distance between us has actually gotten smaller.”
The production’s unique form creates a bridge from the past to the present. Co-director Zenaida Rose Smith shares, “This play is chiefly concerned with the relationship between performer and the audience as a means to activate the latter. Performance is a deeply powerful tool of persuasion because it engages audiences’ empathy and imagination. A well-written, well-staged play can upend and transform audience assumptions about unwieldy ideas like truth, family, race, exotification, and otherness.”
THE CHINESE LADY is the first co-production between ArtsWest and Yun Theatre. Yun Theatre is a bicultural, experimental theatre company that challenges traditional norms and confronts social and political issues affecting marginalized communities. Their productions reflect the intersection of Chinese and American ideologies and aim to spark dialogue and contribute to positive change and social justice. Beyond productions, Yun offers multilingual theatre education, artist development, readings, and community programs that make theatre-making more accessible to immigrant communities and support artists and audiences in participating in culture in their own languages.
THE CHINESE LADY kicks off ArtsWest’s 2026 – 2027 season titled A VISIBLE EXISTENCE. In a moment when so much of our world feels uncertain and disconnected, A VISIBLE EXISTENCE asks a simple but urgent question: how can art reveal the hidden worlds we carry inside? In each of the five productions this season, artists, dreamers, outsiders, and communities struggle to connect, to create, and to understand themselves and one another through art, memory, music, and imagination. THE CHINESE LADY explores what happens when cultural identity is put on display as art to be consumed, and one woman’s struggle to express and define herself on her own terms.
ArtsWest will present THE CHINESE LADY Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Saturday through Sunday at 3 pm September 17 – October 11, 2026.
Tickets are still available for the pay-what-you-can preview September 16, too
This past hour, Seattle Public Schools held a media briefing on the new city-funded program to provide free school breakfasts and lunches for every student, not just the ones who meet what was noted is a tough eligibility standard. One key point: The district needs data from every family, so they’re asking everyone to please fill out the School Meals Application for Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit (CNEEB), preferably online. The city – represented at the briefing by Mayor Katie Wilson – has committed to reimbursing the district for meals that aren’t covered by federal funding. As also explained at the briefing, they’re tracking who’s eating school meals via bar codes issued to students. Until now, about half the district’s 106 schools already offered universal school meals because so many of their students were eligible; now, it’s happening at the other half too, as explained in this document from a School Board meeting last month. The city funding isn’t permanent, though – Wilson says she’s hopeful it will only be needed to “fill in a few years’ gap” until the state can fund universal school meals instead.
From the “in case you wondered too” file – no, Metro is NOT planning West Seattle Water Taxi runs after Wednesday night’s season-opening Seahawks game. This is noted on the Water Taxi’s blog-format website, and reader Brian confirmed it by inquiring via email, receiving this reply: “At this time, we are not planning to run extended service for the Seahawks opener on Wednesday, September 9. Our extended service ends August 31st and we did not budget for extended service after that date.” (We’re following up with Metro regarding what exactly is involved with the end of “extended service,” as the Water Taxi’s fall schedule change usually isn’t until October.)
Just in from the Admiral Neighborhood Association, after a lively summer of presenting community events (Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, the three-concert AMP series, and the Admiral Block Party): The schedule and location are changing for ANA general gatherings, usually held every other month. Starting this month, ANA’s Dan Jacobs tells WSB, the gatherings will be at 7 pm on third Wednesdays at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW). So the first one there will be a week from tomorrow, 7 pm on Wednesday, September 16. Watch connecttoadmiral.org for agenda info!
(Late-summer flower photographed along Alki by Bob Burns)
We’re starting to rev up the post-summer routine … here’s our list of highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE YMCA CLOSED, FAUNTLEROY OPEN: The main branch is now expected to reopen tomorrow; the Fauntleroy branch will be open today until 9 pm to compensate.
CITY COUNCIL RECONVENES: First meetings after Seattle City Councilmembers’ two-week break – Public Safety Committee (started at 9:30 am) and Transportation, Waterfront, Seattle Center (starts at 2 pm) – find agendas, with viewing/attending/commenting info, by going here.
CRAFTS AND PUZZLES SUMMER SALE: 10 am-2 pm, first of five days for this sale at The Mount‘s shop, Emilie’s Treasures – get there through the main lobby. (4831 35th 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.
SPRAYPARK, WADING POOL CLOSED FOR THE SEASON: Just a reminder that Monday was the last day of this season for sprayparks and wading pools.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch meeting at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW) – info about today’s featured speaker is in our calendar listing.
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.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases. In the spotlight tonight – Patagonian wine.
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)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 6 pm board meeting, open to community members – see the agenda here. Conference room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)
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.
TIM’S 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.
PASS THE AUX AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), new game!
Revelry Room is hosting Pass The Aux, our in house developed social jukebox game, Tuesday at 7 PM.
The host gives the room a prompt, and everybody gets to pick songs and add to the vibe. Guests submit their picks from their phones, then we listen together, vote for our favorites, talk about the music, discover some things, and build the soundtrack for the night as a room.
We’ve been calling it the anti-karaoke. It’s a participatory music night for people who love sharing music, with no singing required. 21+.
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, fundraiser, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Quick youth-sports announcement: West Seattle Lacrosse is looking for coaches – high-school girls assistant coach, high-school boys head and assistant coaches, 3rd/4th grade girls’ coach. Contact westseattlelax@gmail.com with any questions and/or interestl
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY
It’s not only post-holiday back-to-school day, it’s also the first day of classes for Seattle Public Schools pre-K and kindergarteners, and for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School (with the renovations that were celebrated last week).
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is for areas of morning fog, then some sunshine, high in the low 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:37 am today; sunset will be at 7:35 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here; reminder that buses return to SW Barton as of Saturday.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – As previewed last week, the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is now on a two-boat schedule “for about one week” because M/V Cathlamet is out of service; check the alert page for specifics.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Two incidents of note this early Tuesday morning:
7-ELEVEN ROBBERY: Police are investigating a holdup just before 2:30 am at the South Delridge 7-Eleven. Two men, both armed with handguns, are reported to have robbed the store. The descriptions circulated so far are two Black men in their early 30s, both in ski masks, one in a black jacket and blue jeans, one in a red shirt, both last seen fleeing on foot, northbound on Delridge. Officers are searching right now with K-9 assistance.
(Screenshot from 35th/Barton traffic cam)
STOLEN-CAR ARREST: About half an hour before that, police were at another West Seattle 7-Eleven – at 35th and Barton – arresting a man after finding a stolen car at the store. The car was described as a white 2019 Nissan Rogue. The suspect is being taken to jail right now.
12:08 PM UPDATE: He wound up in a hospital instead of jail, according to the report narrative we just obtained from SPD:
On 9/8/2026 while working fully uniformed patrol with my Field Training officer … I noticed an occupied suspicious vehicle at 9200 35th Ave SW 7-Eleven. I ran the white Nissan Rogue plate WA #XXXXXXX, it came back as a stolen vehicle under Seattle Police department incident #2026-256361.
I conducted a high-risk vehicle stop on the vehicle, which was facing northbound at the gas pumps. The male with the vehicle, who was later verbally identified as XXXX was placed in handcuffs, and I read him his Miranda rights and XXXX understood them. A female later identified as XXXX who had driven the vehicle to the location was detained inside of 7-Eleven.
XXXX explained that he had the vehicle for the past 3 days after receiving it from a friend. XXXX said he had gotten the vehicle from his friend but could not remember his friend’s information. He explained that his friend had given him the vehicle because he was homeless at the park and believed the car to be his friend’s family’s car.
XXXX informed Officers on scene that XXXX had come over to her house with the vehicle and asked her to drive to 7-Eleven because he was too tired to drive. XXXX had the keys to the vehicle on her but thought XXXX had borrowed the vehicle because he had the keys.
Through my investigation I determined that I had probable cause for RCW 9A.56.150 Possessing stolen property in the first degree because XXXX had the vehicle for the past 3 days, he avoided giving a clear answer on who his friend was that gave him the vehicle, and that XXXX admitted that XXXX had only driven the vehicle to 7-Eleven. I placed XXXX under arrest and searched him. I screened the arrest …. XXXX was seen by SFD on scene because he explained that he had swallowed drugs when he saw officers pull up. SFD cleared XXXX on scene, and he was transported to King County Jail by Officer Ames and was declined at KCJ due to him claiming to have swallowed narcotics. He was transported to Saint Annes and released from police custody and this decision was screened … The vehicle was searched on scene and towed by Lincoln Towing after the owner could not be reached.
Thanks to Margaret for the photo and report. She snapped the pic of a Tesla Cybercab on the Admiral Way Bridge today, first spotting it on the West Seattle Bridge and following it onto the peninsula, turning away as it continued to head westbound toward Alki. Though the Cybercabs are described by Tesla as part of its Robotaxi fleet, they aren’t likely to be operating autonomously here any time soon, as it’s not yet allowed, and city policies remain under development (though test runs with human “safety drivers” on board are allowed). Cybercabs are only in operation currently in Austin, Texas.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
It’s a West Seattle Labor Day tradition dating back 17 years – Alki Masonic Lodge #152 swaps the American flag that’s flown outside its Junction building for a new one. This year, veterans from three VFW posts carried out the ceremony.
After lowering the old flag and raising the new one, three of the VFW visitors – Darrell Pilat from Post 1263 in Renton, Thomas Snead from Post 2224 in Puyallup, and West Seattle Post 2713’s Jesse Palacios – carefully folded the old one and presented it to the Lodge’s Worshipful Master Michael Riley, who was among those watching from the lot below:
Riley explained that, pragmatically, the Lodge had this ceremony on Labor Day rather than, say, the Fourth of July, because more people tend to be in town.
In short remarks about the ceremony itself, he said the flag deserved to fly over the Lodge as a symbol of freedom.
The VFW reps were joined by Traci Williams, a past state commander from Post1263,who watched rather than participating this year. She and the other three are also regular participants in an even-more somber duty – twice a month, they serve in the honor guard for funerals at Tahoma National Cemetery.
Today’s ceremony was followed by an indoor picnic lunch with free hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone who showed up. The lodge’s other community work includes annual awards for local high-school students (here’s our coverage of this year’s event).
Thanks to Ian for the tip. Seattle-headquartered WaFd Bank, which has one West Seattle branch (4102 California SW), is merging with EverBank. According to the news release announcing the merger, “EverBank Financial Corp will merge with and into WaFd, Inc., with WaFd, Inc. continuing as the resulting financial holding company” – but then, “Immediately following the holding company merger, WaFd Bank, a federally insured Washington state chartered commercial bank, will merge with and into EverBank, N.A., a national banking association, with EverBank continuing as the bank chartered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.” The announcement says EverBank has branches in California, New York, and Florida; while WaFd has “more than 200 branches across nine western states.” It had two branches in West Seattle until closing the California/Fauntleroy location – still vacant – five and a half years ago. It appears from this slide deck that WaFd will remain the regional “brand,” but we’ll be seeking to confirm that.
3:04 PM: Thanks for the tips! A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier is inbound, off the northwest edge of Elliott Bay. We can’t see it but it’s likely the USS Ronald Reagan, which headed out four days ago for sea trials after maintenance work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.
3:44 PM: Now in view off Beach Drive; confirmed (through binoculars) it’s the Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
4:14 PM: Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo, added above.
ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: One more photo, this one from Greg C:
Unlike some past years, Labor Day is not the last day of earlier-for-summer closing time at Alki Beach and Don Armeni Boat Ramp. As we first reported in March, closing time is 10:30 pm through September 30, when it reverts to 11:30 pm at Alki, and 24-hour operation at Don Armeni. This would be the last day of beach-fire season, except that they’ve been prohibited since the Stage 2 Burn Ban went into effect.
Two reader-sent coyote sightings – first one, around 8:30 this morning, near Fire Station 32 (37th SW/SW Alaska):
The reader said their dog noticed the coyote first. Meantime, this one is from Rob, a coyote seen about a week ago near The Kenney:
We’ve been publishing coyote reports for 18 years, archived here, for awareness, not alarm. (Learn about coyotes here.)
Looking for something to do as the holiday weekend winds down? You can sort your no-longer-needed stuff for the fall Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church, coming up Saturday, October 3. Here’s the official list:
It’s happening 9 am-3 pm in the church’s main parking lot (9140 California SW). Volunteers and the crew from 1 Green Planet will be there to take your recyclables from home, office, or school – drive up, ride up, or walk up. The church has been offering these events since 2010, and reported last spring that more than 400 tons of recyclables have been collected over the years!
(Sunday photo sent by Wyatt)
Good morning! Holiday notes:
TRANSIT/TRAFFIC
–Metro buses are running on a Sunday schedule
–West Seattle Water Taxi is on a regular schedule
–Washington State Ferries’ Triangle Route is on a weekday/holiday schedule
–Sound Transit buses and light rail are on Sunday schedules
-If you’re going to an area of the city with pay-station street parking, you don’t have to pay today
-Check local traffic cams here, citywide cams here
HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT
Last day of the season for most city outdoor aquatic facilities – After today, city-run wading pools and sprayparks are closed until next year – so it’s your last day for Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm, and Lincoln Park‘s wading pool (noon-7 pm if forecast permits, call 206-684-7796 after 9 am). But Colman Pool not only will be open noon-7 pm today, it’ll have two more postseason weekends this year.
Flag ceremony, picnic – Everyone is welcome at Alki Masonic Lodge‘s annual event, starting with the annual flag-dedication ceremony at noon at 40th/Edmunds, including free burgers/hot dogs – bring a side dish to share if you can.
(See our calendar for more!)
NOT HAPPENING TODAY
-Banking (holiday)
-U.S. Postal Service (holiday)
-Libraries (closed)
-Many Seattle Parks facilities (here’s the closed/open list)
-City Council briefing meeting (councilmembers are back from 2-week end-of-summer break for committee meetings tomorrow)
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET
Cloudy, chance of showers, then clearing, high in the upper 60s. Sunrise will be at 6:36 am, sunset at 7:37 pm.
Breaking news, holiday cancellation, anything else we should know? Please text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Though the news of a tentative agreement late Tuesday night resulted in Seattle Public Schools opening as scheduled Wednesday, there’s still one big step this week for the new Seattle Education Association contract: The ratification vote. That’s set for Friday (September 11), with the union membership set to meet at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall at 5 pm. Assuming it’s ratified, the contract’s details are expected to become public; superintendent Ben Shuldiner gave some hints when he met with media Wednesday morning at Alki Elementary, including that the accepted salary offer was a bit above the 8.8 percent over three years that the district had previously offered. The union’s announcement of the agreement, meantime, mentioned the issue on which their focus had been: “We won an 18-month collaborative community process to improve Special Education services.”
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