West Seattle, Washington
17 Sunday
PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG
The first Van Life Fest at new West Marginal Way SW business Castle Climbing Club turned out to be more of a mini-fest, with just a few van owners showing up. Jim Gruff was there showing off the new van he drove up recently from Louisiana, where it was built:
Kirk Hoppy takes his van to national parks for months at a time; he also volunteers with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization. He marks the disasters he’s responded to with stickers on his top cabinet – six hurricanes and five tornadoes, among others.
The vans weren’t the only attraction.
The Climbing Club also had some bouncingjumping going on, with a giant inflatable landing pad of sorts:
We peeked inside too:
Castle also has a sauna.
One last quick reminder – the 2026 West Seattle 5K is tomorrow morning (Sunday, May 17)! Runners, walkers, and rollers will leave the start/finish line at 61st/Alki around 9:30 am, and head toward the turnaround point by Anchor/Luna Park on Duwamish Head. Alki and Harbor Avenues will be closed from approximately 8 am to 11 am for the race, which is organized by the West Seattle High School PTSA as a fundraiser to bring in $ for programs supporting WSHS students. You can still register here and be in the 5K tomorrow morning; even if you don’t want to, come down to the beach and cheer for everyone who does! The West Seattle 5K has been a springtime tradition since 2009, and WSB has been among the community co-sponsors every year. (We’ll just be roaming for coverage, but many other sponsors will have booths, so say hi to your supportive local businesses while you’re at Alki!) Weather looks dry but chilly. See you there!
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
PACKAGE THIEF: This report is from Ashley:
This package thief is operating near Alaska Junction. Porch is off of California and Genesee. Man wearing a North Face jacket and a SECURITY beanie.
WRONG-WAY PROWLERS: We’ve heard from multiple Brace Point neighbors about these two, including this report from Tiffany:
Last night right before 4 am at the dead-end street of 46th and Roxbury, two men prowled two neighbors’ cars and attempted to break into one neighbor’s garage. Nothing of value was taken. Our ring camera caught them attempting to leave our street through our backyard, they quickly realized there was no way out.
A few readers have asked about a “scenes of violence” response at Westwood Village just before 6 am today. Though it was dispatched as a possible stabbing, both police-radio traffic and information we got when following up directly from SPD say that’s not what it turned out to be. We contacted police after hearing in the archived radio communication an officer saying the situation might actually be a “medical issue.” Responding to our follow-up question via email, SPD spokesperson Det. Brian Pritchard confirmed that, telling us, “There was no stabbing, a 53-year-old man’s (PICC) line (peripherally inserted central catheter) was leaking. The subject was transported to Harborview Medical Center (HMC). Despite the medical staff’s efforts at HMC the man was pronounced deceased.”
3:38 PM: Thanks to Mel for the video (recorded by Bryson) and report – at Steve Cox Memorial Park, in the Metro League District 2 tournament, Chief Sealth International High School just beat Cedarcrest, 11-6, winning second place and a slot at the state 2A tournament! Mel reports that the Seahawks led the whole game; Cedarcrest scored 6 in the bottom of the 4th, bringing the score to 9-6 Sealth; they scored insurance runs on the way to their 11-6 victory. The state tournament starts one week from today in Bellingham.
3:51 PM: Of note, Sealth also went to state last year after finishing second place at districts – and at the time, head coach Ernest Policarpio said it was the Seahawks’ first trip to state in 40 years!
1:19 PM: Haven’t been to the Bee Festival yet? You have until 3 pm to get to the north side of High Point Commons Park (north of Neighborhood House at 6400 Sylvan Way SW), home to the West Seattle Bee Garden.
It’s a low-key festival but lots of opportunities to get info not only about bees, but about gardening in general.
5:04 PM: Adding more photos by WSB’s Torin Record-Sand – the rain and hail held off until right after the festival! Yes, of course there were bees at the festival, both around the hives:
And up close if you were interested:
Bee education, too, with the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association (who brought honey):
And the Washington Bee Atlas:
A chance to dance:
And/or to admire the Bee Garden:
We need bees – and they need us to help them thrive. The Bee Garden website has advice on how.
The new site of the Delridge Farmers’ Market is larger than it looks! In addition to the lot out front of the former Morning Star Mini-Mart building at 9th/Henderson, it stretches around the west and north sides.
All sides of the market were packed for the ribboncutting celebration including Mayor Katie Wilson and City Councilmember Rob Saka:
They had speeches, of course – noting the market is as much about community as it is about food – we’ll add video later. Also speaking was the CEO of market-presenting African Community Housing and Development, Hamdi Abdulle:
Vendors offered prepared food as well as fresh produce like this grown by Aash Farms:
Multiple coffee sellers including Daniel and Cat at Alchemy Harvest, based in West Seattle:
They sell coffee grown in Colombia, including the Yellow Bourbon roast from beans grown by Daniel’s dad. We also talked with returning vendor Kehau, whose Ono Grindz are what you might call Hawai’i fusion treats:
And you can get community info from Highland Park Improvement Club reps toward the south end of today’s market:
More to add later. The market is open until 2 pm.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
11:16 AM: Thanks for the tips – house fire reported in the unincorporated area. More soon.
11:35 AM: Our crew has just arrived. The fire is close to 26th and 104th. They’re seeing damage to a house and RV trailer. Photos added.
11:43 AM: A PIO at the scene confirms to our crew that the fire is out – aside from a few hotspots – and no one was hurt. The fire is reported to have started in the trailer and spread to a house, damaging a second residential structure.
2:46 PM: Here’s everything that PIO Pat Pawlak, speaking today for Fire District 2 (North Highline/Burien), told us at the scene:
(Photo by Bob Burns – choppy Puget Sound off Cormorant Cove Park on Friday)
We start your Saturday list with two closure alerts:
BRIDGE CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: The northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge is closed to all surface users, so that repair work can continue, and it’s expected to reopen early Monday; the West Seattle low bridge is expected to close to drivers starting at 7 am today and will also stay closed all weekend – though the foot/bike path remains open.
Now, here are our event-calendar highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE CLASSES FOR MOMS: Starting at 7:30 am, it’s FIT4MOM‘s annual Celebration of Moms with free classes on Alki.
RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) by 8 am for today’s free group run.
FREE MEDITATION: For a calming start to your Saturday, check out Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile before the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fontanelle.
DELRIDGE TRIANGLE DROP-IN: 9:30-11:30 am at 18th/Delridge, SDOT plans a drop-in info session to discuss the newest idea for the area.
WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT HIKE: 9:30 am, guided hike through West Seattle’s forest – meet this time at the South Seattle College Arboretum entrance (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: New season, new location! 10 am-2 pm, with an opening ceremony today featuring Mayor Katie Wilson and City Councilmember Rob Saka. Here’s a preview of today’s vendor lineup. (9th/Henderson)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, with expanded Saturday hours 10 am-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).
SSC GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, open today! New plants in! North end of campus at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor)
PLOGGING: Clean up the neighborhood while you run! 10 am collab with Westies Run Club and A Cleaner Alki. Meet at Fresh Flours (9410 Delridge Way SW).
MASTER GARDENERS AT DELRIDGE HOME DEPOT: They’re back, 10 am-2 pm – take them your toughest garden questions and get free expert answers! (Delridge/Orchard)
SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am weekends at Admiral Pub, sing to classics – table reservation includes a brunch buffet! (2306 California SW)
OPEN HOUSE AT VILLAGE GREEN WEST SEATTLE SENIOR LIVING: 11 am-1 pm, come see “where community meets comfort” in senior living! (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am today – free, weekly, in-person, critique-free group – details including location are in our calendar listing.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), for families with kids up to 5 years old.
WEST SEATTLE BEE FESTIVAL<: 11 am-3 pm - "Get an up-close view of honeybees and native bees, chat with garden and composting experts from Tilth and Master Gardeners, do some family-friendly arts and crafts with DNDA, and more. From 1-2 pm, get your buzz on with the Bee’s Knees Line Dance Party. The Bee Garden is at 3108 SW Graham St. in High Point.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WHITE CENTER JOINER JAMBOREE: Get connected with people doing things! Dozens of White Center and West Seattle groups will be waiting to meet you. 11 am-3 pm at Evergreen High School (830 SW 116th).
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm for tool-borrowing!. Find the WSTL on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
COLMAN POOL OPENING DAY: Noon-7 pm, second preseason weekend begins at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE MATH COMPETITION: Put together by middle-schoolers, for middle-schoolers! Noon-5 pm at Admiral HUB (4320 SW Hill), not open to public until final round and award ceremony around 4 pm.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Community visitors welcome noon-3 pm at the West Seattle Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard).
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: 1 pm, Chief Sealth IHS plays Cedarcrest at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, which is also where, at 7 pm, West Seattle HS plays Eastside Catholic – in both games, winner advances to state tournament.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
VAN LIFE FEST: Castle Climbing Club is hosting a celebration of all things van; your ticket includes use of their climbing gym and sauna. 2-7 pm. (6327 West Marginal Way SW)
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) for “short, specific sessions.”
PEACE, LOVE, AND BINGO: 6 pm at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), it’s a rainbow-bingo fundraiser for the Rotary Club of West Seattle. Some tickets remained when we checked early this morning.
MUSIC AT MR. B’S: 7 pm, Royal Hair performs at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
‘THE YEAR TO SAVE THE EARTH’: 7 pm musical and multimedia experience at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Walmesley Center (35th SW and SW Myrtle) – details in our calendar listing.
BLEACHERS LISTENING PARTY: Hear the new music early, 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW).
JAMES LEE STANLEY AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm multi-talented musician and more at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Tax the Witch, A Long Driveway, Decidua – $10 at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT TIM’S: The Sinister Six, Desert Shame, Spiders from Uranus at Tim’s in White Center, 8 pm, all ages. (16th SW & SW 98th)
REVELRY ROOM SPINNING: 9 pm, Hot ‘n’ Spicy Disco. (4547 California SW)
SATURDAY NIGHT SKATING: 9 pm to midnight, skate at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk & hip-hop, $18 plus $5 skate rental.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: End your Saturday night with Rone at 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
If you’re planning a West Seattle event, and it’s open to the community, tell us about it; calendar listings are free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG
(Sealth’s Oliver Pivar with a hit)
Though they lost the district championship game last night, the Chief Sealth International HS Seahawks have one more chance to make it to state.
(Sealth’s Julian Reinhardt throws to 1st base)
Nathan Hale scored in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th innings, winning 6-0. Sealth stranded runners in multiple innings and would have scored in the fifth inning if it weren’t for a great catch in the outfield off of a Jaxton Daily (below) deep flyball.
Sealth also had runners picked off in the first two innings and another base running out in the 4th inning.
Ezra Cox (above) pitched the first three innings but was pulled in the 4th inning with zero outs. Jaxton Daily relieved Cox and pitched the 4th and 5th inning.
Nevin Pivar (above) pitched the 6th inning.
(Sealth’s Graham Hull throwing from the outfield)
Tomorrow head coach Ernest Policarpio‘s Seahawks play Cedarcrest at 1 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center; the winner goes to state.
(Sealth’s Sam Popelka throws home to tag out a runner)
Plenty happening tomorrow in West Seattle – including unique one-time events like this one tomorrow night:
“The Year to Save the Earth” music & multimedia experience by Jim Scott @ Our Lady of Guadalupe
May 16 @ 7:00 pmThe Care for Creation Ministry of the West Seattle Catholic Community Presents:
“The Year to Save the Earth” – A Musical and Multimedia Experience by Jim Scott@ Walmesley Center, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 3410 SW Myrtle St
Doors: 6:30 pm / Show: 7:00 pm
$10 donation requested
Mixing powerful songs and beautiful projected images, “The Year to Save the Earth” takes us from grieving to celebration and from protest to positive vision for the planet.
Formerly a member of the Paul Winter Consort, Jim Scott was co-composer of their celebrated Missa Gaia/Earth Mass and sang their anthem song Common Ground. He has toured the world, recorded nine CDs of original music and published a long line of choral works. One of the originators of the Unitarian Universalist “Green Sanctuary” program, Jim also compiled the Earth and Spirit Songbook, an anthology of 110 songs of Earth by many contemporary composers.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
5:35 PM: If you’ve decided at the last minute to join the West Seattle Junction Association Wine Walk tonight – good news, we’re told WSJA is still accepting walk-ups at the two check-in spots for tickets, Kendall Dental at California/Genesee (above) and Washington Management (4554 California SW). From there, more than 30 wineries (listed here) are partnered with Junction businesses tonight – all three of WSB’s winery sponsors are participating – Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor from South Admiral) is pouring at Hotwire Coffeehouse (4410 California SW):
Wolfpack Cellars (WSB sponsor from White Center) is pouring at Bakery Nouveau (4737 California SW):
And Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor from north Morgan Junction) is pouring at Brocante Beach House (4529 California SW).
The Wine Walk is on until 9 pm – more photos later!
ADDED 9 PM: As promised:
Above, Menashe Jewelers hosted Aluel Cellars; below, Supermassive was pouring at Gene Juarez:
Wine Walk tickets not only bought you multiple pours, but also souvenir glasses:
John L. Scott hosted Pine Lake Cellars:
People who visited Cherry Consignment sampled Bacovino (which has a tasting room on the downtown waterfront):
Cloudlift Cellars poured at Spruce Apothecary:
Spruce Hill Winery from SODO was at Rush Hour:
Still a few more to add!
The vacancies in The Junction continue to vanish, one by one. We’ve already reported on Anchorhead Coffee taking the ex-Starbucks spot, the Dave’s Hot Chicken and Gong Cha plan for the former Haymaker space, Viva Arts going into the ex-Three Little Birds, the official opening of Oona in the ex-Willow storefront … and now The Works Seattle, a Fremont business run by West Seattle resident Kellie Phelan, has uncloaked for the ex-Click!/Seattle E-Bike storefront at 4540 California SW. Phelan just signed the lease for the new home of The Works Seattle this week. We had been talking with her via email since just before the signing finalized her plan. Here’s how she explains The Works Seattle:
I spent the first decade of my career in environmental consulting, drawn by a desire to make a positive impact. Over time, I found myself wanting to focus that impact closer to home: building community, connecting people, and creating space for adults to learn from one another. In 2018, I founded The Works Seattle as the kind of place I felt was missing: somewhere adults could come together to make things with their hands, learn new skills, and connect with others in a genuinely welcoming environment.
We started in my kitchen and grew into a brick-and-mortar studio in Fremont, serving more than 5,000 students a year. Eighteen months in, Covid shut us down. We built DIY Kits to keep our team employed, and they turned out to be something people loved enough to keep ordering long after. We came back from Covid stronger than we went in.
The Works is now eight years old, offering instructor-led workshops, private and corporate events, a drop-in Maker Bar, retail, and DIY kits. The move to West Seattle is the next chapter, and for me, a deeply personal one. It’s my neighborhood. I want to live and work in the same community, and I’ve been waiting a long time to bring The Works home.
Here’s what will happen in the new space, and what she’s adding beyond what The Works Seattle does in Fremont now:
The same things we’re known for: hands-on workshops and classes in printmaking, natural dyeing, embroidery, floral arranging, stained glass, and more. Plus a full Maker Bar. The Maker Bar is a way to make creativity more accessible and flexible, where you drop in, pick a project, and leave with something you’re actually proud of, all for under $50 bucks. We’ll also have expanded retail, a more robust private and corporate events program, and set open hours so people can count on us being there.
The Maker Bar is the biggest addition from what her business currently does: “We’re piloting it right now in Fremont, but the new space gives us the dedicated square footage and infrastructure to run it properly. The expanded retail footprint is also new, as are set open hours.” (Those hours aren’t finalized yet.)
Moving to West Seattle, she says, isn’t just because she lives here:
Bringing The Works home has always been the dream.
Our current Fremont studio is tucked away on a lower level with an alley entrance. You can find it if you know where to look, but you don’t stumble across it. Alaska Junction puts us on the main drag. What if people could just walk by and see us? See their friends and family, their community, all making things, and think: “I want to do that.” That’s exactly what we’re going for.
And this move is personal in another way too. Last year, my daughter went through a bone marrow transplant. Being away from the studio for months gave me a lot of time to think about what matters and what I want to build next. I want to live and work in the same neighborhood. I want my kids, who have grown up in every one of my shops, to be able to walk down the street and see what’s possible when you believe in something and keep showing up for it.
As for the timeline: “We’ve applied for our building permit and will begin construction once that comes through. We’re targeting a fall opening. In the meantime, classes at the Fremont location continue through the end of August.”
(Photos courtesy Skunk Works Robotics)
Though they meet south of the city, Skunk Works Robotics has always attracted West Seattle students too – 10 members this past year, the club tells us. So they wanted to be sure you know they have open houses tomorrow (Saturday, May 16) and next Thursday (May 21) – and they explain that it’s about more than technology:
Skunk Works Robotics just completed its 20th season competing in the FRC division of FIRST robotics. FIRST Inspires. The Skunks were on the winning alliance at the Sammamish district event in March and qualified for the PNW District Championships held in Cheney at Eastern Washington University in April.
FIRST robotics does involve building robots but it is much more than that. Students are a part of a competitive team that works together to analyze a game challenge that is different every season. They must decide what the most important scoring opportunities are in the game and how to design, build and program a robot that can meet those opportunities. The game challenge is announced in January and competitions begin in March so teams have to work fast and balance priorities to make sure they have a robot ready to take the field.
The Skunks meet at Highline College and have team members from over a dozen schools. The team is looking for 9-12 graders, and perhaps some motivated 8th graders, to be a part of a competitive robotics team and have fun while learning. An interest in STEM is useful but no special knowledge is required. Learn while doing.
Skunk Works Robotics is comprised of multiple subteams. The design subteam tries to take the decisions and goals that were determined during the game analysis and find a way to structure a robot that can move around the field quickly and safely while performing its required tasks. There are size and weight limits for each season so designers must take those requirements into consideration. There are also other robots on the game field so collisions are inevitable and durability is a factor as well as ease of repair when durability wasn’t enough.
The electrical subteam has to work with the design subteam to wire all of the motors and sensors and cameras on the robot. The robot’s battery must be readily accessible as it has to be swapped out every match but sensitive electronics have to be protected from damage, dust and metal shavings.
Programmers design the controls and logic that run the robot and integrates the data from its sensors into information that can be handled autonomously by the robot or displayed for the driver and operator.
The shop subteam makes the design a reality by creating the parts, prepping them and assembling the robot with its various subsystems. Some parts are available from specialty vendors while others are made from sheet metal, polycarbonate, 3D printed parts and other materials.
There are two other subteams that are very important to the team that may not immediately come to mind. The scouting subteam takes the game challenge and analyzes it, breaking it down into different components so the abilities of each robot at a competition can be understood and rated. Data analytics has become a vital part of all professional and college sports and competitive robotics is no different. Knowing what your alliance partner or opponent is capable of and what their preferences or habits are can help devise a winning strategy.
The business and marketing subteam may work on a slightly different schedule and with different priorities than the others but it is no less vital. It is the connection from the team to the community, to supporters and sponsors and to other teams. Banners, outreach events, buttons, photography, social media…all come from the business and marketing subteam. Presentations and documentation for the team are also run by business and marketing.
If you know someone who might be interested, the team will have info sessions on May 16th and May 21st. More information can be found here: skunkworks1983.com/flyer. Signups for the info sessions can be found here:
Interest Form for Skunk Works Robotics, 2026 -2027 – Fill out form
(Diana Spence explained how volunteers use net traps to count coho smolts leaving the creek for saltwater)
It’s the time of spring when students participating in Salmon in the Schools release their school-raised baby salmon into local creeks. One school was joined this week by an elected official. The report is from Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, with photos by Dave Gershgorn:
On Wednesday (5/13) 49 kids from the Fauntleroy Children’s Center came in waves to lower Fauntleroy Creek to release 160 coho fry they had been rearing since late December. City Councilmember Rob Saka joined them in putting fish in the water and exploring creek habitat.
(City Councilmember Rob Saka named the coho fry Dennis Hinton dipped for him after his children)
(Volunteers briefed Councilmember Saka about culverts and current concerns in the watershed)
Because culvert construction will be starting soon in the middle reach of the creek, West Seattle schools are not able to release fry as usual this spring and next in Fauntleroy Park.
(Julia Stavnitski pointed out stonefly exoskeletons left behind on a tree near the water
Instead, volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council are hosting nearly 300 children and teens in the lower creek. Another 450+ students from nine schools are releasing in Longfellow Creek.
We covered one of those release events last month.
Firefighters are out testing hydrants today in Gatewood; we spotted this one at 37th and Holden. Hydrant-testing stirs up sediment – aka rust – in the lines, and that can lead to discolored water in the area. We’ve already heard from one person who had it, though he says it cleared up relatively quickly. Always a good idea to report to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800 if you’re not absolutely sure of the cause (it could also mean there’s a water break nearby, for example).
(Current design for expanded Morgan Junction Park, ‘skate dot’ in lower left)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The latest meeting about the “skate dot”/all-wheels area in the Morgan Junction Park expansion plan served largely as a reminder of how much bureaucracy has bogged it down.
Project manager Trae Yang from Seattle Parks noted toward the end that she’s in negotiations involving a multitude of other city departments, including Public Utilities, City Light, and Construction and Inspections; some of that was explained in a meeting at the site last September, particularly the complication caused by stormwater-drainage requirements.
Development of the site – which held a mini-mart and dry cleaner when the city bought it more than a decade ago – has proceeded at the proverbial glacial pace. If not for advocacy by community members who at one point turned it into an unsanctioned skatepark and formed the Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association, it’s hard to say it would even reached the current point, where it’s just opened as a field of grass.
“It’s been a journey,” design consultant Zack Thomas of Board & Vellum sighed toward the meeting’s start, regarding the eight-year history of the Morgan Junction Park expansion project.
He joined Yang and planner Olivia Reed from Seattle Parks at the meeting in the basement community room at The Kenney. Though the project has drawn extensive interest, and skating-community involvement, over the past few years, attendance was relatively low.
Reed opened with history of the site purchase (closed for $1.9 million in 2014), the start of early design in 2018, the pandemic putting the project on hold (2020), and what’s happened since then:’
(WSB photo, April 30)
Current status: Fencing came down two weeks ago and grass covers the area. (Several attendees mentioned seeing it used for family play and dog-walking.)
Updated design context: Most original design concepts and park features stayed but a few were removed until they see, with the help of “professional cost estimates,” if some can be restored.
“This project is small but” has “unique” challenges, as the project team described it The site is still classified by the state as “contaminated” so that is affecting what can and must be done with the site. “We have to be careful when we think about how ww’re going to program this site.”
The stormwater matter was explained again. Then the project team answered questions. Could the expansion site be “activated” beyond lawn status before the project is built? Yang said the current plan is just to maintain the grass but “we’re open to collaboration.”
The relative lack of seating in the revised plan drew some attention. What about donated memorial-type benches? Reed said the program for those is just now relaunching, to be managed by the Seattle Parks Foundation, but it would require $10,000 to cover the cost of one. Why so much? “That includes 10 years of maintenance,” she replied.
Some attendees also voiced hope that the potential “sentinel tree” could be restored to the plan – a tree maybe 12 to 14 feet high, possibly atop a mound. And since the “skate dot” is currently planned for part of the original Morgan Junction Park site, advocates wanted assurance that cracked/upthrust concrete would be addressed.
(Grindline’s schematic for proposed ‘skate dot’ at Morgan Junction Park site)
One person voiced a concern about a particular part of the existing infrastructure being potentially conducive to skater spills that could send skateboards flying into nearby California SW traffic.
One huge question, especially given Yang’s mention of “negotiations”: What can community members do to ensure this really does get built? Yang promised to reach out if she needs “extra lift”; otherwise, she said, “I feel I have momentum.”
MJAWA’s Zac Corum thanked the team for “keeping this project alive – it means a lot to us as community members. It has been a ride to get here; it’s time to get this project across the finish line – this will be a much-better place for families, kids, pets … MJAWA is ready to step up as we have been from the beginning.”
Next steps include the Parks team reviewing th latest cost estimates, which Yang said she received just before the meeting and didn’t want to disclose except to say she saw some “room for refinement” on initial review. Current total budget, from the money already spent on design and contaminated-soil removal plus additional Parks funding and the $700,000 that City Councilmember Rob Saka got into the budget to cover the skate dot, is ~$8 million. Construction is currently projected to start in the second half of next year.
Two “People Streets/Public Spaces“ projects are planned in West Seattle – same ones mentioned here briefly after SDOT released a list of levy-funded 2026 projects – and drop-in informational events are planned at both in the next several days:
At 18th/Delridge, 9:30 am-11:30 am tomorrow (Saturday, May 16):
(Neighbors first mentioned this in a comment discussion after the recent shooting at an encampment on the city-owned land in the vicinity.)
The second one is 2:30-5:30 pm Tuesday (May 19) at The Good Society (California/Lander):
The stretch of Lander alongside Lafayette Elementary has history as a “school street,” which is what the flyer is alluding to by noting “past efforts.”
(Thursday sunset, photographed by Jen Popp)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can preview events days/weeks ahead 24/7):
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER Spring is garden time! See what’s new at the center, open today, 10 am-3 pm at north end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW). While you’re there – free wood chips in the nearby parking lot!
STAY ‘N’ PLAY … weekly indoor playtime for preschool-age kids, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd). FYI, May 29 is the last one until fall.
NO STORY TIME TODAY … canceled @ Delridge Library again this week.
DELRIDGE NATIVE FOREST GARDEN WALKS: Noon, 12:45, 1:30 pm walks today – meet at Delridge/21st; RSVP required – find the link in our calendar listing.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history, noon-4 pm. (61st SW and SW Stevens)
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: For adult English-language learners, 12:30 pm-2 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: (updated) Local games on the schedule today – softball playoffs, 3:30 pm, Chief Sealth IHS vs. Lindbergh at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), with at least one more game to follow immediately afterward if the Seahawks win; also at NCSWAC, baseball, West Seattle HS vs. Seattle Prep, 7 pm.
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle.
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK: 5-9 pm, with more than 30wineries partnering with West Seattle Junction businesses – check here ASAP to get more info and to see if tickets remain.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC X 2: Two performances at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), harp and Irish flute students 4-5 pm; then 6-8 pm, Brother John and the Surrogates.
KENYON HALL OPEN MIC: Singer-songwriter open mic at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 6 pm signups, 6:30 pm performances.
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Second of two spring concerts, 7 pm at Chief Sealth International HS Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle), free but donations always appreciated.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, Billy & The Dreamboats perform at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), celebrating their vinyl release. Free, all ages.
‘JOIN OR DIE’: Film screening as prelude to tomorrow’s Joiner Jamboree in White Center, 7 pm at Evergreen High School (830 SW 116th).
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Mike’s Emo Band, Less Than Three, Pink-182
. Doors at 7, music at 8. $10 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), spinning tonight with DJ Reverend Dollars, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to music with Funkways (“roller funk”), 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
You can help West Seattle High School athletes make a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip to compete, and “show what’s possible,” as WSHS Unified Sports coordinator Rachel Myers explains:
From West Seattle to the USA Games – Help Our Players Shine!
We are thrilled to announce that the WSHS Unified Basketball team has been selected to represent Washington State at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in June 2026! This is an incredible honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players.
As a Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School, WSHS proudly leads with inclusion and unity. Your support helps our athletes travel, compete, and demonstrate what’s possible through inclusion!
Your donations to our Zeffy fundraiser will help provide the resources and support our team as they compete on a national stage! Your generosity ensures every player has the resources and support they need to thrive and be seen!
<zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-wshs-unified-sports
Thank you for being a part of our Wildcat Unified community and for supporting these incredible players.
6:04 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, May 15, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Showery, breezy, thunderstorms possibie, mid-50s high. Sunrise was at 5:31 am; sunset will be at 8:40 pm.
CLOSURE ALERTS
–WSDOT will close the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge all weekend again, starting tonight. Details here.
-Also, as announced, SDOT will close the West Seattle low bridge to drivers this weekend, starting at 7 am Saturday. The bike/foot path will remain open.
-On Sunday morning, Alki and Harbor Avenues will close for a few hours for the West Seattle 5K (which starts at 9:30 am).
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is back to the regular three boats after a while on the two-boat schedule Thursday, but M/V Sealth has been repaired and returned to service. Check the alert page for any last-minute changes.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedules Fridays (tonight!) and Saturdays.
STADIUM ZONE
The Mariners are back home starting tonight, 6:40 pm game vs. San Diego.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (25 mph speed limit):
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 trouble 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!
Thanks to Tom for the photo and tip. Police have been at the Delridge/Brandon mini-mart since its owner reported a burglary, seen via video monitoring, about an hour ago. For a while they thought the burglar might still be inside, but they’ve just gone in and confirmed nobody’s there now. The description circulated over the air was of someone dressed all in black, including a pulled-up hoodie, who put on purple gloves after breaking in. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 26-135275.
6:16 PM: We’re out right now on the West Seattle Art Walk – tonight, featuring the new business that a longtime Junction fashion entrepreneur is opening:
That’s Linda Walsh, who – as we reported here – proprietor of Carmilia’s, and now also taking over the 4536 California SW space a few doors down where Willow recently closed. Tonight she’s introducing her new shop, Oona:
As the sign says, Oona is open for a “dress rehearsal” tonight and also tomorrow during the West Seattle Junction Wine Walk tomorrow night; then regular hours start next week.
(Added: From tonight’s pop-up shop at Oona, by textile designer Hemloya)
The name, which Walsh attributes to Irish/Celtic mythology, was inspired by a friend. … More from the Art Walk shortly!
6:30 PM: Above, that’s Kay the Paint Lady, at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) tonight, leading free guided painting with Art Walk visitors:
6:52 PM: Toward the north end of tonight’s Art Walk map, Dan Jacobs is showing photos at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW):
Many of the photos were taken during a trip to Italy last year. We visited WSG early on tonight; ceramic artist Lora Radford was scheduled to join him a bit later. … Toward the south end of tonight’s Art Walk, we stopped by Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), showing work by Lea Basile-Lazarus:
7:20 PM: Even further south, you’ll find art at West Seattle Cellars (6016 California SW):
Jesse Holt created these pieces with keyboard keycaps, and he says they often have secret messages buried within them, to make them very multilayered:
More artists are featured in this month’s lineup preview on the Art Walk website.
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