West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
(Thanks to Janna for the Valentine’s decorations seen in Westwood)
Happy Saturday! This round of highlights includes some Valentine’s Day happenings too; it’s all mostly from the West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you can join the Saturday 8 am free group run.
FREE MEDITATION: Or, a quiet start to the weekend with Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3620 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.
VALENTINE’S DAY SALE AT SSC GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, 14 percent off, plus roses are available! North end of campus at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor)
SHREDDING AT DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER: 10:30 am-12:30 pm, fee. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
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 free, weekly, in-person, critique-free group – details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
HEART-SHAPED PIZZA THAT HELPS: Valentine’s Day – and two more days afterward – is when to get heart-shaped pizza at Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) with part of the proceeds going to NW Immigrant Rights Project. Open 11:30 am-10 pm today.
VALENTINE’S BAKERY POP-UP: Mr. Bun’s Bakery is at WEND Jewelry (3276 California SW) with treats, noon-4 pm.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, noon-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm Saturdays, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
RAT CITY VALENTINE’S MARKET: 12 pm-6 pm, browse vendors at various South Delridge and White Center venues including Mr. B’s Mead Center. (9444 Delridge Way SW)
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).
EV SHOWCASE AT ALKI: 1-3 pm, Seattle’s Rivian team is showing off these EVs near 59th/Alki, demo drives available.
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, with Valentine’s wine and chocolate tasting today.
OPEN MIC AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 69 Love Spngs Open Mic, 1 pm-4 pm, no cover. (9444 Delridge Way SW)
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffeehouse (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Kelvin Killmon performs “soulful acoustic rock.” Free, all ages.
ASTRA LUMINA: Held over into late winter, the celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, first admission 5:45 pm. Tickets and info here; extended through February.
VALENTINE’S DAY AT CORNER POCKET: 8 pm bingo, 10 pm “newlyweds’ game” open to any duo. (California/Alaska)
REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm, Valentine’s Day special with Soul Focus FM. (4547 California SW)
SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight 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: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Have a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome to a listing on our calendar, free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
A week and a half ago, when SDOT released its draft plan for spending Seattle Transportation Levy money this year, we went through it and listed the notable West Seattle mentions. However, many were so brief, they required followup to ask “OK, you’ve listed a project at (location), but what exactly are you planning there?” We then sent our followup questions to SDOT, and the answers arrived today. What’s below, verbatim, are the questions we asked, most under the title of the report section in which we found them, and – in italics – SDOT’s verbatim answers:
VISION ZERO
1) Highland Park Way (downhill lane conversion) is listed in two places as (in) design this year. So construction will NOT start before 2027?
The 2026 Levy Delivery Plan highlights key milestones anticipated this year. Highland Park Way is listed both in Protected Bike Lanes and Vision Zero Corridor Projects in the 2026 Levy Delivery Plan. For Highland Park Way, design work continues in 2026. Construction is currently anticipated to begin early 2027. As with all projects, schedules may adjust as design advances.
2) California/Oregon is listed as a VZ project, with construction this year. What exactly is planned there?
This Vision Zero project will add raised, durable centerline treatments that help slow turning vehicles and make movements through the intersection more predictable, improving safety for everyone using the intersection.
(We’re following up to ask exactly where the “raised centerline” will be.)
3) Another VZ project is “West Seattle Bridge central eastbound span.” What exactly is planned, and where exactly is that?
This project focuses on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, as drivers head toward downtown. We will relocate and replace signs to better clarify lane assignments where the bus-only lane begins. The project will also add reflectors to the center concrete barrier to improve visibility, particularly in low-light conditions.
TRAFFIC CALMING
Harbor Ave from California to Spokane. This stretch already has a variety of things, medians, for example, and tons of speed bumps. What is planned now, and where?
This project will build on the existing traffic-calming measures along Harbor Avenue between California and Spokane. Planned improvements include additional speed cushions, new painted median islands, narrowed travel lanes in select areas, updated curve-warning signs, and a new flashing beacon at the existing crosswalk near the water taxi terminal.
FAUNTLEROY/ROSE
This much-awaited crossing improvement is listed in two spots as just “design” this year. So no construction before 2027?
For the Fauntleroy/Rose crossing, design is underway in 2026, and construction is currently anticipated to occur later in 2026. As with all projects, timing may adjust as design advances.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
California/Erskine/Edmunds. What exactly is planned there? that’s a three-street intersection that has long been the source of complaints.
This project will rebuild the traffic signal at California/Erskine/Edmunds. Work will include new signal poles signal heads, upgraded push buttons with audible features, and rebuilding any curb ramps or sidewalks affected by the work. Construction is planned to begin in 2026.
This upgrade is intended to improve visibility, reliability, and accessibility at the intersection.
NEW SIGNAL
California/Walker
currently a fire signal. will that become a full traffic signal, or …
Yes — the existing fire signal at California/Walker will be replaced with a new, full traffic signal. The project includes Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) push buttons with audible features, as well as new ADA-compliant curb ramps at the intersection. The project is currently in design, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026.
PBL (PROTECTED BIKE LANE) UPGRADE
Admiral Way , Spokane to Lander. Will that be an actual protected BL now, like concrete barrier?
Yes. The existing bike lanes on Admiral Way between Spokane and Lander will be upgraded with concrete pre-cast curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.
We are not proposing to change the current lane or curb space configurations. The upgrade is intended to improve safety for people biking uphill and reduce instances of vehicles parking in the bike lane.
PEOPLE STREETS
What stretches of those streets (18th and Lander were mentioned without other specifics)?
The improvements are planned for two locations:
-SW Lander Street, from west of California Avenue SW to the alley
-18th Avenue SW, between Delridge Way SW and SW Barton Street
FREIGHT
Derelict rail removal on West Marginal Way – which one(s)?
The proposed rail removal is near the 4500 block of West Marginal Way SW, just south of the Duwamish Trail pedestrian crossing at the T-105 entrance.
Removing the unused rail will improve the roadway surface and reduce uneven pavement conditions that can create safety concerns for people driving, biking, or crossing the street.
OVERALL QUESTION ABOUT SIDEWALK REPAIRS
5,000 are mentioned. I assume this is where crews show up and do quick shims, beveling, etc. How are the 5,000 being chosen? If not already scheduled out, any community input needed? How does SDOT discern between “hey property owner, YOU need to fix your sidewalk” which can be a heavy price to pay, and “hey, we’ll show up and fix your sidewalk”?
Yes — the approximately 5,000 spot repairs include quick enhancements such as shims and beveling to reduce tripping hazards.
Locations are selected by:
-Shims are typically installed in response to community requests. When someone reports a sidewalk issue, it generates a work order that is assigned directly to our Street Maintenance crews.
-Beveling is planned each year. Crews work in geographic “grids” and prioritize areas with higher pedestrian activity.
-Recent beveling focused on downtown and nearby neighborhoods in advance of major events, including the FIFA Men’s World Cup.When a request comes in for a more permanent sidewalk repair, we evaluate the location to determine responsibility:
-If the damage is caused by a privately owned tree, the property owner is notified and is responsible for completing the permanent repair.
-If the damage is caused by an SDOT-owned tree, the location is added to SDOT’s sidewalk repair project list for future construction.
In both cases, we typically install a shim as a temporary safety enhancement.
As noted previously, this is just from this year’s levy spending plan – other projects will be in the spending plans for each of its upcoming years, and other projects are in SDOT’s general budget.
As announced last April, Mud Bay is moving kitty-corner at the Admiral Junction. And now they’ve set the date. Here’s the announcement we received today:
Mud Bay is excited to announce the official Grand Opening of its relocated Admiral store in West Seattle.
The former Wells Fargo Bank building at the corner of Admiral Way and California Ave has been thoughtfully transformed into a brand-new Mud Bay location designed to better serve the neighborhood.
When this space became available, we were thrilled by the opportunity to create a more accessible shopping experience for the West Seattle community, including five dedicated parking spaces for customers. The new layout offers more accessible square footage and updated fixtures, providing more room on the sales floor for customers to shop. The store will also feature an expanded assortment of small animal products and a larger selection of minimally processed frozen pet food.
Join us on February 28th to celebrate our Grand Opening!
The first 100 customers will receive an exclusive Mud Bay tote bag filled with special gifts and giveaways … Doors open at 9:00 a.m.
New Address:
2358 California Ave SW
As announced on New Year’s Day, the historic Ashcroft Building that Mud Bay is leaving will become the new home of Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) and The Bass Shop; it’s now owned by TRG proprietor Frank Gross
The report is from Jen, who says two people tried to break into The Void and Little Shop of Hairdos just south of The Junction early today, and sent images:
5:10 this morning, these two tried to break into The Void and the back door to Little Shop, met with too much resistance and interrupted by a neighbor. Appears to be the same MO and two from the Chupacabra break in.
All doors have been reinforced, entry was not made.
If you have any information, the SPD # is 26-041655.
Today was supposed to be the last day to answer Mayor Katie Wilson‘s survey for renters, but the deadline is now extended one week – so next Friday, February 20, will be the deadline. Here’s the direct link (note that page hasn’t yet been updated with the new deadline, though).
(‘Site plan’ from city permit filings)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Two and a half weeks after we broke the news of a West Seattle site proposed for up to 72 RVs and 20 tiny houses [7201 2nd SW, map] – after which, our followup inquiries were largely met with “too soon to comment” – more details are finally emerging:
This week, Mayor Katie Wilson referred to the plan, saying toward the end of this post about homelessness-related issues, that “we are exploring every potential administrative and legal tool we have to accelerate the expansion of emergency housing and shelter, including by speeding permit approvals for projects like the upcoming RV Safe Parking program in West Seattle.” (“Speeding permit approvals” was foreshadowed by her non-site-specific executive order last month.)
Meantime, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority has revealed the cost and timeline for the project, which is on a state-owned site that WSDOT has used for storage and which also has been the site of illegal encampments, saying here that “The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) has been awarded the $3.3 million dollar contract to open the site at Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Glassyard site by summer 2026.” LIHI also operates West Seattle’s first and until now only tiny-house village, Camp Second Chance (9701 Myers Way S.), housing 79 people as of late January.
KCRHA also confirms what we reported the permit filings show: “The site will provide 72 parking spaces for vehicle residents, and 20 tiny homes, adding the capacity to serve 92 households.” Their update says “this project has been underway for some time now”; though the current filings did not appear in the city system until mid-January, there are filings from last June seeking review of the site for water/sewer access to serve what those documents outlined as slightly different numbers of RVs and tiny houses. (That review, never finalized, suggested building a 1,500-foot-long, foot-wide water pipe under West Marginal Way to serve the site.) Not all details about the current plan are finalized, though; a WSDOT spokesperson answered our initial inquiry by replying that WSDOT was “in continued negotiation” with LIHI about leasing the Glassyard property and “we do not have a definitive date for when the leases will be complete at this point.”
The city first publicly identified the site as a potential “transitional encampment” location more than a decade ago., Not long after that, a city-owned lot adjacent to the site was proposed for a relatively small RV lot, an idea relatively quickly scrapped. Some of the same questions that have recently surfaced about this are similar to what community advocates asked 10 years ago, such as whether West Seattle’s existing RV residents can get priority for spots at the new lot.
Tony‘s car was stolen northwest of The Junction early today:
Screenshot
My gray 2016 Ford Escape (WA plate BTG5823, VIN ending in 7610) was stolen in the early morning of 2/13 in West Seattle. I have reported it to the Seattle Police Department (case number 26-42641) and wanted to let neighbors know in case anyone sees it. If you have any information, please contact Seattle Police (via 911) and reference the case number. Thank you!
(Two of the early-blooming daffodils we’ve seen in Gatewood)
here’s what’s happening around the peninsula for the rest of today/tonight – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER Spring gets ever closer; every dry day is another chance to get ready. The center is open today, 10 am-3 pm at north end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW).
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free indoor playtime for little ones and their caregivers, 10 am-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
BABY STORY TIME: 11 am-11:30 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
FREE TAX HELP: Drop in at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) 11 am-4 pm and get help with your taxes!
HEART-SHAPED PIZZA THAT HELPS: Four more days to get heart-shaped pizza at Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) with part of the proceeds going to NW Immigrant Rights Project. Open 11:30 am-10 pm today.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about and enjoy local history – open noon-4 pm today.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: New session continues at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 12:30 pm-2 pm Fridays, no registration required.
GALENTINE’S DAY AT WELCOME ROAD WINERY: 4-8 pm with art and wine – $5 glasses – and sweets. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy by the bottle.
‘UNSEEN EMPORIUM’: 5-9 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW): “Join us for an enchanted evening of curiosities and cabaret for faery. We’ll be hosting vendors and cabaret performers!” Free/donations.
ASTRA LUMINA: A few more weekends for the celestially inspired lights-and-sound show at Seattle Chinese Garden on the north end of the South Seattle College campus (6000 16th SW); first admission at 6 pm, get tickets here.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 6-8 pm, monthly Songwriters’ Showcase at C & P Coffee. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all genres, all ages, no cover.
KENYON HALL CABARET – MXMATCH: 6:30 pm, all-ages drag show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), get tickets here.
‘TOPDOG/UNDERDOG’: Second weekend for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm curtain, get tickets here.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with SeaStar, Alicia Healey, Sue Quigley, doors at 7, show at 8, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), with DJ Twilight, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to Vanilla Abstract & Biddadat, 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!
One week from tomorrow, Hiawatha Community Center will officially reopen to the public after almost six years. Last night a commenter asked about the programming that would be offered at Hiawatha once it’s open, and we noticed it’s now on the center’s website, so in case you were wondering too and hadn’t seen it, we’re mentioning it – go here and click the Winter Welcome Back and/or Spring links on the left. The first schedule includes Tot Gym, Open Gym, and Fitness Room drop-in schedules; the second one also includes sports – basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. At the February 21 grand-reopening event (10 am-noon), you’ll be able to tour the historic center to see the work that’s been done – seismic stabilization, electrification, and more.
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, February 13, 2026, heading into the Presidents Day weekend and, for many schools, mid-winter break.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The return of rain is in the forecast for today, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise at 7:17 am; sunset at 5:29 pm.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
CLOSURE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING
Announced by WSDOT:
The northbound State Route 509 on-ramp from First Avenue South/Myers Way South (milepost 29) will close from 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 to 3 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will perform guardrail repair during this closure.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule. The WSWT *is* in service Monday.
Washington State Ferries – Per WSF’s alert page, it’s the two-boat schedule again today, hoping for 3 on Monday.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today. Monday too.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This afternoon’s Sound Transit Board System Expansion Committee meeting had two items of note for those watching the West Seattle Link Extension plan, still on record as pointed toward a 2032 launch. The question is, what will the plan look like once the staff and board are finished trying to reshape it into “affordability”? The process aimed at answering that question, the Enterprise Initiative, was the subject of another briefing at this afternoon’s committee meeting.
Before that was discussed, the first item of interest was another real-estate acquisition – a residential property on Pigeon Point. Not because it’s needed soon for planning/construction, but because, according to agenda documents, its owners have “medical circumstances” requiring them to sell soon, but because of the looming light-rail project, the agency says, nobody else will buy it. The board already has approved a couple other such purchases, and the committee sent this one on to the full board for approval (along with another in the Ballard project area), though with reservations voiced by Dan Strauss, the Seattle City Councilmember who sits on the ST Board – he revived a topic brought up with previous acquisitions, concerns about ST just letting the properties sit empty for years; apparently a policy change is in the works that might allow a different use for such properties, but not quickly enough to alleviate the concerns Strauss voiced.
Then it was on to the Enterprise Initiative briefing. The next major milestone is the development of “scenarios” for the full board to discuss at its retreat in March, so they can finalize an “updated ST3 system plan” by midyear.
ST’s Brad Owen told the committee that they’re now evaluating more than 600 “opportunities” for getting the full ST system plan close to something realistic.
The “takeaways” from that work included another warning that project phasing or even deferrals might be required.
And as has been the case at previous briefings, they again discussed possible cuts/changes as “levers” of different levels that could be pulled. Then Owen presented examples of possible levers at each level, such as, in the West Seattle project, dropping the Avalon station.
This, he said, would have “no notable effect on ridership” and would mean fewer property acquisitions, a more direct route from Delridge to The Junction, less impact on sites of concern like Longfellow Creek and the West Seattle Health Club property, with up to almost half a billion dollars in savings. (No new total project-cost estimate was mentioned at this meeting.)
Board approval would be needed for that or any other top level “lever” proposed – and keep in mind, what was presented today (here’s the full slide deck) was just a set of examples, not a formal proposal. And the West Seattle project isn’t the only one they’re reviewing for cuts – in addition to Ballard, there are Tacoma and Everett Link Extensions in planning, as well as Sounder and ST Express Bus projects discussed at today’s meeting. (Added: Here’s the meeting video.)
WHAT’S NEXT: The full board generally gets discussion items like this at its next meeting after committee briefings; that will be two weeks from today, on Thursday, February 26 – watch here for the agenda.
(WSB photo, last month)
Nam Suk Nasatka, longtime proprietor of Lee’s Produce in South Delridge, has been laid to rest, while her store carries on. Her family is asking the community for one final tribute in her memory – donations to the White Center Food Bank. Daniel Horst, who’s helping organize the memorial fundraiser, asked us to publish the link. The fundraiser page says Lee’s Produce had partnered with WCFB for more than a decade, providing produce gift certificates to expand access to vegetables and fruit. Ms. Nasatka was 75 years old when cancer ended her life.
5:13 PM: From Alki Beach to Morgan Junction, it’s West Seattle Art Walk night!
That’s the list of this quarter’s Art Walk venues, many of whom are hosting artists until 8 pm (check here), with a few variations. We’re stopping at a few and will be updating!
(WSB photos)
5:45 PM: Above, that’s Tatyana Brown, who we found at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), which describes her work this way;
Inspired by Japanese printmaking and artists like Hokusai, Tatyana’s work explores minimalism, clean lines, and our connection to nature. Her pieces reflect transition, growth, and the quiet power of change through a deeply personal lens.
What she’s showing at JCL tonight ranges from elegant …
… to whimsical:
6:30 PM: At John L. Scott (4445 California SW), mixed-media work by students from nearby Tilden School (WSB sponsor) – artists include Hannah:
And Sairus:
Students from every grade at Tilden, an independent K-5 school, contributed.
Meantime, another stop in The Junction, CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), often has multiple artists, three tonight, including Megan Cox:
Colleen Monette is showing at CAPERS this month too. One last stop in The Junction:
That’s just one of the works that artist Myron Curry is showing at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), in a show you can see through the end of March.
7:45 PM: One more photo – thanks to Ian for sending – art and music at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW):
P.S. We also have a crew at tonight’s Chief Sealth IHS Art Walk, and will have a separate report on that.
Two incidents of note, one happening right now:
(WSB photo)
ARREST: Seattle Police joined King County Sheriff’s Deputies this past hour for a warrant suspect believed to be in the Roxhill Park vicinity. They’ve just made an arrest, around 3 pm, after a foot pursuit, near 26th/Cambridge; they’ve just reopened 26th after a brief closure. We’re still gathering more info on this.
(UPDATE: As noted below in comments, the suspect that was being sought was a suspect in a Des Moines homicide case. We have not yet officially confirmed that’s who they caught. EVENING UPDATE: Des Moines police confirm they arrested the suspect in a murder case with the help of SPD. The person in custody was already awaiting trial in a gun/eluding case from last July, and was on electronic home monitoring until his device stopped working on February 1; there’s been a warrant out for his arrest for that since February 4. Records say he has 18 prior convictions. In the murder case, a 45-year-old man was found dead after a Des Moines house fire, and investigators learned he’d been stabbed – that happened the same day the suspect’s tracker stopped sending a signal.)
(back to second half of original story) BUSINESS BURGLARY: On the south side of Roxbury, the Safeway gas-station building was broken into early today, around 1:30 am. Details are in this report on our partner site White Center Now.
(WSB photo, last November)
The Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle is known for its Native Art Markets. We always publish announcements inviting visitors and shoppers; now, longhouse venue coordinator Victoria Welch has sent us this call for more Native artists to join their roster of potential participants:
The Duwamish Longhouse invites Native vendors and artists who create and sell Native art, crafts, and other goods to express their interest in participating in our upcoming art markets later this year.
Vendors who have not previously participated in our markets are encouraged to reach out. Please email your name, a phone number where you can be reached, and a description of the items you create and would like to sell to:
events@duwamishtribe.org
We look forward to connecting with new artists and vendors and expanding our community of Native creatives.
Here’s a flyer about the opportunity, which also notes that the next Native Art Market at the Longhouse (4705 West Marginal Way SW) is in late April.
(February 2025 WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn)
One year ago, the Washington State Black Legacy Institute celebrated its grand opening in the city-landmarked former church at 2656 42nd SW; this year, to mark the first anniversary, WSBLI invites you to a celebration one week from tonight, at 6:30 pm Thursday, February 19th.
Join us as we celebrate a historic milestone! The Inaugural Anniversary of the Washington State Black Legacy Institute (WSBLI). This special gathering honors the rich history, cultural contributions, and enduring legacy of Washington’s Black community, while inspiring a collective vision for the future.
This uplifting event brings together community leaders, families, partners, supporters, and neighbors for an event filled with joy, reflection, music, recognition, and connection.
Featured Performance: Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir
We are honored to welcome the Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir as the featured headlining performers of our anniversary celebration. Formed in 2025, Brilliance is a powerful, spirit-filled ensemble dedicated to spreading joy, healing, and unity through inspirational gospel and spiritual music. Their performance will set the tone for a meaningful and emotionally rich event.Guests are invited to stay after the ceremony for food, fellowship, and warm community connection.
About the Washington State Black Legacy Institute
The WSBLI is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and elevating the stories, contributions, and cultural legacy of Black communities across Washington State. Through exhibitions, education, archival preservation, programming, and community partnerships, we work to ensure that Black history is honored, protected, and accessible for generations to come.
The celebration is free to attend – donations welcome to support WSBLI programming – but please RSVP by going here.
Tonight is West Seattle Art Walk night! Here’s this month’s list/map highlighting venues all over West Seattle:
Highlights include Tilden School (WSB sponsor) students’ work at John L. Scott in The Junction (4555 California SW) with a reception 5-8 pm. Go here for other Art Walk previews from venues hosting artists this month. Also:
CHIEF SEALTH IHS ART WALK: As previewed here, students will showcase performing arts as well as visual arts during tonight’s special Art Walk, and the community is invited to visit starting at 6 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)
Here’s what else is on our list for the hours ahead, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks again to everyone who sends events for us to list!):
FREE PLAYSPACE: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is opening its free community playspace two mornings a week, 9 am-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. (42nd/Juneau)
DONATE TO THE CLOTHESLINE: One more special donation opportunity if you have spare season-appropriate clothing to donate to the clothing bank before it reopens in its new location – 5444 Delridge Way SW, 10 am-1 pm.
GATHERING AT THE VOID: Escape your home office for a few hours! “Work, Game, Craft, or Chat! At The Void” hangout at The Void, 10 am-noon Thursdays. (5048 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY RUN/WALK: New free, fun gathering, 10 am, starting from Lincoln Park parking lot #2. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Whether you’re planting or planning – the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm – north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME IN ADMIRAL: West Seattle Library story time (2306 42nd SW), 10:30 am.
HEART-SHAPED PIZZA AT MIOPOSTO: Available only through Monday! Heart-shaped pizza at Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor), open 11:30 am-9 pm, with part of the proceeds benefiting NW Immigrant Rights Project.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!)
SOUND TRANSIT EXPANSION COMMITTEE: A West Seattle residential acquisition is part of what’s on the agenda for the ST board’s Expansion Committee meeting, 1:30 pm; the agenda explains how to watch/participate in-person or remotely.
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is on today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events at HPCS – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Five Hooks Seafood .
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle! And tonight it’s a venue for the West Seattle Art Walk.
LONG DISTANCE ADVOCACY: Write postcards with West Seattle Indivisible at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 5-7:30 pm drop-in community event (not library-sponsored).
WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: Taha Ebrahimi, discussing “Street Trees of Seattle,” is this month’s online speaker presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, 6 pm. Our calendar listing has info and how to get the viewing link.
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, starting from Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run!
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: If you’d rather walk, meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fontanelle for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
’90S TRIVIA: 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
‘TOPDOG/UNDERDOG’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, second week for the new ArtsWest production, “Topdog/Underdog.” (4711 California SW)
TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE VOID: New West Seattle trivia night! 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
DJ NIGHT: Spinning happens tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Tomás starting at 8 pm.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
MG reports a car theft in North Admiral overnight:
I just had my car stolen outside my house in the North Admiral area. It’s a red 2000 Honda CR-V with the license plate number CRT9854. Happened last night between 10 pm and 4 am.
Call 911 if you find it. We’ll add the police-report # when we get it. (Added: It’s 26-041550.)
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, February 12, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Some clouds are in the forecast for today, chance of rain late tonight, high in the low 50s. Sunrise at 7:19 am; sunset at 5:28 pm.
(Wednesday’s sunrise from Seacrest – WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Per WSF’s alert page, it’s the two-boat schedule again today and Friday.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
MID-WINTER BREAK NEXT WEEK
*Seattle Public Schools and many others are out for mid-winter break next week.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
More than a decade after the first announcement of the plan for pet-friendly The Hydrant in The Junction – “a gathering place for people and pups” – it’s officially open. We reported just after Christmas that they were close, and today proprietor Beya Mark emailed to tell us about the opening at 4541 California SW.
Here’s how she announced it:
I am super-excited to let you know that The Hydrant is open!
After what feels like an eternity (seriously, did we take a trip through a time warp?), we’re open!!
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a craft beer aficionado, or just in need of a cozy spot to enjoy some cider or coffee, we’ve got you covered! And the best part? We’re pet friendly! Bring your furry friends along for the fun — because they deserve a treat too!
We’re not just open; we’re conveniently located in the heart of the Junction!
Get ready for a fantastic experience! Along with our rotating lineup of craft beers and fine wines, bring in own mouth-watering bites from local restaurants.
But wait, there’s more! We’ve got games lined up and are ready to host events that will keep the good times rolling. So gather your friends, and let’s make some unforgettable memories together! Can’t wait to see you all here! Let’s make up for lost time together. Cheers!
We went by for photos after the email from Beya, who, with husband Cliff, owns Next-to-Nature next door. Note that The Hydrant – whose delays were detailed in our December update – is 21+. It’s open seven days a week, still finalizing the hours but in the 11 am-7 pm vicinity, earlier and later on weekends.
ADDED: Here’s the current wine/beer menu.
8:44 PM: Seattle Police report another enforcement operation targeting shoplifting at Westwood Village. Here’s the short summary they released:
At 1000 hours (Tuesday, February 10), GIU Detectives and Southwest Patrol Officers conducted a joint Organized Retail Theft Operation at Marshalls and Ross at Westwood Village. Detectives teamed with loss prevention representatives to identify and apprehend suspects. Five suspects were arrested for shoplifting. Approximately $1,300 in stolen merchandise was recovered. This was a team effort and could not have taken place without the hard work by GIU detectives, patrol, and partnership with the loss prevention employees at Marshalls and Ross.
(GIU = General Investigation Unit.) We don’t have the suspects’ names so far and are trying to determine their status.
9:04 PM: The problem, nonetheless, persists – police just dispatched three calls for alleged shoplifting at Marshalls that occurred within a span of minutes.
11:05 PM: After some speculative searching through online records, we found one of yesterday’s arrestees in the Municipal Court system, which meant we could see the police narrative presented at his probable-cause hearing this afternoon. It says the 34-year-old suspect had “14 prior incidents” of shoplifting at the Westwood Village Marshalls, totaling a suspected $1,776, not counting the $168 in items he is accused of stealing on Tuesday. He was also arrested there in early January after loss-prevention staff called police; he had been “trespassed” previously, and the document from that case – which remains open – says he had been a “frequent” shoplifter there since last September. There’s no record of jail bookings prior to the one in January, though. In both that case and this one, he has been routed through the city Mental Health Court after concerns from his defense attorney, and while awaiting evaluation related to the January case, is now ordered for an evaluation in this one too (they’ll be compiled). In January, Mental Health Court Judge Willie Gregory granted release on personal recognition; today $500 bail was ordered, and the suspect remains in jail tonight.
Another update from Washington State Ferries – the two-boat schedule will continue on the Fauntleroy-Southworth-Vashon route at least two more weekday:
12 years ago, we reported after the Seahawks‘ first-ever Super Bowl victory parade that about a quarter of all Seattle Public Schools students were absent that day. (The district had initially cited the same policy as it did for today – no excused absences – but then pulled back a bit and let each principal decide how to handle it.) So, how was attendance today? We asked the district, and received this reply:
As Seattle celebrated the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade today, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) recorded an estimated 12,697 student absences as of the start of the school day today. While student absences were significantly higher than usual, over 38,000 students are estimated to have attended school today for teaching, learning, connection, and to receive the many other services our schools provide. Our initial estimates suggest that student attendance was slightly better than during the 2014 Super Bowl parade.
In addition, there were 663 staff absences (as of 2:30 p.m.), which is several hundred absences higher than normal. Central office staff, including SPS Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, were deployed to schools throughout the district to provide additional support considering the increase in absences.
We’ll ask on follow up if the “slightly better” is a reference to percentage or number; SPS enrollment was 2,000+ more students in 2014 than it is now.
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