West Seattle, Washington
20 Friday
If you received a flyer about Scouting for Food, put out your donations for the West Seattle Food Bank in time for local Scouts to pick them up tomorrow. And even if you didn’t get a flyer, you can still give! The Scouts’ announcement explains both:
West Seattle Scouts Launch Annual “Scouting for Food” Drive to Stock West Seattle Food Bank Shelves
After the snow on Friday you may have noticed a higher-than-normal number of Scouts in the neighborhood putting out flyers for their annual food drive. West Seattle’s dedicated Scout units have hit the streets for their annual Scouting for Food drive, an essential tradition that helps combat local food insecurity. Scouts from Cub Scout Packs 793 and 284 and Troops 282, 284, 286, and 8286 have finished distributing flyers across various neighborhoods, and they will be returning to your doorsteps Saturday, March 21st between 9 am and 12 pm, to collect donations.
Historically, these units have helped the community contribute over three tons of food per year to those in need, and this year is set to be just as successful.
The West Seattle Food Bank has shared a specific need for the following critical items:
*Diapers in sizes 5, 6, and 7
*Ready-to-eat meals (such as Tasty Bite pouches, canned soup/stew/chili, and microwave mac & cheese)We encourage you to add these high-demand items to your collection bag.
Alternative Drop-off Location:
If you missed the door hangers or would like another way to donate, Pack 793 will host a public collection point at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW) on Saturday, March 21st, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office sent this warning about a scam that looks official enough to fool people:
Recently people have been getting scam notices for King County District Court hearings that seem official and are very sophisticated.
The attached example is NOT a notice from King County District Court. It is a scam notice, according to District Court. It is important that people do not click the QR code or send money.
People are advised to contact King County District Court if they have any questions about a hearing notice they have received.
The KCPAO says the fake notices have been received by both email and text.
One week from tomorrow, as part of Metro‘s twice-yearly “service change,” buses that normally travel SW Barton in the Westwood Village/Roxhill Park area will start using SW Trenton instead, as SDOT prepares to repave the layover zone alongside the park. That means some major traffic and parking changes – not just for shoppers, parkgoers, and residents, but also for those who use the fields at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex on the north side of Trenton. SDOT convened an online community meeting on March 2 (WSB coverage here), during which project communicators promised to get answers to a variety of leftover questions. Today they’ve sent a compilation of those questions and their answers (see it here). It’s also linked from the project webpage along with a variety of other info about the project, which is expected to begin in April and last into the fall.
(WSB photo by Oliver Hamlin, June 2025)
If you’re thinking about being part of this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe – which includes Seattle’s only 5K obstacle-course run – today’s your last chance at the lowest prices! Loop the ‘Lupe is set for Saturday, June 6, at Walt Hundley Playfield, and raises money for community work at and by adjacent Our Lady of Guadalupe. The 5K obstacle-course run is one of multiple options for joining in. It’s all part of one big party, also featuring live music, food, and a beer garden. Register by 11:58 pm tonight before the fees go up! (Loop the ‘Lupe director Brian Callanan also points out that if you sign up a team of four or more at once, you “get even more discounts.”) Your options are: Obstacle 5K Elite Wave (11 am), Obstacle 5K Family Wave (11:40 am), 5K Fun Run (noon), Silver Saunter (12:15 pm), Youth Dash (1 pm). WSB is media sponsor for Loop the ‘Lupe – see you there!
If there’s a person, business, or organization you think deserves one of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s Westside Awards, here’s your chance! The Chamber has just announced that nominations are open:
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Westside Awards, the annual program honoring the businesses, nonprofits, and individuals whose work has shaped the West Seattle community over the past year.
Nominations close April 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. across four categories:
• Westside Business of the Year recognizes an established business (3 or more years in operation) demonstrating growth, excellence in customer service, and meaningful community involvement.
• Westside Emerging Business of the Year honors a newer business (under 3 years) already making its presence felt through innovation, community engagement and gaining momentum.
• Westside Not for Profit of the Year highlights a nonprofit whose dedication to service and social good has left a visible mark on West Seattle.
• Westsider of the Year recognizes an individual whose leadership, volunteerism, or service has strengthened the community.
“Every year, the nominations remind us just how much is happening in this community. The Westside Awards exist to make sure that work gets the recognition it deserves,” said Rachel Porter, Executive Director of the West Seattle Chamber. “We encourage anyone who has witnessed dedication to West Seattle to put in a nomination.”
Winners will be selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors and recognized at the Annual Westside Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Nominations are free and open to the public. Submit at https://loom.ly/j2lcDkM
For more information about the Westside Awards, contact Rachel Porter at rachel@wschamber.com.
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that has served the West Seattle business community since 1923. The Chamber advocates for local businesses, connects members, and works to strengthen the economic foundation that makes West Seattle a place where commerce and community grow together.
Here’s our coverage of last year’s awards breakfast; see the list of past winners here.
10:07 AM: The left side of that traffic-camera view shows the scene of a crash at the bottom of Highland Park Way hill, in the inside eastbound lane (as mentioned earlier in our morning traffic roundup). The crash is reported to involve a car and “transit van.” The car driver may have a head injury, according to police, so SFD medics are there. Avoid the area for a while.
10:27 AM: SFD has just been dispatched to a Highland Park child-care facility to check out kids who were reported to have been in the van, described as having had 12 kids and three adults inside at the time of the crash. We’ll follow up later with SFD. Meantime, the traffic-camera system is now malfunctioning so we can’t check on whether the crash scene has cleared or not.
11:27 AM: Traffic cameras are back online, and they show this scene has cleared.
12:56 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us no one at the child-care site turned out to be hurt; at the scene, he says, a ~50-year-old woman was treated for minor injuries and did not need to be taken to a hospital.
(Reader photo, Great Blue Heron on Alki roof)
Spring is here! Here’s what’s happening today/tonight – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
(added) DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER FOR ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY: Late word of this but you still have time to add Panda Express at Westwood Village to your dining plans for today/tonight – either tell them you’re there for Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA, or if ordering online use code 3854922, and they’ll benefit from part of the proceeds. Open until 10 tonight.
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).
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free indoor playtime for little ones and their caregivers is back at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), 10-11:30 am.
BABY STORY TIME: 11 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
FREE TAX HELP: Free tax help at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) 11 am-4 pm but check if any appointments remain – we’re told there hasn’t been time left for drop-ins in recent weeks.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about and enjoy local history – open noon-4 pm today.
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: First of three events this spring offered by local Girl Scouts, 5-9 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), see our calendar listing for info on contacting them to see if spaces are left.
GROUP ART SHOW: First of three days for Feather in the Wind group show at Alki Arts (6030 California SW), 5-7 pm reception.
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.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, singer/songwriter Shaun Crawford at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: Monthly open mic, signups at 6 pm and music at 6:30, at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), more info here.
EQUINOX SUNSET WATCH WITH ALICE: Tonight’s the first sunset of spring, so educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, top of the slope) 6:30-7:30 pm for her quarterly change-of-seasons sunset watch. All welcome! Rain or shine unless heavy downpour or thunderstorms.
BAND OF HORSES AT EASY STREET: 7 pm sold-out show at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW); if you’re getting in because you pre-ordered the album, you’ll hear from ESR.
CLASSIC BINGO: 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), with “Richard, the sassiest host in Seattle.” Free to play. 21+.
PUN SLAM AT THE SKYLARK: The punniest event in the city is back! Signups at 7, slam at 8. Get tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), with DJ Mr. Nyice Guy, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to live music with Power Skeleton, The Glutz, 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!
(Added: Reader photo)
9 AM: Thanks for the tips. Police were at West Seattle High School this morning investigating a stolen car crashed and abandoned on the south side of the parking lot campus.The car, a gray Kia Soul, turned out to have been stolen from someone in Seaview; police were reported to be bringing the owner there. Police were dispatched around 7:30 this morning, but whoever had been driving the stolen Kia was gone by then. (If you have any information, the police report # is 26-76480.)
10:22 AM: Added above, photo sent by another reader (thank you!).
9:35 AM: Crash at bottom of Highland Park Way hill, eastbound lanes.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, March 20, 2026. (Spring arrives at 7:46 am- sunset watch with Alice tonight!)
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Same forecast as the past few days: Rainy, breezy, mid-50s high. Sunrise at 7:11 am; sunset at 7:22 pm.
(Thursday photo by Bob Burns)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule through April 10.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for any changes to the 3-boat schedule. Schedule changes starting Sunday – Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth gets 3 boats on weekends too.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes.
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 (fully open but 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!
(File photo, by Holli Margell)
The Center for Active Living in The Junction is not just for seniors. Newly added later hours on Wednesdays have opened the gates for free all-ages events, “Late Wednesdays at The Center,” which will be open until 6 pm every Wednesday. From the center’s announcement:
… “The Center is officially extending our hours every Wednesday in response to your feedback,” said Amy Lee Derenthal, Executive Director. “We are excited to offer this extra time for people who prefer afternoon programming or are still working. Community members are welcome to come check us out, and we hope to see you at The Center!”
Here are some free events open to the community – all ages – 4-6 pm on Wednsdays in April:
First Wednesday Board Games at The Center
Enjoy a relaxed late afternoon of casual board game play and community. Margie’s Café will be open, serving wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Wednesday, April 1 (every first Wednesday)Second Wednesday Quiet Reading at The Center
Escape the noise and settle in for a peaceful afternoon of quiet reading every second Wednesday at The Center. Just bring your favorite book and grab a drink or snack at Margie’s Café.
Wednesday, April 8, (every second Wednesday)Trivia Time at The Center
Put your knowledge to the test! Whether you’re a history buff or a pop-culture pro, come join the friendly competition while enjoying a beverage and a snack from Margie’s Café.
Wednesday, April 29
More event info is on the calendar for the center (4217 SW Oregon).
Last week, we told you about “Ms. Dez,” the Sanislo Elementary social worker who won a statewide award. This week – an assembly with special guests celebrated her and the grand reopening of Ms. Dez’s Boutique. Jen from the Sanislo PTA sent the report:
(Photos courtesy Seattle Public Schools)
On Wednesday (March 18), Sanislo Elementary recognized school social worker Ms. Dezirae “Ms. Dez” Brown, who was named Washington State’s Distinguished Social Worker of the Year. The student-led celebration took place during a schoolwide assembly attended by Superintendent Ben Schuldiner, Seattle School Board Director for District 6 and board president Gina Topp, alongside Sanislo’s dedicated teachers, students, staff, and parents.
The event also marked the grand reopening of Ms. Dez’s Boutique — a vital, community-supported resource she created to support Sanislo families with food, clothing, and essential items.
Surrounded by her parents, intern, mentor, and Principal Erica Ayer, Ms. Dez was celebrated for both her statewide recognition and the continued impact of her work in the Sanislo community.
Student tributes were read, too:
“Ms. Dez helps with anything you want her to help you with, like math, reading, writing, and a lot of other things you want from her.”
“Ms. Dez is the kindness of kind and she is a great social worker; she helps everybody with anything.
“She always makes everyone feel loved and safe!”
“Ms. Dez does so many things. She is very kind and cares for all of our students. Ms. Dez does a lot for this school, and we are all grateful for it.”
“She also helps kids get over big emotions and organizes things that everyone can participate in. She also makes sure that every student feels welcome, loved, cared for, and important.”
Ms. Dez’s Boutique is made possible through generous community support, and donations are always welcome to help ensure families have access to the resources they need. Please contact the PTA to contribute: sanisloelementarypta@gmail.com
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
New event happening right now at Paper Boat Booksellers in The Junction (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) – they’re launching a monthly Book Swap, with wine. Bring a gently used book and take a book.
That part’s free; if you’re interested in wine, Karin from Darby Winery is there tonight with $10 pours (she’s at left above with Kelly from Paper Boat). This is on till 7 pm tonight; you can just run in, swap, and run out if you want to, but Paper Boat says, “The goal of Book Swap is to meet other book lovers, discover new books, chat about books (if you want to!), enjoy a glass of wine and have fun!” If you miss this one, set your calendar for the next third Thursday (April 16).
Hundreds of Seattle Police vehicles are equipped with automated license-plate readers (ALPRs), and if you listen to police radio, you’ll hear multiple calls every day where officers turn up stolen cars because of an “ALPR hit.” It also turns out that’s how they were alerted to a Silver Alert subject’s presence in Admiral on Monday. But ALPRs also raise privacy concerns, as they routinely gather information potentially linking people to certain locations. So SPD cars won’t be using them for a while, as one of Mayor Katie Wilson‘s surveillance decisions announced this afternoon. She also announced:
-Expansion of surveillance pilot paused “until we have completed a privacy and data governance audit, and taken significant steps to strengthen those policies”
-SPD’s Real-Time Crime Center “will continue to operate and existing cameras will remain in place”
-Cameras planned for installation soon in the Stadium District will be installed “given the unique nature of the upcoming World Cup and the current geopolitical situation” but “they will not be turned on and will not be connected to the RTCC unless we are aware of a credible threat which warrants such action.”
-An installed camera that “has a view of a facility which provides reproductive health care and gender-affirming care” will be turned off “until we’ve completed a comprehensive security audit and have stronger safeguards in place”
-All cameras will be turned off “in the event of a surge of immigration enforcement similar to what was seen in Minneapolis”
Mayor Wilson’s announcement about the ALPRs noted that state legislators “recently added welcome new restrictions to limit the potential abuse of this technology” so she wants to pause their use “until we can ensure that our practices are consistent with the new state law and reflect the best safety and security policies.” The bill that passed the legislature is this one, awaiting the governor’s signature.
The mayor’s full speech about surveillance is in video above, and you can read it online here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The newest proposal for Sound Transit light rail to West Seattle – dropping the Avalon station, which shifts the tunnel portal eastward – would dramatically cut the number of properties ST would have to acquire.
That was a headline from the “roundtable discussion” that took almost an hour and a half of this morning’s meeting of the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee, chaired by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka.
ST’s West Seattle project executive Jason Hampton told the committee they’re now calculating that about 100 properties would be displaced by the Avalon-less alignment, which also would include a downsized, shallower Junction station. They don’t have the breakdown of exactly how many businesses and residences that would break down to, Hampton said, but it’s about a third of the 160 residences and 130 businesses the original plan would have displaced.
One thing that’s not changing, though, so far, is the Delridge station site, and two of the small-business proprietors facing almost certain displacement were among the guests for the discussion.
Ounces proprietor Laurel Trujillo said it’s great that ST is able to offer more compensation now but she still envisions a gap between what it really will cost to relocate, and what kind of compensation will be available. “Where does the money come from?”
Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts (nonprofit) proprietor Erin Rubin noted that it’s been a long process and she too remains worried about personal impact – like having to take out loans. She said she was happy to hear that some changes in the ST process mean they’ll be able to directly pay vendors involved in relocation, rather than having the businesses themselves cover everything up front and wait for reimbursement later.
Much of what was described as available to business owners involved consulting rather than cash: Representatives from various city teams, as well as the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, spoke about the ways in which they offer advice and information to help businesses get through the process. (More details are in the slide decks linked to the meeting agenda.)
Some suggestions came during a surprise appearance from County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board member Teresa Mosqueda, returning to the City Council chambers where she served on that body for years. She first recapped (as we reported here) her, and other North King County Sub-Area reps’, commitment to getting light rail to West Seattle and Ballard (plus finishing the Everett-to-Tacoma “spine”). Her suggestions for helping businesses included covering some of the rent that would enable them to stay in their current locations as long as possible, to minimize the number of boarded-up buildings pre-construction, and giving displaced businesses the “right of first (refusal)” to return to their old sites when the new station-area buildings are built there, even knowing that might be five years after a move.
There were no votes taken today; it was acknowledged that the uncertainty has somewhat intensified until the ST Board makes a decision – expected by mid-year – on what to go ahead with building, and how to pay for it.
SIDE NOTE: The issue of who’s involved in these discussions came up toward the start and end of the meeting. In public comment, Jordan Crawley of the Alki Beach Academy – another business that’ll be forced to move because of the Delridge station – accused committee chair Saka of excluding the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, on whose board Crawley serves. Later, there was mention of a letter to that effect that councilmembers had received from the Chamber. We just requested and obtained that letter – see it here – in which the Chamber’s executive director Rachel Porter asks that the organization be included in any future discussions on helping businesses.
By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“Wow, looks like we’re West Seattle’s hottest ticket tonight!” That’s how Alki Elementary principal Mason Skeffington kicked off Wednesday night’s open house that drew a crowd of almost two hundred people. The subject of the open house was the plan for Seattle Public Schools to expand the Highly Capable program to Alki and Rainier View elementaries for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. Many of those gathered were families who already had students at Alki or are interested in going there when the program is implemented.
The HC program, which seeks to offer advanced instruction in language arts and mathematics, is currently only available for elementary students at 3 schools in the district – Cascadia, Decatur, and Thurgood Marshall. Of these, Thurgood Marshall is the closest to West Seattle, meaning many families that want to seek the program have to commit to long bus rides. And, notably, West Seattle has a higher percentage of students interested in the program: “15% of kids in our city are being served by the Highly Capable program, of those, 20% are in West Seattle,” said Dr. Paula Montgomery, director of the HC program, who delivered part of the night’s presentation.
The main question remaining even after the presentation seemed to be how exactly this will be implemented at Alki. The Highly Capable program revolves around providing two types of advanced instruction, one track with giving students a year’s advanced learning in language-arts instruction, and another track giving students up to two years advanced learning in mathematics; both requiring separate instruction. To make matters more challenging, students may qualify for one and not the other. So the question is whether to create self-contained HC cohort classes, or to attempt to integrate the advanced curriculum in other ways. There’s no definitive answer yet. Principal Skeffington said, however, that they would announce their official plans on March 31st. “We want the data in hand, and we want to be respectful of the Alki community.” he said. One of his notes throughout the night was that no matter the size of the influx of students for the new program, or the ways it might change the school, he is dedicated to giving a personal feel to instruction at Alki. “Each and every one of your children is important to me, whether they have [Highly Capable] designation or not. They matter, and are important. And I hope they are seen every day for the brilliance that they bring – that is what I try to live through.”
The open house also marked a chance for the community to get a preview of the nearly finished new building for the school. Principal Skeffington placed an emphasis on how the new, more open building would provide many opportunities for the Highly Capable program to thrive. These included elements of the building such as new non-traditional, open floor classrooms (in addition to traditional closed door ones), and even using the building as a site for ecological learning. (The new building will feature three forms of eco-friendly energy in addition to standard ones – energy-efficient ventilation, geothermal energy, and solar energy. These, he said, could all be used to help instruct students.)
The night closed with a brief Q&A – including these:
Q: Are siblings of Highly Capable students welcome?
A: They are, said school officials, but the family needs to do an open enrollment form. However, the school has been working fast, they said, to get families enrolled.
Q: Is there on-site after-school care?
A: Yes, which will be available through the Alki Community Center once it reopens concurrently with the school.
Q: If we apply for the new Alki site, is it guaranteed, or still a lottery?
A: If you are living in West Seattle and your child has a Highly Capable qualification, they are guaranteed a spot. Siblings, if they don’t have that qualification, are not guaranteed. They said they will allow families with siblings to go back to their original school if they do not get in.
If you have further questions for Alki Elementary about the program, the organizers of the event have a web form available here. They said they are working to get back to people as fast as possible. They also noted that further information about the program will be posted in the form of an FAQ on the Alki Elementary website soon.
Here’s what’s ahead today/tonight, 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 hosting playspace today until noon. (42nd SW & SW Juneau)
LIGHT RAIL BUSINESS DISPLACEMENT: That’s the topic at a roundtable discussion set for the City Council Transportation (etc.) Committee (chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka) meeting that’s under way now, as previewed here – watch live via Seattle Channel. Slide decks and guest list are on the agenda. (As of this list’s publication, the committee is just getting to the unrelated item preceding this one, so it’s not likely to start before 10:20 am.)
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: Free, fun gathering, 10 am, starting from Lincoln Park parking lot #2 – so if you didn’t see it in our calendar in time, make a note on yours for next week! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
(Late-winter plants at South Seattle College Garden Center, photo sent by Margaret)
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.
TODDLER STORY TIME IN WESTWOOD: 10:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, 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!)
REZONING REVIEW: As previewed again last night, the City Council starts its “Centers and Corridors” rezoning review at 2 pm; the agenda explains how to comment/watch.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Busy day for home games/matches. At Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), West Seattle High School plays softball vs. Ingraham at 4 pm, and Chief Sealth International HS has a boys-soccer match vs. Ingraham and a baseball game vs. Blanchet, both at 4:30 pm; WSHS boys’ soccer has a 4:30 pm match vs. Lakeside at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle).
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 Thursday night events at HPCS this week – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Levantine Cuisine.
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!
WOMEN’S WORKSHOP AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Starting at 6 pm, a free event “for women who run and walk and work out to come together to learn more about ways to support our unique health needs,” as previewed here. (2743 California SW)
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, now starting from Good Society (California SW and SW Lander), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run!
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: If walking is more your speed, meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fontanelle for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT TIM’S: Doors 6, show 7 pm, with Eric Blu and the Soul Revue with special guests Bloodbelly Blues. no cover, all ages. (16th SW and SW 98th, White Center)
BOOK SWAP WITH WINE: Bring a book to swap during this new monthly event at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor). Specially priced Darby Winery pours too. Drop in between 5:30 and 7 pm!
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm in-person meeting at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) – agenda toplines are in our calendar listing.
BALLOONS & BOOZE: Sizzle the Clown will teach you balloon art at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm.
ADMIRAL PUB TRIVIA: Play at 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW)
TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE VOID: A relatively new West Seattle trivia night! 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Spinning happens tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Nate Thousand, starting at 8 pm. 21+.
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!
(WSB file photo)
A spring tradition is just two days away – this year’s free dropoff recycle/reuse/shred event is Saturday, 9 am-noon, this time in the south parking lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) instead of the north as in past years. It’s presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce; WSJA provides this bring-and-don’t-bring list:
What Can You Bring?
We’re collecting hard-to-recycle and reusable household items, including:
Small, empty propane canisters
Fluorescent tubes and bulbs (no broken bulbs, 4 ft max)
Household batteries (no damaged batteries)
Clothing, bedding, and curtains in good condition
Small electronics (TVs, computers, cellphones)
Small appliances (non-freon only)
Foam blocks (polystyrene only)
Paper for shredding (limit: 4 boxes)
Home goods and toysWhat We Can’t Accept
Furniture
Hazardous waste
Bicycles/tricycles
CRT tube TVs
Mattresses
AC units
Car seats
Stained, ripped, or worn-out fabrics
Automotive waste
Construction debris
Garbage, compost, or regular curbside recyclables
Mismatched items (like single shoes)
,
(WSB photos)
Though they’re working in the street, the crew along Fauntleroy Way east of California is part of the Morgan Junction EV-charging lot project. This is the first of about six weeks that they’re doing overnight work to run power cable across the street. Seattle City Light has said the work will not require a full closure of Fauntleroy at any point; they’re working four nights a week, Mondays through Thursdays, 7 pm to 4 am, with flaggers as needed.
City Light says, “They expect to complete excavation and restoration across Fauntleroy by the end of April. Crews will cover the work area with steel plates outside of work hours. These plates are safe to drive on.” The project has contractor Zenisco turning an old substation site at 4118 SW Morgan into an eight-space EV-fast-charging lot – yes, drivers will pay for the power – expected to open by late summer.
The next round of city upzoning – under the name Centers and Corridors – goes to the City Council for review starting tomorrow (Thursday, March 19).
The council meets as the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan at 2 pm. Our most recent report on the proposal was last week, after hearing from a neighborhood that discovered two different zones for the two sides of its street. Their advice: Check this interactive city map to see what, if any, changes are proposed where you live. We also reported here when the Centers and Corridors legislation was announced in January. For an overview, see this slide deck prepared for tomorrow’s meeting; the agenda explains how to comment and how to watch – remotely or in person. A full-day public hearing is set for April 6; final votes are likely this summer.
4:19 PM: Sound Transit Board members spent much of today in an all-day “retreat” meeting in Tacoma (open to the public in person but not streamed). But now that it’s over, the Seattle City Councilmember who’s on the board is sounding the alarm about new proposals for cost-cutting options. We’ve already told you about the increasing likelihood the West Seattle Link Extension plan would be trimmed to two stations – Delridge and The Junction (cutting Avalon). Councilmember Dan Strauss has issued a post-retreat news release sounding the alarm about three possible “approaches” staff presented to the board. His main point of alarm was that none of the three approaches would extend light rail to Ballard (which is in his district). Looking at the retreat slide deck to see what’s suggested for West Seattle in the possible approaches – you’ll see the first one would build to The Junction, as most recently discussed, as part of a plan to “keep (current projects) moving”:
Second would “defer final design and construction” of the West Seattle extension entirely as part of a plan to focus on “regional connectivity”:
And the third would “phase” all light-rail projects, starting with building West Seattle light rail only to Delridge:
Here’s the full slide deck including these “approaches.” You’ll also see a page analyzing the potential approaches’ effects on ridership and travel time, among other things. No votes were taken today; it was just a discussion of possibilities. While Councilmember Strauss’s news release focused on Ballard, another councilmember who’s not on the board – Dionne Foster, the newest citywide rep – issued one with support for keeping West Seattle and Ballard in the plan, and board member King County Executive Girmay Zahilay also sent a statement, including “We must keep projects moving forward – as promised to voters a decade ago. The longer we delay, the more it will cost.” The board’s next meeting is March 26, a week from tomorrow.
5:45 PM: We sought comment from King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, the only West Seattle resident on the ST Board. She has issued this statement:
I stand united with my North King County Sound Transit board colleagues in our commitment to delivering light rail to West Seattle and ultimately to Ballard, and we need the spine completed between Everett and Tacoma. To do so, we cannot work within the confines of limited information or stagnant revenue, nor can we accomplish further cost-savings measures if we don’t move forward with authorizing additional design work for some of our highest impact projects. The scenarios presented by Sound Transit today were not proposals to make cuts — they were intended to serve as the basis for conversation, and more analysis for the Board’s consideration is clearly needed. The cost savings work the Sound Transit team has done on the West Seattle plan shows what’s possible when we demand creative thinking and aggressively pursue cost-saving options: properties avoided, ridership retained, and billions saved. Now is the time to build on this momentum, move forward on shovel-ready West Seattle, and roll up our sleeves to explore all options to deliver light rail to Ballard and the spine so that this generational project delivers on its full potential.
Councilmember Mosqueda is organizing another West Seattle light-rail forum on April 1, as previously reported here; tomorrow (Thursday, March 19) District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s Transportation, Seattle Center, Waterfront Committee has a roundtable about light-rail business displacement, as previously reported here.
9:04 PM: We just talked to Councilmember Mosqueda by phone. She said the idea of choosing between the “three approaches” was basically considered a non-starter, and that staff was directed to come up with a “more sophisticated” plan for how the system could reach all the points voters approved – including West Seattle and Ballard. Since they managed to shave $2.6 billion off the West Seattle price tag in a few months of work, Mosqueda said, they should be able to find other efficiencies and savings around the system. She said it was a “missed opportunity” that they didn’t spend more time talking today about funding (here’s the document laying out the finance possibilities for one of the retreat’s “workstreams”). She repeatedly emphasized that West Seattle is “shovel-ready,” saying that if it gets the final go-ahead to proceed to final design and construction, “digging could start within 90 days.” She said she also refuted criticism that the West Seattle extension would only serve a “wealthy enclave,” noting that the peninsula is full of “working families” and that median housing prices here are a better gauge of reality than average prices.
So what’s the timeline now? Councilmember Mosqueda said that with the directive to staff to “sharpen their pencils” and bring back a plan with what it would take to reach West Seattle, Ballard, Issaquah, and other promised places, the board hopes to see that sort of information in May.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Over the course of its first year, Mr. B’s Mead Center has evolved into another kind of center:
Community.
Dropping in to talk with Mr. B – Brandon Eller – and Mrs. B – Krista Eller, we learned that’s what Year One has brought.
As you might have noticed on our Event Calendar – not to mention theirs – Mr. B’s Mead Center, in what used to be Center Tool Rental at 9444 Delridge Way SW, is a hub of happenings. (That includes their first-anniversary party this Saturday [March 21], 2-8 pm.)
“Lots of art events – it’s a really inclusive space.” Particularly because they don’t charge for use of the space.”They keep their profits; we sell mead,” reasons Brandon. The no-charge policy applies not only to public events but also private parties – from birthdays to memorial services.
Though they didn’t expect this evolution, they’re pleased to facilitate it. “It’s what the community wants,” Brandon says.
They’re also happy to support new artists, and new events, with affordable fees for participants. One example that’s just launching, a Sip and Sculpt session on first Sundays, $15 for participants, whose finished work will be. professionally fired. (Next one, April 5.)
They’re also working with White Center Solidarity, hosting some of their events, like a mending session.
Live music is part of the mix too – “often it’s their first show, or if they’re new to the area.
They’re also supporting new businesses – like in-the-works Duchess Mini-Café (here’s our previous report on that), soon to open on their site – and collaborating with White Center winery Wolfpack Cellars (WSB sponsor).
Speaking of beverages, we wondered how the reception has been for the first mead-focused venue in the area. Customers are embracing it as “something different” that they’re “glad to have nearby,” Brandon reports. (The original Mr. B’s Meadery is still humming along in Fremont, in case you find yourself on that side of the city, though Brandon admits they have been focusing more on this location.)
They say they’ve received the same kind of reception that they’ve been offering to the artists, vendors, and others they’ve opened their doors to – encouragement and support. And they’re hoping to offer more – Krista has applied for grants to support more classes and pay performing artists. For year two, Brandon’s goal is to be able to save money for more repair work that the space needs – “we did a lot of small repairs” to get open and stay open, but now the ex-tool shop needs a little more love.
What’s ahead in the immediate future? They’ve been participating in the Rat City Art and Food Walk – third Thursdays during most of the year, though it’s been on winter hiatus – and plan to host 17 artists for its return in April. But before then, stop by Saturday to wish them happy anniversary (or check Mr. B’s out sooner – tonight, for example, is the weekly Rock Band Gaming night!).
1:58 PM: Just in from Kersti Muul, a report that southbound orcas in the Seattle ferry lanes are heading into the bay, so likely most visible from north-facing West Seattle. Let us know if you see them!
3:09 PM: A commenter says the orcas were in view near the downtown waterfront. Meantime, Kersti says a gray whale is now reported in the bay too, off West Seattle’s Anchor/Luna Park.
6:25 PM: No photos of the gray whale so far but thanks to the two photographers who’ve sent photos of the orcas – looks like some boats in the bay got great views! First two below are from Steven Rice:
Steven says the male (big dorsal fin) is T46E “Thor.” … Robin Sinner sent this photo:
Sale season – garage sale, yard sale, deck sale, sidewalk sale, wherever – is almost here, and so is registration time for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (coordinated by WSB since its fourth year in 2008). This year’s sale day is Saturday, May 9 – always the second Saturday in May – and registration opens on Wednesday, April 1 – so this is your two-week warning! WSCGSD is not one big sale, but instead, hundreds of sales of all sizes (500+ last year), all around the peninsula. Sellers sign up with addresses and sale descriptions (up to 20 words) for a small fee (same fees as always – no price increases ever!); we make a map and listing guide, available in clickable and printable versions, published one week before sale day so shoppers have a chance to make a plan. It’s not just about selling and buying; we hear from people every year who just look to see where the nearest sales are, and walk over to meet more neighbors. Registration will be open for three weeks, but we advise signing up sooner rather than later, since every year we hear from people who procrastinated and missed the window (we have to get working on the list right after closing registration, and can’t make late additions). On April 1, you’ll see an announcement here, with the link, when registration begins!
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