COUNTDOWN: 2 days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 registration ends Thursday night

Some call their stuff junk, some call it treasures. However you describe what you’ll be selling, just a quick reminder – the registration deadline for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 is now just two days away. You have until 11:30 pm Thursday to join the 440 sellers who’ve already registered sales – benefit sales, moving sales, cleanout sales, block sales, business sales, more, all over the peninsula, from Alki to White Center, from Pigeon Point to the Arroyos, and beyond. Sale day is Saturday, May 10, 9 am-3 pm (some earlier and some are later, as you’ll see on the map and in the guide when it’s available a week in advance). So if you haven’t registered your sale yet, hurry – you have until 11:30 pm Thursday (April 24) to sign up here!

P.S. Another reminder that we’ve heard of two confirmed sites offering spaces to sellers – if you need a space for a small sale – Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and Hotwire Coffee. Please contact them directly to see if they have space left!

FOLLOWUP: City committee votes to take step toward demolishing Paragon sculpture

(WSB photo taken this week)

Following up on our Friday report that artist Don Fels and the city Office of Arts and Culture had come to an impasse about whether the West Marginal Way bones-of-a-boat sculpture Paragon could be saved, the city’s advisory Public Art Advisory Committee just voted to “deaccession” it – which means basically disowning it so it can be removed. The city says it’s a risk of public safety because of deterioration; Fels says the deterioration is because the city neglected to maintain it. He worked for a year to gather volunteer support and donated materials but said the city wanted him to take on a liability level that he could not. Both he and city reps spoke at the committee meeting before the vote; the action still has to be finalized by the Seattle Arts Commission when it meets next month (the May 13 meeting is hybrid, 4 pm, with attendance info here). The committee’s recommendation today comes with a suggestion made by member Caitlin Truong, that Paragon’s legacy be honored, perhaps by documentation for the city’s archives, maybe even an interpretive plaque at the site. We’ll add more details to this report later.

Election, artwork’s future, dine-out fundraiser, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

(Sunrise photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening on your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LAST DAY TO VOTE: It’s Election Day for a ballot that in our area has only one issue, renewal of the levy that has funded the county’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System for almost 40 years. Get your ballot into a King County Elections drop box by 8 pm or into the USPS system ASAP to be sure it has today’s postmark.

DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: All day today and tomorrow, The Westy (7908 35th SW) is donating part of the proceeds to Chief Sealth International HS baseball and softball – details in our calendar listing.

PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE CONSIDERS ‘PARAGON’: As reported here last week, this committee is scheduled at around 10:20 am, during its online meeting, to consider the fate of the sculpture along West Marginal Way SW.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-timer.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), with former U.S. House Rep. Brian Baird as today’s guest speaker.

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

SPORTS: One high-school game being played locally today/tonight – Chief Sealth IHS softball vs. South Whidbey, 4 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

HOMEWORK HELP: Back from spring break, 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers are available to help K-12 students with their homework.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Lots of light in the evening as sunsets get later – 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

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

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

BINGO X 2: Play – free! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW) … Talarico’s Pizzeria also offers 8 pm bingo (4718 California SW).

TRIVIA X 6: Five trivia options for Tuesday night – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) … and Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW).

Hosting an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!

Celebration of Life planned June 1 for Michael W. Toner, 1960–2025

Family and friends will gather June 1 to celebrate the life of Michael Ward Toner and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Michael Ward Toner passed away January 14, 2025 in Bothell. He will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and creativity.

Michael was born and grew up in West Seattle. From an early age he was a true free spirit, always out on an adventure, either playing baseball, fishing, or overnight camping with his family and friends.

Michael loved building and designing and spent most of his career working as a remodeling contractor.

Michael is survived by his daughter Sidney, mother Carol, brothers Daniel, Robert and Mark, sisters Terri and Tammi, and nephews Kevin and Sam.

In his remembrance we will be hosting a celebration of life at the Green Acres Clubhouse, 23825 15th Ave SE, Bothell, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 1.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to we*************@***il.com)

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

More sunshine expected today,, high in the upper 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:06 am and 8:09 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water TaxiRegular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule has begun, with later-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays.

Metro busesRegular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.

ROAD WORK

-The Admiral Way Bridge’s outside lane on the eastbound/southbound side remains closed.

-With the nice weather, projects may pop up without warning – please let us know if you see one affecting traffic.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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

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

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

UPDATE: Car-on-side crash on 35th SW

10:58 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the 7100 block of 35th SW [vicinity map], where a car is reported to have gone sideways after hitting a parked car, trapping the driver. Updates to come.

11:01 PM: The driver is reported to have gotten out of the vehicle, described only as a Jeep, without assistance, so the response is being downsized.

11:35 PM: Went over for a quick photo. No traffic effects; the crash is on the west (southbound) side.

FOLLOWUP: After two months as interim Chief Sealth IHS principal, Hope Perry gets permanent appointment

Thanks for the tip. At day’s end, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones announced that Hope Perry is now the permanent principal of Chief Sealth International High School, after two and a half months in the interim role. She has been leading the school since previous principal Ray Garcia-Morales‘s arrest (and, later, resignation) in February. Here’s the heart of Dr. Jones’s brief announcement:

… Principal Perry was selected through a formal interview process that included participation of staff, students, parents, and community. What stood out to the Chief Sealth interview team was her vision for the school that is inclusive of what community named as priorities. Specifically, essential safety needs along with rigorous and supportive instruction and learning outcomes for Chief Sealth students.

We will be setting up opportunities for building staff, students, and families to meet with Principal Perry in her new role. …

According to her online resume, Perry taught special education in Colorado and Ohio before moving to Seattle; she became assistant principal in 2022.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another gunfire investigation; one suspect arrested (Tuesday update)

(Added: Reader photo)

8:10 PM: Police are now investigating a second case of gunfire, this time with evidence found in an alley in the 2900 block of SW Raymond, as well as damage to at least one vehicle. They’ve also detained a possible suspect after a brief foot pursuit. Updates to come.

8:13 PM: Police just told dispatch a witness has “positively identified” the person they detained as one of the multiple people believed to be involved in this gunfire incident. Officers are reporting “building damage” as well as vehicle damage in the block where they say it happened. (Added: An area resident sent these two photos:)

8:37 PM: Officers have told dispatch that a woman assisted in catching the suspect – grabbing them and holding onto them until police caught up.

8:51 PM: The suspect is believed to be a juvenile. Meantime, officers told dispatch they’ve found 20 casings so far.

10:08 PM: Officers also reported finding a gun.

TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE, ADDED 10:41 AM: Police confirm the suspect,15, was arrested and booked into the juvenile detention center. We’ve obtained the report narrative this morning – and also received more photos, from a resident whose home was pierced by bullets:

Basics from the narrative – first call was from someone who said they “saw 4 males shooting guns into the bushes.” The narrative confirms they found 20 casings but says they did NOT find the gun. The narrative says two rounds went into an “occupied residence” – likely the one from which we received photos – as well as an “unoccupied vehicle.” Also: “Witnesses described a black 4-door black sedan with heavily tinted windows, possibly a Prius, drive into the parking area and observed three individuals get out of the vehicle. Witnesses then heard gunshots and one witness saw the shooting and believed the suspects were shooting into the bushes down below to a retention pond. The witnesses then saw the suspects get into the sedan and drive away. Other witnesses in the townhomes observed other suspects down below near the retention pond running away during the shooting. The suspects from the vehicle were described as possibly juveniles wearing all black clothing with facemasks. Behind a garage near where the casings were located, a black backpack was located which contained a cellphone, white spray paint, and a black face mask. The backpack and its contents were logged into evidence.” No gun, though; the suspect subsequently arrested “stated he had wrapped the gun in a sweatshirt and dumped it behind a garbage can in an unknown alley. Officers conducted an extensive search for the firearm, including with a K9, but the firearm could not be located and it is unknown where XXXXXX had dumped the firearm.”

The narrative also says the suspect “is a convicted felon (Robbery 2nd degree).”

Juvenile cases usually move fast so we’ll be checking with prosecutors about what happens today in this one.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Third SW Brandon gunfire incident in two days

ORIGINAL MONDAY NIGHT REPORT: For the second consecutive evening, and third time in two days, police are investigating gunfire on SW Brandon. This time, officers just reported finding casings on the street in the 2900 block of SW Brandon, after multiple 911 callers reported hearing what they believed to be gunfire. No report of injuries so far. Dispatch did tell officers that at least two callers reported seeing a “silver Lexus” (no model specified) in the area both last night and tonight. They’re blocking Brandon at the scene while they investigate.

TUESDAY UPDATE: We’ve obtained the narrative from SPD. Its primary new information: “The following types of casings were located: 20 9mm Luger, 10 10mm SMB auto, and 8 WMA 24.” It also mentions witness reports of a black Prius seen in the area, and the officer writing the report adds, “Of note, a black Prius with tinted windows was involved in a nearby shooting approximately 45 minutes later but we were unable to determine if it was the same vehicle.”

Checking for local tributes to Pope Francis

(WSB photo: Statuettes of St. Francis of Assisi, the pope’s namesake, at Our Lady of Guadalupe campus)

As you have probably heard, Pope Francis died this morning, less than a day after his Easter sermon according to a Vatican announcement. He was 88 years old, and the first Latin American and Jesuit to be elected Pope. We’ve checked with local Catholic churches and schools to see if any are planning special masses or vigils. By day’s end, we hadn’t heard back about any plans, due to closures today – but we’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, the Archdiocese of Seattle posted this statement this morning expressing their sadness at the news.

-Hayden Yu Andersen, WSB

FOLLOWUP: Vehicle-noise enforcement camera bill dies in Legislature

As usual during the State Legislature sessions, the Monday afternoon City Council “briefing meeting” included an update on the status of bills of interest to the city. One of those bills, councilmembers were told today, “is not advancing” – HB 1423, which would have allowed the use of cameras to enforce vehicle-noise laws. The bill had passed the State House but didn’t come to a vote in the full Senate before the most-recent deadline for that to happen. It had been seen as a potential tool for street disorder in neighborhood such as Alki and Belltown. HB 1423’s sponsors included 34th District State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon of West Seattle, so we’ll be asking if he might try it again next year.

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: 3 more coyote sightings, and a survey

Since our last roundup of daylight coyote sightings in West Seattle, we’ve received three more – first from Britta, reporting a Gatewood sighting after 10:30 am this morning:


Saw this cutie on 36th and Orchard. Just wanted to give a heads-up!

#2 was from a texter on Easter Sunday. We’ll spare you the visuals but their caption, from 46th/Charlestown, was that the coyote was “eating the Easter Bunny.”

Finally, sent by M, last Friday evening:

Coyote sighting on Puget Blvd at 7:30 pm. The Coyote came up our driveway and is the size of a German Shepherd. Snapped a picture of it in our backyard. Look out for your cats!

Now a survey – forwarded to us (with permission) by Kersti Muul:

My name is Sam Kreling and I recently earned my Ph.D. from the University of Washington, where I studied the urban coyote population in the Greater Seattle Area. Through this work, I found that many neighborhoods were struggling to live with various wildlife species from coyotes to squirrels and I am hoping to get a non-profit up and running in the Seattle area that focuses on helping people live with wildlife. This organization would hope to “support harmonious coexistence between people and wildlife by promoting understanding, reducing conflicts, and nurturing healthy urban ecosystems for the benefit of all.” I want to know what YOUR community needs/wants to live with wildlife and what you might want to learn about the wildlife in your neighborhood.

If you’re interested in responding to Sam’s survey, here’s the link.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Alki gunfire investigation

Thanks for the tip! Police investigated gunfire at Alki Beach early Sunday. It’s not classified on the SPD data map as a gunfire incident, but archived police-radio exchanges confirm that officers went to the beach before 3 am after at least two 911 calls, and found four casings near 56th/Alki. No victims were found at the scene but one officer told dispatch that a witness thought they saw someone being taken away in a car. We’re following up with SPD. This was just two nights after police and Parks joined the Alki Community Council‘s April meeting to talk about seasonal safety at the beach.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: 18-year-old charged in Avalon 7-Eleven holdup

(Photos from charging documents)

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged a suspect in one of last year’s 7-Eleven robberies, the November 13 holdup at the Avalon 7-Eleven. 18-year-old Jason Lawrence, who’s been in jail since March, is charged with one count of first-degree robbery. The court documents allege he stole cash and tobacco products and that he displayed a gun during the holdup. And prosecutors say he already has a record:

The defendant – who was convicted of two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree in September 2024 in juvenile court – committed an armed robbery of a 7-Eleven with a juvenile subject on November 13, 2024. Despite being just eighteen years old, the defendant already has two cases pending in King County Superior Court. The defendant is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree … for a November 23, 2024, incident. A bench warrant was issued in that case on March 5, 2025, after the defendant removed his EHD monitoring equipment. In addition, the defendant is charged with Possessing a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree … for a March 12, 2025, incident. The defendant’s criminal history also includes a juvenile conviction for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle (2024).

The charging narrative says security video helped detectives identify Lawrence as one of the two armed people shown spending less than two minutes inside the store during the robbery. The charging documents go into extensive details about how, among other things, they matched the hoodie he was wearing with one seen in video related to a North Seattle robbery investigation that same day, in an area where police had seen him before. The detective writing the narrative goes on to say that police arrested Lawrence on March 12 on a warrant, after finding him in a stolen car; a search subsequently authorized by the car’s owner turned up a handgun that police say was taken “in a car prowl” a few days before the Avalon 7-Eleven holdup. (They also say the other person in the robbery video is a juvenile suspect who was arrested and charged with robbery in January – we’re looking into his status, to confirm whether that charge also was in the Avalon 7-Eleven case.) Lawrence remains in jail, with bail set at $370,000, the total from multiple cases on the docket including this one (we’re looking up the others).

Halcyon Massage and Bodywork: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Halcyon Massage and Bodywork. Here’s what they’d like you to know about what they do:

Halcyon Massage and Bodywork is an integrative manual therapy studio in Sodo’s Urban Worklofts, just across the West Seattle Bridge. Sessions at Halcyon are an invitation to slow down and tune into the messages of your body as owner/operator Jennifer Keller, LMT, CCST, CMLDT supports you on your individuated healing path.

Halcyon offers gentle yet potent treatments by design. They are especially effective for people seeking relief from persistent pain, recovering from injury, managing stress and PTSD, and folks with sensitive nervous systems. This work helps to regulate your nervous system, cues safety in the body, and allows Jennifer to access long-guarded structures without triggering reflexive bracing. This encourages lasting change.

If you’ve ever encountered a tangled necklace, you know it takes patience and delicacy to get it untangled without damaging the chain. Often, the knot at the crux of the tangle has all sorts of other loops tied in with it. Jennifer unravels these knots and tangles, layer after layer, to treat the root cause so you can improve how you feel in your body and live a fuller life.

Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, assistance with injury or surgery recovery,support for nervous system regulation, or simply wanting to improve your overall well-being, you belong at Halcyon.

Halcyon Massage and Bodywork is located in the Urban Worklofts at 3250 Airport Way S. By appointment only: Tues 11-7, Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4. First-time clients receive $10 off, and packages are available. Now is the time to shore up your internal reserves. Schedule your session today at halcyonmb.com

We thank Halcyon Massage and Bodywork for choosing to advertise their business by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in doing the same? Please email WS************@******es.com – thank you!

From comedy to calm to college, here’s our list for your West Seattle Monday

(Rhododendron blooming, photographed by Gary Pro)

Here’s our “what’s happening” list for this partly sunny Monday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BABY STORY TIME: Noon today at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), geared toward little ones up to 18 months old.

INFO SESSION AT SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Learn more about West Seattle’s own South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) by visiting 1-2 pm today:

Are you interested in attending South Seattle College? Join us for an Information Session to learn more about the programs offered at South and the steps to get started! Topics covered include College Transfer Programs, Professional Technical & Skilled Trades Programs, How To Apply, Getting Help Applying, and Campus Resources.

Location and other info in our calendar listing.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See City Councilmembers preview what’s ahead for the week, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch (no public-comment period at this meeting).

HOMEWORK HELP: Back from spring break – K-12 students can get drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: Be seen and heard in your sorrow. 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio with Listening to Grief. Registration/fee info here. (4034A California SW).

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four places to play tonight! … Music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW) … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION AT ALKI UCC: Every Monday – doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

COMEDY NIGHT: Cozy Comedy‘s monthly show at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm – ticket info in our calendar listing.

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: More Monday night calming – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

SPORTS: Two boys-soccer matches –West Seattle HS vs. Nathan Hale at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) at 4 pm, Chief Sealth IHS vs. Franklin at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 4:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights – jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday nights, singers welcome for karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!

COUNTDOWN: Less than 3 weeks until West Seattle 5K. Special invitation for students!

The West Seattle 5K, coming up on Sunday morning, May 18, is not only West Seattle’s biggest run of the year – with more than 1,500 participants last year alone – but also a fundraiser for, and coordinated by, the West Seattle High School PTSA. They hope to encourage even more students to be part of it this year, so they’re highlighting this part of the original announcement:

Sign your student up for the annual competition among West Seattle High School students. The goal is to see which grade and club gets the most classmates to register. The winning grade gets out of Homeroom early for a special treat and cash ($250) to their grade level ASB. “We have heard from event runners that they didn’t know this event benefited the high school so we want to make sure to raise that awareness as well as get as many WSHS students involved as possible,” says Kelley O’Connor, event co-chair. Be sure to select your grade and club when registering. The winning club gets a special treat for all it’s members as well!

Registration is live now at www.westseattle5K.com and www.getmeregistered.com/WestSeattle5K

Adults are $40 (5/10 raises to $45)
Youth 19 and under are $20 (5/10 and later is $30)
West Seattle High School students are $20 (5/10 and later is $30)
West Seattle High School staff is free (need passcode and can buy shirt for $15)
Kids under 6 are free (no shirt included, but can buy for $15)

The WS5K start/finish line is on Alki Avenue near 61st SW.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Back-to-school Monday

9:20 AM: Collision at Glenn/Oregon on the west side of The Junction, with police and SFD responding.

Earlier:

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 21, 2025; schools are back in session after spring break.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Cleearing today,, high in the upper 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:08 am and 8:08 pm.

(Saturday night’s sunset from Cove Park in Fauntleroy – photo by Tom Trulin)

TRANSIT TODAY

Water TaxiRegular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule has begun, with later-in-the-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays.

Metro busesRegular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.

ROAD WORK

-The Admiral Way Bridge’s outside lane on the eastbound/southbound side remains closed.

-With the nice weather, projects may pop up without warning – please let us know if you see one affecting traffic.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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

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

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

VIDEO: Duwamish Alive! starts with honors for urban-stream ‘champion’ Katherine Lynch

Before volunteers start digging into their work at the twice-yearly Duwamish Alive! events, organizers usually lead an opening ceremony at one of the sites on the river. Our photo above is from Saturday’s gathering at həʔapus Village Park, where longtime Seattle Public Utilities fish biologist Katherine Lynch was honored as a “Green-Duwamish Champion.” Joining in the recognition at the port-owned park were Seattle Port Commissioners Hamdi Mohamed and Fred Felleman, and photographer Tom Reese, who has documented the Duwamish (and whose photo graces the award plaque). Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive Coalition presented the award to Lynch – one of just a few to receive the honor:

As Leishman and Lynch both explained, her work focused on, and in, urban streams, such as West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek, as discussed in a 2023 Duwamish Longhouse event (WSB coverage here) at which they and Reese all spoke. Meantime, the port commissioners also received gifts of gratitude, after voicing their appreciation for the volunteers’ work helping the river heal:

Once the speeches wrapped up, volunteers gathered at this park and more than half a dozen other sites to get briefed and start their work.

If you missed the chance to volunteer during this Duwamish Alive! day, watch here for word of the fall edition – and keep an eye on sites like this and this for other cleanup and restoration opportunities all year long.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Second SW Brandon gunfire incident in less than 24 hours

For the second time in less than 24 hours, police are investigating gunfire on SW Brandon. After multiple 911 calls about half an hour ago, an officer told dispatch they just found casings at 26th/Brandon. No report of injuries.

BIZNOTE: New produce-box program sprouting in West Seattle

Another way to get fresh food to more West Seattleites, just announced by the local entrepreneurs behind Cascadia Produce (among other things):

Looking for a way to support local farms, small businesses, and your own health — without blowing your grocery budget? We’ve got good news: fresh, affordable produce is coming back to West Seattle, thanks to a brand-new Fresh Produce Box program created by West Seattle’s own Jill and Jeremy of Cascadia Produce and Mom’s Microgarden.

When the Cascadia Fresh Market pilot on Delridge wrapped earlier this year, Jill was determined to keep fresh food access alive in the neighborhood. By combining the growing power of her microgreen farm (Mom’s Microgarden) and the aggregation and distribution expertise of Cascadia Produce, she’s created a low-overhead model that brings value and values right to our community.

Here’s How It Works:
STEP 1: Pre-order your box at https://app.barn2door.com/momsmicrogarden/all (or go to www.momsmicrogarden.com and press “SHOP ONLINE”)

Choose from two box style options:

*Mom’s Local Produce Box – $34
Includes six local, Washington-grown items each week — always fresh, often organic, and sourced from BIPOC-, woman-, and Native-owned farms. Each purchase supports a network of growers working insanely hard in an uncertain food system economy.

*Cascadia Wild Harvest Box – $29.50
Eight items (2 fruit / 6 veg), sourced with value and variety in mind. Many items are surplus — delicious, just maybe a little wonky-looking (aren’t we all?). Expect staples you’ll actually use, and the occasional exciting surprise like raspberries or avocados.

You can easily add on additional microgreens to any box order (cantaloupe greens are amazing, just sayin).

STEP 2: Pick your pickup spot
Fresh Produce Boxes will be available at four West Seattle locations to start:
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center Parking Lot – Tuesdays, 2:30–4:30 PM
Highland Park Improvement Club Parking Lot (HPIC) – Sundays, 2–4 PM
Highland Park Corner Store – Mondays, 9 AM–5 PM (limited number available)
More sites coming soon as the program grows!

STEP 3: Pick up your box
Come during your pickup window, look for a produce–themed van and/or obvious signage, and grab your box drive-thru or walk-up style.

Questions, comments, another box-pickup site to suggest? Email Jill at ji**@*************en.com.

ELECTION 2025: Voted yet?

checkbox.jpgTuesday is when voting ends in the April 22 special election – and you have one measure to vote on, King County Proposition 1, renewal of the levy that pays for the Regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This goes back almost 40 years, first approved by King County voters in 1986. The renewal is for seven years starting at 2.75 cents (or less) per thousand dollars of property valuation; that’s lower than the 3.5 cents with which the previous renewal, approved in 2018, began (dropping to 2.9 cents by last year). So what is this used for? Not just criminal-justice matters, according to the FAQ on its website. It’s the only countywide measure on Tuesday’s ballot, but five school and special-purpose districts have measures to decide too. As usual, your deadline for turning in your ballot is 8 pm Tuesday at a King County Elections dropbox or getting it to the US Postal Service early enough to ensure it’ll be postmarked no later than Tuesday.

COUNTDOWN: 20 days to West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025, 4 days to registration deadline

“Is it junk, or is it everything you ever dreamed of?” asks one of the almost 400 listings we’ve received so far as registration for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 – the 20th anniversary of the first WSCGSD – enters its final days. We’ve reviewed more than 300 of the listings already, and have noted more than 20 fundraisers – from schools to Scouts to service clubs – as well as more than a dozen that will be treat-enhanced (lemonade, cookies, hot dogs, cotton candy, more). One sale is offering kids’ face painting! The big day is now less than three weeks away, on Saturday, May 10, 9 am-3 pm (though some are starting earlier and some are ending later, as you’ll see on the map and in the guide when it’s available a week in advance), from Alki in the north to White Center in the south. (Someone even tried to register a sale in Ballard – sorry, that’s just a bit too far to stretch the boundaries.) If you haven’t registered your sale yet, you have until 11:30 pm this Thursday (April 24) to do it here!

P.S. The confirmed sites offering spaces to sellers – if you need a space for a small sale – remain Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and Hotwire Coffee; please contact them directly to see if they have room and if so, how to get in on that.