West Seattle, Washington
22 Thursday
(Sketch by William Wittmann – bunny seen in Alki, late summer)
Time for highlights of what’s happening in West Seattle in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GOT YOUR ‘CUP OF BLESSINGS’ TICKET YET? Today is the deadline to sign up for the $10 West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser and WS trivia event this Saturday – info and the link are in our latest preview.
BOOK-BUYING BENEFIT BEGINS: As previewed Monday – get books at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) through Sunday, and part of the proceeds benefits Chief Sealth IHS girls’ soccer
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau) welcomes little ones and their caregivers, 9 am-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, free.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: 10 am to 6 pm, visit Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) to see the work that your neighbors are displaying in this year’s showcase.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering with the election approaching, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch meeting at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), guest speaker Jaime Loucky of the Washington Trails Association.
FALL GROUNDWORK IN THE NATURAL GARDEN: 1:30 pm with The Garden Hotline at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
CHESS CLUB: All levels! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
OTHER EVENTS AT THE CENTER: Dozens of classes, presentations, etc., every week! Go here for the full Center for Active Living calendar.
(added) TILDEN SCHOOL DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: West Wings (2329 California SW) will be open 4-8 pm and 25 percent of proceeds go to Tilden School (WSB sponsor).
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Two home varsity matches in girls’ soccer – West Seattle HS vs. Seattle Prep, 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle); Chief Sealth IHS vs. Franklin, 5 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – and one home varsity-volleyball match, WSHS vs. Lincoln, 7 pm at the school gym (3000 California SW).
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: For K-12 students, 4-5:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
CREATIVE SKILLSHARE NIGHT: 4:30-7:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) – “Hang out, make some arts & crafts, and learn about mutual aid in your neighborhood!”
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases. This month’s spotlight is on the “strange, surprising, and spectacular.”
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 6 pm monthly board meeting, community members welcome, conference room @ Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).
TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
SING WITH THE BOEING EMPLOYEES CHOIR … even if you’re not a Boeing employee! Open rehearsals continue tonight, 6:30 pm, at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), and our calendar listing explains how to RSVP.
NO TIM’S OPEN MIC: The regular Tuesday night open mic is canceled tonight because sewer trouble has closed Tim’s TFN.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 7 pm – info in our ongoing calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group meditation at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.
BINGO! Play free weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SING WITH THE METS: The Seattle Metropolitan Singers rehearse in West Seattle, and they welcome new singers too. 7 pm – get the location by email (info in our calendar listing).
TRIVIA X 4: Four Tuesday trivia options – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free, hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia … 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink … 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free to play, prizes. (2306 California SW).
KARAOKE AT POGGIE TAVERN: 9 pm until 1:30 am, sing at The Poggie! (4717 California SW)
Organizing an event, fundraiser, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Pat Cobb, and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Patricia “Pat” (O’Connell) Cobb
August 30, 1942 – August 26, 2026Patricia “Pat” (O’Connell) Cobb, a longtime resident of Snohomish, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, at her home in West Seattle, just four days before her 84th birthday.
Pat was born on August 30, 1942, in Ely, Nevada. At the time, her father was an accountant at a tungsten mine in far eastern Nevada near the Utah border. At the end of World War II, the family moved to Eureka, Nevada, where Pat attended elementary school. She attended St. Mary of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City as a freshman and Bishop Manogue High School in Reno as a sophomore. In 1958, the family moved to Carson City, where Pat completed high school.
In 1960, following graduation, Pat moved to Seattle to attend Seattle University. After two years, she transferred to the University of Washington to pursue a degree in dental hygiene. Upon becoming a dental hygienist in 1964, she began working at a dental practice in West Seattle.
During this time, she met her future husband, Dave Cobb, who was pursuing a career in sales with Procter & Gamble. His territory extended from North Seattle to the Canadian border. The couple married shortly thereafter and moved to Snohomish, where they would raise their three children.
In Snohomish, Pat worked for many years as a dental hygienist for Dr. Jacobsen, DDS, and later for Dr. Ness, DDS. The Cobb family was very active in St. Michael’s Parish, where they formed many lifelong friendshipso.
Sadly, Pat’s husband, Dave, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1988. Pat continued raising their family and working in Snohomish until 2001, when she moved to West Seattle. There, in a home overlooking Puget Sound, she spent her retirement years.
Pat enjoyed many creative activities throughout her retirement, including spending time with friends in her book club, golfing, painting, and designing and creating beautiful stained-glass art, a craft at which she became remarkably accomplished.
Throughout her life, Pat was surrounded by her beloved animals, including horses, dogs, and just about every farm animal imaginable. In 1954, as an active 4-H member, she was awarded Grand Champion lamb at the county fair in Ely, Nevada.
Through life’s joys and challenges, Pat remained a devoted mother, a loyal friend, and a steady source of love and strength for her family.
Above all, Pat will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering acceptance of others. She had a remarkable ability to see the good in people and rarely had an unkind word to say about anyone. Her warmth, integrity, and gentle spirit left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Pat is survived by her three children, Katie Sun of West Seattle, and Kristie Cobb and Buck Cobb, both of Merritt, Washington; her two grandsons, Jack Sun and Reid Ellingsen; and her brother, Mike O’Connell of Taos, New Mexico.
In keeping with Pat’s wishes, there will be no funeral Mass or formal service. She simply didn’t want anyone to “make a fuss.” A celebration of her life will be held in the coming months, with details to be shared with family and friends.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
8:58 AM: Police are responding to a reported truck crash at West Marginal Place/West Marginal Way SW. No word so far on how/whether it is affecting traffic.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Partly sunny, high around 60. Sunrise will be at 7:25 am today, while sunset will be at 6:24 pm.
(Sunset at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook – photo by Bob Burns)
WORK ALERT
Ramp/lane closures for City Light’s work to restore West Seattle Bridge streetlights are scheduled to continue tonight – see the schedule and locations here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is now on the two-boat schedule with an unscheduled third boat, until at least early November. Check the alert page for last-minute changes.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on the regular fall schedule.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See 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!
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG
Now, the rest of our photos from this past Friday’s West Seattle High School home football game – as previously noted, it was Senior Night for the band members (photos here) and cheer-team members (photos below). First, the list of cheer seniors, provided by coach Nadine Nguyen, and then photos from Friday night:
Louisa Gliko
Chloe Khambatta
Julia Herron
Violet Faull
Lainey Marois
Emma Montelongo
Kiyomi Braxton
Addison Kelley
Kallen Tolentino
Stella Eley
Riley Hill
Natalia Zambiasi
Justin Pascual
Jocelyn Linford
Christiano Solis
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG
As mentioned in our coverage of this past Friday’s West Seattle High School home football game, it was Senior Night for the band and cheer-team members who will be graduating in June. While on assignment to cover the game for WSB, photojournalist Oliver Hamlin also got Senior Night photos, which we promised to publish separately – first, band seniors, who carried signs with their names (and instruments):
Less than three weeks until Halloween! We’re continuing to spotlight West Seattle sights – tonight’s photo is from Nicole:
Wanted to share a photo of our home with the Halloween decorations we put up! We are on 46th Ave in Seaview! Lots of people have walked past saying they look forward to our jack-o-lanterns in the tree each year!
Thanks to everyone who’s been sending pics, whether the decorations are yours or someone else’s – westseattleblog@gmail.com or via text at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(WSB photo, September)
Last month, we reported that the former Avalon Glassworks studio and shop at 2914 SW Avalon Way would become HoneyDew Glassworks. Tonight, proprietor Emily Chick tells WSB she’s set the date for her grand opening: Noon-6 pm Friday, November 13. “There will be live glassblowing, glass art available for purchase by several local artists, and some refreshments!” Emily enthuses – so set your calendar.
(Image from West Coast Self-Storage)
More than a year ago, a mystery drill rig appeared next to West Coast Self-Storage on Harbor Avenue, and after reader questions, we found out it was an expansion of the facility (permits were filed at a different address so that wasn’t so simple to suss out). Now the company has announced its completion. The announcement says the new building has 230 storage units, bringing the Harbor Avenue facility’s total to 1,087 units, featuring “additional storage options, including large heated ground-floor units with high ceilings” as well as “drive-up accessible units (and) digital video monitoring throughout the property.” The self-storage industry has boomed in West Seattle, including – not even counting facilities with storage in addition to other lines of business – another one on Harbor Avenue, two facilities in the Luna Park area, one on West Marginal Way SW.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“We’re not here to scare you.”
That’s how Tyisha Brown El started the recent tsunami-preparedness presentation the city Office of Emergency Management gave at Delridge Library. With the Great Washington Shakeout drill coming up this Thursday (10:15 am on 10/15), it’s timely that earthquake preparedness was the emcompassing context.
Brown El was there to educate, prepare, and support “community commitment.” She also pointed out this is information that could help you anywhere on the coast.
She asked the attendees – who eventually totaled seven – “what word comes to mind when you hear ‘tsunami’ or ‘earthquake’ preparedness?” One man said: “High ground.” Brown El then revealed that earthquakes are the number one hazard in Seattle.
And those earthquakes aren’t going to be gentle – 3 to 5 minutes of shaking. Subduction-zone quakes – magnitude 9-plus – happen every 200 to 600 years, and the last one was “in that window,” she noted.
The window for the “deep Juan de Fuca plate” type of quake – like Nisqually in 2001 – is every 30 to 50 years, so we’re almost “in that window” too.
And scientists aren’t sure how often the crustal fault type of quake – Seattle Fault, which runs through West Seattle – might recur.
On to tsunamis. She showed an explanatory NOAA-made video that’s among the resources you’ll find here.
Know your route(s) to safety – from work or school(s) as well as from home. Especially the schools!
A “seich” is something to beaware of too – the Duwamish River might be susceptible. So might a hotel rooftop pool!
Knowing the difference between local and distant tsunamis can be the difference between feeling or not feeling the earthquake. Where do you go? Just get out of harm’s way. Even if it’s a distant-tsunami risk, you’ll get an alert. If you’re on the ocean coast, you might have 15 minutes to get somewhere. Don’t get in your car – you’ll get stuck in traffic – so evacuate on foot. Get moving if you feel the quake. (Maps are on the city website.)
What can Seattle expect?
“You will be inconvenienced dramatically,” at the very least. Waterfront impacts, visitors stranded, people stranded outside the city, ferries/cruise ships will be stranded or maybe even damaged; “your home may or may not be standing” afterward.
She showed video from Japan and California in 2011. Risks include strong/unpredictable currents, water-level fluctuations, debris in the water, contaminated water/sediment.
(Some places have no high ground – Westport just broke ground on a tsunami-evacuation tower.)
She showed the forthcoming Seattle signs but said the locations and timing haven’t been finalized yet – it’s up to SDOT. They will NOT have sirens, though – those are NOT planned for Seattle. (The ones on the coast will be tested during this Thursday’s drill, so be aware if you have a trip planned!)
Then she spoke about a different kind of sign – the natural signs of tsunamis – ocean water bubbling, sudden rise or fall of the ocean, loud roaring sound from the sea, long/strong ground shaking at the beach. “If you start hearing something abnormal, just act!”
Also, your phone will sound with a tsunami alert, an emergency tone. Levels of alerts: Information Statement, Watch, Advisory, Warning.
She showed drop/cover/hold on info for surviving a quake, wherever you’re at, including whether you’re in bed or in a car. She also showed a video of “what 15 seconds of shaking looks like,” with shelving and a water heater falling over. And she repeated the oft-heard advice about keeping shoes in your bedroom because broken glass is a source of injury.
Once the shaking stops and it’s safe to move, “grab your ‘go bag’ and head inland to high ground.” Then “when you get there, stay there – Tsunami waves might continue for 24 to 48 hours.”
Speaking of that “go bag,” know where you are on your preparedness journey – that’s stuff that’ll cover you for three days (including some cash, extra glasses, your prescription medication. For your home, have two weeks of stuff – subsistence food that doesn’t require cooking, first aid, water, etc. (And remember your pets!)
(More info at disasterreadywashington.com!)
If – when – something happens, it’s too late, so you might as well prepare, she reiterated.
Another thing to think about – reunification. Where will you and your loved ones meet up if you are, or, get separated when disaster strikes? Pick a park, a library, or some “middle ground.”
Keep a written list of important phone numbers with your waterproofed documents, especially someone who lives out of state that might be outside the disaster zone. Connect with your neighbors. (“Isolation doesn’t work,” one attendee observed.) Know where your nearest Emergency Hub is (and as an attendee noted, consider volunteering).
Sign up for alert services like the city’s AlertSeattle.
And familiarize yourself with the infomaps at Seattle Hazard Explorer.
ALSO: This Thursday’s Alki Community Council meeting includes a tsunami-prep briefing – 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
P.S. Would your workplace benefit from a briefing on preparedness? Request one! email oem@seattle.gov
Your general-election ballot will likely arrive before the week’s out – so it’s almost time to vote. As mentioned here previously, much of this Thursday’s Alki Community Council meeting will be devoted to a candidate forum, and now ACC poresident Charlotte Starck says both candidates have confirmed for a District Court race they’re also spotlighting:
We’ll be hearing from candidates in three important races:
King County Council, District 8: Public safety, homelessness, transit, and county spending.
Washington State Legislature, 34th District: State laws and funding for public safety, education, housing, and transportation.
King County District Court Judge: Misdemeanor crimes, bail, sentencing, and accountability.
What matters most to you? Share your questions using our form. We’ll gather the most common themes to help shape a fair and informative forum.
All are welcome at the ACC meeting, which starts at 7 pm Thursday (October 15) at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
P.S. If you missed our coverage, last week’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce forum also included the County Council and Legislature candidates.
(South Seattle College Arboretum – photo by Margaret Way)
First, closures/changes for today’s holidays – locally, Indigenous Peoples Day; federally, Columbus Day:
LIBRARIES: City closed, county open
PARKS AND REC FACILITIES: Here’s the closure/changes list
BANKS: Closed
USPS: Holiday
Now, here are highlights of what’s happening around the peninsula for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MONDAYS IN MEMORY OF MARJORIE: Weekly demonstration, 3-4 pm at 35th/Edmunds.
LIVE MUSIC AT SEBASTIANO’S: 6 pm at the wine shop, piano jazz! (3278 California SW)
CHESS NIGHT: Play at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW), 6:30 pm.
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too! $5.
PRACTICE SPEAKING SPANISH: 6:30-8:30 pm, this informal group gathers at Future Primitive Brewing in White Center (9832 14th SW), all welcome.
ALKI MEDITATION: Two places to meditate on Monday nights – in north West Seattle, there’s meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: In south West Seattle, free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
FILM SCREENING: Tonight at 7 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse:
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 12, with a viewing of a new documentary film, “UNRECOGNIZED: The Duwamish Tribe,” at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
The 30-minute film shares the story of the Duwamish people, the original inhabitants of Seattle, and their ongoing struggle for federal legal recognition as a tribe. Historian David Buege has described the Duwamish loss of tribal land and sovereignty as “Seattle’s original sin.”
The film will be followed by a question-and-answer session with documentary filmmaker B.J. Bullert, who produced the film, and her husband Ken Workman, a Duwamish Tribal Council member and former president of Duwamish Tribal Services. He is a fifth-generation grandson of Chief Seattle.
The program, sponsored by the Care for Creation Ministry of the West Seattle Catholic Community, will be 7-9 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Duwamish Longhouse, 4705 West Marginal Way SW. A $10 donation to support the tribe and distribution of the film is requested. Refreshments will be provided.
VOTER ACTIVATION: 7 pm at WSUU (7141 California SW), voter-activation event in opposition to I-001 and I-638, two statewide initiatives on the ballot you’re about to receive. All welcome to learn more, as explained in our calendar listing.
MONDAY NIGHT SALSA LESSONS: Series continues, 7 pm with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament, 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska, entrance on California)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 2: Three venues on our list with trivia tonight – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), $2 cash to enter; and 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
PINBALL LEAGUE: Sign up at 7, start playing at 7:30 at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Huge thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar, which we update daily; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Need a book? Starting tomorrow, you can buy it at Paper Boat Booksellers (WSB sponsor) while giving the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ soccer team a boost – here’s the announcement:
SCORE SOME BOOKS & SUPPORT THE TEAM
OCTOBER 13TH-18THKick it down at the bookstore and support an amazing group of athletes!
Start your holiday shopping early or fill up your fall reading TBR! Whatever your bookish fancy, dribble on down to the shop and make your dollars count.
These athletes work hard, play hard, and support one another, creating a positive atmosphere where everyone can compete, grow, and be part of the team. And did we mention they’re undefeated so far this season?!
Extra funds make a real difference, helping with things like transportation, uniforms, equipment—and even keeping the team dry during our rainy fall soccer season.
Shop with us October 13–18, mention “Sealth Soccer” at the register and a portion of the proceeds will go directly toward supporting Chief Sealth Girls Soccer.
Help us cheer on the team — one book at a time!
Paper Boat Booksellers is in The Junction at 4522 California SW. Co-proprietor Desirae explains, “Our daughter plays for the team so this is how we could pitch in on the fundraising!” They’re having a winning season, as you can see here.
7 AM: Thanks for the tips. An emergency response on Avalon Way (in the Luna Park area) has stopped traffic, including at least one bus.
7:04 AM: Traffic’s being allowed through again. Reader photos show a crash/car fire aftermath.
No serious injuries reported, but we’re doublechecking with SFD. (Added: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us, “Firefighters responded to reports of a collision involving two vehicles with one catching fire in the engine compartment. Crews extinguished the fire and helped retrieve personal belongings for the owner. No injuries were reported, and the scene was turned over to Seattle Police.)”
9:14 AM: Trucks are backed up on the westbpund Spokane Street Viaduct, heading toward Harbor Island – here’s a traffic-cam screenshot:
We’re trying to find out why. (Update: No explanation by day’s end. Perhaps Tuesday.)
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, October 12, 2026, with Indigenous Peoples Day observed by local governments, though we’ve only found one transportation-related change. First:
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunny, high around 60. Sunrise will be at 7:24 am today, while sunset will be at 6:26 pm.
(Thanks to everyone who sent sunset photos! This one’s from Vaughan)
WORK ALERT
Ramp/lane closures for City Light’s work to restore West Seattle Bridge streetlights are scheduled to resume tonight – see the schedule and locations here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is now on the two-boat schedule with an unscheduled third boat, until at least early November. Check the alert page for last-minute changes.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today despite the holiday – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on the regular fall schedule; no holiday changes.
Sound Transit – No holiday changes.
ONE HOLIDAY CHANGE – PARKING
For areas of the city that have paid street parking, it’s free today.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See 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!
(WSB file photo)
Looking at the week ahead – one of the biggest events on the calendar is the fall 2026 Duwamish Alive! mega-work party throughout the Duwamish River watershed and on the river itself, 10 am-2 pm Saturday (October 17). This time, the event celebrates “20 Years Caring for Our River,” and volunteers are needed! Here’s an update from Sharon Leishman, director of the Duwamish Alive! Coalition, explaining that you’re not just caring for our river, but all the lives that depend on it:
Duwamish Alive Coalition partners are local organizations with the collaborative stewardship goal of improving the health of our Duwamish River and Watershed. Community volunteers provide important support in caring for these areas of restored nature and the river by planting native plants, removing invasive plants, and mulching to improve soil health. Community members also help remove debris from the river in kayaks, lessening the harmful impacts on fish and marine life.
The Duwamish River ecosystem supports 5 salmon species including the threatened Chinook salmon, which is a critical food source for our Southern Resident Orcas; it also supports wildlife that includes river otters, beavers, bald eagles, and blue herons. Stewardship includes not only river health but also the land within the river’s watershed. With the help of community volunteers, vital habitat is being restored in this highly industrialized area.
Each native habitat sites supports this web of life while providing important environmental benefits to our communities. Its forested areas such as the West Duwamish Greenbelt, one of the largest in the lower section of the river, provides important air and water filtration of pollution, especially storm runoff one of the major sources polluting our waters. Tree canopy cover also reduces our summer heat domes, unequally affecting low-income communities of color to a greater degree. Duwamish Alive Coalition continues to nurture and expand tree canopy within our local communities which suffer the effects of pollution and heat domes
Join Duwamish Alive Coalition on Saturday, October 17th to celebrate and care for our Duwamish River and its Watershed. This event is founded on the understanding that by working together, we can continue to improve the health of our river and its lands while improving the health and wellbeing of its communities. Volunteers will be working at multiple sites throughout West Seattle, White Center, and Tukwila, including a kayak river cleanup to raise awareness that we are all connected.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay will be the guest speaker at the Welcoming Ceremony, which kicks off the event at White Center Heights Park from 10 – 10:30 am. He will be introducing the county’s new program connecting community members with organizations that support the needs of their communities, which strengthens the wellbeing of communities and their members. (Details here.) Included at the Welcoming will be information about the program and opportunities to learn about local environmental information. Everyone is welcome to attend, both volunteers and those just dropping by.
For more information and volunteering go to DuwamishAlive.org for sites and registration. This is a family-friendly event — all are welcome! Join Duwamish Alive’s 20th anniversary celebration afterward at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park from 1 pm – 6:30 pm as a part of the Current Festival with music, food, art, and kayaking!
To find a site where you can volunteer, go to duwamishalive.org ASAP and look for the list of locations – including signups for kayak cleanups!
Thanks to Brian for the photo. He and others told us this weekend about the banner that had appeared at 1622 SW Roxbury, which has been home to several short-lived Mexican restaurants in recent years, after a longer run as a Taqueria Guaymas location. The new banner says it will soon become Pegasus Pizza. So the big question: Will Pegasus be moving there from The Junction, or expanding? We sent that question to a spokesperson for Pegasus’s owners, who just replied to say it’ll be an added location, promising details “soon.” You might recall that Pegasus announced an ownership change last summer.
Two years ago this week, we suddenly lost WSB co-founder/co-publisher Patrick Sand. The Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is one of two local organizations that has chosen to honor his memory and spirit with an annual community award. And nominations are open now – here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
Patrick Sand Memorial Award: Call for Community Nominations
In 2025, the Rotary Club of West Seattle created the Patrick Sand Memorial Award to honor the co-founder of the West Seattle Blog, who passed away unexpectedly in October 2024. Patrick’s wife, West Seattle Blog editor Tracy Record, and their son Torin accepted the posthumous award as well as a Paul Harris Fellow award from The Rotary Foundation. Both awards acknowledge the difference that Patrick made on the West Seattle community.
Erik Bell received the 2026 Patrick Sand Memorial Award, recognizing his initiative, creativity, and hard work in founding and driving A Cleaner Alki.
The award is reserved for non-Rotarians only. Nominations for the 2027 Patrick Sand Memorial Award are now open and you are encouraged to nominate West Seattle residents who demonstrate initiative, commitment, and reliability in supporting our community.
“This award honors people who show exceptional commitment to the West Seattle community through their initiative, actions, and interactions,” said Rotary Club President Stefanie Felix. “We’re asking for the community’s help identifying—through their nominations—people who embody a similar spirit to Patrick and to Erik, who go above and beyond for West Seattle.”
Anyone can nominate a candidate for the Patrick Sand Memorial Award by providing a clear and compelling description, with examples, of the nominee’s commitment to serving and supporting the West Seattle community and describing how that person has made a difference to the community. To download a nomination form and instructions, click here. Nominations should be submitted by e-mail (ws_rotary@yahoo.com) on or before November 9, 2026.
Since 1947, the Rotary Club of West Seattle has been a proud part of the West Seattle community and of Rotary International — a global network comprising more than 35,000 clubs, with more than 1.2 million members who believe in the motto “Service Above Self.” For more information, visit WestSeattleRotary.org.
Again this week, the Seahawks game vs. the 49ers was preceded by a military flyover, visible from West Seattle. Thanks to everyone who sent photos; the ones above and below are from Steven Rice, with a closeup look at the U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo jet.
To be specific, someone posting forLumen Field describes it as a “C-17 Globemaster III from 446th Operations Group, Joint Base Lewis McChord,” which as you probably know is south of Tacoma.
It’s fallen-leaves season. You might look at them as something to be raked up and bagged. Local masters-degree student Symone Tuleja would like you to see them, and deal with them, differently – on behalf of bees. As part of their capstone project, Symone wrote this and invited us to share it with you:
If you have a yard or outdoor space, you may choose to rake and dispose of leaves in the fall. While this encourages healthy lawns, it can remove a valuable habitat for bumblebees. Bumblebees differ from honeybees as they are very calm and gentle insects. They are also very important pollinators for flowers, fruit, and vegetable gardens. During the colder months, bumblebee queens need a safe and warm place to hibernate until spring as they may not survive through the winter. They like to hibernate in the ground and under the leaves that fall off the trees throughout the autumn season. Conservation movements such as ‘Leave the Leaves’ encourage those who own lawns to not rake their leaves in favor of creating these hibernation habitats, which may be at odds with those who want to preserve their lawns.
One way to compromise is to move the leaves to a different spot in your yard, such as a garden bed or planter, which will keep them off your grass without removing this vital hibernation habit for the bees. As a Master’s student in the Advanced Inquiry Program through Miami University, conservation is very important to me, and I am especially passionate about insects. So, I gave this method a try in October 2025 to see if it could really make a difference.
(My garden bed before adding leaves raked off of the lawn)
I started by taking the temperature of the air and the soil in the areas that I knew I wanted to put the leaves I had raked. Bumblebees need warm areas in the leaves and soil to hibernate, so I was curious whether adding leaf piles could help. These numbers would be my baseline to compare to once I was done. I then spent time raking the leaves into big piles. While it’s often viewed as a time-consuming weekend chore, I found this part easy and fun. If you have someone to jump into the leaf piles with you, raking leaves can become an engaging outdoor activity. After raking, I let my dog run through the piles a few times before moving the leaves! If you have children, invite them to explore and sort the leaves as you rake them into piles, then make sure to have fun jumping in them before relocating to your designated place in your yard. This is a great opportunity to talk to your children about bumblebees and why supporting them is important for our gardens and our ecosystems. Some ideas for inspiration include:
“Did you know that bumblebees help our flowers to grow in the spring, but they sleep under the leaves like a big blanket in the winter first? That’s why it’s important to keep some leaves for them!”
“Bumblebees are very nice insects who help our fruits and vegetables to grow. It’s important that humans do what we can to support them. We can do that now by leaving some leaves for them to sleep in during the colder months.”
“Bumblebees like to keep warm in the winter just like we do. One way they do that is to hibernate in the ground underneath piles of leaves for warmth and protection. We can support them by keeping leaves in our yard until spring when they wake up and begin pollinating our garden.”
(My dog Willow enjoying the autumnal foliage)
After raking my backyard and moving the leaf piles to easy-to-access garden beds around the edge of my yard, I measured how deep the leaves were, and once again took the temperature of the air and the soil. I found that on average, the areas with more leaf coverage had warmer soil temperatures compared to before I added the leaves. This means that keeping leaves in your yard, even if not on the grass, ensures that there are warm and cozy hibernation habitats for bumblebees!
(My garden bed after adding leaves raked off of the lawn)
(My garden bed after adding leaves raked off of the lawn, close-up)
Moving your leaf piles to your planters or garden beds may sound like extra work, but it’s no different from putting your leaves in your yard waste bin for compost. I know I was surprised to find it was easier than I expected before starting, so I encourage you to try it out this fall! Even moving just some of your leaves to create a warmer, safer hibernation habitat for bumblebee queens will mean we see more of our busy buzzers the following spring.
Here are more places to explore ‘Leave the Leaves’:
From our beloved local nursery, this page dives more into why you should leave the leaves. It makes a great case for the movement, although it doesn’t cover relocating the leaves to new areas of your yard. Luckily, all the benefits of leaving the leaves still apply if you relocate your leaf piles off of your grass to other areas of your yard or garden!
From a well-known nonprofit focused on invertebrate conservation, this page is a reliable source of tips and information on how to support insects by leaving the leaves. There are even more resources linked at the bottom of the article, so definitely check those out!
(Norwegian Jade at Pier 66 in mid-April – photo by Bob Burns)
Elliott Bay-watchers, take note: Almost six months after Norwegian Jade arrived in mid-April, the 2026 Seattle cruise season is scheduled to end today with the departures of Norwegian Encore and Noordam. The Port of Seattle already has published the preliminary schedule for next year, and it starts even earlier, with Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa expected to call in late March.
The obituaries we publish for free on WSB occasionally include a tribute to a furry or feathered friend. Here’s Bethany‘s heartfelt farewell to her known-to-many Cardigan Welsh corgi:
Remembering Brychwyn, 2010-2026
“‘We’ll meet again someday
On the avenue…’
Tangled Up In Blue”
Many people in West Seattle and beyond knew Brychwyn [Br-eye-quinn] the famously handsome and loyal Cardigan Welsh corgi – not an aussi corgi mix, a husky corgi mix, or any mix. He was all corgi. Just a corgi. But he wasn’t just any corgi. And he knew it! Designated a mythical creature by a neighbor, Brychwyn would bark his unique corgi-ness out to you so exuberantly it made his whole body bounce.
One of the only times Brychwyn wasn’t barking to answer a question or simply for joy was when he was working in training classes and rally obedience competitions. Jubilant barking and corgi-clowning around, was saved for after he earned ribbons that matched his eyes. Yet no prize or title was ever as important to him as simply posing for a picture. Over the years, hundreds of “puparazzi” snapped photos of Brychwyn at places around town like in The Junction or as far off as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls. Brychwyn was well traveled. He camped with his family on a trip across the country, to the Southwest, and on many, many trips all over in the Pacific Northwest. He believed in spreading his bark far and wide, mesmerizing as many people as possible with his sky-blue eyes.
Born November 9, 2010 in Boise Idaho, one of six in the “music litter,” all the pups were named with music themes. Rhoswen Tangled Up in Blue (“Brychwyn”) was an obvious name choice for the puppy with the most stunning blue eyes. Being surrounded by littermates like Beatles and Clair de Lune, possibly inspired Brychwyn’s lifelong love of music. It definitely inspired his singing/barking voice! For many years, when people were singing along with the Christmas Ship choir at Lowman Beach or on Alki, Brychwyn was barking along too.
As a floppy-eared puppy, Brychwyn flew with a few litter mates to Seattle, where he met his forever humans and the coolest older brother in the world, Wilhelm the dappled mini-dachshund. From the moment they met, these two speckled “short-leggers” took the world by storm. Before Brychwyn had celebrated his first birthday, he and Wilhelm had chased and wrestled at beautiful nearby destinations like Lake Crescent, First Beach, and Snoqualmie Pass, and as far off as Mount Shasta, California, and the Black Rock Desert, Nevada.
Just after turning one year old, Brychwyn got his first chance to be a big brother when Huxley, the harlequin merle rough collie, came home. Now a trio, frequently walking from the Morgan Junction, through the Alaska Junction, to the Admiral Junction, or along the Longfellow Creek Trail and Alki, Brychwyn led a lets-do-it-all-and-more charge, waving his fluffy tail like a flag for his family to follow. Everywhere Brychwyn’s family went, there was a lot of enthusiastic barking and eagerly posing for pictures. Brychwyn loved anything his family did together.
As Brychwyn’s blue merle body aged, and he grieved the loss of Huxley and Wilhelm, there were less bouncy barks and slower, sniffier walks. But when Brychwyn became a big brother for a second time in 2024, he unhesitatingly showed sable rough collie Shug how to enjoy travel and proudly pose for pictures. In his last months, Brychwyn camped at several Washington state parks, and visited Portland and Astoria, Oregon, and Long Beach, Washington. He is the only teenaged, blue merle Cardigan Welsh corgi to walk the entirety of the old and the new Long Beach boardwalk.
On October 8th, 2026, 31 days shy of his 16th birthday, Brychwyn was helped over the rainbow bridge while peacefully enjoying a spectacularly beautiful fall day in his front yard. He and Wilhelm are taking the other side of the rainbow bridge by storm now too! Brychwyn was also greeted on the other side of the rainbow bridge by fellow blue-eyed cat Gryphon, Huxley, grandmother Skid and mom Gabbi, “Aunties” Lucie, Sakari, Seneca, and Sessi, and friends Cody, Bentley, Butch, Gabby, Scout, Ginger, Gypsy, Jilly, and many, many more. A dog who lived literally and figuratively as loud as Brychwyn merits a rainbow bridge party!
All corgi and all in, Brychwyn knew better than any human or dog how to live life to the fullest. What he lacked in legs he made up for in loyal spirit and energetic barking. He will be deeply missed by his resident humans and their friends and family, cats, Amelia and Amari, cockatoo Leo, dog friends Tallulah and Smith, and most especially by his adoring brother Shug.
“The only thing I knew how to do was to keep on keeping on
Like a bird that flew….
Tangled Up In Blue”Brychwyn and his family are grateful to the caregivers at Cascade Heights Veterinary Center, Just Love Animal Care, HeartSong Communication, Hands To Paws, Compassion 4 Paws, and Resting Waters. Actions in memory of Brychwyn could be to sing (or bark) your favorite song as loudly as you can and really live each day to the fullest – every day’s a gift, even for a mythical creature.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Even if you are spooked by spiders, you have to appreciate their work, highlighted during this past week’s foggy/rainy weather; the photo above was sent by Tom Trulin. Now, here’s our list of what’s happening as the second weekend of October continues, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE RUNNING CLUB: 8:30 am, meet at Alki Statue of Liberty (61st/Alki) to run with friends old and new.
CRAFT SHOW: Handmade items on display and for sale at The Missing Piece (California/Alaska), 9 am-4 pm.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: 9 am, Westies Run Club meets at Top Pot Doughnuts (4709 California SW) for today’s run.
VACCINATION CLINIC: The series of flu/COVID vaccination clinics at local schools that we previewed here continues today at Chief Sealth International HS (2600 SW Thistle), 9 am-4 pm.
YOUTH & ADULT VOLUNTEERING AT SCHMITZ PRESERVE PARK: Ages 10+ are welcome at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way), 9 am-3 pm, to work on the park’s trails with the Washington Trails Association.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Now in the still-bountiful fall produce-and-products season, open for shopping and eating (as it is every weekend of the year, even holidays), 10 am-2 pm, California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska.
TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE AT THE MARKET: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is at the Farmers’ Market every Sunday through early December, 10 am-2 pm, at the south end (California/Alaska), collecting new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
VISIT THE GARDEN: Seattle Chinese Garden is open to visitors 10 am-5 pm on Sundays, free but donations appreciated. (6000 16th SW)
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
SOUTHWEST ART SHOWCASE: 10 am to 6 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), see what’s on display!
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open today! Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? Look for it at, and borrow it from, the West Seattle Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, weekly action in The Junction.
WATCH THE SEAHAWKS AT THE HYDRANT: Bring your pup! Weekly watch parties, with today’s kickoff vs. the 49ers at 1:25 pm. (4541 California SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome Sunday afternoons (among other times) at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) – open 2-5 pm today, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
START A NATURE JOURNAL: Learn how at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), 2-4 pm.
KENYON TRIO AT KENYON HALL: 2 pm doors, 2:30 pm show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 3-5 pm, Phil & Friends perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
ARTSWEST MATINEE: 3 pm, closing performance of “The Chinese Lady” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) – if sold out, check with the AW box office directly for any last-minute availability.
PAST, PRESENT, ELSEWHERE AT REVELRY ROOM: 3 pm, album-listening session. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, with prizes. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, wrap up your weekend with jazz – catch the D-Lux Jazz Trio at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) in The Junction.
Organizing, or assisting with, an event that should be on the WSB community Event Calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Thanks to Vincent for sending tonight’s spotlight Halloween decorations photo:
He says it’s on Belvidere (hence the name, “Belvidere Home for Wayward Ghouls”) south of Admiral.
If you’ve seen memorable decorations – or have put some up yourself – photos welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com or texted to 206-293-6302. Our Halloween-season archives, from this year and years past, can be browsed here.
Miss Tony’s Produce under the red/green/white tent at 35th/Barton? Relatives of the original operators, the Genzale family, have just opened Tony’s Pumpkin Patch – as previewed here – even with a bit of produce (apples). You’ll see “regular” pumpkins outside, but also a variety of others inside, including mini-pumpkins, and other seasonal decorations. We stopped by and met Tony (Morella) and his brother Biaggio:
They’ll be selling pumpkins (etc.) daily 9 am-7 pm through Halloween and then just weeks later plan to switch to Christmas trees.
| 1 COMMENT