West Seattle, Washington
21 Wednesday
Family and friends are remembering Jane Hill, and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Jane Leslie Hill (Byers) passed away suddenly in her beautiful Port Townsend home. She was 75.
Raised in Seattle, she enjoyed a fairytale childhood that included summers on Hood Canal and snow skiing in the Cascades. Janie was a proud graduate of West Seattle High School, class of 1969. There, she forged many lifelong friendships and went on to work in administration for Seattle City Light and the Seattle Police Department. Her work as a Guardian ad Litem was especially meaningful to her and the children she helped.
It was during her years with the SPD that Janie met her Harley-riding better half, Sgt. James “JJ” Hill. They loved to travel the world and most of all, cherished their time with relatives in Norway.
Janie had a particular fondness for seafood; clams were her specialty. She dug them, cooked them, and served them with an abundance of joy. Her Dungeness crab-cleaning skills were world class. Anyone at Janie’s kitchen island was treated to a culinary masterpiece.
Jane is predeceased by her parents, Agnes and DeVere J. Byers; her husband, Sgt. James “JJ” Hill; her beloved nephew, Jesse; and three cherished poodles, who must be mentioned and never forgotten.
She is survived by her siblings, Dan, Nancy, and David; her long-time sister-in-law, Penny; her stepchildren Joyce (John) and Jim, with their children; her nieces and nephew, Jessica, Tiffany (Sean), Julie, and Abe, with their families.
We “love you to the moon and back,” Janie.
The family wishes to thank her caregiver, Leslie Saylor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Dove House Advocacy ServicesMemorial will be at a later time.
(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)
(Photo by Margaret Way, fall colors at South Seattle College Arboretum)
From donation drives to pet blessings to art to Oktoberfest to the monthly screamfest, here’s our list of what to know as the first 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.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: 9 am, Westies Run Club meets at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW) for today’s run.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS, INDOORS: During 10 am service at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), as explained in our calendar listing,
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Now in the still-bountiful start-of-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: Starting today, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is at the Farmers’ Market every Sunday, 10 am-2 pm, at the south end (California/Alaska), collecting new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
THE WORKS SEATTLE POP-UPS: 10 am-2 pm crafting outside The Works Seattle‘s new Junction location (4540 California SW) – make bead bracelets.
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)
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE FOR SPOKANE FAMILIES: 11 am-2 pm, Washmasks Mutual Aid is back at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to collect gently used and/or new clothing and other cold-weather items for families affected by the Spokane fires.
SOUTHWEST ART SHOWCASE OPENING RECEPTION: 11 am to 12:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), see what’s on display, meet some of the artists, enjoy refreshmennts.
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.
OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES, WITH KIDS’ DAY: Beer, food, fun, noon-7 pm today. See the schedule details here, and info on special Kids’ Day activities is here! (3809 Delridge Way SW).
SEATTLE LOVES BOOKS – LETTERPRESS POP-UP: Celebrate your love of books at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), “create letterpress posters about what books and reading mean to you.” 1-3 pm free drop-in activity.
WATCH THE SEAHAWKS AT THE HYDRANT: Bring your pup! Weekly watch parties, with today’s kickoff vs. the Chargers at 1:25 pm. (4541 California SW)
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS, OUTDOORS: Gather at 1:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s parking lot (3050 California SW) – details in our calendar listing,
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)
ARTSWEST MATINEE: Third 3 pm performance of “The Chinese Lady” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW).
SCREAMING AT THE BEACH: Scream Club Seattle gathers at 6:30 pm at Lincoln Park Picnic Shelter 4 (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
PAST, PRESENT, ELSEWHERE AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm, info here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia begins at 7:30 pm – free to play, with prizes. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, Sunday night jazz with the D-Lux Jazz Trio at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) in The Junction.
Organizing, or helping 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!
This is the time of year when many churches host “Blessing of the Animals” events in proximity to the day celebrating St. Francis of Assisi. Tomorrow (Sunday, October 4), two West Seattle churches are offering blessings:
(WSB photo, 2025)
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: This is a casual outdoor event in the church parking lot at 3050 California SW, 1:30 pm Sunday – details are in our calendar listing.
ALKI UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: This is happening indoors during the church’s 10 am Sunday service at 6115 SW Hinds – this too is detailed in our calendar listing.
Four months after the grand opening of his big new store in Admiral Junction, Frank Gross welcomed live music – and an audience – to Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor). Fans came out to enjoy a free mini-concert by Dave Hause and Tim Hause, brothers who are performing with their band again tonight at Sunset Tavern in Ballard.
The spacious shop filled with their hearty harmonies and acoustic-guitar accompaniment. Here are two of the songs they performed:
If you see this in time, you can catch them at the Sunset Tavern at 7:30 tonight – it’s not all-ages, though, they said sadly to the families in the TRG crowd:
(WSB photos)
CraftLab Seattle proprietor Laura Duris and her family celebrated the studio’s grand opening at 4411 California SW with a ribboncutting this afternoon. Free crafting is happening during the grand-opening open house:
Visitors are being asked what kind of crafting would bring them back for a visit:
The studio is offering crafting for all ages:
Today’s open house continues until 5 pm.
(PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG)
(West Seattle quarterback Carlos Patino with the Huling Bowl trophy)
Every fall, Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School play one big crosstown-competition football game with a trophy at stake: The Huling Bowl (here’s the backstory on why the game has that name). Last night was the big night, with a big crowd at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where both teams play home games; CSIHS was the home team this time. Both teams ceremoniously charged onto the field, Sealth from the south and West Seattle from the north:
WSHS won for the second year in a row, 22-6. Here’s how it unfolded:
West Seattle #34 Dylan Seaborn-Diaz (above with Sealth #5 Oliver Clark) scored the first TD with 6:33 to go in the first quarter. Chief Sealth blocked the point-after attempt, so the score sat at 6-0 and was still there at the end of the first.
The Seahawks didn’t get close to scoring territory in the early going, though #3 quarterback Michaal Wayman (above) did a lot of throwing. On the Wildcats’ part, #5 quarterback Carlos Patino (below) ran in the first of his two TDs at 10:16 to go in the second quarter:
WSHS #5 Coco Cicero (below, with CSIHS #8 Jeampy Kamili) caught the two-point conversion that followed:
That brought the score to 14-0. The stands remained spirited on both sides:
A Chief Sealth fumble put the ball back in WSHS hands less than two minutes later, but the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs with just under six minutes left in the half. Among the action before halftime was an interception by Sealth #23 Xander Gomez:
The score was still 14-0 at the half, which spotlighted cheer teams and band/drumline performances:
In the second half, head coach Anthony Stordahl‘s Wildcats scored again, another running TD by #6 Patino at 8:34:
Another two-point conversion ensued, caught by #10 Grady Scheff:
That brought West Seattle’s lead to 22-0. But head coach Daron Camacho‘s Seahawks kept fighting, and #6 Wayman ran in a TD with 4:36 left in the third quarter.
That was it for scoring, on both sides. A few other scenes from the game – West Seattle’s #12 Tate Read (below) running downfield:
Chief Sealth #26 Loto Amituanai running downfield:
Below, WSHS #7 Justice Nguyen and CSIHS #6 Gabe Read:
So the Huling Bowl trophy remains at West Seattle for a second year.
The Wildcats are now 3-2 and play next Friday at 7 pm at NCSWAC vs. Seattle Prep; the Seahawks are now 0-5 and will be on the road next Friday, 7 pm vs. Rainier Beach at SE Athletic Complex.
(Our first report on Huling Bowl 2026, including quick updates during the game, is here.)
Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo and tip. Unannounced, the work to get Wildwood Place in Fauntleroy ready for a protected bike lane – begun last Saturday – is continuing today. That might lead to delays, so plan accordingly.
The crew from 1 Green Planet, Fauntleroy Church‘s partner in the twice-annual Recycle Roundup, has been busy already in the early going, with about 75 households dropping off items to recycle by 9:15.
Coordinator Joel tells us that was actually about half an hour in, because they opened early, with a line of vehicles waiting. You don’t have to rush over, though – they’re open until 3 pm (just don’t wait until the last minute unless that’s truly the soonest you can get there).
Here’s the official list of what they will and won’t take this time – again, this is a free service, though volunteers will be happy to accept montary donations to support the work, if you are so moved. The church is at 9140 California SW.
(Friday night sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)
From recycling to walking to two Oktoberfest options – and much more – here’s our list of what to know as the first weekend of October begins, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SCAVENGER HUNT: Have you jumped in yet? You still have time to join the first-ever West Seattle Music Scavenger Hunt (explained here), which continues through Monday.
RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: 8:15 am, get your weekend going with an at-your-pace run. (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor).
GET ‘HEAVILY MEDITATED’ FOR FREE: 8:45 am at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), free meditation to start your weekend!
FALL RECYCLE ROUNDUP: 9 am to 3 pm, drive up, ride up, walk up to the Fauntleroy Church lot (9140 California SW) for free dropoff of accepted recyclables – see the official list in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT WALK: 10 am, if you can’t get to the big Walk to End Alzheimer’s downtown, join the unofficial West Seattle mini-walk in Gatewood. All welcome. Meet on SW Othello at 37th SW.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: Larger location this season, which ends October 31! 10 am-2 pm, shop for fruit and vegetables, prepared food and beverages, artisan body care, makers’ creations, more. (9th SW and SW Henderson)
DACHSHUND WALK: 10 am Saturdays, dachshunds and their people meet up at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) for a group walk.
VISIT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: 10 am-4 pm, at the Log House Museum (3003 61st SW), learn about West Seattle and vicinity hisstory!
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
NO FREE WRITING GROUP TODAY: The 10:30 am, free, in-person, active writing group will resume next week
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: Griefshare will teach you how to get through it, 10:30 am at Grace Church (10323 28th SW).
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
ALKI HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Second-to-last chance this year! Meet at 11 am at Log House Museum (3003 61st SW).
CRAFTLAB GRAND OPENING: 11 am to 5 pm, with noon ribboncutting, as previewed here. (4411 California SW)
TALK ABOUT WHAT MOST DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT: 11 am “death café” discussion at Inner Alchemy Studio and Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
OKTOBERFEST AT HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE: Noon-7 pm, brats, beer, polka, games! (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: Noon-9 pm, music, beer, food, competitions – see the schedule here. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
POSTCARDING TO ENCOURAGE VOTING: 12:30-2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), show up and be ready to write!
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
‘WELCOME TO MEDICARE’: 1 pm info session at the Center fo Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, wine bar and tasting room open on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
THE TREE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING: 1:30 pm class at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) teaching you how to choose, place, and grow trees.
EMBRACE YOUR CHAKRAS: Self-discovery series, 2-5 pm at Inner Alcheny Studio & Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
FREE LIVE MUSIC AT THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: 3 pm, short acoustic set with Dave Hause and Tim Hause live in-store at Thunder Road Guitars (2611 California SW; WSB sponsor), free, all ages.
WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: Free “short, specific” massage sessions at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm, first come, first served.
BOOKS AND BRICKS FUNDRAISER: Help raise money for education where it’s needed on other side of the globe! 4 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW).
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, Circle of Songs “unplugged” music at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
LIVE AT EASY STREET: Sharkeologist performs live in-store at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.
EDEN GREER AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, singer-songwriter in concert. (7904 35th SW)
‘THE CHINESE LADY’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, third Saturday night performance of the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) – ticket link and info in our calendar listing.
REVELRY ROOM SPINNING: 9 pm with DJ Shonuph. (4547 California SW)
SATURDAY NIGHT SKATING: 9 pm to midnight, skate at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk and hip-hop, $18 (plus $5 skate rental).
KARAOKE IN THE SOUTH: 9 pm, add your voice to Megastar Karaoke with KDJ Mythikal at Max’s Triangle Pub. (9454 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE IN THE NORTH: Saturday night karaoke begins at 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Planning a West Seattle event/class/show/etc. that’s open to the community? Tell us about it; it’s free to list something in our Event Calendar, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
7:34 PM: We’re at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where the annual Huling Bowl football faceoff is under way, after some tailgating and other early displays of friendly rivalry:
(Added: Pregame/sidelines photos by WSB’s Torin Record-Sand)
(The athletic directors: Chief Sealth’s Ernest Policarpio, West Seattle’s Corey Sorenson)
With 10 minutes to go in the first half, the scoring is all West Seattle High School so far – 14-0 over Chief Sealth International High School. Updates to come.
8:01 PM: Now halftime, still WSHS 14, CSIHS 0.
(Superintendent on the sidelines)
Surprise sighting a few minutes ago- we’re at the top of the bleachers, and suddenly there was Superintendent Ben Shuldiner saying hi.
8:44 PM: Chief Sealth has just scored for the first time, midway through the third quarter. WSHS 22, CSIHS 6.
9:02 PM: End of third quarter, still 22-6.
9:22 PM: And that’s the final score – it’s a second consecutive Huling Bowl win for WSHS. We’ll have the full football story later with game photos by photojournalist Oliver Hamlin.
Two weeks from tomorrow, the multi-site volunteering event known as Duwamish Alive! offers hundreds of people the chance to give some TLC to Seattle’s only river and its watershed. Some volunteering opportunities are already linked from duwamishalive.org – and one event organizer, Anna from King County Parks, has already sent us this invitation to share with you:
Duwamish Alive! at White Center Heights Park
Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: White Center Heights Park, 10208 7th Ave SW
Contact: parksvolunteer@kingcounty.gov
Registration requiredCome volunteer with King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the King County Volunteer Program’s inaugural Regional Day of Service. On Saturday, October 17th, we’ll be bringing volunteers to Duwamish Alive! — a biannual event hosted by the Duwamish Alive Coalition for the last 20 years to improve the health of the Duwamish watershed
through collaborative stewardship and volunteering.The Executive and Duwamish Alive leadership will kick off the event at White Center Heights Park, hosted by King County Parks. Then he’ll be planting native trees, removing blackberry and ivy, and spreading mulch. Come volunteer alongside the Executive and learn more about how your work protects not only the Duwamish River ecosystem, but our
community at large.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Again this season, we’ll be showing West Seattle Halloween decorations, so once yours are up, consider sending us a pic – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Early this morning – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
We’ve been noting in our daily traffic/transit notes that the Water Taxi’s fall schedule change is almost here. It’ll follow a huge summer, this news release from Metro points out:
This summer, the water taxi’s theme was “Make it a Boat Day,” and it included extra sailings for Seattle Mariners weekday evening games and the World Cup tournament, along with its regular extended summer service on weekends (Friday and Saturday) to West Seattle. Tourists and residents of the region took advantage and made the 10-15 minute ride to West Seattle and the 22-minute trip to Vashon.
The results were the biggest ridership for both routes in close to a decade — including a record 8,552 boardings for the West Seattle Water Taxi on June 19 for the U.S. vs. Australia World Cup Match, shattering a single-day ridership record of 7,721 that stood since 2018.
As summer turns to fall, the water taxi is getting ready for its shift to reduced sailings starting on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Vashon returns to weekday only service
After a year of Saturday service and the “summer Sunday” service of 2026, the Vashon Water Taxi returns to operating 10 round trips Monday through Friday, starting Oct. 10.
Metro received approximately $1.1 million from the state legislature as part of the state transportation budget in 2025. Those funds supported one additional round trip on Friday evenings and Saturday water taxi service, which began in October 2025, as well as six months of Sunday water taxi service, which started in April 2026.
The funds supported the added service through October 2026. Thousands of Vashon Island riders took advantage of the additional service.
The 7:30 p.m. late Friday sailing from Pier 50 to Vashon also ends on October 10.
Fall and winter schedule returns for West Seattle
Late night Friday and weekend service for riders in West Seattle ends on Oct. 10 with the return of the annual fall and winter schedule. Seventeen round-trip sailings from Pier 50 operated through 6:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Eleven round-trip sailings operate through 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and -Sundays.
REMINDER
Ride free shuttle buses to and from the Water Taxi. The days may be getting shorter, but whether you live in West Seattle or are coming across Elliott Bay for a day of bargain hunting in the Junction, riders can take the free Metro water taxi shuttles to and from the dock at Seacrest Park, and between other destinations on the route.
-Route 773 will get you to the businesses and restaurants in the West Seattle Junction.
-Route 775 takes you along Alki and into the Admiral District
See the Water Taxi’s fall/winter schedule here.
That photo is from what’s become an annual tradition – a mini-walk in West Seattle for people who aren’t going to the big Walk to End Alzheimer’s downtown but want to call attention to the cause. In case you haven’t seen already seen it in our West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the invitation sent by Pat:
The West Seattle Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will walk Saturday, October 3, for those who can’t make it to the larger walk at Seattle Center. Meeting at 10 a.m. at the water tower (meet on Othello at 37th, near Our Lady of Guadalupe). All are welcome…families, dogs,friends, loved ones, children … anyone with a connection to dementia. The course is 1 mile, walking at a casual, conversational pace. If you wish to support with a contribution, see the Alz.org website. Find us by alzwa—find a team. We are westseattlesupportgroup. Wear Purple if you can!
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
The weekend’s on the way. What follows are highlights for the rest of October’s first Friday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LAST DAY FOR SW ARTIST SHOWCASE DROPOFFS: As previewed here, today is the final day to drop off entries for the Southwest Library‘s annual SW Artist Showcase. Any time during Friday hours – 10 am to 6 pm. (9010 35th SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Fall gardening? The center has plants! Open until 3 pm on the north end of the main campus of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
BABY STORY TIME: 11 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: Practice with other adult learners at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 12:30-2 pm.
OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES, DAY 1: 3-9 pm, beer, food, activities including 7 pm stein-holding competition, full schedule here. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, and/or buy a bottle.
OPEN MIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, musicians and singers of all genres are welcome at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
FREE SWING DANCING: All welcome to this free “social dance” at Puget Ridge Cohousing (7020 18th SW), 6-8 pm.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL – HULING BOWL: The annual crosstown competition football faceoff, 7 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – Chief Sealth IHS vs.West Seattle HS.
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Karen Hall on cello with “Delusions and Grandeur,” 7:30 pm (7904 35th SW).
‘THE CHINESE LADY’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, third week for “The Chinese Lady” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) – info including ticket link is in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, show at 8, Former Jock, Mad King, Gwen. $10 at the door, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE AT TIM’S: Tom Price Desert Classic, Nonmodern, Moonspots, 8 pm at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center), all ages until 10 pm.
SPINNING: Revelry Room (4547 California SW) regular Friday night spinning – with DJ Topspin tonight, starting at 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, During the Rat City Recon music fest, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
MEGASTAR KARAOKE: 9 pm at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW).
If you have something for our event lists and ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of Al Taylor, and they’re sharing this remembrance with the community:
Alvin A. Taylor, known to everyone as Al, was born on September 11, 1930, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and passed away on September 10, 2026, in Tacoma, just one day shy of his 96th birthday.
Al lived a long and colorful life, the kind of life that could fill a room with laughter before he even said a word. He was loving, funny, and generous, and those three words only begin to tell the story. Al had the rare gift of making people feel welcome, whether he was telling a story, sharing a joke, or giving someone the kind of steady kindness that never asked for anything in return. He had a comedian’s timing, a gentleman’s heart, and a knack for turning ordinary moments into memories people would retell for years.
He served his country in the Army, where he learned discipline, resilience, and probably a few stories he knew better than to tell at the dinner table. After that, he worked with the Seattle Water Department, helping do the kind of honest work that keeps a city moving even when nobody is thinking about it. Later, he was associated with the Seattle Mariners, a connection that surely gave him plenty to smile about, because Al understood that life, like baseball, has good days, bad days, and the occasional wild pitch. Through every chapter of his working life, he brought reliability, humor, and a steady presence that people could count on.
Al was also connected with the Masons, an organization that reflected his values of fellowship, service, and commitment. He believed in being part of something bigger than himself, and he carried that spirit into every part of his life. He was the kind of man who showed up, did the work, and somehow made the whole effort feel lighter because he was there. He did not need a spotlight. He was perfectly content to be the one making sure everyone else was comfortable, laughing, and taken care of.
Family was at the center of Al’s world. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley, his daughter Linda, and his granddaughter Sarah. Their absence was deeply felt, yet the love he shared with them remained part of his story always. He is survived by six daughters, twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren, each of whom carries forward a piece of his spirit. His family was one of his greatest joys, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, humor, and generosity that will continue to echo through generations.
Al had a way of making people laugh without ever trying too hard. He did not need a stage, a microphone, or a punchline written on a napkin. He could turn a simple conversation into a performance, and he knew that the best comedy often came from truth, timing, and the ability to laugh at life when life got a little too serious. He was the kind of man who could tease you, help you, and then make you laugh about the whole thing before you had time to complain. That is a rare talent, and Al had it in abundance.
Those who knew him will remember his warmth, his wit, and his generous heart. They will remember the way he could brighten a room, the way he could make a hard day easier, and the way he made people feel seen and valued. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and storyteller. Most of all, he was a man who lived fully and loved deeply.
Alvin A. Taylor leaves behind a life well lived and a family well loved. Though he has taken his final bow, the applause remains in the hearts of all who knew him. His laugh, his kindness, and his unmistakable presence will continue to be remembered with affection, gratitude, and more than a few smiles.
His life will be celebrated Saturday, October 3, at 1 pm, at the Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW, West Seattle).
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, October 2, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Patchy morning fog, then partly sunny, high in the low 70s. Sunrise will be at 7:10 am today, while sunset will be at 6:46 pm.
(Thursday sunset photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
CLOSURE ALERT
Overnight tonight, WSDOT will close the Highway 99 tunnel both ways. Here’s the announcement:
From 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 to 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3:
Both directions of SR 99 from north of South Spokane Street to south of Raye Street will close.
The Royal Brougham Way/Colorado Avenue South on-ramp to the northbound SR 99 tunnel will close.
The Sixth Avenue North on-ramp to the southbound SR 99 tunnel will close.
Lanes will begin closing at 8:30 p.m. People using southbound SR 99 will exit at the Harrison Street off-ramp, and people using northbound SR 99 will exit at Alaskan Way South.Washington State Department of Transportation tunnel maintenance crews will perform fire systems testing, light repairs, road sweeping and drain cleaning during this closure.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the three-boat schedule (until next Monday, October 5, when it goes to two boats for a month). Check the alert page for last-minute changes.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with later night runs Fridays and Saturdays through next Friday (October 9th).
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!
The White Center Food Bank – which serves part of West Seattle too – distributed 1.7 million pounds of food last year to more than 15,500 people last year. We’re now just eight nights away from your chance to support that work. WCFB returns to the White Center HUB – site of its former home at 8th SW and SW 108th – for “Back to Our Roots” on Friday night, October 9. Two acclaimed White Center eateries – Tomo and Patrick’s Café & Bakery – will cater; Tanoa Polynesian Productions will perform; White Center Community Development Association executive director Aaron Garcia and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay will speak. It starts that night with dinner at 6 pm; get your seat at the table by buying a ticket here,
5:17 PM: Thanks to the Alki Elementary parent who forwarded this note sent to families by the school’s principal Mason Skeffington:
Dear Alki families,
I want to share with you some information on an incident from today that has affected some students in our school community.
This morning at approximately 9:15 a.m., it was reported that a stranger approached the fence line and attempted to lure three students away from the playground while they were playing near the fence at recess. The stranger shared that she had something in her car that she wanted to give the students. Our brave students recognized that this was a stranger, ran from the adult and went to report to our trusted adults on staff. The students were unharmed.
Upon learning of the incident, I immediately alerted our SPS Safety and Security, and they responded immediately with support from the regional support specialist. I contacted SPD, provided the details of the incident, and the investigation is ongoing and a case number has been assigned. I also alerted all staff at Alki and especially those assigned to recess duty. We will continue to remain extra-vigilant in supervision of recess, at arrival and dismissal, and throughout the school day as we move forward.
I’m sending you this letter to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students, and to suggest ways you may help your children.
Please know, the safety and well-being of Alki Elementary students is our top priority. You can help your children stay safe by talking to them about personal safety.
Remind your student to always be aware of their surroundings and not talk to strangers or go anywhere with them. If you are looking for guidance and tips, these resources might be helpful:
Scholastic: Talking about stranger safety
Seattle Police Department Personal Safety Tips
SPS Coordinated School Health Mental Health ResourcesWe all play a role in school safety. You can text or call the SPS SaferWatch School Tipline 206-222-4357 to report any threats to SPS schools. This phone number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.
If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 26-292903. We’ll add anything more we find out.
6:51 PM: Here’s the narrative of that police report, provided by SPD:
At 1309 hours, the principal … called 911 to report a suspicious incident that occurred around 0915 hours. He stated some 1st grade students reported an unknown woman had approached the playground’s fence while they were playing. She told the children she had a crown in her car and was trying to get the children to go with her to see it. None of the children went with her but she told the children she would return later. School pick-up was at 1425, so I headed to the school to be present while the children were being released from school.
While being a presence at the school, XXXX approached me and we discussed the incident. He said 3 1st graders had told faculty about the incident and could only describe the female as “grandma age” and in a silver car. I asked if faculty was outside at the time of the incident and he said there were, but none of them saw anything. I asked if there were XXXXX playground and the sidewalk. He said XXXXX.
I told XXXX I would document the incident in case anything further should occur. He said staff was going to be having a meeting about the incident so they are all aware and more vigilant in the future.
Two days away from your next chance to drive up, ride up, walk up to the Fauntleroy Church lot (9140 California SW) for the fall Recycle Roundup – here again is the official list of what you can and can’t drop off:
Recycle Roundup is happening from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, October 3, in collaboration with recycler 1 Green Planet. Free (though volunteers will be happy to accept donations to support this twice-yearly event).
After a question from reader Abhi, wondering about the status of The Last Parlor – the event venue planned by Cori Luckenbach in the space where she used to run Bebop Waffle Shop (now a pop-up next door) – we checked in. Abhi was worried because the boards over the windows had stopped mentioning The Last Parlor, almost two years after Cori announced the plan. Not to worry, Cori told us, “The Last Parlor is very much alive!” As for why the exterior at California/Admiral stopped mentioning it, she explained, “I held off on painting a Parlor update because the new windows were supposed to go in any week, and then the boards would come down. That ‘any week’ kept moving.”
She continued, “The good news is that the windows arrived [earlier this week] and are being installed. Once they’re in, the wood comes down and I can finally paint the façade and show the neighborhood what’s been happening inside.”
The Last Parlor’s website was down for a bit too (we can relate) – that compounded Abhi’s concern – but it’s back up now, and you can sign up there for updates. As for an updated projected opening date, Cori says the interior of the 1906 building had to be brought up to code for an “assembly space” and that dealing with the city has been a “long, detailed (awful) process” – but the end (and The Last Parlor’s beginning) is in sight!
We heard a dispatch late last night for a reported burglary attempt at Addy’s Pet Shop in Highland Park, and obtained the report narrative today:
On 9/30/2026 while working fully uniformed patrol as unit 3W22, I was dispatched to 1XXX SW Henderson St XXXX for the following: “RP [reporting party] SAW VIA CAMERA UNK(NOWN) PERSON TRYING TO PICK LOCK AND BREAK IN LOCK 10 MIN AGO.” I arrived on scene and found a broken door handle … on the east side door. Pictures were taken of the damage and uploaded into digital evidence. I contacted the reporting party XXXX … She explained that she witnessed a White/Male/Adult dressed in a gray hoodie, red backpack, light blue baseball cap with white lettering, and dark pants try and pick the lock. When the suspect was unable to open the lock, they proceeded to break the handle off with a piece of lumber. The suspect left the property when XXXX yelled at him through the camera. The suspect was last seen headed south to Henderson St SW.
If you have any information, the SPD incident number to reference is 26-292243.
The two most recent coyote-sighting reports we’ve received were both south of Admiral.
CHARLESTOWN HILL: Reported by Edward this morning:
This morning approx. 10:55 AM in our backyard near 47th & Charlestown. First time in 25 years!
NEAR MADISON MS: This sighting was reported by Thomas last week: “Walking with my dog … We crossed paths with a coyote on the 3200 block.of 45th. This is 1 block north of Madison.”
Our customary reminder: We report coyote sightings for awareness, not alarm. Learn about them, and other wildlife, here.
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