West Seattle, Washington
22 Thursday
Thanks to Erin Jackson for the photo described as the “North American nebula … captured over a couple hours this weekend with my telescope near Lincoln Park.” Back here on Earth, we have highlights of what’s up in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
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.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ABOUT PAID JUNCTION STREET PARKING? Six days after going public with the recommendation, SDOT is tabling outside Junction QFC (42nd/Alaska) 10 am-2 pm today
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: 10 am to 6 pm, visit Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) to see the work on display this year!
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 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),
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING: Two sessions today for the first public hearing on the city budget proposal – 1 pm online, 5 pm in-person – the agenda explains how to participate.
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.
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 4-9 pm at Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor), part of the proceeds go to Seattle Civic Dance Theater!
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Two home varsity matches – in girls’ soccer, West Seattle HS vs. Holy Names, 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), and in volleyball, WSHS hosts Eastside Catholic at 7 pm in 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).
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 4:30-6:30 pm open house for prospective preschool through 4th grade families. (34th/Myrtle)
INFO SESSION – LIGHT-RAIL PROPERTY ACQUISITION: 5-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), Sound Transit reps available to talk with owners/tenants.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases. Tonight’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.
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.
TIM’S OPEN MIC: 6 pm signups, 7 pm music – weekly open mic hosted by Levi Said at Tim’s (16th SW and SW 98th) in White Center.
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!
The West Seattle High School Model United Nations (WSHSMUN) club has just attended its first conference of this school year, and their head delegate, Lars Norman, sent us this photo and report to share their work with you:
– The conference last Saturday, Educational Model United Nations (EDUMUN), is the first of four PNW Circuit conferences. For EDUMUN, and other MUN conferences; delegates are assigned committees and positions, which they then research before attending. At EDUMUN, our delegates debated specific topics, primarily topics focused on current or historical crises, working to come to resolutions with delegates from across the PNW.
– WSHSMUN was incredibly proud to attend EDUMUN with a delegation of 22 delegates: Iris Christian, Franki Breznau-Foster, Maeve Zimbabwe, Adele Peterson, Phoebe Austin, Amelia Uy, Ryder Anderson, Sia Griffiths, Yaphet Etana, Sylvie Patrick, Ava Bajaj, Adelaide Miller, Josephine Mangelsen, Hannah Haskel, Madeline Knight, Miles Alba, Eden O’Donnell, Brynn Patrick, Evelyn Nguyen, Ely Thomas, and Head Delegate Lars Norman. We would like to give special thanks to Christina Dahms (Ms. Dahms), the faculty advisor of WSHSMUN, who gladly helped coordinate the details of attendance, and to all who helped chaperone and transport our delegation.
– Lars Norman was awarded Best Position Paper for his research on Post-Drought Somalia.
– WSHSMUN’s second conference of the year, Pacific Model United Nations (PACMUN), is coming up! On November 14th and 15th, WSHSMUN will travel to the Grand Sheraton Hotel, for two days of diplomacy! Be sure to follow our Instagram Page, @wshsmodel.un for WSHSMUN updates and photos!
Here’s a more-global look at what Model United Nations is about.
6:00 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, October 6, 2026. State ferries are back in service this morning (and their foghorns are sounding).
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunshine after the fog, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise will be at 7:15 am today, while sunset will be at 6:38 pm.
WORK ALERT
*Ramp annd lane closures continue for West Seattle Bridge streetlights – late night and early morning – see the schedule here.
*Today is the second scheduled day of sidewalk repairs on 16th SW near South Seattle College (WSB sponsor).
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – Back in service; Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth is on the two-boat schedule. Check the alert page for last-minute changes – and see the real-time map with vessel status here.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, which ends this weekend, after one last night of later runs on Friday (October 9).
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!
It’s prime time for pumpkins! Two notes:
TONY’S PUMPKIN PATCH: The photo is from Anthony Morella, who’s bringing back the seasonal spirit of the former Tony’s Market at 35th/Barton, selling fresh Washington-grown pumpkins starting this Friday, October 9. Anthony is a relative of Tony’s two generations of proprietors, the late Tony Genzale and his son Joey Genzale, and says they’ll be open daily 9 am-7 pm through Halloween: “We will be selling many kinds of pumpkins and other fall goodies.” He’s also planning to sell Christmas trees again this year.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S PUMPKIN SEARCH: This year, a new plan for this fall favorite:
There’s quite a change-up for the Great Pumpkin Search this year. The search will be run from the Fauntleroy Community Association table at the Fall Festival [Sunday, October 18], and it will begin at the same time as the festival opens, at 1:00. There will be new hiding places, which will be described when searchers sign in. As in past pumpkin searches, in addition to pumpkins, there will be prizes hidden, the most special one being a beautiful glass pumpkin from Avalon Glassworks.
As reported here Sunday, the Fall Festival has some changes this year too, including activities centering on the church/Y campus at 9140 California rather than both sides of the street.
8:09 PM: The missing teenager mentioned here has been found safe.
Earlier:
(‘Live’ image from Fauntleroy dock)
6:08 PM: Washington State Ferries‘ “Triangle Route” – Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – has been out of service all day as part of a systemwide crisis that ensued after 23 engine-room employees called in sick and WSF couldn’t get fill-ins. (We’ve been updating here.) WSF has restored some of the other service lost throughout the day around the system, and now it says Triangle Route service will be resuming within the hour – “The route will run 2-boat schedules with the 3rd unscheduled boat.” You can check the real-time map here; as of this writing, it looks like M/V Kitsap is heading from Vashon to Southworth, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet still docked at Vashon.
7:52 PM: As for tomorrow, WSF says, “For Tuesday, Oct. 6, we anticipate operating more normal service across the system. Customers should continue to check our rider alerts before traveling for the latest route specific service information, as schedules remain subject to change based on crew and vessel availability.”
Readers asked about signage on the West Seattle Bridge indicating upcoming ramp closures. We couldn’t find an announcement but finally tracked down info from Seattle City Light, whose spokesperson Kate Jacobs tells WSB that this is so they can get the theft-darkened lights back on:
The work you referenced is part of Seattle City Light’s broader effort to restore 80 streetlights on the West Seattle Bridge and Spokane Street Viaduct that went dark due to copper wire theft this summer.
Work of this scale on a high-traffic bridge requires lane closures to keep the public and crews safe, and each closure requires an approved traffic control plan. To minimize public impact, the work will occur in stages overnight from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. across eight days. Repairs are scheduled to finish on October 15. I included the full repair schedule below.
As we make repairs, we will also add protections to help prevent future theft. We continually update our theft-prevention measures based on the latest expert guidance, lessons from past incidents, and available technology. Examples of these measures include reinforced junction box covers, tamper-proof lids, and welded access doors.
Repair schedule:
Mon, Oct 5 – Complete closure of the NB 1st Ave S off-ramp from the West Seattle Freeway WB. On-ramp also closed from 1st Ave S approach from S Horton St.
Tue, Oct 6 – Complete closure of the Harbor Island WB ramp from the West Seattle Freeway WB. Right lane closed approaching the ramp to detour traffic. Right lane closure of the WB West Seattle Freeway from Harbor Ave SW off-ramp to the SR99 on-ramp.
Wed, Oct 7 – Complete closure of the West Seattle Freeway WB ramp from SR 99 SB. Right lane closure of the WB West Seattle Freeway (High Rise) from the SR 99 on-ramp to the Harbor Ave SW off-ramp.
Thu, Oct 8 – Complete closure of the Harbor Island WB ramp from SR 99. Right lane closure of the WB West Seattle Freeway (High Rise) from the SR 99 on-ramp to the Harbor Ave SW off-ramp.
Mon, Oct 12 – Right lane closure of the WB West Seattle Freeway (High Rise) from the SR 99 on-ramp to the Harbor Ave SW off-ramp. Right lane closure of the EB Weast Seattle Freeway (High Rise) from the Delridge Way SW on-ramp to SR 99 NB on-ramp.
Tue, Oct 13 – Right lane closure of the EB Weast Seattle Freeway (High Rise) from the Delridge Way SW on-ramp to SR 99 NB on-ramp. Complete closure of the NB SR 99 ramp from the West Seattle Freeway EB. Right two lanes closed approaching the ramp to detour traffic.
Wed, Oct 14 – Complete closure of the NB SR 99 ramp from the West Seattle Freeway EB. Right two lanes closed approaching the ramp to detour traffic. Right lane closure of the EB West Seattle Freeway lower deck from 1st Ave S ramp to the 4th Ave S ramp.
Thu, Oct. 15 – Right lane closure of the EB West Seattle Freeway lower deck from 1st Ave S ramp to the 4th Ave S ramp.
MONDAY: One week after chicken chain Starbird opened in The Junction, the next one on the way – Dave’s Hot Chicken – has just put up its sign. Thanks to Eddie for the photo of the installation. It’s been a year since we first reported that Dave’s and tea chain Gong Cha were moving into the ex-Haymaker space at California/Alaska. No opening date announced yet; we’re checking.
TUESDAY: We’ve just learned they’re planning to open November 12.
Early heads-up for three events tomorrow (Tuesday, October 6) tackling topics you might want to talk, or ask, about:
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION PAID STREET PARKING: As part of the feedback collection after going public last Wednesday with their recommendation for paid street parking in the West Seattle Junction – as mentioned in our first coverage – SDOT plans a drop-in info session outside the Junction QFC (42nd SW and SW Alaska) 10 am-2 pm Tuesday.
LIGHT-RAIL PROPERTY ACQUISITION: Do you own or rent a house/apartment/business that’s up for Sound Transit acquisition as they prepare to build the West Seattle Link Extension light-rail line? ST plans a drop-in info session at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 5-7 pm Tuesday. (They’re also having one in SODO 12 pm-1:30 pm Wednesday, October 14.)
CITY BUDGET: City Councilmembers have had their first round of briefings on Mayor Wilson‘s budget proposals, and before they start going public with counterpropoals, they’re having a two-session public hearing: online at 1 pm, in-person at 5 pm. The agenda explains how to sign up.
Late last night, police were dispatched to a report of shell casings found in South Delridge – but some time had apparently elapsed between the gunfire and the casings discovery. We obtained the narrative from SPD; this is what the officer wrote after talking to the finder near 18th SW and SW Henderson:
XXXX stated that he found 18 or more shell casings on the street in front of his home. The shell casings appeared to have been run over by multiple vehicles. XXXX stated that he believes he heard shots at 0201 hours on 10/04/2026 but did not call the police at that time. He does not know if the casings are related to the shots he heard. The casings were collected and placed into evidence. The casings were eighteen .40 caliber and twelve 9mm casings.
If you have any information about this, the incident number is 26-296654.
(WSB photo, seen in Westwood area)
Here are highlights of what’s happening around the peninsula for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NEW FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Alki UCC has launched a weekly indoor playspace, 10:15 am-noon. Just register before you go. (6115 SW Hinds)
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: 10 am to 6 pm, visit Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) to see the work on display this year!
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: 10-11:30 am at Delridge Library, in Spanish and English. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: The council continues its budget review, with no meetings today, but a public hearing tomorrow (Tuesday, October 6, details on the agenda).
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:30 pm, it’s back at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
LIVE MUSIC AT SEBASTIANO’S: 6 pm at the wine shop, piano jazz! (3278 California SW)
‘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.
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 3: Three venues on our list with trivia tonight – 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions for Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) …7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), $2 cash to enter … 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!
7:20 AM: This morning’s systemwide crew shortage (originally noted below) now has Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route totally out of service. They’re updating here. The South Vashon route (regularly one, smaller boat) is operating per Vessel Watch.
9 AM: Still out, and this screenshot from the real-time page shows only 6 ferries in operation systemmwide:
9:45 AM: WSF has posted an update via X – saying, “This morning, 23 engine-room employees called in sick, Every employee qualified to fill those positions has declined to fill them and keep the ferries running.” The WSF tweets go on to mention the employees’ union and base salary, and why the boats can’t run without these employees. Also via X, the governor says he’s “meeting with WSF leadership” about the situation.
11:42 AM: No change in the Triangle Route situation.
4:29 PM: Still no change – the route is still out of service. Vessel Watch’s realtime map still shows six boats in service systemwide. Gov. Ferguson has issued a statement saying he met with engine-room union reps and told them he expects all routes to be running by tomorrow morning.
5:33 PM: WSF says the route will resume service with M/V Cathlamet sometime after 6 pm. We’ll start a separate update story (here).
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, October 5, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Mostly cloudy, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise will be at 7:14 am today, while sunset will be at 6:40 pm.
(Saturday evening photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
WORK ALERT
*Today is the announced start of sidewalk repairs on 16th SW near South Seattle College (WSB sponsor).
*Signage indicates a nighttime closure of the EB West Seattle Bridge to NB 99 starting Tuesday night. We haven’t seen a corresponding announcement with details, so we’re seeking those from WSDOT today.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – Check the alert page for last-minute changes – WSF has warned it may have crew shortages affecting multiple routes this morning. (6:45 AM: Currently the Triangle Route is down to 1 boat. … 7:15 AM: As noted above, now it’s down to no boats. OTHER UPDATES ABOVE)
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, which ends this weekend, after one last night of later runs on Friday (October 9).
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 photos by Torin Record-Sand)
The Southwest Library is doubling as art gallery for the next four weeks. It’s the 34th annual Southwest Artist Showcase, a non-judged show for which community members were invited to bring in creations to display. We visited during the opening reception today and saw a wide variety of work – like this matchstick model of a “Star Wars” Starfighter jet:
The artist is Jhun Carpio:
Also at today’s reception: Highland Park artist Dina Lydia:
She’s showing her mixed-media work “Waiting for Spring.” Others with work on display include Tiah Schindelman Rodriguez, below with watercolor “The Jeweled Bird”:
The current boom in ceramics/pottery is represented too – Misato Matsuo-Monsma is showing a cup:
And Robbie Diaz sketched a Kei Truck:
You can admire the art any time during regular Southwest Library hours through Sunday, November 1. The library is at 9010 35th SW.
Two Sunday scenes, sent by WSB readers:
Above, an anonymously sent “fogbow” over Luna/Anchor Park as the murkiness made way for sunshine this morning; below, Tony Tschanz‘s sunset scene, also from the Alki area:
So far, the forecast suggests more clear skies than clouds in the week to come!
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
People brought their beloved pets to St.John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s parking lot this afternoon for the annual Blessing of the Animals. The Reverend Canon Elise Johnstone and curate Rev.Vince Booth blessed all the pets who were there.
Most of the pets were dogs, though we did spot two cats:
It was largely a calm and sweet event:
The spoken blessing included:
God’s animals inhabit the sky, the land, and the sea; we share the Earth with them, and like them, rely on God’s blessing to sustain and preserve us. We gather today in communion and friendship with Francis of Assisi, who preached to animals and moved throughout the known world sharing God’s unconditional love for all beings. Remembering Francis’s love for all God’s creatures, bring forward the animals entrusted to your care so that we may bless them.
St. Francis medals were available for all the participating pets.
(WSB photo – birdhouse-building at 2025 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
As mentioned here a few months back, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival will be earlier in the afternoon this year – 1 pm to 4 pm. It’s now just two weeks away, Sunday, October 18, and organizers asked us to share this with you:
The Fauntleroy Fall Festival will be on October 18th this year, with a little bit of a different twist. This year the festival’s primary space will be at the Fauntleroy Church and YMCA. The Fauntleroy Children’s Center will be open for a quiet space for festival goers to move away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd, and will also serve as a diaper-changing room.
All 3 levels of the parking lot will be open and all the fun attractions you have come to love will be on one side of the street. Pumpkin-painting, birdhouse-building, live music, and so much more!
This decision was made for several reasons. One of them was safety- With less going on across the street, we hope there will be less bodies crossing, but our crossing guards will still be there! There is a private event going on at The Hall at Fauntleroy in the afternoon, so the back parking lot will not be available for parking. We highly encourage attendees of the festival to walk or use public transit.
We are looking forward to another wonderful Festival. See you on October 18th!
The festival site is at 9140 California SW.
1:26 PM: Two just went over us while we were out walking in The Junction. Seahawks pregame flyover – it’s kickoff time right now.
3:50 PM: West Seattle photographer Steven Rice says they were “Navy Lancers EA-18G Growlers” and sends these photos he took at the Museum of Flight (Boeing Field):
They’re based on Whidbey Island.
It’s the busiest season for Denis Sapiro and his West Seattle Kiwanis clubmates. Their booth holds down the south end of the Farmers’ Market on Sundays through early December, and there are at least three reasons to stop to visit. One is in our photo with Denis – they’re selling tickets to their annual Pancake Breakfast on December 5, a holiday celebration that also includes photos with Santa Claus. You can also stop by the booth to donate new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, any Sunday through early December:
(Denis tells us C & P Coffee and Northwest Art and Frame have collection boxes too.) And the Kiwanis booth has free activities for kids – pumpkin themes today, and Denis had table full of participants just minutes after 10:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle also does other community work including sponsoring Key Clubs at local high schools and other youth organizations/activities.
P.S. The Pancake Breakfast welcomes more community co-sponsors! (We’re signing up again this year.) Here’s how.
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.
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