January 2026

Chicken craze hits West Seattle: Starbird and Dave's Hot Chicken set to open new locations

West Seattle is about to get a major poultry boost as two prominent chicken chains, Starbird and Dave’s Hot Chicken, have announced upcoming locations here.

Starbird Makes Pacific Northwest Debut

Starbird, a San Francisco-based fried chicken chain, is officially expanding into the Pacific Northwest with a new lease in the Whittaker building. Located at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, the restaurant will occupy a 2,522-square-foot space formerly held by MOD Pizza. While the store is not anticipated to open until the end of 2026, it marks the beginning of a significant regional expansion.

The company, founded in 2016, bills itself as a "chef-driven, feel-good chicken chain" that utilizes high-tech customer experiences and premium ingredients. Their menu focuses on all-natural, never-frozen chicken raised without the use of antibiotics.

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Ski Report: Get Ready for a Bluebird Holiday Weekend!

By Ethan MacNamara

The Alpenglow Effect

Warmer temps have invaded the PNW, leading to spring like conditions across the West side of the cascades. We recommend breaking out the rock skis this weekend, and to chase the sun and softer snow! Very little to no snowfall expected for this weekend. Some resorts have limited grooming on runs, so expect variable conditions! Higher Elevations and resorts further east, like Mission Ridge, will offer best snow conditions.

Summit at Snoqualmie

Weather- Temps: 46°/33°, Sunny Skies, no precipitation on the forcast.

Sunny conditions will prevail, allowing for spring skiing fun! We recommend using your rock ski/board as rocks and branches will be exposed. Summit advises that they have limited groomed runs

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Marsalis: Finding the "Flame" in the modern music maze
Band gearing up for Crocodile show March 21

In an era where streaming services dominate the landscape and recorded music often serves as a digital business card for live performances, the West Seattle-based band Marsalis is proving that the heart of the industry still beats through the song. Since forming in 2016, the group, composed of lead singer and guitarist Dennis Zender, keyboardist Theresa Cadondon, bassist Adam Bishop, has been navigating the "mercurial mix of melody, meaning, and timing" that defines a breakout act. 

Marsalis just released a new single and is gearing up for a comeback show March 21st at the Crocodile.

Tickets available here

The single "Lie to Me" is streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube music.

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King County man charged in massive multi-city retail theft spree
Bail set at $50,000; Charged as a felony due to organized theft

Prosecutors have officially charged David Joseph Gama in connection with a prolific series of retail thefts targeting Ulta Beauty locations across King County. While Gama has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent until proven guilty, he remains in custody at the King County Jail as the legal process moves forward.

The Charges and Allegations

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Gama with three counts of Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree. These charges are based on what investigators describe as a “common scheme or plan” involving 24 reported and confirmed thefts occurring over a 55-day period between late 2025 and early 2026.

According to charging documents, Gama allegedly entered various Ulta Beauty stores from North Seattle to Federal Way, took merchandise, and passed all points of sale without making any attempt to pay.

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White Center Food Bank reaches halfway mark in 2025 end-of-year appeal; Calls on community to help cross the finish line

Information from White Center Food Bank

We wanted to share an important update on our 2025 End-of-Year Appeal: thanks to the generosity of our community, we have raised nearly $50,000, reaching the halfway point of our fundraising goal. As the new year arrives, we are inviting supporters to help us finish strong and ensure our neighbors continue to have access to nutritious food in the year ahead.

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Shots fired in Highpoint, one hitting woman; Vehicles and homes also hit

Information from Seattle Police Blotter

Seattle police detectives are investigating a shooting that injured a 42-year-old woman in the High Point neighborhood last night.

On Jan. 14 about 11:15 p.m., patrol officers responded to a shooting in the 6500 block of Sylvan Way Southwest. There, officers found a victim shot in her arm. Police and firefighters treated the woman and medics took her to the Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

Detectives in the Gun Violence Reduction Unit (GVRU) responded to process the scene and interview the victim. Police determined that multiple suspects shot at the victim’s vehicle, striking her inside of it. Multiple vehicles and at least one occupied home were also struck by gunfire. Approximately 60 rounds were fired. 

The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. The suspects fled the area in a vehicle before police arrived and officers did not make any arrests. 

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New year, new look for Alki Beach; Community-led flag installation began January 14

Information from Alki Community Council

A fresh chapter for Alki Beach begins this Wednesday as new custom designed neighborhood flags are installed along the waterfront corridor, signaling renewed care, pride, and stewardship of Seattle’s birthplace.

Installation started Tuesday, January 14, through Wednesday, January 15, with flags mounted on every other light pole from 55th Avenue SW through 62nd Avenue SW—often referred to as Alki’s “business district” of restaurants along Alki Beach Park.

“New year, new look felt like the right moment for Alki,” said Charlotte Starck, President of the Alki Community Council. “This project goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about restoring vitality, signaling care, and reminding residents and visitors alike that Alki Beach is a place worth protecting and nurturing.”

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Georgie Myrtia Kunkel

 

Georgie Myrtia Kunkel, 105, died on October 29, 2025, in Seattle, WA. She was born in Chehalis, WA, on August 31, 1920, to parents George Riley Bright and Myrtia McLaughlin Bright, the last of 10 surviving children. She spent her early years living through the Great Depression which gave her a sense of frugality. She saved rubber bands and tin foil, a habit she maintained for many years thereafter.

More than a transaction: The Alpenglow Effect brings inclusivity and expert craft to the south Seattle ski scene

In a tucked-away unit at 3100 Airport Way South, sandwiched between a glass shop and a spa, a new kind of winter sports hub is taking root. The Alpenglow Effect, a woman-owned ski and snowboard shop, is less about the elitist "gatekeeping" often found in the industry and more about the "fleeting, beautiful, and unforgettable" moment when the sun sets and the mountains turn pink and gold.

Founded by Rylie Stovall, who spent five years as a general manager in the industry after moving to Seattle from North Dakota, the business was born from a desire to fix what she saw as a "broken" system. "I wanted to build a shop that feels welcoming instead of elitist, affordable instead of exclusive, and community-driven instead of transactional," Rylie explained.

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The UPS Store now open in Westwood Village offering Amazon returns and much more

Tami and Michael Lindquist, experienced owners who have operated UPS centers since 2020, have officially opened their fourth Pacific Northwest  location at Westwood Village. 

UPS store at Westwood Village
Located in the 'breezeway' between Starbucks and WingStop at Westwood Village. Photo by Patrick Robinson

 

This new center fills a significant void in the community, as the owners noted that "there hasn't been a UPS store here in over two years" and expressed that local residents "need one and deserve one". The Lindquists, who also own stores in North Seattle’s Roosevelt neighborhood, Lynnwood, and Everett, chose this site as a business opportunity to service the residents of West Seattle and White Center.

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