April 2026

After more than two decades at the furnace, Shannon and Jon Felix, owners of the iconic West Seattle studio Avalon Glassworks, have decided to seek a buyer for their business. The couple, both 56, reached the decision after realizing that the "one day" they had been waiting for to pursue other interests had finally arrived.

Located on SW Avalon Way, the studio has become a cornerstone of the local arts scene, specializing in Northwest-inspired blown-glass art such as decorative vases, ornaments, and their signature glass floats. The business recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary, having been founded in 1993 before the Felixes took ownership in 2003.

Their partnership brought a unique blend of Shannon’s graphic design background and Jon’s scientific expertise in glass chemistry—a skill set honed during his time at Dale Chihuly’s Boathouse.

Building on the momentum of last autumn’s inaugural event in West Seattle, the White Center community is preparing for a "unique weekend pairing" of events designed to "spark civic engagement and deepen local belonging". Scheduled for May 15 and 16, 2026, at Evergreen High School, these back-to-back gatherings invite residents to gather, connect, and "find their people or their purpose".

The weekend is co-sponsored by White Center Solidarity (the Neighbor Union), the West Seattle Timebank, and the White Center Community Development Association (CDA). It serves as a continuation of a "new civic tradition" established on November 8, 2025, when the first Jamboree drew 62 groups to West Seattle to act as a "civic-engagement accelerator".

Jim Whittaker, the pioneering mountaineer who became the first American to summit Mount Everest, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026, at his home in Port Townsend, Washington. He was 97 years old and surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. While Whittaker gained global fame for his high-altitude exploits, he remained deeply rooted in the community where his journey began: West Seattle.

Roots in Arbor Heights

Born on February 10, 1929, Whittaker was raised in the Arbor Heights neighborhood of West Seattle alongside his twin brother, Lou. His passion for the outdoors was ignited during his teens in the 1940s while active in the Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts. He was a proud member of the West Seattle High School Class of 1947, and his formative years in the Pacific Northwest—spent technical climbing with The Mountaineers—laid the groundwork for a life of unprecedented adventure.

Brad Owen, Sound Transit’s Executive Director for Capital Delivery, addressed the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on April 8 to outline significant design refinements intended to close a massive funding gap and move the West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE) toward construction. Owen described the agency's recent efforts as a "cost work plan" exercise to "build a better mousetrap," successfully bringing the project’s estimated cost down from over $7 billion to a range of $4.9 to $5.3 billion. (See WestsideSeattle's previous coverage here)

Significant Design Refinements

The sisters behind White Center’s legendary Salvadorean Bakery & Restaurant are preparing to launch a new chapter in their culinary legacy. Ana Castro and Aminta Elgin, who have operated their landmark bakery since 1996, have announced the upcoming opening of Tías Café in Burien.

Located at 13409 Ambaum Blvd SW, Tías Café is described as a "next-generation" project for the sisters. While their original White Center location is a neighborhood institution known for Central and South American pastries, the new Burien concept will offer a broader experience, focusing on a community-centered atmosphere with expanded coffee and brunch programs.

A Modern Twist on a Classic Tradition

Fans of the sisters' original work can expect a menu that blends familiar favorites with new offerings. The café is slated to serve: