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UPDATE: Power outage in Arbor Heights/Seola Beach

9:56 PM: Someone called 911 a short time ago to say they heard an explosion, and then the power went out, in the Arbor Heights/Seola Beach area. The Seattle City Light outage map shows 26 homes out so far.

9:58 PM: Dispatch just told officers another caller reports the problem is a tree limb that’s fallen into wires.

12:09 AM: Not resolved yet. According to the SPD map, the tree trouble happened in the 10700 block of Seola Beach Drive.

BIZNOTE: Want to get out on the water? Alki Paddle Club launches

We’re in the heart of summer and there is no better time to get out on the water. Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) are offering a new way for you to do that – here’s the announcement that Alki Paddle Club has launched:

Alki Paddle Club is a new membership-based community club aiming to connect West Seattleites on and off the water. Membership includes access to three tours or specialty classes, a 50% discount on any rentals, and exclusive member-only events. We offer three sea kayak tours daily: an Alki Lighthouse tour, an Elliott Bay tour, and a Sunset tour. Our classes include an introduction to stand-up paddleboarding, an introduction to sea kayaking, and a sea kayaking rescue and recovery class.

Alki Kayak Tours offers rentals of bikes, longboards, SUPs, sit-on-tops, and sea kayaks, both with single and tandem options. We provide all the necessary gear to have a memorable time on or off the water.

You can sign up for Alki Paddle Club by going here.

Website links are:

www.kayakalki.com

www.m2soutfitters.com ”

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package taken; burglary followup; police hiring update; local officer ridealong video

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this evening:

PACKAGE TAKEN: The video was sent by a reader in North Admiral in hopes someone recognizes this person:

(2200 block) California Ave SW, happened around 4 am Thursday night. Temporary report number: T00035482

BURGLARY FOLLOWUP: On Saturday morning, we briefly reported police investigating a burglary at Zeeks Pizza in Morgan Junction. Today we obtained the report with details. The person who reported the break-in was a produce-delivery person who saw the shattered glass on arrival. Police say the register drawer was damaged but it didn’t appear the burglar(s) had gotten anything from it because, the officer who filed the report wrote, “the business operated on credit/debit cards only.” However, staff told police that it appeared “10-15 bottles of whiskey were taken.”

POLICE HIRING: Back in May, city councilmembers got an update on Seattle Police hiring (WSB coverage here) and were told it was moving at an “unprecedented” pace. An announcement late today suggests that pace is continuing, with the news that they’ve hired more than 100 officers so far this year. That’s more than projected in the May briefing, which suggested SPD was likely to hire 132 to 169 officers this entire year.

OFFICER RIDEALONG VIDEO: The news release touting the hiring numbers mentioned that among other things, the department is now producing “compelling content on YouTube.” So we clicked through to see what they were referring to and found this recently published SPD video, scenes from a ridealong with a Southwest Precinct officer, featuring mostly West Seattle calls:

This includes some of the revived traffic enforcement that officers have been doing lately (as evidenced by radio calls and online logs).

FOLLOWUP: Former City Councilmember Debora Juarez now successor to ex-Councilmember Cathy Moore as well as predecessor

(City of Seattle photo: Councilmember Debora Juarez’s swearing-in today)

The City Council has chosen a replacement for Cathy Moore, who resigned as councilmember for North Seattle’s District 5 early this month (we noted her resignation announcement in June). Moore’s successor was also her predecessor: Debora Juarez. The council chose her today [video] from among six finalists; the only councilmember who didn’t vote for her was citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, who voted for Nilu Jenks. Juarez’s appointment is until fall 2026, when District 5 voters will choose someone for the final year of Moore’s term, and then elect someone for a full four-year term in 2027, when all seven of the district seats will be on the ballot. Juarez becomes one of two appointees on the current council, with Mark Solomon, chosen to succeed Tammy Morales, who quit the seat for South Seattle’s District 2.

PREVIEW: Seafair Parade of Ships to pass West Seattle shores on Tuesday; ship tours Thursday-Sunday

That’s the destroyer USS Sampson, the U.S. Navy‘s contribution to last year’s Seafair Parade of Ships. Once again this year, Seafair says the Navy won’t announce until tomorrow – the day of the waterborne parade – which of its ships will sail past the West Seattle and downtown waterfronts, ending up at Pier 46’s Coast Guard Event Center, where the ship(s) will be open to public tours Thursday-Sunday. U.S. Coast Guard ships will be part of the Parade of Ships too, also as-yet unannounced. To watch the Parade of Ships, just be somewhere on the north-to-northwest-to-northeast-facing West Seattle shore around noon – from Alki Point to Jack Block Park. For tours, 10 am-4 pm Thursday-Sunday (note that the Navy website says 4 pm while the Seafair website says 3 pm), here are the Navy’s rules; note that RealID-compliant identification is required, so if you haven’t gotten around to that yet, you won’t be allowed aboard.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Gyro Heroes reopens

A week and a half ago, we reported that the reason for the unexplained temporary closure of Gyro Heroes (4111 SW Admiral Way) was remodeling. Today they’re open again, and we stopped by for a photo. They told us they’ve done all the work they planned on, so they’re not expecting any more closures. Their hours are 11 am-9 pm daily.

FOLLOWUP: Registration open for August 14 community-safety forum in West Seattle

Last week we published District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka‘s brief announcement of the date for this area’s version of the community-safety forums being held around the city. Today, SPD’s Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite has sent the full announcement, including a registration link if you’re interested in attending:

On behalf of the Seattle Mayor’s Office and the City of Seattle, we are excited to invite you to attend the “Creating a Safer Seattle Public Safety Community Forum” on Thursday, August 14 at Delridge Community Center, from 6 – 7:30 PM. …

The forums will feature our new Police Chief Shon Barnes sharing his vision for Seattle-Centric policing, provide updates on the City’s progress on our One Seattle Restoration Framework, and engage community in discussions about public safety and public health solutions for our city. They will include representatives from the Seattle Police Department, Fire Department, CARE Department, Parks, Seattle Public Utilities, Human Service Department, and Department of Transportation to discuss progress and hear your feedback.

Please RSVP by using this registration link to reserve your spot. Seating is limited due to venue capacity. After registering, please complete this public safety survey to help us measure progress and feedback.

We look forward to seeing you at the forum and hearing your ideas to make Seattle safer for everyone.

UPDATE: ‘Brush fire’ at EC Hughes park

11:37 AM: SFD is at a “brush fire” call in the EC Hughes Playground (28th/Holden) vicinity and we’re told smoke is visible from some distance, so in case you’re wondering too, that’s what’s happening. We’re headed over for a look.

11:42 AM: Texter (who sent the video added above, showing the smoke) says it’s on the SW Kenyon side, near homes. Fire risk is high – checking the weather stats, we note that the rainfall total is nine inches below what we’d normally have in the “rain year” (since October 1).

12:01 PM: Kenyon is blocked at EC Hughes. Firefighters are still hosing down the southwest side of the park.

12:33 PM: SFD has departed and Kenyon is open again. (Added: Photo above shows scorched slope on southwest side of the park, past the baseball field.)

Here’s what’s up in West Seattle on your midsummer Monday

(Sunday sunset with seawall waves at Alki, photographed by Misa Moore)

Mostly regular weekly events on this edition of our Monday highlight list, as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (are we missing something? let us know!):

SUMMER FOOD: As originally noted here, there are multiple sites/times/days in West Seattle where kids can get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks during summer break.

FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 am story time is open to wee ones and their parents/guardians/caretakers. (9010 35th SW)

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: Continuing through Labor Day, the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day, noon-7 pm. Fee.

WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) are scheduled to be open today, noon-7 pm. Free.

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm “briefing meeting” today; see the agenda here; watch live via Seattle Channel. (No public comment at the briefing meetings.)

HEALTHY AND WEALTHY TEENS: This series of teen-geared events continues today, 2:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

ART SALON AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 4-6 pm, C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts this gathering:

This is a monthly gathering of artistic, creative people interested in drawing, painting, printing, journaling, collaging and other creative pursuits. The purpose of this gathering is to provide encouragement and community. Creative people at all stages of development, both casual and professional, are welcome but this gathering is especially for beginners, people who are self-taught, and/or those who simply enjoy making art and think a monthly social gathering will help them make time each month for art!

CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players welcome too!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group, participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee.(4034 California SW)

MONDAY NIGHT QUIZ/TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play tonight! Easy Street Records‘ every-other-week Music Quiz has sessions at 6:30 and 7:30 pm (4559 California SW) … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

ALKI MEDITATION: Doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, and the meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

POOL TOURNAMENT: Play in The Corner Pocket‘s weekly pool tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: More Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday music – live jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, you can sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

LATE-SUMMER CAMP: West Seattle YMCA basketball

The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is offering a weeklong basketball camp for kids next month – here’s the announcement:

Get ready for a high-energy week of hoops, hustle, and heart! This full-day clinic is more than just basketball—it’s a chance for young athletes to sharpen skills, build confidence, and grow as teammates and leaders. Led by inspiring coaches and dedicated Y staff, kids will level up with focused training in dribbling, shooting, court awareness, strategy, and agility. They’ll also enjoy a fun pool day to recharge and bond. Through exciting drills and games, athletes will boost their abilities, sportsmanship, and resilience in a fun, supportive environment.

When: August 11th – 15th 9 am-4 pm
Who: Kids Ages 8-12
Contact Liz Abbott at labbott@seattleymca.org

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Last Monday in July

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, July 28, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny today, high near 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:42 am; sunset will be at 8:48 pm.

ROAD WORK

-Repaving will resume on California SW between Holly and Frontenac this Thursday.

-Crews are working on curb ramps for all four corners of 60th/Admiral, and that’s closing 60th during work hours as well as affecting bike lanes near work crews.

-The major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center continues – details here.

-Admiral Bridge work continues.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.

Washington State Ferries – WSF is back to three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.

Water TaxiRegular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, and on weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events).

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See a problem 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!

West Seattle twins chosen to spend next two high-school years in ‘world peace’ program overseas

(Khalil Taw and Ari Taw)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

While most high-school students in West Seattle were busy counting down the days until summer break, fraternal twins Ari and Khalil Taw were just as eagerly counting the days until the new school year starts for them, at campuses almost halfway around the world. They are heading to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, respectively, having both earned a coveted spot in a program focused on what may best be described as world peace. It involves leaving their parents, friends, and each other for two years, in exchange for an extraordinary opportunity.

“My head’s in the clouds right now,” says Khalil, who will live in the Northern Armenia town of Dilijan. He and Ari, who will study in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were selected as Davis Scholars with the United World Colleges (UWC). While college is in the name, UWC is a high-school program with 18 schools on 4 continents, and only one in the US — in Montezuma, NM. While UWC is functionally a boarding-school program, it intentionally brings together teens from disparate backgrounds to learn from each other for the betterment of the planet.

UWC was founded in the 1960s in the UK, with a goal of cultivating peace and understanding through education. By being in a classroom together, students from dozens of countries would see not just their differences, but the many things they have in common, and start to understand each other’s perspectives, leading to empathy, collaboration, and ideally, a future with less conflict. Over the years, UWC has grown to global prominence and widened its impact, counting now-King Charles, Nelson Mandela, and Queen Noor of Jordan among its presidents, the latter having served since 1995.

“It’s the best-kept secret in the US,” says Carl-Martin Nelson, UWC’s Director of Communications, who says that’s in part because UWC spends available funds on scholarships rather than marketing. “Our admissions model is different from any other school. We recruit for idealism in a way, unabashedly,” he says, explaining that they might have one full scholarship and one half-scholarship available for a country like Egypt or Venezuela. Each of those countries has a national committee that is then charged with finding students who they think would be a good match for the school. A three-stage application process follows, one that both Ari and Khalil found intense and sometimes intimidating, particularly knowing that only a very small percentage of applicants are accepted. “I became scared through the stages. I was unsure if I was going to fit in because a lot of people are very much one type,” says Ari. “I really do care about my academics, but I’m creative-focused. I think I have this little impostor syndrome. Do I really belong here?”

After the twins completed the third stage, a visit to the American UWC campus in New Mexico earlier this year, the answer was yes for both of them. Then the question was where in the world would they be going to school. UWC allows incoming students to list their top 3 choices and the majority of them put Italy first. Ari asked for Mostar, and got it. “I’m really interested in post-conflict societies,” she says. “That’s what drew me to Mostar — that there are three ethnicities. I wanted to see how they’ve reconciled [after the war in the early 1990s]. I really care about immigration and how people view immigrants. I don’t have clear-cut goals, just helping people.”

Khalil’s interests are more varied, but are centered around equity and access, particular when it comes to natural resources and recreational open space, which he has noticed is often utilized along lines of class and race. “You’re mostly seeing people of higher income, and white. A lot of people can’t appreciate national parks [because of a lack of] transportation, gear, money. There’s so much blocking everyone off from the outdoors.” Khalil thinks his time in Armenia will shape his ideas about how he can bring about positive change. “I want to go into politics, environmental equity, policies, cutting off corrupt international trade. Right now I have so many political tangents. At UWC I‘m going to find out what I’m really going to make a change in.”

Though American policies around travel and immigration are in flux, neither of the Taws is particularly worried about being out of the country for the rest of their high school education. But they both mentioned the big change of leaving their family home at 16 and the impact it will have on their parents. “They’re losing both of their kids. I’ll never live with them again,” predicted Ari. Their dad, Harold Taw, said with a smile, “My wife and I were a lot more supportive of their departure from home 2 years early when we thought it wasn’t a realistic possibility.”

Soon the last days of their sophomore-year classes at Seattle-area schools (Holy Names for Ari and Downtown School for Khalil) will be just a distant memory, and the twins will be on planes with different destinations. Orientation starts at the end of August and Ari’s will include a canoe trip with other students, an activity that will require everyone to pitch in together, something both twins know is exactly what they signed up for. “The beauty of UWC is the friendships you make across cultures— a person from each continent,” Khalil says, “The idea that world peace starts with kids, education… is the most important thing. People hate each other until they talk face to face. [That’s when] you see that someone feels just like you. It’s going to be messy, but also, it’s kind of beautiful.”

VIDEO: Justin Davis swims from Bremerton to Alki Point as Northwest Open Water Swimming Association starts marathon season

(Photo courtesy Northwest Open Water Swimming Association)

That’s Justin Davis, right after he completed what the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association calls the Amy Hiland Swim, Bremerton to Alki Point, this afternoon, as previewed here earlier this week. Supporters were there to cheer his achievement:

(Video by Chris Hasse, courtesy NOWSA)
We didn’t make it to the rocky shore of Alki Point until shortly after Justin arrived (and then left), so we didn’t get to talk with him, but Amanda Winans of NOWSA was there and told us that Justin – in his first official marathon swim – set the unofficial course record, 3:52:16, and is the first male swimmer to solo the 10.4-mile route. Also there was Chelsea Lee, who as also mentioned in our story earlier this week is preparing for a marathon swim, planning to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca – also 10.4 miles – this Friday or Saturday, depending on the wind forecast. She is exuberantly excited about the swim. They’re all members of the Notorious Alki Swimmers, the open-water swimmers often seen in Elliott Bay right off the beach.

UPDATE: Water-rescue response off Alki, quickly canceled

3:27 PM: Emergency responders are headed for the 2600 block of Alki Avenue SW, where a person is reported in possible distress with a flipped canoe about 100 feet out. Updates to come.

3:29 PM UPDATE: Police/fire just told dispatch that the person in the canoe was assisted by paddleboarders and is no longer in trouble, so they’re canceling the response.

READER REPORT: Arbor Heights tennis success and camp availability

Recently, we spotlighted a swimming feat by young athletes from the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club. Now we have word of big tennis wins too, sent by Chris Smithco, tennis rep on the club board:

The Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club tennis team recently wrapped up an incredible season — and they finished strong!

In the South Seattle postseason competition, Arbor Heights faced off against three other clubs and Arbor Heights won 6 of the 8 championship matches (Girls & Boys 10U, 12U, 14U &Seniors) — a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our players and coaches.

I attached a few snapshots from the season to highlight some of the excitement and sportsmanship that made this summer so memorable.

We also are offering Youth Tennis Camps for kids ages 7 to 12 in early August with the camps open to both members and non-members. These camps are a great opportunity for young players to learn the game, build confidence, and have fun in a supportive environment. Register here.

VIDEO: Duwamish Tribe canoe family begins Paddle to Elwha with West Seattle departure

(WSB video and photos by Tracy Record)
That’s the Duwamish Tribe canoe family paddling the Kikisoblu – named after Chief Sealth‘s daughter (also known as Princess Angeline) westward in Elliott Bay this morning, shortly after launching from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, headed out on this year’s regional canoe journey, the Paddle to Elwha. Here’s how it unfolded, once the canoe arrived:

Canoe family members gathered on the dock for a prayer:

Spectators lined the nearby overlook:

We learned that most of the canoe family members for this journey are women (and a 10-year-old girl!) – emblematic of the fact the Duwamish are a matriarchal tribe. Among the crew members is Vanessa, whose heritage covers both ends of the canoe family’s journey – Duwamish and host nation for this journey Lower Elwha Klallam – we talked with her and her mom on video:

This is Vanessa’s first canoe journey, as it was for several others with whom we spoke. But this isn’t just about the journey to the host nation; it’s also about the five-day protocol that will begin after arrival; another canoe family member, Victoria, told us about the weekly practices of the songs and dances the Duwamish will present during that celebration with the other participating canoe families. “The best thing about this is community,” she told us – Duwamish community and regional Indigenous community.

Singing and drumming on the dock accompanied the 18-person canoe’s departure as it first headed to rendezvous with its support boat just offshore:

After that, it was off to Suquamish to stay overnight tonight as the first stop – here’s the map of the stops/departures along participating canoe families’ journeys to the host nation:

The Duwamish canoe family plans to stop at Port Gamble, Port Townsend, and Jamestown before arriving at the Lower Elwha Klallam landing site next Thursday, with protocol to start on Friday.

At Don Armeni, there was a postscript to the Duwamish departure – a smaller canoe family, flying a flag LAND BACK, had put in at the next dock over, and its crew called over to Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, asking for permission to depart:

They said they were local residents with Southeast Alaska heritage and that they hoped the Duwamish “get their land back.” They were singing, prior to departure, when we left Don Armeni on our way to follow the Duwamish canoe from shore.

West Seattle sights as 2025 Seafair Torchlight Parade rolls and strolls down new waterfront route

(WSB photos)

We went to last night’s Seafair Torchlight Parade with the intent of watching a parade we weren’t planning to cover (after this month’s Fourth of July Kids’ Parade and West Seattle Grand Parade) – and checking out its new route along Alaskan Way – but encountered a few sights we wanted to share. Above, King County Executive and West Seattleite Shannon Braddock was reacting to what appeared to be a friend approaching her car on the route; this was her only chance to ride in the parade as KCE, since she’s not running for the job and one of seven candidates will have it by next year’s parade. Also seen – the first Seafair Clown to appear near the start of the route was West Seattle’s own Officer Lumpy (aka Chris Henggeler):

One business with a West Seattle location had a parade entry – Ezell’s Famous Chicken had a roller-skating drill team:

Since the Blue Angelsarriving Wednesday – are such a hot topic this time of year, we took a pic of the parade balloon in their honor:

Also from the U.S. Navy, the Silverdale-based Navy Band Northwest, promoting Seafair’s Fleet Week, which includes the Parade of Ships past West Seattle’s north shore (Tuesday, July 29, noonish):

Meantime, here was at least one West Seattleite in the All-City Band, a uniformed young musician we saw in the West Seattle Water Taxi line as we headed home, so we’re including this video contributed by West Seattle journalist/historian Clay Eals, one of the many West Seattleites who went downtown to see the parade (Clay’s vantage point was the new Overlook Walk, so you get a great look at the parade ambience from there):

(Several of the bands that joined ACB in Band JamWSB coverage here – in West Seattle on Friday night were also in the parade – including Kennedy Catholic and Sumner High Schools.) As Clay notes at the start of the clip, ACB was second to last in the parade, which concluded with the cannon-blasting, sword-scraping Seafair Pirates. It lasted almost two hours.

SIDE NOTE: If you’re thinking of going next year, note that signage indicated chairs could be placed along Alaskan Way to hold spots after 2 pm on parade day, but not before. Lots of curb space, as in some places the concrete median on the outside of the bike lane – which along with traffic lanes was closed during the parade – was wide enough for chairs.

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 20 notes!

(Another low-low tide photo by Rosalie Miller – Piddock clam siphons)

Good morning! Here’s our Sunday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

CANOE SENDOFF: The Duwamish Tribe invites all to the sendoff for its canoe family as they set out on the Paddle to Elwha journey. 7:30 am at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW)

WESTIES RUN CLUB: This week’s 9 am Sunday Funday run leaves from Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)

RICE, BEANS, & HAPPINESS: Pop-up at Milpa Masa (3416 SW Webster), with chilaquiles and tacos on the menu, 10 am-2 pm.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Find the market on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, the heart of summer produce season, plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, flowers, more.

MASTER GARDENERS: They’re at the market today, also 10 am-2 pm, if you have a garden question/challenge/etc. that would benefit from expert advice.

GRIEF CIRCLE: Listening to Grief‘s monthly gathering, all kinds of grief welcome, 10:30 am at Nurture Wellbeing (6307 California SW).

FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)

SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, no matter what the weather is, 11 am-8 pm.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE RESISTS: Sunday signholding in The Junction (California/Alaska), 11:30 am-1:30 pm.

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY LOCAL TASTE & TENT SALE: Final day that you can shop the tent sale and taste the wares offered by dozens of vendors, noon-5 pm. (California/Fauntleroy)

COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open today as its 7-day-a-week season continues, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.

WADING POOLS: Also at Lincoln Park, the wading pool is expected to be open, as is the EC Hughes wading pool (2805 SW Holden) – hours for both today are noon-7 pm.

‘LET THEM’ BOOK DISCUSSION: 12:15 pm, after services, <strong>Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) invites everyone to come talk about this potentially life-changing book.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: No tours today or next Sunday.

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your summery Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)

NOT DEAD YET, LIVE: The West Seattle band is on a bill with four other Seattle bands at Volunteer Park Amphitheater (1139 Volunteer Park Road), 4 pm (the full 5-band show starts at 2 pm). Free, all ages.

FREE COMMUNITY MEAL: 5:30-6:30 pm at Bethany West Seattle (8600 9th SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music provided by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could feature on the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Another closure ahead for North Delridge’s Salmon Bone Bridge

(WSB file photo)

That’s the beloved Salmon Bone Bridge on Longfellow Creek, subject of this notice that Seattle Public Utilities sent us to share with you about another closure to follow up last year’s work:

Salmon Bone Bridge Temporary Closure

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Salmon Bone Bridge is a pedestrian bridge over Longfellow Creek near the Dragonfly Garden. The bridge was designed by renowned Seattle-based artist Lorna Jordan to invoke the skeletal structure of a fish. SPU replaced the deteriorated decking in the summer of 2024 with a CorDeck Dots decking material meant for slip resistance and to withstand wet weather over a long service life. The new material honors the artist’s original vision and herringbone design, but it will be safer, more durable, and more accessible.

SPU plans to finish the restoration of the bridge this year from August to October. Restoration will include:

• Replacing the bridge’s safety cables

• Stripping and repainting the bridge’s metal, tubular “bones”

SCHEDULE
The bridge will be closed for up to 3 months from August to October. This work must take place in the summer months to reduce risk to the fish. Timing, duration, and working hours are subject to change due to permitting, weather, crew availability, and other factors. Thank you for your patience during this work.

LOCATION
The Salmon Bone Bridge spans Longfellow Creek where it passes through the greenspace between SW Nevada St/SW Yancy St and 28th Ave SW/26th Ave SW. No other areas of the greenspace will be impacted by this temporary bridge closure.

PHOTOS: Outrigger canoes take over Alki for the day

A once-a-year sight on Alki today – outrigger canoes arriving and departing for the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s annual “Da Grind” day of racing.

The racing wrapped up at mid-afternoon, after competition on 4-mile and 12-mile courses.

It was a sight on the sand, too, as participating clubs set up tents for the day.

Results eventually will be linked at the bottom of this page.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: New ‘drop-in court’ volleyball net stolen

(New court, minus stolen net – photo courtesy Hannah)

In the past few weeks, we’ve been reporting on the installation of a new type of volleyball court at Alki Beach; WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen broke the story after learning about it while covering West Seattle Summer Fest. It was installed this past Wednesday morning. Then Hayden got this update today from his first interviewee:

Some unfortunate news in that it looks like the net was stolen, though the lines and poles are intact. We are very sad because we saw very high public usage of the courts in the days prior. The community may put up a temporary one in the interim while the Parks Department investigated this theft of public property. If anyone is aware of its whereabouts please help in returning it, or contacting the Seattle Parks Department – Lisa.Nielsen@seattle.gov

As shown in Hayden’s Wednesday report, the net’s blue border is clearly, and multiply, labeled as Seattle Parks and Recreation property. (No police report # yet; that would have to be filed by the city.)

FOLLOWUP: Motorcyclist recovering after West Seattle crash, expressing gratitude

(Reader photo)

We reported briefly on that collision at 35th/Avalon this past Tuesday night. It sent motorcyclist TerRon Dawson to the hospital with a broken pelvis, we learned via comments. Readers asked about a chance to contribute to his recovery, so his former wife Emily Dawson, shown below wth TerRon and their children, set up this crowdfunding page.

Emily said in email to WSB – as noted on the page – that TerRon, who works as a contractor, also is expressing gratitude:

TerRon wanted to especially mention that he was thankful for the show of community during his accident. He said there was an off-duty firefighter who helped hold his head steady and gave words of comfort, and there were many others who helped gather his things that had scattered in the accident like his backpack and boots. He really appreciated everyone’s help.

Two Alki regulars about to take on major marathon swims

(August 2024 photo by Stephanie Zimmerman)

That’s local marathon swimmer Chelsea Lee, in a photo we published last August, after she swam from Tacoma to West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. She’s one of two Alki open-water swimmers that Amanda Winans from the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association tells us is about to try major marathon swims, as the peak season for them begins:

Justin Davis are going to be attempting the Amy Hiland Swim (~10.4 mi), from Bremerton to the Alki Lighthouse, this Sunday (July 27), starting at 9 am, with an expected finish at around 12:45-1:30 pm. This is his first official marathon swim. You can track his swim here.

Chelsea Lee, who has completed the Amy Hiland Swim and Bert Thomas Swim (Tacoma to Lincoln Park), is attempting to swim across the Strait of Juan de Fuca (~10.4 mi), on August 1 or 2, depending on the weather. She’ll start at Beechey Head, BC [map], and swim to Tongue Point, WA. As it says on our site, this has been called one of the two “Toughest Swims in the World,” according to “Wind, Waves, and Sunburn, A Brief History of Marathon Swimming.” Currents and weather conditions, as well as very cold water, make this a difficult swim. Her tracker link will be the same as Justin’s.

With NOWSA’s help, we expect to have followups on how these swims go.