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CRIME WATCH: Deadly shooting in White Center; gunfire on Harbor Avenue; Admiral carjacking

Three Crime Watch reports from the weekend:

(Reader photo)

DEADLY SHOOTING IN WHITE CENTER: Since our initial report on partner site White Center Now this morning, King County Sheriff’s Deputies have confirmed that one of the two men shot after midnight near 16th/98th has died. A 23-year-old man is in jail for investigation of murder and assault. KCSO investigators believe it started when an allegedly drunk driver hit a parked car; the ensuing confrontation ended in gunfire. They say the suspected shooter is “an associate” of the alleged drunk driver, who was cited for suspected DUI. They have not said which of the victims was the struck car’s owner. We hope to get more information tomorrow when the suspect is likely to have a bail hearing.

Now, two West Seattle incidents for which police have released initial summaries:

GUNFIRE INVESTIGATION: SPD says this was reported at 4 am Saturday:

Officers responded to a 911 call regarding a report of shots fired in the parking lot in the area of 1900 blk of Harbor Ave. SW. Upon arrival, they located a vacant vehicle hanging off the edge of the dock. The vehicle was unoccupied. During the course of their investigation, shell casings were located at the scene and collected as evidence. Officers determined the vehicle was stolen and impounded [it] at the request of the Robbery Unit. According to a witness, the vehicle was seen doing donuts in the parking lot shortly before backing through the chain-link fence and coming to a stop on the edge of the pier. No suspects were located at the time of this call. The vehicle was impounded. The SPD Harbor Unit along with the United States Coast Guard and Port of Seattle PD responded to the scene to conduct an area check of the waterway.

If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 25-203472.

CARJACKING: SPD says this was reported after 11:30 pm Friday:

The victim was parked at the 3000 block of 44 Ave SW and about to pull out of a parking spot. A sedan pulled up next to him and the passenger exited wearing a mask. S#1 (Suspect #1) put the victim at gunpoint and demanded his cell phone. S#1 then demanded that the victim exit his vehicle. S#1 grabbed the victim and threw him to the ground. S#1 entered the victim’s vehicle and left Southbound on 44 Ave SW. S#2, who was driving the sedan, drove away in the same direction. The victim had visible injuries from the incident. Officers conducted an area check, but the suspects weren’t located.

The summary had no descriptions of the carjacker or of the stolen and suspect vehicles; we’ll be seeking those along with the report narrative when it’s available. Meantime, this incident # is 25-203304.

From White Center Now: 10 scenes from ‘Chrome and Community’

As noted in our calendar and event list on Saturday, the Eazy Duz It Car Club‘s show “Chrome and Community,” with dozens of cars from around the region, lined 16th SW – closed to through traffic – in downtown White Center for much of the day. We sent Dave Gershgorn to photograph some of the cars and people, and you can see the gallery on our partner site White Center Now.

HAPPENING NOW: Alki Art Fair 2025, final day

1:11 PM: Those are some scenes from the Alki Art Fair‘s second day, including singer Monica Ramos of Monamor; Day 3 is happening right now, and today’s live music is under way until around 5 (see the lineup here), and the artists’ booths are open until 6. WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen is there to feature more of the fair beyond what we covered Friday:

Above is sculptor Michelle DeLarme, and her baby (and mascot!) Phoebe, with Happy Yak Creations.

She specializes in miniature polymer-clay animals, and she’s been sculpting since middle school. “I like working on a smaller scale, it helps me keep things fun, and sorta whimsical. For a while I was making them so small they’d fit on the tip of your finger.” Last year Michelle was an “emerging artist” at the fair, so this is her first year with her own booth.

Her favorite item by far is the dragons. “I got on a dragon kick a long time ago, and I’ll probably never get off it.”

ADDED 1:30 PM: Up on the bathhouse stage this past hour, Stargazy Pie.

Vocalist Jack inroduced the Tacoma-based shred-pop band, signing off with “and I am Jack, and I don’t know what I’m doing here. … If you wanna get merchandise, or, if you wanna talk to my dad, you can do that,” pointing to the parentally staffed merchandise stand next to the stage before beginning another song.

ADDED 2:07 PM: Meet Sabella – an artist, writer, and designer living in Seattle who works under the moniker “the monarq.”

“This is my first time doing anything in West Seattle and it’s been great, the crowd has been very supportive.” She works primarily in goauche, acrylic and collage, with the goal to create varying images of Black women.According to her bio, “(Sabella’s) series “Portraits of Black Women I Have Yet to Name” began as a form of art therapy that helped her heal after burning out from work. While creating this series, she found the strength to quit fulltime employment
and pursue a career in the arts.” Sabella can be found seasonally at Pike Place Market, and at shows across Seattle.

ADDED 2:43 PM: It’s Johanna Lindsey‘s 18th year at the Alki Art Fair.

“There’s been a really great turnout this year, lots of out-of-town folks, and it’s gotten a lot more professional.” She’s the artist behind Penguina Designs, weaving together jewelry using beads and specialized thread. “We have our own little traditions at this point, like always getting dinner down here … It’s almost like a family reunion, seeing the same artists and people every year.” Below, she showed off one of her favorite pieces this year. When the fair is over, she’s going to keep experimenting with this orange & teal color combination:

2:59 PM: With a few hours to go for the 2025 Alki Art Fair, the beach is still flooded with people. Evan Hilsenberg-Riley, a Shoreline-based artist, was painting the Puget Sound horizon live for a crowd while chatting with onlookers.

Hilsenberg-Riley has had a tent at the Alki Art Fair since 2018, but she’s been painting with acrylics since she was 12.

“It’s been a fabulous weekend, and I’ve had a lot of practice painting and talking to an audience today.” Today, she’s painting Blake Island. “You won’t find me on top of a mountain or anything, but I love bringing out the easel to paint live, it makes the colors feel so much truer … I also like painting teeny-tiny pieces” She said, showing off a hand-held painting, also of Puget Sound.

“Shipping-container ships,” Hilsenberg-Riley said, “move a lot quicker when you’re trying to paint them.”

You can find her work in coffee and gift shops, including CAPERS (WSB sponsor) in The Junction.

The fair – which is on and around the Alki waterfront promenade west of 2701 Alki SW, with more than 90 booths – continues until 6 pm!

If you get brown water in the Alki area (or elsewhere … updated)

ORIGINAL 11:33 AM REPORT RE: ALKI … one of your neighbors wants you to know that it’s likely the result of hydrant testing, as SFD was just seen testing one at 57th/Admiral. Hydrant testing is a common cause of discolored water, because it stirs up “sediment” – aka rust – in the lines, but not always, so if brown water happens at your home/business/school, without an obvious explanation like confirmed testing (or a water break) nearby, report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.

ADDED 1:34 PM: Elsewhere, we have this report from Mike southwest of The Junction: “About an hour and a half ago we started getting brown water out of our tap here.” And Chemist, in a comment, reports seeing hydrant testing in Seaview.

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Alki Art Fair’s final day, Dacha Theatre, GreenStage, ‘Tea Dance’ at Seacrest, much more!

(Saturday photo by Chris Frankovich)

Our Sunday list includes three outdoor-theater performances in one park, plus the third and final day of the Alki Art Fair, and other events, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WESTIES RUN CLUB: This week’s 9 am Sunday Funday run leaves from Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way).

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

ALKI ART FAIR FINALE: 10 am-6 pm, one more day for you to enjoy art and music along the Alki Beach promenade. See the music lineup here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Back to its normal location this week, 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 back at the market today, also 10 am-2 pm, if you have a garden question/challenge/etc. that would benefit from expert advice.

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, 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.

COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is back open today as its 7-day-a-week season resumew, 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.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Weekly free tours during the summer, but not the next two Sundays, so if you’ve been intending to go, do it today! Grounds at 3201 Alki SW open at 1 pm; last tour starts 3:45 pm; more info in our calendar listing.

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)

ALKI TEA DANCE: At Seacrest, Marination ma kai is hosting two DJs, 3-8 pm, with a 21+-only patio, for its first-ever “Alki Tea Dance”! (1600 Harbor SW)

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), singer-songwriter David Johnson performs, no cover, all ages.

LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS: The 10U All-Star tournament continues at Bar-S Playfield on Alki Point, and the 10U West Seattle Little League Baseball All-Stars play today at 3 pm. (64th SW/SW Admiral Way)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK X 2: GreenStage has two free Shakespeare performances in Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) today/tonight – 3 pm, it’s “Much Ado About Nothing,”, and at 7 pm, it’s “Richard III.

IRISH DANCE POP-UP CLASSES: Preschoolers at 4 pm, older kids at 5:30 pm, both at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).

FREE OUTDOOR YOGA: 6 pm at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block of Beach Drive SW) with Dragonfly.

(Photo courtesy Dacha Theatre)

UPDATE: We just confirmed that this has been canceled, possibly to be rescheduled in early August, due to illness. OUTDOOR THEATER – ‘THE GROWN-UPS’: Interested in non-Shakespeare outdoor theater? That’s available in West Seattle tonight too! Dacha Theatre presents “The Grown-Ups” one more time at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 8 pm – see our calendar listing for details.

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!

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2025: Report #5 – public-safety personnel participation

Both Seattle Police and Seattle Fire were part of Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade:

That’s the SPD Motorcycle Drill Team, once an almost taken-for-granted feature in local parades, until the pandemic and staffing shortages. Last year they made a surprise, if small, comeback; this year, eight officers performed. Our video shows them toward the end of the parade route in The Junction; the voices are those of parade announcers Brian and Christa Callanan … SFD sent Engine 29 from the Admiral District’s Station 29, with some of its crew walking alongside:

We have yet more parade video and photos to roll out later today – see what we’ve already published by scrolling here!

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2025: Report #4 – the winners!

When the West Seattle Grand Parade ends, the final phase of that group’s work begins – deciding the winners in a dozen categories, as well as the overall grand-prize winners. They are the parade’s volunteer judges, and along with that photo, we’ve received the list of their decisions about today’s ~90 parade entries! We’ve already published images of some of them, and will be adding more to this list in the hours ahead as we continue processing all the video and photos we have:

OVERALL GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:

1st Place: Seattle All-City Band

2nd Place: Electronettes Hi-Steppers Drill Team & Drumline

3rd Place: West Seattle Mrs. Ropers

CHEER TEAMS:

1st Place: West Seattle High School Co-Ed Cheer Team

2nd Place: Chief Sealth International High School Cheerleading

COMMUNITY DANCE TEAMS:

1st Place: Joyas Mestizas

2nd Place: Comerford Irish Dancers

3rd Place: West Seattle Irish Dance

MARCHING BANDS:

1st Place: Seattle All-City Band

2nd Place: The All-Star Drumline

3rd Place: Kennedy Catholic High School “Lancer” Marching Band and Color Guard

PERFORMING ACTS:

1st Place: Hi-Liners Musical Theatre

2nd Place: Seattle Chinese American Chamber of Commerce

3rd Place: Rain City Ropeworks Jump Rope Team

CARS AND ANTIQUE CARS:

1st Place: Corvette Marque Club

2nd Place: STS Construction

3rd Place: 1942 American-LaFrance Fire Engine

COMMUNITY YOUTH:

1st Place: Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby

2nd Place: Endolyne Children’s Choir

3rd Place: Highline Premier FC

COMMERCIAL:

1st Place: Dragonfly West Seattle

2nd Place: Airport Towing, Burien Towing, & Columbia Towing

3rd Place: Can Doo Pet Waste Service

COMMUNITY ADULT:

1st Place: West Seattle Mrs. Ropers

2nd Place: F3 Seattle

3rd Place: West Seattle Lions Club

DRILL TEAM SENIOR:

1st Place: Electronettes Hi-Steppers Drillteam & Drumline

2nd Place: Rhapsody Winterguard

3rd Place: Evergreen Drill Team

DRILL TEAM JUNIOR:

1st Place: Babynettes Drill Team (Jr. Electronettes team)

2nd Place: Daughters of Royalty Drill & Dance Ensemble

CONVEYED FLOAT:

1st Place: Holy Rosary School

2nd Place: Calvary Chapel West Seattle

SEAFAIR:

1st Place: Seattle Seafair Pirates

2nd Place: Seattle Seafair Clowns

3rd Place: Seattle Commodores

Again, we’ll be adding photos and video for as many of the winners as we can – and we have more parade scenes to come beyond this list, too! (We should note that the Rotary Club of West Seattle Foundation presents the parade, and community sponsors help cover the costs, which are considerable; volunteer power is vital, too.)

Photo credits: Most by Oliver Hamlin for WSB. A few photos, plus the videos, by Tracy Record. Others as credited.

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2025: Report #3 – the schools

You don’t generally see individual Seattle Public Schools bands in summer parades because musicians from schools around the city join forces for the All-City Band, which not only appeared in today’s West Seattle Grand Parade, as shown in our video above, but also is practicing on the peninsula this year – at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex – since Memorial Stadium is out of commission for its overhaul. This also means ACB will host Band Jam here this year, next Friday (July 25) – a showcase of bands as well as a practice for those who are in the Seafair Torchlight Parade – more on Band Jam later. Other school groups in today’s Grand Parade included, up from Burien, the Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band:

Our area’s two largest high schools both had cheer teams in the parade – here’s West Seattle High School:

And Chief Sealth International High School:

When Holy Rosary School went by with its float, we noted about 100 people walking alongside!

And Hope Lutheran School brought along its eagle mascot:

Next up – the parade judges’ winning picks!

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2025: Report #2 – the honorees

(First and third photos by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)

For more than a decade, we’ve photographed Lou Cutler walking or running. Today, he was riding … in a convertible from the Corvette Marque Club, as Grand Marshal of the 2025 West Seattle Grand Parade. Lou, a retired P-E teacher, was honored primarily for his many years volunteering with and raising money for Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes to seriously ill children.

Lou’s “Make-A-Wish Friends” walked behind his car to raise awareness that you can help too (here’s how to volunteer, and here’s how to support MAW through Lou’s latest fundraiser).

Also riding in a convertible as parade honorees, Joanie Jacobs and Dan Jacobs of the Admiral Neighborhood Association (as well as many other community endeavors):


The West Seattle Grand Parade Committee chose them as this year’s recipients of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community; Mr. Rummel was the parade’s founder, and our story about last year’s honorees includes a list of those who’ve received it dating back to 1984 (including WSB in 2010). The Jacobs’ focus has been on community connections, and that was in evidence during this stop along the parade route:

They also got two turns riding in today’s parade, turning up toward parade’s end atop the Seafair Pirates‘ Moby Duck.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
More parade reports ahead!

CRIME WATCH: Burglary attempt at West Seattle Arcade

Three days after the break-in at Alki Coffee Company, would-be burglars tried to get into neighboring West Seattle Arcade, whose proprietors Matt and Elyssa sent this report with security-video images:

wWe had an attempted break-in at West Seattle Arcade this morning around 4:20 am.

Three men pulled up in a gray Hyundai with no plates, and attempted to pry open our door and pick our lock. They were unsuccessful and scared off by people that were out and about.

Our wonderful neighbor saw the attempt and called the police and then notified us.

Here some shots of the suspects:

If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 25-203483.

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: Report #1 – status updates

The West Seattle Grand Parade is happening now, with SPD’s motorcycle unit – eight officers this year – having just headed south on California from the parade starting point at Lander, by the north end of Hiawatha. The rest of the 90+ entries will start walking, rolling, etc. soon too. If you’re not settled in to watch the parade, remember that California is closed from Admiral to the south end of The Junction, and buses are rerouted, until the parade is over – we’re covering it from our usual spot near the start (with team members elsewhere too) and will update when it wraps up here and elsewhere; usually the street is reopened section by section.

12:20 PM: After an hour and a half, the parade is over in Admiral – with parade coordinator Michelle Edwards riding down the route at the end – but it continues southbound to The Junction for a while longer – we’ll be following so we can update when it’s concluded there too. And then – lots more coverage to come, with photos and video.

1:15 PM: Done in The Junction too,

PRE-PARADE: 550+ run, walk, roll in 2025 Float Dodger 5K

FIRST REPORT, 9:54 AM: Again this year, the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s “wheel” parade float is what runners and walkers in the Float Dodger 5K are “dodging” at California/Alaska. The race, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank, precedes the West Seattle Grand Parade, which is just about an hour away. Development director Robbin and volunteer Michelle were at Hiawatha selling $5 tickets to the WSFB’s raffle of Taste of West Seattle (September 25!) tickets:

More than 550 participants were registered as of pre-5K:

(Photos from here by Dave Gershgorn for WSB unless otherwise credited)

My Team Triumph started the race, as has become a tradition.

As for the first finishers – we’ll add coverage later – participants will be off the parade route in time for the parade’s start with SPD motorcycles around 10:45! And if you’re in or near Admiral, West Seattle Runner is hosting a beverage garden and parade-watch party to raise even more for WSFB; you can buy raffle tickets there too.

ADDED 3:46 PM: The results are here. First finisher, timed at 16:10, was 22-year-old Jonathan Grothe:

Next was 17-year-old Mason Murison, timed at 17:04:

First female finisher was 43-year-old Megan Heuer, timed at 19:02:

Second female finisher was 22-year-old Adeline Roza, timed at 19:35:

One more Float Dodger 5K note: There was a moment of silence before the race for Christi Rohlena, sister of WS Runner co-proprietor Lori McConnell; she died in a car crash this past February, Lori explained when we stopped by the shop post-parade to find out more. Lori said many family members were visiting from out of town and showed us the special race bibs they had made in Christi’s memory:

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: Grand Parade, Float Dodger 5K, Alki Art Fair, Chrome & Community, more!

Our Saturday list begins with three big events in West Seattle today:

(‘Live’ SDOT camera at California/Alaska, which closes for 5K and parade)

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: More than 90 entries! The parade presented by the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation starts from California/Lander with SPD’s Motorcycle Drill Team around 10:45, rest of parade at 11, proceeding southbound to California/Edmunds. As we’ve mentioned all week, parking restrictions on and near the route start at 7 am; street closures start not much later. Buses are rerouted too. See all our previews by scrolling here.

FLOAT DODGER 5K: Before the parade, the 5K run/walk presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank starts from Hiawatha at 9:30 am. You can still sign up on site and join in! Afterward WSR hosts a beverage garden and parade watch party (2743 California SW).

ALKI ART FAIR, DAY 2: Biggest day of this art and music festival on the promenade and green by the Alki Bathhouse, 10 am-5 pm booths, 11 am-7 pm live music. More than 90 artists! Kids’ Zone and Emerging Artists areas too, plus a silent auction inside the bathhouse 11:30 am-3:30 pm. (Here’s our Day 1 coverage.)

Here’s what else is on the Saturday schedule – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GARAGE/YARD SALES: Here are the newest listings in the WSB Community Forums.

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Not today, since West Seattle Runner is presenting the Float Dodger 5K this morning!

STEM IMPROVEMENT DAY: Volunteer cleanup/beautification/etc. work at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), 9 a-5 p.

HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am meditation at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way) – register here.

WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT HIKE: Free guided hike, this month leaving at 9:30 am from Pathfinder K-8 (1901 SW Genesee) on Pigeon Point.

INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed immediately by this walk in which you can participate even if you didn’t take the introductory stroll. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, body-care products, more!

COURTYARD YOGA: 10 am at WEND Jewelry (3278 California SW).

MASTER GARDENERS: Got a garden-related question? They’re ready to answer! Saturdays this summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.

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.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – free weekly in-person group for writers of all levels. For location info, go here.’

CHROME AND COMMUNITY: Eazy Duz It Car Club‘s annual show in White Center, also featuring performances and vendors, 11 am-7 pm on 16th Avenue SW between Roxbury and 100th.

WEST SEATTLE’S ONLY SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.

FAMILY READING TIME WITH AUTHOR: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time, with a special guest this week: “Join us for Family Reading Time as we welcome local author Corinn Reinhard to read her book ‘My Brother Has Two Houses’.” (4522 California SW)

WADING POOLS: City-run wading pools that’ll be open in West Seattle today are Lincoln Park (12 pm-7 pm) and Hiawatha (12 pm-5:30 pm).

COLMAN POOL CLOSED: Second and final day of scheduled swim meet at Lincoln Park‘s heated saltwater pool means it’s closed to the public.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Explore the present and past at the home of West Seattle history, open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the new exhibit about Seattle Teriyaki! (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:

The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area. Come support our student winemakers and join us for a student tasting.

‘HER INK, HER VOICE’: 2 pm free community event at Washington State Black Legacy Institute (2656 42nd SW):

Her Ink, Her Voice brings to life the extraordinary journey of Susie Revels Cayton, daughter of the first Black U.S. Senator and co-editor of The Seattle Republican. Set against the backdrop of the Reconstruction Era and early 20th-century Seattle, Cayton’s story is one of defiant optimism, community journalism, and unyielding advocacy.

The program will be followed by an interactive Q&A and audience discussion, encouraging dialogue around Cayton’s enduring impact and the historical relevance of her work in today’s social and political landscape. Light refreshments will be served.

OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE #1: 3 pm, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), GreenStage presents “Richard III.” Free.

FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.

ALSO AT NEPENTHE: Summer mini-market starting at 3 pm!

DUB SEA FISH STICKS: 6:05 pm home game vs. the Blackfins at Steve Cox Memorial Park‘s Mel Olson Stadium. (1321 SW 102nd, White Center). Get tickets here.

OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE #2: 7 pm, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), GreenStage presents “Much Ado About Nothing.” Free.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm (doors at 6), catch It’s All Happening, Oscar Warnersmith, 11:59, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Shonuph at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).

SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight with rotating DJ Josh and DJ NightMere, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: For Saturday night singers, 10 pm karaoke awaits you at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)

Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

COUNTDOWN: What to know about Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, even if you aren’t planning to watch it, and Float Dodger 5K

It wouldn’t be West Seattle Grand Parade Eve if Potter Construction didn’t send a photo of their entry – a brightly decorated work truck. Potter is a longtime WSB sponsor and also a parade sponsor; proprietor Gary Potter also is a member of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, which presents the parade. It follows the Float Dodger 5K, presented by West Seattle Runner (also a WSB sponsor) as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank (not too late to register to run or walk in the 5K!). We’ve been previewing all this all week, and including parking/road-closure reminders in our daily traffic roundups, but here’s one more look at what you should know:

PARADE ROUTE: Southbound on California Avenue SW from Lander to Edmunds.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS: The signs have been up for days and they cover more ground than the parade route, including side streets, for staging and detour reasons. So if you see a no-parking sign, pay attention – starting at 7 am tomorrow, the restrictions are in effect, and if you try to get away with ignoring them, you are at major risk of being towed – the streets need to be clear for safety reasons.

STREET CLOSURE AND PARADE/5K START: California closes south of Admiral fairly early in the morning too, with parade entries starting to arrive and getting directed to their staging zone (entries enter the parade route from three directions, as parade coordinator Michelle Edwards and assistants greenlight them). The route has to be clear by the time the Float Dodger starts at 9:30 am, and participants in turn have to be off the route so the SPD Motorcycle Drill Team can get going around 10:45. The other motorcyclist you’ll see is Jim Edwards, past parade coordinator and current safety/communication leader, checking the route and staying in touch with the ham-radio operators reporting in on how things are looking along the route.

RANDOM THINGS TO KNOW: The parade is an official Seafair-sanctioned event, so near the start of the route, you’ll see some of their seasoned parade personnel helping out (the Seafair Clowns, Seafair Commodores, and Seafair Pirates are in the parade too) … Speaking of which, the Pirates usually fire their cannon multiple times along the way, so even if you’re not on or near the parade route, you’ll hear those blasts …The Seafair Clowns have some sirens and horns too, so they can be kind of loud … Three announcing stations are expected this time – Brian and Christa Callanan at California/Alaska, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle at California/Charlestown, and the West Seattle Eagles at California/Genesee … and there are official watch parties at various businesses on California this time, starting at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) and heading southward (including, on the same block, post-Float Dodger, at West Seattle Runner [2743 California SW; WSB sponsor]) … Be sure to cheer for parade honorees riding toward the start – grand marshal Lou Cutler and Orville Rommel Trophy winners Dan and Joanie Jacobs … We’ll have plenty of parade coverage tomorrow – if you’re going, see you there!

CONGRATULATIONS! Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club girls set relay record

Thanks for the report on what the sender calls a “record-breaking summer at Arbor Heights”:

e Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club 12 and under Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay for a record setting race against Kent (Tuesday night). The girls finished 2:07:27 breaking the 1997 Arbor Heights record of 2:09:86. Congratulations, ladies!! [Dior Webb (backstroke), Katie Trainor (butterfly), Amanda Trainor (freestyle), and Caroline Arthur (breaststroke)]

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: 2025 Alki Art Fair, first day

More than 90 booths/tents line the Alki Beach Park promenade for this year’s Alki Art Fair, with the first of three days on until 8 pm. You can shop and nosh/sip – at one of several food/drink booths (Cambodian food, hot dogs, more), or at Alki’s year-round places right across the street. West Seattle creators we saw include Julia Douthwaite Viglione, with a variety of creations including quilts and the story book created by her students in free writing classes for kids:

Want a stylized map of West Seattle or Puget Sound? Or regional mountain peaks? Elizabeth Person is your person:

Many types of art to browse and/or buy – including jewelry and apparel – and quirky items as well as the breathtakingly beautiful. While you’re at the fair, stop by the Info Booth, where you can buy a “vintage” Alki Art Fair T-shirt from last year for just $10, or one of this year’s design for $20:

The silent auction inside Alki Bathhouse isn’t open until tomorrow, which is also when the live music starts up. But a DJ is spinning today, the Kid Zone is open (nothing fancy but we did see bubbles!), and it’s a fine time to visit the beach. Booths are open until 8 tonight, 10 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday (with live music noon-7 pm Saturday and 11 am-5 pm Sunday).

BIZNOTE: Here’s what’s up with Gyro Heroes

Several readers have asked if we know why Gyro Heroes in The Admiral District has been closed for a few days, with a sign in the window declaring that it’s just “temporarily” closed. When we went by the first time, no one was there to ask, but just now, we found crews at work, and learned that this is a remodeling closure – they’re redoing a lot of what’s inside, even the flooring. They hope to reopen within a week. The restaurant opened almost seven years ago in what had previously been a Baskin-Robbins.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man arrested for alleged arson at encampment

1:08 PM: After hearing about an arson investigation regarding a fire call this morning near the Southwest Precinct, we asked police for information. They tell us a 46-year-old man was arrested, accused of setting a fire at an encampment across the street from the precinct. Police say an officer saw the suspect get out of what they describe as his “white 2006 Ford Econoline van” around 7:30 am, carrying a gas can, ten walking to the encampment, which “became engulfed in flames” as the suspect returned to his van. Police say the officer described the suspect as “walking out of the brush with smoke and fire trailing him.” They caught up with him after he drove away and arrested him and booked him into jail. No injuries were reported in the fire, which remains under investigation by SPD arson/bomb squad detectives.

SATURDAY UPDATE: The suspect had a probable-cause hearing today. The documents don’t reveal anything about an alleged motive; his “last known address” was downtown. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested bail be set at $100,000; the appearance-court judge released the suspect – who does not appear to have a record – on his own recognizance. That does not mean he won’t be charged; prosecutors are awaiting a case referral from SPD.

Fauntleroy/Rose crossing design unveiled, with median: Morgan Community Association meeting report #2

We’re continuing our reports on major updates from this week’s Morgan Community Association meeting. On Thursday we updated the Morgan Junction EV charging lot plan; today, the Fauntleroy/Rose crossing (which has been a focus for the neighboring Fauntleroy Community Association too).

(Southward view from the ferry-queue lane on the Lincoln Park side of Fauntleroy Way)

The intersection with Lincoln Park on the west side and a RapidRide C Line stop on the east side used to have a marked crosswalk; we briefly noted its removal in this 2007 report. Community advocates have long lobbied to get it back. And they were repeatedly told (here’s a 2021 example) by SDOT that it wouldn’t happen.

But finally the city relented (as announced in early 2024), and has been working on a plan. SDOT’s Ching Chan attended Wednesday’s MoCA meeting remotely to present an update on the design, which is more than a crosswalk – it will include pushbutton-activated lighting and a raised median to provide “a safe refuge” for pedestrians. The median will not be between north and south travel lanes, but rather between the ferry-queue lane and the travel lanes:

(SDOT-provided renderings above and below; see PDF versions here)

This will narrow vehicle travel lanes a bit, from 12 feet wide to 11 feet wide. It will also expand parking restrictions – about 26′ north of Rose, 140′ south, Chan said.

Concerns surfaced during the meeting included ensuring that any vegetation in the median wouldn’t become overgrown like Delridge Way and Harbor Avenue meetings, as well as whether SDOT is collaborating with WSDOT on traffic-flow effects, given the project planned later this year to signalize the Fauntleroy Way intersection at the ferry dock’s entrance/exit (Chan did not know). As for the timeline, Chan said they hope to build this by summer 2026, but the bus shelter requires collaboration with Metro, so that may have a timeline of its own.

NEXT REPORT: MoCA’s meeting also included guests from Seattle Parks to discuss the status of the Morgan Junction Park addition, which has stalled because of internal city issues regarding the removal of soil contaminated in the site’s past; we’ll have that story later today/tonight.

Alki Art Fair day 1, ‘Beaver Detective’ premiere, Shakespeare in the park, more for your West Seattle Friday

(Sunrise photo by Kent Rhodes)

First on our list, today’s marquee event:

ALKI ART FAIR: The three-day art and music festival begins at 2 pm today, in and around Alki Beach Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW) and the promenade that stretches westward from it. Today’s 2-8 pm schedule focuses on the artists (listed here); DJ Fishlure will spin but live music (listed here) doesn’t start until tomorrow. Our calendar listing has the festival overview.

Now – see what else is happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: The spraypark is open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm), Delridge, and Hiawatha (both noon-5:30 pm) will be open today.

COLMAN POOL CLOSED: The heated salt-water pool is; closed to the public today/tomorrow because of a swim meet.

SEATTLE TERIYAKI HISTORY: See this new exhibit at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) while the museum is open noon-4 pm today.

QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DUBSEA FISH STICKS: 6:35 pm home game at Steve Cox Memorial Park vs. the Northwest Honkers – tickets here.

‘FREELANCE BEAVER DETECTIVE’: Premiere of film featuring Pamela Adams‘ work documenting the local beaver population 7 p at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – ticket info here.

OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE: 7 pm, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), GreenStage presents “Richard III”, free.

AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7 pm, music at 8 pm, Darbi Dhufo, Wave Function, Jackie Tulsa, Spencer List at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW). 21+.

SUNSET REIKI SOUND BATH: 7:30 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW) with Inner Alchemy. Info and ticket link are in our calendar listing.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Lady Coco spins tonight! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD: Skating with live music – tonight, featuring The Highsteppers, “Two sets of incredible music to skate and boogie down to!” – 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $18 cover/$5 skates.

If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Celebration of Life planned August 3 for Laura May Bruco

Earlier this year, in the remembrance for Laura May Bruco, friends promised an announcement when her Celebration of Life details were set. Now they are:

Friends (and pets of friends) are invited to celebrate the life of Laura May Bruco on Sunday, August 3rd at 3 p.m. at the Dragonfly Park Pavilion in West Seattle (4111 26th Ave SW). Please dress comfortably for this community gathering in the park.

Photos, memories and condolences can also be shared with Laura’s friends and family at the Kinzley Funeral Home online tribute page at kinzleyfh.com/obituary/laura-bruco

(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)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday info, + big weekend ahead

6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, July 18, 2025, with three big events ahead – the Alki Art Fair today through Sunday, the West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K on Saturday.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

After a high of “only” 86 on Thursday, the cooldown continues. Today’s high is expected to be in the mid-70s, with some clouds. Today’s sunrise was at 5:30 am; sunset will be at 8:59 pm.

WEEKEND ALERTS

-Though the Alki Art Fair (today through Sunday) takes place mostly on the promenade and in/around the Bathhouse, it still means traffic and parking will be busier.

-The West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K on Saturday mean parking restrictions and road closures on and near California SW from Admiral to south of Edmunds. Heed the signs – they tow on parade morning if necessary! Restrictions are in place 7 am-3 pm. There will be bus reroutes Saturday too.

-The Eazy Duz It Car Club‘s “Chrome and Community” show will close 16th SW in White Center between Roxbury and 100th on Saturday, 11 am-7 pm.

-If you’re planning to head to downtown or points north of there over the weekend, you need to know about the NB I-5 lane closures as part of “Revive I-5.”

ROAD WORK

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

-Admiral Bridge work continues, with both directions now carried on the south side instead of the north side.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.

Washington State Ferries – WSF has resumed 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 (tonight!) 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 CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Elantra

Ed reports his gray 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT, license plate BPS3400, was “stolen from my home at 37th Ave SW and SW Monroe St. sometime late Thursday afternoon/evening. SPD report number 25-202017.” If you find it, call 911.