West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
The annual Duwamish River Festival is a chance to get up close and personal (free kayaking!) with the waterway that many West Seattleites know mostly as the waterway over which they ride or drive to connect to/from the rest of the city. It’s so much more, and that’s why the Duwamish River Community Coalition presents the festival every year. It’s also a chance for glimpses into the many cultures who share its shore:
That video is from the Seattle Classical Thai Dance performance this afternoon – in the first hour, festivalgoers also saw the Aztec group Tlalokan:
The stage slate for the festival, which continues until 5 pm today, is in our calendar listing. The stage is at the north end of the festival zone at Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Avenue S.; map)
Those dozens of booths feature community groups, environmental organizations, and government agencies offering information and activities. Seattle Parks has a booth featuring naturalists ready to talk with you about wildlife:
(L-R, Miranda, Lizzy, Marielle, Nicolasa)
DRCC, the hosting organization, can talk with you about many community projects, including an effort to learn more about the Duwamish Valley’s air-quality problems by reaching South Park and Georgetown families with children who have asthma (email joseph@drcc.org):
(DRCC’s Thuy and Van)
The Environmental Protection Agency has huge cleanup projects to discuss – and simple ways to see what’s at the heart of it all, like this little fish pond:
There’s personal action you can take – with recycling and composting items that don’t belong in the trash – look for the Seattle Public Utilities “Where Does It Go?” team:
Other city departments there include City Light, SDOT, Sustainability and Environment, Emergency Management, and the Office of Police Accountability. Got light rail questions? Sound Transit is there too:
You can also learn about community projects including Reconnect South Park and the next round of Duwamish River sewer-overflow-prevention work. The Duwamish Tribe is participating as well – Ken Workman was there to welcome everyone in Lushootseed:
At their booth, you can get stickers, buy T-shirts, and learn about the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, just across West Marginal Way from Duwamish River shores:
(Kate and Lucas)
From West Seattle, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association is represented too:
(Ranny, Louisa, April)
This is all a fairly easy walk from the heart of the South Park business district (we parked near the southwest end of the South Park Bridge), or there are shuttle locations (see our calendar listing).
As previewed here last month, The Big Blue Truck (WSB sponsor) is back in West Seattle. The Northwest Center‘s donation dropoffs have resumed after a four-year hiatus, and every weekend you’ll be able to bring these items to its Junction location:
*Gently used clothing
*Shoes
*Books
*Textiles – including towels and sheets
*Small household items
(Here’s a detailed list.) Starting today, you can find the truck in the WaFd Bank lot at 4102 California SW, 9 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. The organization explains, “Big Blue Truck sells donations of gently used clothing, textiles, and shoes to partner Value Village, using the proceeds to support Northwest Center programs and services for children and adults with disabilities.”
11:40 AM: Thanks for the tips and photo! SW Webster in Gatewood is blocked just west of 35th SW [map] because of a gas leak. One texter tells us nearby residents have been evacuated until Puget Sound Energy can get there and shut off the gas.
11:47 AM: Firefighters have just told dispatch that PSE has arrived.
12:16 PM: Texter says neighbors just got the all-clear.
Another business burglary this morning: The Birdhouse on SW Henderson west of 35th in Upper Fauntleroy tells us their coffee shop was broken into around 3:10 am today. The images are from their security camera.
(updated) Amber at The Birdhouse says, “He got away with ice cream and our kitchen speaker 🙄 I think he got scared when he saw all the cameras. He messed with them and then took off on the bike. The police got a partial print from one of the cameras he touched so we are just hoping something will come of it.”
If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 24-215780.
Welcome to the weekend! We start with a traffic alert:
EASTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSED: The Spokane Street Viaduct is the continuation of the high bridge from the Highway 99 overpass to I-5, and its eastbound side (at left in the traffic-cam view above) is closed all weekend, until early Monday morning, for the ongoing resurfacing project. If you’re on the eastbound high bridge, you’ll be detoured onto the exit to northbound 99; that exit will remain open all weekend.
Otherwise, here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):
SUMMER SCRAMBLE: Third day of the four-day West Seattle scavenger hunt organized by Alice Kuder – still time to jump in! Solve the clues, win a treasure chest – as explained here.
GLASS FLOAT HUNT: Third day for this, too – continuing into mid-August. 100 handcrafted glass floats were hidden around West Seattle – details here!
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
ART ON THE CORNER: 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden, artist Bonnie sells her work to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank.
BIG BLUE TRUCK RETURNS: First day of the Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck‘s return to West Seattle! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: New location for free community meditation, 9 am at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way).
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more! (9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor)
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Summer gardening season isn’t over yet – and fall’s in view – add something new! Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
MORNING MUSIC: 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.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: Spraypark season continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
LIBRARY SALE: The White Center Library Guild‘s two-day sale continues today, raising money for library programs, 11 am-3 pm, books and “gently used treasures.” Originally announced as a “sidewalk sale” but we stopped by Friday and it’s indoors – air conditioning! (1409 SW 107th)
DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Celebrate Seattle’s only river at Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Ave. S., South Park), noon-5 pm, as previewed here – entertainment, free kayaking, more.
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), bonus weekly session of long-distance advocacy, drop-ins welcome.
COLMAN POOL: Open noon-7 pm on the Lincoln Park shore – find the session schedule online. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the only 7-days-a-week wading pool in West Seattle, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
HIAWATHA WADING POOL OPEN: Also open today, noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE WINE WEEKEND: We checked while making this list, and online tickets are sold out!
FREE COOL TREAT FOR YOUR PUP: Perfect on a warm summer day. Noon-3 pm at All the Best Pet Care (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor), bring in your dog for a free frozen treat!
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. Last chance to see its award-winning Longfellow Creek exhibit! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: 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: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.
(Blue Angels photographed from Duwamish Head on Friday by David Hutchinson)
BLUE ANGELS: They are scheduled to go up from Boeing Field around 3:35 pm again today, for the second of three Seafair airshows.
SUNRISE HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY: 5:15-10 pm, music, food, pet parade, bouncy house, more, on 30th SW between Myrtle and Othello – details in our calendar listing.
WORKING CLASS JONES: Live at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm – free but you need to RSVP; link’s in our calendar listing.
CIRCLE OF SONGS: Acoustic music live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, no cover, all ages.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Sawyer Best & The Mighty Wurlitzer, 7 pm, organ music and silent film. Ticket link is here. (7904 35th SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Glyf, The Last Minute Maybes, High Tide Fiasco at The Skylark tonight, doors at 7, $10 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
In July 2017, the Lincoln Park South Play Area was closed for safety concerns, later described as wood damage from termites. At the time they warned repairs or replacement might take until the following year. Instead, it took seven years. Most of the fencing finally came down this afternoon, and the play area was open when we went to the park this evening to confirm.
Besides the spyhopping orca, the marine features requested by community members in 2017-2018 include this:
Set into the concrete are footprints telling a story:
Fresh bark chips surround all the features.
You’ll still find a few spots of fencing, including mesh around areas that either have been or will be seeded:
Work on the $600,000 project was started in January but shelved for a while when the contractor redirected efforts to finish the Westcrest Park play area first.
This weekend’s salmon fishing is a reminder that Don Armeni Boat Ramp can be a very busy place. Back in April, we reported that its float-replacement project was mostly done, with a few remaining touches. In correspondence with Seattle Parks, boater Steve King – who had observed “something missing” – learned it’s a little more complicated. At the heart of it was what remained of a sawmill from more than a century ago – the wood debris shown in these photos taken during construction. He shared this detailed explanation he received from Steve Levengood, Parks’ Capital Projects Coordinator Senior Built Environment Accessibility Compliance Lead:
The work is not yet completed. The original design had 4 piles on each side. Unfortunately, the #3 of 4 piles (counting from near shore outward) and the #4 of 4 piles could not be installed because, as we discovered during construction, the remains of an old sawmill was buried under the mudline. (We removed about 25 truckloads of old lumber before stopping since at that point, we were concerned we would undermine the boat ramp itself.) This means the float manufacturer needs to design more rigid connections to install the last floats. We have not yet received their proposal to review.
The float designer is also the designer of record, since the floats are a design-build element, and is very busy, so it may take months to get anything installed unfortunately. (They are also the only firm who does this work in Washington State, so we are dealing with a monopoly situation as well.) The Contractor, American Construction, is also eager to complete the work, and has been pressing them to complete their engineering work. The south floats, since the missing floats will just bridge the gap between the 2nd and 4th piles, should be doable. I have some doubts about the outer north floats since it will be unsupported by any piles, so we will need to see if that is actually doable once they finish their analysis, including the impacts of tidal, waves and wind.
I am attaching photos of the lumber that was removed. When we looked at historical photos, there was a sawmill at that location prior to World War I. In those days, when decommissioning a facility, they would apparently just cut the piles and drop the whole thing in the water. It is frustrating, and indeed would be criminal if done now, but it is what it is.
The Don Armeni webpage says Parks is hoping to install the added floats by the end of the year.
Not far from where one years-delayed Seattle Parks project is finally wrapping up, another is about to start its next phase. Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker sent the photo of heavy equipment and a portable toilet in place at the Morgan Junction Park expansion site, just north of the park in the 6300-6400 block of California SW. Parks announced at MoCA’s meeting two weeks ago that soil-cleanup work at the site is scheduled to start next Thursday (August 8). Once 15 feet of soil is dug up, taken away, replaced, and hydroseeded – expected to take about eight weeks – the site will be interim open space before park construction, currently planned for next year. Ten years have passed since the city bought the site for just under $1.9 million; it’s been “landbanked” ever since.
The Taste of West Seattle usually sells out – so the West Seattle Food Bank sent this announcement in hopes you won’t miss out:
We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for the highly anticipated Taste of West Seattle, the largest community-based food fair in the area. This beloved event will take place on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
The Taste of West Seattle is a celebration of our vibrant local food scene, featuring an incredible array of food and drinks from dozens of local restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, specialty food stores, and more. Musical entertainment this year is generously provided by Correo Aereo.
The Taste of West Seattle draws a sell-out crowd of hundreds of people from throughout King County, all coming together to enjoy delicious offerings and support the West Seattle Food Bank. The attendees vote to select winners in categories such as “Best Savory Taste” and “Best Pour” and there are raffles, games and fun!
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, September 19th, 2024
VIP Entrance: 5:30 PM, General Admission: 6:00 PM
Tickets: GA $75, VIP $125 (must be 21+ to attend)
Location: The Hall at FauntleroyFor a list of participating food and beverage vendors, and to purchase tickets, please visit WestSeattleFoodBank.org. For more information or to become a participating vendor, please contact Robbin Peterson, Development Director at WSFB: 206-686-4521 or robbin@westseattlefoodbank.org
26 food/beverage purveyors are already on the list as of moments ago! The Hall at Fauntleroy is at 9131 California SW.
(Photo sent by Cindi Barker)
Four days until this year’s Night Out, celebrating community collaboration and safety coast-to-coast. If you’ve registered your Night Out party, Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite has swag for you, available for pickup (updated) 9:30-11:30 am and 2:30 to 4:30 pm Monday (August 5) at the precinct (2300 SW Webster). She’s at right in the photo, with Seattle U interns Rafail Markodimitrakis and Kierra Lee, as they got ready this morning.
(Added: Photo sent by Jennifer Satterwhite)
They’re offering crime-prevention info handouts and goodie bags for kids. If you didn’t get signed up by last Sunday’s deadline, but you’re still having a Night Out party, they might have some extra materials available Monday too.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of today’s sunrise over downtown, with fishing boats out on the bay. It’s the first of four consecutive days in which inner Elliott Bay is open to Chinook salmon fishing, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is posting fishing-season updates here. This next photo, taken, a bit later, is from Brian Moore:
Brian says the Don Armeni Boat Ramp parking lot “was full by 5:00,” so apparently this was an exception to Parks’ earlier statement about the 6:00 am lot-opening time. (Update: Don Armeni’s website says it’s opening daily at 4 am through Monday.) According to WDFW, fishing is supposed to end (corrected) by noon Monday.
(Sent by Jon – Kingfisher at Longfellow Creek)
With the first weekend of August in view, here’s the Friday highlight list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER SCRAMBLE: Second day of this four-day West Seattle scavenger hunt – not too late to jump in! Solve the clues, win a treasure chest – as explained here.
GLASS FLOAT HUNT: Second day for this too – continuing for two weeks. 100 handcrafted glass floats hidden around West Seattle – details here!
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.
SIDEWALK SALE: The White Center Library Guild‘s two-day sidewalk sale begins today, raising money for library programs, 11 am-3 pm, books and “gently used treasures.” (1409 SW 107th)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. Free! (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOLS: Open today – Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm; Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Hiawatha (2700 California SW), noon-5:30 pm.
COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
WEST SEATTLE WINE WEEKEND: One ticket gets you four tasting pours at each of six West Seattle wineries, at your own pace, plus a bottle discount, for the next three days. Tickets available here, where you’ll find the list of participating wineries plus their hours.
BLUE ANGELS: They are scheduled to go up from Boeing Field around 3:35 pm for the first of three Seafair airshows.
VISCON CELLARS: In addition to participation in West Seattle Wine Weekend, it’s a regular night for the tasting room/wine bar to be open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
IT’S ALL HAPPENING: The band’s EP release show is tonight at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), GreenStage presents “Henry VI, parts 2 and 3.” Free. (Here’s where to find them in the park.)
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7 pm for Battlestations!, Steve’s Mind, Pink Steam, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DUBLIN ABBEY AT C & P: Live music at the coffeehouse, 7-9 pm, no cover, all ages. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SUMMER SUNSET SOUND BATH: 7:30 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), $38. Ticket link in our calendar listing.
CAMP LONG OUTDOOR MOVIE: The first of three Fridays this month with outdoor movies at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) starts tonight at dusk (8:30ish) with “Barbie” – free, BYO chair/blanket.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Grizz! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
YOU SKATE, THEY PLAY: “Make It Loud!” at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring Licorice Chamber, 2 Libras, Replicas, . 9 pm. $18 cover, $5 skate.
What are we missing? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather August 23 to remember Patti Wunder. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with her community:
Patricia (Patti) Lee Wunder
January 18, 1949 – May 16, 2024Patti lived all but one year of her life in West Seattle, attending Lafayette Elementary, James Madison Junior High and West Seattle High schools; then on to Highline Junior College and the University of Washington.
Patti’s faith in and love of God gave her strength and helped sustain her for her entire life and she developed some life-long friendships through her faith. Although there were rough patches on Patti’s journey, she always knew God was walking beside her and loving her.
Patti is survived by her brother, John (Flora), their daughter Michelle (Troy) Johnson and their son Johnny and his son, Seve. She is also survived by her brother Rob (Sheryl) and their two sons, Robbie and Joey, cousins Karen (Yazel), Claire and Charlotte Boudour and many other cousins.
Patti’s memorial service will be at Peace Lutheran Church, 8316 39th Ave SW, on August 23 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the HealthWell Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
(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)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, August 2.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high in the upper 80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:49 am, while sunset will be at 8:41 pm.
THIS WEEKEND’S EASTBOUND SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURE & OTHER ROAD WORK
*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. This weekend’s closure plan: Full eastbound closure all weekend, 10 pm tonight to 5 am Monday. (EB bridge exit to NB 99 will remain open.)
*Highway 99 tunnel closure 10 pm tonight-6 am Saturday for maintenance.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, at least into early 2025. Lane closures have begun on the top deck too. But SDOT now says it will NOT have weekend closures of the entire bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.
OTHER WEEKEND INFO
*Practice Seafair airshow for Blue Angels at ~3:35 pm, taking off from nearby Boeing Field.
*Mariners are at home this weekend, starting tonight at 6:40 pm vs. Philadelphia.
TRANSIT NOTES, WITH METRO FLEX
Metro Flex – Second week for this on-demand service in Delridge (and South Park), starting a two-year pilot. Here’s how it works.
Metro buses – Regular schedules; check for advisories here. Note that the Spokane Street Viaduct work mentioned above has required some rerouting.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. The real-time map will show you where the boat is. Later runs tonight since it’s Friday!
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (West Seattle Bridge cameras are back but some others remain out)
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides 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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
When we reported Wednesday on a newly revealed West Seattle homicide case, after the King County Medical Examiner‘s daily list announced the victim’s name and cause of death, Seattle Police had told us no one was in custody. This morning – as we noted here – SPD contacted us to say they actually had arrested a suspect July 11. To find out what happened to that suspect, we next inquired with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which subsequently sent us the court documents in the case.
30-year-old Kyle S. Castillo of Fauntleroy is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 53-year-old William G. Tappe. Castillo is no longer in custody, having posted bond for $2 million bail. The narrative in the charging documents says the ultimately deadly assault happened outside a Metro bus. Around 1:30 am on June 13, the documents say, several men boarded a West Seattle-bound RapidRide C Line bus downtown, including Tappe. As shown on the bus’s security video, one of the men put a bicycle onto the bus’s front rack. As the bus approached Fauntleroy and Alaska 10 minutes later, someone complained to the driver about two other men allegedly smoking something. The driver asked those two to leave the bus at 40th/Alaska. Tappe, who was sitting behind the two, also got up to leave. As he left the bus, the documents say, he apparently touched the bicycle, at which time, the narrative says, the video shows that the man later identified as Castillo …
… moved quickly toward the front of the bus and out the door, saying ‘That’s my bike right there’ and then attacking Tappe. The video shows Tappe fall to the ground, with Castillo crouching on top of Tappe, punching him in the face. Tappe curled into a ball and appeared to hold his head, while Castillo picked up Tappe’s backpack and threw it at Tappe. Castillo then kicks Tappe at least once while Tappe lies on the ground. The impact of this kick on Tappe’s head/face was loud and strong enough to be captured by the audio inside the open doors of the bus. Castillo then got back on the bus, and the bus departed.
The documents say that the security video shows Castillo then bragging to another passenger about what he did. Meantime, Tappe managed to walk a few blocks west to California/Alaska, where a bystander called 911, and Tappe eventually was taken to the hospital, where he died a few days later, documents say, from “blood loss as a result of multiple blunt force injuries to his face and head.”
The documents say detectives identified the suspect by showing the security-camera image to businesses near where the man with the bicycle got on the bus, and found a bar where someone recognized him and thought his last name was Castillo. Looking at jail records from past bookings, detectives made a match. That eventually led them to Castillo’s Fauntleroy residence, and on the day he was arrested, July 10th, a police sergeant saw him in a crosswalk at 45th and Wildwood, with a bicycle that looked like the one in the bus video. The sergeant arrested him, and then confirmed with the case detective that it was apparently the same bicycle. Police obtained a warrant to search Castillo’s home and say they found the clothing shown on the man who attacked Tappe.
Prosecutors charged Castillo with second-degree murder the next day. He posted bond and was released one day after that, on July 12th. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment two weeks later; prosecutors asked that he be on electronic home monitoring while out on bail, but the request was denied. The documents say his only record is “a prior conviction in 2019 for Reckless Driving, reduced from Driving Under the Influence, and (currently) a deferred prosecution for another DUI and Hit&Run that occurred in 2020.” The jail booking photos from those cases are part of what detectives used to identify Castillo before arresting him.
The final Admiral Music in the Parks concert is ending, but the Admiral Neighborhood Association is moving right on to the runup for its next big summer event – tonight ANA announced the band lineup for this year’s Admiral Funktion block party, a little over three weeks away:
12 pm School of Rock
1 pm Plum
2 pm Princess Pulpit
3 pm The Potholes
5 pm DAD Band
6 pm NovaChrome
7 pm Secondhand Flannel
The Potholes and NovaChrome both also performed at last month’s West Seattle Summer Fest (The Potholes also played Admiral Music in the Parks and the Morgan Junction Community Festival). Admiral Funktion will happen on California SW north of Admiral, 11 am-10 pm Saturday, August 24 – see you there!
6:51 PM: For three consecutive Thursday night, the Admiral Neighborhood Association has brought music to local parks that aren’t often used for sizable events. Tonight’s the final Admiral Music in the Parks show, featuring The ABBAgraphs playing the hits of Swedish supergroup ABBA, at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW).
Most of the band members are West Seattleites, they’ve told the crowd.
The city skyline’s in the background, there’s room to dance in the foreground, and all the fun will continue until at least 8 pm, so there’s still time to bring your chair or blanket and join the crowd!
8:04 PM: Show’s over – lively enough that most of the crowd (counted by ANA as 500+) were on their feet dancing to the last song, “Dancing Queen.”
11:56 PM: Video and more photos added above.
Our area’s next festival is Saturday afternoon (August 3), the Duwamish River Festival in South Park. Here’s the stage schedule:
The festival is hosted by the Duwamish River Community Coalition at Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Avenue S.; map). If you’re driving, parking is a bit of a challenge, so they’re offering twice-hourly shuttles from four locations, two in South Park and two in Georgetown:
Georgetown Playfield (750 S Homer St)
Oxbow Park (Carleton Ave S between 6445 & 6421)
Boeing Parking Lot (1521 S Trenton St)
Concord Parking Lot (723 S Concord St)
This festival is educational as well as cultural, and fun – you can even experience Seattle’s only river via free kayaking, enjoy and create art, and more, noon to 5 pm Saturday.
(WSB photo, June 2018 Westwood Village ‘street fair’)
Westwood Village used to have an annual “street fair,” but – under relatively new ownership – haven’t brought back any events; the last one in our archives was in 2018. Suddenly an announcement landed in the WSB inbox today, sent by a PR agency on behalf of Westwood Village:
Westwood Village, a landmark open-air shopping destination on the south end of West Seattle, invites the community to celebrate the end of the summer season with an “End of Summer Bash” on Sunday, August 25th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Westwood Village courtyard near Big 5 Sporting Goods and FITNESS 19. Visitors will be able to enjoy music and fun activities, including balloon twisting, face painting, giveaways and more. The Westwood Village End of Summer Bash is free and open to the public; no pre-registration is required. Activities and giveaways are first come, first served.
In the announcement, the PR agency also offers a new description of WWV as a shopping center where “Seattle sensibility and cool Pacific Coast vibes merge” and touts its history as having “served the neighborhoods of West Seattle, White Center, and Burien since 1966.”
Last estimate from Seattle Parks on the completion of Lincoln Park South Play Area construction, seven years after safety concerns closed the old play structure, was a reiteration of “July.” July is now over, so we went to the park this morning, and noted that fencing is still up and the play area appears to have a few finishing touches left (our photos were taken looking over the fence):
So we then pinged Parks. Their update: “Final inspections took place Wednesday 7/31 and the contractor is addressing items that need to be corrected through the end of this week. The fence will be removed by this weekend.” You can browse our past coverage of the project here. The marine theme for the new play area was chosen with community participation in 2018.
FRIDAY EVENING UPDATE: As noted below in comments, the fencing really is down and the play area is open; we just went over for pics and will write a separate update later.
12:14 PM: As mentioned in our daily event list, this is the biggest practice day for the Blue Angels before their Seafair shows the next few days. In West Seattle – particularly the south end – that means other aircraft noise too, as SEA takeoff patterns are temporarily changed while the Blue Angels are up. They’re scheduled to fly most of the time between now and around 3:15 pm; then for each of the next three days, one show starting around 3:45 pm. (Those times, courtesy of the Museum of Flight‘s Jet Blast Bash page, are subject to change.)
4:59 PM: Thanks to Mike Russell for the two photos added above!
11:21 AM: That video is from the security camera at Tattoo Pizzazz (6021 California SW), recorded as burglars broke in and spent less than two minutes ransacking the shop before getting away with equipment around 4:30 am today. As the video shows, one burglar had a full-face mask, but the other’s face was partly visible in this frame:
If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 24-213452, and you can contact the shop’s owners at tattoopizzazz@gmail.com. They’re also crowdfunding to cover what their insurance won’t.
1:03 PM: Diane from Alki Arts across the street got this photo of the burglars’ truck:
She explains she was in the apartment over her gallery and “called the police as soon as the loud diesel-sounding truck woke me up.” She believes she heard it a bit earlier too, casing, but nothing to report to 911 until she realized the burglary was under way: “I called 911 and the police had a wonderful response within 10 minutes and then the fire department came and boarded up the broken window after. I was so impressed with both the police response and the fire department response. … I wish I could have done something to stop it since I was literally watching them do it but I didn’t know what to do” besides photograph and report it. (As shown in the video above, from the sound of breaking glass to their exit, less than two minutes elapsed.)
Two “hunts” start our list of what’s happening for the rest of your Thursday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GLASS FLOAT HUNT: The West Seattle Junction Association and WS Chamber of Commerce are presenting this again, and today’s the first day:
Get ready for a thrilling treasure hunt across West Seattle! Today, the search begins for stunning glass floats crafted by Avalon Glassworks. For two whole weeks, from August 1st to August 15th, these beautiful floats will be hidden all over our community, and it’s up to you to find them!
Grab your map, put on your thinking cap, and prepare for adventure! Floats will be hidden on multiple, staggered days, so keep your eyes peeled and revisit your favorite spots. A total of 100 dazzling floats, in gorgeous green and blue hues inspired by our local waters and scenery, are up for grabs!
For clues and updates, follow the West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on Instagram. Each float will come with a sponsor tag and QR code — scan it to log your find, and see your name and float on our Instagram feeds! Don’t be fooled—if you find a float in one spot, there might be more nearby.
SUMMER SCRAMBLE: This four-day West Seattle scavenger hunt also starts today! Solve the clues, win a treasure chest – as explained here.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: If you need plants, the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!
BLUE ANGELS PRACTICE: They’ll be up multiple times today, starting around 11 am – see the schedule on the Museum of Flight‘s website.
NAVIGATING MEDICARE: 11 am at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), a local expert offers a presentation to help you understand your options.
SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm, free.
COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in this outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the 7-day-a-week wading pool is open today noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
DELRIDGE & HIAWATHA WADING POOLS: These two part-time wading pools are also open today, noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW and 2700 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open Thursdays-Saturdays 1 pm-6 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Food too – stop by to sip and nosh!
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at what’s now the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Birrieria Pepe El Toro.
VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park – details in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run.
‘THE VOICE INSIDE‘: Free mental-health documentary screening presented by Transitional Resources, 6:30 pm at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), with Q&A – details and RSVP link in our calendar listing.
BOOK LAUNCH: As previewed here, West Seattle writer Steve Duda‘s first book “River Songs” is out, and his launch party is at 6:30 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) – Q&A, food, drink, fun.
ADMIRAL MUSIC IN THE PARKS: Third and last of this year’s three free outdoor concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, 6:30 pm, this time at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW), featuring The ABBAgraphs. Bring your own chair/blanket.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).
COMEDY: 8 pm “Jokes at The Junction” at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW) – get your ticket(s) here!
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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