12:15 PM: This year’s Alki Beach Pride celebration – combination beach party and street festival – is on! Thanks to Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck for the early photo. We’re headed to Alki for more pics but wanted to remind you first that Alki Avenue is closed to vehicles between 57th and 61st; that means a Water Taxi shuttle reroute. The festival is on until 8 pm; see the entertainment schedule here.

2:51 PM: The Rainbow City Marching Band was performing while we were there – here’s a bit of music (Macklemore‘s “Downtown”):

Also on stage – deputy mayor Greg Wong and City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s district director Leyla Gheisar, presenting a proclamation accepted by Alki Beach Pride co-founder Stacy Bass-Walden – it recounts the history and intent of ABP:

Beyond the stage, you’ll find dozens of booths, both vendors and resource providers:

Among them, the West Seattle Food Bank, whose booth is where – as noted here last night – you can enter a drawing for a ticket to the Taste of West Seattle, now less than three weeks away:

As noted in the city proclamation, this is the 10th ABP celebration, with a simple theme:

Headliner Mariah Counts is just an hour away; the festival continues until 8 pm

This Saturday marks the 10th time that Alki residents Stacy and Jolie Bass-Walden have organized the Alki Beach Pride summer celebration. It’s grown over the years, and again this year, Alki Beach Pride will be an all-day street festival and beach party. Alki Avenue will be closed for the street-festival component, 7 am–10 pm, between 57th SW and 61st SW. Here’s what you’ll find if you’re going:

*The entertainment lineup is on the ABP website now – see it here. Organizers tell us, “Our entertainment headliners on the stage are Mariah Counts, LIVt, and RikoWithAK.”

*Other activities include volleyball 1-6 pm, a HIIT fitness class on the beach @ noon, and Drag King Story Time with Harley Sane, hosted by the Charlie’s Queer Books booth, in Alki Bathhouse at 12:10 pm

*More than 40 vendors

*Future Primitive (2536 Alki SW) is the “official beer garden”

*Food trucks

*Some other Alki businesses are supporting the festival too – one example, Harry’s Beach House (2676 Alki SW) is offering a Divas Brunch on Saturday, with seatings at 11 am and 1 pm (details and ticketing link are in our calendar listing); up in the Admiral District, Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) hosts an after-party

Official festival hours are noon-9 pm on Saturday (August 31).

Divas Brunch at Harry’s Beach House: Alki Beach Pride
Date: Saturday, August 31st, 11 am & 1 pm
Location: Harry’s Beach House – 2676 Alki Ave SW

Kick-off Alki Pride with Divas Brunch at Harry’s Beach House starring Jizzuhbell Johnson, Jolene Granby, Queen Andrew Scott & Sara Femme. These four gorgeous queens will host your seaside Saturday with delicious plates, sumptuous beverages, and a sermon of serving we can all get behind.

Each ticket includes choice of entree, coffee and one mimosa. All Ages Welcome!

Ticketing/Event Page: harrysgoodtimes.co/DivasBrunch

11:27 PM: Seattle Fire has a full response on the way to a possible apartment fire in the 3000 block of 60th SW. [vicinity map] Updates to come.

11:30 PM: Firefighters say it appears to have been a small fire extinguished “by occupant,” and they’re downsizing the response.

SEEN (not found) on Alki – Bengal-looking cat running loose. No collar. Near ex-Starbucks.

With nine days to go until this year’s Alki Beach Pride celebration – the 10th festival organized by Alki residents Jolie and Stacy Bass-Walden – ABP volunteers say the posters they’ve put up are being torn down. It appears to be someone deliberately targeting ABP posters, as others on the same poles have been left up.

ABP volunteer Autumn Lovewell says, “This has never happened before. Makes me so angry and sad that this is happening and it’s always unsettling too.” We asked Autumn if more posters for the August 31 event are available if anyone wants to put up one to make up for the torn-down posters, and she said yes – you can contact ABP at alkibeachpride@gmail.com.

4:39 PM: No weather alerts yet, but in the past few minutes, the wind has kicked up in a big way, and radar shows another storm band heading this way. Lights are flickering too. Keep everything charged and stay safe! If you have downed trees or anything else to report, once you’ve alerted authorities, tell us too (206-293-6302 text or voice) – thanks!

4:42 PM: It’s not on the map yet but we’re getting outage reports from Riverview. … Here’s the outage, stretching south into White Center and South Park:

4:50 PM: There’s a report of a tree down on Seola Beach Road. Citywide, a dispatcher just declared, “We’re getting a TON of downed tree and wire calls right now.”

4:59 PM: At least one tree is reported down in the Myers/Olson area at the east end of the Roxbury corridor.

5:02 PM: Now there’s a water-rescue response to the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW. Erin, who called it in, tells WSB, it’s for a “kayaker in distress” who tried to wave down a passing boat. Tons of whitecaps while that giant blast of wind roared through, she observes.

5:16 PM: Responders aren’t finding anyone in trouble so far. As for the 2,221-customer power outage, repairs might take a while, as SCL is dealing with more than 26,000 customers out of electricity around its service area. As for the weather itself, looks like the rain shown on the radar might have bypassed us.

5:21 PM: The Alki water-rescue response is now officially canceled.

5:38 PM: Commenters in Morgan Junction mentioned a loud “explosion.” The SCL map now shows a 27-customer outage between Graham, Fauntleroy, 41st, and 42nd. … From Gatewood, Paul sent this photo:

Paul reports, “On 36th just north of Othello. Came down during wind storm. Everyone jumped in to help clean up. Some damage to vehicle.”

9 PM: Both aforementioned outages remain unresolved, per the SCL map. But the utility’s making progress overall – down to 11,000+ customers out throughout its service area, less than half of the peak number.

10:42 PM: This is now the last large outage left. SCL provided a short update of sorts on X/Twitter a few minutes ago: “Crews continue to troubleshoot the issue and are working toward a solution until power is restored to all.”

11:12 PM: The South Park area of this outage just got power back, so it’s down to just under 700 customers, mostly in West Seattle. The short description of the cause is finally labeled as “tree/vegetation” (we’ll be asking SCL tomorrow about the specific location, as to date nobody has reported where the crew is).

11:46 PM: Just for the record, here’s a screengrab of the SCL map showing who’s still out:

12:43 AM: After eight hours, the map shows everyone in this outage is back on. (If you’re not, please let SCL know!)

(WSB photo, 2021 Great Cross-Sound Race)

If you’re a rower or paddler and you haven’t tried the Great Cross-Sound Race yet – this might be your year! One week from today, the annual 7-mile race heads out from Alki to just off south Bainbridge Island and back, 9 am Saturday, August 24. Sound Rowers and Paddlers organize the race and registration is open – there are categories for single, double, and triple (or more) watercraft. You can register here. (You can also watch from the Alki seawall west of the Bathhouse and cheer the racers, at a distance!) This is the first one in two years; last year’s race was canceled due to air quality from wildfire smoke.

Celebrate Summer by visiting our Makers Art Market on August 18th at Alki Beach from 12-5 pm! 😎 We will be on the east side of the Alki Bathhouse.☀️

This FREE event features 20+ PNW makers. It is a great opportunity to connect with the local creative community and show them some love and support! 🛍
For any questions, email: makersartmarket@gmail.com
– – – – –
Event hosts:
– Live Long and Plant (@livelongandplant )
– HanJi Jewelry (@hanjijewelry )
– – – – –
Maker lineup:
@akuriouslife
@crabfruit
@casig.designs
@wellsandwillahatclub
@clayology.project
@raincityraes
@wiseheart.studio
@angelahcliu_art
@acguina.art
@sugarcanebeautyseattle
@kelceyjoyce
@sincerely_sarahjane
@cocoalovesgrey
@nordymade
@_petalandvine
@nmc.design.studio
@beautifullyilluminated
@seesushiseries
@wombatwisdoms

(First two photos by Steven Director)

Thanks for the photos! This turned some heads in the Alki area this afternoon, particularly once it was airborne:

Information in the top photo points to two websites, neither Seattle-based – the Airtime Aircraft site (Florida) says this is a “Light Sport Amphibious Trike,” calling it “The Perfect Recreational Aircraft.”

(Photo by Javier Fosado)

This one is registered in Florida, too, to Amphibian Air, whose social media page mentions a road trip – with a photo taken here today – but no details (we’re sending a message to ask).

ADDED: Dave responded to our message with this comment below, saying he’s in the area offering “introductory flights.”

(info removed)

We’re now three weeks away from one of summer’s last big West Seattle events, Alki Beach Pride, a street festival and beach party on Saturday, August 31. As part of the permit process, organizers have a special notice with what neighbors need to know:

On August 31, 2024, our organization Alki Beach Pride will be producing a special event in Alki Beach area called Alki Beach Pride. Alki Beach has been chosen as the location for our Annual Community event – free to all. We are thrilled to host this event in this neighborhood and it’s important to us that we are communicating clearly with you.

EVENT DESCRIPTION:
· Event hours are from noon to 9:00 PM
· We will be loading in beginning at 7:00 AM on August 31 and will load out until 8:00 PM on Aug 31
· We will leave the neighborhood as we found it: litter and recycling will be handled by Waste Management
· During the event hours, we expect between 400 and 800 attendees.
· These streets (Alki Ave. between 57th and 61st) will be closed between the hours of 7:00 AM on 8/31 through 10:00 PM =on 8/31
· We will have amplified sound during the hours of Noon to 8:00 PM on 8/31
o Entertainment Stage will be at the Bathhouse / Sand area with Speakers pointed toward the water

We are working closely with the City of Seattle Special Events Committee to minimize the impacts of the event. Our goal is to create an enjoyable and positive experience in the neighborhood.

If you or any of the surrounding residents and businesses have questions or comments about impacts of this event, please email us at:

Alki Beach Pride
Attn: Organizing Committee
alkibeachpride@gmail.com

Special Events Committee
City of Seattle – Special Events Office
specialeventsoffice@seattle.gov

Volunteers are still welcome – you can choose a task/time slot and sign up here.

Still some big summer events to come, especially at Alki, and this one’s happening tomorrow:

AAU Strength Sports Director Andrew “Bull” Stewart will present the 2024 AAU 28th annual Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic, taking place at the Alki Beach Bathhouse (2701 Alki Ave SW) on Saturday, August 10th.

(Photos courtesy Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic)

Framed by the Olympic Mountains and Elliott Bay, this raw, drug-tested powerlifting and feats of strength event is the longest running of its kind in Seattle. Lifters from all ages and walks of life will be competing in the squat, bench and deadlift categories, along with new team category “Double Deadlift” (deadlift by two people) and Feats of Strength (tire throw, farmers walk, to name a few).

Event begins at 9 am, and is free to the public! There will be some limited seating, vendor booths, and a lot of energy brought by the friends and families of these world-class lifters!

Local director Andrew “Bull” Stewart has been promoting strength sport events in Washington for over 30 years (including the wildly popular “Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic” held seasonally in August). Bull Stewart is a 15 year National/World drug-free powerlifting champion, Hall of Famer, coach of the #1 AAU powerlifting “Bull Power Team” 6 years in a row, the current Rainier Beach HS basketball strength coach, and the owner of Columbia City Fitness Center in Seattle (member of CCBA). His events are known to draw people of all walks of life together, generating a family friendly, positive environment where every member of our community is welcomed, regardless of race, creed, or religion.

10:54 AM: Thanks for the tips. When Starbucks announced last month that it would permanently close its Alki shop, the final day was announced as this Sunday, August 11. But now there’s a note on the door (as shown in our photo above) saying the doors will close for the last time at 6 pm tonight (Friday, August 9). We have an inquiry out to the company asking about the change. When Starbucks announced the shutdown of the 2742 Alki Avenue SW store after 25 years, the company said only that the decision was the result of a process in which they “evaluate our store portfolio annually to determine where we can best meet our community and customers’ needs.”

11:39 AM: Starbucks spokesperson Sam Jefferies says the “change” is because he initially told us (and other media organizations, according to our online check of others’ stories) the wrong date – he now says it was always planned as today.

The extensive discussion about the Alki Point Healthy Street in the past few years has focused almost entirely on its south stretch – Beach Drive from Alki Point to 63rd SW. Some of the “permanent” features installed on its north stretch – Alki Avenue from 63rd SW to the point – have led to a problem that multiple nearby residents have emailed us about.

The photo above, from Greg, was taken near the west end of the beach park. It shows a “no parking” sign at left – and cars parked past it, despite the “wheel stops” meant to reinforce the message. He explained that “people continue to park illegally, blocking the turnaround past 64th Place. 64th Place (which has many families with children) has now become an unsafe arterial. Even without cars parked illegally on Alki, most cannot make the tight radius turn and must back up. The most dangerous issue are those who don’t understand the traffic flow past the circle and they DRIVE in the bike lane.” Greg says he had reported it to the city without response before contacting us. So we took it to SDOT, whose spokesperson Ethan Bergerson tells us:

We are considering some adjustments to help address these concerns:

-There is currently a gap between the concrete wheel stops by the bike rack which is large enough for a vehicle to drive through or park. We could add another wheel stop to fill this gap and clarify this confusion.

-We are also considering moving the “Street Closed Ahead” sign to be more visible from a distance to drivers as they approach this cul-de-sac.

For a better view of the “cul-de-sac,” here’s a photo from Jennifer:

We’ll keep watch to see what happens.

Saw him running down Alki. Hanging out at Future Primitive now. No collar.

Contact via text 646.963.3752

One of summer’s final West Seattle festivals is four weeks away (27 days, to be precise). This year is the 10th anniversary of Alki Beach Pride, a daylong celebration founded and coordinated by Stacy and Jolie Bass-Walden. It’s a street festival as well as a beach party, as the announcement notes:

Alki Beach Pride is happening Saturday, August 31st, 2024, from 12 pm to 8 pm. Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pride on the beach. The event will feature an exciting lineup of entertainment, a variety of culinary delights from food trucks, an array of offerings from local vendors, a dedicated health and wellness area, and a family-friendly space, plus much more!

Please note that Alki Ave will be closed from 57th to 61st all day, with vendor booths lining the street. Our main stage will be positioned near Alki Bathhouse. For those seeking an elevated experience, limited VIP tents near the stage are available for rent. Get ready to be captivated by performances from headliners such as Mariah Counts, LIVt, iZOHNNY, DJ Zen, and many other talented entertainers!

Also:

We really need some volunteers for the event! An organization called Gay For Good has partnered up with us. They organize volunteers for a variety of LGBTQ events. Here is the link for volunteer signup.

28th Annual AAU Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic
Location: Alki Beach Bathhouse, 2701 Alki Ave SW
Date: Saturday, August 10th
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Free to Public
Contact: Bull Stewart, bullstewart@hotmail.com, 206-854-2678

The AAU Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic is now in its 28th year! With Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains as the backdrop, this Powerlifting and Feats of Strength event will be held at the Alki Beach Bathhouse Saturday, August 10th, from 9 – 3 pm, free to public.

Powerlifting Hall of Famer Andrew “Bull” Stewart will once again host what is the oldest Strength Sports outdoor event in Seattle, featuring lifters from all ages and walks of life, many of them World Champions and record holders. Traditional squat, bench and deadlift will be presented, along with the tire throw and farmer’s walk, and features its new competitive event, the “double deadlift,” involving teams of two lifting one bar!

Inquiries can contact Bull Stewart at bullstewart@hotmail.com or 206-854-2678

One more belated crime report: Police have released a summary confirming gunfire on Alki early Monday morning. They say 911 calls came in at 3:43 am “to report gunshots near 60 Ave SW/Alki Ave SW.” SPD says officers found 14 shell casings and one “live round,” all 9mm. The summary notes, “A witness stated that prior to the shooting she heard a possible disturbance in the alley and a male voice say ‘hold on’ a couple of times. The witness stated that she then heard multiple gunshots. An unknown vehicle quickly drove from the scene.” No one was reported injured, either in the area or at local hospitals.

Thanks for the tip! SDOT crews were out today working on some of the 10 new speed cushion/hump sets promised for the Alki/Harbor Avenue area. We found three now in place on Harbor – near Jack Block Park‘s main entrance (photo above), near Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), and near the West Bay Coffee drive-thru. We reported last Monday on the locations where the new speed humps/cushions are planned, shown on this map:

The ones now in place on Harbor are the easternmost ones shown on that map. The new Alki Avenue locations have been marked off; construction wasn’t supposed to start before tomorrow but impending rainy weather may have factored into the change of plan. The city hopes the added humps/cushions will reduce racing and other aggressive-driving problems; as per City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s Monday announcement, SDOT also is still planning some lane narrowing, and is considering whether anything can be done with the Duwamish Head angle-parking zone, which nearby residents want to see changed to reduce its appeal as a gathering spot.

(Saturday photo, sent by Eddie)

That’s the Duwamish Tribe‘s Raven canoe, crossing the river by bridge instead of by water, seen as it was towed downtown for the tribe’s participation in the Seafair Torchlight Parade. Tomorrow you are invited to be at Alki Beach as the Duwamish canoe family lands while participating in this year’s scaled-down regional Canoe Journey. The Duwamish canoe will be leaving Suquamish on Monday morning, paddling to Alki for a short stop, and then continuing on to Des Moines, all participating canoe families’ official Monday night stop before finishing the journey in Tacoma. There’s no estimated time of arrival yet – from “midday” to “mid-afternoon” are the early estimates – but the tribe promises social-media updates on Monday.

9:35 AM MONDAY: The latest estimate is between 11 and 11:30 am.

10:13 AM: Another update – the weather has forced some canoes to get out of the water, so the Duwamish canoe will now be brought to Alki by trailer sometime this afternoon.

11:55 AM: New update for that – around 2 pm.

2:23 PM: They brought the canoe to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, from which they’re launching shortly, heading to Des Moines. So they’ll be paddling past Alki Beach proper. We’ll have photos in a separate story later.

Outrigger canoe racers are in the water off Alki today for the annual “Da Grind,” presented by the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club. But they’re not the only paddlers participating – the event has a standup-paddleboard component too:

Short-course racers took off at 9 am.

Some long-course racers were scheduled to start at 10:30.

And the final group heads out at 1 pm. The event also includes booths on the beach:

It all wraps up with an award ceremony around 3:30 pm.

(WSB photo, July 2023)

The first of this summer’s two major human-powered-boat racing events at Alki is happening tomorrow! Dozens of outrigger-canoe paddlers from around the region are expected for the annual “Da Grind” races, hosted by the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club. The event will last much of the day, starting with registration at 7 am and continuing until awards are presented around 3:30 pm. Paddlers will race on one of two courses – 4 miles (along Alki) or 12 miles (out to Blake Island and back); see the maps on the race page.

P.S. The other major human-powered boat racing event is Sound Rowers’ Great Cross-Sound Race, coming up August 24.