day : 10/08/2025 8 results

About today’s two ‘scenes of violence’ calls

Mentioning these because multiple readers have asked. First, for those who watch emergency logs, Seattle Fire’s “scenes of violence” designation is generally applied to any call believed to involve any kind of weapon – not just a gun or knife – not just suspected crimes.

2600 BLOCK OF ALKI: This call around quarter past 8 tonight involved a person who had reportedly harmed themselves. Most of the response was canceled fairly quickly; we don’t know the person’s condition but it wasn’t described as life-threatening. (If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, Crisis Connections has a hotline at 866-427-4747

2500 BLOCK OF BARTON: This call around quarter till 9 this morning was at or near Westwood Village McDonald’s. A man was reported to have claimed someone “clubbed him in the face.” When responders got there, the man seemed injured but they weren’t able to discern exactly what happened.

‘Being seen for more than just June’: Alki Beach Pride’s annual flag ceremony, with motorcycles, six days before main event

(Unfurling photos by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“The first pride,” Dominique Stephens made sure to point out, “was a protest,” as she helped guide volunteers across the street on the corner of Alki and 57th this morning for Alki Beach Pride’s annual pride flag ceremony. The goal of the ceremony is to get the community excited for their 11th official Alki Beach Pride celebration, which happens next Saturday, August 16th.

Stephens has known Alki Beach Pride founders Jolie and Stacy Bass-Walden (photo below) for years, helping with permits, organizing and music. More importantly though, she’s their friend. “This is actually the first year she’s not doing anything,” said Jolie, as the group gathered at Blue Moon Burgers this morning.

Today’s celebration was made even more special with the support of Seattle’s chapter of Dykes on Bikes, a nonprofit motorcycle club that volunteers at parades and LGBTQ events. Just before noon, as a quickly-growing crowd of volunteers and organizers gathered along Alki Avenue, the group’s signature motorcycles roared up the street in a first-time collaboration for the two organizations.

The main event started immediately after, as two massive flags – a transgender pride flag, and a rainbow pride flag – were rolled out on Alki Beach by the crowd, continuing to draw in volunteers along the way.

Today’s celebration was made all the more meaningful in the wake of recent legislation, which has had a disproportionate effect on queer people, including the closure of the Trevor Project’s 988 suicide & crisis lifeline, which focused specifically on queer youth. The American Civil Liberties Union says it’s tracking more than 600 anti-LGBTQ state-legislation bills across the country.

(WSB photo: Dominique Stephens speaks at today’s pride flag ceremony)

“This Pride is pretty big for me,” said Stephens. “It’s about being seen for so more than just June, It’s about asking ourselves if we’re being proud all the time. It’s about asking if we can do that in a well-rounded way. We need to be proud together. We need to stand together, fight together, and be seen together.”

Next Saturday’s celebration is a way for people to gather in an inclusive, urban, family-friendly celebration of Seattle’s LGBTQ community, and have a great day at the beach. For more information about Alki Beach Pride – which includes live entertainment, a street party, vendors, and more – check out their website here.

WEEK AHEAD: West Seattle Art Walk on Thursday, with five Art of Music mini-concerts (plus a musical bonus)

August 10, 2025 6:45 pm
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 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you’re not going to the aforementioned public-safety forum – the coming week brings another major event on Thursday night: This month’s West Seattle Art Walk, accompanied by five mini-concerts for The Art of Music. Here’s the lineup:

The performances are happening simultaneously, 6 pm to 7:45 pm, with a mid-show break. In addition to The Art of Music performances, curated by John Redenbaugh, at least one other Junction venue plans live music Thursday night too – Easy Street Records will host the Sinister Six for a free, all-ages show at 7 pm. (P.S. More on the art part of Thursday’s Art Walk in a separate preview!)

WEEK AHEAD: City’s traveling public-safety forum comes to West Seattle on Thursday

August 10, 2025 4:20 pm
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 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

This week has brought multiple crimes of note, so there’s a lot to talk about when city leaders bring their traveling public-safety forum to West Seattle on Thursday. As announced last month, it’ll be at 6 pm Thursday (August 14) at Delridge Community Center (Delridge Way SW/SW Genesee), with speakers expected to include Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, CARE Department Chief Amy Barden, and Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, as well as representatives of other key city departments. The goal of the forums held around the city – this forum is specifically for City Council District 1 – was explained in the city’s original June announcement. They’ve requested RSVPs but we’re told that’s not mandatory, more a matter of ensuring there’s enough room at the venue, so if you don’t RSVP, do get there early.

READER REPORT: Giveaway gratitude

The report and photo were sent by Keri:

Around 8 this morning, I was driving along Beach Drive. One my way to meet a friend at the Thistle Street stairs.

I kept seeing folks pass by, holding flowers. Then I saw it:

I stopped and got a couple for my friend and a couple for my daughter.

Everyone who stopped seemed to be doing the same. Just a few that brightened their day, leaving more for the next person.

I’m guessing they are gone by now but it was a truly lovely gesture. Thanks to the family that put them out. ❤️

Remembering Janice (Mary) Fitterer, 1947-2025

Family and friends are remembering Janice Fitterer, known as Mary, and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Janice Marie “Mary” Fitterer (Ivey) was born at the Bremerton Naval Hospital in Bremerton, WA on July 31st, 1947 to Cecil White Ivey and Iris Ione Ivey (Stanton). She is predeceased by her brother Bill (Barb) and brother Joe (Pam). She is survived by sister Cecille (Steve d. 2015) and brothers Jim (Beverly) and John as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Mary was predeceased by her oldest son Christian Cameron (d. 1995) and is survived by her sons Zane (Claire, Grace, and Bedford) and Aaron (Lacey, Christian George, Abigail, Gage, and Tate)

Mary graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965 and married Richard Fitterer in 1969. Richard and Mary raised their family in Moses Lake, WA. While in Moses Lake, Mary was influential in the arts and city beautification projects – as well as spearheading such initiatives as the concrete/paver replacement project. She spent several years on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mary was an influential figure with the Big Bend Manta Rays Swim Club and a partner in developing what would become the St Rose of Lima School Auction. Mary left for world travels from Moses Lake in 1997. She visited Italy, France, Mexico and many parts between. Being raised in a Navy family, travel was always a big part of her life. We are grateful she was able to see as much of the world and art history as she did.

Mary was called to be with her Beloved Son Christian, her parents, and siblings on August 3rd, 2025. Anointing was performed by Fr. Jose Maldanado of St Patrick’s Parish, Pasco, WA. There will be no services. Any remembrances should be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org/donate

(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)

Water outage at Alki UCC

August 10, 2025 7:33 am
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 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Larisa from Alki UCC asked us to let you know:

I just got word that our building’s water had to be shut-off, affecting toilet usage during today’s 10 am service, which will still take place.

We ask folks to kindly plan accordingly and apologize for the inconvenience!

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Alki Beach Pride kickoff, Washington Bee Atlas, music, much more!

(Photo by Stan Delles)

Good morning! Another warm day expected, so here are some possibilities for enjoying it, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 3: If you’re hunting, there are more floats and clues today – see the clues, and see which floats have been found so far, by going here.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: This week’s 9 am Sunday Funday run leaves from Caffe Ladro (7011 California SW).

PICKUP CHOIR: Got a song in your heart this morning? Here’s the invitation from Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds):

Join in! Singers of all ages/abilities welcome!

Whether or not you’re a member of the Alki UCC Community Choir, you are invited to join us this Sunday morning and learn a song to sing with the choir during 10:00 am worship. There is no commitment to join the choir.

We gather in the sanctuary at 9:00 am for a welcome and a warmup before learning music together. Our piece is an abridged version of Mark Hayes’ “Grace,” a stunning setting of “Amazing Grace” to the traditional Scottish folk song “O Waly Waly.”

No Dress Code! Comfort rules! Let your friends and neighbors know they’re all invited to be in choir for a day!

RSVP by contacting Alki UCC Music Director Daniel Self at music@alkiucc.org … OR simply show up this Sunday at 9:00 am.

We welcome you either way and are so excited to share the joy and passion of singing with one and all.

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

WASHINGTON BEE ATLAS: West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts a drop-in tabling event 10 am-2 pm so you can learn about our state’s bees and the work to identify and map them, for which more volunteers are welcome.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Find the market on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, still the peak of summer produce season (stone fruit, berries, cherries, greens), plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, flowers, more.

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

SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: While you’re in The Junction, detour to the alley behind Carmilia’s boutique (4528 California SW) for food, music, and fun, 10 am-3 pm.

SUMMER GRIEF WALK: Meet at 10 am at the Hinds entrance to Schmitz Preserve Park (599 SW Hinds) for a free walk with Listening to Grief.

ALKI BEACH PRIDE KICKOFF – MOTORCYCLE RIDE + FLAG UNFURLING: The annual Alki Beach Pride celebration/festival is next Saturday, and this morning there’s a two-part kickoff celebration to which everyone’s invited, a motorcycle ride led by Dykes on Bikes and a flag-unfurling on the beach – here’s the timeline from ABP co-founder Stacy Bass-Walden:

Folks should arrive by 10:30 AM at Blue Moon Burgers.
The unfurling of the flags will start approximately at 11:30.
Dykes On Bikes will kick off the celebration by leading a ROLL-OUT from Marination Ma Kai parking lot at 11 AM sharp.
They will cruise up California Avenue passing Arthur‘s Café and Admiral Pub, then make their way around to Alki. This is a casual event, but we would love as many people possible to attend to help hold the giant pride flag and the Trans Flag on the sand at 57th and Alki Avenue directly across from Blue Moon Burgers.

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

COZY GAMING SUNDAYS: New event at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California, upstairs), 11 am-5 pm on second and fourth Sundays.

SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, 11 am-8 pm.

KIDS’ TEA PARTY: 11 am-1 pm at West Seattle Mercantile (3270 California SW) – check here to see if spots are left and to register.

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 open today as its 7-day-a-week season continues, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.

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

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Reminder, no more tours this year (as explained here).

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)

EUROPA ENSEMBLE: 3 pm concert at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW):

This Music Northwest Concert Series event features the great C Minor Piano Trio by Mendelssohn with a Finale inspired by J.S. Bach, as well as music by the great Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev, who managed to survive the Great Purge of the 1930s by Joseph Stalin. The EUROPA Ensemble, formed in 1990, includes Russian- born violinist Leonid Keylin and cellist Mara Finkelstein; as well as Irish-American pianist Jane Harty.

AUTHOR READING: Poet Stephen Jaech reads from Harmony River at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm.

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!