West Seattle, Washington
19 Sunday
Thanks to Molly for the photo and report on four West Seattle High School track athletes’ big success:
How exciting – the WSHS Boys 4×100 Track Team competed in the Nike Nationals meet this weekend at the University of Oregon. They won first in their heat & were just shy .06 from running in the championship. Please help us congratulate Cullen Schoeb, Aidan Murray, Marcus Ramsey, and Henry Johnston on a great run this season!
We hadn’t heard of The Big Banana Car until Max sent us that photo from an encounter at Don Armeni Boat Ramp today. But it of course has its own website and social-media feeds. We don’t know who the guy on the left is, but the bearded guy in the car is clearly the car’s creator Steve Braithwaite. He’s been based in Michigan but according to this post from two months ago, he’s becoming a “full-time nomadic banana-car driver.”
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Starting at 11 am this Saturday, La Casa Del Sabor (parked at 9256 45th Ave SW) – which we first told you about last night – will be open for business, offering Mexican standards and some family specialties in the neighborhood for the first time since El Camion left the space in 2024.
The opening is the culmination of more than a year of planning that co-owner Monica Trujillo Cortez says started with a simple question from her sister: “Why don’t we just open our own?” She says they had both worked in restaurants and food trucks for a number of years, and had also both worked at different El Camion trucks. “It was time to do our own.” When the sisters decided to make a go of it, their plan was to find a location in Renton, where they live, but they couldn’t find a spot that would work. That’s when they started looking further north, and discovered that the Fauntleroy space was still vacant. They now have a year lease to start.
Though the truck won’t open until late morning, the menu has breakfast plate options, including green chilaquiles. There’s a wide range of standards — tacos, burritos, quesadillas, gorditas, mulitas, tostadas, nachos, and tortas— “everything made to order,” with a choice of meats or vegetables. But Trujillo Cortez says what sets them apart is some of their specials: “We have stuffed mushrooms with chicken and cheese, served with pasta and a green sauce.” Their “house specialities” menu also includes a Colombian red bean soup with pork trotters, a green enchilada plate, and a shrimp ceviche. While not on the menu yet, they are also planning a barbacoa made from a family recipe, with lamb, beans and rice and a side of tortillas. Some of the dishes will come with house-made tortillas — they’re still working out which ones. There are burrito and quesadilla options for kids as well.
Beverages will include sodas, horchata, and a revolving list of aguas frescas. Sides of chips and guacamole, beans and rice, and roasted jalapeños are also on the menu, and for those with a sweet tooth, churros round out the options.
Trujillo Cortez says she’s already had people stopping by to talk this week as they work to get the truck ready for its first day of business. They’ll be open 7 days, from 11 am to 8:30 pm. She says they will be on social media channels for updates on things like specials, and are still looking into the possibility of making their menu available with food-delivery services.
While The Junction is losing one yoga studio, it’s gaining another. Yoga is part of what The Summerland offers, and founder Avian King says the studio is moving south to The Junction from its current North Admiral site:
Three months after a flood forced The Summerland to close its doors in Admiral, the studio has found a new home at 4411 California Ave SW in the heart of the West Seattle Junction.
What initially felt like a devastating setback revealed an incredible silver lining: the opportunity to move into a space twice the size of our original Admiral studio, filled with natural light, higher ceilings, and room to fully realize the vision I’ve had for The Summerland from the beginning.
A friend and fellow yoga studio owner reminded me, “You’ve got to risk it for the biscuit, baby.”
Turns out she was right.
We’re currently renovating a 1947 building just steps from the Farmers Market and across from the post office, preparing to welcome the community into Chapter 2.
For those unfamiliar, The Summerland is a modern yoga and wellness studio offering yoga, sound healing, Reiki, energy work, and ritual haircuts. Whether you’re stepping onto your mat, joining a sound bath, or sitting down for a haircut with intention, everything we do is designed to help people slow down, reconnect, and come back home to themselves. …
We’re planning an Open House weekend during West Seattle Summer Fest; details will be announced soon.
Our first class back will be Sunday Service — our weekly community gathering and anchor class — offered free to the community on Sunday, July 12 at 10:30 am.
Two weeks ago, we reported on information prepared for a scheduled meeting of the City Council Public Safety Committee, suggesting that SPD might have to slow its hiring because fewer officers were leaving, which posed a budget dilemma. That briefing scheduled for the committee’s June 9 meeting ultimately was postponed because it was the last item on the agenda and the previous two ran long. It’s now scheduled for tomorrow’s committee meeting (9:30 am Tuesday, June 23), same slide deck, but this time it’s the second item on the agenda, so not likely to be bumped again. It’s a regularly scheduled quarterly update, no votes scheduled nor attached proposals, but it can be viewed in the prism of the city’s looming budget shortfall. The agenda explains how to comment and/or watch, in person or remotely.
2:43 PM Thanks for the tips, and to Ashley for the photo! Fire crews have been busy this hour with a reported fire in a Waste Management truck at 56th SW and Hillcrest Avenue SW. Three SFD units are still logged to the scene; avoid the area for a while.
2:51 PM: And thanks to Michael for the photo above showing the vicinity. Another of the responding units has just been dismissed. According to the archived radio exchanges, this is believed to have been sparked by the truck making contact with power lines. No reports of injuries but we’ll verify that with SFD.
(WSB photo, 2025 concert crowd at Hamilton Viewpoint Park)
On this first weekday of summer, we’re checking in on some of the big West Seattle events ahead. That includes updates on the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s concert series, Admiral Music in the Parks. We brought you the lineup announcement last month. But you’ll find more than music, as ANA’s Meagan Loftin explains in this update:
Less than a month until AMP: Admiral Music in the Parks returns for our first concert of the season!
In addition to a rockin’ music lineup, we’re happy to announce some returning and new offerings to amp up our concert series. Seattle Yarn is back this year hosting their weekly knitting circle at each concert and PCC Community Markets is also returning this year with snacks and information about the co-op. New this year, we’ll also have a board game library and a music-craft activity for kids next to the Admiral Neighborhood Association booth.
And if you’re planning to bike or stroll to the concerts, Alki Bike & Board is sponsoring a new valet-style attended bike and stroller corral at each park to make sustainable transportation an easier option for everyone. We’re excited for another great summer of concerts in the parks and we hope to see you there!
July 16th @ Belvedere Park: Steve Aliment and Annie O’Neill
July 23rd @ California Place Park: Michael Pearsall and Friends
July 30th @ Hamilton Viewpoint Park: Driftwood Drive
AMP wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and our “Producer” sponsors Far Away Entertainment, the Historic Admiral Theater, WEND Jewelry, and West Seattle Grounds.
If you’re interested in learning more about AMP and our commitment to supporting local musicians or you’d like to learn how you can invest in our mission to provide free and accessible public arts programming to everyone in our neighborhood visit our website, www.connecttoadmiral.org/amp.
You can also purchase tickets on our website to our July 2nd fundraiser; a special screening of the award-winning documentary Earl Robinson: Ballad of an American followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker B.J. Bullert.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
The first sunset of summer was absolutely perfect, particularly for the ~100 people who watched it with West Seattle astronomy educator and NASA volunteer Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park.
Both Alice and the sunset got applause:
Once the sun was fully out of view behind the Olympic Mountains, it was time for her to present a version of the interactive lesson she’s given 68 times before, during her solstice and equinox watches.
First, a volunteer was chosen to represent the sun:
Everybody else had a role to play too, as Alice explained the seasons and how Earth tilts toward and away from the sun:
Here’s our video of her entire presentation:
It’s always followed by Q&A time, so if you’ve ever had a sky-watching question, bring it to one of Alice’s sunset watches!
All ages are welcome, and so are well-behaved pets:
If you come to a sunset watch, you’ll also get to see – if the sun cooperates, as it did last night – how the Solstice Park plateau’s paths and marker stones line up with the setting sun on solstice and equinox days. You might even get a sunset selfie.
Set your calendar for Tuesday, September 22, when autumn will arrive, and watch Alice’s website for updates.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what’s up for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FAMILY STORY TIME: 11 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily operation continues at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Weekly 2 pm meeting is canceled today.
‘UNRECOGNIZED’ PREMIERE: 6:30 pm at Town Hall downtown, see West Seattle-based filmmaker B.J. Bullert‘s half-hour documentary about the Duwamish Tribe‘s battle for federal recognition, with a discussion following. Here’s the ticket link. (1119 8th Avenue)
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUPS: 6:30 pm, weekly group gatherings for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too! $5.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 2: Two venues offer you the opportunity for trivia tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) and 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
CHESS NIGHT AT MISSION CANTINA: 7 pm, all levels welcome; details in our calendar listing. (2325 California SW)
PINBALL TOURNAMENT: Pinball players can enter Admiral Pub‘s 3-Strike Tournamment starting at 7 pm, with play beginning at 7:30. (2306 California SW)
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players can enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
ALKI MEDITATION: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: End your Monday with a song – karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Big thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Admiral Church has launched its summer food drive to raise money for the White Center Food Bank (whose service area includes south West Seattle). This year, instead of asking for contributions of non-perishable food, Admiral Church has taken the drive virtual – just click here to donate. Cash donations help food banks buy fresh food at wholesale prices, so the dollars go further than they would if you bought food to donate. Admiral Church will keep the donation program going through the end of August.
8:42 AM: Report of a stuck truck at 16th SW and SW Elmgrove.
9:22 AM: Texter who just went through that area reports it’s gone.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, June 22, 2026. No Seattle World Cup match today – next one’s at noon Wednesday.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Summer is here and so is a Heat Advisory alert from the National Weather Service, in effect 11 am today to 11 pm Wednesday. Today’s forecast, however, is for sunshine and a high around 80. Sunrise was again at 5:11 am (earliest of the year); sunset will again be at 9:11 pm (latest of the year).
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is back to the regular three-boat schedule. Check the alert page for last-minute changes.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
The city cameras’ updating-framegrab feature was back as of Wednesday morning, per a the SDOT map, so we’ve returned them to the morning lineup:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (25 mph speed limit):
See trouble 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!
12:27 AM: Police are arriving at Global Smoke and Vape at 35th/Roxbury after a reported robbery within the past half-hour. So far the robbers are described only as three white males, two in black ski masks and black hoodies, one carrying a trash bag of merchandise taken in the robbery.
12:45 AM: Officers told dispatch that the store staff believes the same people robbed them in May.
1:07 AM: Police have also just told dispatch that this wasn’t an armed robbery, that it “was more of a smash-and-grab, they rushed in and grabbed stuff.”
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