West Seattle, Washington
19 Sunday
(Added post-event, WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
7:35 PM: As previously reported, this month’s Critical Mass bicycle ride will stop at “ghost bike” memorials to two riders killed in crashes, including 76-year-old Maridee Bonadea, the Vashon rider hit and killed in Fauntleroy earlier this month. Critical Mass doesn’t publicize its exact route in advance but did say on social media that Ms. Bonadea’s memorial is the first stop, and we just heard an FYI on police radio that “about 100 bicyclists” are southbound from the downtown waterfront. Updates to come.
8:18 PM: About two dozen people are already at the memorial site. A commenter says the riders passed through Alki a short time ago.
8:49 PM: They’re expected here momentarily.
9:25 PM: The riders plan to leave in a few minutes.
ADDED AFTER OUR RETURN TO HQ: Here’s how the gathering unfolded – first with the rivers’ arrival:
Yes, the riders parked in the street – Critical Mass is a monthly ride that is as much a demonstration as anything else.
But each time a RapidRide bus appeared, they cleared space, with shouts of “Bus!” and “We support public transportation!”
There was no organized program but a few people spoke – first with memories of Maridee from her daughter:
City Councilmember Rob Saka had been there quite some time before the riders arrived, and after scattered voices in the crowd called for city action to make the street safer – specifically, removing parking – he was asked to speak, and he did.
He didn’t make any commitments to specific actions, though, and that was a subsequent point of contention shortly after the moment of silence he called for – her daughter shouted out that her mom liked to raise hell and that it was time to do that over the need for safety:
One person took the safety push literally to the street:
They left just after 9:30 pm, headed for a “ghost bike” at the scene of another rider’s recent death, and a stop to honor a third recent crash victim.
As you heard in one of our video clips, advocates plan to ask for the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s support at the next FCA meeting and say they have been added to the agenda. That meeting would be 6 pm Tuesday, July 14, at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).
West Seattle has yet more champs! Zack Hill sent the update and photos after Rain City Ropeworks jump-rope athletes returned from national competition:
West Seattle-based jump-rope team Rain City Ropeworks, coached by former world champion jumper Rene Bibaud, just returned from the 2026 American Jump Rope National Championship in Buffalo, NY, and the team did great. Fifteen local athletes competed and several of them placed in the top 3 nationally. Additionally, 5 athletes were national age-group champions:
Double Dutch Pairs Freestyle (19+-year-old Female division): Calla Freeman, Riley Hill, Halle Morgan, Madeleine Garrison
Single Rope Speed Sprint (19+-year-old Male division): Kai Widmer
Thanks to everyone in the community who has supported the team this year. While this team has produced multiple national champion athletes, Rene coaches everyone from beginners to world-class performers. For anyone with kids interested in learning more about jump rope, Rene is teaching multiple camps this summer, including in West Seattle.
(Current Hiawatha Play Area, as seen when project first surfaced in 2019)
A Seattle Parks project that’s been in the works since before the pandemic is finally about to be built. Here’s the Parks announcement we received today:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce the Hiawatha Play Area Renovation project construction will begin the week of July 20, 2026. SPR awarded the construction contract to LW Sundstrom, Inc. and together we will work to minimize the impact to Hiawatha Playfield and Community Center.
The project replaces the play area on the north side of the park near the tennis court with a new play area located just south of the wading pool. The new play area project will include play structures that provide opportunities for climbing and sliding for ages 2 -5 and 5 -12-year-olds. Additionally, the project includes new swings, a small plaza with tables and accessible pathways that will connect park amenities. After the new play area is open to the public the existing play area will be removed and restored for nature play.
The wading pool and the community center are both located outside the construction limits and will remain open during construction. The current play area will remain open during construction of the new play area.
For more information, please visit seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/hiawatha-play-area-relocation or email Shannon.Glass@seattle.gov
Here are the design documents for the new play area.
(WSB/WCN photo by Torin Record-Sand: County Executive Girmay Zahilay)
The street party that’s under way right now on both sides of Roxbury, from the south block of Delridge Way southward on 16th to 100th, is called “Gather For Goals.” And while its centerpieces are four huge screens showing World Cup soccer matches, the “goals” it’s meant to celebrate are also those of the local community. That was the message of welcoming speakers who talked for a bit between two of the screens right before the Norway-France kickoff – King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, King County Local Services director Leon Richardson, Elliot Hills from White Center Pride, Chris Lampkin from County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s team, and King County Local Services’s Brent Champaco, all in our video:
White Center Pride is co-presenting this with King County. Even if you’re not that into soccer, it’s an opportunity to wander the street and check out businesses like Wolfpack Cellars (WSB sponsor), which has an outdoor canopy right next to one of the big screens:
If you have one or more kids in tow, detour into the Tim’s Tavern parking lot at 16th/98th – steps from two of the big screens – where you’ll find free bouncy houses. This is all on until 7 tonight, rain or shine (all we experienced while there was a bit of mist).
More backstory about the party is on this King County webpage (which also lists the matches they’re showing).
We’re just back from the “Gather For Goals” World Cup-watching street party in White Center and noticed that the southernmost block of Delridge Way SW is closed to motor vehicles too, though the soccer-showing big screens are all on 16th south of Roxbury (16th is closed all the way to 100th). So if you’re looking to head southbound toward Roxbury, do it north or south of Delridge. And if you’re on foot, do wander over to see the vendors who are on the South Delridge block, as well as local shops and restaurants. We’ll have a separate report on the start of Gather For Goals – which continues until 7 pm – shortly.
Lacey emailed us to say, “We are coming up on the 30-year reunion for West Seattle High School Class of 1996! This time we have decided to join forces with the Class of ’95 and Class of ’97 for a joint reunion on Saturday, July 18. We’re trying to get the word out, we know a lot of folks have moved out of West Seattle, but many still have family here.” So if you or someone in your family is a WSHS alum from one of those years, you’re invited! The reunion celebration is at 7 pm July 18 at Dakota Place Park (California SW & SW Dakota). Here’s where to RSVP/buy tickets – or even just to answer an anonymous poll, whether or not you can go!
(“Seattle Stadium” at sunrise last Friday – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Soccer-watching and more are on the list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GATHER FOR GOALS: Big outdoor watch party with five screens to watch various World Cup matches, on 16th SW (closed to traffic) in White Center, 11 am-7 pm.
SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS: Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW) is offering an alternative, 11 am-7 pm – come in and support local artists!
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Daily-splashing season continues at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL: Also rain or shine – 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)
THE BEER JUNCTION ANNIVERSARY: 16 years for the beer shop, and they’re celebrating at 5 pm with the release of a special anniversary beer. (4511 California SW)
ART POP-UP OPENING RECEPTION: 5-7 pm, “Feather in the Wind” pop-up with multiple artists opens its weekend run upstairs at Alki Arts (6030 California SW).
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle.
MEMORIAL RIDE: The monthly Critical Mass bike ride is dedicated to recent crash victims including Maridee Bonadea, the bicyclist killed in Fauntleroy. Here’s the time estimates posted by Critical Mass:
The summary plan for timing purposes is:
• Meet at Westlake @ ~6:30pm (as usual)
• Depart Westlake @ ~7:00pm (hopefully on time-ish!)
• Pass by West Seattle Bridge Complex @ ~7:30pm
• Vigil at Maridee Bonadea Ghost Bike @ ~8:30pm
From there they’re going to another ghost bike outside West Seattle.
PRIDE MOVIE NIGHT AT ADMIRAL HUB: 7 pm, presented by Admiral Church, “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture.” Free. (4320 SW Hill)
LIVE IN-STORE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Hayden Everett, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
GOLDPINE AT KENYON HALL: Harmonies from Nashville,” 7:30 pm (7904 35th SW), tickets here.
‘WISH YOU WERE HERE’: 7:30 pm curtain – third weekend for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), check here for tickets.
WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY: 8 pm watch party for the Egypt vs. Iran match in Seattle, huge screen at at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Ska and reggae with Big Blue Van, Green Room, Ska Island perform at The Skylark. 8 pm, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), spinning with DJ Vega, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, “Goth Skate with Ex Veles, DJs – Wives, Libertine, Hex-a-gone go-gos, & pop-up drag performances,” 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
8:49 AM: Thanks for the tip. Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to the Stewart Manor apartments at 34th and Morgan. Updates to come.
(Added: Reader photo)
8:52 AM: SFD says the fire is in a fourth-floor unit.
8:58 AM: Morgan is blocked at 34th and police are arriving to help with traffic control.
9:03 AM: The fire’s under control; medic units are being dismissed, which suggests no serious injuries. Firefighters are also working on ventilation to get smoke out of the building.
9:12 AM: Radio traffic also indicates police are investigating the fire.
9:29 AM: It’s out now and SFD confirms no one was hurt.
7:35 AM: Thanks for the tip and photo. A car-on-side crash at the curve on the westbound West Seattle Bridge.
7:49 AM: Most of the initially large response has been dismissed; we’ll be following up with SFD re: injuries. Obviously if you’re headed inbound any time soon, you’ll want to find another route, like the low bridge.
8:07 AM: Police will be closing the EB lanes too.
8:24 AM: Live camera shows that side open and traffic coming from the WB side too; SFD log shows their responders have all cleared.
Earlier:
6:09 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, June 26, 2026, with Seattle World Cup match #4 tonight.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The rain is here, but expected to taper off later this morning, with some sun, high in mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:13 am; sunset will again be at 9:11 pm (latest of the year).
SEATTLE WORLD CUP MATCH #4
Egypt vs. Iran, 8 pm at Lumen Field (“Seattle Stadium”). So starting this afternoon, this area near the stadium will again be off-limits to motor vehicles:
TRANSIT TODAY
Matchday overview – Here’s the rundown courtesy of Metro Matters.
Metro buses – Reroutes in the no-motor-vehicles zone shown above, otherwise, regular weekday schedule.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Adding a second boat to facilitate extra matchday runs (which may throw off the schedule) plus later service tonight, an update from what was previously announced:
The West Seattle route will have extended late-night service on Friday 6/26 after the 8 pm FIFA match. The final sailing will depart Pier 50 at 12:15am. Sailing times may vary from posted schedule.
Estimated Pier 50 departures:
11:05pm
11:15pm
11:35pm
11:45pm
12:15am (Sat 6/27)Estimated Seacrest departures:
11:20pm
11:30pm
11:50pm
12:00am (Sat 6/27)
12:30am (Sat 6/27)
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule. Check the alert page for last-minute changes.
WATCH PARTY STREET CLOSURE
Downtown White Center is closing 16th SW for the “Gather for Goals” outdoor watch party 11 am-7 pm.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
The city cameras’ updating-framegrab feature is back, 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:
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!
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