West Seattle, Washington
19 Sunday
A West Seattle couple rode near the front of today’s big Pride Parade through downtown Seattle.
We reported earlier about the Seattle Pride organization honoring Stacy Bass-Walden as this year’s recipient of the Ackerman Award for Service. Stacy and wife Jolie founded Alki Beach Pride – an annual late-summer celebration, unique to West Seattle and its beloved beach. As this year’s honoree, Stacy rode in a convertible in the parade, with Jolie at her side.
She invited community members including us to walk alongside, and in true WSB “we always show up” style, we did. Before the parade began, we watched some of the staging, including the rollout of the huge Pride flag that has made a guest appearance at Alki Beach Pride the past few years:
(This year you’ll see it on August 1st.) Once the parade got rolling, the hundreds of entries headed north on 4th Avenue from south of Westlake Park:
Thousands of people lined the street – and some watched from above:
About two-thirds of the way down the route, a reporter from KIRO, which had broadcast and streaming rights, stopped Stacy and Jolie for an interview:
After that, their driver had to step it up a bit to close a big gap with the entries ahead, and we were walking alone for a while, carrying our sign congratulating Stacy. We caught up just as the parade made the turn onto Denny Way:
Minutes later, at the end of the route – an hour after the lead cars started rolling – we talked briefly to Stacy and Jolie about the parade-riding experience:
We hit the “stop” button a bit too soon – what they went on to say at the end was an invitation to join them for this year’s Alki Beach Pride, on August 15.
Some complicated technical trouble tonight took WSB down for a few hours. Please forgive us for the downtime; we’ve been working on stories offline so we can catch up as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience (and thanks also to those who contacted us to make sure we knew about the site’s inaccessibility – best way to reliably reach us 24/7 with a question or message is to text 206-293-6302).
As we first reported in April, Avalon Glassworks‘ owners are retiring, and June 30 is their final day – so you have two more days to shop their retail store adjacent to the glass-blowing studio, 12 pm to 4 pm Monday and Tuesday.
(2025 photo courtesy West Seattle Glass Float Hunt)
For those wondering what this means for the annual West Seattle Glass Float Hunt, for which Avalon Glassworks has made the floats, we noticed this paragraph in a recent news release about city grants:
$29,100 to West Seattle Chamber of Commerce for the West Seattle Glass Float Hunt, taking place August 7 through August 16, 2026, is a free community art event that invites residents and visitors to explore neighborhoods across the West Seattle peninsula while searching for handblown glass floats hidden in parks, greenspaces, trails, public walkways, and participating businesses from Alki Avenue to Roxbury Street. Created by local glass artists, each float is a small piece of public art meant to be discovered, photographed, and shared. The hunt encourages people to experience West Seattle’s parks, neighborhoods, and small businesses in a new way while celebrating the region’s connection to Pacific Northwest glass artistry. It also serves as a small business activation and economic development effort that guides participants through neighborhood commercial districts and encourages visits to local shops, restaurants, cafés, and other businesses helping support the independent, local business culture in West Seattle. Community match: $29,320
Since the news release specifically mentioned the Chamber, which has partnered with the West Seattle Junction Association on the float hunt, we asked executive director Rachel Porter about its status, and she replied that Avalon Glassworks has already made this year’s floats: “We were able to get them made before they close, so this is our last year with them at the helm of the glass blowing. The goal will always be to use a West Seattle business, and we are hoping the next owners of Avalon will help us keep this tradition alive! We don’t know who we will work with next year, but fingers crossed that someone buys Avalon soon.”
Thanks to Mark Jaroslaw for the clip from last night’s free Seattle Chamber Music Society “Concert Truck” show outside the Alki Bathhouse. As you can see in Mark’s video, it wasn’t just instrumental – an opera vocalist sang, too. The “Concert Truck” series has one more stop in West Seattle this summer, Wednesday (July 1) at 6 pm at the Seattle Chinese Garden (north end of South Seattle College campus at 6000 16th SW) – you can see the performers and program (for last night too) by going here.
If you’ve visited a Seattle Public Library in the SPL Southwest Region in the past quarter-century, you probably know Ken, who asked us to share this farewell message with you:
Hello, West Seattle Community:
25 years ago, you welcomed me to West Seattle. I was fortunate to serve as a Teen/Adult Services Librarian here at The Seattle Public Library. I was also fortunate enough to serve all 25 years as the SPL liaison to CSIHS. I was able to participate as SPL was able to offer more and more programs for all ages. High Point, thanks to the generosity of volunteers, began to host Homework Help starting in 2011. The program has assisted countless K-12 students in the past 15 years. Youth Drop in Chess, coach Jeremy, has similarly worked with countless West Seattle youth teaching chess in the High Point meeting room. SPL has expanded its outreach services to reach people who don’t normally look to the library as a resource. We have partnered with various community organizations such as High Point SHA, Neighborhood House, SFYC, High Point Community Center, and DNDA, among others, to host SPL programs at their facilities and here at High Point. I watched your families grow up and see your children turn into adults.
My time in the Southwest Region branches:
-2000-2005 Teen Services Librarian at the Southwest branch
-2005-2006 Teen Services Librarian at the Delridge branch
-2006-2010 Teen and Adult Services Librarian at the South Park branch, part of the opening day staff
-2010-2026 Teen and Adult Services Librarian at the High Point branchMany thanks and all the best to each of you,
Ken
The last day of work for Ken (who asked to be identified by first name only) will be Monday, July 6.
(Added: Reader photo of SPU crews)
8:25 AM: Thanks for the tips. Seattle Public Utilities is working on a water outage in the Morgan Junction area, 6000 block Fauntleroy Way SW, affecting at least 88 customers, according to the SPU water-trouble map.
1:07 PM: Not yet resolved per SPU.
1:41 PM: Texters report it’s back on. We will follow up with SPU tomorrow.
(Steller’s Jays, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here are highlights from what’s on our West Seattle Event Calendar:
FIELD DAY: Amateur-radio operators’ round-the-clock event on the north side of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus wraps up this morning; here’s our story published Saturday night.
(add) WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: 9 am-5 pm self-guided tour at gardens around West Seattle. We checked on ticket sales earlier this week and they already were sold out.
SALE TO HELP NANCY: Starting at 9 am at 2310 Alki SW again today, estate sale to benefit Nancy and kids, forced to move after the recent death of her partner, as explained here.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY – ANNIVERSARY PARTY: 10:30 am, Westies Run Club runs from Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) today at a special time, with a 4th anniversary celebration!.=
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in early-summer produce-and-products season – asparagus, lettuce, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, fruit (strawberries, cherries, apricots …), more – and many options for baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, poultry, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
MASTER GARDENERS AT THE MARKET: If you have a gardening question, you can get an answer from a Master Gardener! Their weekly clinics at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continue today, 10 am-2 pm. (Look for their booth toward the south end of the market.)
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and enjoy a buffet breakfast.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
TAI CHI AT THE LIBRARY: 10:30 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
ALKI BEACH PRIDE IN SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE: 11 am, the Seattle Pride Parade goes north on 4th Aenue from Westlake to Seattle Center, and Alki Beach Pride co-founder Stacy Bass-Walden will be riding toward the start because of her recent award. (Stacy invited a coalition of community members to walk in the parade with her and asked WSB to be part of it – so we’ll have coverage later today. And if you’re also a West Seattleite in the parade, please let us know!)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and 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 RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
FEATHER IN THE WIND ART SHOW: Last of three days for the pop-up art show upstairs at Alki Arts (6030 California SW), noon-6 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)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome this afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 2:30 pm for chat, 3 pm discussion at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), “Rebecca” is this month’s subject.
‘WISH YOU WERE HERE’: Third matinée performance of ArtsWest‘s new play, 3 pm – online tickets are sold out but you can go to the box office in person before the show to get on the waitlist. (4711 California SW)
THE EVOLVING MAN: 5 pm, group described as “an immersive men’s gathering focused on nervous system regulation, authentic connection, and personal growth” meeting at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5 pm with host Morgue Anne. Free, all ages. (9444 Delridge Way SW)
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: 5 pm, be at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) to preview Madonna‘s new album! Free, all ages.
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Music to end the weekend! 8-10 pm, jazz with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or assisting with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
ORIGINAL 3:22 AM SUNDAY REPORT: After several 911 calls about suspected gunfire, police went to 57th SW and Alki Avenue SW and have just reported finding “casings in the roadway.” No reports of injuries or property damage so far.
ADDED NOON MONDAY: We have obtained the report narrative from SPD – redactions are all theirs, as sent to us:
At approximately 03:10 I was dispatched to 57 AV SW / ALKI AV SW for the report of a possible shooting / shots fired.
The original CAD notes read as follows:
”J/O, 15 SHOTS FROM OUTSIDE THE ADDR, FOLLOWED BY PEOPLE RUNNING”
“2 VEH SEEN SPEEDING AWAY EB ON ALKI TOWARDS THE WEST SEATTLE BR”
“:1 MIN AGO, HEARD 12-15 POSS SHOTS, LOOKED OUT, SAW A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE SCATTER IN MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS”
I arrived on scene at approximately 03:18 hours and was flagged down by a witness in front of 2XXX Alki AV SW. XXXX He stated the following: At approximately (3:05 am) hours he was inside his unit and thought there were fireworks going on outside. As he peeked his head out of the front door, he heard what he described as “bullets whizzing by, through the bushes.” He then observed two vehicles taking off eastbound on Alki AV, with one appearing to be chasing the other.
Shortly after they passed, two more vehicles followed closely behind. He stated he had a really difficult time trying to decipher what the makes and models of the vehicles were as it was dark and they were passing at an extremely high rate of speed. He estimated the speed to be 70-80 mph. His best guess at the types of vehicles were a dark colored XXXX.
Backing units blocked off Alki AV from 57th AV SW to 56th AV SW. In this block there were XXX Fired Cartridge Casings / Fragments recovered broken down as follows: XXXX Fragments. The XXXX and fragments spent were evenly distributed throughout the block, making it difficult to determine the origin location for the incident. However, there was a decent amount of broken glass from what could be the window of a vehicle, found just east 57th AV SW on the north side on ALKI.
A single impact location was found at 2XXX Alki Av SW Unit XXXX. It hit the glass panel of a balcony railing. Nobody inside the unit was hurt or heard / witnessed the incident.
While canvassing the area, Ofc XXXX was flagged down by a passerby who stated that she had video of the suspect’s car, which was captured XXXX An Axon link was sent to retrieve that footage.
Photos were taken and uploaded to Evidence.com. The XXXX / Fragments were photographed, logged, and placed into evidence. All available possible camera locations were recorded by and placed into Ofc XXXX supplement.
See photos in a comment below regarding bullet damage.
12:04 AM: Lots of reports about “massive explosions” in various areas. including The Junction. Some have seen the source – M-80 type “fireworks” detonated in trash cans, which magnifies the sound. 911 has received multiple reports, and has dispatched police on the trail – apparently the people responsible are driving around from detonation site to detonation site.
12:19 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo right before it was mentioned on police radio – a firework-damaged can by the bus stop outside the CVS store at 5217 California SW.
2:34 AM: That photo sent by another reader is from 41st/Alaska.
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