West Seattle, Washington
19 Sunday
Thanks to the texter who sent that photo and word of a camera-visible aurora within the past hour. Checking this skywatching site, we’re indeed in the zone.
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
At its next meeting, a City Council committee will continue considering a proposal targeting unwanted solicitations for homeowners to sell their property.
The Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee‘s special meeting this week included discussion of an ordinance that would establish a “Do Not Solicit” list, allowing people to opt out of being contacted regarding selling their property.
The legislation was introduced by citywide Councilmember Dionne Foster as a means of stopping the “calls and incessant visits” that have been causing some longtime Seattle residents anxiety and angst. It also works to prevent homeowners from unintentionally selling their homes well under market value.
“We are seeking to protect people’s peace of mind, but also their existing wealth,” Foster said. “As well as people’s opportunity to take advantage of what they already own.”
Foster’s office has implemented a survey gathering information from Seattle residents regarding the “frequency and impact of unwanted solicitations from real estate professionals and wholesalers.” She detailed some survey participants explaining they felt “hunted” and “circled by vultures.”
In these cases, solicitation can take the form of mail, oral communication, or electronic communication. It encompasses attempting to purchase, acquire any interest, or convey residential property, according to the presentation given by analyst Jennifer Labreque.
Penalties for violation of the “Do Not Solicit” list include a $1,000 for a first violation, and $2,000 for any subsequent violation occurring within 12 months.
The list would be maintained and penalties enforced by the Seattle Office of Civil Rights. If passed, the legislation will go into effect on June 1, 2027.
Some concerns were raised by councilmembers surrounding getting the word out about the program – resulting in its underutilization. Additionally, actually being able to identify solicitors and being able to enforce the ordinance.
“We need to be just as aggressive as the people on the other side,” said Chukundi Salisbury, a panel member from Black Legacy Homeowners. The legislation would need to be reiterative – adapted to combat solicitors who would seek ways to work around the policy.
Salisbury emphasized that the work leading up to this initiative is not new, referencing his “This House is Not For Sale” campaign from 2020. He stressed that residents finally need to have the “no” mean something.
Real estate agents raised concerns during the meeting’s public-comment section, asking that the city exempt agents from the legislation. Angie Mykel wanted to emphasize the difference between licensed agents and wholesalers “making money in the margins.” Overall though, the response to the proposed ordinance was positive.
The proposal is currently planned to be on the agenda for the next Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee meeting on July 8th. You can submit comments to councilmembers or sign up for public comment at the next committee meeting using this link.
Abandoned on a planting strip in Seaview:
Yours? Contact us and we’ll connect you with the finder.
The Blowout Heavies Brass Band is providing the soundtrack tonight at Highland Park Improvement Club‘s First Fridays gathering on the past-and-future HPIC site at 12th/Holden. We counted about 100 people having a great time, including everybody helping judge the 18 pies entered in the Bake-Off:
Flavors ranged from “plumberry” to chocolate pecan – right about now, they’re tallying votes and deciding who gets these:
Tonight’s First Fridays party had savory treats as well as sweet:
$7 got a plate in what was dubbed the “Bite of Southwest Seattle.” The party goes on until about 8:30 tonight:
All ages – there’s a little play area for kids too. Next First Fridays celebration: Friday, August 7.
Time to start daily previews of West Seattle Summer Fest, happening next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – July 10 through 12 – in The Junction! (And of course you’re invited to start wandering the streets Thursday, July 9, for what’s become known as Summer Fest Eve, when the streets close so setup can begin!)
This year’s festival will have almost 200 vendors (listed here), a Kids Zone with the return of the foam party as well as a new water slide, two days/nights of main-stage live music (and three days of street-corner music, reusable cups and dishes, sidewalk cafés for your favorite year-round restaurants and bars, the Oregon/California intersection included in the festival zone for the first time, bike parking, pet pit stops … It’s West Seattle’s biggest party of the year and you’re invited. We’ll get into some specifics in the previews to come.
For the first time in almost a decade, SDOT is taking another look at potentially charging for street parking in the West Seattle Junction. The department announced here that it’s been studying Junction parking again, with possible outcomes including paid street parking. It’s also opened online surveys asking what you think about Junction (and Triangle) parking. Here are excerpts from SDOT’s explanation:
SDOT last studied parking in the Junction in 2017. Since then, the neighborhood has grown, including new housing, new businesses, more outdoor dining, increased food delivery activity, and changing travel habits.
Recent parking study data shows that on-street parking is often hard to find or completely full, especially along California Ave SW and nearby streets.
We’ve also visited the Junction multiple times to talk with people about how they get around.
We heard that while many people drive to the Junction, most people arrive by walking, biking, or taking transit. People shared mixed opinions about how easy it is to find available parking.
We are now asking people who visit, work, and live near the West Seattle Junction to share their feedback so we can better understand parking and loading needs.
Please take our survey by July 27.
We will use what we hear from the community, along with parking data, to develop possible recommendations.
In the fall, we will share draft recommendations with the community for additional feedback to inform a final plan.
…Potential changes could include:
*New time limits or paid parking to make sure customers can reliably find a parking spot
*Accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities
*Load zones for goods deliveries, food delivery services, and rideshare pick-up and drop-off
*Intersection daylighting to improve safety and visibility at crosswalks… Our goal is to make it easier to find parking by encouraging parking turnover. This helps more people access shops, restaurants, and services. We also want to address loading needs for businesses’ deliveries and quick stops.
See the SDOT map above for the project zone; the project website describes it as “California Ave SW from SW Edmunds St to SW Dakota St, SW Alaska St from Fauntleroy Way to Glenn Way SW, and surrounding streets. The project area also includes the West Seattle Triangle Area, including Fauntleroy Way SW from SW Edmunds St to SW Alaska St.” There are actually three versions of the survey – for Junction businesses here, for West Seattle residents here, and for “visitors” here. As noted on the project page, SDOT also will have reps available for Q&A at upcoming events including West Seattle Art Walk, Summer Fest, and the farmers’ markets.
BACKSTORY: Here’s our report on how the 2017 parking study turned out; here’s our report on how the one before that, in 2008, turned out. The Junction used to have privately owned lots with free-parking but that ended five years ago.
(WSB photo, June 26)
One week after that gathering in memory of Maridee Bonadea, the 76-year-old bicyclist killed on SW Wildwood southeast of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, a nearby resident says she caught someone apparently trying to remove the roadside “ghost bike” memorial. Emailed by Kristi:
We live near the spot where a cyclist was recently run over and killed on SW Wildwood. We just witnessed a man in a truck cutting the chain off of the ghost bike placed in memory of Maridee Bonadea. When we confronted him to ask what he was doing, he nervously mumbled something about removing the chain from public infrastructure. When we asked if he was there as part of that infrastructure he said he was “the neighborhood.” We’ve lived a half block away for 15 years and have no idea who this was or why he was speaking on behalf of “the neighborhood.” He left in a hurry without taking the bike.
Kristi stayed with the bike until her husband returned with a new lock and chain, which are now in place. The man who took the original ones was in a white Ford Explorer, she reports.
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
for West Seattle Blog
It was a sight Jimie Martin of the Lions Club of West Seattle (above right) had long waited to see.
She didn’t actually “wait.” She fought for almost a decade to get some official TLC for the tiny triangle park where Delridge Way SW, 16th Avenue SW, and SW Roxbury Street meet.
It holds a tribute to veterans, installed by a VFW post that no longer exists:
Fifteen years ago, the then-owner of the adjacent Triangle Pub – “Mac” McElroy, himself a veteran – led an effort to revitalize the small SDOT-owned parklet. We covered that for our partner site White Center Now. But over the ensuing years, it’s deteriorated, and damage from a car crash didn’t help matters. Jimie didn’t think it was right to let the site fall into further disrepair; she and the Lions Club did what they could, but ultimately, it was the city’s responsibiity.
Finally last month, as we reported here, SDOT crews did some work. And a small gathering last night commemmorated that, with Scouting America Troop 799 leading a flag-replacement ceremony, and West Seattle VFW commander Steve Strand speaking.
Here’s our video of his reflections, starting with gratitude and appreciation for the Lions’ advocacy and volunteerism:
The Scouts then hoisted a new Stars and Stripes on the parklet’s pole:
If you visit the parklet, look closely – there are small landmark engravings, and flowers in full summer bloom.
Burglar(s) hit By and By, the skating-and-more shop that opened four and a half years ago on the street level of the Center for Active Living, early this morning. We just heard from By and By proprietor Tony, who reports:
By And By was broken into around 4 am this morning. The thieves were able to steal a significant amount of clothing, shoes, iPads, and some cash. We will be closed today through most of next week. We will need some time to figure how to restock equipment and inventory properly.
They were able to strip out our “security lock” on our front door.
Hoping to get footage from the cameras on the building as well.
We don’t have the police report # yet but will add when we do.
Thanks to Kersti Muul for the report – she says a humpback whale is southbound off west-facing West Seattle, seen off Point Williams (Lincoln Park). Let us know if you see it!
(Thursday night photo by Hana Alishio)
Some recurring-event venues are taking a holiday-weekend break, but some one-time-only events of note are on our list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WHAT’S OPEN AND NOT FOR THIS SEMI-HOLIDAY: Here’s our story from last night.
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Some local sites are open – see our story for locations and other information.
WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY: 11 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), the summer of soccer continues! This match features Australia vs. Egypt.
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)
CARD GAME LAUNCH: “House of Cards – Deck of Corruption” – with cards that “showcase the decline of democracy” – is launching in a drop-in event at The Missing Piece in The Junction (California/Alaska), 4 pm-8 pm.
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 … and see art!
HPIC FIRST FRIDAYS, WITH PIE BAKE-OFF: This month’s First Fridays neighborhood party at the Highland Park Improvement Club site (1116 SW Holden) starts at 5:30 pm and features:
Pie Bake-Off
A Bite of SW Seattle international cook-out ($7 tasting plate)
Arts and crafts for kids
Live music from The Blowout Heavies Brass Band
If you want to enter the Bake-Off, bring your pie (better yet, bring two) by 6 pm.
FILM SCREENING AT EASY STREET RECORDS: see “Montana Grind,” 7 pm, about “skateparks changing lives in Native communities” – free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
BINGO AT ADMIRAL PUB: 7:10 pm, B-I-N-G-O! (2306 California SW)
‘WISH YOU WERE HERE’: 7:30 pm curtain – final weekend for the current play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), check here for tickets.
SKYLARK TAKING A BREAK: No shows this holiday weekend.
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), spinning with DJ Vitamin D, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, “Roll Around Seatown Party with DJ WD4D,” 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
KARAOKE AT TRIANGLE PUB: 9 pm to close, karaoke at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW).
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!
Among the many recurring events on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar is free drop-in Homework Help at the High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library. They’re currently seeking adult volunteers for next school year, starting in September, on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons. Here’s a flyer with a few more details, including the email address to use if you’re potentially interested.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, July 3, 2026. No Seattle World Cup match today – last one’s on Monday (USA vs. Belgium).
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Today’s forecast is for partly sunny, high in the low 70s. Sunrise was at 5:17 am today; sunset will be at 9:09 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On a Sunday schedule today.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule today and on the Fourth, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule today and on the Fourth. Check the alert page for last-minute changes.
FOURTH OF JULY
On Saturday morning, remember that the Kids’ Parade will be crossing California SW just south of Hamilton Viewpoint Park around 10:30 am. Also remember that late-night traffic on Harbor/Alki Avenues gets intense on the Fourth as people try to get a spot to look toward the Lake Union fireworks.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT
Mariners are home, playing the Blue Jays at 7:10 pm (and it’s Fireworks Night).
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
The city cameras’ updating-framegrab feature is back, as shown on the the SDOT map, so they’re back in our 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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