West Seattle, Washington
19 Wednesday
Three weeks after we first told you that SDOT is again studying the possibility of paid street parking in The Junction, here’s a reminder that their community surveys close tomorrow. If you haven’t responded already, you can go to the appropriate link to do that now:
There are three versions of the survey – for Junction businesses here, for West Seattle residents here, and for “visitors” here.
This is the first time in almost nine yearsthat SDOT has revisited the situation. Here’s how they’re evaluating it this time. Survey responses and other feedback, plus data about parking in The Junction and Triangle (the SDOT-provided map above shows the areas of focus), will result in what SDOT describes as “draft recommendations” that it’ll present sometime this fall. SIDE NOTE: Given that some local businesses famously fought paid street parking decades ago, we asked the West Seattle Junction Association whether its board has taken a position on this; short answer, no.
On Saturday, we showed you the new mural at Circa (WSB sponsor). Today, a reader report reveals another new West Seattle business mural:
That’s artist Elie Flanagan. Alki resident Geraldine happened onto Elie and her work in progress outside Alki Coffee Co. and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (2742 Alki SW) on Saturday, and noted the theme fits right into the neighborhood: “I thought it was quite ironic too that her mural, with the orange octopus, tied in with this year‘s logo for Alki Art Fair and the octopus on the Alki bathrooms on the beach.” Thanks to Geraldine for the photo; we hope to get over to Alki in a bit to see what the mural looks like now.
(WSB photo, 2025 Da Grind)
One of the unique sights of summer on Alki Beach is the outrigger-canoe contingent visiting for the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s annual “Da Grind” day of racing. But it’s not just for outriggers, the club wants small-craft paddlers to know, with this year’s Da Grind a month away:
Every year, Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club hosts a race (da Grind!) on Alki. You may have seen us, or seen it on WSB.
We are a club of outriggers, but our race also includes smaller craft. If you ride a v1, oc1, SUP, or surfski, we’d love to have you join us. It’s a great opportunity to test your pace on a four-mile course or just come for the fun and joy of being on the water with other small craft — right here in the neighborhood! Sign ups close on August 23. Visit our website for more information.
This is our 30=year anniversary as a nonprofit and to celebrate we are raising money for a new canoe to help bring more folks into the culture and community. We hope you will join us.
This year’s Da Grind – the 26th annual – is Saturday, August 29; register before August 23 and you’ll get a raffle ticket.
The image:
The video and report are from Sarah:
Package stolen off the porch at 44th and Stevens last night at 8 pm. He was wearing work gloves and work boots and a sun hat. I noticed later that he had bear spray on his hip, which was concerning.
(Photos courtesy West Seattle Little League)
Congratulations to the 11U Softball All-Stars of West Seattle Little League, who became state champions on Saturday, also earning a place in WSLL history as the league’s first state champs in softball. Here’s the report sent to us to share with you:
West Seattle Little League (WSLL) is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone as our 11U All-Star Softball team captured the 2026 Washington State Championship title on Saturday.
After losing its opening game, WSLL battled through the consolation bracket, earning a spot back in the championship game. The team defeated opponents by a combined score of 55-10, going 6-1 in the state tournament, playing seven games in seven days. They defeated the same team that handed them their first loss, not once, but twice, to claim the state title.
This championship marks a historic achievement for WSLL softball. The league launched its softball program in 2022, making this the program’s first-ever state championship. It is also just the third state title in WSLL history, joining the league’s 2017 11U Baseball State Championship and 2018 12U Baseball State Championship.
WSLL sent three All-Star teams to compete in the state tournament this season – 11U Softball: state champions; 11U Baseball: third place; and 12U Baseball: finished with a 2–2 record.
WSLL is also proud to host the Washington State 8/9/10 Softball Tournament at Bar-S Playfield (6425 SW Admiral Way) now through August 1. Stop by to watch some great Little League softball [schedule here], or volunteer to help make the tournament a success. To get involved, email info@westseattlelittleleague.com.
The WSLL team won the championship in Gig Harbor with a 4-1 victory over Magnolia/Northeast Seattle.
(Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook – photo by Bob Burns)
Here are the two-dozen-plus happenings on today’s event list, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE RUNNING CLUB: New listing, but not a new group! 8:30 am, meet at Alki Statue of Liberty (61st/Alki) to run with friends old and new.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is running from Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon) today, 9 am.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
RICE, BEANS, AND HAPPINESS POP-UP: 10 am-2 pm at Milpa Masa (34th/Webster).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Now in summer produce-and-products season, 10 am-2 pm, California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska.
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT-RAIL PLANNING: As noted in our report, two city departments are scheduled to be at the Farmers’ Market today to talk with you about West Seattle neighborhood planning in connection with the light-rail project.
SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: While you’re in The Junction, check out the returning weekly summertime party behind Carmilia’s (enter through 4528 California SW)! 10 am-3 pm. Food, vendors, music.
MASTER GARDENERS CLINIC: Back at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm.
FISHER SCONE TRUCK: After rolling in the Seafair Torchlight Parade last night as shown in our photo above, the Fisher Scone truck (think state-fair treats) is scheduled to be at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) today.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
FREE COMMUNITY CLASS: 10:30 am at The Summerland (4411 California SW).
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
MAKERS MARKET & BEER GARDEN: Shop and sip! Second of two days at Super Deli Mart (35th/Barton), 11 am-6 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open today! 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: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, weekly action in The Junction.
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily public sessions at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WADING POOLS OPEN TODAY: Forecast is for sunny and 70+ so these two city-run wading pools should be open, both noon-7 pm: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).
BE A HUB HELPER: 1-3 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), come for free fun training that will get you ready to help your family and neighborhood in case of catastrophe, and to participate in the August 15 quake drill with other volunteers.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome Sunday afternoons at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (& MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), gather to chat and get your beverage, 3 pm, discuss this month’s title, “Howards End.”
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S: 5-8 pm, twice-monthly trivia hosted by Morgue Anne at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), free, all ages.
‘THE EVOLVING MAN’: Monthly group gathering at Inner Alchemy Studio & Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), 5 pm.
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL: 5:30 pm at Bethany Church West Seattle (8600 9th SW) – just show up!
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, nighttime 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: 8-10 pm, jazz with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or assisting with, an event that should be on the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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