West Seattle, Washington
16 Sunday
Not only did today’s wind ground the Blue Angels, it swept away the giant beach ball during the Alki Beach Pride preview flag event today. But there was a happy ending – we’ll get to that in a bit. First: Alki Beach Pride is celebrating its 12th anniversary, organized by Stacy and Jolie Bass-Walden of Alki, and will be an all-day festival two weeks from today. In advance of that, they again gathered dozens of people at the beach to unfurl giant flags lent by Seattle Pride (which you’ll recall honored Stacy with a major award this year) and Seattle Pride Fest. The event began with the arrival of Dykes on Bikes:
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
Then everybody headed from Blue Moon Burgers across the street to the sand:
The flags were rolled out:
Among the volunteers – District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka:
The giant beach ball joined the party:
As the video atop this story shows, plenty of pep talks, and coaching on doing “The Wave” with “The Flags,” before the ball caught the breeze and flew away:
The ball seemed a potentially lost cause:
The celebration carried on anyway, back at Blue Moon, with DJ Brick the Doll:
Then later in the day, we learned from Alki Beach Pride tonight, the beach ball was recovered and returned:
So all’s well that ends well. This was only the start of the celebration – on Saturday, August 15th, noon-8 pm, the heart of the beach will be alive with music, vendors, food, and community – find the lineups here as the day gets closer.
8:57 PM SATURDAY: Thanks to everyone who’s sent tips about and photos of that sailboat at Constellation Park. Comparing photos with this one we published last Monday, we’re confident in saying it’s the same boat. According to archived SFD radio, their Rescue Boat 5 checked it out twice this afternoon in the 2 pm vicinity, found no one aboard, consulted with the Coast Guard, and notified dispatch it’s a “derelict boat.” As for what happens next, we’ll be inquiring – disposition sometimes takes a while, as you might recall from this saga last year.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Thanks to Ted for the photo of the boat this morning. No official updates yet on how this will be addressed.
6:59 PM: Thanks for the tips about a big police/fire response in Riverview. This was originally dispatched as a shooting but the “scenes of violence” SFD response was canceled quickly because no victim was found. They’ve been investigating a report that the victim left the scene in a green pickup truck.
7:14 PM: We’ve gone to the scene in hopes of finding out more about the originally reported circumstances. Our crew says it appears there was gunfire – shell-casing marker placards are visible in the Riverview Playfield parking lot. (Photo added above.)
MONDAY AFTERNOON: We asked SPD for the narrative and received this one-line summary: “A man fired his personal firearm at a vehicle after one of the occupants pepper-sprayed him” along with a note that the incident will be featured on SPD Blotter shortly.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON: The SPD Blotter post wasn’t published until a short time ago. It says:
Detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred in the Riverview Neighborhood on Saturday evening.
Around 6:45 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call from the victim, a 39-year-old man, who said that he had shot at someone. The victim said that he confronted three suspects who he believed were using narcotics in their vehicles near the Riverview Playfield. After speaking to two suspects in a truck, the passenger pepper-sprayed the victim as the truck drove away.
After being pepper-sprayed, victim fired his handgun in the direction of the truck, then called 911 to report the incident.
Officers located the truck and observed a male attempting to hide the bullet holes with duct tape. Officers interviewed the 40-year-old man, who was the driver of the truck, but could not locate the passenger.
Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit will be conducting the follow-up investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
The SPD incident # is 26-226140.
(WSB photo, some of the instruments donated last year)
Got one or more musical instruments you don’t need any more? The Rotary Club of West Seattle will accept them in The Junction next Saturday on behalf of Music4Life. As they were last year, Rotary volunteers will be on the KeyBank corner aain, 10 am-2 pm, “to receive and acknowledge donations of gently used musical instruments for repair and refurbishing, to enable students in need to participate in school music programs.” All orchestra and band instruments – especially cornets, clarinets, flutes, and violins – plus guitars will be accepted. The announcement notes:
Many people have lovingly used musical instruments in their garages or attics, or in storage. When reminded, they ask themselves “Why am I still carting this instrument around?” Music4Life understands that some people have precious memories of their used musical instruments. We do not want a reluctant giver. We instead want donors who appreciate the unique value of instrumental music in the life and education of a child-and want all children, regardless of family need, to experience it. Music4Life partners with preferred, local professional music repair shops for discounted restoration of these instruments. At last year’s event, we received 56 instruments to restore and distribute.
So if you have an instrument that fits the description – and if you would be a joyful giver, just bring it to the southwest corner of California/Alaska, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, August 8.
(Photo by Dawn Roeder, from Thursday’s Blue Angels practice flights)
Thanks to Andy for the tip! Just announced by Seafair – the Blue Angels will NOT fly today because it’s too windy. Here’s the statement Seafair posted:
Due to current wind conditions, today’s U.S. Navy Blue Angels performance has been canceled.
Safety remains our highest priority. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and look forward to resuming Seafair Weekend programming tomorrow.
They had been scheduled to go up around 3:30 pm for their second-to-last show of the festival. Tomorrow’s forecast is for much-lighter breezes than today.
This is your last weekend to vote in the August 4 election – ballots are due in drop boxes by 8 pm Tuesday (and if you plan to use USPS mail, do that ASAP to increase the chance it’ll be postmarked by Tuesday). In addition to the Seattle Public Library levy renewal/increase, there are four major races on your primary ballot – for Washington State Supreme Court. Each has at least three candidates, so the primary votes will narrow each race down to two for November. If you have no idea who to support, this might help – the nonpartisan nonprofit League of Women Voters’ Seattle-King County chapter sent word of the LWV’s short video interviews with the candidates. They’re all linked from this page. TVW also has video interviews – start here.
P.S. The West Seattle ballot drop boxes – plus ones in White Center and South Park that might be more convenient if you’re in south WS – are all mapped here. All close at 8 pm Tuesday.
Two notes regarding ongoing ICE operations in our area:
That photo is from one of multiple readers who messaged us about ICE officers detaining someone in Arbor Heights around 10 am. This was reported to be near 39th SW and SW 107th. One witness says, “They just took someone without asking any questions.” The officers were in vests marked POLICE/IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT and were masked and in unmarked vehicles. No information so far on the person they are reported to have taken away. This happened not far from where another arrest was reported in June.
Meantime, a protest is planned in The Junction tomorrow over the recent West Seattle arrest (reported here) of local contractor Eduardo Aguirre Esparza. Organizers have sent this flyer for the event, 10 am-2 pm Sunday near the Farmers’ Market.
You just might find something to do on our Saturday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
(Elliott Bay at sunrise Friday, photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
CHINOOK FISHING: Don Armeni Boat Ramp opened at 3 am today for the second day of the season, so if you see a ton of trailers there – and/or boats in the bay – that’s what’s up (as first reported Friday).
RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: 8:15 am, get your weekend going with an at-your-pace run. (2743 California SW).
FREE MEDITATION: For a calm start to your Saturday, check out Heavily Meditated, 9 am, free – details in our calendar listing.
CAMP LONG FUNDRAISER: Today’s the second of three dates with two times the high-ropes course at Camp Long is open as a fundraiser, 9 am and 1 pm sessions. (5200 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO: August’s first class is 9:30 am at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), all levels welcome.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: New location this season! 10 am-2 pm, shop for fruit and vegetables, prepared food and beverages, artisan body care, more … (9th SW and SW Henderson)
DACHSHUND WALK: 10 am Saturdays, bring your dachshund to Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) for a group walk.
MASTER GARDENERS AT DELRIDGE HOME DEPOT: Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm – take them your toughest garden questions and get free expert answers! (Delridge/Orchard)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: Back today, 10:30 am, free, in-person, active writing group – see our calendar listing for info on how to participate.
ALKI HISTORY WALKING TOUR: 11 am, meet at Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) after registering here.
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Rain or shine, the season continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
ALKI BEACH PRIDE PREVIEW FLAG-WAVING: 11:30 am, meet up at Blue Moon Burgers (2504 Alki SW), then head to the sand – dozens of volunteers needed to help unfurl/wave two giant Pride flags as a preview to the Alki Beach Pride festival (two weeks away) – just show up!
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, swim in the outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW); rain or shine, here’s the session schedule.
WADING POOLS: Since today’s forecast says clouds/showers are possible, the two West Seattle wading pools usually open Saturdays might not be; call the hotline at 206-684-7796 to check after 9 am – if they do open, it would be Hiawatha (2700 California SW) noon-5:30 pm and Lincoln Park noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Monthly Saturday postcard-writing session at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room and Wine Bar offers student-produced wines, tasting flights, and casual food pairings while supporting hands-on winemaking and hospitality education. Each tasting and purchase directly contributes to student production, education, and training opportunities.
FREE MASSAGE CLINIC: The walk-in clinic is back at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm.
(Friday photo by Bob Spears)
BLUE ANGELS: UPDATE – Canceled because of wind. Second of three days for the Seafair Airshow, which is performed for a crowd at Lake Washington, but you will usually get a few glimpses of the Blue Angels from West Seattle. They fly at 3:30 pm again today (which usually means commercial air traffic is diverted over south WS), taking off from, and landing at, Boeing Field just east of here.
SALSA DANCING ON ALKI: Lessons and dancing, starting at 4:30 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, details here.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, Circle of Songs monthly showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
BASEBALL: 6:05 pm, final home game of the season for the DubSea Fish Sticks at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, vs. Elevate Northwest. Online tickets sold out (but you can check at the stadium).
BANDS AT THE SKYLARK: Matt Kolbe, Chalk Murphy, Corey and the Tribe at The Skylark, doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, $10, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘INFERNO’ AT KENYON HALL: Experience a historic film with a live score, 7:30 pm, details and ticket link here. (7904 35th SW)
REVELRY ROOM SPINNING: 9 pm with DJ Jenngreen. (4547 California SW)
SATURDAY NIGHT SKATING: 9 pm to midnight, skate at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk & hip-hop, $18 (plus $5 skate rental).
KARAOKE AT TRIANGLE PUB: 9 pm Megastar Karaoke at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday night karaoke with Rone, 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Planning a West Seattle event that’s open to the community? Tell us about it; calendar listings are free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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