West Seattle, Washington
04 Friday
(2025 photo by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)
Tomorrow is Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen’s birthday, and three cities including Seattle are marking the occasion with a special tribute – proclaiming August 8 to be “Cecile Hansen Day.” A tribe spokesperson sent us copies of the proclamations – Seattle here, Tukwila here, Renton here Here’s the text of the Seattle proclamation:
WHEREAS, Cecile Hansen has devoted more than five decades of her life to advancing awareness, justice, and dignity for the Duwamish people; the Indigenous inhabitants of the land that includes present-day Seattle, Renton, Tukwila, and surrounding areas and has served continuously as Chair of the Duwamish Tribal Council since 1975, leading with deep commitment, resilience, and clarity of purpose; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Hansen, a great-great-grandniece of Chief Sealth (Chief Seattle), has worked tirelessly to ensure that the history, treaty rights, cultural heritage, and ongoing presence of the Duwamish Tribe are known, respected, and honored by local, state, and national communities; and
WHEREAS, she has championed the restoration of federal acknowledgement and the rights guaranteed to her people in historic treaties, pursuing justice through legal, legislative, and civic avenues with unwavering dedication and moral clarity; and
WHEREAS, under her leadership the Duwamish Tribal Council helped establish Duwamish Tribal Services, a nonprofit organization that has provided cultural, social, and community support to tribal members and the broader public for more than three decades; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Hansen’s advocacy extends beyond tribal affairs into community engagement throughout the region, from educational outreach and heritage stewardship to environmental justice and public dialogues to- uplifting the voices and rights of Indigenous peoples in every context in which she participates; and
WHEREAS, it is resolved that we shall honor Cecile Hansen for her lifetime of service, leadership, spirit, and perseverance on behalf of the Duwamish people and all who seek equity, recognition, and cultural preservation. Her work enriches the fabric of our regional history, reminds us of the deep roots of Indigenous communities here, and inspires future generations to carry forward the work of justice and remembrance …
The spokesperson tells us that Chair Hansen’s family and Tribal Councilmembers will present her with the proclamations at a Saturday celebration.
She has led the tribe since 1975. Its headquarters are at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle (4705 West Marginal Way SW).
(WSB photos and video by Torin Record-Sand)
Highland Park Improvement Club‘s First Fridays are truly all-ages parties, and the one under way right now at HPIC’s past-and-future HQ (northeast corner of 12th/Holden) is yet another example – this time, grownups are encouraged to get playful too:
As always, there’s live music – this time, Birch Pereira and The Gin Joints:
And while admission is free, you can buy beverages and/or food:
The Levantine Cuisine food truck is there tonight. And lots more fun to be had:
Well-behaved dogs welcome too.
This all continues until 8:30 pm.
This will be a special weekend for hundreds of local middle- and high-school students: It’s their final weekend of summer break. Summit Atlas, West Seattle’s only charter school, has orientation on Tuesday (August 11) and first day of classes on Wednesday (August 12), per the school calendar, so be aware that increased traffic will be resuming at 35th/Roxbury. Yes, they get out early too – the last day of classes for the coming school year will be June 4.
(Wednesday photo by Bob Burns)
Thanks to everyone who’s sent updated photos of the boat on the beach at Constellation Park, now tethered so it won’t drift out. We have been trying to find out from both the State Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the Derelict Vessel Program, and Seattle Parks, whose beach the boat is on, what’ll be done. Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch told us today. “Washington State Department of Natural Resources has asked Seattle Parks and Recreation Park Rangers to post a ‘notice of intent to obtain custody’ on the vessel, and unless action is taken, Washington State Department of Natural Recourses will plan to move forward with removing it.” It’s been checked out by the SPD, SFD, and U.S. Coast Guard since it turned up here, and they haven’t found anyone aboard. It appears to have recent registration, according to one reader who’s taken a closeup look, but we don’t know if anyone has been able to trace an owner, current or previous, through that.
Just got word of this, but it’s continuing until 4 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – the mutual-aid group Washmasks is holding a dropoff donation drive for immigrants and farmworkers affected by the fires in Spokane and vicinity. Here’s what they’re collecting:
ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: The longrunning Spokane Pump Station project in east Admiral may bring some “brown water” next week. Here’s the alert we received from Seattle Public Utilities, explaining why.
On Tuesday 8/11 and Wednesday 8/12, Seattle Public Utilities is testing two pumps at the Spokane Street pump station as a part of the commissioning package for the Spokane Pump Station Capital Project. Testing the pumps will require moving approximately 100,000 gallons of water over the course of several hours. Impacted pipes have been flushed and drained to minimize sediment, but there could be some discolored water moving through the system during the testing. The affected areas are the 400, 498, and the 550 zones in the provided map with the north boundary at SW Lander Street, the south boundary at SW Andover Street, the east boundary at Harbor Avenue, and the west boundary at California Avenue.
If customers in the impacted areas see discolored water, SPU recommends waiting until it clears before drinking it. For more information about discolored water is here on our website.
We’ve asked SPU a followup question about how soon the entire project will be finished.
ADDED MONDAY: SPU said the project is close to done. Meantime, a commenter asked for more specifics regarding the time window for the testing – SPU says 10 am to 2 pm both days.
The weekend is in sight, and you can get an early start with some of what’s on our highlight list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
(Not an actual hiding place – example photo provided by West Seattle Chamber)
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 1: As previewed here, no daily clues this time unless a float remains unfound – so just keep a look out all over West Seattle. 13 released so far, according to the official website, which will show status when floats are found (provided the finder has used the special QR code).
PRICING PROPOSAL AT COUNCIL COMMITTEE: 9:30 am, the City Council’s Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee started its meeting with agenda items including the pricing proposal we reported on Thursday – here’s the agenda; watch live via Seattle Channel.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Open 10 am-3 pm on the north end of the main campus of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
BABY STORY TIME: 11 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Daily-splashing season continues at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS: Hiawatha (2700 California SW) and Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) are open noon-5:30 pm today, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm.
COLMAN POOL: Noon to 7 pm today, swim in the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – here’s the session schedule.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: 12:30-2 pm, practice with other adult learners at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, and/or buy a bottle.
FIRST FRIDAYS AT HPIC: 5:30-8:30 pm, at the past-and-future site of Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden), it’s the monthly neighborhood party with music, food, beverages, fun, all welcome, all ages.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) hosts Open Mic, all genres. No cover, all ages. (5612 California SW)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Jessey Adams, 7 pm doors, 7:30 pm music (7904 35th SW), all ages, tickets here.
OK BUCKO AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Ok Bucko performs in-store, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, music at 8, for Far Far Far, James Carr Band, Vision Request. $10 cover, 21+. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room (4547 California SW) regular Friday night spinning – check here to see who’s DJing, starting at 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to the music of LEEHI & Mountain Holler, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
MEGASTAR KARAOKE: 9 pm 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!
Family and friends wil gather in October to celebrate the life of Alan Grainger, and are sharing this remembrance with his community now:
Alan Grainger was born in County Durham, England, on June 21, 1949, to Jean and Charles Grainger. He joined his older sister, Barbara, and was followed six years later by his younger brother, David. Alan attended Grangefield Grammar School in Stockton-on-Tees, and went on to the University of Nottingham, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Environmental Design. With the help of a Rotary International Graduate Fellowship, he pursued a Master’s degree in Architecture at the University of Washington, where he met his wife of 52 years, Kathy Welch.
Alan began his professional career as an architect at the offices of Dennis Taylor Bell in London. In 1975, Alan and Kathy returned to Seattle, and Alan began work at the Bumgardner Architects. It was at Bumgardner that he met Bill Gaylord, Chris Libby, and Clayton (O’Brien) Smith. In 1986, the four friends left Bumgardner and started their own firm, Gaylord Grainger Libby O’Brien Smith Architects, becoming known as GGLO. They were soon joined in their partnership by Carol Deal Schaefer.
In his 31 years at GGLO, Alan was responsible for numerous mixed-use, affordable, low-income, and market-rate housing projects with the City of Seattle and King County, including master plans for High Point, GreenBridge, and Yesler Terrace. He also helped design several small luxury hotels and inns throughout the Puget Sound and along the West Coast. Over the span of his career, Alan always contributed to community efforts through Citizen Advisory, Design Review, and other Boards for the City of Seattle, University of Washington, Bainbridge Island School District, City of Bainbridge Island, Plymouth Housing, and the Fauntleroy Community Association.
In addition to tending to the health and wellbeing of our community, Alan was devoted to his immediate and extended family. He especially loved being Dad to daughter Lily and Papa “Pops” to his granddaughter Jo. Lily and Jo were truly the joy and light of his life. Alan never missed a parent-teacher conference, piano recital, symphony concert, or other special event for Lily, and then, with Kathy, served as a primary caregiver for Jo. During retirement, as during his career, Alan maintained a passion for gardening, cooking, following politics and current events, helping with design projects for friends and family, and the fellowship of his longstanding book group.
Alan passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, at his home in West Seattle. He leaves behind his wife, Kathy, daughter, Lily, granddaughter, Jo, brother, David, and a large and loving family of nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, his book group “brothers,” and the best and most loyal friends in the whole wide world.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Alan’s memory may be made to The Marfan Foundation, DESC, or Plymouth Housing, with our gratitude.
A Celebration of Life is planned for October 24, 2026, 2:00 – 5:00 PM, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98136. Please let us know if you’re able to be with us: october24rsvp@gmail.com.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
8:37 AM: Two-car crash reported at 34th/Graham.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, August 7, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The Air Quality Alert for smoke expires at 8 am (check the current pollution level here), while the Heat Advisory continues through tonight. The forecast projects another high in the 80s (it was 88 yesterday). Sunrise was at 5:54 am today; sunset will be at 8:34 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule, but a stop closure downtown continuing today affects multiple West Seattle-bound buses – the southbound 3rd/Columbia stop, for Routes 21 56, 57, and 125, plus RapidRide C and H. Details here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays (tonight!) and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
STADIUM ZONE
6:45 pm game for the Mariners today, starting a series vs. the Rays.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
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 a problem 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!
Tonight just might have been the last red sunset, for now. The Air Quality Alert, originally set to expire this evening, was extended to 8 am, but the air quality is already improving.
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