(Photo by Lydia Brewer Photography)
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Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby’s Rebels come back from Chicago with silver medals after winning second place at the Junior Roller Derby Championships this past weekend (July 11-12). The finale game was tied in the last few seconds before 1st place Des Moines Derby Brats pulled ahead to win by just three points, 139-136.
What’s next? SSR skaters from all teams will skate in the West Seattle Grand Parade to help recruit the next generation of players for New Skater Clinics this September (Sign up link here). And tryouts for next season’s Rebels and Rivals teams are coming in late September/early October.
*On Saturday (July 18), California Avenue SW will be closed to traffic between Admiral and The Junction, from 8 am on (with parking restrictions kicking in earlier), until early afternoon, for the Float Dodger 5K and West Seattle Grand Parade.
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!
(Washington Ecology Department photo)
Cleanup work continues tonight at Vigor Shipyard on Harbor Island, where the state Department of Ecology says up to 5,000 gallons of diesel spilled into Elliott Bay.
According to Ecology’s announcement, it happened this afternoon while the USS Sampson was having fuel removed, and a hose failed, sending thousands of gallons into the bay, in an area that had been “pre-boomed” before the removal. Ecology says it’s working with the Navy, Coast Guard, and “response contractors” on the cleanup.
We happened to photograph the Everett-based Sampson (DDG 102) as it was headed toward Vigor last Monday.
Thanks for the tip. Police on the scene at the Fauntleroy/Alaska Shell station confirm that a man died there tonight. Just before 8:30 pm, SFD and SPD were called there for a report of “an adult male” overdosing. When they got there, they confirmed the person, found on the Alaska side of the station, had died. When we went over to ask about it, officers said they were waiting for the Medical Examiner’s Office to arrive; they’ll determine the cause of death.
(WSB file photo of shelter/American Legion building at 3618 SW Alaska)
More than a month has passed since the announcement that Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle would close indefinitely. A timeline for its future has not yet been determined. But shelter operator Keith Hughes published an update today announcing what’s not in its future: Permanent closure. His update is on the shelter’s website. “I have had several people stop by the Hall in the last week or so to tell me that they had heard that the Westside Neighbors Shelter had closed and that the building was being sold,” Hughes wrote, recapping backstory and concluding, “… yes, the Shelter is closed right now, as it is summer. We have every intent to reopen when winter comes back around. We still have lots of concerns about to both the financial and procedural guidelines under which the Shelter will reopen, and we are working on those issues during this downtime.” West Seattle has no building-based shelter in the meantime, only the Camp Second Chance tiny-house village on Myers Way; the planned Glassyard Commons RV-and-tiny-house site has yet to start construction.
This person was stalking two women who were unaware at 9:15 AM this morning. (Leering and pacing their movements, Example, they stopped, he stops, they go faster, he walks faster.) They were alerted and he became agitated. He got on the bus at Admiral in California heading south. Just want folks to be aware, especially women and young girls. Please be aware of your surroundings.
She sent a photo of the person, which you can see here if you choose to click (note that he is making a lewd geature, so view at your own risk). SPD report # is 26-204268.
Above are Elyssa Cichy and Matt Cichy, photographed in 2023 as they were opening West Seattle Arcade on Alki. Flash forward to 2026, and they’re about to celebrate the third anniversary of opening what’s now the first of their two (with Gary’s Place nearby) arcades on Alki. Tomorrow (Tuesday), they’re inviting you over to celebrate at West Seattle Arcade, and you get the gift – buy 100 credits, get 20 free! And that’s not all, Elyssa told us: “As a thank you to the community who has supported us since we opened, we’ll be offering a great deal on Play Credits as well as some treats at the prize counter!” Hours tomorrow will be 10 am to 10 pm.
If you have time, the Center for Active Living could use some of it! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
The Center for Active Living is a vibrant community center serving adults age 55+ in West Seattle’s Alaska Junction. Through meals, wellness programs, educational opportunities, social activities, and outreach services, The Center helps older adults stay active, connected, and engaged.
Volunteering at The Center is a rewarding way to make a difference while building meaningful connections. Whether you’re serving meals, assisting in the café or thrift store, helping in the kitchen, or providing companionship through our outreach program, you’ll be part of a welcoming team dedicated to supporting older adults in our community. Many volunteers say they leave each shift feeling energized, connected, and fulfilled.
Current Volunteer Needs
-(Critical need) Kitchen Dishwasher operator: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 12:00–2:30 p.m., Thursdays 10-12:30 plus substitute shifts.
–Dining Room Servers: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., plus substitute opportunities.
–Café Attendant: Monday mornings (8:30–11:30 a.m.) and substitute shifts. Morning shifts are 8:30–11:30 a.m.; afternoon shifts are 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
–Chef Prep Assistant: Weekday substitute opportunities helping staff chef prepare scratch-made meals.
–Thrift Store Volunteers: Customer service, cashiering, sorting donations, and pricing merchandise on various days and times.
–Westside Friends Outreach: Volunteers to provide companionship and light errands for homebound older adults throughout West Seattle.
If you’re looking for a rewarding way to give back while meeting new people and supporting your community, we’d love to hear from you. Training provided and flexible options are available.
-To apply, complete a volunteer application at wscenter.org/volunteer or email dannyp@wscenter.org for more information.
The Center is at 4217 SW Oregon in the West Seattle Junction.
The ongoing King County Wastewater Treatment District project to reduce overflows into the Duwamish River will require work “to learn about conditions below ground,” and part of it means work on and near West Marginal Way SW (areas shown on map above) starting this week, per this alert just circulated:
-Expect temporary lane closures with at least one lane open for vehicles. Crews will clean sites and reopen lanes once work is complete.
-Daytime work will start as early as (today) and continue for up to seven weeks. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Crews will work for one night along West Marginal Way Southwest, between Southwest Spokane Street and Southwest Idaho Street. Work will start at 6 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. the next day.
-Work will take place on West Marginal Way Southwest between Chelan Avenue Southwest and Southwest Idaho Street. Crews may work at one to three sites at a time, for up to two days per site.
Thanks to Mike for the tip! Three years after graduating from West Seattle High School, Miles Gosztola has been drafted by Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers chose the left-handed pitcher in the draft’s eighth round, according to this report from the University of Oregon, where he’s been playing and studying. After transferring from Gonzaga, Gosztola joined the Ducks’ starting rotation and had a 3.61 earned-run average in 62+ innings. He has two weeks to decide whether to give the majors a shot or continue with his college career.
TRANSIT MEASURE PUBLIC HEARING: The City Council has begun the first of two all-day-and-night sessions of public comments on the proposed renewal/doubling of the Seattle Transit Measure sales tax. You can register to speak remotely until 10:30 am; registration starts for in-person session (5 pm) at 4:30 pm. Agenda has participation details as well as links to proposal’s text and councilmembers’ submitted amendments.
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Out to -3.7 feet at 10:30 this morning. (One great way to appreciate the low tide without trampling exposed sea life is to go to Duwamish Head and, from above, look out over the exposed piling remains from long ago.) If you go to Lincoln Park, Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are there until noon.
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily splashing continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), whatever the weather, 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS OPEN: With sunshine and 70-degree-plus weather forecast, West Seattle’s regular Monday wading-pool lineup will be open – noon to 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way, upper park near the north lot) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily operation continues at the outdoor saltwater swimming pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Weekly 2 pm meeting is NOT happening today – per the council schedule.
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUPS: 6:30 pm, weekly group gatherings for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too! $5.
Big thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Thanks to the texter who sent that photo early this morning after spotting the banner that’s now up forTaste & Best, which is following the recently closed Great American Diner and Bar at 4752 California SW on the south end of The Junction. Taste & Best, which is also opening a Shoreline location this week, plans to open the West Seattle “Indo-American bar and grill” at 7 am Monday, July 20. They’re promising “American breakfast” as well as extensive Indian offerings, though that’s not on the online menu yet.
Our travel trailer was stolen from our driveway Sunday evening, July 12, around 8:30, near 39th Ave SW and Graham.
Despite us having a hitch lock on, a white utility van with a red stripe down the side backed into our driveway and two men got out, hooked up the trailer, and pulled off with it within minutes.
It’s a 2021 Braxton Creek Bushwhacker Plus, 16-foot teardrop tailer named Patsy Cline (name is on a decal by the door). I’ve attached photos, including what the stickers on the back look like.
The license plate is 31966AG. If you see it around town, please call the police!
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule. Check the alert page for last-minute changes. Also see that page for a note about road work on Vashon this week.
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!
(WSB photo, last March – Denis Sapiro at center, presenting grant to Summit Atlas Garden Club)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
When the West Seattle Grand Parade starts rolling down California Avenue SW from The Admiral District to The Junction next Saturday morning, Denis Sapiro will be riding toward the front of the parade as this year’s recipient of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community.
Denis is the president of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, one of the local service clubs that make life better in a thousand ways you likely are not aware of. A major Kiwanis focus is to help kids and teenagers. And Denis has helped generations of them – he’s been a Kiwanian for 56 years.
The Orville Rummel Trophy is named for the man who founded the parade in 1934 as then-commander of American Legion Post 160 and chair of the Hi-Yu Committee, which staged the now-defunct West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer festival. (After many years of presenting the parade, Post 160 turned it over to the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation.) The award dates back to the parade’s golden anniversary – the first one was presented in 1984.
Back to our current recipient: Denis had been involved with Kiwanis before he came to Seattle in the ’70s, he nonetheless found the local club by accident, when he saw a mention of the club’s pancake breakfast on a reader board maintained by the late entrepreneur and community advocate Warren Lawless. The pancake breakfast is a hallowed Kiwanis Club of West Seattle tradition to this day, a traditional start to the holiday season, often launching the day that concludes with the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays tree lighting, incorporating not just a hearty breakfast but also Santa photos and a Toys for Tots drive.
His career was a form of community service as well; he came to Seattle to continue work he had done in California, “working on ships for safety and regulatory compliance.” Later in his career, he moved on to biological safety, including, in the ’80s, after the research that discovered that AIDS was viral, he worked for a company that developed test kits. He later co-founded a consulting firm that helped small and medium businesses deal with chemical safety, and that firm continued until just two years ago.
So Denis has even more time to devote to volunteer work, though he was already in pretty deep over the years – including working with Scout troops, the AARP tax-assistance program, efforts to remedy health challenges such as iodine deficiency in Vietnam, student Key Clubs, the West Seattle Food Bank, fundraising for nonprofits such as Northwest Hope and Healing and WestSide Baby. They offer scholarships to students.
(WSB photo, last December’s coat drive – that’s Denis at right)
And their work can be seemingly simple, person to person – for example, if you’re a West Seattle Farmers Market visitor, you’ve probably seen the Kiwanis booth at the south end in the cooler months, with activities from hot coffee to kids’ art to involvement in The Junction’s holiday-season coat drive. He is also proud of advocating for Kiwanis to stop limiting full membership to men.
If you talk with him about any or all of this, you’ll hear the passion in his voice. One good place to find him – besides the Grand Parade route on Saturday (11 am start at California/Lander) – is the monthly Kiwanis Club of West Seattle meeting, first Wednesday of each month. (They’re looking for a new location, now that the Great American Diner has closed. You can contact the club here.
PAST ORVILLE RUMMEL TROPHY WINNERS: Denis’s predecessors:
1984: Charles and Ann Gage
1985: RB Chris Crisler Jr.
1986: Morgan and Carol McBride
1987: Margaret Miaullis
1988: Charles Jung
1989: Aurlo Bonney
1990: Katie Thorburn
1991: Dorothy Poplawski
1992: Dan Wiseman
1993: Virgil Sheppard
1994: Dorene Smith
1995: Doris Richards
1996: John Kelly
1997: Dick Kennedy
1998: Jim Edwards and Barbara Edwards
1999: Lt. David E. Cass
2000: Husky Deli/Miller Family
2001: Stephanie Haskins
2002: Forest Lawn
2003: Sue Lindblom
2004: Edgar and Ann Phipps
2005: Karen Sisson
2006: Walt DeLong
2007: David and Doreen Vague
2008: Tim St. Clair
2009: Morey Skaret
2010: West Seattle Blog
2011: Cindi Barker
2012: Shirley Vradenburgh
2013: Judy Pickens
2014: Earl Cruzen
2015: Donn Weaver
2016: Clay Eals
2017: Keith Hughes
2018: Velko Vitalich
2019: Adah Cruzen
2022: Deb Barker
2023: Erik Bell
2024: Bianca Thomka and Neil Duncan
2025: Dan and Joanie Jacobs
Again this year, Belvedere Park (3600 SW Admiral Way) is where you’ll go for the first concert of this year’s Admiral Music in the Parks series, free concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Thursday, July 16, is the night, 6:30 pm is the time, and Steve Aliment & Annie O’Neill are the musicians, promising “rock ‘n’ roll, country, and soul.” Three free concerts, three parks, bonus activities including a knitting circle and board-game library, each of the next three Thursday nights.
10:44 AM: The Theo McGaughey Trio is opening West Seattle Summer Fest‘s third and final day with instrumental jazz at The Big Dark Corner (aka KeyBank Plaza), today’s one and only festival music stage, because the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on the block north of Oregon where the main stage was. The corner has an eclectic lineup of performers all day:
11:00 Allwaye
11:45 Malty & The Rain (Acoustic)
12:45 J Skip
1:30 Tobi Kunkel
2:30 Melina’s Birthday Set
3:30 Better As Brass
4:00 Trombone King
We’re also told “the balloon guy” will be back at California/Alaska in the early afternoon. More sights and sounds of Summer Fest as the day goes on – get here by 5 pm, because that’s when West Seattle’s biggest party wraps till next year! Missed our as-it-happens coverage the past two days with lots of photos and video? Scroll through this archive!
11:38 AM: The Farmers’ Market, on California NORTH of Oregon this week only, has a full lineup of summer produce today – including cherries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, stone fruits – fresh flowers too:
End time is the usual 2 pm. While we were on the way up for a look, this T-shirt caught our eye:
That’s one of the local-themed T-shirts at Sweet Pea and Boy, a vendor whose booth is across from Camp West’s outdoor café. (And if you’re interested in an official Summer Fest T-shirt, head down to the Mobile Apparel booth just north of our Info Booth spot, across from Easy Street Café – they have other West Seattle-themed shirt designs too.
We’ve been talking all weeken about the year-round local businesses and their Summer Fest specials … if you have room in your life for a house plant, stop by the Discovery Shop, where the proceeds fun the fight against cancer:
12:12 PM: On the corner stage right now, an acoustic set by Malty and The Rain:
12:42 PM: If you’re playing the Fourth Emerald Games “Safari Junction” Pokémon scavenger hunt, it’s all wrapping up in less than an hour – redemption deadline is 1:30.
Josh from Fourth Emerald just told us they’ve given out more than 2,400 cards – and more than 100 complete applications so far – way more than they expected. Players have been looking for 40 different Pokémon, and for every 10 they find, they get a card pack.
1:36 PM: Another year-round Junction business that’s had something special all weekend – Jet City Labs/Revelry Room has had a long lineup of DJs. We went over for a pic just now when proprietor Derek Moon himself – DJ Mr. Moon – was delivering the beats:
Bubbles are back at Walk-All-Ways:
And if that’s not enough bubbles for the youngest festivalgoers, the foam party is back in action in the Kids Zone again today (there’s an admission charge).
You’ve got a little more than three hours left to get here – and/or get back for another look.
2:08 PM: Easy Street Records, legendary for its signage, has been displaying that one at the corner. Next Saturday, we should note, will be another happy time in The Junction (and beyond) – the West Seattle Grand Parade, on California from Lander southbound to Edmunds, starting at 11 am Saturday (July 18) – we’ll have another preview starting tonight. (And for a fun time before the parade, run/walk in the Float Dodger 5K on the parade route!). The parade is presented by the foundation arm of the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), which has a booth at the south end of the festival.
2:56 PM: Just wrapped up at The Big Dark Corner stage, Melina’s Birthday Party, which drew an enthusiastic singalong crowd:
At 3:30 pm, local brass band Better As Brass is scheduled to get brassy and sassy at the corner … We’ve had fun again today meeting all the people who’ve stopped by to say hi – thank you!
3:46 PM: The band actually got going a bit early, opening with the decidedly brassy “Crazy in Love” (Beyoncé) and continuing through a set list currently on Britney Spears’s “Toxic.” Here’s what we recorded – a Wham! classic:
One more hour to try something new – maybe the non-alcoholic coladas in whole pineapples, or New Zealand style ice cream all the way from Highland Park …or something from Natalie’s, up rom Alki Beach …and if you’ve brought a furry friend, now that it’s the warmest time of the afternoon, remember they can take a break outside Next to Nature.
4:07 PM: Just in, WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen‘s video of singer-songwriter Tobi Kunkel:
And from a galaxy far, far away …
The final musical act of the day, who goes by The Trombone King, is now providing the soundtrack to the last hour of Summer Fest 2026:
We remember him from his busking at the festival in years past.
And here’s our reminder that West Seattle Summer Fest is brought to you by the West Seattle Junction Association, the nonprofit merchants’ association, and some of the year’s other events raise money to help cover the costs – other WSJA-presented events yet to come this year include the Glass Float Hunt (August 7-14), Wine Walk (next one September 18), Harvest Festival (October 25), and Hometown Holidays (this year’s tree-lighting festival will be on December 5).
5 PM: Thanks for another fun Summer Fest! The breakdown has begun …
9 AM: If you feel like exploring the shore, another round of low-low tides is starting today: -3.2 feet at 9:40 am, then tomorrow (Monday) -3.7 at 10:30 am, on Tuesday it’s out to -3.9 feet at 11:20 am, then -3.6 feet at 12:08 pm on Wednesday, and -2.8 feet at 12:54 pm on Thursday. Tread lightly!
10:30 AM: One unusual sight with the tide going out – the photo above is from Eve, who reports that at Lowman Beach, ” a boat was apparently pushed to shore overnight after a line snapped. Some neighbors are trying to help secure it ao it won’t get damaged as the tide comes back in.”
Festival hours today are 10 am to 5 pm. We’ll be on site in the Info Booth reporting on the festival again today, and that’s also where you’ll find community groups, public agencies, and festival-merch info. Also today at the festival – the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm on California north of Oregon. Here are key links:
Traffic/transit reminders – California is closed to motor vehicles from Genesee to Edmunds, Oregon is closed between the alleys either side of California, and Alaska is closed between 42nd and 44th. Bus reroutes/stop substitutions are here.
‘LITTLE STP RIDE’: The annual tradition, riding from SW Seattle Street to SW Portland Street with West Seattle Bike Connections – meet at 9:15 am at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1318 Palm SW), info in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As noted above, today it’s a block north of its usual spot – on California SW between Oregon and Genesee, 10 am-2 pm, now in summer produce-and-products season.
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)
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).
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)
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: Post-Summer Fest in The Junction – 7 pm-midnight, late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET:Also post-Summer Fest, Q&A in The Junction! 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, this too is post-Summer Fest in The Junction! 8-10 pm, jazz with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
JUNCTION STREETS REOPEN: This will happen late tonight, after festival breakown is complete.
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!
Colby asked us to publish this request for witnesses:
One of our neighbors and their friend were in The Junction on the night of Thursday, July 9th.
Around 10:55 pm they were found severely injured around the area of Junction Plaza Park. Seattle Fire were called around that time to 42nd Ave SW and SW Alaska.
Neither has any memory of what happened or the events leading up to it.
Additionally, the car they took to the Junction and the car keys are missing.
If anyone has any information of what happened or finds the car, please reach out to Seattle Police, report# 26-200420
The missing car is a silver 2015 Toyota Corolla, Washington plate# CMS6373
We asked Colby if a description of the two injured people, and any info on where they’d been, might help jog someone’s memory; here’s the additional information subsequently provided:
Both males about 6 feet tall. One with red hair wearing a blue Junction FC jersey and black shorts. The other, bald, wearing a dark-colored t-shirt with a faded logo, and dark red cargo shorts.
We know around 10 pm they were at Shadowland. They may have walked the alley between California and 42nd before whatever happened, happened.
Injuries include a skull fracture, brain bleed, and a broken leg. Thankfully they might be discharged tomorrow.
There was a lot of activity in the Junction that night, so hopefully someone saw something.
Once this weekend’s festival is over, and once next weekend’s parade is past, The Junction will see some curb-ramp work at a busy corner. SDOT sent word today that crews will be replacing the curb ramp on the southeast corner of California and Alaska, hoping to complete the work between Tuesday, July 21, and Friday, July 24. The work will include some temporary sidewalk and lane closures; here’s the document for the “traffic control plan.” We’ll be following up Monday regarding the reason for the replacement.
4:57 PM:The Black Whales played at mid-afternoon on the West Seattle Summer Fest main stage (on California between Oregon and Genesee), one of two festival venues where you’ll find music right now. The north end of the festival zone is where SW Oregon is closed for the first time, and besides enabling a better flow of festivalgoers, it’s also created a bonus zone for food and beverages:
That’swhere you will find the non-alcoholic coladas in whole pineapples, as well as burgers and the New Zealand-style ice cream from Highland Park Corner Store that we mentioned Friday, Tip Top Ice Cream (look for the bike). Traveling southbound along the west side of the Oregon-to-Alaska block, you’ll also see the mobile romance bookstore Beguiled:
And for a second day, the Fourth Emerald Games Pokémon scavenger hunt seems to be hugely popular. More to come as we move into late afternoon and early evening!
5:23 PM: Thanks to Paul Weatherman for the aerial views – above is “The Porch,” the all-ages zone in the lot at the southeast corner of 44th and Alaska, with food, beverages (including alcohol), and places to sit and enjoy them. He also sent this view of Walk-All-Ways and northward (where we’re in the Info Booth throughout the festival):
Further north, Massy Ferguson was on the main stage last hour – WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen recorded video:
5:40 PM: Though the idea of an outdoor watch party during Summer Fest didn’t take flight, some local venues are full of enthusiastic fans watching today’s matches – this was the scene during Norway vs. England:
Jason got that pic of soccer fans watching at The Beer Junction. Meantime, we just got a question about tomorrow – yes, the Farmers’ Market IS on – it’ll be on California north of Oregon as it’s been for the past few festivals, as the Main Stage will be decommissioned after tonight’s bands.
7:06 PM: Thanks to Jerry Simmons for this bubbly festival photo:
We’ve arrived at the final official festival hour of the day, though music will continue until 11-ish. One of the most fun things about the festival has little to do with vendors, food, or music … it’s seeing friends and neighbors as what seems like everyone on the peninsula converges on The Junction for the weekend. We get to see a lot of people we mostly know from email the rest of the year. Like someone who just stopped by the booth, Perla X. Caballero of the Morbidly Curious Book Club, one of several book clubs whose monthly meetings are listed on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (always free – send West Seattle event info to westseattleblog@gmail.com).
8:32 PM: We’ve left but expect to have more music clips to post later. Tomorrow instead of a stage, the area north of SW Oregon will hold the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm as usual. Festival hours will be 10 am-5 pm. See you there!
10:10 PM: Thanks again to Paul Weatherman for more aerials – this time, evening views of the stage/beverage garden area tonight!
11:23 PM: And here’s what it was like on the ground:
That’s from WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen, who also recorded clips of most of tonight’s bands, starting with Chewing Gum (recently showcased in an Easy Street show) at The Big Dark Corner:
On the main stage, Bog Ogre:
Bexley:
Dark Chisme:
And True Loves:
No main stage music on Summer Fest Sundays, but The Big Dark Corner starts up at 10 am.
ABANDONED BICYCLE? Steve stopped by the Info Booth at Summer Fest to tell us about that bike: “This bike was sitting at the Oregon sSt bike parking area at 6 am this morning with no lock. I locked it up in hopes of finding the owner.” If it’s yours, email us and we’ll connect you.
SUNDAY UPDATE: Steve stopped by our table at the festival early today to tell us how this was resolved. He had left contact info on the bike in case the owner came back for it – which he did. Long story short, he had a medical emergency that forced him to leave the bike there – and when he was finally OK enough to come back for it, he found Steve’s contact info, and once Steve verified ownership, he unlocked the bike and the owner rode away.
POPPY THIEF: From Jessica:
7/9 late night/ 7/10 early hours someone cut and stole all my poppy flower seed pods. This happened several years ago when I planted them in my backyard as well. I live in the Gatewood neighborhood and have grown a garden accessible for folks to enjoy cut flowers from but NOT to steal ALL of one kind of flower. The thief probably thinks they can make a narcotic like tea with the pods.
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