West Seattle, Washington
02 Sunday
The photo and report were sent by Bob:
This bike has been sitting outside of Buddha Ruksa and Metropolis on Genesee for a couple days.
Our archive of found-bicycle reports is here.
There’s been some chanting and some honking, but otherwise the “Rally for Eduardo” demonstration just south of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market has been relatively low-key. We counted about 30 sign-holders when we got here around 11:15. They’re on the corners and lining the barricaded crosswalk on the market’s south end, where shoppers are strolling by too.
Some participants are marching in Walk-All-Ways when the pedestrian signal is on. Though there are usually demonstrations every Sunday, this was organized by a different group to call attention to Eduardo Aguirre Esparza, the local contractor arrested by ICE north of Morgan Junction a week and a half ago, as reported here. There’s an info table on the KeyBank corner with flyers about his situation as well as local immigrants-rights and rapid-response networks.
We asked an organizer if there’s been any update on this case, and she said as far as they know, he’s still in a detention facility in El Paso, and his family is continuing to push for his release and raising money to support that effort, as well as simply trying to get proof that he’s OK.
Ian and Nora from SDOT are at the KeyBank corner right now with information about Admiral’s planned Lander Pedestrian Street project. This is for the stretch of Lander between Good Society and Lafayette Elementary. The project is still in the very early stage – not even in the official design stage yet – but SDOT is trying to get word out about it, and this is part of the second phase of public events (here’s the flyer). Next one is Wednesday, August 12, 4:30 to 6:30 at the future project site – a “community design charrette.” We asked the SDOT team if the Good Society’s longtime “streatery” is staying, and they said yes. There’s general info about projects like this on this page of the SDOT website. P.S. If you don’t find them at the corner, they might be moving into a booth at the Farmers’ Market, they told us a short time ago.
(Saturday evening photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
Here’s what’s happening on this first Sunday in August, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
CHINOOK FISHING: Don Armeni Boat Ramp opened at 3 am today for the third 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).
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 Alki Coffee Co. (2738 Alki SW) 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.
RALLY FOR EDUARDO: 10 am-2 pm, California/Alaska, demonstration in support of ICE detainee taken from West Seattle a week and a half ago. BYO sign(s).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Now in summer produce-and-products season, 10 am-2 pm, California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska.
SDOT AT THE MARKET: Along with the vendors, you’ll find an SDOT booth where they’re talking with people today about the Lander Pedestrian Street project in Admiral.
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.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: In honor of Seafair, sale through Monday at Mountain to Sound Outfitters! (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor)
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 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).
MAKE A PINATA: Summer Quest free piñata-making workshop at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), 2-3:30 pm.
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)
(Friday photo by Stewart L.)
BLUE ANGELS: Assuming the weather cooperates, final day 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.
SIP & SCULPT AT MR. B’S: 6-8 pm, monthly art event at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
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)
SCREAM TIME: 8 pm on the beach at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), Scream Club Seattle gathers again to get it all out, loudly and briefly.
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, music to wrap up your weekend – 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!
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). 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.
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.
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.)
(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!
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
for West Seattle Blog
The message above, one of several inscribed in small “cozy corner” seating spaces scattered inside the new Alki Elementary School, are meant as reassurances for its future students, but could also apply to those who fought over the plan for the ~$67 million rebuild and expansion.
Those battles are in the past, and so are two years of construction. A student body more than 50 percent larger than last year will occupy the new Alki ES in one month – 409 enrolled, compared to last year’s 260, according to principal Mason Skeffington, in part because Alki will be the regional center for Highly Capable education. Skeffington’s in his seventh year as Alki’s principal, and after three of those years in interim quarters at the former Schmitz Park Elementary, he’s excited. He led us on a long-planned tour of his new school earlier this week, along with the district’s project manager Brian Fabella.
We started outside:
Crew members were installing the landscaping for raingardens and other areas outside the school’s new entrance, which faces north, where a side entrance used to open onto a parking lot. The area in front of the school- designed by Mahlum Architects and built by Cornerstone Contractors – is now a “parkway”; the line where concrete pavement gives way to asphalt pavement is the line between Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Parks property. As was the case pre-rebuild, the two will share the playground north of the building:
It’s not finished yet but the plan is for it to be ready to go before school starts September 2. That’s actually the start date for all but the kindergarteners, who start classes on September 9. And that date factors into tile work on the front of the school:
Inscribed in the tile work are the high and low tides projected for September 9, the day all Alki Elementary students, kindergarteners through 5th graders, will be together in the new building (which is 8+ years in the works, going back to BEX levy planning in 2018). The tide tiles are near the main entrance, where two sets of doors will enhance security, with the office entrance to the right.
Though the office is a fairly traditional area, with a front desk that will be the gateway to some administrative offices including Skeffington’s, it won’t be a total “hub” type of set up.
Other staffers who serve the whole school have their areas integrated on classroom floors – for students who need services, it won’t be that dreaded “trip to the office,” for example. There are also meeting rooms for everything from staff gatherings to meetings about students’ Individualized Education Plans.
Back to the ground floor, you’ll notice two things about the commons – aka lunchroom: It’s close to the entrance:
And it’s an atrium, with the ceiling open all the way to the top of the building:
Another feature you might not notice until it’s pointed out are two circles in the floor like this:
They represent another feature that Skeffington says the students will learn about – the school itself being “a curriculum” (as mentioned previously) – the caps to the geothermal wells factoring into the school’s heating/cooling system, visible in other ways around the school.
Students will also learn more about stormwater in a small ground-floor courtyard that hosts a stainless-steel cistern and a rainwater-ladder type of feature nearby:
The ground floor is also the gateway to an area that the school will continue to share with neighboring Alki Community Center, the gym:
The Alki seagull logo is a prominent feature on the gym’s new floor:
The gym also has a wall with a 16-foot board that can be used for projection or can be written on.
On every floor, the restroom areas will feature a shared sink but mltiple individual, private stalls:
These are meant for safety as well as privacy. Heading up to the second floor, what comes into view are the views themselves – such as the northward view from this deck:
Most of the staff area (except for a private lactation lounge for nursing/pumping) opens onto the deck, from which you can glimpse the water of Elliott Bay, which is also visible from the big new library:
The upper floors are dominated by teaching and learning areas – and lots of windows.
The hallways are the only places where overhead lighting provides more illumination than natural light through windows:
As with other recently built school buildings we’ve toured around West Seattle, the spaces are flexible, with many different configurations of tables, chairs, and other seating, as well as open hallway-adjacent space where either multiple classes can meet or breakout sessions can be held. There are some specialty classrooms too, like the art room – with a kiln. Throughout the classrooms are tech features both modern and classic, from telephones to emergency buttons to PA systems to outlets accommodating USBs as well as power plugs.
We asked project manager Fabella about his favorite part of the new school. He replied: Its mass-timber construction. Not only does it result in the warm appearance of wood – though most of it is wood-laminate – but it is a major factor in earthquake safety, as the beams and supports will help the building flex in a quake. The method of construction also meant faster framing, he addded, and leaves the building weighing less. Overall, the supports are “like a shock absorber for the building,” Fabella explained.
And he recalled a story told by Duwamish Tribal Council member Ken Workman, about his ancestors being part of the trees, so they’re now part of the building too – as will be the first students to learn in the building starting in a month.
WHAT’S NEXT: Teachers are moving in August 17. That’s nine days before the ribboncutting, 10:30 am Wednesday, August 26th (they’re hoping to be able to allow community members into the building, too). And as mentioned above, Wednesday, September 2 is the start of classes for all Seattle Public Schools students except kindergarteners, who will start a week later, on Wednesday, September 9.
(WSB file photo, ‘ghost bike’ memorial for Maridee Bonadea)
Details and participants are still being finalized, but the date is set for the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s promised public forum about bicycling safety, after the death of Maridee Bonadea last month on SW Wildwood. The forum is set for 6 pm Tuesday, August 11, at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW, south end of the historic schoolhouse). FCA vice president Catherine Bailey says they plan to “hear from the family and supporters of Maridee Bonadea, the cycling community, and representatives from the city council, WS Ferries, SDOT, and others. We’ll publish an update when more details are locked in. Here’s our coverage of FCA’s initial discussion at their board meeting earlier this month.
5:30 PM: Burglars targeted at least three Admiral businesses overnight. A texter sent this photo of a note put up by Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor):
The restaurant IS open. A Mioposto spokesperson confirmed the burglary to WSB, saying the burglars “battered” the front door lock to get in.
Locks also were targeted in what archived police-radio exchanges indicate were early-morning burglary attempts at Admiral Pub and Taste of Mumbai, both in the 2300 block of California SW. No other details.
SATURDAY, 6:46 AM: We heard back from Admiral Pub proprietor Alex Garcia, who tells WSB, “They attempted to break in, but luckily, the alarm went off and it scared them away, but they did break the lock mechanism in the door; we were able to call the locksmith, who came in and rebuilt the lock for us.” He says nearby Pizzeria 22 was hit too.
(SDOT camera screenshot during Wednesday night closure)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:53 PM: After two breakdowns in two days, SDOT says they know what went wrong with the West Seattle “low bridge” (aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge) and are making plans to fix it. We inquired yesterday about the Wednesday evening trouble, and added on an inquiry about last night before receiving this response from SDOT covering both:
This week, there have been two unexpected closures of the West Seattle Low Bridge (also known as the Spokane St Swing Bridge) due to mechanical issues with the vehicle gate on the western side of the bridge. The gates did not respond to remote commands from the control tower.
We have plans to replace these gates and are working to schedule the installation. This work will likely require the bridge to be closed to motor vehicles and will take place during the weekend. We will announce the dates of construction once they are determined.
The low bridge has gone through a variety of maintenance and repair work in recent years, most recently during a May closure.
UPDATE, 5:51 PM: Just heard via police radio that it’s down for a THIRD straight night, though bicycles and pedestrians are being let through, vehicle gatesare down.
9:59 PM: According to @sdottraffic, it was back in operation as of shortly after 7 pm.
Again this year, the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is partnering with City Fruit and local food banks to harvest fruit from the yards of homeowners who can’t consume everything grown on their property. Here’s what they’re looking for and how to sign up:
Got Fruit? West Seattle Residents Invited to Share Backyard Harvest with Local Food Banks
If you have an apple, pear, plum, quince, or grapevine producing more fruit than you can use, West Seattle volunteers are ready to help.
The Rotary Club of West Seattle is once again hosting West Seattle Community Gleaning Days on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, September 13, collecting surplus backyard fruit and delivering it to the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank, where it will help stock shelves with fresh, healthy produce for local families.
Thousands of pounds of perfectly good fruit go unpicked across West Seattle every year. Through this community effort, trained volunteers harvest ripe fruit that would otherwise fall to the ground, ensuring it nourishes neighbors instead of going to waste.
Homeowners with fruit trees or vines are encouraged to sign up – even if they have just one tree.
“Backyard fruit is one of West Seattle’s hidden community resources,” said Mike Price of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, who is helping lead the Community Gleaning Days effort. “Community Gleaning Days connect homeowners who have fruit to share with volunteers who harvest it and deliver it to local food banks, helping ensure fresh produce nourishes neighbors instead of going to waste.”
The program is seeking trees and vines with ripe:
Apples
Pears
Plums
Quince
GrapesInterested homeowners can complete the online Gleaning Interest Form by visiting the registration link.
West Seattle Community Gleaning Days is sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Seattle in partnership with City Fruit, Scouting America Chief Seattle Council, West Seattle Food Bank, and White Center Food Bank.
(Photo provided by Jake W.)
Lots of questions this morning about that fire on Alki overnight. Four portable toilets that had been brought in before the Canoe Journey arrivals burned at about 1 am. Archived police radio indicates SFD asked for SPD response because witnesses said “the suspect was still on scene.” What happened from there, we don’t know yet; we’re still trying to confirm whether the suspect was detained. We asked SFD for information and they said only that the fire was extinguished – categorized as a “rubbish fire” – and that no one was hurt; their investigator was not dispatched. Another reader photo of the aftermath:
Another texter tells us a recycling can and trash can burned too, and adds, “As of 8:30 this morning, the city had caution tape wrapped around the area and (was) taking photos.”
Thanks to Bob Spears for photos of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as seen from West Seattle during their practice flights on Thursday. Here’s what to know about them today:
This is the first of three days for the official full Seafair Air Show. If you want to watch, today’s the day that admission is free for the official viewing zone over Lake Washington (scroll down this page for today’s schedule – the Blue Angels are only part of the airshow).
If you’re not going, note that the Blue Angels are scheduled to fly at 3:30 pm, and as we previously noted, commercial air traffic is rerouted while they’re up, so that means a lot more big-jet flyovers seen and heard in West Seattle – mostly the south end (very noticeable here in Upper Fauntleroy, for example) – than usual. If you want to see the Blue Angels themselves without going to the lake, there are usually a few sightings during their show – Bob took his photos from Luna/Anchor Park on Duwamish Head – and they take off from, and land at, nearby Boeing Field.
(Photo by Bob Burns, off Constellation Park)
Here’s our highlight list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: In honor of Seafair, sale through Monday! (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor)
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).
PET PAINTING: Summer Quest event, all ages, all materials provided, 3-4:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FREE MENDING WORKSHOP: 5-8 pm at KAVU (9064 Delridge Way SW) – our calendar listing has more info and how to RSVP.
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.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) features The Peck Trio. No cover, all ages. (5612 California SW)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Opus ft. Pule, The Yellow Peddled Flowers, Pigfish/a>, 7 pm doors, 7:30 pm music (7904 35th SW), all ages, tickets here.
WIDOWSPEAK AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Widowspeak performance and signing in-store, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, music at 8, for Look Sharp Aim True, The Mrs. Bill Larsens, Pleasure Island. $10 cover. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room (4547 California SW) regular Friday night spinning features DJ Twilight, starting at 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, Skate-A-Raoke with Baby Ketten, 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!
9:04 AM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the photos and tip! He reports that Don Armeni Boat Ramp was busy pre-dawn as chinook-salmon fishing opened.
9:23 AM: Thanks to Ryan Caple for this photo – the pier at Seacrest is bustling too:
12:32 PM: Parks says it’s opening Don Armeni at 3 am daily through the last day of this stretch of fishing (Monday, August 3).
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, July 31, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast says we’ll see sunshine today with a high in the upper 70s. Sunrise was at 5:45 am today; sunset will be at 8:44 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule..
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.
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!
While on our way to the 49th SW fire, we learned we’d missed real-time texts with photos including the one above, showing the smoke from a house fire in White Center, miles away. Once we figured out the vicinity, we went there for a look. In case you saw the smoke too and wondered, the report is on our partner site White Center Now.
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