West Seattle, Washington
09 Sunday
(Lily of the Nile, photographed by Barb Newell)
Lots of ways to spend your Sunday – here’s our highlight list for today/tonight, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 3: As previewed here, no daily clues this time unless a float remains unfound – so watch for them all over West Seattle. As of right now (6:39 am), 25 floats have been released and 13 have been found, according to the official website, which shows status when floats are found (provided the finder has used the special QR code).
WEST SEATTLE RUNNING CLUB: 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 Upwell Coffee (4811 California 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.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Now in summer produce-and-products season, 10 am-2 pm, California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska.
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: Also in The Junction – get your gardening questions answered 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)
LIBRARY CLOSURE: Today is the first day of the West Seattle (Admiral) Library‘s three-month closure for HVAC work.
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 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).
READING AND BOOK SIGNING: Meet and hear from Linda Hornberg as West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) spotlights her and her book “Picture a Garden,” 1-2:30 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)
KAKINDOBIE SCHOOL BENEFIT CONCERT: 2-5 pm at C & P Coffee, 10 musicians’ annual benefit concert for students in Sierra Leone, explained here. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
CABI FALL FASHION SHOWCASE: Local Cabi stylists present this event at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), 2 pm.
‘EVERYONE PLAYS’ GAME CAFE: 2-4 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), all ages, no cover, bring your own game if you want. Snacks provided; beverages available for purchase.
RETURN OF DEADGRASS: 2 pm matinee show at Tim’s in White Center (98th and 16th).
‘MUSIC FOR OUR TIMES’: EUROPA Ensemble in concert, 3 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW).
MAKE A BOOMBOX PRINT: Summer Quest free print-making workshop at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), 3 pm.
ICE CREAM SUNDAY WITH AURORA AVE: 4-6 pm, members of the band Aurora Ave will be at the Husky Deli (4721 California SW) ice-cream window with free mini-scoops for the first 50 people who show up that buy or have bought tickets to their upcoming show – all explained here.
BACHATA DANCING AT ALKI: Special Sunday event, 4:30 pm at Statue of Liberty Plaza. (61st SW & Alki SW
TRIBUTE SCREENING OF ‘ONCE’: 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), classic 2000s film “Once” to be shown – free, all ages – as tribute to the late musician Glen Hansard.
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, nighttime tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, 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 Event Calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:41 PM: Police are investigating another crash, this one in south Admiral. A driver is reported to have hit a building at California and Manning, and then fled the scene with at least two passengers. All were described as teenagers, one white in white clothing, another white in dark clothing, another white or Hispanic in dark clothing. A second SFD crew has been dispatched to the scene to help deal with what’s described as damage including two broken windows.
1 AM: By the time we got to the scene, the car was being towed. We did note that the address on the SFD log was not where it happened, as is sometimes the case (and that’s why we don’t usually cite exact logged addresses) – this was at the commercial building on the northeast corner of California/Manning.
11:08 PM: SPD and SFD are on their way to Delridge and Barton for a reported two-vehicle crash with one vehicle “on its roof,” according to dispatch.
11:19 PM: Delridge is blocked both ways. Above, we’ve added a screenshot from the nearest traffic cam. Officers have told dispatch they’re investigating the possibility of DUI.
11:58 PM: Police just told dispatch that they’re reopening the street because SDOT has moved the car while they’re awaiting a tow truck. The driver is in custody.
(WSB photo: Last Saturday’s flag event in advanceof Alki Beach Pride)
One week from today – on Saturday, August 15 – Alki Beach Pride returns, with a street party and more! Alki residents Stacy and Jolie Bass-Walden created Alki Beach Pride more than a decade ago to boost LGBTQIA+ visibility beyond June, and it’s been a smashing success, bigger every year, collaborating with local businesses. Even if you’re not attending, you should be aware that Alki Beach Pride is in part a street party again this year, with Alki Avenue SW closed from 7 am to 10 pm between 57th and 61st. The official festival hours are noon to 8 pm, with:
Live entertainment
Health and wellness zone
Local LGBTQ vendors
Food trucks
Social group gatherings at local participating businesses
Mew family-friendly kids’ zone
and more….
The entertainment lineup rolled out so far includes comedy, DJs, and drag – including the kings.
(WSB video, photos)
The Aztec dancers of Tlalokan were the first performers at this afternoon’s Duwamish River Festival in South Park:
This year’s festival is happening in collaboration with the South Park Summer Party (SOPASUPA) for the first time; festival events are centered at Duwamish River People’s Park (8700 Dallas Ave. S.). In the first hour, the main stage also held emcees from the Duwamish River Youth Corps, festival-presenting Duwamish River Community Coalition leader Paulina López …
… Also, Duwamish Tribe representative Kristina Pearson …
… and two city councilmembers – citywide Councilmember Dionne Foster …
… and District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka.
And the river itself is of course part of the festival, with free kayak tours offered:
The festival also includes the traditional info booths from city departments and regional environmental nonprofits:
The festival and SOPASUPA are spread across four venues – the Kids Zone, with free bouncing, is at South Park Plaza, right by the west end of the South Park Bridge.
At South Park’s main intersection a block south of there, 14th Avenue S. and S. Cloverdale, you’ll find the main SOPASUPA stage behind the businesses on the southwest corner (The Scene, Uncle Eddie’s, Loretta’s). Lucha Libre Volcanica (with Mexican-style masked wrestling) is about to get going there, and we have much more coverage to add! The festival’s on until 6 pm; SOPASUPA continues until 9. (See the performance schedule for all venues here.)
3 PM: The luchadores have just spent an hour in the ring, and battled wildly as always:
Lucha Libre has devoted fans young and old:
And plenty of moves:
If you missed the first round, get here for the second round – three more matches at 6 pm, the emcee just confirmed.
P.S. There are street closures east of 14th Ave. S. because of the festival – but there are lots where you can park and take a free shuttle – they’re listed between the maps here.
10:56 AM: Through 2 pm today, the Rotary Club of West Seattle has volunteers at KeyBank Plaza – southwest corner of California/Alaska – to accept and acknowledge musical instruments donated for Music4Life, to get new lives with students. Band- and orchestra-type instruments, and guitars, are what they’re most interested in. Details are in our preview. We stopped by a few minutes ago and learned that more than half a dozen donations already had been dropped off. And every one has a story, which they love hearing!
6:40 PM: One of today’s Rotary volunteers, Brian, says in a comment below that today’s donations totaled even more than last year!
10:54 AM: In view from west-facing West Seattle shoreline: Kersti Muul tells us “at least one humpback” is northbound from Brace Point.
11:18 AM: Update from Kersti – passing Lowman, close in.
10:19 AM: After several tips this morning mentioned a second boat beached at Constellation Park, we found that so hard to believe, we had to come look first. And yes, there it is, and a fair amount of gawkers too. We’re on our way to time-sensitive events but will return later for a closer look.
3:52 PM: Commenters say the second boat belongs to the owners of the first boat.
5:51 PM: High tide today was around 4 pm. We got back down to look around 5 pm; nobody around – here’s the boats’ status:
High tides will be even higher just before 1 am and 5 pm tomorrow.
(Backyard sunflower photographed by Tom Trulin)
Lots of options for our Saturday – here are highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 2: As previewed here, no daily clues this time unless a float remains unfound – so just keep a look out all over West Seattle. 12 released on Day 1 ad 5 were found, according to the official website, which shows status when floats are found (provided the finder has used the special QR code).
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.
LIBRARY’S LAST DAY, FOR NOW: Today’s the last day the West Seattle (Admiral) Library is open before its three-month closure for HVAC installation. Open 10 am-6 pm. (2306 42nd SW)
DONATE A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Musical instrument – band, orchestra, guitar – you don’t need any more? Give it a new life with a student who could use it! Take it to the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation volunteers who you’ll find from 10 am to 2 pm at the KeyBank corner in The Junction (southwest corner of California/Alaska).
SAVE THE TREES: 10 am-noon, help Schmitz Park Restore pull ivy off the park’s trees! Details in our calendar listing.
WESTCREST PARK SOUTH RESTROOM UPDATE: Stop by 10 am-noon at the entrance to the park’s south parking lot to get an update on the restroom-replacement project.
PREVIEW NEW LOG HOUSE MUSEUM EXHIBIT: As part of Washington Museum Day, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s museum (61st/Stevens)is open 10 am-4 pm today, and you can preview the new “Beyond Alki” exhibit, which officially debuts later this month.
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)
ALSO AT THE MARKET: SDOT will be tabling to talk with shoppers about the Delridge Triangle Pedestrian Street proposal, 10 am-2 pm
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: 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: 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)
DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL + SOPASUPA: Starting at noon, South Park’s two big summer events are happening concurrently this year.
The Duwamish River Festival starts at noon and is at Duwamish River People’s Park (8700 Dallas Ave. S.), wrapping up by 6 pm, while SOPASUPA (South Park Summer Party) is centered at 14th Ave. S./S. Cloverdale with events at River City Skatepark (736 S. Cloverdale) too and continues until about 9 pm. Entertainment schedules are in our preview as well as on this website
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, swim in the outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW); here’s the session schedule.
WADING POOLS: Warm weather is expected, so the two West Seattle wading pools usually open Saturdays should be in operation – Hiawatha (2700 California SW) noon-5:30 pm and Lincoln Park noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
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).
ELECTIONS UNDER FIRE – FACT VS. FICTION: 1:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), public forum presented by the League of Women Voters.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY ALUMNI CELEBRATION: 2-5 pm ticketed event on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
FREE MASSAGE CLINIC: The walk-in clinic is back at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm.
NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY: On 22nd SW north of SW Roxbury, hosted by Community School of West Seattle, 4-8 pm, “arts & crafts, games, music, food & drinks, and kids’ bike and scooter decorating.”
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Cam Elise, Radon Radar, Tobi Kunkel at The Skylark, doors 6 pm, show 7 pm, $10, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE AT CAMP LONG: GreenStage presents “Coriolanus,” 7 pm at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), free.
REVELRY ROOM SPINNING: 9 pm with Soul Focus FM. (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 with KDJ Mythikal 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; it’s free to list something in our Event Calendar, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(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.
(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:
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.
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.
(Schmitz Park, in the center of pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen‘s 2012 image)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This Saturday, you have a chance to help “save the giants” – joining Schmitz Park Restore leaders and volunteers as they work to remove more of the ivy that’s trying to choke the life out of the park’s old-growth trees.
More on that later. Ahead of the ivy-pulling event, we have an update on the longrunning restoration project publicly unveiled more than two years ago (WSB coverage here). Backstory and future plans were in the talk that Daniel Nye from Schmitz Park Restore gave to the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) at this week’s lunch meeting. We recorded it all on video:
Hearing about Schmitz Park Restore’s intensive effort to help the park’s ecosystem dovetailed with the West Seattle Rotary’s launch of a sustainability committee, noted new president Stefanie Felix in introducing Nye. If you don’t have time to listen to his presentation, here are the highlights.
He began with backstory, detailing the effort’s founding with Brian Barilleaux (who was in attendance as were several supporters of note, including Vicki Schmitz Block on behalf of the family that donated the parkland long ago – she told the Rotarians that restoring the park “was a dream of the whole Schmitz family”). Schmitz Park Restore is now in its third year and has captivated people peninsula-wide (another introduced lunch guest was “freelance beaver detective” Pamela Adams, who expressed hope that restoring the park’s creek could bring back aquatic wildlife).
The vision, explained Nye, is for Schmitz Park to be held in hearts peninsula-wide as “a gem” – starting with the “native forest that was never logged,” gifted to the city in 1910, and continuing on to restoration of its creek, which currently unceremoniously dumps into a city outfall pipe that runs under Alki and empties, underwater, into Elliott Bay. The question of why it doesn’t flow openly all the way to Puget Sound inspired them to what became a “community-driven partnership with the city of Seattle … to revitalize Schmitz Preserve Park.” Though the original name of the effort focused on the creek, Nye said they realized that before restoring it, “we’ve got work to do” involving more of the park.
(Photo provided by Schmitz Park Restore)
That work has involved an increasing number of volunteers; the monthly ivy pulls, Nye said, lead them to “come together as a community … you never know who’s going to show up.” They’ve done their first planting of native species – 300 plants in the ground.
(2009 Schmitz Park sightings by the late photojournalist Matt Durham, trillium at upper left)
And under some of the ivy they’ve removed, he said, they’ve found plant species like trilliums, “waiting to come back.”
Nye also recounted the UW students’ design proposals shown off in December 2024 (WSB coverage here) – “that got a lot of attention.” And since then, they’ve secured grant funding to help advance studies. As they work on a true “private-public partnership,” he explained, they’re raising $150,000 in matching funds to pay for hydrology studies and other work needed to further advance the work toward envisioning “what route the creek might take” to get from the park to the sea.
He added that they’re talking with Seattle Public Schools about whether the former Schmitz Park Elementary campus could become part of the park and fit into environmental education – at least with “a dedicated trail.”
So many dreams and ideas – right now, all rooted in hands-on help for Schmitz Preserve Park. So if you want to get involved, you can join in this Saturday’s ivy pull, 10 am-noon, meet at Admiral Way and SW Stevens – also, watch for their monthly free guided tours; dates and RSVP links are here.
(SDOT traffic camera image in aftermath of Sept. 14, 2024 crash)
In our coverage last week of three consecutive evenings’ low-bridge breakdowns, we noted that SDOT expected to have to close that bridge for repairs. They’ve just announced the dates – but note that only the driving lanes will be closed:
We will close the Spokane Swing Bridge (also known as the Low Bridge) to replace the barrier gate at the bridge’s west side. During this time, people will not be able to drive across the bridge. However, people will still be able to walk, bike, or roll across as we do our work.
When?
Between 7 am Saturday (August 22) and 4 am Monday (August 24)
Why?
As a result of the September 2024 vehicle collision, the entire barrier gate system has been having issues. We will be replacing the barrier gate at the west side of the bridge. We hope to replace the east side barrier gate in the coming months, as we work with the railroad companies to coordinate a time for the work. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks.
This bridge is a crucial link across the West Duwamish Waterway, especially for people walking, rolling, and biking. Thanks to the entire West Seattle community and Low Bridge travelers for being patient.
(SDOT photo)
4:31 PM THURSDAY: As we noted yesterday, Metro‘s next “service change” is coming up in late August – a time when adjustments are made to bus routes. But even though the SW Barton repaving work is done – early – in the bus layover zone by Roxhill Park, SDOT says buses won’t be using it for another seven months, longer than it was under construction. From the latest SDOT update:
Because construction finished earlier than planned, King County Metro (KCM) was not able to approve the bus service switch in time for the Fall Bus Service Change (which begins August 29). Metro plans to resume permanent bus service and reopen the layover zone in March 2027, restoring the previous stops on SW Barton.
We’re doublechecking that with Metro, which had told us earlier this week that no date was set for restoring bus service to Barton, yet.
ADDED 2:15 PM FRIDAY: We asked Metro spokesperson Al Sanders to explain. Here’s his reply:
King County Metro is very pleased the construction project on SW Barton St was completed in such a timely manner.
While SDOT has finished the project ahead of schedule, Metro’s preparation for the August 29 service change was underway as the work at the location was taking place.
Metro prepares its printed timetables and signage well in advance of each service change period. At the time these materials were finalized for the upcoming service change, the completion date for road construction on SW Barton St was not yet known.
The routes impacted by the construction project were kept on their current locations and stops to avoid the risk of planning service on a roadway that was not yet complete and to ensure customer-facing information remained accurate.
Returning now to the routes used prior to the construction project would require numerous rider alerts to explain detour information. This type of temporary signage could potentially create more confusion and is difficult to maintain during fall and winter weather.
Right now, riders know what to expect. Significant changes right before the service change would be disruptive and confusing. Making the change in March allows the best and most consistent customer information. Metro will send notification well in advance of the service change next March to our riders.
Tomorrow morning, a City Council committee gets the first look at a new proposal from Mayor Katie Wilson and citywide Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dionne Foster, seeking to ban grocery pricing by algorithm. See the draft legislation here. From the slide deck prepared for the council meeting, an explanation:
Here’s what they say is the problem:
Here’s what they’re looking to do:
The proposal would only cover large stores and chains:
A news release just sent by the city elaborates, in part:
The Fair and Transparent Pricing policy will bar large online and brick-and-mortar grocery retailers from using sensitive personal information such as employment status, race, gender, social media posts, browsing history, chatbot conversations, or other similar data to set different prices for different customers.
Prices must be clearly posted and publicly available. Conventional coupons and discounts for seniors, veterans, and other similar groups are protected, as are other types of open and transparent discounts which were identified through conversations with advocates and local grocery business owners.
The policy was inspired by a growing body of evidence that shows personal information is used to price-max customers by squeezing prices as high as they’re willing to pay.
Here’s more on discounts that would be allowed:
And these types of pricing practices:
The full presentation says they’ve already been talking with industry groups as well as potential constituent groups. If this moves ahead, here’s the envisioned timeline:
Friday morning’s discussion is in the Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee (of which District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka is a member), 9:30 am – the agenda explains how to watch, attend, and/or comment. This afternoon’s news release says the committee meeting will be preceded by a rally to kick off the proposal, 8:45 am at City Hall.
The Duwamish River Festival is back this year, and it’s joined forces with SOPASUPA – the South Park Summer Party – to give you a multitude of reasons to visit South Park this Saturday (August 8) afternoon and evening. We asked organizers of both for specifics so you can plan. The festival is presented by the Duwamish River Community Coalition, noon-6 pm at Duwamish River People’s Park (8700 Dallas Ave. S.) – here are festival highlights:
For SOPASUPA, at multiple venues, noon-9 pm, here are highlights – first, the main stage at 14th Avenue South and South Cloverdale:
And at River City Skatepark (736 S. Cloverdale):
There’s even more info – including a map, Kids Zone details, and transportation info (where to catch a shuttle to People’s Park, for example) – on the South Park Business District website. All of what you see above is free!
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