West Seattle, Washington
01 Saturday
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: 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.
8:18 PM: Thanks for the tip. Seattle Fire has a full response at a house in the 5000 block of 49th SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
8:21 PM: We’re en route. SFD says the fire is under control.
(Added: WSB photos)
8:37 PM: They’re dismissing some of the responding units. As seen in our photo, no smoke visible now. An SFD lieutenant told us no one’s been hurt and preliminary indication is that this might have started as a kitchen fire; they’re investigating.
9:10 PM: Four units remain logged to the scene; the fire is out.
7:48 PM: Thanks to the commenter who mentioned this: The West Seattle low bridge is experiencing malfunctions again tonight. This time, SDOT says, the bike and foot path is usable, but the bridge is closed to vehicles. We had asked SDOT today what caused last night’s two-hour closure and have yet to receive that information.
8:29 PM: Just checked the live traffic camera – the bridge is open again.
(WSB photos, video)
6:48 PM: Driftwood Drive is playing classic hits of the past few decades as they open the final concert of the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Admiral Music in the Parks series.
Again this year, ANA rotated the shows – which were all at Hiawatha pre-pandemic/pre-renovations – between three lesser-used Admiral parks, and tonight it’s Hamilton Viewpoint (1120 California SW), with Elliott Bay and the downtown skyline as the backdrop behind the band.
Lots of room to dance, and as usual, lots of little kids are doing that, but grownups are welcome to dance too. Walk or roll here and you’ll find special attended free parking for your wheels (strollers too). Bring your yarn and needles for the knitting circle, or come borrow from the board-game library. And bring your own chair/mat/blanket. The show’s on until about 8 pm. It’s free thanks to donations (if you want to chip in, go here), volunteers (including the ANA board members who do the coordinating – Meagan Loftin and Dan Jacobs) – and community co-sponsors (including WSB).
8:03 PM: The concert is wrapping up; Driftwood Drive is playing an encore song right now. ANA says they counted 800 people here for the concert. They actually have one more live-music event this summer – the Admiral Block Party on August 22, with music the night before too – see the lineups here.
(Added: WSB photo – Interim Chief Andre Sayles at West Seattle event last March)
3:41 PM: You’ve probably heard reports since last night – starting with this one on PubliCola – that Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes was probably out. Now it’s official. The news release from Mayor Katie Wilson‘s office just landed:
Today, Mayor Katie B. Wilson accepted a letter of resignation from Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. Chief Barnes was appointed by Mayor Bruce Harrell in late 2024 and has made substantial contributions to public safety in Seattle.
“It has been an honor to serve the Seattle Police Department and this city,” said Chief Barnes. “The men and women of this department show up every single day with professionalism and dedication, and what they did in the aftermath of the Bite of Seattle tragedy reflects the very best of who they are. I am proud of them and I have deep faith in the future of this department and in the vision for community-based policing that is taking root here. Seattle is committed to building a department that is truly connected to the communities it serves, and I believe in where that work is headed. I hope this transition gives the city and this department the opportunity to return full focus to what matters most, addressing youth gun violence and preventing more tragedies. That work is too important, and Seattle deserves nothing less.”
“Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service,” said Mayor Wilson. “The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserves to be honored. I share Chief Barnes’ hope that we can return our focus to addressing youth gun violence and ensuring that every family can feel safe in their neighborhood and across the city.”
The mayor is appointing Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as Interim Chief of the Seattle Police Department. Deputy Chief Sayles brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including serving as Chief of Police in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 2025, Sayles joined the Seattle Police Department as Deputy Chief of Administration and Investigations. Under his oversight, SPD’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit and homicide detectives have continued to close difficult cases, including the arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of two teenagers near Rainier Beach High School. The mayor believes he is the right Interim leader for SPD in this moment and to ensure continuity while we conduct a thorough search for a permanent chief.
“My vision for public safety in this city is grounded in transparency, trust, and genuine collaboration with the community,” said Mayor Wilson. “Keeping people safe requires trust, and trust requires that this department shows up in neighborhoods every day, builds relationships with residents, community organizations, and small businesses, and is accountable to the people it serves.”
“This situation is very difficult, and I admire the mayor for acting decisively to move forward and rebuild strong and engaged leadership inside the department so SPD members can build trust with the communities they serve,” said Sue Rahr, former SPD Interim Chief and retired Sheriff.
The mayor will hold a press conference tomorrow morning at 11:00am at City Hall to introduce Chief Sayles and provide information on the process for a permanent chief.
Before the mayor’s announcement, three City Councilmembers including District 1’s Rob Saka sent statements saying that if Barnes’ departure was true, they’d be disappointed (particularly by what they said was the mayor’s lack of communication with them).
4:32 PM: Added above is a photo we took of now-Interim Chief Sayles at SPD’s community-safety discussion at Southwest Teen Life Center in March; he opened that meeting (WSB coverage here), at which Barnes didn’t appear until later. As announced then and recently reiterated, the city plans another version of that meeting on August 12; we’ll be checking to see if that plan is still on given the chief change. Meanwhile, four more city councilmembers issued a joint statement saying they’re disappointed by Barnes’s ouster; you can read all the council statements here.
Help babies and toddlers stay dry and healthy! You can do that by donating diapers to local nonprofit WestSide Baby during their “Stuff the Bus” reprise outside The Junction’s QFC store (the bus is on 42nd north of SW Alaska) until 6 pm. Will, Morgan, and Mari are there to greet you:
Just bring boxes/bags of diapers to the bus, and that’ll help fill its seats and aisle!
“Stuff the Bus” was a much-loved donation method for WestSide Baby years ago, and they’ve brought it back for the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary year. If you miss today’s drive, make a calendar note to help “Stuff the Bus” when it visits Westwood Village QFC (25th and Barton) on Sunday, August 30, 11 am-3 pm.
If you’re one of the almost-250 Night Out block/building-party hosts signed up with SPD, swag bags are ready for you to pick up at the precinct Monday, the day before Night Out. The update and photos are from the precinct’s Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite:
Today, with the help of the SW Precinct Captain, interns, and Before the Badge recruits – we have prepped 800 swag bags for our community. Pickup day is on Monday, and Night Out is Tuesday!
Jennifer says almost 1,000 Night Out parties are registered citywide – and a fourth of those, 247, will be in the Southwest Precinct area (West Seattle and South Park). Swag pickup time on Monday at the precinct (2300 SW Bebster) is noon-2 pm; party time on Tuesday (when you’ll find many side streets closed to through traffic) is 5-9 pm.
Morning dawned early for the tribal canoe families who arrived at Alki Beach on Wednesday for an overnight stopover along this year’s Canoe Journey. Thanks to everyone who sent photos from the morning departure; the one above, and the two below, are from Greg C:
Next, Dave White spotted canoes passing the Fauntleroy ferry dock:
And Chris Frankovich saw canoes in the distance from The Arroyos, plus a passing tug:
Tonight’s host is the Puyallup Tribe; the final destination of this year’s journey is hosted by the Nisqually nation, which will host the canoe families through Wednesday.
11:54 AM: If you’re in the Lincoln Park vicinity, watch for a humpback whale; Kersti Muul reports a sighting off Point Williams (where Colman Pool is). Not clear yet whether it’s southbound, northbound, or just hanging around.
11:56 AM: Just as we published that, she had an update: “Breaching in the Vashon/Fauntleroy ferry lane now, so must be southbound.”
(Photo by Gary Pro – a visit from ‘three young Cooper’s Hawks’)
Now that this morning’s big outage is resolved, we can bring you our daily list of what’s up around West Seattle in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks to everyone who sends events for us to share!):
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: In honor of Seafair, sale through Monday! (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor)
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are open – see our story for locations and other information.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-3 pm, plant sales featuring and supporting students’ work. North end of SSC campus (6000 16th SW).
NO PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Not happening today at West Seattle (Admiral) Library.
BLUE ANGELS TODAY: According to a Seafair spokesperson, “The Blue Angels will perform two practice runs on Thursday, July 30th from approximately 11:00 AM-1:00 PM and 3:30 PM-4:40 PM.” You’ll likely see/hear some West Seattle flyovers, and particularly during the second session, you’re likely to see area airports’ traffic re-routed, which usually means more commercial jets over West Seattle.
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Daily splashing season continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS: The regular three Thursday pools will be open today – Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Hiawatha (noon-5:30 pm, 2700 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, all levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!)
NOURISHING MINDS: 1 pm service-learning opportunity at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
‘THE DISABILITY PARADOX’: Documentary screening at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), 1 pm.
STRESS REDUCTION & CALMING TECHNIQUES: 1:30 pm SummerQuest event at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), learn about ways to have more calmness in your life.
STUFF THE BUS FOR WESTSIDE BABY: Help local babies/toddlers by bringing packages of diapers to “Stuff the Bus” that WestSide Baby will have parked outside Junction QFC (4550 42nd SW), 2-6 pm.
DROP-IN CHESS: The regular High Point Library Thursday event is sheduled today – players under 18 can drop in 4-5:30 pm to play. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two Thursday night events at HPCS – this week and every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) hosts a food truck. Tonight it’s Pizza Maniac.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
HELP HARVEST FOOD: Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) needs volunteers to help harvest fresh food that will be donated to food banks – you can take some home too. Just be there 5-7 pm!
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle.
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
WESTIES RUN CLUB, WITH PICKLE PARTY: 6 pm, starting from Good Society (California SW and SW Lander), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run – tonight, bring your favorite pickles too, for a “pickle party” afterward.
DUSTY THURSDAYS AT TIM’S: 6-9 pm, The Dusty 45s preceded by Cami Voss & Fricken Chickasee, outdoors, all ages, no cover, donations accepted for the musicians. (16th SW and SW 98th, White Center)
ADMIRAL MUSIC IN THE PARKS: 6:30 pm showtime for the third and final free concert in this year’s Admiral Music in the Parks series, with Driftwood Drive, at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW). Bring your own chair/mat/etc.; special parking for bikes and strollers, plus other special features including board-game library, crafts, knitting circle.
TRIVIA AT ADMIRAL PUB: 7 pm trivia at Admiral Pub. (2306 California SW)
TRIVIA AT THE VOID: 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
AT REVELRY ROOM: Tonight, at Revelry Room (4547 California SW) featuring DJ Baby Van Beezly starting at 8 pm.
KARAOKE AT MAX’S TRIANGLE PUB: 9 pm to closing time. (9454 Delridge Way SW)
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview list? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(SCROLL DOWN/REFRESH FOR UPDATES, INCLUDING REPAIR PROGRESS AND BUSINESS CLOSURES)
5:08 AM: Thanks for the tips. Power has gone out for more than 4,400 homes and businesses, according to the Seattle City Light outage map. Updates to come.
5:13 AM: If you’re hearing sirens, there are police responses for businesses where alarms were set off because of the outage.
5:32 AM: Finally hearing word of the apparent cause – tree trouble in North Admiral, per police radio. Texter elaborates that it’s near 47th SW and SW Holgate, “a couple of tree limbs down in alley … One limb on the ground. Big one on the wires.”
5:56 AM: A texter in The Junction reports power restored. The map should show soon the extent of that. … And a moment later, it’s updated to show 1,980 customers still out; we’ll add the map screenshot shortly. … Here it is (we do this for the record, as outages vanish from SCL’s site once they’re over):
6:19 AM: WSB senior contributor Christopher Boffoli has gone to the scene and talked with City Light. First, here’s the tree:
Christopher says they have to call in a specialized crew to reach the problem, so they’re guessing it might take a few hours to resolve the rest of the outage (11 am-ish, though that’s an estimate, so could be sooner, could be later). Meantime, he’s also been through the heart of the Admiral business district and says it looks like power is on there – signals working too – but further north is where signs of the outage are apparent.
6:58 AM: Now there’s a transformer fire at 47th/Genesee – and we had a flicker all the way down here in Upper Fauntleroy. No idea if this is related. … But the outage has just grown again.
7:11 AM: Above is a screenshot of City Light’s map for the newly expanded outage zone – which appears to be the same as the original outage zone.
8:11 AM: No updates since then but now that we’re getting further into the day, please remember that dark signals = all-way stops. Also, any information on business status would be appreciated. Via text, Carl just reported that in the heart of The Junction, the west side of California is out but the east side is on. … This comment suggests same situation for at least part of The Admiral District.
8:50 AM: The newest photos are from Bill, who reports that the City Light truck shown above is now on scene. He also sent this view of the tree limb on the wire.
Still 4,400+ out.
9:19 AM: Our crew in The Junction reports California/Alaska’s signals are still out but California/Oregon is working (California/Edmunds too). Back in the outage zone, Bill reports the City Light crew “is making good progress” and sent this photo:
Back to The Junction, our crew says most east-side-of-California businesses ARE open, with power, and is checking the west side next.
9:44 AM: The entire west side of California between Alaska and Edmunds is out, including Bakery Nouveau, Top Pot, and Husky Deli, per our crew. Headed north next.
9:56 AM: West side of California between Alaska and Oregon – most are closed BUT while Easy Street’s café is closed, they’re open for shopping, cards and Venmo only. … Traffic-signal updates from Admiral – out at 47th/Admiral.
9:59 AM: Looks like at least some of the power is back – our crew says the California/Alaska signal just came back on. SCL map should update shortly. … Map shows 1,565 homes/businesses still out, Admiral area.
10:21 AM: And now it appears everybody’s back on.
Global Smoke and Vape just got robbed again, less than an hour ago. That’s according to police radio, after officers were sent to the 35th/Roxbury store to check out a report that someone there had pushed the panic button. Officers told dispatch the victim(s) described two robbers, one a Black man, in his 20s, 5’5″, wearing a black ski mask, armed with a gun with an extended magazine, the other described only as being 5’9″, wearing a black ski mask and all-black clothing. They were last seen running southbound on 35th.
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