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Spotlight Stories

WEST SEATTLE FOURTH OF JULY: Traffic alert and other night notes
July 4, 2022 10:08 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:08 PM: For the next few hours, we’ll be tracking emergency dispatches and other notes. First, two texters say Harbor Avenue-bound traffic is being blocked at/near the 5-way – we don’t have confirmation but suspect this is likely the diversion police have used in past years, when Harbor gets too jammed close to fireworks time.

So far tonight, no fires on the SFD log for West Seattle, fireworks or otherwise. We have heard some SPD dispatches for fireworks concerns such as “sparks landing on neighbor’s roof.” More updates ahead ..

10:23 PM: Via text and email, we’re told the diversion is happening up on Admiral too.

10:52 PM: Lake Union fireworks are over – per police managing crowds and traffic in the Lake Union vicinity – so Alki/Harbor should empty out soon. Meantime, we received this short email from Dee, addressed to “West Seattle/Fauntleroy Neighbors” – Dee writes, “We live 2 blocks up from the beach and do NOT enjoy your July 4 fireworks….so, please stop it.” Up here on the Gateleroy line, it’s been pretty constant for a few hours, but the pre-4th nights were quieter than past years (except for somebody in the Lincoln Park vicinity last night).

11:19 PM: Shared by Kevin Freitas via Twitter, a time-lapse view of the Lake Union fireworks:

Meantime, we have a bit of info about a “scenes of violence” SFD dispatch about an hour ago at California/Alaska. Initial dispatch said it was a woman possibly stabbed in the arm. SFD tells us a woman in her 60s was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. We don’t have info on the circumstances.

11:36 PM: We’ve had our first actual fire dispatch of the night – “dumpster fire” in the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way about 10 minutes ago. Just one engine. Don’t know if fireworks-related.

12:40 AM: Second fire call of the night – “illegal burn” at 11th/Webster. Also, just now, a police dispatch to the 6000 block of 31st SW, for a report of fireworks being set off by someone’s door. … A few minutes after that, an “FYI” type of dispatch – not assigned to any specific unit – “a report of fireworks being lit off at Westcrest Park.” (We were there long before sunset and saw/heard some of that.)

1:14 AM: Now a police dispatch to Alki for fireworks.

1:35 AM: Getting quiet out there, at least where we are. In Arbor Heights, there’s now a dispatch to an address near 45th SW and SW 100th, for “report of a trash-can fire in a driveway.”

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FOURTH OF JULY: WSB West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page reminder
July 4, 2022 7:50 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | Pets | West Seattle news

Just a reminder before nightfall that if you lose or find a pet amid tonight’s likely fireworks noise (or any other time), WSB has had a West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page for almost 15 years. Just send the info – with a photo if you have one – including a contact #, and the area in which you lost/found the pet, to westseattleblog@gmail.com. If you don’t have access to email, you can also text the info to our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302. (At right is a wholehearted supporter of this message, our newest WSB “shop cat,” Sullivan, a 4-year-old rescue tuxedo cat.)

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UPDATE: 5 hurt in 16th/Myrtle crash
July 4, 2022 5:15 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:15 PM: Thanks for the tip. On our way to 16th/Myrtle to find out more.

5:25 PM: Just arrived north of the crash scene. 16th is blocked both ways.

5:35 PM: 2 vehicles, 5 people hurt but no major injuries. Police believe the SUV driver was speeding, northbound, and trying to ‘get around’ the other vehicle when the collision happened. (Residents on this stretch of 16th have long been fighting for something to be done about speeding.)

6:28 PM: The scene is clear.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade returns
July 4, 2022 1:57 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO, PHOTOS: West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade returns
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Our video shows the entirety of this morning’s West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, whose hundreds of participants strolled and rolled through North Admiral streets this morning. Like many other summer traditions, this one was back for the first time since 2019. Organizers Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb welcomed the crowd at the 44th/Sunset starting point before 12-year-old Sloane Pothier sang the National Anthem:

The forecast delivered on the “partly sunny” promise as the parade wound west, south, and east across several blocks before crossing California and heading into Hamilton Viewpoint Park:

(That’s Michaela as Lady Liberty.) At the park, parade sponsors offered kids’ activities:

Among this year’s sponsors, the Hogan family from longtime WSB sponsor Dream Dinners-West Seattle (we caught up with them pre-parade):

Sack races at the park were announced by another parade sponsor, State Sen. Joe Nguyen. The races were held in age groups – from the littlest kids all the way up to grownups!

Also at the park, one more sponsored feature of value – longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction bankrolled the porta-potties!

P.S. This is West Seattle’s only Fourth of July parade – but not its only parade – next one is the West Seattle Grand Parade, along California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction, 11 am Saturday, July 23rd.

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Person dies in Junction alley (Tuesday update)
July 4, 2022 12:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

12:24 PM: Thanks for the tips about the police/fire response in the alley east of the 4500 block of 44th SW in The Junction around 11 am, just east of Wells Fargo. Police told us the call came in as a person down, and the person had died. Archived emergency-radio audio indicates someone was trying to perform CPR before responders arrived, and SFD continued trying, but the person could not be revived. It’ll be up to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death. No other info so far.

ADDED MONDAY: We doublechecked with police today, and they reiterate that so far, there’s “nothing suspicious” about the death. The ME’s Office has not yet released a name or cause of death. The person who tried to save him and initially called 911 described the person as a man.

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WHALES: Humpback sighting off West Seattle (evening update)
July 4, 2022 9:28 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

9:28 AM: Thanks to Carl Furfaro for the report – a humpback whale breaching off Lincoln Park, just south of Colman Pool, less than an hour ago. Let us know if you see it!

7:43 PM: Just got two notes (thanks to Gary and Andrew!) that it’s been seen in the Alki Point/Constellation Park vicinity, southbound.

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Here’s what you need to know as Fourth of July 2022 begins in West Seattle
July 4, 2022 6:07 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news


(WSB file photo)

Happy Independence Day!

First, transportation info:

TRANSIT: Metro is on a “Sunday with extra late-night service” schedule … The West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule (Vashon is not running) … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a Sunday schedule … Sound Transit‘s holiday plans are listed here.

TRAFFIC CAMS: Check them on this WSB page; for other areas of the city, see the SDOT Travelers’ Map.

Holiday happenings:

FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: Still room for more volunteer help putting them up and/or taking them down – 9 am and/or 4 pm, meet on northeast corner of California/Alaska.

4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE:Be part of West Seattle’s only 4th of July parade! Starts at 10 am from 44th/Sunset [map] and travels west, then east, across a few North Admiral blocks before concluding at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW) with sack races and kids’ activities. Here’s our preview.

BARBECUE & MUSIC AT THE BEACH: From Chef Gino Williamson of TheHomeSkillit.com:

I will be cooking Caribbean Barbecue on the beach (Alki) and I have a four-piece live band playing old school and Caribbean beach music. Everyone in the community is welcome to come and have a good time with us and rock out. All the proceeds will go to my Foundation feed the Street Seattle and we will be feeding homeless people and Pioneer Square with all of the proceeds and the funds that we receive on 4th of July. (Food 10 am-10 pm, music 4 pm-10 pm)

4TH OF JULY BASEBALL: The DubSea Fish Sticks semipro summer team are back home for the holiday, 11:05 am vs. Diamond Sports at Steve Cox Memorial Park. Ticket info here. (1321 SW 102nd)

PARKS & POOLS: Here’s the city list of what’s open and what’s not.

Interested in holiday shopping?

AVALON GLASSWORKS: This Luna Park shop/studio’s famous “art-glass seconds” sale is back, 10 am-2 pm today. (2914 SW Avalon Way)

Looking for beverages?

C & P COFFEE’S OPEN: The coffee shop (and longtime WSB sponsor) at 5612 California SW emailed us to say they’re open 7 am-5 pm today.

THE BEER JUNCTION’S OPEN: Also via email, “The Beer Junction will be open on Monday, July 4th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm for pints, growlers, or beers to go. Last call for pours and growlers at the bar is 3:30 pm.” (4511 California SW)

And tonight …

SEATTLE’S BIGGEST FIREWORKS SHOW: Only one major show within city limits, and that’s the Seafair Summer Fourth at Lake Union. You can usually see much of the show from certain north-facing spots in West Seattle, including Hamilton Viewpoint, Belvedere Park/Viewpoint, and much of Harbor Avenue, including Seacrest Park. Don’t show up at the last minute unless you’re on foot – parking fills up early just about everywhere with a view. The show starts around 10:20 pm. (It’ll be live on KONG-TV, too.)

NO THREE TREE POINT FIREWORKS: If you’re in southwest West Seattle, you might be wondering – but no, the waterfront neighborhood in Burien is NOT bringing in a fireworks barge this year.

WE’RE ON DUTY TODAY – 24/7/365 as always, so if you have a news tip, please text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shooting investigation
July 4, 2022 12:35 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shooting investigation
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Police are in the 9400 block of Delridge Way SW right now, investigating a reported shooting. The victim apparently turned up in White Center, so there’s been no medical callout at the Delridge scene. No information on circumstances yet; we’ll update if/when we find out more.

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CORONAVIRUS: First July check of West Seattle, King County trends
July 3, 2022 9:21 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: First July check of West Seattle, King County trends
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

With numbers from the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard, here’s our weekly look at countywide and West Seattle-specific COVID numbers:

*3 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 1,045 new daily cases countywide (up from 1,001 when we checked a week ago)

*2 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 17 new hospitalizations daily (up from 14 a week ago)

*18 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 2 deaths daily (same two-week average as last week)

For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*774 cases between 6/13 and 6/27, down from 800 between 5/29 and 6/12
*14 hospitalizations between 6/13 and 6/27, up from 9 between 5/29 and 6/12
*Two deaths between 6/13 and 6/27, up from 1 between 5/29 and 6/12

VACCINATION: As announced last month, the Western States review workgroup has affirmed that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe and effective for children 6 months to 4 years old. Also, boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and up. Checking vaccination rates:
*81.5 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*86.3 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*51.1 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .3% from a week ago)

*In West Seattle, here are the zip-code vaccination rates for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not entirely within WS):
98106 – 88.7% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 55.2% have had a booster (up .2%)
98116 – 93.5% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 67.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
98126 – 84.1% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 57.2% have had a booster (up .2%)
98136 – 94.2% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 70.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
98146 – 83.5% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 49.6% have had a booster (up .2%)

VACCINE CLINICS: No new West Seattle pop-ups to report. Look for opportunities here.

TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have or want to buy a home kit, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Tuesday-Friday this week). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.

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UPDATE: Crash at Admiral/Belvidere
July 3, 2022 7:20 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

7:20 PM: Westbound traffic on Admiral at Belvidere is being diverted because of a crash. We’ve just arrived in the area to find out more.

7:31 PM: Police tell us the driver of this car damaged a utility pole – it’s also clear they drove through some plantings along the sidewalk and in the median. The car lost a wheel along the way and left a long debris trail.

8:03 PM: The scene is clear.

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REMINDER: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral tomorrow morning
July 3, 2022 6:22 pm
|    Comments Off on REMINDER: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral tomorrow morning
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photo from 2018 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)

One more reminder before Monday arrives: The biggest holiday event in West Seattle is the 4th of July Kids’ Parade. Even if you’re not planning to participate or watch, remember that the parade crosses California Avenue SW on the way to the ending point, Hamilton Viewpoint Park, and that usually means at least brief traffic stops. It starts at 44th/Sunset [map] just after 10 am, with the National Anthem and a few words from organizers, and then SFD’s North Admiral-based Engine 29 and the legendary blue pickup truck – the only motorized participants – lead the way. The route heads a short distance west before turning south and then east toward the park, where kids’ activities and sack races await. More specifics are in our previous preview here, if you missed it. Events at the park wrap up around noon. (Latest forecast suggests the weather will improve to “partly sunny.”) The parade’s been a tradition for more than a quarter-century!

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UPDATE: California/Oregon crash
July 3, 2022 3:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:51 PM: Thanks to @WestSeaWX for the tip and photo. This was dispatched as a three-vehicle crash at California/Oregon. No word yet if anyone was hurt. SPD and SFD have been dispatched.

4:45 PM: Per @SDOTTraffic, the scene has cleared. We’re asking SFD about injuries.

7:22 PM: SFD says a 23-year-old woman who was a passenger in one of the vehicles was taken to the hospital by AMR ambulance.

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UPDATE: RV fire on Harbor Avenue
July 3, 2022 2:44 pm
|      120 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

2:44 PM: Seattle Fire has several units responding to what was called in as an RV fire on Harbor Avenue, nearest cross-street Harbor Lane. We don’t know which side of the street, but most of the dozen RVs (as of our count Saturday) are on the westbound side.

2:48 PM: Just received that photo from a reader. It’s on the westbound side.

Another texted photo (added above) indicates the smoke was visible from across the bay.

(WSB photo)

3:14 PM: By the time we got there, SFD and SPD had already cleared the scene, so we don’t know if anyone was hurt (we’ll follow up with SFD), but the log indicates no medic/aid units dispatched. … Past RV fires in the area include this one almost exactly a year ago and this one in 2018.

4:50 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley confirms no one was hurt but does not yet have information on the fire’s cause.

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WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Here’s where you’ll find it 2 weeks from today
July 3, 2022 1:15 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Here’s where you’ll find it 2 weeks from today
 |   West Seattle news

Today, the Farmers’ Market van is parked in a spot that marks the north end of its usual spot, California on the south side of SW Oregon, But two weeks from today – on Sunday, July 17th – the market will move for the day because of West Seattle Summer Fest, and its one-time-only spot is not the same as past years. As mentioned in our preview of festival changes, this year, the market on Summer Fest Sunday will be on California just north of SW Oregon – the area you see in the background of our photo. This is possible because Summer Fest music programming is planned only for Friday and Saturday, so the stage and beer gardeb will be gone by Sunday. Executive director Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents Summer Fest, says market managers are thrilled because shoppers just couldn’t seem to find the market in its previous Summer Fest Sunday spot (the parking lot behind KeyBank), even though that was its regular location for many years. So to recap: Next week (July 10th), no change, but July 17th, look north of the festival to find the market – same hours as every Sunday, 10 am-2 pm.

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Memorial planned July 15th for ‘Alki Pirate’ Gerald L. Williams, 1938-2022
July 3, 2022 11:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather July 15th to remember Gerald “Jerry” Williams, whose life included 54 years of “pirating.” Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Gerald “Jerry” Lawrence Williams passed away on June 26, 2022 from pneumonia in Manson, WA on a family vacation with his loving wife Susan at his side.

Gerald was born March 25, 1938 in Yakima to John and Alice Williams and raised in Lake City with his brother Wayne and his sister Sharon. Jerry served in the US Navy for two years stationed at San Diego. He served on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier that deployed to Asia and received an honorable discharge. Perhaps that’s when Jerry learned his love of travel and discovery of new places.

Jerry worked in the food-distribution business for his entire career, starting off with his own business, “Jerry’s Frozen Foods.” He took pride in making his customers satisfied and he developed lifelong friendships with his customers and peers. Jerry worked at Keener Foods for many years and also Sysco. Jerry was an avid Teamster and a shop steward at some of the businesses he worked. One of Jerry’s later business ventures was his “Express Catering” food truck. Jerry served as a mentor to many in the business, including his son Jim.

Jerry loved to go camping whether it was a tent, a trailer, or motorhome. Jerry’s family has many wonderful memories of camping trips all over the Pacific Northwest growing up. Boating on the Puget Sound was another favorite activity of Jerry and Sue.

Jerry had a huge smile that brightened every place he went. He had a great sense of humor, many jokes and quick wit always ready. Although his body was hampered by Parkinson’s in his later years, his mind stayed active and his humor mischievous until his last day.

Jerry enjoyed being a Seattle Seafair Pirate from 1968 to the end of his well-lived life. He loved to dress up in costume and jewelry and storm Alki for the Landing and participate in community parades alongside his best friend Pat Patterson. He served as Captain Kidd 1980-81 and Davy Jones, among other positions in his 54 years pirating. His most cherished role for the Seafair Pirates was as Chaplain for many years, where he was able to offer support, promote goodwill, and offer prayers for his brethren and their families.

Jerry was married to the love of his life Susan in 1982 on the schooner Sylvia in Lake Washington with their 5 children, first grandchild and other family present. Jerry and Sue were handcuffed together to make sure that she was not kidnapped by the Seafair Pirates who attended the reception. The memorable honeymoon included four of the kids in a motorhome on a two-week trip around Washington state. Jerry and Susan loved each other so much, they were remarried in the Cayman Islands in a pirate wedding ceremony filmed by the Travel Channel.

Jerry and Susan both love to travel and were able to take Alaska and tropical cruises, trips to Norway as well as annual trips to Mexico. Jerry also made annual trips to the Cayman Islands with the Seafair Pirates for Pirates week.

Jerry was asked to perform many blessings and wedding ceremonies including those of his daughters Lori to Mike and Shelly to Chas and his granddaughter Carrie to Mike.

Jerry and Susan were faithful members of Westside Presbyterian Church. He served on two missions to Romania and one to New Orleans after Hurricane Rita.

His heart for the homeless was legendary. He organized and delivered supplies and offered prayers at the encampments with friends. He was involved in the CitiTeam Men’s shelter organizing groups to help cook and serve.

Jerry was preceded in passing by his parents, brother Wayne, and daughter Debbie. Jerry is survived by his wife Susan, children Lori (Mike) Lesieur, Shelly (Chas) Arch, Jeff (Susan) Bowe and Jim (Lisa) Bowe. Grandchildren, Carrie, Josh, Russell, Taylor, Mikey, Hanna, William, Trilby and Alexus, Jaren, Liam and Weston. Great-grandchildren Lilya, Sofia, Christian, and Colt.

A memorial service will be held at Westside Presbyterian Church at 1 pm Friday, July 15, 2022. Jerry will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington at a future date.

(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)

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Holiday weekend, day 2
July 3, 2022 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Holiday weekend, day 2
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by David Dimmit, from Lincoln Park)

Here’s what’s up for the hours ahead:

ROAD-WORK REMINDERS: From SDOT, eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, plus access to it and the Highway 99 loop ramp, is closed ~6 am-4:30 pm for pothole repair. And WSDOT continues its “Revive I-5” SB lane closures for expansion-joint work.

CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, find fresh food – produce, meat, fish, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and prepared food – and plants at the weekly WSFM. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: If the city opens wading pools today, the only one in West Seattle will be the one in central upper Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society museum< is open on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Weekly tours are back, as reported here. First tour at 1 pm, last at 3:45; here’s how it works.

MIKU, AND THE GODS. At 3 pm, it’s the closing performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), tickets available here. (Read our story about playwright Julia Izumi here.)

LIVE AT EASY STREET: The Darts and Sinister Six perform at 4:30 pm, free, all ages. (California/Alaska)

NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

LIGHTS ON: Second night that Seattle Parks is turning on lights 8:30-11 pm at four local fields to discourage fireworks.

SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Have an event to list for our calendar? We update it daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SUMMER: More free West Seattle outdoor concerts this month!
July 2, 2022 9:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Up for outdoor music? Later this month, you have abundant options without leaving the peninsula. We’ve already talked about West Seattle Summer Fest – now just two weeks away, July 15-16-17 in The Junction, with music on Friday and Saturday. Also ahead:

(WSB photo from 2019 Concert in the Park)

CONCERT IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Big Band‘s annual summertime concert is at a new location this year, since Hiawatha (as previously discussed) is unavailable. You can enjoy the WSBB’s swinging sounds at 7 pm Tuesday, July 19th, in High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham).

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: At 8:30 pm Saturday, July 16th, at the Seattle Chinese Garden (6000 16th SW), and same time Thursday, July 21st, at High Point Commons Park, the Seattle Chamber Music Society brings this series back to West Seattle. An up-and-coming chamber ensemble will play live for a half-hour, and then you’re invited to stay and watch a big-screen presentation of one of the SCMS’s Summer Festival Concerts.

ALKI ART FAIR: The three-day beach festival celebrating creativity is back, and music’s a big part of it. On Friday night (July 22nd), a DJ will spin. Then on Saturday and Sunday (July 23rd-24th), two full slates of live performers – morning through evening on Saturday, morning through afternoon on Sunday. You can see the full lineup on the Alki Art Fair website.

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WHALES: Opportunity for orca viewing at sunset
July 2, 2022 8:11 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

8:11 PM: With just enough daylight left to offer a chance to see them, orcas are in the area. Kersti Muul just sent word that “transients, including the rarely seen T72 with a rolled dorsal fin, are heading south/southwest from Elliott Bay.” Let us know if you see them!

ADDED: If you didn’t see it in comments, here’s the photo Ian posted of T72:

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Here’s why you’re hearing/seeing Caspian Terns less often
July 2, 2022 6:16 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

That’s a Caspian Tern, photographed in May by James Tilley. Even if you can’t recall seeing one (or more), their distinctive prehistoric-esque call has been unmistakable in flyovers (you can hear it here). In past years they’ve frequently flown over West Seattle on their way to and from a nesting spot on a rooftop near the eastern shore of the Duwamish River – one where last year’s record heat wave killed more than 100 of their chicks. This year, community naturalist Kersti Muul says, they didn’t return to nest at that spot. But they didn’t go far, she learned after research – they’re on a roof at the south end of the downtown waterfront, near the Coast Guard station. (They’re easy to hear, we learned while driving northbound on East Marginal Way toward downtown late last night.) She says more than 1,000 terns are there, but so far they don’t seem to be nesting, which means they’re two months behind schedule – usually by now, nesting season is far enough along that some of the babies are starting to take short flights.

P.S. We asked Kersti what if anything community members can do to help the terns, Here’s her reply:

This is a link for SCAN (Seattle Conservation Action Network). Seattle Audubon will notify you when opportunities arise to advocate for a Seattle-area cities where people and birds thrive. It’s a good tool to streamline advocacy on big items; people don’t have to search around.

Also, the terns were impacted by an extreme weather event last year related to climate change. We are losing canopy cover [trees] at an alarming rate throughout Seattle and King County, both illegally and legally. I urge people to be thoughtful and climate-focused when considering tree work and removals. While we are working hard to get better tree protection laws, we can simply choose to protect ourselves, our climate, our neighbors; human and non-human, by advocating for tree retention. Urban heat islands are increasing, and urban habitat is severely fragmented, and lacking. Trees are vital to the success of all species.

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UPDATE: Emergency response for people in trouble in the water off West Seattle
July 2, 2022 5:35 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:35 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response toward Seacrest by land and sea after a report of a possible overturned kayak with two people aboard. Updates to come.

5:38 PM: Firefighters arriving at the scene say two people have been rescued by other kayakers, one already towed in and one more on the way. The big response is affecting street traffic, so avoid the area for a while.

5:41 PM: Both rescued kayakers are reported safely ashore and SFD is canceling all but two of its responding units.

ADDED: Jen from Alki Kayak Tours says in a comment below that the people in trouble were in a skiff, not a kayak, and that AKT employees rescued them.

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Eagles’ neighborhood perch
July 2, 2022 2:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

You might not think twice about seeing a Bald Eagle soaring overhead, or perched in a tree … but Jennifer was surprised to see these two hanging out on her neighbors’ roof in North Admiral, near 45th/Seattle, and sent the photo (thank you!).

P.S. While eagles are no longer officially a threatened/endangered species, they are still protected.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Flag vandalism
July 2, 2022 1:38 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Kim:

We have been celebrating Pride month at our home and now twice our pride and BLM flags have been torn down at 47th and Hinds St.

The first was in the first days of June and now again the night of July 1.

If anyone has information about it please let us and know, and keep flying your flags and signage! Seeing that our neighborhood supports all families and voices is one of the reasons we cherish living in West Seattle.

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COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks until parade-preceding Float Dodger 5K
July 2, 2022 11:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo, Float Dodger 5K)

On this semi-quiet-so-far holiday weekend, we’re reminding you about some of the huge West Seattle summer events happening later this month. On Saturday, July 23rd, it’s a doubleheader, with the West Seattle Grand Parade preceded by the Float Dodger 5K. The run/walk is presented again this year by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and registration is open. Participants head down the parade route – on California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction – and back, starting at 9:30 am (an hour and a half before the parade begins). Post-Float Dodger, a beer garden – also featuring root-beer floats – awaits you at a beer garden near the start/finish line at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW). Both the run/walk and beer garden are fundraisers for the West Seattle Food Bank. For the youngest members of the community, a free Kids’ Dash precedes the Float Dodger 5K. You can sign up for either or both by going here.

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