Anthony "Tony" Wilson, the visionary behind Papa Tony's Hot Sauce, is making waves far beyond the Pacific Northwest, recently gaining significant national recognition with a feature in Forbes Magazine. This exciting development highlights the impressive growth and unique philosophy that have propelled Papa Tony's from a home experiment to a thriving enterprise.
The so called "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduces sweeping changes that will significantly impact local food banks—both immediately and in the coming years.
1. Cuts to SNAP (Food Stamps)
Over 5 million people are expected to lose some or all of their SNAP benefits.
Work requirements expanded to adults up to age 65, including caregivers of children aged 14+.
Stricter eligibility for noncitizens and new penalties for states with high payment error rates.
Impact: Food banks anticipate a surge in demand as more people lose access to federal food assistance3.
2. Cuts to Medicaid
Nearly 12 million people could lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade.
Work requirements for Medicaid recipients begin January 1, 2027.
This is the fourth year that the City of Seattle is hosting the Day of Service, and they have over 100 volunteer events around the city with many open to all ages and abilities.
Volunteer slots are still open, and people can register at seattle.gov/dayofservice
The West Seattle Grand Parade is thrilled to announce its 2025 honorees—community champions whose dedication, heart, and service have made a lasting impact on our neighborhood and beyond.
The Starbucks location in the heart of the Junction is set to close on August 1. According to Starbucks spokes person Sam Jeffries:
"As part of Starbucks standard course of business, we continually evaluate our business to ensure a healthy store portfolio. After careful consideration, we’ve determined it is best to close the store at 4233 SW Alaska Street. Our last day at this location will be August 1. All Starbucks partners (employees) working at that store will have the opportunity to transfer to one of our nearby locations. We look forward to serving our customers at our other locations in our hometown of Seattle."
This closure will be the third closure of Starbucks outlets locally with the Roxbury Safeway, Junction Safeway both closing recently. The junction location opened in 2015.
A new destination for gamers, Fourth Emerald Games, opened its doors in the heart of the West Seattle Junction on July 5, 2025. Owned by West Seattle residents Joshua and Tiara Silas, the new retro game shop aims to be more than just a retail space; it seeks to foster a vibrant community for gamers of all ages.
Located at 4517 California Ave SW, Suite D, right upstairs above Rush Hour, Fourth Emerald Games is poised to become a central hub for buying, selling, and playing games, both old and new. The name itself, "Fourth Emerald," is a nod to retro gaming, referencing a phrase made legendary by Shadow the Hedgehog (2005).
The next free admission Art of Music performances presented by the West Seattle Junction Association are coming up on Second Thursday Art Walk Evening July 10 (Summer Fest Eve) at seven locations—five of them are in the Alaska Junction (Click here to view the Alaska Junction Summer Fest Eve flier featuring all five). Musicians will perform from 6 pm to 7:45 pm (with one 15-minute break at the midpoint).
The West Seattle Amateur Radio Club (WSARC) is often perceived as a social gathering for enthusiasts, and indeed, fostering a social atmosphere is its main focus. Yet, beneath the camaraderie and shared fascination with radio, lies a highly organized and vital emergency function ready to activate at a moment's notice. This venerable club, with a history spanning at least 77 years (and in reality, even longer), is comprised of 89 regular members and seven associate members, each contributing unique skills to a collective that understands the critical role of reliable communication, especially when all else fails. They operate HAM radios.
Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, is a fascinating blend of technology, community, and public service. It allows licensed individuals to communicate over radio frequencies for non-commercial purposes, often across vast distances and even into space .
By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR
Little League
South Highline National hosts the District 7 age 8-10 all-star tournament Sunday through Saturday, July 12 and Renton is putting on the age 9-11 tournament this Saturday through next Friday.
Little League
The age 8-10 District 7 tournament hosted at the Bar-S complex in West Seattle runs through this Friday.
Federal Way National is the site of the Majors age 10-12 tournament with the District 7 champion playing its opener at 6 p.m. Saturday. The tournament runs through Saturday, July 12.
Woodinville is putting on the Juniors age 13-14 tournament from this Saturday through Saturday, July 12.
Mariners
The West Seattle Kids Parade was for the 32nd year all about shared values, kids and fun.
The website for the event says: "It started when a family in the Admiral neighborhood organized a little get together for friends and neighbors to dress up in festive gear and walk to Hamilton View Point Park for a picnic."
Lola Orza sang the National Anthem to kick off the parade She’s been a student at School of Rock West Seattle.
It's not a lengthy parade but again well more than a thousand people either took part or watched it as it wended its way from Sunset Ave to Hamilton Viewpoint. The event always features a fire truck (Engine 29), kid's activities, food trucks and sack races.
