June 2026

A community celebration of flavor: The 21st Annual Taste of West Seattle returns Sept. 24

On September 24, 2026, the local community will gather at The Hall at Fauntleroy for the 21st Annual Taste of West Seattle. This signature event, now a two-decade-old tradition, offers guests a unique opportunity to sample local culinary delights while providing vital support for the West Seattle Food Bank’s work with local households.

This year's "Taste" is expanding its palate by including food trucks alongside its traditional lineup of restaurants, wineries, and breweries. This addition is designed to highlight the increasing diversity and creativity within the West Seattle food scene. Robbin Peterson, the Development Director at the West Seattle Food Bank, notes that the event "really captures what makes West Seattle special," serving as a hub where local businesses and residents unite to make a difference for neighbors requiring support.

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Seattle City Council unanimously approves one-year pause on data center expansion to protect natural resources

By Liz Steen

On June 9, 2026, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to halt the construction of five proposed data centers and expand the requirements for environmental impact studies. The decision came after a crowd of protesters at City Hall voiced overwhelming concerns regarding the impact these facilities would have on the city's electricity and water supplies.

The five halted data centers would have consumed an amount of electricity equal to one-third of Seattle's current daily usage. Council Member Deborah Juarez emphasized the importance of protecting natural resources, stating that the city should not be "using water so people can use AI to make art". Juarez worked alongside West Seattle’s Rob Saka to gather information prior to the vote, advocating for a careful approach to technology rather than a "race to extract resources" by corporations.

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Man dies after water rescue near Fauntleroy ferry dock

A routine afternoon at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal turned tragic on June 10 when Seattle Fire Department crews responded just after 3:00 p.m. to reports of a person in the water near the 4800 block of SW Barton Street. Rescue units — including a fireboat and a dedicated rescue boat — located the man, pulled him aboard, and attempted life‑saving measures. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Washington State Ferries told KING 5 that the incident appeared to be a suicide attempt, though investigators have not publicly confirmed a final determination.

What Investigators Have Confirmed Since

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken over the case, consistent with standard procedure for unattended or non‑natural deaths. As of the latest updates:

  • The victim remains identified only as an approximately 66‑year‑old man.

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Sports Watch 6-10-26

Sporting events worth keeping an eye on

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

 

The upcoming sports schedule from June 10 to June 18 is headlined by a Major League Rugby semifinal featuring the Seattle Seawolves. On Sunday, June 14, the Seawolves will take on the California Legion at Starfire Stadium in a high-stakes postseason match.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm will be active at Climate Pledge Arena with home contests against Los Angeles and Golden State before traveling to Portland on June 17.

The Seattle Mariners spend the first half of this period on the road, finishing series in Baltimore and Washington. They return to T-Mobile Park on Tuesday, June 16, to begin a three-game home stand against the Baltimore Orioles. Nearby, the Tacoma Rainiers will host the Albuquerque Isotopes at Cheney Stadium for five games before heading to Salt Lake City.

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Legacy in the Making: Head Chefs Gabriel Castro and Isidro Ocampo acquire West Seattle’s Pegasus Pizza

For over three decades, Gabriel Castro and Isidro Ocampo have served as the culinary backbone of Pegasus Pizza and Pasta, and as of June 8, 2026, they have officially taken the reins as the restaurant's new owners. Having been with the establishment since 1996, the duo describes this transition as a natural next step in their long-standing commitment to the West Seattle neighborhood.

The acquisition follows the semi-retirement of the previous owner, Ted, who mentored Castro and Ocampo for years. For Gabe Castro, the connection to Pegasus is deeply personal; he has celebrated countless milestones in the kitchen and even met his wife at the restaurant. “We have poured my heart into this kitchen since day one,” Castro stated, noting that his vision is to ensure the restaurant remains the community's "go-to family gathering place".

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Taste of White Center returns: Culinary celebration to support local food security

Mark your calendar for June 20

The White Center Food Bank (WCFB) is set to host the Taste of White Center on June 20 from 12 PM to 3 PM, a community fundraiser designed to showcase the neighborhood's rich culinary diversity while addressing local food insecurity. This family-friendly event will feature more than 30 participating restaurants, offering attendees the chance to sample a wide array of flavors ranging from banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea to tacos and pizza.

How the Event Works

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The Architect of the Superunknown: Kim Thayil chronicles the dissonant legacy of Soundgarden in new memoir

Thayil will be at Easy Street Records June 13

Kim Thayil, the visionary lead guitarist of Soundgarden, is stepping out from behind the wall of feedback to share his definitive history of the band that redefined heavy music. His highly anticipated memoir, "A SCREAMING LIFE: Into the Superunknown with Soundgarden and Beyond," is set to arrive on June 9, 2026, through William Morrow.

The book offers an unprecedented backstage pass to the evolution of a band that sold over 30 million albums by breaking every traditional rule of rock and roll.

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Fueling Hope: West Seattle Blood Drives offer donors chance to win $10,000 gas card

Donating blood this summer could lead to more than just saving a life—it could also fill your tank for a very long time. BloodworksNW has launched a sweepstakes offering participants who give blood between June 1 and July 31, 2026, a chance to win a $10,000 digital gas gift card.

The initiative, centered on the idea that "good deeds get good gas mileage," encourages West Seattle residents to "pump some good into the world" by providing the fuel needed to save lives. The lucky winner will be notified on or around August 15, 2026, with an official announcement following by August 30.

Upcoming Donation Events

Several blood drives are scheduled across West Seattle throughout June and July:

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The Forever Home: Frank Gross and the evolution of Thunder Road Guitars

Grand Opening of new Admiral District location set for June 6 and 7

Frank Gross is bringing a West Seattle icon back to his roots with the opening of the newest iteration of Thunder Road Guitars at 2611 California Avenue SW. This move to the Admiral District represents the fourth version of the store in West Seattle and is envisioned by Gross as the shop's "forever home".

 

Frank Gross
Frank Gross on the "library ladder" in the store to reach those stored up high. Photo by Patrick Robinson

 

The location is deeply personal for Gross, who grew up in the Admiral neighborhood and lived in West Seattle for nearly his entire life.

From "Bent Cactus" to Guitar Icon

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Sound Transit moves toward Fair Gate Pilot and sustains ST3 momentum

Sound Transit’s Executive Committee met on June 4, 2026, to discuss the future of the region's transit infrastructure, highlighting an updated system plan and a major study recommending the installation of fair gates at 14 key stations.

Strategic Planning and Operational Resilience

The meeting opened with a report on the recently approved system plan, which aims to keep Sound Transit 3 (ST3) projects moving forward despite financial hurdles. The CEO  Dow Constantine emphasized that the agency is focused on maintaining momentum to avoid costly delays. "Progressing planning and design is the single most effective way to unlock project savings and provide a clearer path for the identification of additional resources," the CEO stated.

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