July 2026

Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be the hottest days of the year (so far) with temperatures forecast for the 90's. Here's list of places to cool off.

 Burien

• Burien Community Center — 14700 6th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166 (City cooling center)

• Burien Library — 400 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166 (Large KCLS branch with strong climate control)

• Burien Goodwill — 1031 SW 128th St, Burien, WA 98146 (Large air-conditioned retail space)

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

The upcoming sports schedule features a variety of notable professional and collegiate matches, highlighted by a high-stakes postseason appearance for Ballard FC. On Friday, July 24, Ballard FC will compete in the Western Conference final against Ventura County. This pivotal match will take place at Atwood Stadium in Flint, Michigan.

In professional baseball, the Seattle Mariners have a packed schedule, beginning with a three-game home stand at T-Mobile Park against Cincinnati. Following this series, the team will embark on a lengthy road trip to face Texas and Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm will host multiple games at Climate Pledge Arena, including two matches against Minnesota and one against Indiana later in the month.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle opened the state Majors age 10-12 Little League all-star baseball tournament with a convincing 11-0 victory Saturday over Sedro Woolley but fell to Soundview of Northeast Tacoma by a 5-1 score Sunday.

The Westsiders stay in Walla Walla for a third day Monday to play Columbia at 3 p.m.

West Seattle also entered the state age 9-11 all-star softball tournament Sunday in Gig Harbor and took a 3-1 loss to a combined team from Magnolia and Northeast Seattle.

The Westsiders return to play Evergreen of Vancouver at 6 p.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, South Highline National already bowed out of the state age 8-10 all-star baseball tournament in Woodinville with a pair of losses.

It went down to a 9-0 defeat at the hands of Montesano on Saturday before being outscored, 11-6, Sunday by the combined Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley team.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Ballard FC outgunned the Colorado Storm in a wild 4-3 USL League Two Western Conference soccer semifinal match Sunday.

The men's team will now play in the Western Conference final Friday at a time and place to be announced with the winner going on to a national semifinal next Sunday.

This Sunday's match against Colorado took place on the Ballard team's home turf at Interbay Stadium.

On Saturday, July 25, the Seattle Chinese Garden will transform into a lively hub of heritage and community during its Chinese Cultural Open House. From 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the public is invited to the north entrance of South Seattle College for a "welcoming environment" designed to showcase the beauty of Chinese culture through art, music, and interactive activities.

The afternoon's schedule is packed with traditional performances intended to captivate visitors of all ages. The air will be filled with the elegant notes of the Guzheng, performed by Angell Li and the CAMA Music Ensemble, while Tanya Woo will grace the stage with Chinese Dance. Adding a burst of energy to the event, MJ & Friends are set to lead a Lion Dance Demonstration, a staple of Chinese celebratory tradition.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Salmon Bay of Ballard captured the women's national soccer championship Saturday by outscoring the visiting Vermont Green team, 5-4, in a penalty kick shootout.

The two teams had played to a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime at sold out Interbay Stadium.

Now the Ballard FC team will take aim at the national men's championship, playing host to the Colorado Storm in a 6:30 p.m. Sunday semifinal.

That match will also take place at what is expected to be a packed Interbay Stadium.

The West Seattle Grand Parade sponsored by the West Seattle Rotary Club rolled down California Ave SW for it's 92nd year (skipping only for the pandemic) led by Grand Marshall Matt Vaughan and full of more than 80 entries. Drill teams, marching bands, companies, politicians and more all made the roll and stroll from the the Admiral District to the Junction. The familiar motorcycle drill teams from the Vancouver BC police department and the Seattle Police Department were not present this year.

But the Seafair Clowns and the always boisterous Seafair Pirates were in attendance (before stopping down to the 39 Lounge at West Seattle Bowl to tip back a few). 

The Orville Rummel Trophy for Community Service this year went to Denis Sapiro whose work with the Kiwanis Club is widely known.

Here are some photos from the event.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle's impressive run all the way back from an opening loss at the state age 9-11 Little League Baseball all-star tournament ended with a 5-2 loss to Soundview of Northeast Tacoma in the loser's bracket final Friday.

That result left the Westsiders as the third place finishers in the tournament played mostly at the Lynndale field in Lynnwood with some games at nearby Mukilteo.

Soundview goes on to play Bellevue National for the state championship at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lynndale and needs two wins in a row.  The if-neccessary game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle Little League avenged its only loss of the state age 9-11 baseball tournament Thursday.

The Westsiders topped Mill Creek by a 7-5 score after losing its tournament opener to the same team last Saturday, 7-3.

West Seattle has now battled all the way back through the loser's bracket to earn the right to play in a 6 p.m. Friday loser's bracket final against Soundview of Northeast Tacoma.

The winner of that game at the Lynndale field in Lynnwood returns to play undefeated Bellevue National in the provisional championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday needing to win twice to capture the state title.

The if-necessary second game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.