July 2026

Meet Stefanie Felix, West Seattle Rotary’s new president

information from Rotary Club of West Seattle

The Rotary Club of West Seattle launched its new year (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027) at its annual installation banquet on June 30. Amidst a cheering crowd, outgoing president Ron Palmer passed the gavel to incoming president Stefanie Felix. 

Stefanie has worked as a freelance photographer for more than 30 years, specializing in documentary-style reportage and capturing emotional moments for a wide range of corporate, nonprofit, and government agency clients. Personal projects have included documenting immigrant education in and around Seattle, concentrating on language acquisition and family integration, Animal Therapists, and Holocaust education for next generations.

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Alexander tries hand at softball

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Kennedy Catholic graduate Xe'Ree Alexander is known for his efforts at linebacker for the University of Washington football team.

He is now gearing up for his senior season with the Huskies, who will hit the practice field in earnest shortly.

But Alexander tried his hand at a different sport Saturday, playing in the charitable Seattle All-Star Classic celebrity softball game played at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, the home of the city's Class AAA Pacific Coast League baseball team since 1960.

The fences for softball were set up much closer to home plate than the stadium's baseball fences, however, with only one ball clearing the baseball fence all night.

That came off the bat of one of Alexander's opponents for the game, professional softball player Blake Lively, who also won the Home Run Derby prior to the game with 25 homers in the first round and 22 in the finals.

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Groove in the Junction: True Loves bring soul to the heart of West Seattle

 

The West Seattle Summer Fest reached its vibrant peak on a Saturday night when the True Loves took the main stage, transforming the neighborhood junction into a massive, soul-drenched block party. As the evening’s headliners, the band delivered a performance that served as a "full-circle moment" for a group that evolved from a casual 2014 jam session into an internationally touring funk powerhouse.

The seven-piece ensemble—anchored by the foundational trio of drummer David McGraw, bassist Bryant Moore, and guitarist Jimmy James, and rounded out by percussionist Iván Galvez, trombonist Greg Kramer, and saxophonists Gordon Brown and Skerik—captivated the crowd with their signature instrumental sound.

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Second Sherwin-Williams paint store opens in West Seattle, transforming former auto shop space

The West Seattle peninsula has gained a major new retail option for home improvement and commercial construction. Following an extensive property renovation, Sherwin-Williams has officially opened its newest storefront along the busy Fauntleroy corridor at 4457 Fauntleroy Way SW.

The new retail location breathes fresh life into a highly visible neighborhood property that has stood vacant for years. The automotive repair bays of the former Midas shop, which closed in 2019, have been thoroughly stripped, retrofitted, and converted into a bright, modern paint showroom and mixing facility.

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The restoration at the Junction: Alien Crime Syndicate reclaims the night

The pavement at the West Seattle Junction was still vibrating long after the final power chord faded on Friday night. As the headliners for the West Seattle Summer Fest 2026, Alien Crime Syndicate (ACS) delivered a performance that felt less like a trip down memory lane and more like a high-octane restoration of Seattle’s power pop soul.

lead guitar
Joe Reineke in a peak moment. Photo by John Skerratt

 

A Legacy Born in San Francisco, Refined in Seattle

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The Works Seattle to open permanent studio in Alaska Junction

After eight years of operating in various locations—most recently in Fremont—The Works Seattle is moving to a permanent home in West Seattle’s Alaska Junction.

It's new home is at 4540 California Ave. SW.

Founded by Kellie Phelan in her kitchen, the business has grown into a thriving creative hub that serves more than 5,000 students annually. The new studio, located on California Avenue, is expected to open its doors in September 2026. The move represents a homecoming for Phelan, who lives in the neighborhood.

The transition to the Alaska Junction puts the studio on the "main drag" near iconic independent businesses like Husky Deli, Easy Street Records, and Molly Moon’s. Phelan envisions a space that is highly visible to the community, where neighbors can walk by and be inspired to create together.

Expanded Creative Offerings

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UPDATE: Seattle neighborhoods gear up for Night Out 2026 to build safer communities
Registration closes July 27: Get your signs, and other gear for the August 4 event

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) Crime Prevention unit is calling on residents to step outside and connect with their neighbors for the annual Seattle Night Out, scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Registration closed July 27.

REGISTER HERE

Following the national tradition of gathering on the first Tuesday of August, the event is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness and bolster local anti-crime efforts through increased neighborhood support. Organizers emphasize that the core spirit of the evening is to foster camaraderie and unity by encouraging community members to meet both familiar and new neighbors.

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West Seattle Summer Fest kicks off 44th year with historic sustainability push
Alien Crime Syndicate headline Friday night; True Loves on Saturday night

The Junction is coming alive this weekend as the 44th annual West Seattle Summer Fest officially begins, promising a weekend filled with music, food, and community spirit. While the main festival runs Friday through Sunday, the celebration starts early with Summer Fest Eve on Thursday night, July 9, where local streets will be transformed into exclusive outdoor lounges with special menus. For the most up-to-date information, residents and visitors can check the official festival website.

A Pioneering Green Initiative

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Alki Beach erupts in July 4th chaos: Neighbors call for accountability amid "Complete Anarchy"

What was supposed to be a holiday celebration turned into what residents described as a "war zone" at Alki Beach on the Fourth of July, as large crowds ignored the 10:30 p.m. beach closure and engaged in widespread disorder. Witnesses reported a night of "complete anarchy" characterized by arson, assaults, and the weaponization of fireworks against homes, visitors, and first responders.

Police scanner audio from the night captured the intensity of the situation, with dispatchers reporting that crowds were "blowing up fireworks against buildings" and "assaulting fire engines". One officer on the scene noted that the crowd was "intentionally targeting us and our patrol vehicles" with "large caliber fireworks". Despite the documented violence, Seattle police confirmed that no arrests were made in connection with the disturbances that night.

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New Alki Elementary School nears completion; Grand Opening set for August

The transformation of Alki Elementary School is entering its final stretch, with project leaders announcing that the new building is on track for a late-summer debut.

According to a July 2026 update from the project team, construction has reached its concluding phases. Workers are currently focused on interior finishing, including final cleaning, punch list items, and the commissioning of vital systems such as heating, ventilation, and advanced security. The team also anticipates receiving final inspection and approval from the City of Seattle by mid-July.

A Community Celebration

The community is invited to celebrate the project's completion at a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for August 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. This event marks the official opening of the state-of-the-art facility for Seattle Public Schools.

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