July 2026

Sports Watch 7-15-26
Sporting events worth keeping an eye on

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

 

 

Mid-July in the Greater Seattle area offers a diverse sports lineup, ranging from top-tier professional leagues like MLB and the WNBA to local summer collegiate baseball. One of the most notable events is the high-stakes soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and Portland on July 16 at Lumen Field, a classic regional rivalry. Baseball fans also have a significant home stand to look forward to, as the Seattle Mariners host the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds for several games at T-Mobile Park.

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SW Barton St construction update – Striping work begins this week

The long-awaited restoration of SW Barton Street is nearing the finish line as project officials announced today that major concrete work is now complete. With the new roadway fully cured, crews are transitioning into the final phases of the project, bringing relief to local commuters and residents.

Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, construction crews will begin the process of removing existing roadway striping. This serves as the final preparation for the application of permanent markings. If weather conditions permit, crews expect to begin laying out and applying the final striping by Friday, July 17.

While the project is in its closing stages, officials remind drivers that traffic cones and other safety devices will remain in place to protect workers and ensure the new markings are applied correctly.

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West Seattle opens state with loss

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle entered this week's state age 9-11 Little League Baseball all-star tournament as the District 7 champion, but opened with a 7-3 loss Saturday morning to District 1 champion Mill Creek.

The action took place on the Lynndale field in Lynnwood, but the next game for the Westsiders will take place in nearby Mukilteo.

West Seattle plays there to open loser's bracket action at 4 p.m. Monday against the loser of a winner's bracket battle between Camas and Bellevue National.

The Westsiders need to keep winning to reach championship play, then would need to beat their opponent twice to take the state title.

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West Seattle Library to close for three months for major climate-resiliency HVAC upgrades
Four others across the city also slated for upgrades

 

The West Seattle branch of the Seattle Public Library (SPL), located at 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., in the Admiral District is preparing for a significant transformation this summer as it undergoes a total modernization of its heating and cooling systems.

Starting Aug. 9, the branch will close its doors to the public, with a scheduled reopening in early November. The project is part of a broader $5.8 million initiative to upgrade five city branches—including Columbia, Fremont, Queen Anne, and University—to improve climate resiliency.

Vital Upgrades for Extreme Weather

The project is primarily funded by a June 2024 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is covering 90% of the costs. The remaining 10% is being split between Washington State and the City of Seattle.

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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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