West Seattle Blog…

Why red rings might be coming to fire hydrants near you

More utility news tonight: Seattle Public Utilities plans to start work tomorrow to ensure that the city’s remaining low-flow fire hydrants are clearly identifiable. It’s an issue that came glaringly to light during the August 2011 fire that destroyed a home in Arbor Heights while firefighters struggled to get an appropriate water flow. That area has seen hydrant and water-line upgrades since then, and the city reported later that year that it was working on how to clearly mark the low-flow hydrants that remain in service within city limits, about half of them in West Seattle. Here’s the SPU announcement:

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews will install a red reflective ring on low-flow fire hydrants in your neighborhood. Low-flow hydrants are defined as those that deliver less than 500 gallons of water per minute.

The red ring provides a distinct and very visible way for Seattle Fire Department personnel to quickly and easily identify low-flow hydrants in cases of emergency.

Low-flow hydrants are fully operational, but output less water per minute than other hydrants.

Click to read the rest of Why red rings might be coming to fire hydrants near you…

West Seattle power outage update: Tree branch blamed for outage that peaked at more than 3,100 homes, businesses

(Photo added 7:02 pm, California/Admiral stoplight out, among others)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 6:21 PM: Getting word of outages in Admiral, North Delridge. Anywhere else?

6:28 PM UPDATE: The outage is up on City Light’s site – more than 3,100 homes and businesses, some Alki, Admiral, stretching southeast to North Delridge and High Point. (The image above is a screengrab.) Their site says they’re still investigating the cause; we’re checking with media relations. The outage zone includes some businesses in the Admiral District, including restaurants.

6:38 PM: We had been in the Admiral District literally minutes before this outage hit, and are now heading back that way to check on what’s affected. Please note that stoplights are out on Avalon and reportedly in the Admiral area too – if a stoplight is not working, treat it as a four-way stop. Still seeking information on what caused this.

6:50 PM: Just talked with Mark Van Oss from media relations at City Light. He says they have crews out trying to find out what caused the outage, but haven’t figured it out yet. Meantime, we continue to get reports of businesses out in Admiral – Doug says Safeway is on generator power but not letting more customers in, for example. P.S. If you’re reading this by smartphone, here’s the link to the mobile-friendly version of City Light’s outage map.

7:12 PM: Admiral Theater‘s affected as well as other businesses in the area (Metropolitan Market included as well as previously mentioned grocery store). GM Dinah Brein tells WSB they had to cancel 6:30 pm screenings. (Update: They did get power back in time for the next screenings.) Via Twitter, Circa says it’s closing early because of the outage.

7:28 PM: Multiple commenters reporting their power’s back on. (update) But as other commenters report – not everyone.

7:53 PM: A few more areas – more in Admiral, and at least one commenter on Harbor – are reporting power back. STILL no word on the cause, though.

8:02 PM: Just talked again with Mark Van Oss from SCL – they found the cause; a tree branch on a wire. (He didn’t have information on exactly where, though.) It’s been removed and he says they’re bringing everybody back online slowly – could take another 3/4 hour or so to finish that process.

8:33 PM: The SCL map indicates everybody should have their power back. (If you don’t, let them know – and let us know.) Thanks again to everyone who texted, commented, called, tweeted, e-mailed, and otherwise joined in sharing information these past two hours-plus.

8:52 PM: Followup call from SCL – the errant tree branch was on Ferry Avenue.

Video: Parade, festival launch West Seattle Bee Garden

The West Seattle Bee Garden is officially launched! As you’ll see in our video, Seattle Police motorcycle officers, the Sounders’ Sound Wave musicians, City Council President Sally Clark were part of the parade bringing the bees to the garden from West Seattle Elementary at midday today – along with lots of kids, from Roxhill Elementary as well as WSES:

(Photos by WSB’s Katie Meyer)
It was all part of a festival celebrating the start of the garden at High Point Commons Park, with a demonstration-beehive enclosure, a pollination garden, and more.

As with all of today’s big events, we have more photos of this one to add here later when this busy day calms down – check back!

ADDED 8:38 PM: As promised, more photos – starting with this one:

Viewing ensued after the beehives arrived in the back of the pickup truck seen at the end of our parade video, above. And then – on to their new home!

Click to read the rest of Video: Parade, festival launch West Seattle Bee Garden…

Video: Breezy ‘Summer Streets’ on Alki, 2013 edition

11:39 AM: Till 5 pm, Alki Avenue SW is off-limits to motorized vehicles – open curb to curb for walking and bicycling and skateboarding and more – between 56th SW and 63rd SW, for the annual “Summer Streets” celebration. As is usually the case, the weather in the early going isn’t terribly summery, but we have hopes of sunshine a bit later; bring a sweater for starters. Come say hi – we’re boothing this year, across from the alley between 61st and 62nd, in a row of booths with the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs, West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network, and West Seattle Democratic Women. The big costumed bike parade is coming up at 1 pm – that’s a don’t-miss. Full activity map/schedule is here.

12:56 PM: The bike parade starts soon – and we’ve seen so many bikers (some in costume as invited!) go by our booth en route to the starting line, it’s going to be a sight to see! (added) And it was – here’s the start of the pack:

Celebrity parade starter: Tracy Dart, leader/namesake of the famous cancer-fighting-fundraising Team Tracy:

Dozens of bicycles later:

(Video to be added.)

We hear Mayor McGinn joined in the ride – will add a photo if we find him in any of ours. Back at 63rd SW, starting line of the parade, DIY Bikes is helping riders with tune-ups, repairs, and general advice – go check ‘em out.

1:37 PM: We finally caught up with the mayor to confirm that was him. Shortly thereafter, Eric stopped by our booth to share his photo of the mayor meeting his son Ike:

(The mayor stopped by our booth later and explained that he enjoys showing kids the correct way to shake hands. If anybody’s going to be well-schooled in that, it’s a politician! Ike’s dad also verifies that the mayor offered a lesson. Ike, by the way, is a 10-year-old Holy Rosary student.)

Meantime – either we’re getting used to it, or it’s starting to warm up. Everything continues till 5, so lots of time for you to come check it out. Zumbathon coming up at 2!

2:18 PM: Local singer Sarey Savy (video above) was onstage before the Zumbathon, which is being led by local instructor Jennifer Cepeda. Even the youngest participants were having fun:

3:17 PM: The sun is finally out! As one more photo from the Zumbathon verifies:

Just now adding some photos from the past hour or so. If you haven’t come to Alki yet today, this is the time … at the very least, come have fun walking in the middle of the street. Or, of course, riding – and on the side of the road, learn about safety with folks from groups including West Seattle Bike Connections:

4:41 PM: And so quickly – the clouds have moved back in, and Summer Streets is wrapping up. More photos/video to be added once we’re back at HQ.

West Seattle 5K 2013: Fifth year for fun(draising) walk/run

(Photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
Some of the runners and walkers in the fifth annual West Seattle 5K on Alki are still making their way to the finish line.

(Photo by Tracy Brigham – those are her boys in the PJs, the high-five cheering section!)
We have the official list of the top three finishers for both genders and their chip times:

Female

#858 – Kelley McKean, 35, 19:23
#617 – Adrienne Salzwedel, 29, 19:32
#937 – Roxanne Wegman, 25, 19:36

Male

#237 – Josh Fountain, 25, 16:44
#295 – Keefe Hanson, 20, 16:53
#900 – Wyatt Golding, 28, 17:00

America’s best grocery bagger, Andrew Borracchini of Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), was the celebrity starter – he posed for us pre-race with a celebrity WSHS alum, County Executive Dow Constantine:

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: More scenes from the 5K – starting with WSHS principal Ruth Medsker on the run!

Click to read the rest of West Seattle 5K 2013: Fifth year for fun(draising) walk/run…

West Seattle Sunday: WS5K; Summer Streets, with bike parade; Bee Garden parade/festival; more

Click that map for a larger version, showing the plan along Alki for this morning’s West Seattle 5K, followed by the Summer Streets festival. That’s where we begin today’s highlights, which include TWO parades!

WEST SEATTLE 5K: If you’re not registered, you can still get down to the Alki Bathhouse starting NOW and join more than 1,000 people walking and running to raise money for the West Seattle High School PTSA – it’s the fifth annual edition (WSB is proud to have co-sponsored it every year). The race starts shortly after 9 am.

‘SEATTLE SUMMER STREETS’ ON ALKI: After the race, Alki Avenue SW remains closed between 56th and 63rd SW for the annual SDOT-presented festival originally known, and still unofficially known, as “car-free day.” The activity list/schedule is here, with more entertainment and activities than ever, highlighted by the Alki Beach Creeps-presented Costumed Bike Parade at 1 pm (meet at 12:45 pm near 63rd/Alki). We’ll be reporting live from the “orange zone” between 62nd and 63rd, kicking off another season of on-site festival coverage; hope to see you there.

WEST SEATTLE BEE FESTIVAL AND PARADE: Today’s the day to celebrate the new West Seattle Bee Garden at High Point Commons Park (Lanham/Graham) – with a festival starting at 11 am, and a parade at 11:30 from West Seattle Elementary to bring in the bees; as noted in our preview last night, you are welcome to be part of the parade – costumes encouraged at this one too!

FRIENDS OF LINCOLN PARK WORK PARTY: It’s your next chance to give some TLC to Lincoln Park – starting at 9 am; details in our calendar listing.

FURRY FACES FOUNDATION PLANT SALE: It’s day 2 for the 14th annual round of plant sales benefiting the animal-advocacy group Furry Faces Foundation, 10 am-4 pm at 3809 46th SW. Details in our calendar listing.

PIE AND COFFEE OPEN HOUSE: Stop by The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) 1-3 pm today for pie, coffee, and an open house – details here.

CISCOE VISITS: 1 pm today, gardening personality Ciscoe Morris returns to Village Green Perennial Nursery (10223 26th SW) – details on the Facebook event page.

CENTER FOR MOVEMENT AND HEALING OPEN HOUSE: 4-6:30 pm, healing/helping professionals are invited to the center, at 7901 35th SW, for a special open house – explained in the calendar listing.

BINGO BENEFIT: Bailey-Boushay House is the beneficiary of tonight’s Drag Bingo event at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor), starting at 5 pm – details on the FL website.

Find yet more on the calendar!

Traffic alerts today: West Seattle 5K, Summer Streets, Highway 99

Quick road reminders before we get to the day’s full list of highlights:

(Photo added – taken about 8:50 am on Alki Avenue)
-Parking restrictions along Alki/Harbor start at 8 am, to get ready for the West Seattle 5K, with the route closing approximately 9-11 am. Here’s a detailed map covering this (and the next part of the alert).

-11 am-5 pm, Alki Avenue is closed to motor vehicles between 56th and 63rd for Summer Streets, the “car-free day” festival. Here’s the reroute info for the Route 775 water-taxi shuttle.

-North of downtown, the Highway 99 closure between the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street continues until early Monday.

(“Live” image from WSDOT camera looking southward over 99 – approach to NB Western ramp is at left)
If you are heading northbound from here, you will have to leave 99 at Western Avenue.

10:34 AM UPDATE: Highway 99 might fully reopen as soon as 1 pm, SDOT says. We’ll update here whenever official word arrives.

Congratulations, West Seattle Wildcats baseball! First time to the state’s Final Four

ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:01 PM: After two victories in state tournament play this afternoon/evening in Mount Vernon, the West Seattle High School baseball team is off to the state semifinals next Friday in Pasco. They shut out Ferndale and then beat Bonney Lake. More to come!

ADDED 10:10 PM: Greg Slader, the WSHS parent who has shared game information and photos all year, sends more details along with photos, starting with this quote from assistant coach Brian Tupper:

“From the coaches’ perspective, these were the best team games we have played all year. Our focus was so good that we didn’t play uptight in either game something that has plagued West Seattle in the past at State. It was what we have been looking for all year, couldn’t have asked for it a better time for it. Two outstanding pitching performances by Sam Hellinger and Ben Wexler, superb team defense and team offensive execution. We had at least 6 sac(rifice) bunts in the 2 games, 3 sac(rifice) flies, and one perfectly executed squeeze play.

“First Team All-Metro freshman shortstop Morgan McCullough seemed to make every play in the field, collecting almost 10 putouts himself, starting a huge double play in the 7th of game two and then ending the game with a diving stop and stepping on second base 6 unassisted, he also ignited the offense getting on base 6 times out of his 9 plate appearances, finishing 4-7 with a triple and double, 5 runs scored, and 2 RBI’s.

“Metro League MVP Sam Hellinger had a no-hitter broken up in the 4th inning of game one and finished with a complete game 2-hit shutout with one walk and 10 strikeouts on 93 pitches.

“At the plate (above), he continued his hot hitting in the playoffs, extending his hitting streak to 21 games going 5-6 with 3 2B’s 5 RBI and 3 runs scored

“Wexler (above) threw a complete game 5-hitter, allowing 2 runs while striking out 2 on 76 pitches to help seal Westside’s victory and first trip to the State 3A Final Four in school history!”

Greg adds: “West Seattle will be traveling on Thursday morning over to Pasco to play Mount Si in the semifinals at 10 am on Friday, May 24th at Gesa Stadium. Winner to play for the 3A State Championship on Saturday at 4 pm.”

West Seattle Bee Garden: Final touches before Sunday celebration

Yet more West Seattle volunteers were hard at work today getting the West Seattle Bee Garden ready for its closeup – tomorrow is the West Seattle Bee Festival, including the parade from West Seattle Elementary to bring in the bees that will be living in the structure you see here. We visited two months ago when nothing more than timbers were standing in the Bee Garden’s spot at High Point Commons Park (Lanham/Graham), and now, tomorrow’s the big day, one year after Lauren Englund first went public here with her dream of a demonstration beehive to show people how vital honeybees are to our survival. The festival runs 11 am-3 pm tomorrow, including a picnic and various festivities in addition to the 11:30 am parade – which you can be part of, by the way, as explained here.

Getting ready for tomorrow’s West Seattle 5K & Summer Streets on Alki

Signed up for tomorrow’s fifth annual West Seattle 5K (with co-sponsors including WSB) already? Get yourself to West Seattle Runner (California/Charlestown; WSB sponsor) by 6 pm tonight to pick up your packet and bright-yellow official T-shirt! The team there to help you includes student volunteers like the National Honor Society members we photographed earlier this afternoon. Or – if you’re not signed up already, you can register there till 6, and avoid standing in line on race day.

That, of course, is TOMORROW, with the WS5K run/walk starting near the Alki Bathhouse just after 9 am. The weather forecast looks ever-more-promising (now “partly sunny”). Remember that with the 5K followed by SDOT Summer Streets on Alki 11 am-5 pm – what began five years ago as “car-free day” – there are closures, detours, and parking restrictions, as shown on the city’s map below:

See an even-more-detailed map here. We’re boothing at Summer Streets for the first time ever; we’ll be in the western zone between 62nd and 63rd (or so). That’s also where the day’s biggest event is scheduled to start around 1 pm – the Alki Beach Creeps-presented Costumed Bike Parade – and they are inviting everyone and anyone to join in. Other activities – entertainment and lots more – are listed here.

Happening now: Sustainable West Seattle and friends build ‘Presto Garden’ to help White Center Food Bank

(First two photos courtesy SWS)
Thanks to Kate Kaemerle from Sustainable West Seattle for sharing updates from the “Presto Garden” project that’s now moved on to the planting stage at Westcrest Park P-Patch in Highland Park. It was just a couple of hours ago that volunteers were putting down compost, as shown in an earlier photo from Kate:

And a few hours before that, we caught up with Kate and Bill Reiswig getting ready at the West Seattle Tool Library:

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Food grown organically and sustainably in the garden will be donated to the White Center Food Bank. Read more about the project on the SWS website; if you haven’t been by yet, head for 8th/Henderson; they’re scheduled to continue till 5, and the more help they have, the more they can get done.

ADDED: We went back around 4:40 pm to see something close to the “after” photo:

Now – it’s time to grow!

Happening now: Selling plants to help pets via Furry Faces

At the time of last year’s Furry Faces Foundation plant sale, F3 leader and plant-raiser Teri Ensley‘s house still had damage to fix from a fire a few months earlier. Now – as the 2013 plant sale begins – Teri is back in her house after rehab and repairs by Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), work she is so proud of that she’s even incorporated Ventana’s name into the plant sale:

The shelving holding plants on the south side of Teri’s house is dubbed “Ventana Terrace” now, signage and all. Today is the first of four days of the sale – till 4 pm, then again tomorrow 10 am-4 pm, and the weekend of June 1-2, 3809 46th SW. It all started with more than 1,000 plants on “Ventana Terrace” and in the front yard, including herbs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, more – and the F3 “Tag Your Pet” campaign is happening there; read about it all in this WSB Forums post.

Another painting project: Student artists’ mural along 16th SW

A new mural is going up right now in South Delridge – thanks to Angelina for letting us know about it. It’s part of a program called Link, bringing together high-school students and design professionals for a year of mentoring, including monthly workshops. The mural along the 85-foot facade of TAM Industries in the 9400 block of 16th SW is happening during the final LINK workshop of the school year.

The mural was designed by Terry Marks, this year’s life coach for the Link program; the artists are using “both freestyle spray painting and Banksy-type stencil techniques,” according to background information Angelina shared. We were there around noon, and they were expecting to be done by 3 or so, so we’ll be going back for an “after” shot!

Happening now: Graffiti-paintout volunteers in action

We found Ann Martin at 16th and Barton – one of the graffiti/tagging-beset spots that local volunteers are tackling right now with the graffiti-paintout project that set out after gathering at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center this morning:

This is just the first in a series of events – so if you weren’t able to help today, there’ll be other chances – e-mail Youngstown’s David Bestock to get in the loop – david@youngstownarts.org.

West Seattle Saturday: Highway 99 alert; ways to help; lots of sales; WS5K packet pickup/signups; and more!

Lynn‘s photo from early this morning shows how busy Elliott Bay was as the day began – a ferry, a cargo ship, and the first day of the season with three cruise ships (one’s out of view). Speaking of traffic – here’s an important reminder about what’s happening on land all weekend long:

(“Live” image from WSDOT camera looking southward over 99 – approach to NB Western ramp is at left)
HIGHWAY 99 ALERT: Thanks to WSB reader Lynne for suggesting a reminder this morning about this weekend’s closure on 99 from the Battery Street Tunnel northward to Valley Street, as noted by WSDOT here. It’s part of the ongoing Mercer project, and continues all weekend.

DELRIDGE DETOUR REMINDER: The Delridge Way repaving project shifted northward three days ago, so some people will be encountering the new detour this week for the first time. Southbound drivers will be detoured between SW Holden and SW Thistle; see the map in our story from earlier this week.

NEW WATER TAXI’S DEBUT: One more transportation note. The Spirit of Kingston is finally on the West Seattle Water Taxi run as of this morning, per our Friday report.

Here’s what else is up – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):

TWO BIG GARAGE/YARD/RUMMAGE SALES! The season continues – till 5 pm today, the Ocean View neighborhood’s big sale is on in the vicinity of 11408 Marine View Drive SW; and till 4 pm at Greenbridge Plaza on 8th SW just south of Roxbury, the White Center Kiwanis‘s big rummage sale benefits three local nonprofits. P.S. For smaller sales, see the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section.

LOVE ANTIQUES? Providence Mount St. Vincent has an “Antiques Roadshow”-style event/community fair under way today till 2 pm – details in the calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)

GRAFFITI PAINTOUT: The more helpers, the better – meet at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 10 am. Here’s our earlier report with more info. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

FURRY FACES FOUNDATION PLANT SALE: More than 1,000 plants on sale as the 14th annual round of plant sales benefiting the animal-advocacy group Furry Faces Foundation gets under way today, 10 am-4 pm (tomorrow too!). Details in our calendar listing.

SPRING BOOK SALE AT TIBBETTS: Love to read? You’ll love the spring book sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 10 am-1 pm. (3940 41st SW)

FREE LUNCH! West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor)’s Saturday barbecues are usually charity fundraisers but today, come get a free grilled hot dog 11 am-4 pm – while supplies last – in appreciation of YOU. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

BUY AND CELEBRATE PLANTS @ SSCC: 11 am-2 pm at the garden center on the north side of South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), you can buy student-grown plants – tomatoes and veggies are ready, they remind us, and some flowers too! – more info here. And while you’re there … enjoy the Seattle Chinese Garden Peony and Bamboo Festival next door! (6000 16th SW)

STORYTIME: Westwood Village Barnes and Noble‘s Saturday storytime, 11 am, features tea time, Melissa tells us: “Inspired by the story ‘Tea with Rex,’ we’ll be having … tea and biscuits (AKA juice and pretty cookies). Formal dress is not required, but if dressing up for tea is your thing, please feel free!” (Southwest side of Westwood Village)

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND: Show your support for sustainability and environmental protection by joining this annual event on the beach at Alki at noon – details here.

WEST SEATTLE 5K PACKET PICKUP/SIGNUPS: If you want to avoid the last-minute rush on West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) day tomorrow, be at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) noon-6 pm today – to either pick up your packet/T-shirt (if you are registered already) OR to sign up if you’re not. (NW corner of Charlestown/California, upstairs)

‘PRESTO GARDEN’: One more reminder – if you can spare some time between 1 pm and 5 pm, come to the Westcrest Park P-Patch in Highland Park and help Sustainable West Seattle plant a new organic garden to help feed people served by the White Center Food Bank (whose service area includes southern West Seattle, as well as WC). Full details on the SWS website.

WSHS BASEBALL @ STATE TOURNAMENT: This afternoon in Mount Vernon, the West Seattle High School baseball team starts state play with a game against Ferndale.

BOSTON BENEFIT AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: From Matt Johnson:

On Saturday, we’ll be serving Sam Adams Boston Lager as part of a whole ‘help out Boston day’ with 10 other bars throughout the city. We’ll also be, miracle of miracles, actually showing the Boston Red Sox game at the bar @ 4:00, with donation buckets, as well as donationg a portion of the proceeds from the Sam Adams beer sales back to the Greg Hill Foundation. Facebook page and information is here.

Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) is at 6451 California SW.

‘WILLY WONKA JR.’ FINALE: The Lafayette Elementary production will be staged one last time tonight at the West Seattle High School Theater, 7 pm. Tickets are free but donations are encouraged. (3000 California SW)

WEST SIDE GLORY: Variety show at Skylark Café and Club, 8 pm, details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Two ways you can make a big difference today

Before we get to the big list of what’s up today, one more reminder of two community projects in which your participation, giving just a little time, can make a big difference – one starting this morning, one this afternoon:

PAINT IT OUT: A new graffiti-fighting effort gets going today and volunteer power is vital. Meet at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 10 am. Here’s our preview with more details. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘PRESTO GARDEN’: Also previewed here earlier in the week, this Sustainable West Seattle-led project will create a garden growing fresh food for people served by the White Center Food Bank. Today from 1 pm to 5 pm, they would love your help at the planting party for the garden, which is at Westcrest Park. (From the park entrance at 8th and Henderson, head up the road to the right to the parking area; you’ll find the garden in the P-Patch next to the play area at the top of the hill.)

Hope Lutheran Walk-A-Thon covers 1000+ laps and 330+ miles

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The sky was sunny and spirits were high on Thursday afternoon, as Hope Lutheran School students, parents and friends took to the streets of West Seattle for their 2nd Annual Walk-A-Thon to raise money for the school.

Hope Lutheran Principal Kristen Okabayashi offered this report:

Today was so much fun! Our top goal for the walkathon was to raise money for our new science curriculum we are implementing next year, but other smaller goals were to build community with our event, and also have an event that raises awareness of keeping your body active. Our students walked and/or ran anywhere from 1/3 mile for our 3 year olds, and up to over 3 miles for some of our middle school students. With a huge number of parents and grandparents helping out today, along with Seattle Lutheran High School’s band performing for all our participants, we had a blast and can’t wait for next year!

Students collected donations and per-lap “pledges” prior to the event, and volunteers also secured corporate donations in support of the cause. Preliminary results:

Click to read the rest of Hope Lutheran Walk-A-Thon covers 1000+ laps and 330+ miles…

Gwendolyn Schwenzer, 1918-2013: A ‘Rosie,’ a clown, and more

Gwendolyn Schwenzer clearly lived a full life over her 94 years. Even if you never met her, this remembrance shared by her family is proof:

Gwendolyn (Hill) Schwenzer
1918-2013
Beloved Mother, Nana, Great Nana and Great–Great Nana.

Gwen was born in Seattle on Dec 6, 1918, graduated West Seattle High School in 1937, married Herb (Fritz) Schwenzer when she was just 18, and had 4 kids throughout the years: Sharon, Diane, Fritz, and Vicki.

In 1944, Gwen went to work at Boeing as an original “Rosie the Riveter,” working on the B-29s as part of the World War II effort. She also worked at the Hideaway Tavern in White Center.

In 1979, Herb passed away, leaving a void in Gwen’s life, and that was when she joined the Eagles Clowns and became “Bubbles the Clown,” allowing her to make others happy with her great sense of humor.

Volunteering at Mount St. Vincent for 13 years earned her a warm welcome when it was time for her to move into the assisted-living area, where she is pictured on their brochure and passed away on May 8, 2013.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

That certainly will include the fellow “Rosies” with whom she was featured in this 2009 WSB story.

Skies Over West Seattle: Mid-May 2013 edition

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ever wish for advance alert of an upcoming meteor shower/eclipse/etc. – and/or wonder “What’s that bright ‘star’ up there?” Here you go! Fourth edition of our monthly feature by West Seattle’s own Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen, famous for her solstice/equinox sunset watches among other things.

(April crescent moon, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)

By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

We’re coming into some reliably clear skies as summer approaches, and better than that, it’ll be warm enough some nights to go stargazing without layering jackets, hats, and long underwear.

Unfortunately, with this warmer weather comes more unstable air, so the seeing isn’t as good as it was in winter. Seeing is all about how easy it is to see the objects in the night sky: how much twinkle is in the stars, or how much the atmosphere blurs what you can see.

Hey! What’s That?

There are fewer bright objects in the sky than the last few months, but what you noticed most recently was probably one of these three: the stars Capella, Arcturus, or the planet Saturn.

If you saw it in the Northwest: it was Capella.

If you saw it in the Southeast: it was either Arcturus or Saturn. Arcturus is higher in the sky, Saturn is nearer the horizon.

Click to read the rest of Skies Over West Seattle: Mid-May 2013 edition…

West Seattle Crime Watch: Arrests in Riverview

3:18 PM: A police operation that blocked off streets in Riverview this past hour is reported to have resulted in the arrest of two people in connection with a crime elsewhere in the city. (update) SPD Blotter reports the arrests are in connection with a shooting earlier today in South Seattle.

4:28 PM: Added a photo from the arrests’ aftermath, with some police remaining at the scene. The earlier shooting happened at a restaurant in the 500 block of South Michigan in Georgetown, according to police, with one person shot in the arm. We don’t know at this point whether the people arrested this afternoon lived at the Riverview house where they were found or were visiting.

7:04 PM: One more update from SPD – confirming something we heard during radio communications – investigators found a gun while making the arrests.

12:16 AM: Alan points out in comments that SPD added yet another update late tonight – here’s the additional information relevant to this afternoon’s arrests:

… Patrol officers developed information during the course of their field investigation that led them to a residence in the 1200 block of SW Myrtle Street. Once there, officers saw that the suspect’s Blazer was parked in front of the residence.

Officers surrounded the house and made telephone contact with the suspects. Both suspects subsequently surrendered to the officers and were taken into custody without further incident.

The officers recovered the gun that is believed to be the one used in the shooting. The firearm was submitted into evidence for further forensic analysis.

Both suspects were booked into the King County Jail.

Suspect #1, a 20-year-old male, was booked for Felony Assault.
Suspect #2, an 18-year-old male, was booked for (Felony) Rendering Criminal Assistance.

‘Nickelsville’ updates: HPAC petition; Food Lifeline status; proposed encampment ordinances

(UPDATED 5:20 PM FRIDAY with ordinances to be reviewed by council committee next week)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

We have two three followups today to the “Nickelsville” developments first reported here last Tuesday, one day after the second anniversary of the encampment’s return to West Seattle.

Those developments centered around a letter from Mayor McGinn to Council President Sally Clark a letter (read it here) suggesting two options for the site’s future: Sell it to Food Lifeline as that agency has sought, provided the council passes a bill allowing more encampment sites at “non-religious” locations – or vote to allow the site to become a “semi-permanent” encampment.

Today’s developments (editor’s note – third development, added 5:20 pm, is at the bottom of this story – the two ordinances to be reviewed next week, including the mayor’s alternative proposal for the Nickelsville site):

HPAC PETITION AND MEETINGS: The Highland Park Action Committee, which says its area has hosted the encampment for long enough – 2 years – and is demanding a move-out date, has started an online petition. The petition calls on the city to either move it before summer, or start a public-review process for HP and Riverview immediately. Find the petition here. Here’s the statement we received along with that link:

Please pass this link on to anyone you know who owns property in the city, or to anyone that supports a better solution for the homeless. The Mayor’s actions to date have repercussions for everyone. We appreciate all the support we’ve gotten on this, we have a lot of irons in the fire right now. We are working on legal papers to file and are focusing the next few weeks on a more political route while all this legislation is coming to a head in City Council.

We are meeting with Council President Sally Clark’s aide this afternoon, and plan to meet with the Mayor at his office next Friday. We hope to have as many signatures as possible by Wednesday, May 22nd. That day there is (a) meeting of Nick Licata’s Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee at Seattle City Council from 2-4 where he’ll be presenting encampment legislation. Anyone who can make it to that, it would be great to try to have some community to encourage a change to the current situation. That night we have our regularly scheduled HPAC meeting, where we will discuss next steps. Join us at 7 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club on 12th and Holden.

FOOD LIFELINE: As mentioned in the mayor’s letter published here on Tuesday, Food Lifeline already has commitments from the encampment site’s other two owners to sell their parts of the parcel to FLL.

Click to read the rest of ‘Nickelsville’ updates: HPAC petition; Food Lifeline status; proposed encampment ordinances…

Election 2013: Tim Burgess drops out of mayor’s race; West Seattleite Doug McQuaid jumps in

1:24 PM: City Councilmember Tim Burgess has just sent a news release to his media list announcing he’s dropping out of the race for mayor. He would have had to file by 4 pm today. Here’s the news release (PDF from his site). He had just been in West Seattle last Saturday for a chat with voters – we had received (but not published) a photo from his campaign that day:

1:36 PM UPDATE: You’ll probably recall that seven other candidates had declared they were running – they and Burgess all participated in the April 29th “Super Seattle Mayor’s Forum” co-sponsored by the 34th District Democrats (WSB coverage, including video, here). The other seven have all filed for official candidacy, according to this page on the King County Elections website; it had been noted by political-news site PubliCola that Burgess was the only one not to have filed by noontime today.

6:12 PM UPDATE: Two more candidates joined the race, making it a field of nine, by the deadline. One is West Seattle lawyer Doug McQuaid, who ran last year for state Supreme Court; his campaign website does not appear to be up yet (at least not at the link listed on the county Elections website), but his background is detailed on a site related to last year’s court campaign. The other new candidate to file in the mayor’s race is Joey Gray, whose bio is on her website. The full list of candidates in this office and others on King County ballots in the August primary is here.

Hello, musicians! Delridge Day organizers are looking for you

This year’s Delridge Day festival is three months away – but planning is in full swing, and we’ve been asked to share this call for musicians:

2012 was the first year Delridge Day had a music stage and helped to showcase some the best local talent! This year, the plans are no different and the community planners for Delridge Day are hard at work in search for some great musical talent to help fill out time slots and show the community what they have to offer.

Delridge Day is planned for Saturday, August 17th from 11 AM-4 PM at Delridge Community Center and Park. If you’ve got a voice, guitar, drum set or even a drumbot, then we want to hear what you have to offer! We have time slots ranging from 11 AM-3 PM and are looking to fill them immediately. Interested musicians can e-mail Chas Redmond at credmond@mac.com and provide links to their music. We’re looking for solo artists and groups that are ready to entertain the local community!

This year’s Delridge Day co-sponsors include WSB – and they’re still seeking more; here’s the info packet for prospective sponsors.

West Seattle Water Taxi: Spirit of Kingston goes into service tomorrow

(WSB photo from April 23)
Exactly two months after news that King County would take possession of the Spirit of Kingston and put it on the West Seattle Water Taxi run – the change is about to happen. We just got word from the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott that Spirit of Kingston will take over the run starting tomorrow (Saturday), which means that, after three years, 25-year-old Rachel Marie will become a backup boat. Kingston got the 7-year-old SoK through federal grants but scrapped its foot-ferry service and would have had to pay the grants back if this transfer – which brings the boat here almost for free, as explained in our November report – hadn’t happened. More to come.

ADDED 1:39 PM: The county’s official announcement has just arrived via e-mail – read on:

Click to read the rest of West Seattle Water Taxi: Spirit of Kingston goes into service tomorrow…

Roxhill Elementary scholars get to walk to school – from the bus

This morning, Roxhill Elementary principal Sahnica Washington greeted scholars arriving by bus – two blocks north of campus! Here’s why: All month, Roxhill families have been part of “walking school buses” – and today was a chance for bus-transported scholars to join in too, with the help of Feet First and the state Transportation Department:

FF even brought along its famous giant Chicken (as in, “why did the chicken cross the road …”)

Crossing the road – and walking along it – will soon be even safer for kids headed toward Roxhill, which, as explained in the Feet First announcement, “is the recipient of a Safe Routes to School grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation. This grant will fund a new sidewalk on SW 30th immediately south of Roxbury, and improvements to the intersection of SW 30th Ave and SW Roxbury, due for construction in the summer of 2013.”

Lafayette’s ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ and 4 more highlights tonight

Looking for something to do tonight? Five highlights!

(Photo courtesy Edgar Riebe)
‘WILLY WONKA JR.’: 106 Lafayette Elementary students are in the production, performing their hearts out, under the direction of Melia Scranton with choreography by Aaron Swartzmann, and you have two chances to see it at the West Seattle High School Theater – 7 pm tonight, or 7 pm tomorrow (Saturday). Tickets are free but donations are encouraged. (3000 California SW)

WOMEN, WINE, WELLNESS: Free event at 7 pm tonight at Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic (WSB sponsor), but you have to RSVP ASAP! Details are in our calendar listing. (2656 SW Roxbury)

MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: It’s this month’s free-movie night at Highland Park Improvement Club! 7 pm (doors open at 6:30) – details in the calendar listing. (12th/Holden)

PEARL DJANGO AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm tonight, the local legends play historic Kenyon Hall – details in the calendar listing.

SECOND-TO-LAST WEEK … to see “33 Variations” at ArtsWest. Curtain tonight: 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

Check the calendar for nightlife listings.

Bike To Work Day 2013: West Seattle, White Center stops

8:57 AM: Busy morning at the Bike-To-Work Day station hosted under the bridge by West Seattle Bike Connections – with repairs/checkups as well as treats.

This is the first BTW Day since WSBC was formed.

ADDED 10:53 AM: WSBC president Don Brubeck tells WSB they had 592 riders by 9 am – up 38 percent from last year! He shares the photo below, featuring Sonia Honeydew, who helped count riders (and baked cookies!), with rider #592:

Don says Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board (who’s in our top photo) says last year’s count was 429. Don adds, “Some riders zoomed right through. Many stopped for a chat, cookies, coffee, and bike checks or helmet fit adjustments. I enjoyed actually meeting people I see every day going the opposite direction. Bob Winship led the West Seattle Bike Connections volunteers for the station. Kathy McCabe, Deputy Director, and Serena Lehman, Community Outreach Manager, were with us representing Cascade Bicycle Club.”

(back to original 8:57 am report) Meantime, in downtown White Center, local businesses set up a Bike To Work Day station outside Caffé Delia (WSB sponsor) offering treats:

The events on this side of the bay are usually focused on the morning; for afternoon events, check the Cascade Bike Club’s official page.