West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
In day’s-end golden sunlight, more than 60 people gathered at the Fauntleroy Creek overlook this evening to drum, sing, and call the salmon home – with many of the songs and chants led by Jamie Shilling (top photo) and many young participants, as seen in the second photo. After the first song, Fauntleroy Creek champion (and neighbor) Judy Pickens explained the native tradition that inspired this annual gathering – and also shared some information on what you might call the “state of the salmon”:
Cub Scout Troop 793 contributed players to a skit telling the tale of how the mischievous Norse god Loki turned into a salmon – here’s the final passage – the “stars” are in the middle of the picture:
And the entire group joined in other songs and chants like this one:
Now, it’s up to the spawners to come home and create the next generation of Fauntleroy-born fish. This past spring, as we reported here, Judy and other creek-watchers were heartened to see some “home hatch,” despite major winter storms that they feared would have washed the eggs out of the creek. Tomorrow, volunteers begin their watch in Fauntleroy, hopeful of seeing spawners swim in and continue the cycle. To find out how to help, go to this page on fauntleroy.net (and if you scroll all the way to the bottom, you’ll see a short clip of a spawner spotted in the creek during a previous season). The fish ladder, by the way, is marking its 10th anniversary this fall.
Two sites to update in North Delridge — one more mysterious than the other. That would be the one shown above, right behind the DSHS/Kidney Center building. Its official address is 4040 26th (map), and we got a few notes after that fence went up around it a week or so ago. No activity has ensued — yet — and its official city webpage doesn’t show any recent permit-granting; most of the applications were from a few years ago, save a “phase III” construction permit application last May. In the original 2005 application, for which a land-use permit was issued in 2006, this was proposed as a “six-story, 154-unit apartment building with 2,500 square feet of retail and 11 live-work units.” We contacted Anka Developments, listed as the applicant on most of the DPD pages, and a spokesperson wrote back that the company is no longer involved with the site, noting that it was sold a year ago. The purchaser, PortVue LLC, has the same address and phone number as Woodinville-based Sierra Construction, where we have left an inquiry that has so far gone unanswered; we’ll keep working it. Meantime, there’s a fuller picture of information about this nearby site:
From the corner of Delridge/Dakota, that’s a look across the street toward the site that’s in city records as 4106 Delridge, subject of its first “early design guidance” meeting this past week – reviewers told the architect they want to see the project for a second round – read on to see why:Read More
Thanks to Courtney for capturing the aerial view of the sizable Zombie Walk that’s been heading through The Junction and up toward Admiral this afternoon/early evening – we mentioned it on the calendars, but you might still have been startled to see it; it’s a citywide event, and this year they decided to stalk West Seattle. (No relation to the zombies of the Thrill the World event yesterday, though some Thriller-dancers were reportedly considering joining in!) P.S. Lots of participants in the Zombie Walk means lots more pix online, including some posted by Tofublog and Kero360.
Thanks to Luckie for these photos of “the entire West Seattle YMCA Preschool” (the Y’s a WSB sponsor) taking its “annual trip to the Carpinito Brothers pumpkin patch in Kent.” Luckie continues: “There are few things more gleeful than 35+ preschoolers scrambling around acres of pumpkins. Best of all were the squishy dead pumpkins, which were a source of endless fascination.” That’s what you’re seeing here:
Got a Halloweenish pic to share? Jack-o-lantern, decorations, or? E-mail us!
Last reminder — 5 pm today, Fauntleroy Creek overlook (here’s a map; 
it’s across from the ferry terminal and up the bank – you can take the 54 bus and get off at the terminal, or park at Lincoln Park‘s south end and walk down – nearby street parking is somewhat spotty), come help drum (makeshift drums welcome too) and sing to summon the spawners. It’s been a tough year for salmon runs up and down the coasts (and those who rely on them, like Puget Sound’s resident orcas) so the fish need all the help and welcoming they can get.
In recent days, we checked on a few park projects around West Seattle, but didn’t get a chance to report the results immediately. Before these quick updates gather dust in our notebook/inbox any longer, here they are, in one roundup:Read More
NIA CLASS TO BENEFIT NORTHWEST HOPE AND HEALING: At 10 this morning at Youngstown Arts Center, you can multitask by working out while helping breast-cancer patients: The NiaDivas are presenting their second annual Nia breast-cancer-benefit class: Proceeds go to West Seattle-based Northwest Hope and Healing. The class will be led by Lesley Tinker; the fee is $15, with $5 raffle tickets offered (raffle items include lingerie and a tote bag). Read more about it here.
FARMERS’ MARKET TODAY: Starting right when the West Seattle Farmers’ Market opens at 10, and continuing till the pumpkins run out, WSFM managers say: “Folks are encouraged to use paint, glitter, feathers, glue, leaves and all types of accessories to make the scariest and most beautiful pumpkins on the planet. All pumpkins and supplies will be provided.” The market’s open 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska; also, as always, here’s your Sunday morning link to the weekly “fresh sheet” of what’ll be on sale there.
Meredith sends word (and photo) of something new at solar-powered Red Cup Espresso: “Friday Night Dominos game night starting at 7:00 p.m. (This week) at 9:00, a table of four was still at it and the drive-thru was open for business. Community members welcome to come play any Friday, or ask for a set of dominos to play any time you actually come in and sit.” Now, on to a Saturday night scene:
11 pm at Seacrest, the Elliott Bay Water Taxi was about to take off on its last run of the last Saturday night of the year. As reported here the other day, morning commuters will get special thank-you treats this Friday, and Water Taxi supporters are invited to let the county know they’re behind the service, as King County Ferry District reauthorization nears. Last but not least, from WSB contributing photojournalist Matt Durham, a scene that followed all this: “A day of trick or treating ends for this little rescue hero as he strolls away from the Alaska Junction Saturday afternoon.”
Prints of Matt’s work are available through his site, mattdurhamphotography.com.
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