West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(left to right: Max Hepp-Buchanan, Chas Redmond, Paul Sorey and Lisa Quinn)
We checked-in with the folks from Feet First on Saturday morning, just before they headed out for their Rolling Community Meeting. The meet-up was designed as a tour of possible sites for a new set of eleven pedestrian wayfinding kiosks that are to be installed in West Seattle this fall. It was also the culmination of a series of community meetings that have taken place over the past year, through which the group has gathered input on where to put the kiosks and what should be displayed at each location.
Leading the tour was Feet First Director Lisa Quinn, Program Coordinator Max Hepp-Buchanan, and Chas Redmond, Southwest District Council Co-Chair and a tireless advocate for walkability in West Seattle.
Part of the day’s agenda was to look carefully at proposed kiosk locations, taking into consideration the most practical siting as they would relate to walking routes, pedestrian traffic, transit stops, sites of interest, etc. Redmond said, “We want to orient the kiosks to take into account pedestrian traffic flow, being clear of line-of-sight for vehicles turning corners, and also getting clearances from adjacent property owners. But above all it is a matter of what makes logical sense for pedestrians who are approaching an intersection looking for something.”
Also present was local artist Paul Sorey who has not only designed the new stainless steel kiosk frames but will also be fabricating them in his West Seattle shop. Sorey has designed public art sculptures that appear throughout Washington and in California, including his 2001 work Salmon Waves, permanently installed at the Chittenden Locks in Ballard.
He also designed and developed, along with the Pomegranate Center, similar kiosks that are installed along the Longfellow Creek Gateway. Sorey said that the new kiosks were meant to echo the design language of the existing installations. The first example of the 2010 kiosks has been installed on the west side of Delridge, near the intersection of SW Brandon:
Though the kiosk frames share a common design, the group has sought input on customization throughout the various locations. Information and artwork may vary throughout the locations. A newly updated, full-color West Seattle Trails map will be featured prominently on each kiosk. Redmond says that “Awesome, much more legible” paper maps, like the widely-available 2008 version (pictured below), will be made available too.
The project is funded through a $99,000 grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. The group hopes to complete the installation of the kiosks by October of this year.
A PDF document with information on the proposed kiosk locations, as well as photographs of the sites under consideration, may be downloaded here
For more information, to ask questions or to contribute feedback on the kiosks, contact Max Hepp-Buchanan, Program Coordinator at max@feetfirst.info or 206-652-2310
Feet First is also hosting a Walk & Talk in the Triangle with Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmusssen on Tuesday, August 31st from 6 to 8pm. The roughly 1.5 mile walk should take about 90 minutes and will be followed by an evening deck reception, overlooking Puget Sound, at a sustainable urban farm in West Seattle. Tickets are $10 for Feet First members, $15 for non-members.
The meeting point is Rotary Viewpoint Park at 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska. RSVP information is available here. Or you can direct e-mail and telephone inquiries to: Ayaka Haga at ayaka@feetfirst.info or 206.652.2310
(2009 West Seattle Junction Car Show photo courtesy Michael Hoffman)
As this weekend wraps up – we look ahead to what’s still in store for late summer – and one big event is getting closer: Three weeks from today – between 8 am and 4 pm on Sunday, September 19th — California SW closes in the heart of The Junction so the streets can fill with people, music and (parked) cars for the third annual West Seattle Junction Car Show (with WSB among the sponsors). Organizer Michael Hoffman from Liberty Bell Printing told us earlier this summer they’re expecting to hit the full quota of 300 cars – application info’s here.
Thank you to all those who contacted us with word of a big police presence, including officers with weapons drawn, near the intersection of 19th Avenue SW & SW Brandon. Officers at the scene told us that it looked like a bigger situation than it actually was.
They say that a patrol officer identified a car that had been reported stolen. When he attempted to speak with the five people standing around in the driveway near the car they acted aggressively. So he called in backup, which responded quickly and helped to detain the suspects for questioning at the scene. The officers were still conducting their investigation when we left, but they say that apparently both the license plates and the car they were attached to were reported stolen. They also said that three of the people questioned will probably be released.
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
On the eve of the first day of school for 2010-11, Our Lady of Guadalupe drew a crowd this afternoon to celebrate the kickoff of its major fundraising campaign to build a new Gathering Hall/Gym on parish property at 35th and Myrtle.
And it began with big news – OLG’s Father Jack Walmesley (above) announced to the crowd gathered outside that they had already raised $1.25 million toward their $4 million goal, thanks to a major benefactor: Former parishioner and West Seattle resident Mike Hession, who left $1 million to the parish in his will to be used toward the new building (you can see a rendering here).
Designed by Richard Glasman of M/G Architecture, the new building will be a community center, gym, full kitchen and meeting spaces that will be open to the community. Father Jack says the intention of the building is to be a community resource to assist social-action groups and functions; he mentioned Family Promise of Seattle, which helps homeless families find resources (but is currently going through a tough time itself, as first reported here).
Father Jack adds: “This is a step toward reaching the full potential for ourselves and our community. It’s fun to watch people utilize their talents—this is happening because of (their) talents.”
The fundraising campaign will last through Christmas, with the intention of beginning construction in June of 2011. There’s more info online here.
There was plenty of summer color today, amidst a whisper of autumn, as vendors brought out some cool handicrafts for the final Highland Park Sunday Market of 2010. Organizer Tiffany Silver-Brace was there with her daughter Ava and a table full of wonderful textiles:
Here’s Gina McCauley with her hand-crafted, felted wool Snooter Doots:
Jennifer Bay and Brian Scott were on hand from the super-talented team at Clone Press:
The folks from Party Dogs had their gourmet turkey and fennel dog treats. But the fresh onion bread they baked (for people) looked scrumptious too:
Just like what we spotted in South Park yesterday, artisan pickled vegetables seem to be popping up everywhere this season, like these from Bootleg Canning Company:
The mobile food truck from Street Treats also made an appearance, as did the sun.
(Photos, Video and Story by Christopher Boffoli)
There may not have been any sunshine, but it was perfect weather for runners this morning for the Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run. Shari Sewell, Director of Northwest Hope and Healing, tells us that 1,160 participants registered for the race this year. She said that, though the number is about 10% less than average, they actually still managed to raise more money: in excess of $45,000.
The runners left the mark at 9am, just west of the Alki bath house, for a 5 kilometer (or roughly 3.1 mile) course east along Alki and then back to the finish line at the same point where they started.
Here’s a short video clip of the start of the race:
Bellingham’s Sean Messiter was the first of the men to finish with a time of 16 minutes and 23 seconds:
For the women, Nancy Ellis of Tacoma led the way in at 18 minutes and 42 seconds:
Complete race results are posted online here.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
We mentioned this as a postscript to the morning preview – today’s the day for the date-never-published Isle of Vashon vintage-motorcycle rally – then Christopher Boffoli headed over to Fauntleroy and caught some of the motorcyclists ready to head over via ferry:.
More photos later if we receive some from the events on Vashon (here’s how to share!).
Adding a couple of reader-submitted images. These are from “Todd”:
And thanks to “Scott”for the cameraphone image of this canine motorcycle enthusiast:
Daryl and Donna e-mailed to ask that we publish news of Helen Finnell‘s passing, explaining, “Helen was a resident of West Seattle from approximately 1948-2003 and volunteered for a number of years at both the West Seattle Senior Center and Food Bank.” Her memorial and burial are set for this Tuesday. Read ahead for the full announcement:Read More
One more reminder for today: The week-plus Seattle Public Library shutdown starts tomorrow. The only branch open in West Seattle on Sundays is the Southwest Branch at 35th/Henderson – if you need to visit a library today, they’re open 1-5 pm.
Reminder that Alki Avenue SW is closed this morning, approximately 8 am-11 am, for the Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing. The race leaves Alki Bathhouse at 9 am. … Other highlights: The final edition of Highland Park Sunday Market @ 12th/Holden, 11 am-3 pm … West Seattle Farmers’ Market @ The Junction, 10 am-2 pm … A community celebration kicking off fundraising for Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s expansion project is set for noon (more info at olgfuture.org) … Go enjoy an Ice Cream Social at Village Green Perennial Nursery this afternoon, 2-4 pm, Full Tilt Ice Cream and Squirrel Butter music …Tthe Knit Night Celebration with Seattle Yarn (as mentioned in our recent story about their online expansion) and Artistic Framers, including a barbecue, starts at 5 pm (full details here) … More in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
ADDED 8:10 AM: If you happen to see a sizable number of motorcycles at/around the Fauntleroy ferry dock – we are told that today is the date for the Isle of Vashon vintage-motorcycle rally on the island – we can’t find info online but apparently that’s because it’s not published, on purpose. If you get a pic, please share!
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