day : 04/09/2011 9 results

West Seattle wildlife: Seal pup ‘Cupcake’ visits Jack Block Park

Yet another reason to remember the tenet “Share the Shore” (noticed the new Alki banners yet?) – the latest seal sighting, shared this time by West Seattle-based entrepreneur/speaker Sunny Kobe Cook (thanks!), who says her photo shows:

A newly identified, healthy harbor-seal pup, named “Cupcake” by visitors to Jack Block Park this afternoon. A Seal Sitters volunteer came, took pictures, recorded the find, set up a tape barrier to be sure the pup wasn’t disturbed, and provided information to park visitors.

Watch the Seal Sitters “Blubberblog” site for news on other recent pup sightings on local beaches, and remember that if you see a seal, or any marine mammal, on a local beach, call 206-905-7325 (SEAL) to let SS know.

Lafayette school-playground dedication Tuesday: Party details

September 4, 2011 10:34 pm
|    Comments Off on Lafayette school-playground dedication Tuesday: Party details
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Before Seattle Public Schools classes start Wednesday, some West Seattle schools have big pre-school-year events Tuesday. And we have new details tonight on one of them: The playground dedication at Lafayette Elementary in the Admiral District. It’s been a long road for volunteers and donors, and they are inviting you to help them celebrate, 5-7 pm Tuesday evening. One of the Play It Forward Project leaders, Holly Grambihler, describes it as a “fun, free event for the community,” with the ribbon-cutting set for about 5:15 pm. The Junction QFC is hosting a free barbecue – hot dogs, salads, chips – Holly explains that the store’s new manager, Jill Hamilton, “is a West Seattle native and grad of WSHS. She’s very excited to be back in our area and to get involved in our community. She stepped up and volunteered their donation and services to help our event!” Live music will be courtesy of the Toucans steel-drum band (recently seen at the grand opening of the Admiral Safeway across the street); jump-rope artistry will be courtesy of the Lafayette Popcorns team; and a Seattle Sounders FC player (TBA) is scheduled to appear. Holly says fun playground prizes are in store for a “kids’ only” raffle, and two last additions – treats from the new Safeway and from Little Rae’s Bakery. Never been to the Lafayette playground? It’s on the west side of the school, alongside SW Lander, west of California SW (map).

9-day Viaduct shutdown: Making the Water Taxi easier to use

(Photo courtesy Debra Herbst, taken @ Seacrest 7/20/11, when big events boosted WT ridership)
After last Monday’s announcement of the official dates for October’s 9-day/10-night Alaskan Way Viaduct construction/demolition closure, some asked about the West Seattle Water Taxi – would it add more runs during the shutdown? The short answer from King County was, no – runs were already added earlier this year, and the service was finally extended to be year-round. However, Michelle Allison from the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who chairs the King County Ferry District Board, an alter-ego of the KC Council) says they are working on ideas for making it more “accessible” during that time. In particular, she told WSB, they’re trying to figure out if they can ease the parking crunch for people trying to get to Seacrest to catch the WT, since the shuttle/bus routes don’t work for everyone. Any specific ideas – that would be easily implementable, temporarily and quickly – that YOU think would make the WT easier to use?

P.S. Yet another reminder – the West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule tomorrow (Labor Day), as are its shuttle buses, while the Vashon Water Taxi won’t run at all.

Last-minute invite: Stargaze tonight with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen

Aside from the forest-fire-smoke haze, the skies are clear, and it could be a great night for stargazing. Since a comet and a supernova just might be visible, West Seattle’s NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen – whom you might know for throwing solstice/equinox sunset-viewing parties (like this one) – is inviting you to Solstice Park tonight at 9. She’ll have telescopes, and expert guidance on what to look for. Solstice Park is upslope behind the Lincoln Park Annex tennis courts (Alice’s site has an excellent map to guide you).

More West Seattle wildlife: Hawk vs. crows – see who wins

Another urban-wildlife tale shared by photographer/writer Trileigh Tucker

A few days ago I was watching pairs of adult/fledgling crows poking the grass for insects on the south ballfield in Lincoln Park, when suddenly this young Cooper’s Hawk (possibly one of the fledglings from this year’s nest in Lincoln Park) started trying to capture young crows for her breakfast. Surprisingly to me, she also tried to nab a squirrel, who seemed remarkable unperturbed at being swooped on. The Coop repeatedly went after the crows until finally the adults got fed up and started harassing her.

She finally flew off, probably hoping for a better breakfast buffet elsewhere.

More photos and some reflections on the usefulness of city parks are on my website.

Thanks to Trileigh and everyone who shares photos of West Seattle sights – wildlife, people, places, all welcome, besides of course breaking news! If you use Flickr, there’s a WSB group there, too.

West Seattle coyotes: A warning, a sighting, and reminders

Haven’t received many sighting reports lately, but that doesn’t mean coyotes aren’t out there. It may actually mean people are doing a better job of encouraging them to keep their distance, by not leaving out food, or trying to spook them when spotted. Outdoor pets remain at risk, as evidenced by a sad (and slightly graphic) note just received from Clay, one of two reports ahead:Read More

9/11’s 10th anniversary: Update on local commemorations

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated – most recently 9/10 – with added information about local events)

(Photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
On Thursday afternoon, residents, staffers, and community members joined together at Providence Mount St. Vincent to fold dozens of paper cranes, adding to what they hope will total 1,000, as The Mount prepares for a remembrance service next Sunday, part of a growing list of local commemorations on what will be the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Here’s what we have on the list so far (and if you know of one in West Seattle or White Center that’s not listed here, please e-mail information so we can add it – thank you!):

9/11 HISTORY EXHIBIT AT LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: This is the first of two ways you can join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society/Log House Museum in observing the anniversary. Visit the LHM (61st/Stevens) next Sunday, noon-7 pm (that’s a later closing time than usual), to see its exhibit.

9/11 MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE MOUNT: 1 pm next Sunday in the chapel, public welcome. Providence Mount St. Vincent is at 4831 35th SW.

TRIBUTE CONCERT AT HOLY ROSARY: Cantare Vocal Ensemble will perform a 9/11 tribute featuring Mozart’s “Requiem in D Minor” and Albinoni’s “Adagio in G Minor” at 3 pm next Sunday, with donations and a portion of proceeds going to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. The tribute also includes Voices of 9/11, described as “select memoirs of victims and their families, narrated by Q13 FOX Meteorologist MJ McDermott.” Cantare founder/artistic director Mark A. Adrian conducts. Tickets $25, available online here, or at the door before the concert.

(September 2001 photo by David Hutchinson: Candles, flowers, tributes at the Alki Statue of Liberty)
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY: 7 pm on September 11th, you are invited to join the memorial vigil that’s being organized by SWSHS/LHM, at the spot where so many came from all over not only West Seattle but the rest of the region, to mourn, and to show unity. At the time, only the original Alki Statue of Liberty statue (recast, and unveiled on September 11, 2007, while the original now is kept at the museum) was there; the plaza was dedicated in 2008. (History side note: Did you know the Twin Towers were designed by a Seattle-born architect?)

TRIBUTE DURING HOLY FAMILY COMMUNITY STREET FAIR: September 11th will be the second day of this year’s community street fair at Holy Family School (20th/Roxbury), and once again this year, a 9/11 tribute is planned. (We are checking on the time; last year, a moment of silence was observed toward the start of the day; here’s our 2010 story.) Update: We are told this will be at 9:15 am.

(added Monday) HEALING SERVICE @ TIBBETTS: At 10:00 am, Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) will hold a special service. From their announcement:

Milestones are marked in many ways, some happy, some sad, some healing, Directly, or indirectly, we were all deeply touched by the events of that day. Whether by people we knew who were there or simply waking up, on what was a beautiful morning and hearing the news. As the day progressed, knowing in the back of our mind, but not being able to say quite yet; from today, life, as we know it, would forever change. As the days passed and more information came to light, the nagging thought we had that morning became a reality. The next ten years were indeed turbulent times. Our service marks that milestone with a time for remembrance, reflection, prayers and song. These are healing times, so please, come share in the healing.

Tibbetts is at 3940 41st SW.

(added Wednesday) REMEMBRANCE SERVICES AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: The theme is “Remembrance: A Time for Reflection, Reconciliation, and Hope,” at 8 and 10:15 am Sunday at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave SW. From their announcement:

All are welcome to join in this time of remembrance and hope on the tenth anniversary of the events that have marked our times and changed our lives. The Reverend David Wold, former bishop of the Southwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is guest preacher. The Reverend Peter DeVeau, Rector, presides. We all know where we were on this date ten years ago. That same day, many made their way to a house of worship. This house of prayer for all people will be open this Sunday to any seeking thoughtful insight and inspiration for the living of these days of challenge and change. All ages and all people are welcome.

(added Wednesday) SPECIAL SERVICE AT ‘THE WAY’: Also at 10 am Sunday, The Way Church of God, which meets at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, plans a special service. From their announcement:

Calling all service men/women, past, present, and future, and the community to a special service designed to honor all the service men/women who have given themselves for our safety and freedom. In remembrance of 9/11, The Way COG will host an event Sunday 10 am at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, dedicated to bring honor to all our heroes!

(added Friday) SPECIAL OFFER AT THE ADMIRAL THEATER: From Dinah at The Admiral: “This Sunday, in honor of the 10 year anniversary of September 11th, The Admiral Theater will be offering our first matinee FREE (any movie of your choice) to Police Officers, Fire Fighters and their immediate families. Police and Fire Fighters will need to show their Department ID and this is on a first-come, first-served basis.”

P.S. WSB Forums members are continue to share their 9/11/2001 memories in this thread, and you are welcome to contribute.

West Seattle Sunday: Sunshine, sales, Market, movies, more…

(Photo from Saturday afternoon, taken along Beach Drive, looking toward Vashon Island)
Looks like the beautiful holiday-weekend weather continues (here’s the newest forecast). From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

LOOKING FOR YARD/GARAGE SALES? WSB Forums have free listings here – and there are a few sales listed for today.

GO SEE A MOVIE: Here’s the Admiral Theater movie schedule.

OUTDOOR SWIMMING/WADING: It’s Colman Pool’s last weekday of 7-day-a-week summer operations (pool schedule/other info here) – after tomorrow, it closes till one last “post-season weekend” next Saturday/Sunday. Also at Lincoln Park, you’ll find West Seattle’s last city wading pool still open IF the weather is forecast for 70+ degrees (last scheduled opening day is Sept 5)

AT THE MARKET TODAY: West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). From market management, here’s what’s happening today:

Music: Canote Brothers!
Eggs…check!
Wine tasting…check!
Pepper roaster…check!

P.S. Both Sustainable West Seattle and the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle are scheduled to have members tabling today (as they do regularly, but not every week) – look for them and say hi!

CATS AWAIT YOU: Friends of the Animals Foundation has volunteers on site at Next to Nature in The Junction, 11 am – 3 pm, to help you find the perfect rescued feline companion.

LEARN ABOUT HISTORY: Noon-4 pm, tour the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens).

BORROW A TOOL: West Seattle Tool Library has regular Sunday hours at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (east side of main building), 1-5 pm.

High-school football: Seattle Lutheran’s first game

September 4, 2011 1:32 am
|    Comments Off on High-school football: Seattle Lutheran’s first game
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Opening weekend of high-school-football season continued Saturday night. Seattle Lutheran HS was in Pierce County, playing Life Christian/Seattle Christian, which won the game 49-25. SLHS is on the road again next week, playing at North Beach.