day : 23/06/2012 8 results

West Seattle Weather Watch: Sunday? Hard to tell

June 23, 2012 10:56 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Sunday? Hard to tell

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for the beautiful photo from tonight’s sunset. She notes that, following today’s deluge, logs and other debris have been floating by. (The evening tide is relatively high – 12 feet – per the chart, so that might also play into it.) Tomorrow’s forecast is “mostly cloudy, chance of showers” – but that was what TODAY’S forecast was (no hint of the multi-hour deluge), so you might just want to keep the rainjacket and/or umbrella close by.

ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Another sunset view, in which you can see the logs if you look very closely at the water. Thanks to Bill Bacon for this photo:

And as of this writing … we have sun!

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West Seattle wildlife: The owls of Fauntleroy Park

June 23, 2012 6:40 pm

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| West Seattle news | Wildlife

We’ve seen a lot in the past of Lincoln Park’s owls – tonight, two of Fauntleroy Park’s owls:

Thanks to Gary Pro and Luli Weatherwax, who live by Fauntleroy Park, for sharing that photo of a baby owl, spotted sitting on their backyard bench this morning.

Meantime, Fauntleroy Park steward Steven Hodson forwarded this photo:

It’s by Kristian Nilssen, who’s not only a photographer and park volunteer, but also goalkeeper on this year’s high-achieving Chief Sealth International High School soccer team.

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Whale of a (true-life) tale, 10 years later: Celebrating Springer

June 23, 2012 5:58 pm

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| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(1st three photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
One event that did NOT get rained out today – the Alki Bathhouse celebration of the 10th anniversary of Springer the orca’s family reunion, hosted by West Seattle-headquartered The Whale Trail. Above, a Springer likeness at the kids’ activities table; attendees of all ages listened to memories of what it took to get Springer safely home to her family in Canada, after she was found hundreds of miles away in Puget Sound:

As recounted on The Whale Trail’s website, “Two governments and hundreds of people worked together to get the little whale home. But the final step was up to the orcas – Would her family recognize her? Would they accept her back?” They did – and that is why the achievement, and Springer’s ongoing life with her family, is cause to celebrate:

Springer is a northern resident orca, belonging to a group separate from her Puget Sound cousins, southern resident orcas. The northern residents are believed to number more than 200, more than twice the size of the southern residents, which are officially listed as endangered. Groups like The Whale Trail are working to educate people about how to help them survive; that’s why, as part of today’s event, TWT dedicated new signage you’ll find in West Seattle – placed along the shore, where you can watch whales in a way that impacts them the least:

The Whale Trail provided that photo, noting that, “George Taylor, sons and members of the Le-La-La First Nations dance company performed a killer whale mask dance and other traditional ‘Kwakwakakw dances. Members of the group from a canoe in Dong Chong Bay greeted Springer with the same mask when she returned home 10 years ago.”

ADDED 11:55 PM: Thanks to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for this view of the mask as the dancers performed inside the bathhouse:

P.S. If you weren’t here and/or don’t remember the coverage of the rescue and reunion – there’s some archive video in this recent story by Canada’s CTV that’s viewable via YouTube.

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Kits Cameras West Seattle closure update: Pickup through Tuesday

June 23, 2012 3:02 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Update on the Kits Cameras closure at Jefferson Square (first reported here yesterday) – we got a note from Kalani Gamble, a Kits employee, who says:

We are here packing and cleaning. Please let everyone know that they can pick up their orders from us in WS until Tuesday. … Thank you WSB, and we thank West Seattle for their loyal business over the years, we’ll miss being here!

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Rain-shortened Morgan Junction Community Festival, as it happened

June 23, 2012 11:36 am

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(TOPLINE: Festival started in filtered sun, then came hours of rain/wind, and it ended early)

(Plushies are at Pink Gorilla booth; in the background, plants @ Furry Faces Foundation)
ORIGINAL 11:36 AM REPORT: “Filtered sunshine,” dry weather, warm-ish temperature! Turned out to be start off as a fine day for a festival here in Morgan Junction. We’re behind Feedback Lounge/Zeeks Pizza with about 20 other booths – and that’s just part of the festival; there’s live music in Morgan Junction Park just steps away, north of Beveridge Place Pub, and kids’ activities across California SW alongside Washington Federal – featuring Young at Art:

Key festival info:
*The entertainment schedule (mostly live music, but including The Bubbleman at 11:30)

*“Bark of Morgan” dog parade and contests, starting at 2 pm

*Here’s the festival site map – the Metro RapidRide bus is here all day; Seattle Fire Engine 37 is due here at 12:30 pm

And we have an update on the “Bite of Morgan.” Five local food/beverage places are offering free samples (stop by the Morgan Community Association booth in the park for your guide) – north to south, it’s Little Prague Bakery with kolach and strudel, Kokoras Greek Grill with stuffed grape leaves, the Feedback with pan-seared barbecue pork chops, Zeeks Pizza with cheese or pepperoni pizza, and Domino’s with mini parmesan bites. You can also visit the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) barbecue tent outside the store for a $7 lunch, proceeds benefiting the festival (which is an all-volunteer production).

12:09 PM UPDATE: Showers, off and on. The festival continues. The Bubbleman (who is now a West Seattle resident, by the way!) just performed – video:

12:29 PM UPDATE: Serious rain. Some intrepid festivalgoers are still here in jackets and umbrellas. Here’s hoping it’ll dry out later (about to check the radar).

1:21 PM UPDATE: Some booths are folding up – the rain was one thing, but the chilly wind kicked up too, and that seems to have pushed some over the edge. We’re checking with organizers for the official word.

1:40 PM UPDATE: The rain’s lightening a bit but the booths are down to about half a dozen – organizers gave vendors the option to fold up – our neighbors, selling jewelry, say they don’t mind the weather, but since nobody’s coming to visit, there’s no point. We’re continuing to hang out. The band schedule is going moment-to-moment, depending on the electronics and the weather. The dog parade for 2 pm is still on – depending on who shows! SFD and SPD are here too:

2 PM: Furry Faces Foundation hasn’t folded up its plant sale:

But if you want to buy a plant, you’ll have to go find Teri inside the Feedback.

2:25 PM: Speaking of “furry faces”… yes, there was a dog parade!

(added – two more photos – note that this dog didn’t want to look at the camera when posing with its people but did then have something to say to Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker!)

And even though NOW the rain and wind are lifting … the vendors are almost all gone.

3:10 PM UPDATE: The festival has officially come to an early end. Bands cut short, all festival zones being cleaned up/folded up. Thanks to everybody who came out, even in the downpour! We’re among the last to fold up but we’ll be gone shortly since the Feedback/Zeeks back parking lot has reopened to traffic.

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Video: Mayor, police, neighborhood heroes @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Appreciation Party

June 23, 2012 10:42 am

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| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Block Watch Captains take on a big responsibility for their neighborhood – but don’t get paid, and don’t always get appreciated. Last night, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network‘s first-ever BW Captains Appreciation Party was an attempt at remedying that – inviting captains and their guests to a free catered dinner, with music, and dancing. And words of gratitude, from Mayor Mike McGinn – who thanked the captains, saying, “You answered the call for your community” – and police (for whom the mayor had appreciative words too, as he went on to discuss the May 30th shootings):

Among those in our clip (unintroduced, since they were hosting!) were WSBWCN’s leaders, two women who are captains themselves, Karen Berge and Deb Greer:

They made last night’s party happen, too, along with a committee of other volunteers lining up grants and sponsors (WSB joined in, which is why our banner’s in the background of this next photo).

Speaking of banners, WSBWCN has a new one too, shown off at the party (which was at the VFW Hall in The Triangle):

No Block Watch in your area? Here’s how to form one. To get involved with WSBWCN, keep an eye on their website for meeting info – (updated) next one is Tuesday, June 26, 6:30 pm, at the precinct (Delridge/Webster).

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West Seattle Saturday: Morgan Junction Festival; Celebrate Springer; Poker Run; Field Day; more…

June 23, 2012 8:13 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(See this RapidRide bus up close and personal @ Morgan Junction Festival today)
Lots going on, no matter what the weather does! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC REMINDER: Yet another reminder, the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is closed for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon (till 3:30 pm) and that’s just one of a multitude of closures, as well as bus detours, so if you’re leaving the peninsula … expect the unexpected.

LOOKING FOR YARD SALES? HAVING ONE? Check out the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section – posting is free. (Be sure to include the date/s in the subject line.)

WEST SEATTLE KIWANIS POKER RUN: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is raising money for Children’s Hospital, with its annual Motorcycle Poker Run, Classic Car Show, and barbecue. Check-in 8:30-9:30 am at 40th/Edmunds (and if you didn’t pre-register, no worries, you and your bike can just show up!), then they’re off! Details here.

HELP CLEAN UP AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: As previewed here earlier this week, volunteer help is appreciated today at West Seattle’s only museum – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum – 9 am to noon. Just show up (61st/Stevens)!

SANISLO WETLAND WORK PARTY: Factoid from Steve Richmond: “Did you know a mature cedar tree can intercept more than 400 gallons of rainfall per year, reducing polluted stormwater runoff that will otherwise foul Puget Sound? Evergreen trees intercept twice the rainfall as deciduous trees, particularly during winter.” 10 am-1 pm today, you can help take care of native plants at the Sanislo School Wetland, 1812 SW Myrtle. Help appreciated even if you have as little as an hour to spare. Meet in front of the school. Bring gloves, hand pruners if you have them (write your name on yours), =and wear sturdy shoes/boots and long sleeves/pants. Snacks and water provided (bring a bottle).

MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Clouds and showers won’t stop the free fun – 10:30 am-7 pm, live music/performances (The Bubbleman at 11:30 am is a fave with the kids), the “Bark of Morgan” dog parade/contests at 2 pm, ongoing “Bite of Morgan” food sampling, dozens of booths with community organizations and businesses (we’ll be reporting live; come say hi!) – details, map, schedule here.

CELEBRATE SPRINGER ON ALKI: Native dancers, kids’ activities, stories about the amazing work a decade ago that reunited Springer the “orphan orca” with her family … it’s all part of the celebration that The Whale Trail is hosting today (including unveiling their new signs), 11 am-3 pm at Alki Bathhouse. Details on TWT’s website.

HAM RADIO FIELD DAY: Go learn about amateur radio and say hi to local “hams,” during their round-the-clock marathon in the field on the southeast side of the South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW), 11 am today till 11 pm tomorrow. They’re not just hobbyists – they’re a vital link in the local emergency-preparedness ecosystem, too – and they invite you to come check out what’s going on. More info here.

WALK FOR THE BABIES: As previewed here earlier this week – a 5K walk around the track at West Seattle Stadium 3-5 pm today to raise money for a one-of-a-kind facility that helps newborns, between hospital and home, recover from prenatal drug exposure. You’re welcome to join in and/or pledge.

BOWLING FOR BOOBS: Fight breast cancer with a charity bowl-a-thon at West Seattle Bowl (39th/Oregon), starting at 6 pm, benefiting two nonprofits. Details here.

SALSA ON ALKI – WEATHER PERMITTING: If the weather isn’t too wet, it’s the second edition of this summer’s salsa-dancing sessions on Alki (near the bathhouse). Organizers advise checking the Facebook event page around noon to see if it’s on. If it is, it starts around 6 pm.

BLUEGRASS AT KENYON HALL: The Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band (appropriate name for a day like this) plays Kenyon Hall at 7:30 pm.

AFTER THE FESTIVAL – DJ @ THE FEEDBACK: Tonight at 8 pm, segue from the Morgan Junction Community Festival into the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) for DJ SheZaHipChick.

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Traffic reminder: Northbound Viaduct/99 closed

June 23, 2012 7:11 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just a reminder if you are headed out of West Seattle today – the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is closed because of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, and scheduled to remain closed till 3:30 pm. (Here’s the full list of race-related closures.)

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