West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Another big event tomorrow:
West Seattle Wildcats Jr. Football and Cheer will be hosting a Youth Resource Fair on Saturday, June 28th at Hiawatha (2900 California SW). Come for some fun, entertainment, food, games, activities, arts, crafts, prizes, raffles, education, demonstrations, music, speakers, and more. Jump on the opportunity to dunk Coach Carter, win photos of Seahawk players, and punt pass and kick your way to $500. Appearances by some of Seattle Hottest DJ’s! DJ Funk Daddy, DJ Lovesick Larry, and DJ Custom Cuts.
You’ll find the fun outdoors at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) 10:30 am-3:30 pm tomorrow.
It began with a lap around the West Seattle Stadium track featuring the participants hailed as heroes – cancer survivors and their caregivers. And with that, this year’s West Seattle Relay for Life was underway as of about an hour ago. More than 20 teams are there for the all-night relay-style walkathon/campout.
They’re raising money for the American Cancer Society, with a goal of $50,000. Some teams and participants have been raising money all year, like tonight’s greeters, the mother-and-daughter team of Gerry and Lauri Cunningham:
Again this year, they made and sold spaghetti dinners to go, and told us tonight that they raised more than a thousand dollars. Just before the kickoff lap by survivors and caregivers, participants heard from organizers including Sarah, who identified herself as a survivor – diagnosed with kidney cancer at age 3, now cancer-free 20 years later: “The money you raise is saving someone’s life,” she said. “It saved mine.” As the night goes on, a long list of activities awaits participants – from the reflective luminaria ceremony at 10 pm (you are welcome to go make your own luminaria in honor of someone fighting cancer or someone who has passed) …
… to lighthearted activities like balloon ping-pong, hula-hooping, and midnight bowling, plus music by “DJ Gary.” It’s participants only from 11 pm to 5 am (some will walk, some will sleep, some will even watch movies) but visitors are welcome the rest of the time. At the heart of it is the walking, whether you’re in costume (like team Answers for Cancers, below) or not:
Tomorrow morning’s schedule includes 8 am yoga and stretches, a fire truck visit at 9 am, the kids’ parade at 10 am, and closing ceremony at 11:30 am. It’s not too soon to start thinking about getting involved next year, either by organizing a team or volunteering to help behind the scenes – more info (and donation links) can be found on the official WSR4L page.
On the eve of thousands converging on Alki for the Seafair Pirates’ Landing tomorrow, here are all the details we’ve been able to pull from the briny deep:
WHEN DO THE SEAFAIR PIRATES LAND ON ALKI? Common question today. In fact, some of them landed this morning. Erik Walum shared the photo – they said they were doing a “TV spot.” Tomorrow, they’re back for the official landing, and we have these details so far:
*As it says on the Pirates’ website, they’re expected ashore at Alki between 11:30-12:30 (we tend to tell people, better to be earlier than later, so we’d advise an 11-ish arrival).
*The new Captain Kidd (Marvin Davis) will take command, with a knighting ceremony, pirate songs, etc., on the main stage by the bathhouse
*Also onstage before and after the ceremonies, 10 am-2 pm, live music with local bands including Side Project
*Beer garden on the beach, 10 am-4 pm
*Pirate Costume Contest/Pirate Lookalike Contest for kids
*Booths/vendors with food, toys, clothing, jewelry, art
*Royalty: 2013-2014 Miss Seafair Rio Barber, the Seafair princesses, West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty
*Mayor Murray is expected there at noon, per his official schedule
And while it’s not an official part of the Pirates’ Landing, yes, the 19th annual Alki Swashbuckler pole-vaulting competition will be happening on the beach too. See you there!
Many kids in need avoid going hungry through free/reduced-price meals at school. So what happens in the summertime? The United Way One Million Meals Campaign helps provide free summer meals to kids and teens, and sent word today that they’ll be serving on Sundays, starting THIS Sunday (June 29th), 1-2 pm at Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury). Everyone 18 and under will be served, and kid/teen activities will be offered. UWKC also says you can find other summer-meal sites through this lookup.
Another round of development notes, including demolitions current and future:
THE WHITTAKER UPDATE – DEMOLITION THIS SUMMER: Despite previous controversy over the 4755 Fauntleroy Way project, aka The Whittaker, no one had filed an appeal of its key land-use approval by the deadline yesterday, so the project is moving ahead. A spokesperson tells us they expect to start demolition by summer’s end, but don’t yet know which of the buildings on the site will be first to go. This is the project with a Whole Foods Market (we’re checking to see if any other retailers have been signed), ~389 apartments, ~594 parking spaces. If construction does start this year, it would be on target for completion in 2016.
3008 ALKI DEMOLITION: Nine months ago, we noted an application to build five “rowhouse” units in two buildings at 3008 Alki Avenue SW. This week, the existing structures on the site were torn down:
(Thanks to the person who texted the photo!) One building, with two units now described as townhouses, will carry the Alki Ave. address; the 3-unit building will be at 6502 SW Stevens. Documents filed with the city say the offstreet parking will total 10 spaces.
1 DOWN, 2 UP AT 5421 49TH SW: A demolition-permit application was filed this week for that 93-year-old house at 5421 49th SW.
City files say it will be replaced by two single-family houses; its lot is 15,000+ square feet.
UPDATE ON 2-REPLACING-1 AT 8437 41ST SW: We reported earlier this month on the plan for two single-family houses on the site of one to-be-demolished house in Upper Fauntleroy. The owner/developer is now seeking a lot-boundary adjustment, to split the site into 4,500- and 7,300-square-foot parcels.
DESIGN REVIEW REMINDER NOTICES: The dates have already been reported here, but in case you missed them, the formal Southwest Design Review Board meeting notices appeared in Thursday’s Land Use Information Bulletin for 3824 California SW (8 pm July 10th) and 2626 Alki SW (6:30 pm July 17th).
‘LET’S TALK’ WITH DPD, SDOT, DON IN WEST SEATTLE TOMORROW: One more nudge before our Saturday morning calendar highlights – tomorrow is the West Seattle “Let’s Talk” conversation with Department of Planning and Development reps including director Diane Sugimura, 9:30-11:30 am at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon in The Junction) – and we see on the DPD’s website that reps from SDOT and the Department of Neighborhoods will be there too. It’s listed there as “open-house-style” so we’re trying to find out more specifics about the format.
12:46 PM: Thanks to Krista for first word that a tree is down across eastbound Roxbury at 10th SW. As you can see in the photo she shared, King County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene. Avoid the area.
1:40 PM UPDATE: Metro has just texted that Routes 60 and 128 are rerouted off eastbound Roxbury in the area, between 8th and 14th SW.
3:15 PM UPDATE: Still not cleared; KCSO still diverting traffic.
6:10 PM UPDATE: We went back to check again; it’s been cleared off the road, pushed up onto the sidewalk, and traffic is back to normal.
(Rendering of new vessels – reflecting size/shape/configuration, not final color/paint/trim)
Just in from the King County Ferry District:
The King County Ferry District wants King County residents to help name the two new water taxis that will serve West Seattle and Vashon Island.
“This is a great opportunity to display your creativity and highlight your favorite part of our region,” said Joe McDermott, who chairs the King County Ferry District. “Anyone can submit name suggestions, so spread the word to your kids, friends, families and neighbors!”
The naming contest starts today. Individuals can submit their ideas at www.surveymonkey.com/s/2JNBGG2 or by calling 206-477-3840. Suggestions will be taken until Friday, July 18, 2014. The King County Ferry District will then narrow the names down before putting the final public vote forward to the public at the end of July.
To be considered for the final vote, names must contain regional relevancy, must not exceed two words nor have any inappropriate language. A boat’s name is said to reflect its personality, so the name should be in good taste. While this will not disqualify a name suggestion, it should be noted that maritime folklore says it is unlucky for the boat to be named after a living person who intends to ride the boat in their lifetime.
The new vessels are primarily funded through federal grants and are being designed and built by All American Marine in Bellingham. The new vessels will start serving riders next year …
Bicycle parking along California is supposed to be part of the plan for the two-building Equity Residential project in the heart of The Junction. But supporters of a bicycle “corral” believe the developer is responsible for wheel-spinning that’s delaying installation, and have just sent open letters to the City Council Transportation Committee and Mayor Ed Murray (as well as media). This one is from West Seattle Bike Connections:
Dear Transportation Committee Councilmembers and Mayor Murray,
I am writing on behalf of West Seattle Bike Connections (WSBC) to find out what it takes to get a bike corral installed in West Seattle, more specifically in Alaska Junction at the southeast corner of SW Alaska St and California Ave SW. This letter and a timeline are attached with the efforts we’ve taken to date, beginning in late 2012. We have one simple request: please provide support to have a bike corral installed in Alaska Junction by mid-August of this year.
WSBC has worked with three different SDOT contacts over the last 18 months, where the process began anew with each different representative. SDOT has been asked by the property developer at the location (Equity Residential) to delay installation until construction is complete in 2015. We do not want to wait any longer or go through this process again with new SDOT personnel. We are upset that SDOT is succumbing to a developer for authority over the public right-of-way. We have support from several organizations and businesses who want to see this bike corral installed as soon as possible:
(Wednesday night sunset, photographed by Jeremiah Holt)
Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LOW TIDE, WITH NATURALISTS: Not mega-low, but low enough for good exploration – the tide’s out to -1.6 feet at 11:38 am today, and you’ll find volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation Park (south of Alki Point) and Lincoln Park (near Colman Pool) 10 am-1:30 pm.
MANGA-MAKING FOR TEENS: Learning how to make a manga – supplies provided! – is the featured activity at Teen Space, 2-4 pm at Southwest Branch Library. (35th/Henderson)
LOCAL VENDOR FAIR: Meet a variety of vendors at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) 4-7 pm today. (41st/42nd/Admiral)
LIVE MUSIC VENUES TONIGHT … include Salty’s, C & P Coffee, The Cask (all WSB sponsors), as well as Kenyon Hall and Skylark Café and Club – see all those listings on the calendar.
WEST SEATTLE RELAY FOR LIFE: Has your family been affected by cancer? (Whose hasn’t?) Support the fight for survival – and cures – through West Seattle Relay for Life, an all-night American Cancer Society-benefiting event that kicks off with the opening ceremony at 7 pm, the survivors’ lap at 7:30 pm, the luminaria ceremony at 10 pm, all open to the public at West Seattle Stadium (which does close its gates later in the night/early morning, for participants’ security) – more info here. (4432 35th SW)
TWO WEEKS UNTIL SUMMER FEST! SIGNED UP FOR THE COMMUNITY TENT YET? West Seattle Summer Fest is only two weeks away. The Community Tent is taking signups through TODAY – don’t miss the chance for your group/organization to be part of West Seattle’s biggest summer party. Here’s the announcement with details.
And just in case you hear them from across the bay …
FIREWORKS … are on the Safeco Field schedule after tonight’s Mariners’ game (also July 25th and August 29th).
Cross-posted from our partner site White Center Now, since the new league hopes to draw from all over this area:
Pamela McCarty shares the news that Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby is launching soon, and interested skaters 8-17 are welcome to come to an Info Night at Southgate Roller Rink next Monday (June 30th), 7 pm. Southside Revolution definitely plans a girls’ team, and will also have a coed team if enough boys are interested.
Southgate will be the practice site for the new league. If you just can’t make it Monday night but have an interested skater in the family, there will be another Info Night on July 14th and an August summer camp. Questions? E-mail info@southsiderevolution.com – and you’re invited to check out this Facebook group.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No major problems to report outbound right now (a Battery St. Tunnel closure following a one-car crash cleared relatively quickly near the top of the hour) – but if you are headed toward West Seattle, southbound I-5 has had some backups, most recently with a crash by the downtown Convention Center.
Quick weekend reminders – California/Fauntleroy intersection is set for repaving 7 am-7 pm Saturday (with extensive no-parking zones on surrounding blocks); 2 lanes of NB I-5 at the West Seattle Bridge will close all weekend (as will the 520 bridge); Alki will be busy tomorrow with the Seafair Pirates Landing (no road closures, but big crowd). And on Sunday, two notable events outside (but not far from) WS – the Pride Parade downtown at 11 am (here’s the route) and the South Park Bridge celebration at noon (the bridge itself opens for vehicle/pedestrian use 6 am Monday).
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