day : 17/07/2016 8 results

Thanks to Angie for the photos: Her North Admiral neighborhood has a “Play Street” set up for Sunday afternoons/evenings this summer, at 44th/Massachusetts. It’s been two years since the city launched the program, which allows residents to apply for permits to close up to a block of a non-arterial neighborhood street so people of all ages can get out and play. You need to set up road-closure signs, too; here’s one from 44th/Massachusetts:

The map on this city webpage shows four other “Play Streets” in West Seattle right now – three others in Admiral, one in Seaview. Angie says 44th/Massachusetts will be open for play 3-9 pm Sundays for the rest of the summer. Want to have one too? Here’s the application.

West Seattle Garden Tour 2016 scenes, from The Arroyos to Alki

July 17, 2016 8:52 pm

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| Gardening | West Seattle news

On this perfect sunny Sunday, today’s annual West Seattle Garden Tour drew hundreds to 10 homes. We stopped at three:

In the upper Arroyos, the southernmost WSGT stop was the “Off the Grid” bluffside home with a showstopper Puget Sound view that almost overshadowed the garden. Almost, but not quite:

The home was called “Off the Grid” rainwater-storage-and-circulation system and solar power were the draws; the water system supplies indoor uses in the rainy months, as well as garden irrigation when needed.

From there, we headed north to Westwood/Sunrise Heights, and the “Little City Farms Hideaway” home:

As described in the Tour guide, this is “a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home surrounded by copious fruit and vegetable gardens”:

Statuary in a corner offered, and brought, a smile:

ALKI GARDENER’S RETREAT: None of our stops were sprawling gardens at mansions – all were at relatively small homes, inspiring dreams of what could be done with even the smallest of spaces.

This home was billed as belonging to “a botanist who was head gardener at Seattle Center for 20 years and goes to plant nurseries for entertainment.”

That was easy to see, with unusual plants and memorable color combinations:

Also from Alki:

WHAT IT TAKES TO GET READY: Local arborist and photographer Michael Oxman sent this photo of the honey locust tree that towers over another stop on today’s tour, “Whitecap,” as Robert Oxman climbed it to prepare it for its day in the spotlight:

As explained in the WSGT guide, the owner is also responsible for the now-iconic ALKI sign spelled out in white rocks at Admiral/59th, not far from Whitecap.

The West Seattle Garden Tour is a fundraiser for local nonprofits. And because gardens are peaking earlier these days, next year’s tour will be in June, not July, according to information circulated to volunteers; thanks to Mike for the tip on this.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Two bicycles stolen, another left behind

July 17, 2016 7:39 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Recognize that bicycle? Carol sent the photo, explaining:

Friday night, two of our bikes were stolen from our garage in the Fauntleroy neighborhood and the attached bike was left behind. We’re assuming this bike was stolen. The found bike is with the local police if anyone recognizes it. Our bikes are both white. One is a woman’s Diamondback and the other a K2 Astral. We have filed a police report and know the bike’s serial numbers if they are found. Sadly, our teenage girls have had a damper put into their summer with their bikes gone.

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Reader report: ‘Whirlwind’ sweeps through Highland Park playground

July 17, 2016 5:01 pm

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| Highland Park | West Seattle news

Think it’s calm out there this afternoon? Not for a few moments just before 4 pm at Highland Park playground, according to someone who called us. A “whirlwind” swept through, picking up and swirling wood chips in the air. Nobody was hurt but, the caller said, it was startling, to say the least. We asked the National Weather Service about this via Twitter; they hadn’t heard anything, but then Marcia joined the conversation, saying, “It was CRAZY! Blankets and clothes went flying in the air. Someone lost their kite!” The NWS says it sounds like a “whirlwind/dust devil” – apparently these can and do happen anywhere.

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Seen off West Seattle: San Francisco’s future fireboat

July 17, 2016 4:29 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Greg for the photo of San Francisco’s future fireboat, “which has been circling (and enjoying a wonderful sunny Sunday afternoon) in Puget Sound, south of the lighthouse for the past few hours.” It’s been in the area a while – the 88′ x 25′ x 14′ “super-pumper” fireboat was built at Vigor on Harbor Island. According to a Reddit member who included a photo from on board earlier today, the fireboat will head south for delivery within the next week. It cost about $12 million, reports the San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco kids were invited to enter a contest to name the new fireboat (so far we haven’t found word of a winner).

P.S. Checking MarineTraffic.com right before publishing this at 4:29 pm, we see it’s still out there, labeled as “Fireboat 3.”

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HAPPENING NOW: Alki Beach stop for Pianos in the Parks

July 17, 2016 2:20 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Something extra on the Alki Beach promenade west of Statue of Liberty Plaza today – a piano that you’re invited to see, and play!

The piano will be there until 7 pm, as part of this year’s Pianos in the Parks; it’s one of 10 “artistically enhanced pianos” that have been placed, mostly for one-day stops, in parks around the region. This one is by artist Brittany Carchano and titled “Nostalgic Tides“; she says it was inspired by growing up in West Seattle.

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FOLLOWUP: District Councils not going down quietly; citywide reps invited to Delridge Neighborhoods DC on Wednesday

July 17, 2016 11:28 am

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| Delridge District Council | West Seattle news

Just found out about this – it’s an update to our standing calendar listing for the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting (coming up this Wednesday), and an update to the mention in our latest edition of WSB EXTRA:

Pete Spalding from the DNDC tells WSB that in the wake of Mayor Murray‘s announcement last week about cutting city ties with, and support for, neighborhood-district councils (WSB coverage here), DNDC is inviting DC reps from all over the city to their meeting at 7 pm Wednesday. It’s moving locations to Highland Park Improvement Club for the occasion.

Spalding says the goal will be a discussion of “what the DCs bring to our neighborhoods, the city, and its agencies – (not a) bash-the-mayor event but more along the lines of what we have (accomplished) and can accomplish with more city support in addition to what we already do.” Public welcome as always. HPIC is at 12th SW/SW Holden. Watch for more on this.

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West Seattle Sunday: Gardens, music, history, dancing, more…

July 17, 2016 6:43 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bald eagles on the beach, photographed by Ben Oleson)

Here are some of the ways you can enjoy this summer Sunday – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: 9 am-5 pm, ticket-book buyers can tour 10 inspiring West Seattle gardens at their own pace. You need a ticket book for admission (including the 12:30 pm lecture) and locations – check West Seattle Nursery or Junction True Value all day, or, between 8:30 and 11 am only, Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor). Proceeds benefit local nonprofits; children under 12 are free.

PIANO IN THE PARK, IN WEST SEATTLE 10 am-7 pm, find a special piano at Alki Beach Park, one day only! You’re welcome to play it – and/or, come watch a performance by Nader Kabbani, noon-12:30 pm. (60th SW/Alki SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, peak summer produce, and more. Back in the street this weekend. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

MEDITERRANEAN FANTASY FESTIVAL, DAY TWO: 11 am-5 pm, nonstop bellydancing in and outside Hiawatha Community Center (free admission), plus vendor and food booths. 29th year! No admission charge. (2700 California SW)

SUNDAY FUNDAY: 1-3 pm at the Log House Museum, special family activities and refreshments. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

WHILE YOU’RE AT THE BEACH … TOUR ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: 1-4 pm (be there by 3:40 pm), the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary welcomes your visit to historic Alki Point Lighthouse. (Alki SW/Beach Drive SW)

JAMTIME: 1-4 pm old-time music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) with Jamtime. (5612 California SW)

BOEING’S WEST SEATTLE ROOTS: Peder Nelson from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society presents a look at Boeing’s origins on this side of the Duwamish, as previewed here. 2 pm at South Park Library. (8604 8th Ave. S.)

AND IN WHITE CENTER … the Jubilee Days festival continues, with the street fair keeping 17th SW closed between Roxbury and 100th all day, and the parade on 16th SW between 100th and 116th, 10 am-1 pm.

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