West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The one-on-one Reading Partners tutoring program is in danger at Highland Park Elementary, according to volunteer tutor Dina Johnson, who’s organizing a campaign to save it. “All the tutors wish to continue. We have established a close rapport with students and watched them progress. We know this is one of the under-performing schools in Seattle. Over 50% of the kids aren’t reading at grade level. So we decided to try raising the funds – $30,000. Deadline is July 15th.” They’ve set up a crowdfunding page here; there’ll also be a free Summer Book Swap event 1 pm June 25th at Highland Park Improvement Club – (updated) details here. And look for Dina at the Westwood Village Street Fair Saturday, with a table in front of Giannoni’s Pizza on the south side of the center.
We’re just hours away from the 2017 Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association, 10 am-5 pm Saturday. We’ve already featured the entertainment and food (here), kids’ activities (here), and now, one more sneak peek – the vendors and community groups you’ll find at the festival:
The festival features more than 40 vendors – some new, many returning, who are mostly from West Seattle southern neighborhoods. They will be in the parking lots behind Zeeks Pizza and Beveridge Place Pub, and on Eddy Street. Handmade jewelry and crafts by local artisans make up the majority of for-sale items. A variety of commercial vendors will be there to provide information on their services and/or products. Community and local government organizations are eager to educate festival attendees about their activities and how interested citizens can get involved.
Morgan Junction Businesses
Super Supplements
Madrid Frame, LLC
Second Gear Sports
Good Med Direct Primary CareHandmade Jewelry/Crafts
Ginger Jewelry Design
Flying Feather Designs
Maureen’s Jewelry and Photographs
Penguina Designs
Beadz-N-Mor
Lia’s Jewelry and Art
Queen Beads
Snooter-doots
DabbaWalla Bags
Endolyne Children’s Choir – with a music-themed craft activity
The Community General Store
Nepenthe Massage and Boutique – on-site massage therapy
West Seattle Electric and Solar
West Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Seattle in ColorEdibles
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets – handcrafted chocolates, caramels
Italian Ices
Puddles Barkery – Homemade dog treatsMeals and Food Services
Smith Brothers Farms
Hello Fresh
Dream DinnersCommunity/Government Organizations
West Seattle Democratic Women
34th District Democrats – voter registration, community information, and outreach
Southwest Historical Society
Seattle Emergency Hubs – emergency preparedness
Seattle Public Library
West Seattle Food Bank
Westside Neighbors Network
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
West Seattle TimeBank
Urban Homestead FoundationAlso
Eldercare Consulting, LLC
Daystar Retirement Village
The Kenney
Church of the Nazarene – Morgan Junction
Hopelink – information on King County transportation options and resources
As always, we’re among the festival sponsors, and we’ll be at the festival and publishing updates throughout the day, so come say hi. It’s all happening on the west side of California SW, north of Fauntleroy Way, in and around Morgan Junction Park.
P.S. See the full schedule in the official festival program on the MoCA website.
Cancer survivors and caregivers take first lap at Relay for Life-West Seattle. pic.twitter.com/iAm0xDgmzJ
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 17, 2017
7 PM: The annual all-night cancer-fighting fundraiser Relay for Life/West Seattle just got going with the opening ceremony, followed by survivors and caregivers taking the ceremonial first lap.
This year, Relay for Life is at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) instead of West Seattle Stadium, which is being readied for track resurfacing.
You’re welcome to stop by and cheer on the relay participants, especially during two more special events – luminarias at 10 pm (you can create one for someone you know who is fighting or has fought cancer) and the closing ceremony at 7:30 am. More info is online here, which is also where you can donate.
8:50 PM: Photos added, including, above, tents being put up by Key Club members from local high schools, participating at Relay for Life with their sponsoring organization, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle.
(2009 WSB photo of the famously altered banner on what was at the time going to be Whole Foods’ original West Seattle site)
When we heard the news this morning about Amazon buying Whole Foods, our question was the same as yours: Will that change WF’s twice-canceled plans for West Seattle?
We’ve been checking around all day and so far … too soon to say.
To recap: The spot where LA Fitness is now, at Fauntleroy/Alaska, was originally supposed to be Whole Foods. Last decade, WF was announced as anchor tenant for what was then to be called Fauntleroy Place. Ground was broken. Project stalled after excavation, becoming “The Hole.” Finally in 2010, Whole Foods announced it was definitely out, since terms of its lease – building a store for it – hadn’t been fulfilled.
Two years later, WF was announced as anchor tenant for the megaproject across the street, now The Whittaker (WSB sponsor). But in March, WF said it had “decided to delay indefinitely” the West Seattle store, and landlord Weingarten said it was “actively working with Whole Foods to find a replacement for the space Whole Foods leased …”
To date, no replacement(s) signed; the online site plan for The Whittaker shows the space as available. We have continued to check periodically with Weingarten spokesperson Carrie Murray, and we’re watching files for the project site; we asked Murray this morning about whether the WF-Amazon deal might change things, and she pointed us to WF, whose regional spokesperson in turn pointed us to corporate HQ, which in turn has not responded. Otherwise, regarding the search for a replacement tenant, Murray said, “We are still working through options.”
We’re spotlighting two ways you can be helpful for a few hours tomorrow:
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY PAINTING PARTY: That photo shows one of the spots at Gatewood Elementary where volunteers will be painting tomorrow. The paint’s been donated; all that’s needed are hands to wield the brushes. The school is 107 years old, a city landmark, and in need of TLC. Volunteers can join one or both of two sessions tomorrow; 9 am-12 pm for setup and prep, 12:30 pm-3 pm for painting and cleanup. Can you help? E-mail Amanda at amandalee_14@yahoo.com – more info here.
ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: As mentioned in our report about this week’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, tomorrow brings the quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup, for anyone and everyone who can give some time between 9 am and noon. Meet up at Metropolitan Market (42nd/Admiral; WSB sponsor), where you’ll get pre-cleanup treats and post-cleanup lunch. All ages welcome.
(WSDOT rendering)
You’ve probably heard about the big Colman Dock modernization project downtown. It involves the downtown dock for the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis as well as Washington State Ferries, and it’s about to get going in a big way. As a result, the King County Department of Transportation is out with a two-part alert this afternoon for Water Taxi users. The biggest part is that the downtown dock will move to a temporary location for about a year and a half, with a revised schedule. And while that move is made, there’ll be a service interruption of up to 10 days. Here’s the official announcement:
Both routes of the popular foot and bike ferry service will be suspended while construction crews move the Water Taxi’s float at Pier 50 on the south end of Colman dock to the north end (toward the fire station and Ivar’s restaurant).
The temporary move is part of a larger project by the state to renovate Colman Dock. The Water Taxi will move back to a new King County owned facility at the south end of the dock in about a year and a half.
The new Water Taxi terminal will have a weather-protected waiting area as well as elevators and a pedestrian bridge to the new Washington State Ferries terminal and its amenities.
While service is suspended in August, bus riders in both service areas can expect to see heavier-than-usual passenger loads on trips to and from downtown.
Travel options
· Buses—Metro’s Rapid Ride C Line and routes 21, 37, 55, 56, 57, 120, and 125 connect West Seattle to downtown Seattle. Route 116 connects the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal to downtown Seattle.
· Light rail—Metro Route 50 connects West Seattle to Link light rail at the Columbia City Station.
· Ride sharing—Learn about Carpool, VanPool, and other ride-sharing options at kingcounty.gov/metro/rideshare or contact your employer.
· Telecommuting and alternate work schedules—If your employer allows you to work from home or flex your schedule to avoid peak commute times, you can both bypass and help reduce crowding on buses while the Water Taxi is out of service.
New sailing schedule for West Seattle
When the Water Taxi resumes service after its move to the north side of Colman Dock, the West Seattle route will be on a new schedule. [PDF version here] This will account for the time it takes to board and de-board the route’s growing number of riders, and allow for Washington State Ferries to cross the Water Taxi’s route when arriving and departing from Colman Dock.
Open house
To learn more about the move, new facilities, or the new West Seattle schedule, come to an open house on June 21 at Pier 50 (801 Alaskan Way on the Seattle waterfront). Look for the King County Water Taxi tent and drop in any time between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
West Seattle’s only coworking center has new owners and a new name. Crystal and Rosario Bevilacqua have launched West Seattle Coworking at 6040 California SW, in the space previously known as WS Office Junction. Ross has been coworking there for three years “because we believe in the need for a space to separate work from family life,” says Crystal, explaining that the Bevilacquas are a West Seattle family with four young children. West Seattle Coworking, she adds, is “a space where those from the community can rub shoulders and share resources without having to brave the morning commute.” The center remains open as they work nights and weekends on “freshening up the look and feel of the office”; new signage and a grand-opening celebration are coming up this summer. In the meantime, Crystal says, “I invite all those who want to enhance their productivity to give us a try. We offer a one-day free trial, and our memberships are month to month.” They’re online at westseattlecoworking.com and the best way to book your free trial or get questions answered is via e-mail at ilovecoworking@gmail.com.
P.S. Former Office Junction owners Christine and Stefan are having a farewell party there 6:30-9:30 pm next Tuesday (June 20th) with snacks and drinks, and hope to see those they’ve coworked with these past four years.
(Friday sunrise, photographed by Jim Borrow)
Five highlights for tonight:
RELAY FOR LIFE-WEST SEATTLE: The annual overnight relay to raise money to fight cancer is happening at Hiawatha Playfield this year, and it starts at 6 tonight. You’re invited to stop by for events including the survivors’ lap (6:30 pm) and luminarias (10 pm). It continues until the closing ceremony at 7:30 am Saturday. (2700 California SW)
MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: Doors open at 6 at Highland Park Improvement Club, short at 6:15, main feature – “Sing!” – at 7. Free, but bring money for concessions. (1116 SW Holden)
BOBCAT BOB: Guitarist and song stylist Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
FREAKS FOR THE FESTIVAL – THE RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK JAZZ PARTY: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, “a celebration of life with music, poetry, and art.” $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
COMEDY SHOWCASE: 9 pm (doors @ 8) at The Skylark. $10. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PREVIEW YOUR WEEKEND … on our complete-calendar page!
Thanks to proud mom Regina Arceo-Schulz for the news that Reece Schulz and Cole Graham are the USRowing Junior National Champions in men’s lightweight doubles. Reece, who many know from West Seattle Scout Troop 282, is at right, below, with Cole:
They won the championship last weekend in Sarasota, Florida. Regina adds, “This is Reece’s second win at this title … He won last year with Nick Angelillo. Many thanks to his Coach Conal Groom and Assistant Coach Derek Deleuw at Seattle Rowing Center.”
Before everyone starts moving into weekend mode, we just want to warn you that WSB will be offline for a while very early Sunday (after midnight Saturday night) – we have some technical work to do. If breaking news happens and we’re not able to publish it here, we’ll get the info out via our social-media channels (Twitter and Facebook primarily). If, later Sunday and Monday, you check WSB and notice anything awry – such as, you’re still seeing Saturday stories atop the page – please let us know (editor@westseattleblog.com would be the best way but whatever else is convenient for you, including 206-293-6302 voice or text, is fine too). Thank you!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far this morning.
WEEKEND ALERTS: No road closures involved, but be aware of the Morgan Junction Community Festival and Westwood Village Street Fair tomorrow, both starting at 10 am and running all day … On Sunday, NB Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from early morning through mid-afternoon for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. … Lots of big events around the city this weekend – here’s the SDOT roundup.
WEST SEATTLE GREENWAY EVENT ON SATURDAY: 10 am-11:30 am Saturday morning at Uptown Espresso in The Junction, you’re invited to stop by and find out more about the “most promising route” for the West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway, as reported here last weekend.
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