West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Two weeks from tonight, right about now, it’ll be showtime on the big screen in the festival street outside the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), as this year’s WS Outdoor Movies series begins. Above is the trailer for this year’s first movie, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” As first published here in May, here’s this year’s full lineup, six consecutive Saturday night:
July 22 – “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
July 29 – “The LEGO Batman Movie”
August 5 – “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
August 12 – “Finding Dory”
August 19 – “Queen of Katwe”
August 26 – “Beauty and the Beast” (2017)
The films start at dusk, which means the time varies, a little earlier week to week. You’re welcome to arrive earlier for concessions, mingling, bring-your-own picnics, food trucks, Y-coordinated kids’ activities, etc. Admission is free, but if you bring $, you can get in on raffles raising money for local nonprofits, too. WSB is proud to be a co-sponsor again this year; see you at the movies!
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
7:39 PM: Seattle Police were looking this past hour for the driver of the blue Prius involved in that crash at SW Walker and 47th SW [map], reports WSB’s Christopher Boffoli. The only description they had at the time was “white, male, about 5-10,” he says. No injuries reported.
9:46 PM: A little more info from Christopher: “Witnesses at the scene told me that the driver of the Prius got out after the crash and stuck around for a minute or two and then bolted. A neighbor who heard the crash followed him towards the south on 47th for a bit and then lost him. Another neighbor spotted the driver trying to hide in her backyard and then when he was discovered he continued on. Multiple SPD units searched the area but were unable to find him.” If you have any information for police, you can refer to incident # 2017-248257.
(Photos courtesy Saroya Poirier)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After one last wild weekend of swirling veils and flashing swords at Hiawatha Community Center next Saturday and Sunday, the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival will fold its tents for the final time.
So July 15-16 will bring your last chance to enjoy the only annual West Seattle festival devoted to dance, which also is the region’s longest-running belly-dancing festival.
“It’s been a good run,” organizer Saroya Poirier told WSB, an understatement if anything. The Mediterranean Fantasy Festival is ending in its 30th year; we were surprised to find out this would be its last, so we asked her to take some time to talk about it.
Of the festival-founding Babylonian Ensemble, Saroya explains, “Everybody from the group is retired but me. … I’m ready to go on to something else. I’m 69 and it’s a lot of work” – seven months to plan and schedule, starting in December every year.
And all that work has come with decreasing payoff – it’s always been a labor of love, but more so every year.
(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:21 PM: Alki Beach is in the midst of its annual pirate invasion – the Seafair Pirates landed just before 2 pm, aboard the Prudhoe Bay, courtesy of West Seattle-based Global Diving and Salvage.
(Photo tweeted by Brandon, @olysportsblog)
Though the landing itself is over, the party is not – it’s on until 6 pm. Live music started at 11:
Next band up is scheduled to be Queen Anne’s Revenge (3 pm-ish). Meanwhile, kids’ activities continue, including inflatable rides:
Vendors are offering merchandise including official T-shirts:
Among those gathered pre-landing, we even spotted a mermaid:
(added) And sword-wielding beach defenders:
(Photo by Don Brubeck)
ADDED 7:56 PM: More photos after the jump – including the aspiring pirates onshore! Read More
Three reader reports:
(Photo added, from KD – bus windows smashed during rampage)
POLICE RESPONSE IN LUNA PARK BUSINESS DISTRICT: Multiple reports about a naked man behaving bizarrely in the Luna Park business district – one person said he was jumping on cars, another said he was running around in the veterinary-clinic area. Police eventually got him under control outside the clinic, as shown in one photo sent to us (we can’t publish it without blurring, which we can’t do right now). We don’t know yet what happened from there; SFD was called for an “aid response” (low-level medical) but the call has closed. (Added 2:36 pm – photo sent by KD; see comments on damage done to vehicles including a bus)
SUSPICIOUS PERSON SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION: From a resident:
I just had a run-in at my apartment building around 1130. As I was leaving my apartment buildings’s back door a woman tried to push her way in, claiming her cousin lived here. She couldn’t remember her cousins last name or apartment and the first name she gave was not the name of anyone living in our small building. She said her phone was dead and couldn’t remember her cousin’s number. I let my neighbors and landlord know but she may still be around the neighborhood trying this at another building. She was African American, youngish (maybe 30s?) and dressed well. She was carrying an overnight bag and a cosmetic bag. Her hair was long and pulled back.
DUMPED STROLLER: Ray sent this photo of a stroller ditched between North Admiral and Alki – stolen, maybe?
If it’s yours, let us know and we’ll get you the location information.
The state Transportation Commission is considering a proposal to increase ferry fares, and looking for public comment. Here’s a summary of the proposal:
October 1, 2017:
2.9 percent fare increase for small and standard sized vehicles
0.8 percent to 1.8 percent fare increase for oversized vehicles (22 feet and longer), depending on vehicle size
2.5 percent fare increase for passengers
Passengers who bring bicycles with trailers will see an increase as they begin paying the motorcycle/driver (stowage) rate instead of the combined passenger fare with bicycle surchargeOctober 1, 2018
2.5 percent fare increase for small and standard sized vehicles
No fare increase for oversized vehicles (22 feet and longer)
2.1 percent fare increase for passengers
School Group passengers fare will increase from $1 per group for a one-way trip to $5 per group for a one-way trip
The comment period includes three upcoming meetings – the closest one will be on Vashon Island, 6-8 pm Monday, July 17th, at the Vashon High School cafeteria (9600 SW 204th). The commission is expected to vote at its July 26th meeting.
10:09 AM: Thanks to Diane for the tip – 33 homes are without power in southeast Admiral, centered around 37th SW/SW Hinds. The Seattle City Light outage map says it went out around 9:12 am and that they’re still investigating, hoping to have power back on by 12:30 pm or so. (And as we always note, could be sooner, could be later.)
10:34 AM: And – everybody’s back on, ahead of that prediction.
(Kayaks and SUPs off Anchor/Luna Park, photographed by Lynn Hall)
Here are some of the ways to spend your sunny summer Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
WEST SEATTLE LINUX USER GROUP: 9 am at Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – details here. More about the group here. (9140 California SW)
PUGET PARK TREE-THINNING OPEN HOUSE/SITE WALK: As previewed earlier this week, today from 10 am to 1 pm, Seattle Parks holds an open house at the Chan Education Center on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus for anyone interested in finding out more about this project. Presentation at 10:30; site walk at 11:30. (6000 16th SW)
SEAFAIR PIRATES LANDING: 10 am-6 pm at Alki Beach, with vendors, kids’ activities, music (scheduled 11 am-4 pm), and of course, the Seafair Pirates coming ashore (around 2 pm but could be earlier or later – last year they arrived closer to 1) … all centered around the Alki Bathhouse vicinity. (60th SW/Alki SW)
LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: At 11:15 am, the tide is out to -1.3 feet, and Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out at Constellation (south of Alki Point) and Lincoln parks from 10 am-noon to talk with you about it.
SPRAY PARK AND WADING POOLS THAT ARE OPEN: Highland Park spraypark is open 11 am-8 pm, Lincoln Park wading pool is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge wading pool is open noon-6:30 pm, Hiawatha wading pool is open noon-6:30 pm. (Find addresses here)
SENATOR CANTWELL IN WHITE CENTER: For the first time in years, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell is having town-hall meetings, and the final one is this morning in White Center, 11 am-12:30 pm at TEC High School (Evergreen HS campus). You need a (free) ticket so go here ASAP to get one, and to check the event rules. (830 SW 116th)
FOOD TRUCK AT LINCOLN PARK: Lil J’s Super Dawgs Food Truck is back at Lincoln Park on Saturdays starting today, 11:30 am-5:30 pm, with “gourmet hot dogs, sausages, French fries, veggie dawgs available.” (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL CLOSED: The outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park is closed to the public today because of a swim meet – back open Sunday.
ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Free tours of historic Alki Point Lighthouse with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, 1-4 pm – be there by 3:40 pm to be part of the last tour group allowed in. (3201 Alki SW)
AYRON JONES & THE WAY @ EASY STREET: 5 pm, free in-store concert at Easy Street Records by Seattle’s own Ayron Jones and The Way. Details here. Free, all ages. (California/Alaska)
JUDI JENSEN: Performing at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
FAREWELL SEATTLE, HELLO BERLIN: A musical going-away party at Parliament Tavern, as explained here, starting at 9 pm. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE THE COMPLETE LINEUP on our calendar page.
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