West Seattle, Washington
29 Thursday
It’s more than a hobby … amateur radio is vital to emergency preparedness in our area and many others, too. So – both to practice their skills and to offer a public view into how amateur radio works – International Field Day is under way right now, with local operators gathered in the south field on the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus on Puget Ridge through about 11 am Sunday.
You are invited to stop by any time before then (kids welcome too!) to see and hear how it works. While we were there, solar-power demonstrations were under way:
Just look for the antennas rigged in the field, and the tents nearby:
Thanks to David for the photo of the all-dad band DAD, performing right now on 48th Avenue SW west of The Junction. It’s the second year that they’ve closed the street (with permits) for an end-of-school-year party. They’re scheduled to play until about 10 pm, and you’re welcome to go join the party. They’re collecting donations for the PTA at West Seattle’s most-populous elementary, Genesee Hill.
Didn’t register in advance for the first-ever Loop the ‘Lupe tomorrow (Sunday, June 4th)? No worries – you can sign up starting at 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th SW/SW Myrtle), just east of Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center, home of numerous community-assisting programs and beneficiary of Loop the ‘Lupe.
It’s a four-event extravaganza, with the following starting times: Senior Saunter at 1 pm, Youth Dash at 1:30 pm, 5K at 1:45 pm, Obstacle Course at 2:10 pm; all four events are explained here.
Looks like comfortable weather for walking/running/dodging!
(WSB photo: EWA’s Dave McCoy @ past Fly Fest Guide Cookoff)
Fly-fishing fan? Know one? You’ll want to be at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park this Saturday (June 3rd) as Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) presents the annual free Fly Fest. Here’s the plan:
Schedule of Presentations and Casting Classes:
9:00 AM – Intro to Fly Casting Class
9:45 AM – Summer Steelhead Opportunities and Tactics
10:30 AM – Fly Fishing Puget Sound
11:15 AM – Single Hand Spey Demonstration
12:00 PM – EWA Guide Cookoff and Free Lunch
1:00 PM – Cuba: What US Anglers/Travelers need to know
1:45 PM – Advanced Casting Class: Double Hauling, Distance, etc.
2:30 PM – Fly Fishing Cascade Mountain CreeksAll presentations and classes are open to all, no reservations required!
All Day:
Demo rods from Scott, Winston, Sage, G. Loomis, Echo, Epic, Hardy, Redington, Fenwick, and More!
Check out the latest in gear from Patagonia, Simms, Costa, Yeti, Airflo, Rio, OPST, Outcast, Nautilus, Bauer, Waterworks-Lamson, Abel, Galvan, 3-Tand, Tibor, and More!
Experience the heat of competition as EWA guides battle it out in the Annual EWA Guide Cookoff. Sample guide lunches and make sure to cast your vote for the ever popular people’s choice award.
Free casting instruction all day from EWA Staff and IFFF Certified Instructors
Free seminars from EWA Staff and Industry Reps
Later on Saturday night, at Emerald Water Anglers’ Junction store (4502 SW Oregon) at 7 pm, it’s the Seattle premiere of “SLAM” with Hilary Hutcheson: “the engaging story of three female anglers from different walks of life in pursuit of the same epic challenge.” Free, but tickets are required – go here to get yours.
(Lost Pond in the West Duwamish Greenbelt)
Explore your peninsula! Next Saturday brings a special opportunity – the announcement and photo are from Judy Bentley:
On National Trails Day, Saturday, June 3, hike locally without crossing the bridge.
The West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group is sponsoring guided hikes in the largest urban forest in Seattle, on a ridge above the Duwamish RIver. Members of the trails group and Nature Consortium will be on hand to guide hikers and provide information on the history and reforestation of the greenbelt.
The first half of the trail is a constructed gravel trail. The second half is muddier and less developed. There are a few ups and downs and a bit of scrambling but only modest elevation changes, suitable for most ages with appropriate footwear. The trail makes a loop from the south end of the campus of South Seattle College, paralleling the campus in the greenbelt, to the Chinese Garden and Arboretum at the north end of campus, returning to the start along the campus and 16th Ave. SW.
Guided hikes will be at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Meet at 12th Ave. SW and SW Holly Street.
The West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group’s work was also featured at the first stop on last Thursday night’s Highland Park Find It, Fix It Walk (WSB coverage here).
Springtime’s most delicious event is just a few nights away … and we’re told a few tickets remain for the Taste of West Seattle. It’s Thursday night (May 25th) at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 6 pm for VIP admission, 6:30 pm for general admission, 40+ food/drink purveyors with fabulous things for you to enjoy (see the list in our previous update). 21+ – IDs will be checked at the door – and the proceeds go to West Seattle Helpline programs that prevent people from becoming homeless. Get your ticket(s) here ASAP!
(WSB photo from Taste of West Seattle 2016)
With less than one week left to buy tickets for West Seattle’s biggest annual celebration of food and drink, the Taste of West Seattle‘s lineup has been revealed.
Backstory: The Taste of West Seattle benefits West Seattle Helpline, whose work basically comes down to preventing people from becoming homeless, by providing emergency help. It’s happening 6 pm Thursday, May 25th, at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and you have to buy your ticket(s) by next Tuesday (May 23rd). From Helpline:
The Taste of West Seattle is a local, community-based food fair and is the largest event of its kind in West Seattle. This year’s Taste will feature food and drink from 40 different restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, and more – all from right here in West Seattle! Check out the restaurant lineup below:
BAKED. Custom Cakes
Bakery Nouveau
The Beer Junction
Beveridge Place Pub
The Bridge
Brookdale Admiral Heights/WS
Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe
Circa
Coastline Burgers
Copper Coin
Coral Wines
Dream Dinners, West Seattle
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Doolie’s Food
Duos Catering
Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Endolyne Joe’s
Fresh Bistro
Harry’s Chicken Joint
Husky Deli
The Lodge Sports Grille
Locöl Barley and Vine
Metropolitan Market
McCrea Cellars
Mioposto
Mission Cantina
Pecado Bueno
Phoenecia
Pecos Pit-West Seattle
Pizzeria 22
Prost! West Seattle
Salty’s on Alki
Schooner EXACT Brewing Co.
Stuffed Cakes
T2 Cellars
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes-Catering and Events
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Cellars
The Westy
Zeeks PizzaAll proceeds from the event go directly to the West Seattle Helpline’s emergency assistance and homelessness prevention programs. These services stabilize and support individuals and families in West Seattle who are recovering from a crisis or unexpected hardship.
Buy your tickets online right now – go here
For more information – go here
(Eight of the participating venues – Dream Dinners, Endolyne Joe’s, Metropolitan Market, Pecos Pit, Salty’s on Alki, Viscon Cellars, The Westy, and Zeeks Pizza – are WSB sponsors.)
One of the year’s biggest school fundraisers is just three weeks away: Sunday, May 21st, starting around 9:20 am, you can run, jog, walk, or roll in the West Seattle 5K. This is the ninth year for the WS5K, which takes you all along Alki, from the starting line near 61st SW/Alki SW, to Anchor Park and back. It’s been presented every May since 2009 by the West Seattle High School PTSA (with co-sponsors including WSB), and the proceeds go to programs for WSHS students. Your registration also gets you a cool T-shirt with the new logo (at right). Kids 6 and under run/walk for free. Don’t procrastinate – you can sign up here, now.
The outdoor obstacle course is a classic feature of Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), but this time – the first HKD since the Y’s expansion – you’ll find new fun too, especially indoors!
That’s the “make your own trail mix” area to help kids have fun learning about healthy snacks. Also new this year – executive director Shalimar Gonzales!
You’ll find family-oriented businesses and organizations on site too – like Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor), whose proprietors Mark Bremen and Ellen Bremen are there:
Here’s the list we published earlier this week showing the schedule, and list of activities, for what’s happening until 1 pm. The Y’s at 36th SW/SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle.
(WSB photo, Healthy Kids Day 2016 @ West Seattle YMCA)
Another look ahead to one of this weekend’s big events: Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) on Saturday. All welcome, membership not required, and it is an action-packed three hours, 10 am-1 pm, with so much to do. Here’s some of what, and who, you’ll find:
DEMOS SCHEDULE
10:30 Zumba
11:00 TBA
11:30 Y Staff Cha Cha Slide
12:00 Karate
12:30 WS Performing ArtsROTARY ROOM
Make and Take Arts and Crafts
Make and Take Snack
Dream Dinners
Smith BrothersSTUDIO ONE
Helmets
T-Shirt Pickup
Passport Prize PickupSTUDIO TWO
My ID Club
QUEENAX
Demo-Obstacle Course
KIDS ZONE
Tween Zone
Kids Corner
Adventure Zone
Outside Play Ground
Family RaceOUTSIDE
Obstacle Course
Dunk Tank
GaGa Pit
Y Summer Camp Booth
Climbing Wall
Bead Bracelets (Preschool)
Face Painting
BowlingCOMMUNITY BOOTHS
Mary’s Place
Chaco Canyon
Second Gear Sports
Neighborhood Health
School of Rock
Lil’ Bug StudioGYM
Fitness Station
Y Sports
Y BDays
Martial Arts
Seattle Public Library
Seattle Public Schools
Photo Booth
The West Seattle/Fauntleroy Y’s new executive director Shalimar Gonzales advises getting there early – free T-shirts and helmets are while supplies last (they have 100 of each). But everything else is free too, 10 am-1 pm Saturday, first one since the Y’s expansion was completed – 36th SW/SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
This pre-Easter morning full of egg hunts began with the biggest one of all – the only one in our area with aisles of smiles – the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) egg hunt, with hundreds of hunters finding many ways to cruise around the store:
The Easter Bunny was there as always to offer a paw for a high-five:
The hunting continued, past the freezer cases …
And if you looked closely at the cracker boxes …
Eventually it was time for a break to see what was inside those eggs:
For a trip down the memory aisle – our coverage of the Thriftway egg hunt from the past eight years:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
This morning also brought the annual egg hunt at Lincoln Park‘s south meadow, presented by Eastridge Church, which has branches in The Junction and on the Eastside, each one presenting a hunt with 40,000 treat-filled eggs promised between the two. Sometimes, just a few are enough to make a little one stop and consider:
The Eastridge event also offered other activities for kids, including face-painting.
After our drippy winter and early spring – the sun was out in full force for this morning’s egg hunts. We photographed some of the younger egg-hunters at High Point Community Center – as they looked around the play equipment, and on the tennis court:
Egg-hunting equipment has gone far beyond Easter baskets – this young participant had a unique tote:
More egg-hunt coverage to come.
It’s been a big morning full of egg hunts around West Seattle and we’re still out covering them. But first – a unique view of the Alki Community Center egg hunt, shared by Don Brubeck – first, above, the eggs are all out on the playfield … and then, kids get the go-ahead to go get them:
Alki is one of four city-run centers that had egg hunts this morning – we’ll have photos from High Point later (as well as two non-CC hunts), and we covered Hiawatha’s week-early hunt last Saturday. If you couldn’t get to any today, there are some tomorrow too, as listed on our Easter & More page.
(WSB photo @ Southwest Pool, April 2016)
In case you haven’t already seen it on the calendar already – tomorrow (Saturday) morning brings the annual fun, free, potentially life-saving April Pools Day event at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle), which invites kids and their families into the water to learn about:
Preventing open-water drowning
Life-jacket use and promotion
Cold-water awareness
Basic water rescue for children
No pre-registration necessary – just show up at SW Pool, 10:30 am-noon. (It’s one of seven Seattle city-run pools participating.) That’s conveniently right after the 10 am egg hunt at adjacent Southwest Teen Life Center!
Are you dealing with memory loss – or related to/friends with someone who is? You’ll want to plan to be at this social gathering in West Seattle later this month:
People with memory loss, their family and friends, and all who support a dementia-friendly community are invited to attend a fun social gathering called “Rock the House.” Organized by local business owners, organizations, and neighbors, the event takes place from 3 – 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, at Shadowland in the West Seattle Junction.
Along with a chance to enjoy food, drinks, and good company, the event features MC Brent Amaker (of Brent Amaker and The Rodeo) and live music by Jay Cates (of The Bend). Happy-hour menu will be available. Event is free other than the cost of menu items ordered.
“I’m excited about this because I love to get people together, especially people in different situations,” says Frances Smersh [WSB photo at right], who helped plan the event. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to engage people and have a great time. And music is always good for the heart and the soul!”
Frances was diagnosed with dementia in 2015 at the age of 48. Since then, she and her husband John, the owners of Click! Design That Fits, have openly shared her diagnosis with the West Seattle community.
“It was important for me to share the news about my diagnosis,” says Frances, “because I knew I couldn’t hide from it, and I don’t think it does anyone any good to try to hide. Remaining engaged in the community is important to me personally, and it seems to be one of the best things for people dealing with memory loss.”
With over 100,000 Washingtonians, and over 5 million Americans, living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, Frances is certainly not alone. However, it can be easy for people with dementia to feel socially isolated. Although they remain vital members of the community, social stigma and other barriers can prevent them from staying involved and engaged.
In this context, a local movement called Momentia is empowering people with memory loss and their loved ones to stay connected and active in their communities. People and organizations are coming together to produce “dementia-friendly” opportunities in popular public spaces – like walking groups at Woodland Park Zoo, art gallery tours at the Frye Art Museum, and service projects at the Cherry Street Food Bank. (Learn more at momentiaseattle.org)
“For too long, a dementia diagnosis has meant fear, shame and isolation,” states Marigrace Becker, Program Manager for Community Education and Impact at the UW Medicine Memory & Brain Wellness Center. “People with memory loss and their loved ones deserve to stay engaged in their communities – and by working together, we can make that happen.”
Here in West Seattle, Momentia is taking off. In the fall, a group of organizations and neighbors involved in the Momentia movement hosted a community meeting for people with memory loss and their loved ones to develop their own dementia-friendly programs, making use of favorite West Seattle venues.
As a result, several new programs are in the works. In the new year, Providence Mount St. Vincent began opening up their drum circle to others living with dementia in the wider West Seattle community. Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Senior Center of West Seattle, and others are offering a 4-week creative arts and storytelling workshop for people with dementia and their loved ones.
And now, the Momentia group of West Seattle is proud to announce “Rock the House.” Whether you have dementia, love someone with dementia, or want to meet others who support a dementia-friendly community, you are invited to attend.
The event is offered in partnership by Shadowland, Click! Design That Fits, the Senior Center of West Seattle, Full Life Care, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Providence Mount St. Vincent.
Most years, the Seattle Parks community-center egg hunts are held simultaneously, day before Easter. This year, the Hiawatha hunt was scheduled a week early, and brought hundreds of kids out this morning.
Just one day after major wind and rain, the weather wasn’t too bad for this morning’s event, and participants were able to follow up their hunting with checking to see what they’d found.
The other local centers’ egg hunts are set for next Saturday morning, as is the legendary West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) hunt and more – see the full list for the next 8 days, including local Holy Week/Passover services/events, by going here.
(WSB file photo)
With some spring activities happening this weekend, and Passover and Holy Week just days away, it’s time for our annual one-stop-shop list for egg hunts, services, and more, and it’s up now – see it here. Happy to add whatever your organization/center/church/synagogue/etc. is up to, so please send us the info ASAP and we’ll continue to update – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
The next two weekends are full of egg hunts around the area – but only one like this:
The West Seattle Lions – part of a century-old organization – are proud to be presenting their first egg hunt for blind and visually impaired kids next Saturday (April 8th), 11 am at Seattle Lutheran High School‘s Menashe Family Gym (4100 SW Genesee). As the flyer says, it’s free, but they request pre-registration so they know how many people to expect – call 206-619-1029 or use this online form.
Just a week and a half until West Seattleite-founded-and-led Northwest Hope and Healing stages its annual fun fashion show to raise money to help cancer patients! NWHH executive director Kristina Dahl explains STYLE ’17, coming up April 6th:
NW Hope and Healing was founded by a West Seattle resident, Christine Smith, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and learned that many low-income women in treatment go without meeting their basic needs during treatment, and she decided to start NW Hope & Healing to help out. We give grants of up to $500 per patient to women currently in treatment for breast or gynecologic cancer at Swedish Cancer Institute. The need for our grants rises every year, and we strive to help more women in 2017 than ever before. The most frequently requested grant is for utilities payments: all too often, women need to make horrific decisions about whether to pay their utilities or purchase medicine for treatment, and NWHH is here to help.
The fashion show is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we count on it to raise the funds to help the women that we serve. The show is high-energy and a great night out, and this year we’re excited to announce that we have a beautiful new Belltown venue, Block41. This year for the first time we’re also hosting a VIP reception for our VIP ticket holders, with food, drink, and entertainment – it’s a can’t-miss party! The show itself is beautiful and inspirational: all of our models are breast or gynecologic cancer survivors, some of whom are still in treatment. The fashions are provided by local boutiques, including West Seattle’s own Carmilia’s and Coastal.
STYLE regularly sells out, so buy your ticket(s) now – just go here.
Why do you love West Seattle? You can write your answer on a little paper T-shirt like that one during the open house under way right now, until 3 pm, at the West Seattle Helpline‘s new Clothesline headquarters (southwest corner of 42nd SW/SW Genesee) – three times the space, enthuses Helpline executive director Chris Langeler:
That’s the room where female clients can shop, free, for donated apparel – and it’s the model that Helpline is raising money to emulate with the other rooms (including men’s and kids’). The Clothesline is open to anyone who needs it, from around Seattle, and now that there’s more room, there’s also more work for volunteers including those sorting even as today’s celebration continues:
Clothesline’s new digs are in a former school and art-studio building owned by West Seattle Christian Church, the across-the-street neighbors whose board is putting on this free barbecue during today’s event:
While you’re visiting the new Clothesline, you can also learn fun facts such as: This is its fourth location since it opened in 1995. Helpline hopes to triple the number of clients it serves – 160 a month last year – within two years. In order to get the new facility up to speed, it’s continuing to crowdfund – you can chip in by going here. And starting April 4th, you’ll be able to drop off clothing donations (new/gently used) 11 am-1 pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays – here’s what they have the most demand for:
School-aged (ages 7-13) children’s clothing
Men’s and children’s shoes
Undergarments adn socks (new or VERY lightly used)
Plus-size items (XXL+ for both men and women)
Again, today’s open house/barbecue is on until 3 pm. We’ll add a few more photos when back at HQ later!
Continuing to count down to big springtime events … the ninth annual West Seattle 5K is now two months away, on Sunday, May 21st (9:20 am start). And if you think you’ll be walking/running in it … you really want to sign up right now, because the early-bird discount rate is available for just ten more days, through March 31st. You’ll be going “to the anchor and back” (Anchor/Luna Park, from and back to 61st/Alki) on behalf of educational programs at West Seattle High School. Youth and adult participants get a T-shirt – new logo this year (by Erik Bell) – and a reusable tote bag full of sponsor swag. Kids 6 and under run/walk for free. Sign up here, now.
That’s our video from the “grand entrance” during last year’s Niksokowaaks Community Pow-Wow at Highland Park Elementary. Organizers of this year’s Pow-Wow are inviting you, your neighbors, and everyone in the community to join them this year: “There will be incredible dancing, beautiful arts and crafts from vendors all over the United States, delicious food, and drumming.” It’s happening 6-10 pm Friday inside HPE, 1012 SW Trenton. Its main goal, organizers add, is to “help support the Native youth” in the community, especially in deepening their connection with Native culture, and to bring everyone together “to share in this celebration.” Here’s the flyer with more info.
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