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West Seattle power outage: Parts of Arbor Heights, Brace Point
June 24, 2014 12:29 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Utilities | West Seattle news

(Outage zone, screengrabbed from City Light map)
12:29 AM: Thanks to Kevin and Jason for initial tips (editor@westseattleblog.com) – the City Light outage map now confirms an outage in Arbor Heights and Brace Point. They both reported an explosion-type sound preceding the power problem (for Jason, it’s out; for Kevin, it flickered). City Light says 134 households are affected and estimates restoration by 3 am (remember, it’s always more of a “guesstimate” at this point).

1:29 AM: The map now blames the outage on “tree” and estimates power back by 9 am.

9 AM NOTE: Jason says in comments that the power returned around 4:45.

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West Seattle development: Ex-café site’s next Design Review date, 3 more notes, and a reminder
June 23, 2014 10:05 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Five development notes tonight:

ANOTHER DESIGN REVIEW MEETING SET: The Southwest Design Review Board hasn’t had a reason to meet since May 1st, but next month is getting busier. A second project has been added to the schedule for July 10th’s meeting, which already had the 7520 35th SW eye-clinic project on the docket for 6:30 pm. The 8 pm slot is now scheduled for the third Early Design Guidance review of 3824 California SW, the former Charlestown Café site. Two months have passed since the second EDG meeting for the townhouse/live-work-unit project (WSB coverage here). The July 10th reviews will be at the SWDRB’s usual meeting site, the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) at California/Oregon in The Junction.

ANOTHER CORNER ROWHOUSE ON FAUNTLEROY WAY: One block south of the south end of 4755 Fauntleroy Way (The Whittaker), a 65-year-old duplex on a LR-1-zoned corner at 5003 Fauntleroy is proposed to be demolished and replaced by a 7-unit rowhouse.

It’s a few blocks north of Fauntleroy/Findlay, where the 5-unit corner rowhouse mentioned here a few times is almost complete.

LAND USE APPROVAL FOR ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY DEMOLITION: Days after the last school year for the old Arbor Heights Elementary ended, the city has published a notice of land-use approval for its demolition. The publication opens a 2-week appeal window, until July 7th.

APPEAL HEARING SET FOR 3078 SW AVALON: Permits for the 102-apartment building planned at 3078 SW Avalon Way are being appealed by the group Seattle Neighbors Encouraging Reasonable Development, founded in an adjacent neighborhood. They’re scheduled to go before the city Hearing Examiner on September 8th. The project received a key land-use approval last month.

REMINDER – ‘LET’S TALK’ WITH DPD ON SATURDAY: Interested in development/land use? Set aside 9:30-11:30 am Saturday morning to meet with DPD director Diane Sugimura and others from the city, specific to West Seattle issues and policy – here’s our most-recent preview.

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Door-to-door sightings: ‘Interested in selling your house?’
June 23, 2014 7:26 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

After receiving two inquiries this hour regarding someone going door-to-door in Arbor Heights asking if people are interested in selling their homes, we’re wondering if this is happening on a more widespread basis, and if you have any firsthand experience with it. Both people who mentioned it say the man didn’t offer a card – one family said “no” and he left, the other pointed out houses for sale nearby, and they were given a handwritten note with a phone number. If you work in real estate or development, is this a legit, common tactic? We have heard realtors say they need more houses to sell, but not necessarily that they’re going door-to-door looking for them.

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Seattle officially has a new Police Chief: Kathleen O’Toole
June 23, 2014 4:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Kathleen O’Toole is being sworn in right now as Seattle Police Chief (update – live video feed is over, archived video added below), right after the City Council voted 8-1 to confirm her appointment (the “no” vote was Councilmember Kshama Sawant).

The official announcement notes that she “began work with the Boston Police Department in 1979 and has over three decades of experience as a police officer, Commissioner, Chief Inspector, and attorney.” She has listed her four top priorities as “1) restoring public trust, 2) restoring SPD pride and professionalism, 3) addressing crime and quality of life issues, and 4) promoting best business practices” and promises “during the first 90 days to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the police department, which would culminate in a plan of action with measurable goals and objectives.” The City Council, meantime, told her their major expectations – “focused and proactive crime reduction using evidence-based methods to reduce the most serious neighborhood crime problems; positively change the culture at SPD and attitudes related to the practice of collecting and reporting the required data for the six new policies developed as part of the Settlement Agreement; build community relationships in all neighborhoods with a consistent visible presence; and, prioritize buildout of the Business Intelligence System.” Chief O’Toole will be accountable for a $290 million budget and 2,000 SPD employees.

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New West Seattle business: Emerald Water Anglers in The Junction
June 23, 2014 2:20 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The newest mixed-use building to open in West Seattle has its first retail tenant: Emerald Water Anglers is expecting to open by the end of this week at the southeast corner of 42nd/Oregon, ground floor of Oregon 42. EWA, founded in 1999, describes itself as Seattle’s only full-service fly-fishing outfitter, with guide services as well as retail gear sales (including Patagonia). Here’s another reason to visit their store:

Artist Chris Haberman is painting a mural inside the store today. He says it’s meant to tell the story of the fly-fishing waterways of the Northwest. Haberman is based in Portland; this is his 35th mural, first one in Seattle. Meantime, we’ll update when we hear which day Emerald Water Anglers plans to open the Junction store.

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Followup: Car found in the water off Beach Drive was stolen in Queen Anne
June 23, 2014 1:34 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Continuing to followup on incidents that made news over the weekend – Seattle Police confirm the empty car that went into the water off Emma Schmitz Viewpoint on Beach Drive (map) was stolen. Beach Drive Blog not only reported the incident early Sunday (photo at right is republished with their permission) but also, based nearby, was on the scene before authorities, and checked in case anyone was in the car. According to the official SPD report, the car was stolen from a Queen Anne man who didn’t even know it was missing until an officer showed up at his house, but said he had left his keys inside it. The SPD report says the ignition key was found inside the car, which was locked with its windows rolled up when found upside down in a foot of water. Police believe the car was pushed off the embankment but haven’t found any witnesses yet. Later Sunday morning, BDB published aftermath photos and reported potential seawall damage; we have an inquiry out to Seattle Parks today to see if they have assessed the site yet to find out if repairs will be needed. (Earlier this year, BDB reported city plans for a new seawall there next year.)

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Followup: Man dies after Friday night I-5 incident
June 23, 2014 12:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Back on Friday night, we published a traffic alert after getting reader tips about an incident on southbound I-5 by the West Seattle Bridge exit – a man hit after apparently jumping out of a moving car. Today, the State Patrol says the man did not survive; 28-year-old Daniel Quintana-Martinez died at Harborview Medical Center on Saturday afternoon. WSP says it’s still investigating the circumstances.

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Surface traffic jam safer than Viaduct traffic jam? SPD explains decisionmaking behind 5-hour, 4-mile Highway 99 closure
June 23, 2014 11:02 am
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Above, SDOT tweet with traffic-cam screen grab shortly after crash happened)
Two weeks ago, an almost-citywide traffic jam resulted when four miles of southbound Highway 99 were closed for five hours while Seattle Police investigated a head-on crash at East Marginal/Idaho/Nevada (map). As we have noted, investigative closures of that duration are not unusual when SPD’s Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is assigned to gather evidence at a scene. But questions persisted about why traffic wasn’t allowed to continue at least as far as the West Seattle Bridge, and what kind of consultation was made between city departments and officials as traffic continued to back up on alternate north-south routes as a result.

As noted in our first major followup, the decision on when and what to close rested solely with SPD. Councilmember Tom Rasmussen sent the acting leaders of that agency and SDOT a list of questions, published here. This morning, Councilmember Rasmussen shared the reply from SPD, and said that SDOT has told him theirs is in progress. One key point from the SPD reply signed by SPD Traffic Section Acting Captain Ken Hicks – the department feared that allowing anyone onto 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the crash scene would have led to drivers getting stuck “in an area without services,” surmising that traffic jams on surface streets were safer for drivers. Read the entire reply for yourself, ahead:

Read More

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West Seattle (and vicinity) Monday: Wading pools; adoption/foster info event; Steps at Stevens…
June 23, 2014 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle (and vicinity) Monday: Wading pools; adoption/foster info event; Steps at Stevens…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Machel Spence)
Happy Monday! Three highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, where you’ll find more of what’s happening today/tonight:

TWO MORE WADING POOLS OPEN TODAY: First day of the season for Delridge and South Park wading pools starts at noon; Delridge is open until 6:45, SP until 7 pm. They are not open every day; in this area, only Lincoln Park’s wading pool is, as is the Highland Park spraypark. Full citywide schedule (including addresses) can be seen here.

ADOPTION/FOSTER CARE INFORMATION: Ever thought about being an adoptive or foster parent? Families Like Ours is at the South Park Library tonight for an informational session, and it’s the only one planned right now in this general area. 6:30 pm. (8604 8th Avenue South)

FINAL DESIGN WORKSHOP FOR ‘STEPS AT STEVENS’: The proposed “neighborhood-connectivity project” leading into West Seattle High School from California SW has its third and final design workshop tonight, 7 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church next to the school – details in our calendar listing. (California/Hanford)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Summer’s first Monday
June 23, 2014 6:25 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Summer’s first Monday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The weekend road work is over and it’s on with the first week of summer!

WHAT’S NEXT: According to WSDOT, two lanes will close next weekend on Northbound I-5 at the West Seattle Bridge, late Friday night to early Monday morning (June 30th), as the expansion-joint project continues.

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3 big events next weekend: Relay for Life, Seafair Pirates’ Landing, South Park Bridge party
June 23, 2014 1:30 am
|    Comments Off on 3 big events next weekend: Relay for Life, Seafair Pirates’ Landing, South Park Bridge party
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

If you haven’t browsed the calendar lately and have missed earlier previews – here’s a quick look at three major local events NEXT weekend:

FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING – WEST SEATTLE RELAY FOR LIFE: You are welcome to drop by West Seattle Stadium to experience the ceremonies and cheer the West Seattle Relay for Life walkers, raising money for the American Cancer Society.

(WSB photo from June 2013 Relay for Life)
They start at 7 pm Friday and go all night and into the morning. Highlights include the survivors’ lap at 7:30 pm (right after the opening ceremony), the luminaria ceremony (honoring those who are fighting cancer and those who have in the past) at 10 pm, and the closing ceremonies at 11:30 am. The stadium’s off 35th just about a block south of Avalon.

SATURDAY MORNING/AFTERNOON – SEAFAIR PIRATES’ LANDING: Somewhere around or after 11:30 am Saturday, the Seafair Pirates will get the summer party started on Alki by appearing offshore and storming ashore.

(2012 WSB photo by Nick Adams)
The actual landing is just part of the festival-like atmosphere set up at the beach, both sides of the boardwalk, usually including bouncy rides and vendor booths, and the popular West Seattle Kiwanis-provided pirate hats for the first wee ones to arrive. Soon as we can dig more details out of the treasure chest, we’ll share them.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING – SOUTH PARK BRIDGE PARTY: Exactly four years after the old South Park Bridge closed (June 30, 2010) with a feisty sort-of wake, the brand-new one opens Monday (June 30, 2014), the day after a major party. The celebration starts at noon Sunday (June 29), with a dedication ceremony at 3 pm, a parade across the bridge at 4:30 pm, and Lucha Libre (Mexican-style masked wrestling) in the street at 6 pm – more info here. The partying will be mostly north of the central SP intersection of 14th Avenue S./S. Cloverdale – here’s a map.

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West Seattle real estate: Another Harbor Ave. site for sale; Fauntleroy Way followups
June 22, 2014 8:50 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

A few notes about commercial real estate in West Seattle:

HARBOR AVENUE SITE FOR SALE: New listing for a one-acre business/industrial site just east of the Harbor Avenue 7-11. 2501-2645 Harbor, three buildings used currently for marine-related business, is offered without a listing price – “negotiable,” according to the online flyer, which also notes, “Currently zoned C1-40. Excellent potential for apartment, office or mixed-use redevelopment.”

FAUNTLEROY WAY FOLLOWUPS: Late last year, we reported listings for three parcels on Fauntleroy Way in The Triangle. All three found buyers, according to our followup check of county records: 4441 Fauntleroy, home to an auto-repair business, sold this month for $2.1 million to a Burlington company; 4480 Fauntleroy, home to computer, coffee, and car businesses, sold in April for $708,000 to a SODO investor; and the 4151 Fauntleroy strip mall sold in December for $2.6 million to a Bellevue real-estate firm. None of the sites has a current development proposal.

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Seattle Public Library’s summer youth program starts tomorrow at West Seattle’s 4 branches and citywide
June 22, 2014 7:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Public Library’s summer youth program starts tomorrow at West Seattle’s 4 branches and citywide
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Here it comes – first full week of summer, first full week of summer vacation for all the Seattle kids whose school year wrapped up last week. The Seattle Public Library summer reading program starts tomorrow:
Summer of Learning website also will have ideas for fun, hands-on science activities that can be done at home or with friends.

Children who complete and log 10 activities will receive a free day pass to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Those who complete their activity log by Monday, Aug. 4 will be entered into a drawing for the city librarian’s popular Breakfast of Champions event. All programs are free and open to the public.

The programs will be listed at the above-linked website starting tomorrow, promises SPL. We often feature local library programs in our daily calendar-highlights list, too. Not sure where to find your nearest library branch (West Seattle has four)? Check the citywide map.

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Traffic-alert update: Northbound 99 open again
June 22, 2014 4:03 pm
|    Comments Off on Traffic-alert update: Northbound 99 open again
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:03 PM: Thanks to West Seattle Hipster for the tip – confirmed via WSDOT tweet – Northbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct has reopened between here and the Western Avenue offramp. But it’s still closed from Battery St. to Valley St., so if you’re heading beyond Belltown (etc.), you’ll still have to detour.

7:08 PM: 99 is fully open, says WSDOT.

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Watching summer’s first sunset at Solstice Park with Ambassador Alice
June 22, 2014 12:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(Photo by Jeff Johnson)
If you missed watching the first sunset of summer at West Seattle’s Solstice Park on Saturday night with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen – you can try for a similar view tonight (the earth and sun haven’t moved that much), though it’ll be minus Alice:

(This photo and next by Eric Bell)
A crowd that peaked around 100 came to the little park upslope from the tennis courts across from north Lincoln Park for what turned out to be a glorious sunset (understatement!):

The big attraction at Solstice Park, enhancing its Sound-and-mountains view, is fourfold – four pathways, each lining up with what should be the perfect sunset view on either winter or summer solstice or spring or fall equinox.

(This and all following photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Alice asked everyone to take turns viewing via the summer-solstice-aligned path.

Then, once the sun had made its way behind the Olympic Mountains, it was time for her solstice explanation. As usual, she enlisted volunteers to help demonstrate what actually happens with the sun and earth at the solstice moment.

A second Solar System Ambassador, Dave from Lake City, offered some astronomy info too:

Here’s another gratuitous sunset shot:

And Alice shared some big news – including how thrilled she is to have an article coming up in Sky and Telescope Magazine, about stargazing with small children:

You’ll find it in the August edition, out next month. Alice also promises another of her periodic “Skies Over West Seattle” reports for WSB in July. Her own astronomy-info-filled website is at alicesastroinfo.com.

P.S. Pam at Nerd’s Eye View has published her take on Solstice Sunset View ’14 – see it here.

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Five highlights for the rest of your West Seattle Sunday
June 22, 2014 9:49 am
|    Comments Off on Five highlights for the rest of your West Seattle Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The full list, as is the case every day, is on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. But before we get too much further into Sunday, five highlights:

SOLSTICE FESTIVAL AT TWILIGHT: If yesterday’s big events kept you from checking this out, today’s your chance, 10 am-3 pm at Twilight Gallery and Boutique in The Junction.

(Clare, setting up outside Twilight as part of the Solstice Festival)
Crafters, vendors, and artists are part of today’s plan. (4306 SW Alaska)

KICKOFF FOR ALKI BEACH 5K RUN/WALK: 11 am-3 pm, stop by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) to sign up early for the August 24 Alki Beach 5K benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing – get a deal on the registration fee and 10 percent off in-store WSR purchases. (California/Charlestown)

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: 2-6 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, as previewed here; Juneteenth started as a celebration of the end of slavery in Texas but took on significance nationwide as “the second Independence Day.” (6400 Sylvan Way)

SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOME TOUR: This year’s home tour is at the lodge that has become the Gatewood Bed and Breakfast, 3-5 pm – details on the SWSHS website. (7446 Gatewood Road SW)

KINGDOM OF BASIL OPEN HOUSE: 3-5 pm, the new Kingdom of Basil Animal Wellness Clinic invites you to stop by; details in our calendar listing. (9431 17th SW)

11:50 AM P.S. While out earlier, we noticed the Chief Sealth IHS Cheer Squad waving signs for a car wash in the John L. Scott lot, 5200 block of California SW. Readers are always asking us about upcoming benefit car washes – so if you’re having one, PLEASE let us know ahead of time so we can get it into the calendar … editor@westseattleblog.com (preferably a week or more in advance). Thanks!

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Update: Car in the water off Beach Drive
June 22, 2014 9:21 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Photo republished with permission of Beach Drive Blog)
9:21 AM: If you heard and/or saw the early morning commotion off Beach Drive – a car went into the water, according to Beach Drive Blog, which reports nobody was inside. The BDB report says a concrete block was found in the car, possibly used to weigh down the gas pedal and “launch” the car into the water off the embankment. Stolen car? No word so far; we’ll follow up.

9:38 AM: Since no official police information is available so far, we asked the BDB team if the car had been towed from the water – Rhonda confirms it was (and has published a followup with dayilght aftermath photos).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Walking on Logs’ sculpture stolen
June 21, 2014 10:52 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

When Nancy Driver and the Walking on Logs Landscape Restoration Group got out to the famous bridge-side sculptures for cleanup work this morning, they made a startling discovery – one of the sculptures is missing, apparently stolen, nothing left behind but its foot, the rest of the sculpture cleanly sawed off:

Nancy reported it to police, and is hoping someone saw something – perhaps a resident in one of the nearby homes on the other side of the fence, along the spur of Fauntleroy. She and the other volunteers who maintain the area hope to get the city to keep the area clearer for line-of-sight reasons too. But in the meantime, the question is – who stole one of the dancing-children sculptures by Phillip Levine that have been at the site for 18 years? Here’s a WSB file photo by Christopher Boffoli:

Call 911 if you think you’ve seen it.

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Update: Search over for Karen Sykes, West Seattle author/ photographer lost while hiking Mount Rainier
June 21, 2014 7:07 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

At Mount Rainier, the search for West Seattleite Karen Sykes, a prolific hiking writer and nature photographer, is reported to be over. Regional media says it was called off about three hours ago; posts on NWhikers.net pointed to Karen’s daughter Annette Shirey reporting on Facebook that she had been told her mother was found dead. She had commented on WSB last night that she was on her way here after getting word of the search.

No formal confirmation from Mount Rainier yet but KIRO TV’s Chris Legeros tweeted that “the medical examiner is here.” As noted in our first report Friday, Karen was an expert hiker who had written books about hiking and had been an outdoor columnist for multiple publications. We knew her mostly through her photographs – posted to Flickr with the handle “old desolate,” by which she asked to be identified when we published her photos on WSB. She was reported to have been hiking on the east side of Rainier on Wednesday with her partner Bob, with whom she lived in eastern West Seattle, when she went ahead on Wednesday but never returned to rendezvous with him. Search-and-rescue crews have looked on the ground and from the air these past three days. We will add official information when it becomes available.

SUNDAY MORNING: Authorities have reported recovering a body on Rainier and saying the person was female. This morning, Ms. Sykes’s daughter posted this comment on our previous story saying it was her mom.

MONDAY NOTE: The Pierce County Medical Examiner says Ms. Sykes, 70, died of hypothermia.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Motorcycle stolen, then found
June 21, 2014 6:28 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

6:28 PM: From Jessica via the WSB Facebook page:

Our 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa was just stolen in the last 3 hours from the back alley of 35th Ave between Andover and Dakota. License plate 0A5253. Waiting on officers now, please be on the lookout!

If you spot it, call 911.

7:27 PM: An update from Jessica – they found it:

My husband found it stashed on 34th Ave just a block from our house. It had been stolen, rolled, and parked right on the street, presumably until the thief could come back with a truck. Many thanks to Officer Nicholson for coming out so quickly and taking the report!

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As-it-happened coverage: Morgan Junction Community Festival 2014!
June 21, 2014 11:21 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Festival infolinks: Music schedule * Food * Pet parade/contests * Vendors * Nonprofits

(Early pan of part of the vendor zone)
The 9th annual Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association, is under way! Live music, dozens of vendors, food – Bubbleman is performing at 11:30 am in Morgan Junction Park; the Bark of Morgan pet parade (and contests) is coming up at 2 pm; just head for California/Fauntleroy. We’re in the vendor zone behind Feedback Lounge and Zeeks Pizza (both WSB sponsors). Vendors are here until 5, musicians until 7.

11:52 AM: Bubbleman’s delighting the kids in the park right now:

He creates his bubbly experiences with a variety of implements:

More to come – we’ll continue updating “live.”

12:46 PM: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske promised he’d have officers on bikes at summer events and hotspots for gatherings – we’ve just spotted two at the festival:

Up to a dozen SW Precinct officers are being equipped with bikes so they can ride in the spots where they make sense – like this. Meantime, it’s lunchtime – go over to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), where today’s benefit barbecue is raising money to support the festival:

That’s Michele, grilling pineapple because today’s barbecue theme is ALOHA! Back alongside Morgan Junction Park, chalk art welcomes the season:

1:41 PM: Some dogs are already set for the Bark of Morgan parade and contests coming up at 2 pm:

That’s Sunny, who happens to belong to the Higuera family from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) – their booth here at the festival is almost directly across from ours again this year, next to City Dog Magazine (West Seattleite-founded and operated) and next to them, Furry Faces Foundation, with Madrid Frame holding down the north edge of this part of the festival. Back to the food:

Those are two of the three trucks in the Washington Federal parking lot on the northeast corner of Fauntleroy/California – Hungry Me and Fez – also there, Curb Jumper Street Eats (which has tweeted it’s here until 6).

2:21 PM: The festival has gone to the dogs! Here’s a quick Instagram clip of the Bark of Morgan parade as a placeholder until official video later. (Added – our “official” clip, as promised):

Excellent turnout – more than last year – and definitely more than the first year in 2012, when the Bark of Morgan was dampened by a downpour that cut the festival short. No weather trouble this year – everyone is delighted with the sunshine and just-right temps.

3:24 PM: If you haven’t come down yet – vendors and nonprofits will be breaking down their booths/tables after 5, so come see us all by then. If you see Seal Sitters in the park, for example, you might just get a sticker:

Right now on the stage in the park, the Tongan Church performers are onstage, with dancing and music. (added) Video:

4:41 PM: While the music continues until about 7, the vendor zone is about to fold up. We have a few more photos of some of the people who’ve been here talking with festivalgoers all day – for starters, the West Seattle Food Bank team:

7:42 PM: Adding more images inline and also here as a postscript, starting with a video clip shared by Clay Eals, executive director of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which had a booth at the festival. He talked with two young volunteers, both of whom just finished seventh grade at Madison Middle School, Adele Arutunian (left) and Sofie Phillips:

Clay says the girls “participated in our ‘Telling Our Westside Stories’ interviewing project over the past year and today completed their first volunteer stint, working our booth at the
Morgan Junction Festival for three hours.” P.S. SWSHS has a big event tomorrow (Sunday) – touring the Gatewood Bed & Breakfast; details here.

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Update: West Seattleites run 80 Seattle stairways in 1 day!
June 21, 2014 10:05 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

This makes the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon sound like a walk in the park! From Jake Jaramillo of Seattle Stairway Walks:

West Seattleites Michael Yadrick, Doug Beyerlein, and others are running the stairways of Seattle today! Their route covers 100 km and gains more than 11,000 feet of elevation as it traverses 80 of Seattle’s major, 100+ step stairways. They started at Summer Solstice sunrise, 5:12 am in West Seattle at Brace Point. They hope to finish before 10 tonight in Queen Anne.

That’s Michael at right, leading the pack up the Thistle Street stairs in Gatewood/Upper Fauntleroy. Jake adds, “Andrew Lichtman, a stairway trekker from Los Angeles, has come up to walk the same route in two days, camping out along the way.” There’s a Facebook page about the event – see it here.

After hearing from Jake but before writing this, we also heard from Creighton, a friend of Michael, who he notes is a city ecologist mentioned here this spring for consulting on a Fairmount Ravine cleanup. Creighton adds that Michael is tweeting about this at twitter.com/yadrick and that there’s even GPS tracking, expected to work until 4 pm or so. We’ll keep an eye on it for potential updates here. Good luck!

9:56 PM NOTE: Jake reports in comments that Michael, Doug, and company made it within the past hour or so!

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West Seattle Saturday: Summer arrives with Morgan Junction Community Festival and much more – including traffic alerts
June 21, 2014 6:34 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Happy summer (as of 3:51 am)! We start our Saturday calendar-highlights list with a traffic reminder:

99/VIADUCT HALF-CLOSURE: Northbound 99 (left side of “live” cam view above) is closed from here to the Battery Street Tunnel, all weekend. WSDOT is realigning the lanes west of the stadium zone, as it did on the southbound side two weeks ago, and for part of today, the road will be in use for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon (which has other closures around the city – see the full list here.) *added* P.S. We should mention the 520 bridge is closed too – here’s the regional overview.

ALSO, AN AIRBORNE NOTE: Since we so often answer questions about unusual (and/or noisy) aircraft, we’re mentioning something pointed out recently by Bob (thanks!) – the Wings of Freedom Tour is at the Museum of Flight this weekend with three classic types of warplane, so you might see/hear them overheard, especially if you’re on the Boeing Field flight path in southern West Seattle.

Now, as for what’s happening – we start with the spotlight event:

MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Today’s the day! The live music starts around 10:15 am and ends around 7 pm, and inbetween, you’ll find other entertainment – Bubbleman at 11:30! – plus activities like the Bark of Morgan dog parade/contests at 2 pm, food including Bite of Morgan samples and the festival-benefiting barbecue at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), plus dozens of community groups/vendors waiting to meet/talk with you. We’ll be covering the festival “live” from our booth (we’re a co-sponsor) as always. Come on down to Morgan Junction and roam the festival sites around the California/Fauntleroy intersection.

Also happening today/tonight:

BIG RUMMAGE SALE, DAY 2: 8:30 am-4 pm, Shorewood Christian School‘s “Massive Parking Lot Sale” is happening in Arbor Heights. 100+ families have contributed items to the sale. (35th and Roxbury)

HIAWATHA PLAYFIELD WALKING TOUR: This isn’t just any playfield – Hiawatha was the first in the city, and it is a historic Olmsted Park. See and hear about the history in a free two-hour walking tour with Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks, starting at 10 am. Details here. (Meet at Walnut/Forest)

BENEFIT CAR WASH: 10 am-4 pm at Les Schwab in The Triangle, the cheer squad for West Seattle Junior Football and Cheer is having a fundraising car wash. (Fauntleroy/Alaska)

CHAMPAGNE GALA BRUNCH AND ART AUCTION: 11 am at the Duwamish Tribe‘s Longhouse in West Seattle, with proceeds benefiting Duwamish Tribal Services. Details in our listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

WADING POOL SEASON BEGINS: Lincoln Park wading pool (central upper park, walk in from the central parking lot off Fauntleroy Way) is the first Seattle Parks-operated wading pool in West Seattle to open for the season, 11 am-8 pm today. Here’s the full citywide schedule of dates and times. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

FREE WORKSHOP FOR PET OWNERS: 11 am-1 pm at Muttley Crew Cuts in The Admiral District, check out a free workshop by ACCES with information about pet first aid and CPR, as explained here. (42nd/Admiral)

ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: The season continues for free weekend tours with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Alki Point Lighthouse, 1-4 pm. (3200 Point Place)

LUCHADORES AT THE LIBRARY! Story time with lucha libre wrestlers at South Park Library, 2:30 pm. (8604 8th Avenue S.)

SOCCER TEAM ON NETWORK TV: As noted here earlier this week, the West Seattle Soccer Club‘s Valkyries will appear in a CBS show that is scheduled to air at 3:30 pm today on KIRO Channel 7.

FREE COMMUNITY BARBECUE: The three fitness studios at 3270 California SW (including WSB sponsor Equilibrium Fitness) are hosting a free barbecue – just bring yourself and your appetite, starting at 4 pm; details in our calendar listing.

SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL … at Twilight Gallery and Boutique, 4-10 pm (and continuing Sunday), with art, performance, food/drink, more. Details in our calendar listing. (4306 SW Alaska)

DUWAMISH ROWING CLUB DEDICATION: At 5 pm, West Seattleites welcome too (along with everyone interested) as the club dedicates its “newest racing 4+, honoring Robert L. McNeil … Join us as we celebrate at our boat house, with a great pot luck. Don’t be shy, bring your favorite dish to share with us. We are a family oriented rowing club. We can be found at S. Elmgrove between 10th Ave S and 12th Ave S., South Park.”

‘PENCIL ME IN FOR KIDS’ BENEFIT DINNER: 5:30 pm-8 pm at the West Seattle Eagles, delicious dinner for a good cause – PMIFK, which gets school supplies to kids who need them. Details in our calendar listing – you can bring the types of supplies described in the listing as well as donating the dinner price. (4426 California SW)

ROCK PAPER GARY: Acoustic/folk duo plays C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

SAY HI … live in-store at Easy Street Records in The Junction, celebrating the release of a new album, 7 pm, all ages, free. (California/Alaska)

CD RELEASE PARTY: Del Rey and Suzy Thompson have a new CD, and they’re celebrating with a performance at historic Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

SOLSTICE SUNSET: As previewed here, you’re invited to end the first day of summer by watching the sunset with Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park. Arrive by 8:45 and prepare to learn and enjoy. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill past the tennis courts)

MORE NIGHTLIFE … and other events, on our calendar!

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