Just a little more than two weeks till the 10th anniversary of 9/11 – and two three tributes are now planned in our area:
(Photos by Alki photographer David Hutchinson from September 2001 and September 2009) STATUE OF LIBERTY COMMEMORATION: The Statue of Liberty on Alki became an unofficial touchstone/gathering place for mourners in the nights and days following the 2001 attacks. The date held significance in later years, including the unveiling of the recast statue on 9/11/07. And this year, a tribute is planned at Liberty Plaza, according to word just in from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:
Please join the community to memorialize the fallen as well as survivors and families of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York. On Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 7 p.m. there will be a candlelight vigil at the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (pending permission from the Seattle Parks Department).
A 9/11 memorial exhibit can be viewed from 12-7 p.m. at the Log House Museum, 3003 61st Ave. SW on Sunday, September 11.
Added note: Parks permission is now granted, as of 8/30/11.
WHITE CENTER OBSERVANCE: Once again this year, the Holy Family Church and School Street Fair will coincide with the 9/11 anniversary, and there will be a remembrance program. The street fair is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 10th-11th, just west of the school and church at 20th/Roxbury (more information here), and the remembrance will be on Sunday (we’ll update when we know the exact time).
(added) CONCERT AT HOLY ROSARY: After reading our original mention of two events, Michael sent information on another one: Cantaré Vocal Ensemble and other groups plus the “Voices of 9/11” in a memorial concert at Holy Rosary, 3 pm on September 11th, with a portion of ticket proceeds benefiting the Twin Towers Memorial Fund. Full details here.
WSB contributor Keri DeTore checked out tipster Jen‘s report that the “Rainbow House” in the Admiral District is a “rainbow house” no more – and discovered it’s true:
From Keri (who also took the photos): Though the rainbow roof is still visible, the paint job that graced West Seattle’s “Rainbow House” for 40 years is no more.
According to Windermere Realtor Maria Quinteiro, who just facilitated the sale of the home, the wife of the original home painter kept the paint job in memory of her husband. The family’s estate has now chosen to sell the house and, says Quinteiro, rainbow colors just aren’t what the new owner wanted. The exterior is being painted blue, and in time the colorful pattern on the roof will also be replaced.
We took that photo back on sunny July 4th, the day Colman Pool celebrated its 70th anniversary on the Lincoln Park waterfront. That wasn’t the end of the anniversary festivities, explains senior guard Anne Barnes – they’re hoping you have memories to share:
We have had a great time out here, and look forward to the last few weeks of the season.
This is our 70th anniversary year (as you have reported). In addition to the party we held on the Fourth of July, we are also putting together a memory book for the pool. There are tons of great memories out there; we’d like to collect as many of them as we can! Swimmers can ask for a page to write on at the front desk of the pool, or they can e-mail memories to me (I will print them out and paste them in the book).
The pool is open every day until Labor Day (Sept. 5) and also the following weekend (Sept. 10 and 11).
Looking ahead while looking back, the West Seattle Helpline celebrated a “Gallery of West Seattle History” last night at Alki Arts. That’s executive director Tara Byrne, with one of the displays, which recounted Helpline’s own 22-year history. This time of year, Helpline has traditionally helped local kids with school supplies – and this year, they’re working to help the efforts of Pencil Me in For Kids, a project near and dear to partygoers Martha and Sue:
Showing off food donated by nearby Alki restaurants as well as Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering was Helpline board member Rev. Ron Marshall from First Lutheran Church of West Seattle:
If you’ve never toured historic Alki Point Lighthouse – your chances for this year are running out. Liesbet T. shared photos after a tour last weekend, and pointed out that this weekend and the next weekend are your last chances in 2011 to take the free 1-4 pm Saturdays/Sundays tour.
That’s the northward view from the top of the 98-year-old lighthouse – two other angles, and a few interior sights, ahead:Read More
Art, history, and generosity will come together Friday night at Alki Arts, on behalf of West Seattle Helpline, during a unique fundraiser, the “Gallery of West Seattle History.” Helpline’s executive director Tara Byrne explains that you’ll be able to enjoy live music, drinks, and food while learning more about West Seattle’s history, courtesy of displays provided by the nearby Log House Museum. Singer/guitarist Sue Quigley, who’s played gigs from Hollywood to SXSW to KeyArena at Storm halftime, will perform. And if you haven’t been to Alki Arts lately – this is also a great chance to see the amazing art they’re displaying and offering for sale. Tara says the money raised will go to help local students through Pencil Me In For Kids, and that donors to make it a great party include Pegasus, Celtic Swell, Elliott Bay Brewery, Bamboo Grill, and Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes – as well as Alki Arts donating the space. You can get your $30 ticket right now online, at westseattlehelpline.org.
Also Friday night – who says you can’t make it to both? – it’s the 34th District Democrats‘ annual Garden Party and Auction at West Seattle Nursery. On the website for this area’s largest political organization, you’ll find a list of what’s been donated for the auction so far – a very long list including myriad chances to hang out with local political leaders, plus gift certificates for local faves, and adventurous outings including a visit to an alpaca farm. The auctioneer is West Seattle expat New York Vinnie, visiting his old stomping grounds for the occasion. The night’s theme is Mediterranean, including music from Croatia; the party’s 6-9 pm Friday, $34/ticket or $60/couple.
(Photos by Patrick Sand for WSB) Jack Miller brought just one flavor to today’s Log House Museum ice-cream social in honor of his Junction-headquartered Husky Deli:
Husky Flake.
“You could LIVE on Husky Flake,” Jack insisted, during a brief break between scooping ice cream for partygoers.
Off to the side, in the museum’s cozy courtyard, on behalf of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, Clay Eals was interviewing young attendees, also heard to be enthusing about Husky Flake:
And if the Fire Department is there, with no emergency in sight, it’s gotta be good:
That’s Engine 29 and crew from North Admiral.
Speaking of numbers, today’s event was in honor of Husky Deli’s 79th anniversary. When exactly is the anniversary date? we asked Jack Miller. He said no one’s certain – possibly sometime in October. But 1932 was definitely the year his grandfather Herman Miller bought the Edgewood Farms Store and started making ice cream in the window, as Lori Hinton writes in “West Seattle 101.” Five years later, the name changed to Husky, after a popular dipped-ice-cream creation the store made and sold, and the rest is, of course, history.
And the Log House Museum is all about history, so what better place for this afternoon’s party?
2nd-oldest business in West Seattle, Eals noted (after Alki Lumber, founded in 1921). P.S. You can learn more about WS history Thursdays-Sundays at the museum (hours and location here).
The process of discussing with the city how to restore/reconstruct the fire-ravaged landmark Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge is so far as painstaking as the actual project itself eventually may be.
This morning, in their fourth informal appearance before the city Landmarks Preservation Board’s Architectural Review Committee downtown, Alloy Design Group architects Mark Haizlip and Greg Squires presented the three options they’re discussing.
All three options assume that the Homestead’s roof and foundation must be replaced – though committee members indicated they’re not all convinced about the former.
For the first time in more than three months, the proposal to restore/reconstruct the historic-landmark Alki Homestead (originally the Fir Lodge) will return to the city Landmarks Preservation Board‘s Architectural Review Committee next week. This will be its fourth review before the committee, which holds informal reviews with project teams – multiple times, if they request it, as has been the case here – before they take proposals to the full board for a vote. Two and a half years now have passed since the fire that ravaged the Homestead’s interior; here’s our report on the most recent review of the proposal to restore/reconstruct it for use as a restaurant/banquet facility (our full coverage archive is here). This next review is listed as a “briefing on proposed building elements condition survey”; it’s set for 9:35 am next Friday (July 29th) on the 40th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower downtown.
The next step in the city’s plan to sell historic ex-Fire Station 37 potentially involves you. Before it can be officially put up for sale, City Council approval is needed, and before that can happen, a public hearing is required. It’s scheduled for 9:30 am August 2nd at City Hall, before the council’s Finance and Budget Committee. Here’s the official city protocol:
For those who wish to testify, a sign-up sheet will be available outside the Council Chamber one-half hour before the public hearing. Questions concerning the public hearing may be directed to Monica Ghosh in Councilmember Godden’s office, by calling (206) 684-8807 or via e-mail at: monica.ghosh@seattle.gov
For those unable to attend the public hearing, comments will be accepted through Friday, August 12, 2011. Please mail your comments to: Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair; Finance & Budget Committee; Seattle City Council; P.O. Box 34025; Seattle, WA 98124-4025.
The ordinance that the council would have to approve to authorize the sale can be read here. Even more documentation about the property and the process is on the city’s Real Estate website. Back in April, when the city began the path toward this hearing and future vote, we reported on some of the proposals it had received; the city said at the time it expected the landmark would most likely be sold for use as a private residence. The site at 35th/Othello has been vacant since the new Station 37 at 35th/Holden was activated last fall.
While remodeling an area of the old Fauntleroy Schoolhouse to serve as a Pilates studio, Pamela Phillips-Blevins discovered a bit of history, a blackboard that appears to have been frozen in time – in 1939.
Way over on the right side of the blackboard, a few names for a “list” (gotta wonder what “list” that was):
(Photos courtesy Museum of Flight)
As noted before, the Museum of Flight is so close, we consider it almost an honorary West Seattle institution. (And many of its visiting aircraft fly right over us.) We’ll be virtually embedded there again in a month for the Blue Angels‘ annual Seafair visit. But in the meantime – a big production there today: The museum’s “Flying Fortress” B-17 – which has quite a history – is on its front lawn today after being towed from a Boeing Field hangar early this morning:
It’s front and center for the “Heroes of the Homefront” event on July 16th, which also will include fly-ins by a B-25 bomber and P-51 flyer, and an evening “hangar dance,” and also celebrates Boeing’s 95th anniversary. More details here.
The photo was shared by Gary Jones, who adds, “Over the skies of West Seattle this Memorial Day weekend – ‘Aluminum Overcast’ – a B-17G Flying Fortress. Fitting tribute, since so many of these important aircraft for the WWII effort were built not far from here.” Aluminum Overcast is visiting Seattle through tomorrow, according to the schedule on its website (a flight will cost you about $400, but there are ground tours too). For more on the B-17’s background, here’s the HistoryLink.org page, which notes it’s been 76 years since its prototype that made its first flight from Boeing Field.
ADDED 2:59 PM: We are reminded that WSB contibutor Christopher Boffoli documented a ride aboard a different B-17, “Liberty Belle,” two years ago – with video – see it here.
A beautiful day for some spring cleaning – and that’s what Keller Williams Realty staffers helped with at West Seattle’s Log House Museum today, as part of a nationwide day of service for the real-estate company. We caught up with them in their last hour of six hours of work – dressed in their company-colors white-on-red – during which they handled tasks including cleaning donor bricks, oiling logs, and refreshing garden beds.
Thanks to Alex for sharing that photo via Twitter last night as Elliott Bay Brewing Company‘s facade work continues in The Junction. We first told you a week ago about owner Todd Carden‘s work to restore some of the facade’s historic features – but the best part of the story turned out to be WSB commenters who sleuthed out the storefront’s history (read about it starting here). Looks like Elliott Bay also has put up a photo gallery here.
A recently issued permit for a “new storefront” at Elliott Bay Brewing Company in The Junction sparked our curiosity – so we stopped by today to find out what’s up. Elliott Bay Brewing owner Todd Carden tells WSB he’s been thinking for months about facade work that will leave the building looking a little more like what it looked like decades ago. And even just with a bit of work, he’s uncovered some history:
The inscribed bricks shown in our photos are part of what he uncovered while out doing some work today – with the inscriptions 1932, above, and below, GJ Vayhinger:
(Who was GJ Vayhinger? So far, we’ve only found one reference, in a Google Book search result about a national board of hardware sellers. Help, Junction historians!) Carden says he doesn’t have the plan completely finalized yet – he’s still exploring options. There are even windows under the current facade, so he’s going to see what kind of shape they’re in, to possibly let some more light into his establishment. So be on the lookout for a “new ‘old’ look” at Elliott Bay!
4:14 PM UPDATE: WSB’ers have been researching GJ Vayhinger while we were working on other stories – read their discoveries in the comment section – and the research indicates he indeed ran a West Seattle hardware store!
Who’s taking home part of what’s left from the now-closed Charlestown Street Café? Above, that’s Donna from Giannoni’s Pizzeria in Westwood Village, with son LJ – who picked up several items, including tables and a huge salad spinner – and they weren’t the only local restaurateurs we spotted. There also were souvenir-seekers, like one West Seattleite who told us she was hoping to find something small, maybe a menu, though after wandering around the offerings during the preview time, she hadn’t found anything fitting that bill just yet.
By 10 am, the restaurant was fairly full, and as scheduled, the auction began, legendary local auctioneer James G. Murphy himself led the calling, with Ron Hannon at his side:
Here’s a wider look at their portable-podium-with-PA setup, plus the assistant who has to go find each item that’s being bid on, lifting it aloft till the bidding ends:
As of about quarter past twelve, the auction had moved into the kitchen. We’re going back shortly to check on whether it’s still going. Backstory in case you missed it: The café closed April 3rd, with its owner citing economic reasons (as well as the difficulty of operating without a long-term lease). There’s a development proposal in progress for the site; we reported last Monday on the plan.
2:30 PM UPDATE: Just stopped by. The remaining Murphy personnel on the site say the auction finished about an hour ago, and everything went except for a few countertops.
If you’ve driven by the city-landmark former Fire Station 37 and noticed a new sign, here’s what it’s about: The city Finance Department is recommending the City Council approve plans to sell the building at 35th and Othello, since the city has no further use for it. It was vacated when Engine 37 and its team moved into their new, larger station a few blocks south last October. This recommendation triggers a 30-day comment period before the Council moves ahead with the process of putting the site on the market. But this process actually started nine months ago (here’s our report from July), so there’s already a fair amount of information on what the city expects might happen. Ahead, how to comment, as well as what sort of interest the city has already received:Read More
(WSB photo from 1/16/2011) By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It’s come up before, and now it’s come up again:
To reopen the city-landmarked Alki Homestead (originally the Fir Lodge), will it take restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or some combination of all of the above? The scope of the proposal came up this morning downtown as owner Tom Lin and his architect team from Alloy Design Group returned to the Architectural Review Committee of the city Landmarks Preservation Board for a third review, with historic-preservation advocates watching from the sidelines.
The same question arose when Lin and a different architect brought a different proposal to the committee a year and a half ago, as reported here. Back then, they were proposing adding “other uses” to the site – a bar, maybe a bed-and-breakfast – but that plan was scrapped, and the new plan is all about bringing the Homestead back as a restaurant and banquet facility.
But how can it be done, when it needs a new foundation and a new roof – and some degree of replacement inbetween? “Tricky” is one word that was used.
The latest Land Use Information Bulletin from the city brought word that the proposal to renovate the interior of the Shoremont Apartments on Alki is proceeding – it’s been determined no environmental review is needed. You’ll recall the twin apartment buildings were once proposed for demolition, to make way for an ultra-modern development planned 3 years ago; then foreclosure led to new ownership. This morning, we talked for the first time with new owner Dennis Schilling, who tells WSB he bought the Shoremont because he has “always liked small brick buildings … I thought (these) were pretty interesting.” More about his plans, ahead:Read More
Heike shared that Admiral Theater ad from the January 23, 1942, “Seattle Daily Times.” We asked how the old paper was found. Reply: “We put a few can lights into the ceiling, and had to go up into the attic for rewiring. Pretty amazing that it’s been there all this time!”
The architects who are working on the plan to renovate the Alki Homestead, closed since an electrical fire in January 2009, will return to the city Landmark Preservation Board‘s Architectural Review Committee this Friday morning. It’ll be the third time they appear before the committee, which doesn’t vote, but rather advises applicants on their project before they get to a vote of the full board – whose approval is required for an official city landmark to proceed with renovations/modifications. The meeting is open to the public and is scheduled for 9:30 am this Friday at the Municipal Tower downtown; here’s our report on the first review in January, and the second review last month. The proposal seeks to renovate the historic Fir Lodge as a restaurant, with banquet facilities, and an added structure to its rear (west side) that would house the kitchen among other things.
(Walker Rock Garden photo courtesy Lita Gill)
Just six weeks after first word it was going up for sale, West Seattle’s quirky Walker Rock Garden apparently has a buyer. We checked its website for word of upcoming “open” dates for the site, and discovered an undated “breaking news” item declaring: “The property is now under contract so do not wait to come and see the Walker Rock Garden. DO IT NOW!” No future “garden open” dates are listed as of right now, but the Walkers’ granddaughter Lita Gill had told us in a previous exchange that you can contact the listing agent directly to ask (Brad Cooper, 206-383-0197). She told WSB in January that while they hoped to find a buyer who would preserve her grandparents’ rock creations, they wouldn’t require it as a condition of sale. Earlier this month, the property, with a small home on a double lot, was listed for $392,000. We have an inquiry out to see if they’re commenting on the in-progress sale. Meantime, Michael tipped us this past weekend to a new online story with more details on exactly how the Walker Rock Garden’s stonework was crafted – you can read it here.
Art, history, and generosity will come together Friday night at 
Also Friday night – who says you can’t make it to both? – it’s the 
The process of discussing with the city how to restore/reconstruct the fire-ravaged landmark Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge is so far as painstaking as the actual project itself eventually may be.
The latest Land Use Information Bulletin from the city brought word that the 
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