Farmers’ Market fun find
If you see this before the Farmers’ Market closes @ 2 pm: the produce/plants booth at the SE corner has organic purple green onions, $2/bunch. And if you’re looking for a present for a mom who gardens, more booths than ever have plants today — though our fave remains Langley Fine Gardens and its often-unusual offerings.
WS Gas Price Watch: 2 quick notes
Cheapest posted regular is now Charlestown/Cali 7/11 @ $3.36. Highest posted regular is now a tie — Lincoln Park 76 has matched 35th/Holden Chevron @ $3.49.
Services set for John the waiter
Many people have dropped by here to read and/or post about John Hartley, the popular JaK’s and Skylark waiter who died suddenly last week, at a ridiculously young age. Tonight we have word from Jessie @ Skylark that services for John are set for a week from today (Saturday, May 19), 10 am at Burien Methodist Church. (Jessie also notes that Skylark will not open till 3 pm that day.)
Giving it another go
Nine months after the landmark Painted Lady of Beach Drive (aka the Satterlee House) went up for sale again, we just noticed a change in signage outside the house and its front lawn. 
Now, with a change in listing companies, it’s offered as one “estate” again, though the blurb goes on to say, “this property is actually two parcels … the one the house sits on and the front parcel which has been short platted for three homes. Buy one or both!” Hadn’t realized the short-plat had gotten final approval but it seems that happened right before Christmas, on a day most of us had something else (like this) on our minds. So then how come somebody hasn’t snapped up the land already? (P.S. Dear John L. Scott, the new blurb is kind of over the top. “Coyly awaits restoration”? And it’s not “near Alki Point.” 1.5 miles, to be precise. Plus “flair” is the word you’re looking for, not “flare.” /nitpick)
Water Taxi thrill ride
Our activity du jour was mass transit, including the Water Taxi, to the Maritime Festival. Got more than we bargained for on both ends of the WT ride. First, as we waited to board at Seacrest, two tugboat race participants from Global Diving & Salvage arrived to pick up their passengers (plus supplies for barbecuing and general revelry). Probably the busiest we’ve ever seen that slender little strip of wooden dock @ Seacrest (here’s a view as the WT pulled out):
On our way back, it became obvious that the 3:30 pm run on Maritime Festival day is THE time to get as close to the tugboat races as you can (without being a participant). Our captain warned direly that the largest class of racing tug would be heading our way as we left the dock, and implied we’d need surfing skills to survive the looming wake. Didn’t happen that way, thanks to our captain’s skills, but did get a great view of the racing tugs, justice not really done by the following photo:
If you want to try the Water Taxi tomorrow, waterfront highlights include a Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch at Ivar’s — maybe you can get the fry-scarfing-seagull-view table we enjoyed while lunching there today. (The restaurant’s not in WS but Ivar’s roots here were deep.)
Best.arrest.ever.
From the Southwest Precinct Public Safety Newsletter sent out this week. Ever wonder about whether to give a buck to one of those people holding cardboard signs along offramps? Check out the saga of one of them, quoted verbatim from the newsletter (after the click since it’s a bit long). Way to go, Officer Wilson!Read More
Dizzyingly busy WS weekend
From 130-plus yard sales in 1 day, to a wild hour to try the Water Taxi, to women’s tackle football, to bellydancing, there is so much to do this weekend, you’ll wish you could just skip sleep. Full list is one click away:Read More
WS Gas Price Watch: “Highest high” holding
No update for a few days because not much has changed. Lowest posted price  we’ve seen in WS is now $3.31 at the Arco on Delridge near Home Depot. Highest posted price (for regular) remains $3.49 @ 35th/Holden Chevron, which hasn’t gone up since one week ago.
Update on John the waiter
Many kind people have posted comments on the item below about John, a waiter from JaK’s and Skylark, stricken by an aneurysm last night. Now we are sorry to have to pass along bad news from Jessie at Skylark:
I have sad and terrible news. John is not going to make it.Skylark will be closed early tonight (7pm) so open mic is cancelled.ÂÂ
We’ll reopen at 11:30am (the normal time) tomorrow.
I’ll follow up with details (wake info, benefit events for the hospital bills, etc) when I know them.
Prayers requested
A reliable longtime reader sent the following note, wanting to get the word out. Usually we would try to confirm such tips through a second source but time is of the essence with someone fighting for their life:
John, a flamboyant and funny waiter working evenings at Jak’s Grill and weekend brunch at Skylark Cafe & Club, was hospitalized yesterday evening after suffering a brain aneurysm. Friends say the prognosis is not good, and he could really use the prayers of his customers and friends right now.
What has been the lowest posted regular gas in WS for at least a week or so jumped six cents in the 
There’s a new development in Land Use Land regarding one of the first unique local buildings whose impending demise we lamented, 4532 42nd SW (
Two weeks after we 
| 4 COMMENTS