West Seattle scenes, Heat Wave Night 1 edition
Thanks to JayDee for that sunset shot. After we originally published this post half an hour ago, this view came in from David Hutchinson:
There are still sights to be seen tonight; check out the nearly full moon if you haven’t already (nice picture on Creighton‘s blog, by the way). Latest forecast: Sunny and 90s tomorrow AND Saturday. Here’s a cooling view, from Lincoln Park:
Luckie actually took that one yesterday, by Colman Pool. Not far away, in Fauntleroy tonight, great night for a barbecue:
That video shows an overview of the big crowd on the northwest lawn of The Kenney during tonight’s annual barbecue. The Kenney, by the way, is just about to file applications with the city to initiate its major redevelopment project; we spoke with its CEO a few hours before tonight’s event and plan to publish our report tomorrow.
Tonight’s Design Review Board meeting: Quick toplines
Full report to come, but here’s the headline version: The two meetings (“early design guidance” for 35th/Graham High Point mixed-use project, “recommendations” for revised Fauntleroy Place) together lasted 3 1/2 hours. Results: High Point project (see the presentation) needs work, must come back for second round of “early design guidance”; FP (see the presentation) can advance to permit stage but with some tweaks. Details later.
West Seattle Art Walk: Two sightings
Can’t you just imagine sometimes, that’s the REAL life of some of the more cantankerous seagulls? This imagining is from Brandon M. Baker’s exhibition at Ginomai, one of our stops during tonight’s West Seattle Second Thursday Art Walk. We also dropped by Twilight in The Junction, where we found this blender by Todd Karam:
Many of the works shown on tonight’s 30-plus stops will be up throughout the month, so keep an eye out when you’re visiting these local businesses (here’s the map of participants – they’re in Admiral, Delridge, and elsewhere along with The Junction); next art walk will be September 11th. P.S. Lots of folks out in The Junction tonight, including what looked like a big crowd en route to the second night of Pippin @ ArtsWest.
West Seattle Weather Watch update: Beach now, art tonight
We’re into the 80s and likely headed into the 90s – we can report there’s still room at Alki for you as of our reconnaissance mission a short time ago – surreys like the one above (Space Needle WHICH way?) are out in force, and the snow-cone stand in the background looked to be doing brisk business. Around Alki Point, the shoreline’s also fairly uncrowded, though geese are patroling the water in sizable numbers:
By the way, we thought this might be the right time to remind you about the ice-cream map we posted here earlier this summer. Find it here (along with additional reader comments about cool treats). Speaking of maps, click right here to get one for the West Seattle Second Thursday Art Walk, with more than 30 venues participating all around West Seattle, from The Junction to Admiral to Delridge – 6-9 pm, a great excuse to get out of the house during the hottest time of the evening (especially if your home is like ours and holds the heat well!).
West Seattle Weather Watch update: Bad-air alerts
Today through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, daytime highs could get into the 90s, and an “air stagnation advisory” is now in effect through 10 pm Saturday night, plus the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has just called a Smog Watch. (Air aside, the Saturday forecast is an upgrade from how it looked last night, when cloudiness was predicted; in the “cup half full” department, may finally be a truly warm night for Movies on the Wall, on the heels of last week’s rainout; “Finding Nemo” is rescheduled to 8/21 but this week, it’s “Ghostbusters.”) As for staying cool today – all West Seattle wading pools are open: Delridge, Hiawatha, Highland Park, Hughes, Lincoln Park, as is Colman Pool on the L-Park waterfront. (Click the pools’ names to see locations and schedules.)
Remembering Gregory Hampel: 2 funds; memorial today
Many people have posted tributes to Gregory Hampel among the comments below our Monday night report that he did not survive the 35th/Dawson accident in which a car hit him as he ran into the street to try to catch his dog. The 39-year-old West Seattleite is survived by his partner Ed Swaya and their daughter Vivian; late last night, we received word of two funds being set up for donations in his memory, including one at the school where he taught:
Donations in honor of Gregory Hampel can be made to The Seabury School, where they are setting up a scholarship in his name.
Or, given the family’s commitment to the education of their daughter, donations are being accepted at any US Bank for the education fund for Vivian Swaya.
DONATIONS BY MAIL:
Deposit into “Vivian Swaya’s Account” (educational fund)
US Bank
1436 S. 312th St
Federal Way, WA 98003
DONATIONS IN PERSON:
Go into any branch of US Bank.
No account number needed; simply use Vivian Swaya’s name.
Sorry, no online donation available
The US Bank branch in West Seattle is at the northwest corner of 42nd/Edmunds (map). 10:09 AM UPDATE: A comment on our previous report includes this information on a service for Mr. Hampel today:
Gregory’s Memorial Service:
Thursday August 14
University Lutheran Church
1604 NE 50th
viewing 10-noon
service following
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Alki Kid’s Place
This morning we welcome the newest WSB sponsor, Alki Kid’s Place, which is getting ready for its first season offering after-school activities in West Seattle, and is already up and running with summer programs that started in late June. Director Cheryl Snyder says Alki Kid’s Place is for children ages 4-14: “We offer a safe, nurturing environment along with a dedicated, caring staff. Our program was created to meet the growing needs within the community for quality, affordable after-school care for children. We offer a variety of activities including arts & crafts, movies, games, music, exercise, tae kwon do, along with quiet time for homework, reading, and relaxing as well as tutoring.” After-school programs start on September 3rd, and will be available 2:30 pm-6:30 pm. Cheryl says openings are now available — registrations are being accepted for fall — and they have daily rates as well as weekly rates, $15/day or $70/week. Alki Kid’s Place is at 6115 SW Hinds (map). To register or get more information, call 206-938-0145. Welcome to Alki Kid’s Place; all our current sponsors are listed on the updated WSB Advertise page, which also is the starting point for anyone interested in joining them (every WSB ad is seen more than 16,000 times a day, with an exceptionally low price per view!).
34th District Democrats’ decisions, with days till the primary
(photo by Dina Johnson)
If you still think the primary election – next Tuesday, or maybe you’ve voted by mail already – is a snoozer, last night’s 34th District Democrats 
meeting would have cured you of that notion. With sometimes-raucous debate and questioning, our area’s largest political organization settled on some endorsements and budgeting decisions, looking ahead to both the primary and general elections. Five of West Seattle’s own elected officials were there, along with one of the most controversial statewide politicians running for re-election, and a city leader – read on to say what was said, decided, and revealed, including their recommendation on the primary’s most convoluted ballot measure:Read More
The final record-setting tally for registered Night Out block-party events in West Seattle last week (WSB coverage 
Inspired by beach volleyball competition at the Olympics? Envious of what you see on the sand at Alki (and by the way,
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