West Seattle, Washington
13 Tuesday
(Photo by, and used with permission of, Paul Gordon)
Side note to our ongoing coverage of today’s announcement adding to the funding rounded up so far for a new South Park Bridge (see the latest details here): With one week to go till the old one is closed permanently: South Park residents have been planning a “wake” for shutdown night next Wednesday, and just sent the announcement with full details of what you’ll see if you head east to be part of the event:
The South Park community has organized a wake on Wednesday, June 30th from 6-10 pm to mark the closing of the South Park Bridge, the main thoroughfare over the Duwamish River into the South Park neighborhood. Unable to secure the necessary funding for replacement, King County deemed the severely deteriorated South Park Bridge as unsafe for the 20,000 vehicles that cross it daily.
Although the principal focus of the wake is to bemoan the loss of the bridge, South Park residents, including business owners, artists and musicians are stepping up to showcase the community’s diversity. The Duwamish Tribal drummers will cross the bridge in the minutes before its closure at 7 pm. Muralists from South Park Arts will be painting the bridge, “transforming the structure from defunct infrastructure into artistic force.” (South Park Arts website, www.southparkarts.org) Bagpipers will play during the final raising of the leaves, followed by music from a New Orleans Funeral Band, a Latino Roots/Folk band, and a Blues Band. South Park restaurants, like the popular Muy Macho, will be offering food specials, and local organizations will be tabling to showcase the variety of activities and services in the neighborhood.
(Tuesday night photo, shared today by Lars)
As promised in our coverage of last night’s police response on Alki – we checked with the Southwest Precinct today for followup. Lt. Norm James confirms one arrest and answers a few of our other questions:
We in the precinct always staff extra heavy for the last day of school. Alki has been a gathering place for teens from all over the city on the last day of school for many years. We had at least two marked patrol cars at the high schools, along with Traffic units prior to school dismissal. Once school was out, those same units were tasked to Alki along with our ACT and CPT teams. We call additional units as needed after that. The Gang Unit provides an additional presence during these times also. There was one arrest for obstructing an officer, and at this point only one additional incident report for property damage was written.
Just announced by West Seattle-based Twelfth Night Productions:
Twelfth Night Productions Celebrates Fifteen Years Producing Theater with How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying and a Partnership with FareStart
Twelfth Night Productions (TNP) is excited to celebrate our fifteenth year producing theater with How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. In addition to producing high quality, community theater and providing an artistic outlet for residents of the Puget Sound, each summer TNP has partnered with a local charitable non-profit organization. Donating a portion of the proceeds from each summer show, TNP has helped such organizations as the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association, the All City Band and the White Center Food Bank among others. This year we are proud to partner with FareStart, a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals.
Both a Tony Award winning show and Pulitzer Prize winning book, How To Succeed In Business without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch as he uses a little handbook called “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive. Along the way he tackles such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant “company man,” the boss’ whiny nephew, the office party, backstabbing co-workers, a caffeine addiction and of course true love.
Show times are August. 6, 7, 14, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 3 p.m. on August. 8, 15 and 22 (PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO SHOW ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 13th). The show is playing at West Seattle High School Theater, 3000 California Ave SW. Tickets are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/86033, in person at Square One Books in Jefferson Square, and at West Seattle High School on performance days (3000 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116). Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $12 for students & seniors.
(WSB video of last year’s Seafair Pirates Landing at Alki)
Our timbers were shivered when Shell forwarded us the latest e-mail newsletter from Duke’s Chowder House, saying the Seafair Pirates Landing at Alki (scheduled for July 10) was in jeopardy – at risk of cancellation, or of costing the pirates a pretty penny from their own coffers – because of a shortage of sponsors. Duke’s even set up an online donation link. We have just checked with the Pirates themselves – and while they say no, the landing event is NOT in danger of cancellation, they do need $ help – stand by for the rest of the briny tale as fast as we can type it.
ADDED 1:35 PM: Just got off the phone with Mark Jensen, to whom we’ll refer with his Seafair Pirates nickname, “Keelhaul.” He says the event had “two nice sponsors arranged and contracted” – and within the span of three days, they both canceled. The price tag for the Pirates Landing is about $20,000 – including thousands just for the permits – which may sound like a lot, but isn’t really, for an event drawing that many people. If they don’t get sponsorship money, “Keelhaul” says, the Pirates’ constitution requires the cost be split among them – that means up to $500 apiece for this, and anyone who can’t pay it can’t be a Pirate any more – that’s just the way their rules work. (The Pirates are an independent organization, not bankrolled by Seafair itself, and they make 240 appearances a year, often to assist charity fundraisers.) “We don’t want to lose any pirates over this,” he says – and canceling this Alki Landing is NOT an option: A central part of the event will be granting the wish of a 13-year-old Ellensburg boy, through Make-A-Wish Foundation. As the culmination of what Keelhaul explains is a three-part wish, young Joseph Johnson will become Captain Kidd, the morning of the landing – which means he’s in charge. So how did Duke get involved with all this? They were talking to him about a sponsorship, and while that didn’t work for this year, he came up with the idea of putting out a call to his massive mailing list, asking for people to chip in. So if you want to keep one (or more) Seafair Pirates from walking the plank, here’s how to help.
ORIGINAL 12:59 PM REPORT: Our partners at the Seattle Times say $20 million is the approximate amount that Governor Gregoire is getting ready to pledge to a new South Park Bridge, when she joins other local leaders, including King County Executive Dow Constantine, at the bridge at 3 pm. Other major contributions so far are $31 million from the county, $15 million from the Seattle City Council, and $5 million from the Port of Seattle – that still adds up to only a little more than half the replacement bridge’s cost. (The current, crumbling one shuts down for good one week from tonight.) We’ll report the official announcement as soon as it’s made. 2:58 PM: Confirmed, $20 million. Media event starting shortly. 4:48 PM: Added photo of KC Executive Constantine at the podium, with the regional team of bridge-funding partners behind him (plus South Park community leaders). No surprises at the media event. The state’s $20 million contribution brings the total funding now in hand to $70 million, more than half the $130 million projected cost of building a new bridge. One more number was thrown out – $337 million, an estimate of how much money will be lost in general, to the economy, local and regional, while the bridge is closed. We’ll be adding some video shortly; meanwhile, you can read the county news release in its entirety by going here. 5:44 PM: The entirety of the governor’s announcement – if you have to fast forward, check out her economic comparison toward the end:
It was literally a traffic-stopping moment in White Center this morning as WestSide Baby‘s Nancy Woodland and friends guided in a truck bringing a giant donation – more than 200,000 diapers from Huggies. So many, that volunteer help of all ages was needed to move the boxes off the truck and into on-site storage:
Huge as this donation is, it still doesn’t cover all the needs of the local families served by WestSide Baby. We asked Nancy to explain why your help is still vital, for diaper donations any time, particularly this summer’s upcoming Stuff the Bus events:
WSB is proud to be a co-sponsor of the West Seattle “Stuff the Bus” event, which is coming up on Sunday, July 25.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you walk the streets of certain other neighborhoods – oh, say, Capitol Hill – you’ll notice almost as many teahouses as coffee shops.
Not West Seattle. In fact, we’ve been without a teahouse since The T(ea) Gallery closed in Admiral in late 2007.
But tea lovers, rejoice – something new is brewing. Aimee Pellegrini, a member of La Rustica‘s founding family, is bringing the Tuscan Tea Room to The Junction – along with her thriving business Romanza Floral. She’s getting ready to move into a space in The Junction.
(Thanks to Robin Lindsey for sharing this view of an osprey out fishing)
You may not be able to fly, but you can tidewalk for the next several days, as minus tides are back, though not as low as earlier this month (this morning at 9:31, it’s -1.7, lower tomorrow). Also ahead: Lots more fun for all ages on this first day of summer vacation – Brian Waite Band‘s “20,000 Volts Under the Sea” at 11:30 am at Southwest Library (free) … An afternoon dance at Delridge Community Center features the Bonnie Birch Band, 1-3 pm ($4/person) … The friendly folks at ALL your local Seattle Parks-run Community Centers (WSB sponsor) present Olympic Day activities tonight at West Seattle Stadium, 5-8 pm, activities for kids 3-12, including a chance to meet Olympic athlete Emily DeRiel and Paralympic athlete Mike Peters, and to rock out with Recess Monkey, free … At 7 tonight, the Ugandan Orphans’ Choir brings African music and dance to Fauntleroy Church – with a dessert bar included in your the ticket price … Also at 7, Highland Park Action Committee‘s monthly meeting with Walk/Bike/Ride, HP history and a freebie for the first 25 attendees (1116 SW Holden) … Bin 41 (WSB sponsor) has the first of 3 consecutive nights of wine tastings, with Coeur d’Alene Cellars featured 5:30-7 tonight … The 4th Wednesday Poetrybridge at C & P features Tito Titus – and potentially you! (open-mike signups at 6:30, program at 7) … Traffic note, paving is scheduled to start on SW Genesee, 47th-51st … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
Along with Friday’s 3-location food drive as part of the West Seattle Community Car Wash events (latest update here), here are two other business-led food drives of note: C & P Coffee just announced a 1-day drive this Saturday, 7 am-4 pm, bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank, “receive a free coffee drink of choice.” And Many Moons Trading Company (in the breezeway at 4517 California SW) has an ongoing food drive for the White Center Food Bank – bring nonperishable food to donate, 11 am-6 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays – the WC Food Bank’s service area includes part of West Seattle, but it doesn’t get city funding, and as Many Moons’ Emily says, “School is out and they need food for kids!”
After a briefing at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting last week, we wrote about the planned Night Market and other new Delridge opportunities to buy fresh, healthy food, starting next month. This morning we have the official flyer, courtesy of Philippia Goldsmith at DNDA – and word that the Night Market’s debut will be 4-8 pm Saturday, July 10th, at Super 24, already the pilot Delridge Fresh Food Spot location. And as also discussed last week, that’s just the start – Philippia explains what else is in the works starting in a few weeks:
Starting with the Night Market kickoff on 7/10, The Delridge Fresh Food Spot Team along with Clean Greens Farm and Market will operate on Fridays 9 am-5 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 6 pm to provide a weekly produce market. On Saturdays, the Delridge Fresh Food Spot Team (DNDA staff and volunteers) will be at the Super 24 from 10 am-2pm providing food samplings using Clean Greens produce as well as information on healthy food options, simple activities for the kids and more. For more information give us a call, (206) 935-2999, or e-mail Phillippia @ phillippiag@dnda.org
Time’s running out for initiatives to get enough signatures to make the statewide ballot. Those who support Initiative 1068 to decriminalize adult use of marijuana are trying one last big push to get more names: The new print edition of The Stranger, 80,000 copies, is supposed to have an I-1068 petition in each and every one. So organizers hope that each reader will sign, and gather some signatures, and drop off the petitions ASAP. They say 2 West Seattle and 2 White Center businesses have agreed to be dropoff spots for the petitions; click ahead for the locations and hours, as sent in organizers’ announcement:Read More
The last day of school was also the last day at Highland Park Elementary School for principal Ann Gray. An HP parent e-mailed to let us know about the letter from Gray, dated today, posted on the school’s website. She says she’s taken a new job as a principal in the Federal Way district, closer to her home, but describes her six years at HP as “amazing.” Read her letter here.
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
ORIGINAL 8:31 PM REPORT: We are on Alki checking into a sizable police presence, after tips came in about cruisers heading this way. One tipster says a fight had broken out, but right now there’s no sign of that – the police presence appears to be more a show of preventive force, including a double-digit Gang Unit contingent. We would recommend avoiding driving this way – some traffic was being diverted a block inland, past Whale Tail. 8:38 PM: We just talked to police. A series of relatively small fights brought them out in force to make sure nothing worse happens, since there are many people here celebrating the 1st night of summer vacation. 9:25 PM: We’re back at HQ and adding photos. David Hutchinson‘s image of the gang-unit presence (which had broken up by the time we left shortly after 9) is the most dramatic scene we saw. Before our arrival, he says, a young woman had been cuffed and placed in a police car; we have not confirmed any arrests but will follow up on this tomorrow. 9:45 PM: Adding one more photo, this one from Benjamin Hutchinson, with a little more of an overview of the crowd that was out earlier – about the same density we saw when arriving around 8:15:
At least one of tonight’s fights, according to David Hutchinson, happened near Pepperdock – which, you may recall, was where last year’s most serious Alki incident happened, the shooting on May 1, 2009 (WSB coverage here). 10:39 PM: Worth noting – one commenter points out the mayor’s announcement today of a “Late-Night Safety Initiative.” Here’s the official SPD announcement. While its focus is on Friday and Saturday nights, and primarily neighborhoods near downtown, it’s noted “this model will work in any neighborhood” and the announcement’s concluding line certainly resonates given what happened tonight:
The hope is that the additional uniformed patrols will encourage citizens from all over Puget Sound to visit popular Seattle destination points and do so without fear of harm.
With the school year over, hundreds of local students will be moving on to college this fall. Six of them are receiving scholarships from the Rotary Club of West Seattle. Irene Stewart shares the news from today’s Rotary meeting:
The Rotary Club of West Seattle awarded six scholarships at its meeting today — four Students of the Year, and two Vern Gambriell Scholars. Each Student of the Year was previously identified as a Student of the Month by their high school guidance counselor, based on involvement in school and in the community. In addition, two students were selected as recipients of endowed Vern Gambriell Scholarships for study at South Seattle Community College, based on academic success and need. The year’s scholarship winners are:
Students of the Year
West Seattle High School — Karen Chen Lowe
Chief Sealth High School — Carolyn Smith
Seattle Lutheran High School — Jessica Bartel
Career Link — Gracie RobersonVern Gambriell Scholars
Thomas Ovenshine
Francisco GabelaFor more information about Rotary scholarships, contact scholarship committee chair Cathy Rouyer.
And a reminder that ordering is under way for the West Seattle Rotary Berry Sale (WSB sponsor) – pickup dates are here, online ordering for “will-call” pickup is here.
Longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction is celebrating three big remodeling-industry awards – and also getting ready for its next free monthly workshop (6 pm tomorrow at its offices between The Junction and Morgan Junction) – First, the awards. Ventana has won a Western Region Chrysalis Award and Master Builders Association Remodeling Excellence award for the West Seattle addition project shown above and at right, as well as another Remodeling Excellence award for a Mount Baker bathroom remodel. Architect for the West Seattle project was Sheri Newbold; for the Mount Baker project, Kim Goforth,
who partners with Ventana on their monthly workshops (and will be part of the one tomorrow night). “This was the first year they have entered the awards, and to take home top honors on the first attempt is impressive,” said Ken Kanline, Chrysalis Awards director. “We knew the home would be worthy of this kind of recognition when we first started. The focus on green building practices coupled with beautiful finishes and clients who brought unique talents to the project combined to create a really exceptional project, said Clarence and Anne Higuera, CGR, Ventana’s proprietors. Again, you can take advantage of their award-winning experience in a free workshop tomorrow night – info on remodeling and custom homebuilding, no obligation – RSVP by calling 206-932-3009.
How to entice neighbors to attend their community council meeting in summer? Highland Park Action Committee‘s preview for tomorrow night just arrived, and they’re offering prizes – chair Dan Mullins says the first 25 attendees get a free gift from the spotlighted local business (a regular feature of HPAC meetings), plus there’ll be the traditional raffle. Meeting guests include a mayor’s office rep to talk about Walk/Bike/Ride (discussed in Delridge last week), an HPAC history lesson from a founding member, plus more on the Highland Park Sunday Market debuting this weekend (here’s our earlier report). Tomorrow night’s meeting is at 7 at Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden (map).
So far, it’s $30 million from King County, $15 million pledged by the Seattle City Council, and now comes word that the Port of Seattle is chipping in $5 million toward the cost of replacing the South Park Bridge, which closes permanently one week from tomorrow. The port’s announcement notes that it’s already contributed $500,000 worth of land for the bridge’s footings. So what will the state commit? We expect to find out tomorrow afternoon, as Governor Gregoire is expected to participate in an announcement at the bridge, discussing where things stand in the quest for the $120 million-plus that’s needed for a new SP Bridge.
REMINDER, COMMUNITY CAR WASH THIS FRIDAY: Top-down weather today (we took that photo on Beach Drive) … here’s hoping for car-wash weather on Friday! As noted here a few weeks back, that’s the day for the West Seattle Community Car Wash at three locations – Keller Williams Realty (4452 California SW), State Farm Insurance (4727 44th SW), and John L. Scott Realty (5242 California SW). Proceeds go to West Seattle Food Bank or World Vision for Haiti; you can buy tickets in advance right now at any of those locations – and when you come to get your car washed on Friday (10 am-4 pm), be sure to bring nonperishable food donations for the WS Food Bank, too. Organizers are also still looking for volunteers – call Terry Gangon at State Farm, 935-9955, or Jerry Howard at John L. Scott, 935-7700. (Among those who’ve signed up to help so far, the West Seattle High School cheer team.)
SWINERY PARTY: Just got word of this one, in e-mail from Liza: Now that The Swinery‘s patio is open, they’re having a “Grand Re-Opening” party, 4-7 pm Friday. All welcome, we’re told. They’re giving tours every half-hour and featuring specials and a raffle.
Taking the long way home from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce transportation briefing, we almost stopped for the classic crowded-on-Alki shot. But after all, West Seattle has many more beaches. So we continued on west and southwestward, and found this scene at uncrowded (only one person in sight) Weather Watch Park along Beach Drive (across from La Rustica). In the foreground, the roof of a makeshift driftwood structure – in the background, a ready-for-summer condo-building patio. Should still be nice when you get home from work – but then the “forecast discussion” suggests that may be it for a while!
(Photo courtesy Greg Whittaker)
(ADDED 3:17 PM: One activity along the West Seattle shore tonight – Alki Kayak Tours is hosting another Tuesday night standup-paddleboard demo/race event presented by sister business Mountain to Sound Outfitters. 6-8 pm, at Seacrest.)
Two areas of West Seattle, two notes from WSB’ers, and two concerns about possible info theft – read on:Read More
(WSDOT’s “South Portal Design Concept” showing where South End Replacement would meet the tunnel)
Though ceremonial groundbreaking for the South End Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement is a week away, the project contract is actually on Day 8, according to WSDOT’s Matt Preedy, who is briefing the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce right now on what’s ahead for this major project. We’re at the briefing at the Senior Center of West Seattle, and are also expecting a city briefing afterward on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project. Preedy says that on The Viaduct itself, you won’t see traffic effects this year – the first phases of work will be on the surface alongside, with street work in the Terminal 46 area, then the new bike/pedestrian path. One major note: On July 6, he says, the 150+ parking spaces under The Viaduct between Royal Brougham and Railroad will be fenced off and gone forever – that’ll be part of the construction zone. 1:07 PM UPDATE: Briefing over. Other key dates: From SDOT’s Paul Elliott, the new 4th Avenue offramp (aka “The Costco Offramp”) from the Spokane Street Viaduct is still on track to open in late summer, and there’s a tentative start date for the work to fuse it to the existing structure – which will close one eastbound lane for up to six weeks – July 7. Elliott also says the new westbound 1st Avenue on/offramp may open as soon as next summer. And he indicated the “voluntary” program for advance notice of “low bridge” vessel openings isn’t making much of a difference – they’re not getting much advance notice, and the number of openings seems to be only slightly reduced, if at all.
(Also a reminder, the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed this Saturday for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon – WSDOT now says the closure starts both ways at 4 am, reopening southbound by 1:15 pm, northbound by 4 pm.)
That’s a clip from a performance last December by the Ugandan Orphans’ Choir, which has been traveling the U.S. – and will be in West Seattle tomorrow night, to sing and dance at Fauntleroy Church. Ticket info is on the Fauntleroy Church home page; you can find out more about the choir here. (Also at Fauntleroy Church, the remodeling project continues – here’s the latest online update.)
One month after Tiffany Silver-Brace put out the call to gauge interest in a Sunday market in the Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot – it’s come together and will debut this Sunday. We asked Tiffany what the Highland Park Sunday Market has lined up so far:
The market will offer fresh eggs (laid by Highland Park hens), fresh sourdough bread and sourdough starter, fresh herbs, hand-made clothing, art, photography, hand-etched pint glasses, hand-made jewelry, locally silk-screened pillows, napkins, tote bags, onesies, hand-dyed yarn … It’s rumored that we may also have fresh kettle corn. And that’s just the first week. Additions to the next market (7/11) include homemade pickles, soaps, and hand-blown glass.
The market is set for 9 am-1 pm Sunday; HPIC is at 1116 SW Holden (map). Tiffany also says a few more participants are still pending confirmation for this Sunday – and if you’re interested in selling something, some vending spaces are still available – e-mail her at highlandparksundaymarket@gmail.com.
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