day : 18/09/2010 7 results

Suddenly this pig-roasting thing is quite the West Seattle trend. First Fresh Bistro did it – then last Sunday, Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) – and tonight, neighbors around 47th/Brandon threw a party they called the 1st Annual Seaview Swine-Que – mostly before the big rain started in again. We got the tip from Shelly, seen here holding little Gabi:

Shelly had explained via e-mail, “Several local families came together to plan this fun event and The Beer Junction was gracious enough to sponsor it,” going on to say the event was a “testament to good ol’ fashioned neighborhood spirit in West Seattle.” Reminded us a bit of the last time we went around checking on neighborhood spirit, it was Night Out block party night on August 4th, so we got a group portrait here too:

By the way, even if you feel like summer is most decidedly over (hey, but it’s WARM rain), it isn’t officially done until Wednesday, the autumnal equinox. (And if it looks like there will be something resembling a sunset that night, you can go watch it with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info at Solstice Park – info here.)

Share This

Walt Hundley Playfield naming celebration: 2 ex-mayors, and more

September 18, 2010 6:10 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Today’s semi-surprise sunshine ended right before the speeches concluded at this afternoon’s Seattle Parks celebration in honor of the newly named Walt Hundley Playfield by High Point Community Center. But the event continued with the cheery atmosphere of a family-and-friends reunion – which it was, with dozens of people on hand in addition to the official participants shown above – from left, Mr. Hundley’s son Evan, former mayors Wes Uhlman (1969-78) and Charley Royer (1978-90), former Parks superintendent Ken Bounds, Mr. Hundley’s son David, acting Parks superintendent Christopher Williams, and former Parks finance director Curt Green. Mr. Hundley had held other city roles, including budget director, and Uhlman recalled appointing him to the job in which he made history, serving 1977-88 as the city’s first African-American parks superintendent:

Everyone who spoke remembered Mr. Hundley’s mentorship skills – Williams, too, cited him as an inspiration:

Walt Hundley died in 2002; here’s his biography on HistoryLink. Members of the Hundley family noted sadly that they had hoped to have Walt’s widow Felisa Hundley would there to share in the tributes. She, however, died just weeks ago, two days before what would have been her 79th birthday (here’s her obituary). (added Sunday morning) Evan Hundley – who heads Explorer West Middle School – read a Maya Angelou poem that, he explained, his mother originally was planning to read at the event:

Share This

Traffic, and fun, alert: West Seattle Junction Car Show on Sunday!

September 18, 2010 5:42 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

At Liberty Bell Printing in The Junction on Friday, Anne was checking out the info-packets awaiting cars already signed up for the third annual West Seattle Junction Car Show tomorrow (with co-sponsors including WSB) – and elsewhere in the shop, we got to peek at a couple of the trophies:

Here’s the “traffic alert” part of it – note that the heart of The Junction will be closed to traffic tomorrow from early morning till late afternoon – same streets as for West Seattle Summer Fest, California between Genesee and Edmunds, and Alaska on both sides of California. There’s still some room for same-day registration but it’s first-come, first-served – be there by 7 am – you can print out and bring the form (PDF). The show runs 8 am-4 pm; admission is free, but bring some money for drawing/raffles to raise money for West Seattle Helpline. See you there, rain or shine!

Share This

West Seattle wildlife: Admiral raccoons on the run, on video

September 18, 2010 1:44 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Think raccoons only come out at night? Brad caught proof to the contrary with this iPhone video from Admiral (thanks for sharing!). We’ve heard about some bigger, bolder raccoon sightings lately – they are a frequent topic in the WSB Forums – so it’s just as worthwhile to check out the “living with wildlife” raccoon info from the state as it is to read the similar links we usually share about coyotes.

Share This

Happening now, from The Junction to Genesee Hill

September 18, 2010 1:09 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Some of what’s happening now around West Seattle – The surprise sunshine (which Cliff Mass explains here) is gracing Holy Rosary‘s WestFest, where inflatable rides (with some non-inflatable components too) are a new addition this year – it’s in and around the school, north of Genesee, between 41st and 42nd SW. Inside you’ll find a bake sale, among other things (near a busy kitchen!).

WestFest continues till 10 pm; the stage schedule is here. A bake sale’s also part of the book sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) till 3 this afternoon, 3940 41st SW – look close and you’ll find lots of readable treasures:

Books for all ages are on the tables in Adams Hall, on the lower level of the church’s south side. And further north, another work party is just wrapping up at the old Genesee Hill School:

Tina sent photos from the fourth community cleanup at the schoolyard – these volunteers are standing by a big pile of donated mulch that’s keeping weeds from growing back in areas that were tidied up last month. You’ve still got one more chance to pitch in with the Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council – coming up October 16th.

Share This

1 year after former West Seattle teen’s death, charges filed

September 18, 2010 9:17 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Seana for sharing the link: Almost exactly a year after the alcohol-poisoning death of 15-year-old Nick Barnes, a former Madison Middle School student who had moved to Lewis County, charges have been filed there. Lewis County Sirens reports that the owner of the house where Nick was found unconscious, 29-year-old James W. Taylor, is charged with nine crimes including second-degree manslaughter. More details here.

Share This

West Seattle Saturday: WestFest, book sale, gardening, Hendrix…

September 18, 2010 8:25 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Quick notes on some of today’s highlights:

BOOK SALE: Stock up on fall/winter reading at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), selling books from 9 am – 3 pm in the lower level of Adams Hall. (3940 41st SW)

GENESEE HILL GARDEN-BUILDING: The Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council works on the community gardens at the closed Genesee Hill School again today, starting at 9 – tools provided. (Genesee/51st)

CROSS-COUNTRY MEET: Lots of action in Lincoln Park during the annual Sundodger Invitational cross-country meet starting at 9 am – more than 1,000 college athletes competing.

WESTFEST AT HOLY ROSARY 10 am-10 pm – more here, and the stage lineup announcement is here. (42nd/Genesee)

SCHMITZ PARK WALKING TOUR: Presented by the SW Seattle Historical Society, 10 am – meet at 58th and Stevens; a target=”_blank” href=”https://westseattleblog.com/2010/09/southwest-seattle-historical-society-presents-schmitz-park-walking-tour-september-18th”>more details here.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER’S COMMUNITY CHAT: Open availability to talk with school board rep Steve Sundquist,, Southwest Library, 11 am. (35th/Henderson)

DUWAMISH TRIBE FUNDRAISER: Fry Bread for Justice fundraiser at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, noon-4 pm, with proceeds benefiting the tribe’s legal fund as it continues to fight for formal federal recognition. Fry bread $3, coffee $1, with the film “Princess Angeline” shown at 2 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

SQUARE ONE CLEARS OUT: 1-3 pm, now-closed Square One Books is giving away its bookshelves and selling other store decorations. (Jefferson Square)

NEED A BETTER HEAD SHOT? As previewed here yesterday – a pro photographer will be at Avalon Glassworks in the Luna Park business district 1-5 pm, with your chance to get a great-looking head shot, in exchange for a donation ($40 suggested) to the White Center Food Bank.

HIGH POINT CELEBRATION: The ceremony to rename High Point Playfield as Walt Hundley Playfield is set for 2 pm. (34th/Myrtle)

JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE: He’s been gone 40 years as of today – but not forgotten, and Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) will make sure of that with a Jimi Hendrix tribute starting tonight at 6. (6451 California SW)

Share This