West Seattle, Washington

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month : 05/2011 388 results

West Seattle Crime Watch: Witness helps solve burglary
May 23, 2011 8:56 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo shared by Michael, added Tuesday morning)
Couple messages came in earlier tonight about police activity at Delridge and Holden. Here’s what it was about, according to Lt. Ron Smith of the (not far from the scene) Southwest Precinct: About quarter till six, a call of “burglary in progress” in the 2400 block of SW Holden brought police to the scene. A witness said he had seen two “male juveniles” go into a home, steal items, and walk/run away.

Description/”direction of travel” information that the witness gave, quickly distributed among police, was good enough that officers found the suspects several blocks away; they fled into a residence and then, Lt. Smith continues, “The 2 suspects fled out a window at the rear of the house and were apprehended on a steep uphill embankment where they tried to conceal the stolen goods in the blackberry brush. Officers processed the scene and the recovered property was placed into evidence. Both suspects were positively identified and placed into the Youth Services Center for burglary. One suspect was also booked for a warrant. Thank you, West Seattleites, for taking good care of your neighborhoods!”

(P.S. Interested in burglary prevention? This meeting/field trip tomorrow night is for you.)

ADDED 10:23 PM: Since publishing this, we’ve received a note from the witness, Phillip, telling his story:

I actually heard them busting through my neighbor’s house and then saw them leaping over the fence, so I jumped up and ran out my door chasing after them down the street – I called out to my neighbor to call 911, and kept chasing them all the way down Holden (barefoot, mind you.. I didn’t even realize I forgot my shoes) where I saw them go running into a house. I managed to cut up my foot a bit chasing after them, but didn’t even realize until I got in my house and saw I was tracking blood around. I just did what any good neighbor would – looking out for them. :)

The credit really should go to the WSPD for their incredibly fast response.. it was only about 2 minutes from when I lost sight of them to when the first cruiser rolled up, and they’d apprehended them moments afterward.

ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: SPD Blotter featured this case early today. Only added detail is that the suspects are 16 and 17. Also, Michael shared a photo he took during the big police response, and we’ve added it atop the story.

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West Seattle (offshore) scene: Sea lions sighted – oh, buoy!
May 23, 2011 7:32 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

You can hear them from Don Armeni, Jack Block, and Seacrest, and vicinity – but unless you’re out on the water, or have binoculars, no closeup look. Patrick McCaffrey provides us with a view of the sea lions that hang out off Harbor Avenue – from a distance and close up.

Thanks to Patrick and the other fine photographers who share photos here – if you have a photo to share, here are the various ways to share it!

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West Seattle volunteers help provide safety net for budget-slashed Salmon in the Classroom
May 23, 2011 4:06 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Sanislo Elementary salmon-releasing visit** to Fauntleroy Creek last week; photo by Lisa Keith)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

This week, Fauntleroy residents Judy Pickens and Phil Sweetland will finish a busy schedule of assisting hundreds of local schoolchildren with salmon releases into Fauntleroy Creek, which runs steps away from their home.

But there’s no time to rest, if they are going to be back at creekside, doing it again next year.

One day before their schedule of salmon releases ends, the gavel is scheduled to fall on the special session of the State Legislature. And with that gavel, it will be official: No state money for the program that has facilitated the releases over the years, Salmon in the Classroom.

Read More

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3 dates set for Denny International Middle School transition events
May 23, 2011 3:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

In our coverage of the recent joint Chief Sealth International High School-Denny International Middle School PTSA briefing, we mentioned a big event announced that night by Denny principal Jeff Clark – a June 11th event to say goodbye to the half-century old school that is soon to be demolished. Today, we have more information about that event, and a couple other dates you can mark on the calendar: First, the June 11th event, for anyone interested to take “one last look” at the old Denny, will start with “walking the halls” at 10 am – then 10:30-noon, a program in the cafeteria. (This is on a Saturday, so classes will not be in session.) Dates also have been set for the new Denny’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, 1 pm Tuesday, September 6th, the day before the new school year starts, and an “all-community celebration” at 10 am Saturday, September 24th.

As for exactly when the old Denny building is to be demolished, making way for new sports facilities – a softball field and tennis courts – replacing the ones lost in the construction of the new school on the Sealth campus, we have that question out to the district, which expects to be able to share the information later this week. The demolition permit has not yet been granted, but it’s close, as the city website lists its status as “reviews completed.” The land-use permit for the project was granted in March.

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West Seattle Water Taxi numbers, before/after 99 Squeeze
May 23, 2011 12:09 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

As promised, we have before/after numbers on the West Seattle Water Taxi, through the prism of the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct lane-reduction “squeeze” that began one week ago today.

For the week BEFORE the Squeeze, morning-commute ridership averaged 90 passengers daily, afternoon-commute ridership averaged 150 passengers daily.

For last week, the numbers jumped 50+ percent in the morning – averaging 140 passengers – and doubled in the pm, to 300.

From the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who also chairs the King County Ferry District Board), Michelle Allison says, “We look forward to this trend continuing. There is still plenty of room on the boat and the free shuttle that meets the taxi at Seacrest dock, bringing riders to several important transfer points, including 35th and Avalon. From here riders can catch the 54, 55, 21 and 22 buses.” (The schedule for the 775 to Admiral/Alki is here; the schedule for the 773 to The Junction, and part-time to Morgan Junction, is here.)

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West Seattle scene: Duplex demolished on Beach Drive
May 23, 2011 11:09 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Thanks to Nancy for sharing that photo of demolition in progress this morning at 4149 Beach Drive (map). It’s a 95-year-old house, listed on county rolls as a duplex, being torn down for what the city lists as a new 3-story single-family house with “accessory dwelling unit.” The city site says it’s been exactly four years ago since an application was filed for a different project at the site (reported here); the same city page says that project was canceled.

SIDE NOTE: Wondering about trends? The city keeps online statistics for building permits by month. No breakdown by region or project, but in April (when this permit was issued), building, demolition and related permits totaled $305 million in value, compared to $107 million for April last year.

12:44 PM UPDATE: House gone. Katie E shares this new photo:

She adds, “Thanks for the tip on the demolition on Beach Drive. It made for a nice pre-lunch outing for my three year old son and I. … The house is now a pile of boards and rubble. Also, Henry (who’s 3 and fancies himself a construction vehicle expert), tells me it’s an excavator, not a backhoe. Not sure if he’s right, but that’s what he insists!” (Editor’s note: Consulting Google Image Search, we will take Henry’s correction. So much for the first alliterative headline; we’ll scrap “busy backhoe” for “duplex demolished.” Thanks!)

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West Seattle Monday: Citywide leaders here; plus, a benefit
May 23, 2011 10:24 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Before the news of the day sweeps too much further along, one last reminder about 4 one-time-only events tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRANSPORTATION FUTURE: Certainly a lot of concern about Seattle’s transportation “present” – so if you have something to say, join in a workshop about its future, 5:30-7:30 pm tonight, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson). City Council Transportation Committee chair Councilmember Tom Rasmussen will be there too. Here’s our previously published preview.

PUBLIC-SAFETY BUDGET: Long before the big clamorous budget hearings, councilmembers are trying a new format to find out citizens’ priorities and concerns. Here’s one: A community conversation about the city’s Public Safety budget with Public Safety Committee chair Tim Burgess among those on hand, Delridge Community Center gym (4501 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT IN WEST SEATTLE: West Seattleites with an interest in Seattle Public Schools issues are invited to a public forum at High Point Neighborhood Center (6400 Sylvan Way) tonight with interim Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield and other district officials, 6:30 pm.

BENEFIT:Not in West Seattle, but it’s on behalf of a West Seattleite: A benefit for Nicole Pieratt, who’s battling breast cancer, is tonight at Fred Wildlife Refuge (128 Belmont Ave E) on Capitol Hill, 6 – 11 pm. More details here.

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Traffic alert tonight: Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure
May 23, 2011 9:04 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you’re heading toward West Seattle late tonight or early tomorrow, from work or play or wherever, this might affect you: 10 pm tonight-5 am tomorrow, it’s the second of three overnight construction closures for the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the section of the West Seattle Bridge that’s between I-5 and Highway 99. The first closure (last Thursday night) caught some by surprise despite advance alerts, especially those using I-5, since this means the West Seattle exits will be closed, as well as access from Beacon Hill’s Columbian Way. Here’s the original alert from SDOT.

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Troop 41504 Girl Scouts mentor younger Scouts to earn their Bronze
May 23, 2011 8:52 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle online | West Seattle people

When you think of children, and mentors, your first thought may be of adults mentoring the kids. But for groups such as Girl Scouts, it means youth mentoring younger kids – as was the case on Saturday at Camp Long, for West Seattle’s Junior Girl Scout Troop 41504. Troop leader Patricia Hahler is so proud of her Scouts (6th graders) for earning their Bronze Awards, she invited the media to cover the crowning event – a Fun Day her Scouts hosted for younger Scouts (three Brownie troops – 2nd/3rd graders – and one Daisy troop – kindergarteners/first graders). The Junior Scouts set up three “stations” around the park for the younger Scouts to visit, in rotation (above, First Aid; next, Improv):

Other stations included Hiking/Compass and Games/Sensory – which is where we found this activity:

Patricia explains that Bronze is the first of three levels of awards that older Girl Scouts earn – at the next level, Cadettes, they earn Silver Awards; then as Senior Girl Scouts, Gold Awards. And it’s not easy; she explained, “There are many requirements within the Bronze Award requirements to satisfy before reaching the service project.” (They are explained on the Girl Scouts’ national website, here.) Congratulations to the Troop 41504 Girl Scouts earning their Bronze Award: Penny Dierich, Corinne Manley, Jane Miller, Kaitlin Morgan, Regan Nagle, Haley Pyscher and Hana Kurahara Sisk!

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Family Promise: Shelter program restarts in 2 weeks; then, a party!
May 22, 2011 10:09 pm
|    Comments Off on Family Promise: Shelter program restarts in 2 weeks; then, a party!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Among those with booths/tables at today’s Summer Streets event on Alki (WSB coverage here): West Seattle-headquartered Family Promise of Seattle. You might recall, this is the family-sheltering program that decided last August to go on hiatus because of a funding crisis, and has been working ever since to get enough money to restart its program, which shelters homeless families with the help of community partners (usually churches). Back in March, we reported that the FPS board had tentatively decided fundraising was going well enough, they could plan to reopen in June. Today, board members Cierra Moore and Lynne Downs confirmed to WSB that they’re still on track; June 6th is the date they plan to start serving homeless families again. Just days later, they have a fundraising event planned, with tickets on sale now – a “sock hop”-style dinner/dance/auction event in West Seattle on June 11th, with tickets available by calling 206-937-2703. Here’s a flyer with full details. (Auction items already lined up, Lynne says, include an 18-seat suite of Sounders FC tickets, and a weekend at Rosario Inn on Orcas Island in the San Juans.)

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Become an Orca Steward! Free training offered on June 11th
May 22, 2011 8:21 pm
|    Comments Off on Become an Orca Steward! Free training offered on June 11th
 |   Announcements

The Whale Trail is presenting an Orca Steward Training at the Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens Street) on June 11th from 10 am to 2:30 pm. This half-day program is designed to teach individuals about orcas, issues impacting them, and what people can do to make a difference. Starting with West Seattle, they hope to offer this training to communities around the region. Details below…

A pilot project to train orca stewards is launching in June with its first presentation to the local community. Presented by The Whale Trail, the Orca Steward Training Program seeks to teach members of the local community what they can do to help endangered southern resident orcas. Starting with the West Seattle community, the goal is to offer the Orca Steward Training Program in communities around the region, creating a network of people making positive changes for the orcas and the Sound.

The event will feature experts sharing their knowledge of orcas with residents of West Seattle and beyond. Cindy Hansen from The Whale Museum will teach “Orca ABCs,” Lynne Barre from NOAA Fisheries will discuss the management and recovery of the southern resident orcas, Mark Sears will share his photos and experiences from over 30 years of orca research in West Seattle, and Franziska McKay of People for Puget Sound will show how everyone can have a positive influence on the Sound, linking stormwater management to orca recovery.

The event is free, and open to all ages.

Preregistration is required at Brown Paper Tickets. Training is free and lunch will be provided. Attendance is limited. Register early!

This project is funded in part by a Neighborhood Matching Fund award of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

Why become an Orca Steward?
Local Southern Resident orcas (J, K, and L pods) have historically and currently use the entire Puget Sound basin. During winter months, they are frequently spotted from the shores of West Seattle. These iconic marine mammals were listed as Endangered in 2005. Threats contributing to their decline include lack of prey, toxin accumulations, and stress and noise from vessel impacts. If current trends continue or worsen, they could go extinct in as little as 100 years.

Residents of the Puget Sound region have a tremendous impact on whether the orcas will survive. The pilot program will teach how individuals can make a difference for the whales, the Sound, and the marine life that it sustains. As part of the program, participants will be encouraged to make a commitment to one or more specific stewardship actions, focused especially on stormwater management.

About The Whale Trail
The Whale Trail is a series of sites around the region where the public may view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Its mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment. The project is partnering with groups, agencies and communities around the region to select and develop the Whale Trail sites, and to create and deliver educational programs. With 20 sites established, the project plans to add at least 20 more this year, including four in West Seattle.

For more information, visit www.thewhaletrail.org, see them on Facebook, or email info@thewhaletrail.org

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘A terrible ripoff’ & 3 more reports
May 22, 2011 6:48 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes as the weekend comes to a close. First, the one to which Kevin tipped us, with e-mail headed “A Terrible Ripoff” – it’s about what you don’t see on this door, any longer:

The opening-soon Junction restaurant/pub A Terrible Beauty (California/Edmunds) is missing an ornate metal door-knocker. After Kevin’s note came in, WSB contributor Katie Meyer went over to find out more. Seems it turned up missing yesterday, and they speculate it might be a case of metal theft.

Sorry to say there’s no photo we can point you to so that you would know it if you saw it, but Katie says ATB’s co-owner Jenna Shannon Garvey O’Brien describes it as “(matching) the hardware on the door, which is pretty dark patinated brass, looks nearly black – it was round, about 3 inches, with a loop or ring that swung as the knocker. It was original to the antique door they got from a reclamation/salvage place, and they had taken the hardware off, painstakingly sanded/refinished and re-stained the door, then screwed the hardware back on.” Jenna told Katie they regret not nailing or gluing it to the door, since, Katie reports, “they’ve learned to nail everything down from their other establishment, where someone walked off with an ornate Celtic cross from inside the restaurant, and someone else walked out with a brass urn and an antique washboard!” Three more Crime Watch reports ahead – a parking-lot hit-run and a GPS theft – plus an arrest report from the Southwest Precinct:Read More

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West Seattle schools: 2 Chief Sealth notes, including new website
May 22, 2011 6:09 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: 2 Chief Sealth notes, including new website
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

NEW PLACE TO FIND CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE: Seattle Public Schools has been revamping its web presence, not just for the district’s own website, but also for individual schools. The latest West Seattle school to get a new site – and new URL – is Chief Sealth, at chiefsealthhs.seattleschools.org. According to the announcement, CSIHS families should know “the new site has new capabilities for connecting with your students’ classes and teachers,” though they won’t be fully functional till fall (they’re explained here). Meantime, one event you’ll find listed on the new site is coming up Wednesday:

5:30-7 pm on Wednesday (May 25), student art will be on display, with some on sale too. Then at 7 pm, Sealth 9th graders will perform original poetry, written in the Book-It Repertory Theater “page to stage” style.

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Happening now: Scenes from Alki’s Summer Streets party, till 5
May 22, 2011 1:33 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

From 56th SW to 63rd SW, Alki Avenue SW is all people power till 5 pm, as part of the annual Seattle Summer Streets party. You can even go airborne:

…or enjoy a unique set of wheels:

At 61st SW, the Alki Community Council-presented “Family Fun Day” events are under way (see the list in our earlier report). And by Alki Bathhouse, you’ll get to meet folks from community groups including West Seattle Be Prepared and The Whale Trail. We’re headed back to the beach after a brief break at HQ – more coverage to come! ADDED 4:10 PM: The kids’ talent show about an hour ago drew a crowd:

And along the route, community and advocacy groups greeted visitors – like The Whale Trail (that’s founder Donna Sandstrom at right):

Also here for marine-mammal advocacy – Seal Sitters:

And the Seattle Fire Department‘s here too, with Engine 29 from the fire station in Admiral:

Beach businesses are joining in too – Coastal Boutique has been a fixture every year; this year, there’s T-shirt screening outside:

(added) A new participant this year (unless our memory fails us) – Team Half Racks, getting ready for the 3-Day breast-cancer-fighting walk:

They were selling cupcakes and promoting their upcoming June 18th bingo fundraiser:

(TRAFFIC NOTE: While Alki SW is technically open east of 56th SW, we noticed on the way back here that it’s restricted in the lanes heading to the beach, “local traffic only,” so you’re still best advised, if you don’t live on Alki, to approach from back ways including Admiral; even the Alki end of Bonair had an officer – who was, as we drove past that point, talking with someone who sure looked a lot like former Mayor Greg Nickels, who lives uphill in North Admiral.)

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Happening now: Furry Faces Foundation plant sale, pet adoption
May 22, 2011 1:05 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

As listed in our “West Seattle Sunday” daily preview, lots going on today in addition to the events on Alki; we stopped by one inbetween events at the beach. Furry Faces Foundation is in the second day of the first weekend of its annual series of fundraising plant sales at 3809 46th SW (just south of Charlestown), and today, you can also go home with Ed the dog, shown above with Rebecca from King County Animal Services. She also brought along a nameless 3-week-old stray kitten, shown at right – not to adopt (yet) but to remind everyone of the importance of volunteers who foster abandoned kittens and other pets that shelters may not be able to care for. Oops, almost forgot about the plants – there are some available for as little as 50 cents; there are veggies, flowers, natives, herbs, sun, shade, hundreds available:

Sale is on till 4 pm.

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West Seattle wedding announcement: Congrats, Samir and Breanna!
May 22, 2011 12:30 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Wedding announcements | West Seattle news

We’ve published obituaries since requests started coming in – but this is the first time we recall being asked about a WEDDING announcement; we’d be happy to publish those too! Congratulations to Samir Baillie and Breanna Duvall, celebrating their first full day as husband and wife. He says you might know him as the “espresso-scooter guy” – which explains why the couple also is congratulated on an A-board we just saw outside Red Cup Espresso in The Junction. They got married yesterday at Hamilton Viewpoint Park in Admiral, and had their reception at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; Samir says they are both West Seattleites, so: “Our idea was to have all of the money spent on the wedding to be put back into the West Seattle community.” (Their officiant was local too, Samir says – Michael Supino, owner of Red Star Pizza.) Wishing you many happy decades together!

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West Seattle 5K: The 2011 winners are…
May 22, 2011 10:01 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand – that’s from the race’s start; video below, by WSB editor Tracy Record, added 1:08 pm, is the entirety of the field, off and running/walking!)

10:01 AM: The 1,234 West Seattle 5K runners/walkers/joggers are still crossing the finish line. Here are the top men and women:

MEN
1. Joe Sheeran, 53, Ellensburg, #871, 15:57 chip time
2. Kyle Smits, 32, Seattle, #879, 16:16 chip time
3. Ian McMorran, 33, #1186, 16:33 chip time

WOMEN
1. Megan Johnson, 29, Seattle, #445, 17:31 chip time
2. Mary Hanna, 49, Maple Valley, #1266, 19:02 chip time
3. Alexandra Walton, 30, Seattle, #982, 19:12 chip time

P.S. Appropriately enough for a race raising money for education (organized by the West Seattle High School PTSA) – #1 female finisher Johnson is a teacher here in West Seattle.

(added 2:13 pm) Full results will be available later here – though many checked them right after the race, at terminals inside Alki Bathhouse:

P.P.S. The race is about the people on the sidelines, too:

Lots of cheering. And other sites – people running with kids, even pets:

(added 11:03 am) Thanks to Debra Herbst for this overview from further down the race course:

If you squint at the lower-right corner, that’s Spud the fish-and-chips mascot. (added 2:20 pm) A few more photos – starting with WSHS first-year principal Ruth Medsker, thanking the participants for supporting her school:

WSB sponsor Erik LaSeur of Alki Moves, jubilant to have run the West Seattle 5K for the first time:

Kids on the run:

Congratulations to all. We are proud that WSB has been a co-sponsor of the West Seattle 5K since year one.

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West Seattle 5K/Summer Streets on Alki, report #1
May 22, 2011 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

The signs are up, the runners are out, and we’re a half-hour away from the start of the West Seattle 5K (organized by the West Seattle High School PTSA, with co-sponsors including WSB), which will take over Alki Avenue SW from 63rd to Don Armeni till 11 this morning. Here’s the west end of the roadblock zone:

We found the family with bib numbers 1, 2, and 3 – Shelly Aaron of West Seattle Body Works:

Other race sponsors include two WSB sponsors, Link Apartments and Metropolitan Market, and Northwest Hope and Healing‘s Alki Beach 5K (coming up in late summer):

After that, the Summer Streets party begins, including an afternoon of Family Fun presented by the Alki Community Council – event co-chair Libby Carr just shared this updated schedule for their events (which are in addition to booths and demonstrations from other participants):

12:00 – Brazilian music (flute & guitar) on Plaza
1:00 – Washboard Band
1:00 – Fun Kid Games (w/prizes) west of Bathhouse
2:00 – Irish Dancers
2:30 – Kids’ Talent Show
3:30 – Tae Kwon Do demonstration
4:00 – Ultimate Frisbee demonstration

Also, pirates, gorilla and a real live miniature horse who lives in Alki will be talking with folks in the street near our stage at 61st & Alki.

More photos in a moment!

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West Seattle Sunday: WS 5K, Summer Streets, Farmers’ Market…
May 22, 2011 7:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Early arrivals for the WS5K, along the Alki promenade)
Quick look at what’s happening today, before our coverage from Alki begins:

WEST SEATTLE 5K: West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB), to benefit West Seattle High School PTSA, 9 am – last-minute registration starts at 8 at Alki Bathhouse. Alki Ave closed from 63rd to Don Armeni, 9-11 am. Race starts 9:30 am. MAP HERE.

SEATTLE SUMMER STREETS: 11 am-5 pm, Alki SW remains closed 56th-63rd for the street party including Alki Family Fun Day. MAP HERE.

ALSO AT THE BEACH: AVA beach volleyball on Alki, see full details here.

PLANT SALE: Furry Faces Foundation Plant Sale and Pet Adoption at 3809 46th Ave SW, 10 am – 4 pm. See full story here.

FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). Today’s highlights, shared last night by market manager Catherine Burke:

Kittitas Greenhouse: T-O-M-A-T-O-E-S (come git some!)
Rockridge Orchards: Apple Cider Granitas!
Music: Squirrel Butter

WITH BELLS ON: Join Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor, 3940 41st Ave SW) at 4 pm to hear hand bell choirs in all their glory. Afterward, an ice cream social!

WITH WINGS ON: Orchestra of Flight is holding its annual fundraiser dinner at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden), 4 pm – 6:30 pm. Tickets are $15. Dinner is pot luck provided by the orchestra members. Doors open at 4, dinner starts at 4:30 and the concert starts at 5:30. Tickets are available at the door. See Facebook Event page

AT THE GARDEN: Book Reading by Grant Hayter-Menzies at Seattle Chinese Garden at SSCC (6000 16th Ave SW), 4 – 6 pm. FREE. The Empress and Mrs. Conger: The Uncommon Friendship of Two Women and Two Worlds. The reading will touch on the relationship between Cixi, Empress Dowager of China and an American diplomat’s wife Mrs. Conger and Mrs. Conger’s fascination with symbolism in Chinese art, gardens, and architectural design.

SINGING IN GATEWOOD: The Seattle Glee Clubs presents the Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club in concert, “Hope is the Thing”, at Peace Lutheran Church (8316 39th Ave SW), 4 pm. Admission by donation. Directed by John Gulhaugen and accompanied by Diana Shvets, this choir of 22 women will be singing a varied program containing music inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Percy Shelley, songs from Broadway musicals and popular music enjoyed by many.

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While you’re at Alki today: Ponder a plaque … or brick
May 22, 2011 7:20 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

A big part of today’s Summer Streets event on Alki (coverage coming up!) was organized by the Alki Community Council. While you’re at the beach, you can find out more about what ACC says is your last chance to be part of Statue of Liberty Plaza:

The sun is setting on the Alki Community Council Brick & Plaque Sale. Orders have been placed for an additional 154 engraved bricks and 2 bronze Tribute Plaques. Seattle Parks & Recreation will be installing these by late May or early June. Donations from this portion of the sale totaled $20,410. The ACC is allowed to retain a small fiscal sponsor fee and is responsible for paying for the engraving of the bricks and casting of the plaques. The remaining amount will be turned over to Seattle Parks & Recreation, to be placed in a dedicated maintenance fund for the future upkeep of the Alki Statue of Liberty and the surrounding plaza. Last year, $35,566.22 was transferred to Parks for this fund.

An additional 22 bricks have been sold for installation this fall. This means that less than 30 bricks and only 2 plaques are available. When these are sold, the sale will be concluded. Be sure and stop by the ACC table at today’s Summer Streets event. Order forms for the remaining bricks and plaques will be available. The Council would like to thank those who have supported this effort over the years.

David & Eilene Hutchinson
ACC Brick & Plaque Sales

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Curious about stand-up paddleboarding? Tale of a trial run
May 21, 2011 11:54 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Alki Kayak Tours/Mountain to Sound Outfitters will offer stand-up paddleboard demos during Sunday’s Alki Summer Streets party. We asked WSB contributor Stephanie Chacharon to take a closer look at what this sport is about; she went out last Tuesday night, and tells the story first-person.)

Story by Stephanie Chacharon
Photos by Christina Chacharon
On assignment for West Seattle Blog

Conditions weren’t exactly ideal for my first stand-up paddleboard (SUP) experience. The north wind was blowing strong, waves crashed into the rocky beach, the sun was preparing for its descent behind the peninsula, and the temperature hovered just below 60 degrees.

Nevertheless, the group gathered at Seacrest Boathouse was visibly excited for Alki Kayak Tours‘ second Tuesday Night SUP’r of the season.

I found myself under the guidance of Alki Kayak Tours’ lead SUP instructor, Shoshannah Moxley (who also works on the other end of Alki at La Rustica). She selected a short, wide paddleboard for me — a stable model that’s ideal for beginners, women, and children.

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Season’s 2nd parade for West Seattle Hi-Yu float ‘Sparkling Seattle’
May 21, 2011 10:16 pm
|    Comments Off on Season’s 2nd parade for West Seattle Hi-Yu float ‘Sparkling Seattle’
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

This year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival float, themed “Sparkling Seattle,” has now been to two parades (the last Seattle-neighborhood float on the parade circuit). Hi-Yu shares these photos from their trip to the 76th annual Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival parade. Hi-Yu president Tim Winston tells WSB, “The morning rain stopped in time for the parade. We didn’t win any awards this week, but the crowd loved the float.” Last week, “Sparkling Seattle” got the Mayor’s Award at the Sequim Irrigation Festival parade.

Tim says the float will make its next appearance at the Mason County Forest Festival parade in Shelton on June 4th. Its details include the Space Needle and Mount Rainier:

P.S. Hi-Yu just launched a new page on Facebook, where it just had a “group” previously. You can “like” the page here.

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West Seattle 5K and Alki ‘Summer Streets’ tomorrow! Newest map
May 21, 2011 6:12 pm
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 |   Environment | Transportation | West Seattle news

Just hours till the West Seattle 5K run/walk hits Alki Avenue SW tomorrow morning (last chance to register, 8 am at Alki Bathhouse), followed by the Alki Summer Streets party. As we’ve reported previously, after the race at 11 am, the all-day street closure is much shorter than years past. Here’s the newest map from the city, also pointing you to planned attractions:

(Click here to get a larger version as a PDF.) Good news – the forecast suggests tomorrow will be a bit warmer, with some afternoon sunshine. See you on Alki!

ADDED 8:56 PM: One more PDF (thanks to Alki Community Council reps for pointing this out) – with a closer look at the “party” zone and the entertainment schedule. See it here.

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