West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
First West Seattle update from Seafair Torchlight Parade night: WS Hi-Yu Festival rep Veronica Pupava has just been chosen Second Princess – one of the two princesses who join the new Miss Seafair in reigning over the festival. Veronica gets a $1,000 scholarship from the Seafair Commodores. (WSB photo at right is from Veronica’s appearance at the Junior Court coronation two weeks ago.) The new Miss Seafair is Veronica Quintero, entered in the competition as Miss Hispanic Seafair.) Here’s a coronation photo tweeted by KIRO, which is broadcasting the parade live.
(Lead investigators Robin Lindsey & Rachel Mayer train Seal Sitters volunteers; photo by David Hutchinson)
Big times for West Seattle-founded Seal Sitters – notice we say “founded,” because their reach now stretches a lot further. This news comes as Seal Sitters gets ready to add volunteers to the fold, following another training session today; Robin Lindsey shares this update:
Seal Sitters conducted an on-the-beach training session at Alki today for 30 new volunteers. This is the second phase of the two-part training provided in preparation for this year’s harbor seal pupping season, currently under way in Puget Sound. Various situations a volunteer might encounter and appropriate responses were discussed. Most of the volunteers had previously attended our intake and orientation session at Camp Long on July 10th.
Seal Sitters, founded in West Seattle in 2007, has recently expanded to become Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network. We are the primary response team to all marine mammals from Brace Point (south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock) to Kayak Point in Snohomish County (north of Marysville). An additional training session is being scheduled for the 2011 season and new volunteers from all areas are welcome. If you are interested in volunteering, please email sealsitters@me.com. To learn more about the marine mammals of Puget Sound, their marine environment and the stranding network, please visit our website www.sealsitters.org. For what’s happening day-to-day on the beach, visit our blog www.blubberblog.org. If you see a seal pup or other marine mammal on the beach, observe from a distance, keep people and pets away and call the Seal Sitters hotline @ 206-905-7325 (SEAL).
Nobody was hurt, and there was no damage outside a section of the kitchen, but a fire today in the smoker at Uncle Mike’s Superlicious BBQ in White Center has left the restaurant temporarily closed. The story’s on our partner site White Center Now.
After another work party this morning to finish a project started two months ago – protectively painting the backs and sides of mural panels destined for the exterior of shuttered Louisa May Boren Junior High School on Delridge – there’s nothing left to do but wait, according to community advocate Pete Spalding, who shared photos from this morning’s session.
Pete tells WSB, “Now we just have to wait for the school district’s maintenance folks to work it into their schedule to mount them on the building. We are hopeful that it will be soon.” Hopeful, because taggers keep vandalizing Boren – exactly what community leaders feared would happen after the school district decided last year to board up the building’s windows. Seattle Public Schools is holding onto Boren for possible “emergency use”; it hasn’t been officially occupied since Chief Sealth‘s two-year temporary stay concluded one year ago, but it’s widely considered a candidate to be pressed into service in some way as West Seattle deals with elementary-school overcrowding. Just two nights ago at the West Seattle Candidates’ Forum (WSB video coverage here), school-board president Steve Sundquist said he thinks the board eventually will vote to reopen two WS schools, with four-years-closed Fairmount Park Elementary likely to be one of them (as reported previously) – Boren is one of the three other possibilities.
For the next week-plus, the biggest events of Seafair are in the spotlight around our city. Here are a few notes of special West Seattle-and-environs interest:
TORCHLIGHT PARADE TONIGHT: You can get a sneak peek at the floats by going to Seattle Center 2-6 pm this afternoon for the “Taste of Torchlight.” Look for West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival‘s “Sparkling Seattle” float (seen above in last Saturday’s WS Grand Parade). Every year Hi-Yu comes up with a new theme for its float and button, builds it, and takes it to parades around the region – the last neighborhood-specific organization in Seattle to carry on the tradition. In the parade lineup (which you can see here), they’re scheduled to be #70 out of 106 entries. Other entries of local interest: King County Executive Dow Constantine (#10), South Park’s “Legacy of Innovation” float (#93), All-City Band directed by West Seattle’s Marcus Pimpleton (#95). Know a West Seattleite in one of tonight’s group entries? Let us know! Also, Veronica Pupava represents Hi-Yu in the Miss Seafair program – right before the parade, we’ll see if she’s chosen queen or princess. Meantime, some parade logistics: If you have to go downtown, here’s the road-closure plan; if you are staking out a spot, the parade officially starts from Seattle Center at 7:30 pm and proceeds along 4th Avenue southward to the International District, preceded by the Torchlight Run (which is what’s closing the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct at 5:30 pm) – go ASAP! The front line along the curb fills up fast along the entire route.
After tonight, the U.S. Navy takes centerstage in the air (here’s our earlier report about the Blue Angels’ arrival) and at sea:
(Seafair Fleet Week Parade of Ships 2010 photo by David Hutchinson – that’s the USS Port Royal)
FLEET WEEK AND PARADE OF SHIPS: We got our first look at the U.S. Navy Seafair lineup hereon the website of a participating ship. While the Parade of Ships in Elliott Bay – visible from most of West Seattle’s north- and northeast-facing shore – is scheduled for 1:45 pm Wednesday, most will arrive sooner. That Navy page says the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) will arrive Tuesday before 2 pm, mooring at Terminal 25 (just north of the West Seattle Bridge) and Pier 66, while guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) will arrive at Terminal 46 at 8 am Wednesday. Also participating, according to references here and here, US Coast Guard cutter Mellon (WHEC 717) and, from the Canadian Navy, HMCS Whitehorse (NCSM 705) and HMCS Nanaimo (NCSM 702). Public tours of ships participating in that part of the program are set for Thursday through Sunday; more on the Seafair site, here.
As previewed in this morning’s “West Seattle Saturday” lineup – the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club is on (and off!) Alki Beach today for its annual “Da Grind” race day. They’re running two courses, a 12-mile and a 4-mile; the third wave of racing is scheduled to head out around 2:30 pm.
The first wave had already headed out when we stopped by, but we did get a good view of today’s low tide (-2.1 at about quarter past 11):
No outriggers tomorrow, but the tide will be almost as low, -2.0 just before noon tomorrow.
ADDED: April Long shared more photos (thank you!):
Barton Street P-Patch volunteers are on duty on two sides of SW Barton south of 35th SW (map) right now – Top photo, the group we found at the fundraising bake sale outside the Tony’s Market produce stand, where they’re selling treats till 2 pm (including vegan baked goods, a P-Patcher assured a commenter on the WSB Facebook page). Below, another Saturday work party at the P-Patch site on the south side of the street – 2 1/2 months after groundbreaking, still lots of hard work to get the site ready for planting this fall:
Volunteers are having work parties every Saturday and Sunday TFN, and welcome more help. Best way to connect with what they’re up to is to join their Facebook group – go here.
Following up on our preview this week of the “Sustainable Rain” raingarden-building project on the south side of 5902 California SW (map) – the work party is on till 2 pm, and you’re still welcome to drop by. This is part of a regional Sustainable Seattle-organized project. Rain gardens are designed to soak up extra rainwater so it won’t have to go into storm drains and ultimately into bodies of water (picking up surface pollutants along the way) like Puget Sound or the Duwamish River.
(7/29/2011 Twitpic from @ElliottBay_Beer)
ELLIOTT BAY: Back in May, we reported on the early stages of the Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub facade facelift in The Junction – as owner Todd Carden uncovered history out front, including this name:
(WSB photo from May 2011)
WSB commenters sleuthed it out in a big way, and figured out fast who GJ Vayhinger was! Now, the project is done, said EBB as it tweeted the top photo on Friday.
And from White Center:
BIG AL’S BIRTHDAY: Three years since Big Al Brewing opened on 14th SW as part of the White Center renaissance – and this weekend, they’re celebrating, both days, including a “Family Fun Day” tomorrow with popular kindie rockers The Not-Its performing at 2 pm. Full details from the West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog.
(Parent and baby gull at Jack Block Park, photo by Melanie Dixon)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
FIRST, THE VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: Alaskan Way Viaduct closures – northbound, 5:30-8:30 pm tonight for the Torchlight Run; southbound, 11:59 pm tonight to 5 am Monday.
OUTDOOR SWIMMING: Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations (pool schedule/other info here) … To see which wading pools are open since the weather is forecast for 70+ degrees, check the schedule here.
P-PATCH BAKE SALE: Barton Street P-Patch Benefit Bake Sale at Tony’s Market (35th/Barton) across from the garden, till 2 pm (Facebook event here)
BIG SALE #1: Gigantic Yard Sale till 3 p.m. Admiral Church is having a fun-raiser (that’s not a typo!)and parishioners are off-loading a ton of stuff, from furniture (some antiques) to housewares, books, craft materials, and plenty of odds and ends. You do NOT want to miss it! Everything must go – and there’s a lot of it.
BIG SALE #2: The Community School of West Seattle is holding its Annual Fundraising Yard Sale, 8 am to 5 pm. All Quality Items. LOTS of baby/children’s items. Rain or Shine. Refreshments. Items from the sale will also benefit the Nickelsville Homeless Camp, WestSide Baby and the victims of the recent apartment fire southeast of South Park.
BIG SALE #3: Duwamish Longhouse Market Day & Rummage Sale at Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), 9 am – 3 pm. A bit of everything: arts & crafts, estate, rummage sale, and food. Free admission/parking.
HELP BEAUTIFY BOREN: Volunteer to help paint murals at Boren School, 9 am (more info here)
HELP BUILD A RAIN GARDEN: *10 am – 2 pm* *5902 SW California Avenue*
Join Sustainable Seattle and Alleycat Acres in digging the first rain garden in the Russell Foundation funded Sustainable Rain project! Come help create this garden at a business/residence, protect the Puget Sound, and support sustainable businesses. Come for as long as you can, meet great folks, and learn about rain gardens. Bring shovel (if you have), gloves, and water to drink. Bring kids if you can supervise them.
WESTCREST NEEDS YOU: Forest restoration at Westcrest Park main entrance, 10 am – 2 pm. Join EarthCorps & the Green Seattle Partnership as we improve the health of an amazing urban forest in Southwest Seattle! We will be removing invasive plants, planting native species and performing restoration site maintenance.
DAY AT THE RACES: “Da Grind” outrigger-canoe-racing event at Alki – first race at 10:30 (details here).
BIG SALE #4: Hebert’s Den gift shop is closing; closeout “garage sale” starts 11 am, 35th and Henderson, half off everything, furniture for sale too.
FOOD TRUCK NOTE: Parfait Ice Cream will NOT be in West Seattle today (per a Facebook note late last night).
GO BEACH-WALKING: Today brings a notable low tide, -2.1 at 11:13 am (here’s the monthly chart).
WINE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING: Join Cairdeas Winery and Intrigue Chocolates for a double release as Cairdeas Winery releases their 2008 Lewis Vineyards Syrah paired with Intrigue Chocolates’ newest truffle flavor, Fortunato No. 4. Other wine and chocolate pairings to experience include:
– 2010 Nellie Mae with Intrigue’s Grains of Paradise
– 2009 Cabernet Franc with Intrigue’s Cacao
When: Saturday, July 30th from 12:00 to 5:00pm
Where: Cairdeas Winery Tasting Room, 3400 Harbor Ave S, Suite 113
SHAKESPEARE AT CAMP LONG: At 7 pm, GreenStage presents “The Tempest”, directed by Michael D. Blum. Free. Follow the crowds through the woods to the open field by the climbing rock.
PARADE DOWNTOWN: Seafair Torchlight Parade downtown (106 entries, and West Seattle Hi-Yu is #70!), stake out your spot along 4th Avenue early if you’re going, starts at Seattle Center at 7:30 pm and heads southward to the International District.
CHILL OUT TONIGHT WITH AN OUTDOOR MOVIE IN THE JUNCTION: West Seattle Outdoor Movies , showing “Airplane!” – movies start at dusk (should be around 9 pm this time), courtyard opens at 6:30 pm next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW. Pre-show entertainment by Louie Foxx (magician). Free; bring your own chair/blanket; affordable concessions on sale, benefiting nonprofits. (WSB is a co-sponsor of the Movies on the Wall series.)
OR, ‘MOVIES ON THE LAWN’: Presented by Unique Families of Seattle
Free outdoor movie, “Brother Bear.” Arrival time: 8 pm (donations welcome), film starts around 9 pm. Put the kids in jammies and come on down! Private residence so space is limited, must RSVP to attend and get the address. E-mail joanna@uniquefamiliesofseattle.org.
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