West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
(Scroll down for updates – including the jubilation, on video, when the 50,000-diaper goal was hit)
10:40 AM: Just before 10:10, WestSide Baby volunteers welcomed their first official drive-up/walk-up diaper donation of the day for the 2011 edition of “Stuff the Bus.” You don’t even have to get out of your car if you don’t want to – just enter the Viking Bank parking lot from SW Alaska between 40th and 41st SW:
…and volunteers will be glad to receive your donation and add it to this stack (which at 10 am included 2,266 diapers just dropped off by Laurie Paul from Bright Horizons West Seattle, who told us they were donated by the new child-care center’s families).
Or, if you’re with a child who would like to honk the school-bus horn, you can get out and do that while dropping off diapers! We’ll be back to check on the drive’s progress later. “Stuff the Bus” continues till 2 pm, and WS Baby hopes to amass 50,000 diapers to qualify for a double-matching donation from Huggies.
10:59 AM UPDATE: Via e-mail from WS Baby:
A donation of 6,591 diapers just arrived from a surprise private donation!! They certainly turned heads loading up carts at Target yesterday. At 10:30, we have loaded over 14,000 diapers already. More than the total of the entire day in 2010!!! Keep ’em coming!!!
12:52 PM UPDATE: We stopped by around 12:30, and they were up to 32,000 diapers – then suddenly Valerie O’Mara arrived with almost 5,100 more that she had collected by hosting a diaper drive:
WestSide Baby encouraged people to sign up as diaper-drive hosts this time around – to collect in the days leading up to today’s big “Stuff the Bus” event. Oh, wondering how stuffed the bus was, as of 12:30 pm?
Still room for more! P.S. WSB is proud to be among the Stuff the Bus co-sponsors again this year.
1:56 PM UPDATE: Goal met! More than 50,200 diapers as of quarter till 2! (added) WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland announced it jubilantly to her crew:
The final tally: 51,266. Celebratory group shot:
And of course, WS Baby is happy to have donations – diapers, other items, money, volunteer help – any time. You can check their website to see what’s needed the most when you’re next able to give.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*On Monday just before 6 pm, a drive-thru teller was able to stall for time when a customer tried to cash a $5,000 check with a suspicious signature. She called the man who had supposedly written the check, and when he denied having done so, other bank employees called 911. An officer arrived and pulled in behind the suspect’s car. The suspect was ordered to turn off the ignition and drop the car keys to the ground. He did so, but while the officer was running a computer check, the engine started up and the car squealed out of the bank lot, nearly hitting a pedestrian. Continuing eastbound, the driver swerved into oncoming traffic and ran a red light, just missing additional pedestrians. Because a chase would have posed additional dangers, the officers opted to not pursue the fleeing car. But citizens later noticed a suspicious car in front of an abandoned house in the 5600 block of 31st SW. Officers identified it as the suspect’s vehicle. Behind the residence? A pile that included ID cards for more than 15 victims, stolen checks, washed checks, cell phone chip cards, a laptop computer, and a loaded Springfield Arms 9mm handgun stolen in a car prowl in north Seattle earlier in the month. The car and all of the property was placed into the evidence room. The suspects remain at large.
8 more summaries after the jump, including two cases of bullet casings found in local streets, and two updates on crimes previously covered on WSB:Read More
It’s a WestSide Baby tradition – reminding people about the “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive by entering a big cheerful contingent in the West Seattle Grand Parade, including the bus itself. As is the case most years, “Stuff the Bus” is the day after the parade – that’s TODAY – but there’s one BIG difference: The location has changed. Bring diaper donations to the Viking Bank parking lot at 40th/Alaska (map) – lots more room to maneuver – between 10 am and 2 pm; help WestSide Baby qualify for a huge double-matching donation (50,000 donated diapers will qualify them for 100,000 from Huggies).
Also today – back to the beach for art and music:
Day 2 of the 2011 Alki Art Fair gets going at 10 am, including another day of continuous live music (till about 5:45 pm), silent auction in the Bathhouse (11 am-4 pm), kids’ muralmaking, and more.
And at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska in The Junction, here’s what manager Catherine Burke says you’ll find today:
Music: Tommy Dean Acoustic
…Apples – FRESH, first of season – Lodi (green, tart, great for crisps)
Apriums
Beans
Berries
New Varieties of Cherries
CORN
Melons
Nectarines
Peaches
Plums
Pluots
Also in The Junction – Friends of the Animals Foundation will have volunteers on site at Next to Nature from 11 am – 3 pm to help you find the perfect rescued feline companion. Visits can also be scheduled at your convenience. Call 206.719.4864 or online
At Pet Elements in Morgan Junction (6701 California SW), 10 am-2 pm, a Dog Treat Bake Sale to help Stephanie Allis raise money for the Seattle Humane Society.
One more event today: Chinese Martial Arts in the Seattle Chinese Garden. Watch exciting martial arts training sessions by students preparing for local, national, and international events in a traditional garden setting. Noon to 1 pm today, Seattle Wushu Center is featured. The garden’s at 6000 16th Avenue SW, via the north entrance to South Seattle Community College. Information: www.seattlechinesegarden.org
If you watched Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade from north of Genesee, you missed out on the freeform fun of the WS Rotary Kiddie Parade, which invites any and all local kids to travel the three blocks south of Edmunds, between the motorcycle drill teams and the rest of the parade. Kids walk, bike, ride in wagons and strollers, and even perform – the Denny International Middle School Marching Band is part of it – here’s our video of the Kiddie Parade in its entirety, recorded at California/Alaska:
Leading the parade and carrying the flag was Sue Lindblom, West Seattle Rotary president and owner of longtime WSB sponsor Illusions Hair Design.
(All WSB parade coverage is archived here, newest to oldest.)
While it’s not the “Hi-Yu Parade” any more, it wouldn’t be the West Seattle Grand Parade without the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float and volunteers. West Seattle is the last neighborhood in the city with a community float, and every year, Hi-Yu chooses a new theme for its float and button (always open to public suggestions, so watch for the announcement here and on the Hi-Yu Facebook page in wintertime!). This year, it’s “Sparkling Seattle.” The current Junior and Senior Courts rode on the float in today’s parade, while the newly coronated Junior Court whose reign starts this fall carried another Hi-Yu banner in the West Seattle Rotary Kiddie Parade:
(From left, the incoming Junior Court’s Princess Elena, Queen Thea, and Princess Amanda.) Along the parade sidelines, HI-Yu volunteers sold buttons as a fundraiser as usual, and Hi-Yu president Tim Winston wanted to share these words of appreciation:
Hi-Yu is very appreciative of all the people who bought Hi-Yu buttons and pins today along the parade route and, for that matter, all the people who purchased buttons and pins earlier in the month at Pirates Landing, Summer Fest, Concert in the Park, etc.. We thank all for their support! Proceeds help both the Scholarship and Float Programs. The Festival does not happen without the support of our community. Thank you so much!
7:44 PM: About 80 people were already settling into spots in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard as of half an hour ago, according to Lora Swift (who shared the photo), on the one-week-delayed opening night of this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series. “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” is the movie, at dusk; comic/juggler Matt Baker, a West Seattleite who’s been on national TV and tours, is scheduled to provide pre-show entertainment (after performing earlier tonight at the Admiral Theater *added, a photo of Matt and Lora*).
Free, except for a raffle and concessions benefiting local nonprofits. Hotwire’s at 4410 California SW – bring your own blanket/chair and grab a spot! Movies are scheduled every Saturday night through August 27th (concluding that night with the movie rescheduled from last week, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”; next week, it’s the classic “Airplane!”).
ADDED SUNDAY: Our video of Matt Baker juggling:
(Lora says he’s a Hotwire regular.)
6:14 PM: Police are investigating a stabbing at 14th and Henderson in Highland Park. The victim is male and being rushed to the hospital now. More as we get it.
6:34 PM UPDATE: This happened at an apartment building; while we wait to talk to the lieutenant who’s on scene, scanner communication describes it as a domestic-violence incident, with the suspect(s) possibly in a brown Ford Bronco with tinted windows and spinner-style rims, headed north. While few crime scenes are “calm,” this one seems particularly tense, with more than a few of the people outside the building expressing themselves loudly and emotionally.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
7:15 PM UPDATE: At the scene, Lt. Ron Smith tells us it’s still too soon to say exactly what happened, as different people are telling them different stories. One person who he says may or may not be a suspect has voluntarily turned himself in. They have found what may be the weapons that is used, but they’re still searching, to be sure.
(NOTE: We’re continuing to add video/photos to this story through Sunday evening)
West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade organizers have just sent the list of winning entries from the nearly 80 in this year’s parade – including, in its parade debut, the Sustainable West Seattle solar/human-powered Trikeceratops winning the “Community” category! Parade organizers also are thanking sponsors West Seattle Christian Church and West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) and other donors (listed here, including WSB). Co-coordinator Dave Vague says, “It appeared we had one of the most well-attended parades in years.” And the winners are:
Overall Winners
1st – Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band (video above, as they entered the parade route)
2nd – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School
3rd – Marysville Strawberry Festival FloatFloats
Legion Trophy – Marysville Strawberry Festival, MaryFest, Inc. “Berrywood” (video above)
Alki Trophy – Sequim Irrigation Festival (video above)
Judges Trophy – Puyallup Daffodil Festival “Spirit of Adventure”
Festival Trophy – Port Orchard “Fathoms of Fun”Community
1st – Sustainable West Seattle (see top photo)
2nd – Hope Lutheran Gospel Outreach (photo above)
3rd -Cub Scout Troops of West Seattle (video above)
Performing Acts
(Pirate photo courtesy of Byron, principal of Textura Design & publisher of Bike Hugger)
1st – Seattle Seafair Pirates
2nd – Lake City Vigilantes
3rd – Evergreen Tang Soo Do AcademyClowns/Comics
1st – Seattle Seafair Clowns
2nd – Keystone Kops
3rd – West Seattle Shrine Club ClownsMarching Bands
1st – Calgary Round-Up Band (video above)
2nd – Kennedy Catholic High School Band
3rd – Pacific Northwest Drum LineCommercial
1st – Luna Park Café
2nd – Seattle Public Utilities
3rd – Hadlock TowingCars & Antique Cars
1st – Last Resort Fire Department
2nd – Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club
3rd – Seattle Lutheran SchoolsDrill Teams – Jr
1st – Baby Dangerettes Drill Team
2nd – “Jr. Electronetts” Babynetts Drill Team
3rd – Emerald City Divas Drill TeamDrill Teams – Sr
1st – Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team (video above)
2nd – Sweet Mahogany Drill Team
3rd – Electronetts Drill Team & Drum Squad
We’ll be adding more images to this – and we have more post-parade reports to come – including spontaneous sights along the way.
From Jason, via Facebook:
Our Honda Accord (white – yr 96) was stolen last night from the corner of 18th & Kenyon. Police came by to make a report and said there has been a rash of Honda thefts in the area…kids taking them for joyrides and then dumping the cars up north or else where. Police recommended, especially if you have a Honda, to get a club for the steering wheel !……
Here’s other police advice for how to try to prevent car theft.
Alki is buzzing with more than sunbathers today – it’s day 1 of the all-weekend Alki Art Fair, with art being shown and sold, plus continuous live music (two stages! schedule’s linked from the official website) and more. If you get a minute, stop to thank the volunteers who are making it happen – this year, as we reported months ago, there was a real chance it wouldn’t happen, since city budget cuts affected Parks staffers who helped with it in the past. In the main booth right now, Ron and Anna:
An artist we remember from last year is back, Brandon from Strange Child, with his octopus T-shirts (among others):
And it wouldn’t be an Alki event without Seal Sitters volunteers – we found Nina with her seal puppet “Storm”:
Music continues till 8:30 tonight; the booths are scheduled to be open at least until 5.
10:47 AM: The West Seattle Grand Parade has just officially begun with the motorcycle drill teams – Seattle Police first, followed by Vancouver (BC). Just so you know – it’s on – hundreds of people volunteering their time to put on a rolling show! California/Lander to California/Edmunds (with the Rotary Kiddies Parade leaving California/Genesee ahead of the motorcyclists’ arrival – photo added below, Rotary president Sue Lindblom leading the Kiddies’ Parade):
11:23 AM: And the rest of the parade has now begun.
(First Seafair Pirates cannon shot of the parade!)
12:44 PM: It ended a few minutes ago at the north end of the route – with the Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club!
The parade is still continuing, of course, down toward The Junction. This end is about to reopen to traffic, police are announcing via loudspeaker, but avoid California for a while on the south end of the parade route, to SW Dawson, since that’s where floats and other entries are breaking down and regrouping. Miss the parade? Check our Twitter feed for as-it-happened photos (we’re adding a few to this) – and we’ll have other reports later with highlights, video, and more. (We’ll also be heading off to the Alki Art Fair!)
9:31 AM: We’re in the heart of the West Seattle Grand Parade staging zone on California by Lafayette Elementary – and as a Seafair Commodore noted, it’s very different this year, without the old Safeway lots for staging. The big floats are here already – that’s the sparkling purple Sequim Irrigation Festival float. Not far away, the Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) parade entry:
Watch its front end in the parade – it includes a plug for their Facebook page! The Hi-Yu “Sparkling Seattle” float is of course here too:
Meantime, we checked the scene along the route, as we headed north:
Chairs are out in many places, especially The Junction. California is closed from Hanford to Admiral; the rest of the stretch will be closed shortly. We spotted parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards on a quick motorcycle run to inspect the route (looks like most were heeding the NO PARKING signs – remember, this is the first year American Legion Post 160, which puts on the parade, had to foot the bill itself, and luckily some community sponsors came forward – look for the banners in their honor during the parade).
Back here at the north end of the route, it’s time for some to rehearse, like All-City Band members on the field by Hiawatha:
And we spotted parade Grand Marshals Art and Gloria Peters arriving:
ADDED 10 AM: More photos as the staging zone really starts to fill up – here’s Art with Lts. Pierre Davis and Ron Smith from the Southwest Precinct:
Courtesy of Our Lady of Guadalupe – you’ll be seeing stars!
On the side streets: Here’s how you get a tow truck ready to bring up the rear in the parade:
And here’s an entry that won’t need towing – solar- and human-powered, from Sustainable West Seattle:
Again, the parade runs along California from Lander (Lafayette/Admiral Safeway/Hiawatha) to Edmunds (south end of The Junction – Terrible Beauty/7-11), officially starting at 11 (but the motorcycle drill teams will get going a bit earlier) – get your seat if you want to see it in person!
ADDED 10:39 AM: One last round of preview photos before the parade starts shortly – first, Orville Rummel Trophy winner Cindi Barker with her mate Ron Zuber, who’s riding in a separate convertible as the new Commander of the West Seattle VFW Post:
And leading off the parade as always will be the two motorcycle drill teams – here are the visitors from Vancouver, for whom this is their only local parade appearance:
We’ll post a separate update when the parade starts – just in case you’re waiting, or else wondering when it’s under way because you need to get around town – then complete coverage, with video, afterward.
BIG summer-fun day in West Seattle:
WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: That’s the route for today’s West Seattle Grand Parade presented by American Legion Post 160, official start time 11 am, California from Lander to Edmunds, though the motorcycle drill teams roll as early as 10:30. It’s preceded by the West Seattle Rotary Kiddie Parade gathering at 10 am to leave at 11 from California/Genesee (that starting point is noted by the periwinkle marker; all kids welcome to participate). 77 entries are scheduled for the Grand Parade; you can see our previews in this WSB archive (scroll through, as it’s archived newest to oldest). Traffic/transit effects, even for those not attending the parade, are along the route and the side streets, plus a section of southbound California immediately south of the parade’s end at Edmunds; check your Metro route’s schedule for reroutes. South of the staging area from Admiral to Edmunds on California, it’s a “soft closure” around 9:30, enforced by 10, according to parade co-coordinator Jim Edmunds. Advance coverage from the staging zone, coming up! Then today at the beach:
ALKI ART FAIR: Starts at 10 am for the first of two days. Vendors/artists/activities scheduled till 5 pm; live music continues tonight till 8:30 (schedule is on the official fair website). Free but bring $ for T-shirt that supports the volunteer-run fair, for incredible items vendors are selling, for silent auction 11 am-4 pm in the Bathhouse. Lots more details in our earlier previews (scroll down the page that takes you to). All along the promenade around the Bathhouse (whose centennial celebration is part of the fun, including a 2:30 pm vintage-bathing-suit fashion show today). Then recover tonight by relaxing with movie comedy under the stars:
(WSB photo from 7/18/2010, biggest opening-night crowd ever for WS Outdoor Movies)
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Season debut, since last week was a rainout, but the schedule remains the same, so tonight is “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure ” at dusk, following preshow entertainment by local comedian/juggler Matt Baker, bring your own chair/blanket, courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor, 4410 California SW). Free but bring $ for concessions/raffles benefiting charity.
Also on tap:
SWIMMING: Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations (pool schedule/other info here) … Wading pools open IF the weather is forecast for 70+ degrees (wading pool schedule here)
HELP CLEAN UP ALONG DELRIDGE WAY: Adopt-a-Street in Delridge, 10 am-noon, meet @ Delridge Community Center.
FAUNTLEROY PARK NEEDS YOU: EarthCorps volunteer environmental-restoration event at Fauntleroy Park (10 am – 2 pm). Durable footwear such as work boots, hiking boots or running shoes are recommended for these events. Bring a lunch if you would like as well as a water bottle and a coffee cup/travel mug for refreshments.
ART CONTEST: Unique Families of Seattle art contest crafting session at Southwest Public Library (9010 35th Ave SW), 11 am – 1 pm, for kids/tweens/teens: What is their view of your family? What does your family represent to them? What do they feel their role is in the family? Attendance at a crafting session is not mandatory to enter the contest. Accepting one-dimensional pieces made in any medium, ages 4-18.
(added) FUNDRAISING BAKE SALE: Westcrest Park, Seattle, 12 -4, bake sale to raise money for Charlie the dog’s vet bills (explained on Facebook). Sydni says the lineup includes raspberry bars, triple dark chocolate brownies, caramel walnut brownies, fudge center chocolate cupcakes, lemon grapefruit cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, peanut butter and sugar cookies and more, and Full Tilt has donated ice-cream half pints!
TOUR THE CHINESE GARDEN: Free guided tours of the Seattle Chinese Garden every Saturday at 1 pm. The garden is open noon-5 pm. Admission free for Seattle residents, members, and children under 5. Others: Adults $6, Seniors 62+ and students $5. Location: 6000 16th SW; use the north entrance to South Seattle Community College.
SHAKESPEARE AT LINCOLN PARK: GreenStage presents Shakespeare in the Park, Lincoln Park at 7 pm with “Antony and Cleopatra”. Free.
‘VAUD SQUAD’ AT THE ADMIRAL: At the historic Admiral Theater – The Vaud Squad consists of 3 seasoned performers: Joe Black, Magician and Stage Hypnotist (America’s Got Talent); Matt Baker, Juggler (Last Comic Standing); and mentalist Lance Campbell. (Baker and Black are West Seattleites.) The Vaud Squad combines humor, agility, mind boggling mental prowess and great fun for the whole family. Watch an online preview. Tickets are $8 – $12, available at the door.
BILLIE HOLIDAY TRIBUTE: At Kenyon Hall(7904 35th Ave SW): Stacie Calkins and David Duvall present “Lady Day and the Blues” honoring jazz singer Billie Holiday. Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, & high school students are $5. Pre- school children are free, and Root Beer Floats are still only a buck. To make a reservation, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net with your request.
Story and photos by Karen Berge
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
After concerns surfaced following the Camp Long incident last week that preceded an hours-long SWAT standoff at a Delridge home, members of the park’s Advisory Council extended an open public invitation to its next meeting. (The meetings are public anyway, but not usually so high-profile.)
That meeting was held this past Thursday night.
The council had set aside the first half hour of the 2-hour meeting to focus on the top-of-mind incident involving what was reported as a large group of teens partying on Thursday night, July 14, with some reported to be intoxicated. They structured it for a 10-minute debrief, 10 minutes of public comments, and 10 minutes to present/discuss the council’s recommendations. About 20 people were there, including three Seattle Police Department representatives – Southwest Precinct operations Lt. Pierre Davis and Community Police Team (CPT) Officers Jonathan Kiehn and Ken Mazzuca — as well as members of the Advisory Council and Camp Long staff, plus other representatives from the Parks Department and Olympic Security (which provides security for the park), as well as a few people who live in the immediate neighborhood, and a woman who was chaperoning children on a park campout that night.
(Photo courtesy Erik Walum)
If you’re watching today’s West Seattle Grand Parade near its starting point – check out the sign that went up Friday on the west edge of Hiawatha Playfield – it’s a reminder that the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series is about to begin. Thursday night (July 28) is the first concert, by the dancing, fiddling, and singing trio The Gothard Sisters – 6:30 pm on Hiawatha’s east lawn, bring your own chairs/blankets, all ages welcome, more here! (Series sponsors – including WSB – are listed on the right side of the concert-series info page.)
Less than twelve hours till the West Seattle Grand Parade, presented by American Legion Post 160, and tonight we’ve heard from two of the new participants – Above, Patrick from Sustainable West Seattle shared a shot of SWS and Alki Bike and Board crews “putting the finishing touches on Trikeceratops, our human & solar powered float for the Grand Parade.” And Debbie Stern e-mailed to say her daughter Becca Stern, a student at Madison Middle School, is “so excited to get to march in front of her home town”:
Becca (center, in red poncho) is captain of the Li’l Señoritas, the younger squad affiliated with La Señoritas, drill teams that are marching in the West Seattle Grand Parade for the first time. (Debbie notes that unlike La Señoritas, Li’l Señoritas do NOT have sabers!)
If you missed our earlier parade previews – scroll down this page for our entire (newest-to-oldest) WS Grand Parade coverage archive; the parade starts at 11 am from California/Lander and proceeds southbound on California to Edmunds at the south end of The Junction. The road closes a couple hours ahead of time, and side streets in the Admiral area on both sides of California are staging areas, so note that even if you are not going to see the parade, cars and buses will be affected till early afternoon. We’ll be out in the staging areas with advance coverage here on WSB tomorrow morning, and of course full coverage afterward.
P.S. Two more notes – we’re reminded that the motorcycle drill teams roll as early as 10:30, so don’t wait till the last minute to get your parade spot along California. Plus, the Kiddie Parade from Calif/Genesee gathers at 10, and if you’re anywhere near there, $3 gets you a hot dog or veggie dog from Furry Faces Foundation‘s Dogs 4 Cats at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor, and parade participant, 4410 California SW), 11 am-1 pm.
Finally finally finally… the forecast looks great for a weekend full of outdoor summer fun – and 
Alki Art Fair (co-sponsored by WSB this year for the first time!) is a big part of it, on the beach, both days. Besides the 29 musical acts (here’s our preview, with the schedule) and artists/vendors, a highlight this year is the Alki Bathhouse Centennial Celebration – with vintage swimsuits (like the ones worn by Gaea Singer and Log House Museum manager Sarah Frederick, at right) on display Saturday afternoon – volunteers wearing suits from the Seattle Goodwill Vintage Fashion Collection will parade along the Alki promenade 1-4 pm tomorrow, with a fashion show on the main music stage at 2:30 pm. The Art Fair itself starts at 10 am both days this weekend – around the bathhouse and down the promenade – inside the bathhouse, you’ll find a silent auction, 11 am-4 pm both days – and remember, kids get to help paint a mural!
If you drove 35th SW in the High Point area in the past half-hour or so – you might have seen the “flash mob” dancers on the sidewalk north of Walgreens, part of the West Seattle Health Fair, continuing till 8 pm. (added) Here’s the video:
There’s a “healthy food” tour at the drugstore – which carries fresh produce – and the nearby High Point Market, as well as a bigger concentration of activities, including free health testing, a few blocks away in the parking lot behind High Point Neighborhood Center (Sylvan Way and Lanham):
Entertainment, too.
Almost forgot the traditional end-of-week link to SDOT‘s roundup of weekend traffic alerts around the city! This time around, the West Seattle Grand Parade is part of it (tomorrow morning!). The city has the entire list here.
Metro is thinking about closing the bus stop on Columbia downtown just east of Second Avenue (map), which serves several routes headed this way. So, in case that’s where you catch the bus – or if you have an opinion as a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian – we’re publishing their call for comments – read on:Read More
For the first time in more than three months, the proposal to restore/reconstruct the historic-landmark Alki Homestead (originally the Fir Lodge) will return to the city Landmarks Preservation Board‘s Architectural Review Committee next week. This will be its fourth review before the committee, which holds informal reviews with project teams – multiple times, if they request it, as has been the case here – before they take proposals to the full board for a vote. Two and a half years now have passed since the fire that ravaged the Homestead’s interior; here’s our report on the most recent review of the proposal to restore/reconstruct it for use as a restaurant/banquet facility (our full coverage archive is here). This next review is listed as a “briefing on proposed building elements condition survey”; it’s set for 9:35 am next Friday (July 29th) on the 40th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower downtown.
South Seattle Community College just announced a prestigious honor for a faculty member: Dr. Yilin Sun, full-time tenured faculty in Basic & Transitional Studies, has been chosen as a Fulbright Senior Scholar for next academic year. The SSCC announcement says Dr. Sun will spend that year in Taiwan, handling training for Fulbright English Teaching Assistants as well as seminars for graduate students, and she will join in curriculum and assessment initiatives at the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. Dr. Sun is described in SSCC’s announcement as “a recognized leader in curriculum development for adult English to Speakers of Other Languages programs and teacher training.” She has a long list of honors and accomplishments (listed on this SSCC webpage). The Fulbright program is sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
(Video substituted at 1:04 pm for original photo)
Thanks to tipster David for sharing word that the 55-foot-tall chimney (or smokestack, if you prefer) at the old Denny International Middle School was about to come down. We’ve been staked out all morning waiting for the work to start, and just after 11, it finally did. It’s not an implosion, and you’re not going to see any huge section come tumbling down all at once if you come out – a giant piece of equipment is chewing away at the stack, a few bricks at a time. But it’s a spectacle for the rest of the crew, which had paused for lunch by the time this got under way after an equipment hitch:
The new Denny, adjacent to nearby Chief Sealth International High School, officially opens in September; the old school site will hold a softball field, tennis court, an open playfield, and some park-type features like play equipment, once the construction following the destruction is complete this fall. BNBuilders is the general contractor. This is the third phase of the Sealth/Denny project funded by Seattle Public Schools’ BEX III bond measure.
3:52 PM UPDATE: We checked back just after 3 – and the chimney/stack was already completely taken down; just a pile of bricks remains:
Out front, along 30th SW, workers were dismantling some of the main school building’s big front windows; if you want to get a last look at the old school before it’s completely gone, you don’t have much time!
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