West Seattle, Washington
15 Sunday
ORIGINAL 11:10 PM REPORT: On our way to a house-fire call in the 2400 block of SW Kenyon.
11:18 PM UPDATE: Not a major incident. It appears that something caught fire inside the residence and was thrown or taken outside, and extinguished there. SFD is calling for its investigator, though.
11:21 PM UPDATE: Firefighters tell us some kind of debris in the home’s garage were smoldering, and filled the house with smoke, but again, out now, cause under investigation, no report of injuries.
SUNDAY NIGHT NOTE: The homeowners say in comments that investigators told them the fire was set; we had planned to follow up with SFD tomorrow regarding the cause and will update when we get that info.
(Click image for larger view)
Friday was a day that meant the world to Schmitz Park Elementary. Literally! It was Schmitz Park’s third annual Global Ambassador Day, explained by principal Gerrit Kischner as a day “during which UW students teach Schmitz Park students about their home countries and cultures.” He added:
Every year, Schmitz Park students learn global geography through the Passport Program. (Friday), students met real people who live in the countries they study. After welcoming the UW students with a fifth-grade drum circle and an all=school performance of the Schmitz Park “anthem,†a version of “Under One Sky,†Schmitz Park students learned languages, sang songs, danced, ate, played schoolyard games, and did crafts from 16 different countries, all thanks to the Foundation for International Understanding through Students (FIUTS, the international student-support organization at the University of Washington).
At the front of the Friday afternoon photo shared by Principal Kischner are Principals-for-the-Day Maxine and Cayla Hall (third graders) and the 35 visiting international students from UW.
Two postseason high-school baseball games today involving teams from West Seattle:
LUTHERAN TO STATE: Playing in Stanwood, Seattle Lutheran High School beat Concrete this afternoon and is now headed to the state regionals, playing in Anacortes next Saturday, according to the SLHS Twitter feed.
O’DEA BEATS WSHS: This one was played at midday at Steve Cox Memorial Field in White Center.
West Seattle High School lost 4-1; O’Dea goes on to state. WSHS has one more chance at a state berth, with a game on Tuesday.
Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for the bird’s-eye view of this morning’s Walk With Us to Cure Lupus fundraising walk along Alki. The money raised supports the Alliance for Lupus Research, trying to cure lupus, an autoimmune disorder affecting up to 1.5 million people in the U.S.
SIDE NOTE: Next fundraising walk/run on Alki is a biggie – one week from tomorrow, it’s the West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) on Sunday, May 20th, 9 am (preceding Seattle Summer Streets “car-free day” activities till 5). Registration and packet-pickup details are on the WS5K website; the event is a benefit for, and organized by, the West Seattle High School PTSA.
(Below, Team WSB’s travelogue, with photos and anecdotes, including a few reader contributions, as we hit the road for five hours during WSCGSD.)
The sales have begun! Team WSB has hit the road to visit some of the 245 sales registered for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (see the map here). We passed the sign above on our way out – it’s for sale 212 at 4211 SW Sullivan, not far from WSB HQ. On our way to one of the southernmost sales, the White Center Kiwanis at Greenbridge Plaza, 9800 8th SW, and we’ll head north from there. Send YOUR photos too!
9:29 AM UPDATE: The photo above was shared on Facebook by sale #9, the West Seattle Tool Library at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW. Remember they’re buying tools too (and have rovers on the lookout).
9:40 AM: Our favorite photo so far. At sale #177 on 34th SW just north of Roxbury (a “moving-in sale”) we photographed Philip on the recliner that he’s selling. Just before that, we were over at the aforementioned Greenbridge sale (8th just south of Roxbury) – which is beautifully laid out, from this overview:
We photographed the WC Kiwanis volunteers who are on hand and will publish that photo on partner site White Center Now. Continuing our northbound trek, here’s the only gas-station-site sale we have this year – on the south side of Gasco at 35th/Henderson, by the Southwest Library. Check the vintage bikes!
From there, we’re off to Gatewood and Morgan Junction.
10:06 AM: At 6451 California SW, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert is selling rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia including KISS alarm clocks and even a KISS electric toothbrush. Get there fast. A few blocks south at California/Othello is sale #224 at the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s church – where the famous Whiskey Tango Foxtrot table and Frogsquatch are staples at big sales:
There are small finds such as a rabbit billed as doing an imitation of a squirrel:
10:30 AM: A couple photos from the inbox (thanks!) – first, sale #36 at West Seattle High School, courtesy of girls’ basketball coach Sonya Elliott, whose team is having a sale again this year:
If you haven’t been to WSHS, it’s at 3000 California SW. Also from north West Seattle, Scott sent this photo from sale #66, 2103 46th SW, benefit sale with a Daisy Scout Troop and part of the proceeds going to animal advocates:
And at sale #166, 5456 35th SW, there’s a benefit lemonade stand to benefit WestSide Baby and Kitty Harbor – thanks to Brooke for the photo!
We’re in The Junction now; we stopped in Seaview along the way, at sale #240, 4409 SW Raymond, where we found Renée selling her handmade notecards:
Find out more about them at snakeandponyshow.com. And not far from there, at California/Findlay, one of the two official multiseller sites – C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):
Next door to C & P, another WSB sponsor, Potter Construction, where proprietor Gary Potter has gone high-tech to track how things are going:
More to come as we keep heading north, and eventually east too.
11:25 AM UPDATE: Just left The Junction, where California/Genesee/42nd/41st is a nexus of big sales:
Galena and Ariana from Delridge Produce Cooperative have a fundraising sale in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard. That’s also where we spotted BJ from Brunette Mix (also a WSB sponsor), not selling but certainly browsing, along with many others:
The sale continues in the Ginomai lot immediately east, on the 42nd/Genesee alley, with West Seattle Christian Church raising money for their wellbuilding project – hot dogs and water bottles for sale:
If you have any trouble finding California/42nd/Genesee, just look for the clown on the California corner, where there’s also an eclectic array of stuff (the clown’s not for sale, though, its owner tells us)
Then if you continue down Genesee a block-plus east, you’ll see the balloons outside the Menashe Family Gymnasium at Seattle Lutheran High School, sale #41 – go inside and you’ll find Tyler and, if it hasn’t sold yet, the recliner:
Lutheran’s also offering free tote bags!
From there, we continued northbound toward Admiral, with a stop along the way – more shortly.
12:04 PM UPDATE: Halfway through already! We’re now back in White Center – not WSCGSD, but rather, checking on West Seattle High School’s big baseball tournament game against O’Dea. Back on the Garage Sale Day road shortly. But first – Olivia’s Consignment south of the Admiral District, sale #68, is donating part of their proceeds to WestSide Baby:
After the sale, Olivia’s will also accept donated items (baby/kid stuff, obviously) to take to WS Baby, if sellers have leftovers. Further north, in Admiral, along 42nd SW, just north of Admiral Way, Muttley Crew Cuts‘ sale is raising money for English Springer Rescue. So of course, there’s an English Springer starring at the sale – 4-year-old Hunter, who needs some hip work:
They’re selling hot dogs at Muttley Crew, too. Another Admiral stop – the Homemade Brigade arts/crafts sale at Freshy’s across California SW from Hiawatha:
Krystal Kelley of Mind Unwind is among the sellers there. After Admiral, en route to our current WC stop, we detoured onto Pigeon Point. Sale #12 is at 3831 22nd SW, with furniture and clothing:
12:34 PM UPDATE: Our WC detour is over. Now we’re checking out Arbor Heights, where one corner on 35th has signs galore:
More to come. Still just a little more than halfway through the day. Stopped right now off Marine View Drive, which might just be West Seattle’s premier view drive (photo taken from passenger seat as we traveled).
1:10 PM UPDATE: Here are our photos from the two sales we visited in the Arbor Heights/Marine View Drive area – Laura at sale 241, 11048 Marine View Place SW, had signs touting a neon sign for sale – but told us it went pretty fast, early in the day. However, a $10 Christmas tree was still available as of our stop:
Next door to Laura’s sale, another lemonade sale – Brandon, Spencer, and Darby were offering their wares to sale visitors, as the temperature keeps rising:
Not far away, at sale 248, 3918 107th SW, we met Barba:
Headed back north now – stopping in Sunrise Heights to check out Café Osita’s collection for Stamp Out Hunger, till 2 pm (35th/Webster). (photo added)
1:30 PM UPDATE: Three-fourths of the way through (already?) … we’re in the High Point area but first, a photo from west Admiral/upper Alki, from sale #77 on SW Campbell Place, which billed itself as the “guys’ sale” … these computers are among the offerings:
2 PM UPDATE: Final hour! Have noticed some sellers posting bargain prices for the last hour via the WSCGSD Facebook page. Also just got word, not part of WSCGSD but something you can do while out and about, the West Seattle High School Class of 2012 is having a benefit car wash at Washington Federal, 4102 California SW. Another benefit – the bratwurst-and-grilled zucchini $5 lunch at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) till 4 pm:
That’s Michele at the grill.
2:27 PM UPDATE: Last half-hour! Have already heard from a couple of happy buyers. Milo‘s mom Sarah says she got a screaming deal on this drum set today.
How about you – if you shopped, anything unusual? If you’re selling, let us know if you’re continuing past 3 or selling again tomorrow.
3:57 PM UPDATE: We should take a moment to say THANK YOU for being part of WSCGSD this year … our fifth as coordinators/organizers, but the 8th annual edition overall. We were so happy to see so many people out and about, and to hear about people meeting more of their neighbors. Anyway, one note: Our official post-sale donation partners at South Park-based Northwest Center remind us that their Big Blue Truck, now at 44th/Edmunds SEVEN days a week, is there late today – till 6:30 pm.
Since WSB coordinates West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, we’ll be all over it today, BUT there’s of course MORE to do:
WEST SEATTLE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB KIDS’ FISHING POND: The annual tradition is under way now till 11 am (unless all the fish are caught sooner) at Seacrest. We stopped by around 7:30 am and John Zigalla was kind enough to “test the waters.” The club sets up the portable pond, stocks it with about 200 rainbow trout (there are a few BIG ones!), supplies the poles, and the kids get to keep “their” fish.
STAMP OUT HUNGER! Get the bag of food out to your mailbox! Now! Or by your door if your mail arrives there. The letter carrier’s one-day drive is explained here.
PINEWOOD DERBY: From Cub Scout Pack 793:
Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? How about coming over to the Holy Rosary Gym on Saturday May 11th at 4PM to cheer on your West Seattle Pack 793 Cub Scouts as they have their annual Pinewood Derby! The scouts have been working hard over the last 3 months to perfect their cars. The big event is on Saturday starting at 4 PM. We will have food and drinks available, so please come enjoy this pre-Mothers day event!
WANNA RACE TOO?
We are looking for individuals and businesses as well for a future event! We know that the scouts in all of you would like to enjoy this iconic Cub Scout tradition. We have the track. We have the space. But we are looking for the interest from you! At both the practice and the main event, we will have sign up sheets for an event later this summer to be determined. Please come by to share your enthusiasm for the event and provide your contact information. If you would like to participate as a business, we will provide you with sponsorship packages once the date has been determined.
TROOP 284 SPAGHETTI DINNER AND AUCTION: Tonight, starting at 5, at Our Lady of Guadalupe School Hall! (34th/Myrtle) Details in the calendar listing.
LULU SMITH TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! In addition to all that garage-saling, there’s fun stuff at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) – with a Lulu Smith trunk show 11 am-5 pm AND there’s chocolate. Really. More info/links in the calendar listing.
THE MAMA-LOGUES! Just in time for Mother’s Day. Tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details including ticket info here.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ARTS BENEFIT: 6 pm tonight, including the 8 pm performance of “Bye Bye Birdie” and a lot more, with proceeds benefiting arts programs at WSHS. Details here.
AND … you can also just get a ticket to see “Bye Bye Birdie” but please note it’s at 8 pm tonight instead of 7:30.
‘THE REHEARSAL ROOM’ AT SEALTH: 2nd of 3 performances for Chief Sealth International High School‘s original student musical “The Rehearsal Room,” 7:30 tonight. Tickets are available online as well as at the door.
Lots more on the calendar! And if you missed them elsewhere, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day maps and info, here; see the list of sales benefiting nonprofits, here.
In neighborhoods all over West Seattle, at homes and schools and businesses, at a church and a P-Patch and even a gas station, 245 sales are on the West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day map – which you’ll find here. Happy shopping/selling! 9 am-3 pm are the official sale hours. We’ll have updates on WSB, but our main coverage will be on the official WSCGSD site and the WSCGSD Facebook page (where some sellers have posted more info and photos of what they’re selling – we also welcome your photos while sales are in progress, whether you’re selling, buying, or just passing by – editor@westseattleblog.com). (P.S. Our updated list of sales benefiting nonprofits is here.) A full preview of everything else happening today/tonight, coming up.
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