West Seattle, Washington
15 Sunday
(Photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen‘s view of Alki during low-low tide earlier this week – click for larger view)
Happy first weekend of real summer! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar – and a few neighboring events too – plus, a bridge-closure reminder:
WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE: Yet another reminder – all weekend long, you can’t get to the westbound West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill. You *can* get to it from 99.
LINCOLN PARK WORK PARTY: Warm weather means a growth boost for invasive plants as well as the ones that belong … so the Friends of Lincoln Park are out this morning starting at 9 am, and you’re welcome to join them.
SEAFAIR PIRATES’ LANDING: The pirates themselves aren’t expected to storm the shore till sometime between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, but you’ll find vendors and activities around the heart of Alki Beach Park (Bathhouse vicinity, in particular) starting around 9:30 am, and continuing afterward (a pirate-costume contest for kids is scheduled later in the afternoon). Full details on the Seafair website.
LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT: West Seattle Little League hosts a district tournament at Bar-S (64th/Admiral) this weekend and all are welcome to come watch – more details here.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Open noon-4 pm – so while you’re on Alki, check out this collection of West Seattle history, 61st/Stevens.
JUBILEE DAYS GOLF TOURNAMENT: Want to support White Center Jubilee Days? Play golf at Glen Acres today – tournament at noon. Details here.
TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Something else you can do while at the beach, post-Pirates in this case – the historic lighthouse at Alki Avenue/Beach Drive is open for tours on summer weekends, 1-4 pm.
COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Again today, Lincoln Park’s outdoor pool opens at 3 pm because of a swim meet. (Details on the Colman Pool website.)
LUCHA LIBRE! The popular Mexican sport of masked wrestling returns to South Park for a street-party style celebration that starts with activities at 3 pm, wrestling after 5. Details and map in our calendar listing.
‘ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’: First Saturday of every month, fans of this classic converge on the Admiral Theater, costumes, accessories (toast!) and all, for a midnight screening.
(From left, back row: Manager Vinnie Sposari, Coach John Coats, Buick MacNamara, Larry Jensen, Merle Rowan-Kennedy, John Roach, Cody Jones, Geoffrey Wukelic, Coach Fred Jensen. Front row: Alex Coats, Joey Werlech, Daniel “DJ” Kemp, Vinnie Sposari, Jack Larsen, Jayme Kelly. Photo by Lisa Roach)
A victory last night in Seatac means a state-tournament spot for the West Seattle Little League‘s most veteran players. This report is courtesy of Cami MacNamara:
West Seattle Little League’s Seniors Division Team (ages 15-16) has advanced to the Little League Seniors State Tournament in Mount Vernon on July 16th with a 3-2 win over South Highline Nationals.
The District 7 tournament was hosted at PacWest and West Seattle lost their first game on Sunday, July 1st to South Highline. This placed West Seattle in a must-win situation in double elimination play. They played again on Tuesday, July 3rd, winning 4-3 over Renton, and then handed South Highline their first loss on July 4th, winning 4-3 in extra innings, which forced a rematch last night.
West Seattle was home team, and pitcher Larry Jensen, supported by a strong defense, got the game started the top of the 1st with only 7 pitches. In the bottom of the 1st, lead-off batter Jack Larsen walked, stole second, and was brought in with an RBI single by pitcher Jensen. West Seattle led 1-0.
The game remained tied until the top of the 4th when South Highline pitcher Jimi Fay hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1. In the bottom of the 5th, left fielder Joey Werlech walked and three bats later, second baseman Vinnie Sposari hit an RBI single to bring in Werlech. West Seattle was now up 2-1.
In a final attempt to tie the game, South Highline second baseman Jorge Esqueda hit a single. Larry Jensen then struck out a batter and that was followed by an out at first. With 2 outs, South Highline’s first baseman Ryan Macri then hit an RBI single to bring in Esqueda across the plate for a 2-2 tie. Joey Werlech was brought in to relief pitch and the final out was made by shortstop Alex Coats, throwing South Highline’s batter out at first.
With one last shot before extra innings, West Seattle first baseman Geoffrey Wukelic hit a solid double. Pitch runner DJ Kemp came in for Wukelic. The next two batters flied out to center field, and lead-off batter Jack Larsen ended the game with an RBI single. DJ Kemp slid head first into home plate for the photo finish, beating the throw home and securing the 3-2 victory in the bottom of the 7th.
West Seattle will now play on July 16th at Sherman Anderson Field in Mount Vernon at 1 pm. Follow all tournament results on website, Facebook, and/or Twitter.
Congratulations and good luck!
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
FIRST REPORT, 9:15 PM: Police are rushing to Whale Tail Park and vicinity on Alki after a report of possible shots fired and a large crowd of people fighting. They are trying to track down someone who may have a gun and a Taser, according to witness reports, per the scanner. No report yet if they have found anyone hurt.
9:21 PM: Per the scanner, police are seeking two suspects – one male (black, 16, black/white tennis shoes, white shirt, khaki shorts), one female (black, heavy) – she is reported to have a gun, he is reported to have a Taser.
9:28 PM: Male suspect reported to be in custody, female still being sought. And there is a report that one area house (on Marine, by the park) got a bullet through the window.
9:41 PM: Added (top) photo. We have two people in the area now, including WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli, who says, “Residents who live on the north side of Whale Tail park said they heard a loud argument in the park and then saw a woman repeatedly firing a handgun. The crowd in the park went scrambling.” Police have just confirmed via Twitter that no (injury) victim has been found so far.
9:53 PM: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand says police are searching for evidence (as well as any possible hidden suspects) around the homes nearby and everything in Whale Tail Park, including the restrooms.
Police cars are also driving slowly around the streets in the area as part of the search.
10:03 PM: Our crews have counted six spots that police have marked off after finding shell casings.
10:41 PM: As police wrapped up their search, they told us they’d keep increased patrols in the area for the rest of the night.
11:11 PM NOTE: We’ve added more of Christopher’s images to the story, in spots where they illustrate our original text. The 1st one was published while this still was unfolding; the others, added in the past few minutes.
SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: SPD has just posted its summary of what happened, saying it started with an argument between two women, and mentioning one arrest, for “obstructing and a warrant.”
Something else big happening in the Alki area tomorrow, along with the Seafair Pirates Landing – a baseball tournament hosted by West Seattle Little League! Thanks to Cami MacNamara for sharing the news:
We are proud to announce the District 7 Little League All-Star Tournament for 11-12 year olds will commence at Bar S [64th & Admiral], beginning this Saturday, July 7 at 10 am!! Come on down to watch some great baseball with your entire family while five teams battle it out in this double-elimination tourney to determine who moves on to the State Championships! West Seattle Little League plays on Sunday at 1 pm.
If you and your kids enjoyed their season at Bar S, this is an event not to be missed! There will be vendors, a 50-50 raffle, and, of course, the comestibles available at the Snack Shack so as to round out that full-body Little League experience. Come on down and join the fun!
Cami adds that WSLL’s Senior Team, ages 15-16, is playing the South Highline Nationals tonight at PacWest Field in Seatac – and the winner will advance to the state Little League Senior Tournament in Mount Vernon. Watch westseattlelittleleague.com for updates (and we’ll update here later, too).
11:30 PM UPDATE: WSLL won that game and is off to the state tournament!
Six acres of West Seattle waterfront industrial land on Harbor Avenue SW is proposed for a rezone that’s now before the City Council for approval.
It’s the site immediately southeast of the SW Bronson street-end park that in turn is east of the Salty’s on Alki parking lot. The site’s ownership of record is AnMarCo (owned by construction entrepreneur Gary Merlino) and has a history of development proposals, including the Pier 1 controversy of the ’90s, though city records show nothing pending right now – except the rezoning proposal.
Notification signs, including the one shown above, went up this week (thanks to David Hutchinson for the tip) and then the notice – see it here – appeared in the city’s latest Land Use Information Bulletin. Here’s the outline map included in the city’s notice:
The site’s owners want the council to approve rezoning for 275,000 square feet, described as currently zoned Industrial General 2/Urban Industrial, and seeking a change to Industrial Commercial/Urban Stable. This apparently has been in the works a while; we found a document online from last year, from a request to have the shoreline designation changed along the lines of this request, as part of the city’s Shoreline Master Program Update. The document, a letter from the land-use law firm McCullough Hill Leary, representing the property owners, included this statement:
The planned uses for the property would likely be mixed use commercial …
The city’s industrial-zoning designations are explained here; the proposed IC classification is intended for “businesses which incorporate a mix of industrial and commercial activities, including light manufacturing and research and development, while accommodating a wide range of other employment activities.” The “Urban Stable” designation is explained as an “environment” of a Seattle “shoreline district,” with a detailed description in this city ordinance, with its purpose including to “Provide opportunities for substantial numbers of people to enjoy the shorelines by encouraging water-dependent recreational uses and by permitting nonwater dependent commercial uses if they provide substantial public access and other public benefits.”
If approved, this would be the third major rezoning action in West Seattle in recent years, by our count. It’s almost twice the size of the California SW upzoning (between Hinds and Hanford) finalized last fall after four years; there also was a sizable zoning change approved by the City Council last year in The Triangle/east Junction area (map included in this city file).
If you are interested in commenting on the Harbor Avenue rezone proposal, July 18th is listed as the deadline, and you can comment online by using this project-specific form.
The proposal was on the council’s introduction calendar June 25th (scroll down this page), and has been referred to the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability Committee; no date set for a review, so far, but we’ll keep watching the agendas.
Got one or more fruit trees but unable to pick/use this summer’s crop? City Fruit would love to hear from you, so they can come harvest it and get it to people in need. This year, they’re expanding to West Seattle, as well as serving South Seattle and Phinney Ridge, and they’re looking not only for trees, but also volunteers. From Betsy at CF:
City Fruit promotes the cultivation of urban fruit in order to nourish people, build community and protect the climate. We help tree owners grow healthy fruit, provide assistance in harvesting and preserving fruit, promote the sharing of extra fruit and work to protect urban fruit trees. City Fruit works neighborhood by neighborhood to harvest extra fruit and distribute it to food banks, meals programs, senior centers, schools and others who can use it. In the past three years we have harvested nearly 30,000 lbs of fruit. If you have extra, please join us in this effort.
To donate fruit … If you have unsprayed, healthy fruit to donate, contact City Fruit at westseattle@cityfruit.org. Give us your name, address, type of tree and a way to reach you. We will contact you about scheduling a harvest.
…If you have a fruit tree that has a problem (disease, bad fruit, etc.) and you would like to be on our list of fruit trees needing help, email westseattle@cityfruit.org with the details of your tree.
Lots more information on their website at cityfruit.org – including how to support City Fruit by becoming a member (Betsy says there are perks, including a thank-you discount offered by West Seattle Nursery). Betsy says their local beneficiaries include both area food banks. (Photo courtesy City Fruit)
Blackboard Bistro chef/owner Jacob Wiegner confirms his restaurant at 3247 California SW is for sale. The listing’s been online 
at least a few weeks at websites including commercialmls.com and Craigslist, where a few WSB’ers noticed it (and where the listing says “Seller training available, or seller may stay on as chef”). We contacted Wiegner to ask if he had any comment, and he replied simply, “At this time we can confirm that we are on the market, but that we are business as usual.” Blackboard Bistro opened almost two years ago, in a space that has proven a challenge in recent years – even the original BB-is-opening news release alluded to that – the restaurant that preceded it in the space, Eness, lasted only a few months; it followed Beato, which was there almost two years. But again, BB’s owner says his restaurant will remain open.
On Saturday – two big events starring guys in wild outfits! West Seattle at midday, South Park in the evening…
(2008 photo by David Hutchinson)
SEAFAIR PIRATES LANDING: You can make a day of it at Alki Beach, with vendors scheduled to start up around 9:30 am, though the Seafair Pirates themselves aren’t expected before the 11:30 am-12:30 pm window – if you’ve never been before, you’ll want to stake out a spot on the beach (Bathhouse vicinity) and watch the flotilla offshore to see where, when, and how the Pirates will approach and them storm ashore! Live music’s planned and more … details are on the Seafair website.
SOUTH PARK ‘LUCHA LIBRE EN LA CALLE’: The second annual edition of the popular Mexican sport, South Park style, promises to be even bigger than last year:
Our photo from a pre-show demonstration last year shows the luchadores’ (wrestlers) masks – a key part of their outfits – as are the showy moves. Tomorrow’s festivities start with kids’ activities at 3 pm and continue on through the wrestling itself (5:30 pm) – details on our partner site The South Park News. It’s a block party in the 8500 block of 14th Avenue S. (map).
We were up at dawn covering a story for White Center Now when we saw Vashon early riser @sudsymaggie tweet that beautiful photo looking toward the sunrise “behind” West Seattle, from the north Vashon ferry dock. She kindly agreed to share it (thank you!). Now that another sunny day is under way, here’s what’s ahead:
ROAD WORK, BRIDGE CLOSURE: Three things to note today:
–Till 9 am, SDOT is scheduled to have the Admiral Way offramp from the westbound high-rise bridge CLOSED for installation of a temperature sensor (as we first reported here).
–The California/Fauntleroy work we mentioned yesterday – bollixing up the busy intersection at the heart of Morgan Junction – is expected to continue today, so detouring might be wise.
–TONIGHT AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed — from 10 pm tonight to 5 am Monday. It’s one of several notable Seattle road closures this weekend, as SDOT explains here.
‘CATCH THE BUG FOR NATURE’: Nature walk at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) – meet at the lodge -10 am, with West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler. Full details here.
KIDS’ GARDEN: Free – bring your kid/s to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) to learn and have fun, 2-4 pm, 10223 26th SW (more info on this Facebook event page).
COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Because of a swim meet, the schedule is different again today; the pool won’t open to the public till 3 pm. Changes detailed here.
DROP-IN TAI CHI AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 4:30 pm – details here. North end of South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW).
ROLLER SKATING AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: 6:45-8:45 pm – the Friday night tradition! More info here.
LIVE MUSIC: Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm … Barbie Anaka at Salty’s (1936 Harbor SW), 7-10 pm … Trip Like Animals & Dead Man at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm … Not From Brooklyn and I Will Keep Your Ghost, 9-11 pm at the Heartland Café’s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way)
POGGIE TAVERN BENEFIT DANCE CONTEST: 9-11 pm, to raise some $ to help the Poggie as it continues recovering from the fire that shut it down for almost a month this spring. Full details in our Thursday preview.
P.S. – EXACTLY ONE WEEK TILL WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST! The huge three-day outdoor party in The Junction starts a week from today. If you haven’t started planning your schedule – which bands to see, where to go when – ALL the info you need is on the official website.
Two notes tonight: First, in case you were among those who noticed a big police response heading south to Highland Park just after 5 pm (thanks to everyone who texted, called, and e-mailed!) – police at the scene told us it was reported as a possible holdup, but turned out to be a false alarm.
Second, from a local resident who wants to be anonymous:
Just wanted to pass along an incident that took place this morning shortly after 9am in the 6700 block of Beach Drive. I noticed a black car pull up to a bank of locked mail boxes. A male got out while a female passenger waited inside the car and the man walked to the boxes and looked as though he was trying to aggressively open one of the boxes. I had never seen this man in the neighborhood before so I continued to watch, a bit more closely and then I saw him use some sort of tool to try and open the box. I immediately called 911 and described the man, and what was going on and was able to provide the license plate of the vehicle. Other joggers/walkers had passed and he stopped what he was doing for a moment and then returned to the box, this time with more force.
He grabbed what he could and then crossed the street to another mailbox, which was not locked, and then headed back to his car. He drove a few houses down, parked behind a vehicle and then got into that vehicle’s trunk (not sure if it was by force or if it was unlocked) and appeared to be carrying items from that vehicle, back to his car when the first police car arrived, and then moments later, 2 more police cars surrounded the scene. All of this took place within a few minutes time and the thief and his female passenger were taken away. It turns out the car he was driving was stolen as well. Neighbors got their mail back and hopefully the car owner and anyone else who might have stolen goods will also get them returned. Thank you to the 911 dispatcher and the officers who immediately responded to the scene as it was unfolding. It feels great to be part of a community that cares!
We tried to get more details from SPD; no response yet, but didn’t want to wait any longer to share this reader report. If we are able to get any more info tomorrow, we’ll add it.
ADDED 2:08 PM FRIDAY: Southwest Precinct operations Lt. Pierre Davis says, “This was an excellent pinch by one of our 1st watch officers, based on an alert citizen’s 911 call of suspicious activity (possible mail theft). Block watch at its finest yet again puts bad guys in jail. Bad guys were caught with a large quantity of property, including a stolen vehicle.”
(UPDATE: Since we published this at 4:25 pm, we have learned Parks will have reps at next Tuesday’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting – info before story’s end)
(From Go Ape PowerPoint of Lincoln Park proposal, described as 1 acre ground/6-9 acres trees)
One week after first word of a proposed commercial zipline/rope swing “treetop adventure” attraction at West Seattle’s Lincoln Park – a proposal that Seattle Parks has been considering for almost a year without public mention of it – emerged in this WSB story, the man in charge of Seattle Parks is sending a statement to those who have contacted the department. Thanks to the WSB’er who received the e-mail from acting Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams less than an hour ago and shared it. The to/cc lines included other Parks officials as well as the mayor and City Council members:
From: Williams, Christopher
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 3:39 PM
To: Salinas, Rebecca
Cc: Williams, Christopher; Friedli, Eric; Ng, Charles; Brooks, Sandy; McGinn, Mike; Merrill, Nathaniel; Conlin, Richard; Licata, Nick; Bagshaw, Sally; Clark, Sally; Godden, Jean; Harrell, Bruce; Rasmussen, Tom; Burgess, Tim; O’Brien, Mike; Potter, Dewey; O’Connor, KarenSubject: Ropes course/zip line at Lincoln Park
July 5, 2012
Dear community members:
We have received many messages expressing strong concerns about a ropes course that would include a zip line at Lincoln Park.
Please be assured that Seattle Parks and Recreation is conducting an internal due-diligence process and will conduct a full public process before any final decisions are made.
Seattle Parks and Recreation has begun to consider the possibility of a ropes course because we believe we must respond to emerging forms of recreation. As we saw with skateboard courses and synthetic turf, new forms of recreation bring unanswered questions.
The only way that Seattle Parks can provide a recreational opportunity like this is in conjunction with a partner organization, such as Go Ape, which would bring its extensive experience and expertise, as well as funding needed to create the course.
As part of Seattle Parks’ due diligence in considering a ropes course in Lincoln Park, we will carefully consider the impacts of this recreational opportunity on the environment and to the park’s other uses. The first determination we must make is what if any impacts there would be on the trees, habitat, and wildlife surrounding the course area. To do this, Seattle Parks will work with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other environmental experts. A public meeting will be scheduled in early to mid-August to inform interested residents of findings, answer questions, and address any concerns. We will be glad to meet with any interested community groups. To arrange for a meeting with your group, please contact Rebecca Salinas at rebecca.salinas@seattle.gov
The public process will include review by the Board of Park Commissioners and, if a contract is negotiated, would require approval by Seattle City Council (which must approve any contract lasting longer than one year).
If you have received this email directly, your name and contact information have been added to a mailing list of interested persons, and we will notify you as soon as the public meetings have been scheduled and for further developments.
In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about Go Ape, you can visit their website at www.goape.com
Sincerely,
Christopher Williams
Acting Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation
There’s nothing in that note that hasn’t been part of our previous two reports EXCEPT for what appears to be a commitment to an environmental study, which wasn’t a sure thing as of our report this past Tuesday. Go Ape is a private company founded and based in the UK, with 28 locations there; its US offices are in Maryland, which is the site of one of its three US locations (along with one in Virginia and one in Indiana). Its U.S. admission fees this year are $55 adults/$35 youth. Its websites indicate that its courses include ziplines, rope swings, balancing challenges, and ladders; some of its UK facilities also offer “forest Segway” expeditions.
Previous WSB coverage:
Treetop ziplining at Lincoln Park? City mulls commercial partnership (June 28)
Followup: Go Ape zipline/swing proposal for Lincoln Park – where it stands & more (July 3)
Seattle Times (WSB partner) coverage:
Lincoln Park neighbors riled up over proposed zip-line attraction (July 3)
5:35 PM UPDATE: Fauntleroy Community Association president Bruce Butterfield says Seattle Parks has agreed to send representatives to his group’s regular monthly meeting next Tuesday, July 10th, 7 pm, to talk about this. Location TBA – they usually meet in a conference room at The Hall at Fauntleroy but he is looking for a larger venue.
And another 4th of July story emerges … this one likely to make you smile. Another parade – one we didn’t hear about till The Kenney (WSB sponsor) sent photos today, along with this report:
We’re all a “Kid at Heart†on the Fourth of July!
The Kenney Retirement Home in West Seattle celebrates their very first “Fourth of July Paradeâ€! Residents decorated their own “wheelchair floats†complete with balloons, streamers, stars, sparkle flags and fun flair – balloon fashioned hats, drums, and more. The Kenney residents received honks and waves from passing cars and local West Seattle residents as they made their way down Fauntleroy.
The festivities began with a flag ceremony from a local Boy Scout Troop, Pack 282, led by troop leader Eric Linxweiler, followed by a carnival celebration in our Community Rooms; which included fishing games, bean bag toss, horseshoes, and face painting. It was a great day to be had by all seniors living at The Kenney!
Amy Seebeck, Director of Activities, and all the Activities Staff
So with the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade (WSB coverage here) and the 32nd SW Bike Parade (noted here, thanks to info/photos from neighbors), that makes at least three parades yesterday – anybody else?
Two additions to the 4th of July aftermath:
That slide at Sanislo Elementary is cordoned off today, unusable by the kids who are attending day camp on the campus at 18th and Myrtle. It was seriously damaged overnight, apparently by fireworks (or something explosive/incendiary):
According to a day-camp staffer, the district was expected to come out and take a look.
Second, an incident we had asked Seattle Police about earlier is now on SPD Blotter. We’d also asked if there were any arrests on Alki last night. Both are addressed in this SPD report:
Two armed men were arrested in separate incidents during yesterday’s 4th of July festivities on Alki Beach.
Around 8pm, police received a flurry of phone calls about a man brandishing a handgun on an apartment balcony near 55th Avenue SW and Alki Avenue SW.
SWAT, patrol officers, and gang detectives arrived and talked to witnesses, who reported that a man had used a skateboard to smash the windows of an Oldsmobile Cutlass parked behind the building. After smashing the cars’ windows, the suspect ran up to his third floor apartment where he’d flashed a gun.
When owner of the Cutlass ran up to the suspect’s third floor apartment to confront him, the suspect pulled a gun on the man. The suspect then went back inside his apartment.Officers tried to call the suspect, but he refused to answer his phone. He eventually came out of his apartment and spoke with officers, who then took him into custody. Officers found a knife on the suspect and recovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun, pepper spray, and a skateboard from the suspect’s apartment.
The suspect, who was intoxicated, was apparently angry that the owner of the Cutlass had parked his car in the suspect’s parking space behind the apartment building. The owner of the Cutlass refused to give officers a statement about what had happened.
In another incident on Alki, gang detectives arrested a a 21-year-old felon near Alki Avenue SW and Beach Drive SW, after they received a tip that the man was carrying a gun.
Detectives contacted the man—who, as a convicted felon, is not allowed to have access to guns—and found a 9mm handgun on him. Detectives then booked the man into the King County Jail.
Reported by a resident southwest of The Junction, who also shared the photo:
We had a drunk driver wreak havoc on our street last night-on 49th between Alaska and Dawson at about 2 AM. The person hit 5 cars – our neighbor’s car got the worst of it but we lost a bumper and have some major scrapes and damage on the side of our car. The man was arrested. Thankfully only cars were damaged. … We had an officer stop and talk to us this morning, which was greatly appreciated.
SFD’s 911 log verifies a crash call in that area at 2:47 am. SPD had some computer trouble overnight so its call map isn’t caught up yet.
Thanks to Tim for the note – we noticed this a little while ago, too, and he suggested it was alert-worthy: California/Fauntleroy has been a work zone for a while, with lane restrictions many days, but it’s worse today because asphalt work is being done, so you may find it even slower going – if you have to pass through that area (especially between west and east) you might consider a detour. (Also regarding alerts – remember the Admiral Way bridge exit closure tomorrow, and the westbound Spokane St. Viaduct closure over the weekend.)
That’s not the official name for the night before West Seattle Summer Fest begins – in other words, next Thursday night, July 12th – but it might as well be. The streets will close in the festival zone (California SW between Oregon and Edmunds, plus half the block north of Oregon, and SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd) in early evening, and the fun starts shortly thereafter (along with the festival setup). Including:
(The band outside West 5 on ‘Summer Fest Eve’ in 2010 – there’s video in our story from that night)
*West 5 brings back the Yada Yada Blues Band, “live in the street,” right outside. West 5’s Dave Montoure says, “California Ave closes promptly at 6:00, we’ll have our outdoor cafe set up and operational as soon as humanly possible. Come see Milky, Steb, Don, John, and maybe a special guest or two. 8 pm.”
*The also-legendary Bubbleman, last seen BEFORE a downpour shortened last month’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, will be as bubbly as ever in the street outside Elliott Bay Brewing at 6 pm (per his own event calendar)
*It’s the July edition of the West Seattle Art Walk that night, 6-9 pm, and while WSAW is *not* a Junction-only event, you’ll find lots of participating venues there – watch wsartwalk.com for the map/list.
Summer Fest itself (co-sponsored by WSB) runs 10 am-8 pm on Friday 7/13, 10 am-8 pm Saturday 7/14, 11 am-5 pm Sunday 7/15 (with beer garden and live music continuing past the vendor-closure times Friday/Saturday). The music lineup is here, vendor lineup/map here – and remember that many of your year-round Junction merchants have sidewalk sales during Summer Fest, too, so stroll the sidewalks as well as the festival pathways.
(Sand pattern from Wednesday’s low tide, by “old desolate” via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Three this morning at local libraries – the systemwide events calendar lists them all.
ONE LAST LOW-LOW TIDE: Today’s low tide is -2.7 feet at 12:35 pm, still low enough that the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out too (11 am-2:30 pm, locations here).
COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Because of a swim meet, the schedule is different for the next three days; today, the pool won’t open to the public till 3 pm. Changes detailed here.
SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: It’s weekly all summer long, 6-9 pm. See the list of participating stores/restaurants by going here.
NEW DRUM CIRCLE: Should be a beautiful night for this – a Thursday night drum circle is forming at Alki, starting at 6:30 pm. Details are in the calendar listing.
NIGHTLIFE: Free poker and live music at The Bridge (4439 35th SW) starts at 6 pm … Jim Page plays C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm … At Skylark Café and Club, it’s In Cahoots and The Goddamn Devil, 8 pm …
(WSB photo from May 14)
Four weeks ago, Poggie Tavern in The Junction reopened after damage from a fire in May kept it closed almost a month. A local band sends word of this benefit tomorrow (Friday) night:
The Poggie Tavern caught fire and had to close for a while. My band VikingRaider.com is hosting a Dance Contest there July 6th to help get them going again. It’s from 9 pm to 11 pm. Music goes till 1 am.
We are giving away prizes from the local West Seattle merchants, many have been donated. Zamboanga, Twilight Artist Collective, Husky Deli, and C&P Coffee are among the merchants participating. We got some rocking rhythm and blues featuring Dr. Harp and Ron Bronstom on Harmonica backed by the VikingRaider.com band. Grand Prize at 11 pm; also, prizes after The House Is A-Rocking, Jumping Jack Flash, and Stray Cat Strut.
The Poggie’s at 4717 California SW.
Thanks to Jamie Kinney for sharing the view from the Admiral Bridge over Fairmount Ravine. Jamie says about 40 people watched from the bridge, and has a gallery with more images here.
Overall, so far, no major trouble. We roamed the busiest West Seattle spots in the hour and a half or so pre-fireworks, and during. Police were out on Alki in a big way – every half block or so, vehicles and officers were standing guard, including a few vans and even a small SPD bus. We don’t know yet if they had to make any arrests. 911 suggests no callouts for injuries.
Since the weather was so clear, multiple fireworks shows were visible from West Seattle – Bainbridge, from Alki Beach Park; Vashon, from Constellation Park, and a few others further south (not sure if the southernmost one was Des Moines or Tacoma).
ADDED 8:55 AM: While personal fireworks remain illegal in Seattle, as commenters have noted (particularly following our report on the small Admiral fire from last night), they proliferated. WSB contributor Nick Adams noticed this at Hamilton Viewpoint Park:
We’ll be checking around this morning on day-after cleanups at local parks/fields. Nick also photographed people who were at Hamilton to watch the Lake Union fireworks:
(If you find this story in subsequent years and wonder how early to get there – we stopped by around 8:45, an hour-plus before fireworks, and the park was jammed with cars, so unless you come really early, you have to plan alternate transportation, or park some distance away and walk.)
ADDED 10:09 AM: One more fireworks view – from Ilona Berzups, with the new Seattle Great Wheel showing its colors too:
Here’s another of her views, on Flickr.
10:01 PM: We’re in the 2200 block of California SW, where fire crews are checking out a “fire in building” call. More shortly.
10:03 PM UPDATE: It’s NOT a “fire in building” as per the original call – a bush/tree caught fire near Mind Unwind, the gallery/event venue a couple buildings north of the ex-Blockbuster.
10:14 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli sent the photo above after also checking out the scene; he says a witness saw the small fire sparked by fireworks.
While walking in Lincoln Park yesterday afternoon in relation to this story, the group we were covering stopped to check out a baby eagle in a nest high above. We couldn’t get a photo – but today, Gay did, along with the photo below, and tells the tale:
We got some great directions to the nest from our friend Tami and then good guidance from a kind stranger. Amazing chance to see one of the juveniles quite literally “out on a limb” waiting for lunch. The adult dropped off a big fish in the nest, rested a bit on the same limb and then went right back out to the Sound for more fish. It was glorious…enjoy!
Speaking of the beach, we mentioned today’s low tide in the morning preview. Jim Clark shared some sights on the beach, including this one:
Check out his gallery here.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Today’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was truly super. And not just because of superheroes-for-the-day Jake Haupert and 4-year-old son Quinn. The weather was super. So was the turnout.
We of course caught the entire parade on video – about 16 minutes for all participants to pass our camera at the start of the route in North Admiral – but unscientifically, we’d agree with someone who declared the crowd “denser” this year:
(Video by WSB editor Tracy Record)
We noticed more spectators too, like Jeff Kusowski and canine companion Dewey:
The West Seattle Hi-Yu contingent, as always, led the parade, right after a Seattle Police motorcycle officer and Seattle Fire Engine 29:
From there, a steady stream of red-white-and-blue – from streamers to ribbons to balloons like the ones flying high as Gretchen Evans pushed, from left, Thomas, Jackson, and Waylon:
Patriotic face-painting, even:
That’s Tessa Gates, 10, watching as Cheryl Jones painted a flag on daughter Katy, also 10. Once the parade finished crossing California SW at Atlantic, it was game time at Hamilton Viewpoint Park – here’s 7-year-old Aidan Schreck jumping ahead of his fellow sack racers:
Wheelbarrow races, too:
Now, a few more scenes from the pre-parade festivities as well as the games afterward:
More photos from this holiday – a new tradition and a not-so-new tradition:
Turns out there were TWO parades at 10 o’clock this morning! The 4000 and 4100 blocks of 32nd SW (west of Avalon Way – map) gathered for their first-ever 4th of July Bike Parade; thanks to Vince for the photo – he says it was “well-attended” plus – “there was food.”
Not far away, a West Seattle business’s traditional 4th of July sale has less than 2 hours to go:
At Avalon Glassworks (on Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge), the holiday has become a traditional day for a “seconds” sale. Co-proprietor Shannon Felix (photo right) says a line of shoppers was waiting when they opened up at 9 this morning; the sale continues – while the glass lasts! – till 3 pm.
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