A change in dates for the first of the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s three berry sales this summer means that strawberries will be on sale THIS Friday and Saturday – and the deadline for advance orders is this Wednesday morning. It’s one of the ways the Rotary raises money for its community projects, including the annual Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree. See the prices and sizes here (but the strawberry dates are different – moved up, as we just mentioned); follow the links to place an advance order. Then you’ll pick up your berries on the specified dates, Friday 1-5 pm or Saturday 10 am-5 pm at West Seattle Produce. Raspberries and blueberries are coming up in July. If you miss the advance-purchase date there *might* be same-day sales available – but no guarantees.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:57 PM: We’re on our way to check out an emergency response that has escalated to a hazardous-materials response in the 3000 block of Avalon Way. Avoid the area; updates shortly – and yes, that’s why you are seeing a helicopter overhead; it’s TV. Emergency crews on scene say there’s a “strong smell of gasoline” at the site, which was once a church.
6:08 PM UPDATE: We’re on site – the action is close to Avalon/Yancy. Adding the top photo, sent by Jeff. At least one TV chopper still overhead. No word of any injuries; investigators still trying to find the source, as far as we know. Via the scanner, they’re discussing air-sample readings that so far aren’t showing anything discernible. SFD’s public-information officer has been dispatched so we’ll have a steadier source of information shortly.
6:30 PM UPDATE: A million apologies for our server getting overloaded and shutting down. It’s been reset and hopefully that will be the end of it – we keep increasing capacity and it still isn’t always enough for the next breaking story, so we keep exploring new options for something close to infinite bandwidth. Meantime, nothing new here – fire crews have yet to pinpoint the source, so far as we hear – still investigating all around the building – but keep avoiding the area. For those who are worried about hazardous fumes – there’s been NO confirmation of anything risky – this is all mostly a precaution because of the previously mentioned “strong smell of gasoline.”
6:43 PM UPDATE: Thanks to area resident Jeff, who has the overview of part of the scene and has been updating us – adding another of his photos above this update. He’s seen SFD crews first bring in a tarp, then bring in fans, and he noticed the smell getting stronger at one point, but he hasn’t seen them bring anything out. Also of note, the official incident address has been updated to 30th/Adams.
7:05 PM UPDATE: This is now officially scaling down. Bottom line, according to SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, they didn’t find anything (except evidence of squatters, which neighbors tell us has long been a problem). If you’ve had trouble placing this building – here’s a wider view from William, who lives across the street:
So SFD says the air is safe, no one ever needed to evacuate, and they’ll be packing up. Traffic is moving on Avalon.
7:46 PM UPDATE: Back at HQ; added the photo above showing the big turnout of SFD vehicles, and here’s our video of Moore’s briefing:
As SFD was wrapping up, SPD was going to take a look around, per scanner traffic. So we’ll be following up to see if anything was determined regarding the presence of squatters in the building.
Less than 24 hours after he got out on bail – as reported here last night – Alan Polevia is back in the King County Jail, for investigation of residential burglary, as of just before 3 pm. We just confirmed that via the jail register after getting a telephone tip. We had checked earlier on a King County Sheriff’s Office search in the Seola area; KCSO had no official information but area residents told us it all started with someone being spotted hopping a fence and running through back yards. We do not yet know if Polevia is linked to that but will update with whatever we find out about how he wound up back in jail.
1:08 PM TUESDAY, UPDATE: We still have not confirmed 100 percent that it’s the same incident, so that’ll have to wait until after his bail hearing at mid-afternoon. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Kathleen Larson did confirm there was an arrest in the Seola-area case – a suspect (born the same year as Polevia, if somehow it turns out not to be him), finally cornered … in a tree.
Seattle Public Schools is sending an alert about portable deliveries coming up this week and next. From Tom Redman:
· Gatewood Elementary, one single portable (one classroom) scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday, June 26 between 10 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The route, assigned by SDOT, is Fauntleroy to Myrtle, turning left to the school.
· Chief Sealth International HS, one double portable (two classrooms), scheduled to be delivered on Monday, July 1, between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. via the Kenyon Street (north) entrance to the campus. (Not sure of the route yet- SDOT will notify us later this week)
· If there are “no parking” signs to be located on any streets on the route, they will be placed in advance of the delivery day, in accordance with SDOT requirements.
The district’s been talking about more portables for crowding relief since last fall. We’re checking to see what other portables, if any, are slated for West Seattle schools before fall.
(Updated Tuesday – Archived meeting video now substituted above – public comment starts 27 minutes in) ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:43 PM: The City Council is in the middle of public comment right now, preceding the rest of this afternoon’s agenda, which starts with the proposal to give an as-yet-unspecified human-services organization $500,000 for shelter and other assistance to be given to “Nickelsville” campers, so they can be moved out and the camp closed by September 1st. You can watch live, while the meeting is under way, by clicking “play” above. Three commenters have spoken so far, all expressing concerns about the item – two regarding accountability, and one in opposition. As we publish this, Joanne Brayden, known as “JoB” here on WSB, is speaking about her experience volunteering to help the camp residents, and urging the council to use this expenditure to also help those living in other “encampments,” such as the nearby greenbelts. “There are families there, and children – we need to help them,” she concluded. The public-comment period is open to any topic on the agenda, so the person following her is speaking about something else. Updates as we go.
2:53 PM: Highland Park Action Committee co-chair Billy Stauffer is speaking now. He reinforces the request for using part of the money to get “campers” out of the greenbelt. “As people leave Nickelsville, the greenbelt will see more and more campers,” he warns. He also suggests the restoration work Nature Consortium has been doing in the greenbelt – some of which, he says, has been undone by “campers” – could use some support. He reminds the council this is the third summer Nickelsville has been occupying the 7116 W. Marginal Way SW site without authorization.
3 PM: The formal discussion of the bill now begins. It’s a substitute version – we’re not seeing the new version on the agenda; here’s what’s currently there. Council President Sally Clark says this was introduced “a couple weeks ago” (actually, it was introduced just one week ago). She says the substitute version has some “technical” changes – including cleaning up language about what other cities had done, and spelling out accountability for what’s being done with the money and who is spoken to, setting a mid-August date for a formal report on how it’s going. Clark addresses the HPAC request about the greenbelt and says they’d have to talk about whether that comes out of this money or additional money. She also alludes to a discussion during this morning’s Council briefing meeting regarding the greenbelt-restoration issue (we’ll check that out later). “This is not a small undertaking, but that should not stop us from trying,” Clark concludes, opening the floor to comment from other councilmembers.
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw suggests the issue of campers in the greenbelt(s) could be addressed by changing the language; Clark expresses concern about that, particularly since the number of such “campers” is unknown. Councilmember Tim Burgess notes that the most recent city budget has money specifically earmarked for “encampment cleanups” and protocol for how it can be used.
Councilmember Nick Licata, who wasn’t one of the seven councilmembers who sent the mayor the “close it by September 1st” letter that sparked this bill, says he will support it. He thinks there will need to be more money to deal with people in greenbelt encampments.
Councilmember Bagshaw says she agrees with him and others that this is “a start.”
3:15 PM: The bill passes unanimously. Who gets the $500,000? Last time we asked the Human Services Department last week, that was yet to be worked out.
4:26 PM: Here’s the official Council news release. Another encampment issue comes up tomorrow – a 5:30 pm hearing on Councilmember Licata’s proposal to expand the zones where they could be allowed.
4:52 PM: We’re listening to the video of the morning “briefing” meeting mentioned during this one; starting around 20 minutes in, there was extensive discussion about how this should be monitored and what if it’s not as successful as they hope. (See for yourself, here.)
Announced today by the West Seattle Junction Association – the music lineup for this year’s West Seattle Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB), coming up July 12-13-14; see it here. Kicking it all off, Caspar Babypants at 11 am Friday 7/12. Other highlights include Not Dead Yet, Hobosexual, and the Rat City Brass. Meantime, you can find the vendor/organization list here (you’ll find us in the Information Booth at the heart of the festival zone again this year). As always, West Seattle Summer Fest is a three-day extravaganza that’ll be out in the street on California SW between SW Edmunds and points just north of SW Oregon, as well as on SW Alaska between 44th SW and 42nd SW. And there’s a pre-funk too – the night before Summer Fest, on Thursday, July 11th, the streets will close for setup and it’s a great time to wander while enjoying the West Seattle Art Walk‘s Junction venues.
ADDED 3:38 PM: Some other notes – starting with, the food. This year the food court is on SW Alaska east of California, instead of west as in past years. And yes, deep-fried PB&J sandwich provider Peanut Butter Goodness is back.
Big house-fire callout to Genesee Hill – 4100 block of 47th SW. First engine on scene reports nothing visible – turns out to be “food on the stove.” We’re en route to doublecheck, but just letting you know, in case you saw the big response, that’s what it’s about.
Congratulations to West Seattleite Bob Lunke(inset photo), retired U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Colonel, who is among the first group of veterans to become King County HERO Program graduates, honored by County Executive Dow Constantine and County Councilmembers this morning. The official announcement explains that the county “is assisting veterans making the transition to civilian work through the Heroes Employment Reintegration Opportunity (HERO) Program. The program offers six-month paid internships to qualified veterans, along with support services tailored to men and women re-entering the civilian workforce.” The county says Lt. Col. (ret.) Lunke interned with the Community and Human Services Department’s Community Services Division; his military service started with Army ROTC at the UW in 1980 and continued with 30 years in the Army Reserve, including four tours of duty in South Korea and two in Iraq. You might also know him as co-owner of West Seattle’s OutWest Bar! You can find out more about the county’s program for veterans by going here.
Thanks to Tom Erler from Restoration Logistics LLC for sharing the photo of their work today with Puget Soundkeeper Alliance at Lincoln Park. As previewed here Sunday, it’s a creosote cleanup – he says they’re “removing at least 2 tons worth of creosote & pressure treated debris from Lincoln Park beach. Work started at 7:30 and (is) continuing until mid-afternoon.” (There was a similar cleanup at Lincoln Park last year, too.)
Historical side note pointed out by a reader regarding the creosote industry in the area in general: The enterprises of the Colman family, whose many local contributions included Lincoln Park’s popular outdoorColman Pool, included a creosote company that was founded downtown and, as noted in this HistoryLink article, later moved to West Seattle. Under later ownership, it eventually became a Superfund cleanup site and is now home to Jack Block Park and adjacent Port of Seattle container facilities.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: One more photo from Tom Erler:
He says that by the time they were done, the removal totaled closer to 4 tons!
New information from Gigabit Squared for the first time since the excitement over its announcement four months ago that its plans for mega-fast Internet service would include West Seattle as one of 14 “demonstration neighborhoods.” (Here’s our February report.) This morning, GB2 sent a news release with its projected pricing when it launches its first neighborhoods (listed as the West Campus District, First Hill, Capitol Hill , and Central Area). You can read the full news release on the GB2 website; here are the toplines, and their reply to our WS-specific followup:
LOWEST TIDE OF THE SUMMER: -3.7 feet is as far out as the tide is going this summer, and today is the second consecutive day you’ll see that along our shore – 12:06 pm, to be specific. Beach naturalists will be out 10 am-2 pm at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, as noted in this look at the Sunday low-low tide.
COUNCIL VOTE ON ‘NICKELSVILLE’: As reported here last week, the City Council is to vote at 2 pm today on giving a not-yet-specified agency $500,000 to manage the relocation of “Nickelsville” encampment residents so the site can be cleared by September 1st. (City Hall; live on Seattle Channel)
DELRIDGE GROCERY: With a year until the co-op grocery store is scheduled to open in DESC’s new Delridge Supportive Housing building, the focus for tonight’s meeting at Delridge Library is on fundraising – details in the calendar listing. 6:30 pm; all welcome. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
QUICKSTART TENNIS: This program to help kids learn tennis fun and fast is scheduled to start tonight at community centers around the city – info here (including how to register).
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page) 7:28 AM: Stormy for a summer day, anyway, rainy and breezy. Updates as we get them.
7:45 AM UPDATE: Just confirmed a tree down on 48th SW between Seaview and Lowman Beach (map).
The road’s still open – the tree is in the uphill lanes.
9:11 AM: Problem on northbound 99 – Deborra reports “a police car with lights flashing on left lane northbound 99 just south of the ferry terminal, traffic backing up.” The backup is clearly visible on the 99/Lander camera on the WSB Traffic page.
Quick note from the “what’s going to be there next?” file – happened onto this while wandering city online files tonight: The space at 6323 35th SW (map), recently vacated by a laundromat/coffee stand, will be the new home of a FastSigns franchise. So says both the city-permits page for the address and the FastSigns website itself.
(WSB photo, June 11th)
12 days after his arrest in Arbor Heights, the latest in a series of incidents also including a March manhunt in Shorewood and a February escape from Harborview while handcuffed, repeat offender Alan Polevia is out of jail. We’ve been checking daily as promised but commenter Tophat Topcat spotted it first; the jail register shows Polevia posted bond and was released just after 4:30 pm. As reported here Thursday, his bail was down to $2,500 after he went to court Wednesday and had about $5,000 of bail reduced to “personal recognizance.” The $25,000 additional bail set after the arrest was dropped earlier – the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told WSB a week ago it didn’t get evidence in time to “rush-file” a charge related to the June 11th arrest, though something’s still possible in the future. How far in the future, hard to say; the March charges he finally answered on Wednesday were filed six months after this West Seattle incident. The condition of his release in connection with that case is that he live at his father’s apartment in the 11900 block of 16th Ave. S. in Burien “for the duration of (the) case.”
Meantime, we have four reader reports from this week – read on:
If you missed the lowest low tide of the summer today – you have one more chance: Tomorrow’s low tide also will be -3.7, at 12:06 pm, just as far out as it was late this morning, when Diane, who kindly shared these photos, was checking out tidepools with myriad other curious people:
Among the stars of the show … the stars!
The Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be out again during low-low tide the next three days – here’s the schedule.
4:14 PM SUNDAY: We’ve learned today that one of the two people hospitalized with major injuries from the 17th/Cambridge crash early today (here’s our previous story) is 29-year-old Logan Wicker, a staffer at Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge who was on his way home from work when his car was hit (in our photo, it’s mostly hidden by the van). Skylark is closing early tonight, 7 pm, as a result. A family friend tells us that Logan is a 2002 West Seattle High School graduate. The driver of the van that hit Logan’s car was booked into jail for investigation of DUI/vehicular assault; we haven’t been able to check on her status or record yet because the jail-register information system is currently down, but most likely, she will have a bail hearing tomorrow, so we will be following up through the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
10:52 AM MONDAY UPDATE: Checked with Harborview, where a spokesperson tells us Logan is now in serious condition, still in intensive care. We don’t know how the other victim is doing – they couldn’t check for us without a name.
1:21 PM UPDATE: Also on the subject of names, we have learned that the driver who was arrested did not have ID and wouldn’t give officers her name, so she is jailed as “Jane Doe” – which is why we haven’t been able to find out more about her yet. Police expect to be able to identify her through fingerprints.
On behalf of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, West Seattle’s “Diver Laura” James sends word of a major creosote cleanup planned all day tomorrow (Monday, June 24) on the beach at Lincoln Park, 8 am-5 pm. Soundkeeper is a partner in the cleanup “with the Department of Natural Resources, Seattle Parks & Recreation, and Restoration Logistics, with funding from the Department of Fish & Wildlife,” according to the official announcement, which continues:
Creosote (is) a toxic potion of chemicals created by the distillation of tar. It is commonly used to preserve and waterproof the wood used for dock pilings, telephone poles, and fence posts. Unfortunately, many of these creosote pilings wash up on beaches where they mix with regular drift wood. While in the water, creosote leaches into the marine environment and mixes with sediments where it can enter the food chain. On the beach, creosote can seep out and affect both wildlife and human health.
Creosote is a phototoxin, meaning it becomes more toxic when exposed to sunlight and higher ambient temperatures. It is also present in high amounts, at approximately 7 pounds per cubic foot of wood. Creosote contains toxic PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. PAHs are known carcinogens and are associated with other human health risks as well. (The removal project is intended) to get creosote-treated lumber out of the environment, away from beachgoers, and dispose of it properly in a landfill.
If you encounter creosote treated lumber on a beach near you, we want to hear about it! Call our pollution hotline 1-800-42-PUGET or fill a pollution report out online. Your efforts will help us direct future cleanup projects. However, it is important to be careful- avoid contact with treated logs whenever possible and always wash skin exposed to creosote with soap and water.
Parkgoers, be forewarned – tomorrow’s removal work will include “a work crew with heavy machinery and hard hats removing all the big creosote logs,” Laura adds.
The mystery “installation” – first noted here on Saturday, when it originally held a flag across which the word ENOUGH had been painted – is still at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. It’s been further altered, per the photo above sent by Jennifer this morning. But it won’t be there much longer, Sandra DeMeritt from Seattle Parks tells WSB:
The Parks Department will leave it in place for Sunday but it will be removed at some point on Monday and brought to the Southwest (Parks) Headquarters. Anyone interested in claiming it can contact me after Monday. Since we will have to pick the piece up with a front loading tractor, it may get damaged in the process.
We did move the sculptural pieces off of the sponsored brick work on Sunday. It is all now sitting on the concrete pad directly beneath the Liberty Statue. We noted that some paint did drip onto the brickwork but hopefully we can get it removed this week without any damage to the bricks.
We are currently checking on one report of another “installation” elsewhere in West Seattle.
ADDED 11:43 AM: A few minutes after we published this, Alki resident Misa Moore sent photos including this one:
Misa wrote, “We live across the street from the statue, so when I looked out this morning I noticed the profile had changed, I went to check it out and it looks like the artists came back last night with a ton of new installations. It looks like a lot of work went into it; we didn’t hear or see a thing either time.”
1:08 PM UPDATE: It has been dismantled, as commenters reported.
2:01 PM UPDATE: Adding photos. Our photographer spoke with the man whom bystanders told us chopped most of it up with an ax/hatchet. He wouldn’t identify himself but said he did it because he believed it was “illegal.” The pile of resulting pieces in the photo above is by one set of trash cans, while these components that had been added last night are by another:
Police reportedly arrived at the scene after our crew left; we went back as soon as we got word of that, but they were gone by the time we arrived. Meantime, earlier we mentioned word of another one elsewhere:
If you don’t recognize the spot, that’s the southeast corner of California/Alaska, vacant almost a year now because of the two-building mixed-use development whose groundbreaking has since been postponed indefinitely (the owners have ceased commenting publicly on when it’ll get going). The mats say SIMPLE LIBERTY OR … TYRANNY.
(added) POP-UP SHOPPING: The Fashion Bar Airstream is at the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard till 2 pm. Hotwire proprietor Lora Swift says a former employee (who worked for her while getting a master’s degree) started it “with a couple of friends.” (4410 California SW)
CAR SHOW: 11 am-1 pm at Daystar, across from Westwood Village, which is where Daystar requests you park. (2615 SW Barton)
LOW-LOW TIDE: 11:19 am, it’s out to -3.7 feet on West Seattle shores. From 10 am-2 pm, you’ll find Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks.
(added)CAR WASH: Only one charity car wash that we’ve heard of today – WSHS Cheer Squad at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (35th/Webster)
BATTERY AND CELLPHONE RECYCLING: It’s day two of the five-day collection that’s also part of a neighborhood-vs.-neighborhood competition begins; drop your recyclables off during regular daily hours at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, which is open today 1-5 pm. Find more info in our preview from earlier this week. (2306 42nd SW)
HAPPY HOUR: WSB sponsor Endolyne Joe’s is offering a “Full Moon Happy Hour” in honor of this weekend’s “super moon,” restaurant-wide from 3 pm to close today/tonight. (9261 45th SW)
ROY ZIMMERMAN RETURNS: He’s at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm, with his new show, “Wake-Up Call,” described here. (7904 35th SW)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:36 AM: Big emergency response right now at 17th and Cambridge. Two vehicles involved. More to come.
3:09 AM UPDATE: This was a T-bone crash, with both vehicles ending up on the sidewalk – two people had to be extricated, described as the male driver of the Honda and female driver of the van; both were taken to Harborview Medical Center. The extrication is what made it an “automobile rescue” call, if you watch the online 911 log. Via Twitter, SPD says the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is responding, as it does to major crash scenes, which means the scene will likely be closed off for a few hours.
9:09 AM UPDATE: Updated information from SPD BLotter:
Two people were injured in an early morning collision. This morning just shortly after 2:00 a.m., an adult female was driving a full sized van N/B on 17th AV SW, and drove through the stop sign at SW Cambridge ST without stopping.
The van hit a small car travelling W/B with 2 occupants, pushing it completely through the intersection, and up the sidewalk into a fence, and crushing the driver’s side halfway into the passenger side of the car.
Both occupants of the car sustained critical injuries. Seattle Fire responded and treated them on scene. Both were transported to an area hospital. The 4 occupants of the suspect van got out and ran westbound across Delridge Way, where responding officers caught them.
The female suspect/ driver was processed and booked into King County Jail for DUI – Vehicular Assault.
The rising “super moon” was supposed to be the star tonight, but the sunset outshone it. Thanks to Tom Marx for the first photo. From Upper Alki, JayDee caught a ferry in view too:
Meantime, looking eastward, the supermoon had clouds to contend with, but longtime WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli caught this view through the crane over Spruce:
Back to the sunset – this is from Gary Jones:
From TP:
ADDED SUNDAY: Thanks to MM for this view:
And thanks again to EVERYONE for sharing photos with the community via WSB. editor@westseattleblog.com or text to 206-293-6302 any time.
The West Seattle Garden Tour is now less than one month away, and ticket sales are days away, starting this Tuesday (June 25th). Each ticket is $18 (children under 12 are free) and includes the noon lecture with author and outdoor-living expert Debra Prinzing. The tour is 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday, July 21st. Here are the ticket locations in our area:
To the right, you’re seeing the winning art for this year’s WSGT poster, “Blooming Palette,” created by Carrie Schmitt. Carrie receiving her prize check for $500 at Windermere West Seattle during last week’s June West Seattle Art Walk:
Posters will be sold for $10 during the tour, and Carrie’s original piece will be part of a silent auction during the tour on July 21st. The money raised, as well as other tour proceeds, will benefit these organizations.
(Festival performance schedule here * Pet parade/contest schedule here)
Big smiles not only from festivalgoers of all ages, but from the Morgan Community Association as this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival gets under way in bright sunshine – one year after a relentless downpour ended things early. No chance today! And this year, the festival covers more ground than ever – from California/Graham (food trucks and the game “cornhole” behind the future home of The Bridge and behind the business building across Graham), to three sides of the California/Fauntleroy intersection (including where we are behind Feedback Lounge, with dozens of other businesses and vendors).
Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Flores stopped by to offer a peek inside an SPD cruiser. Lots to look at and listen for; Bubbleman is performing in the park right now, and will be back at 4 pm – check whether he’s in the park or across California in the kid zone, when you get here. Lots of live music The kid zone, meantime (next to Washington Federal), is hosting one of the four food trucks here today:
Fez is West Seattle-based and newly launched. Lots of food options here today, including Morgan Junction’s year-round restaurants, many of which are sponsoring the festival, plus you can buy barbecued lunch at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) on the southeast corner of California/Fauntleroy – here are Michele and Reid from Thriftway with (at left)Cindi Barker from MoCA:
Today’s barbecue proceeds go to MoCA for next year’s festival; they should be grilling till about 4 pm.
12:51 PM UPDATE: Still lots of time to get here for the Bark of Morgan pet parade at 2 pm at the park (and competitions at 2:15 pm in the Washington Federal lot) – just might see Cooper there:
Cooper’s person is John Moore, whose Northwest Insurance Group (WSB sponsor) is located in Morgan Junction, in the new building on the northwest corner of California/Graham. Which is “paws” for another reminder – this is a sprawling festival, multiple venues across two-plus blocks, most NOT visible from California SW (except for what’s in the park), so don’t just pass by, walk or ride or drive and come wander both sides of California just north of Fauntleroy.
1:59 PM UPDATE: First candidate sighting at the festival, State Sen. Ed Murray.
His run for Seattle Mayor was endorsed last week by the 34th District Democrats, who also are boothing here at the festival – you’ll find them right behind Zeeks, next to the Full Tilt Ice Cream stand. This is a two-level area – about a dozen booths in the lot right behind the building, including Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) with their “West Seattle Chamber Business of the Year” banner, plus their trio making and selling duct-tape creations:
Festival’s on till 7; Bark of Morgan dog-parade coverage coming up next. And thanks to all the awesome people who have stopped by to say hi and chat so far; glad to see everybody out on a sunny afternoon.
2:55 PM UPDATE: Video from the dog parade:
By the way, over at the kid zone by California Federal, there’s open-mike time, if you know any youth interested in performing, reading, etc. – last chance per the festival program is 6:15 pm. That’s also when the last band of the day will perform in the park – Matt the Hoopla, “an electrifying ’70s rock experience” – don’t miss ’em. Right now, the Tongan Choir is performing – sounds great from here, and we’ll be adding video later.
Though the music continues till 7, the booths usually pack up by 6, so if you’re thinking of coming down and checking out the vendors/organizations, don’t wait too much longer!
4:18 PM UPDATE: Chas Redmond, MoCA vice president and music-lineup organizer, stopped by – this year, as he reminded us, there’s a speaker pointed toward the vendor area so we can hear the music too. He is also putting together the music for the Alki Art Fair next month and says it’ll have more than 40 acts! Meantime, here’s the picture of the day:
That’s Rita Dixson from The Bridge, Gary Sink from Beveridge Place Pub, and Jeff Gilbert from Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), future semi-neighbors, once The Bridge remodels and moves into the ex-Chuck and Sally’s, a site which became part of the festival this year, for the first time. (Here’s our Friday story with new renderings for the draft concept of its future look.)
5:13 PM UPDATE: Some of our fellow boothers have started packing up; visits to the back lot here have slowed down. And we’ve just been told this area will clear out at 5:30. Music in the park continues, as promised. And so does the unofficial afterparty in the local restaurants/lounges, who will get their parking back once we’re out.
5:33 PM UPDATE: Before we pack up – just saw Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, and chatted with her about the speaker series just wrapped up. She tells us TWT will be at West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction this year – so look for that chance to learn more about our local whales. We’ll be there in the information booth as usual; the dates this year are Friday-Sunday, July 12th-14th.
ADDED SUNDAY: In case you missed the closing band, ’70s-inspired Matt the Hoopla, here’s a sample:
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