West Seattle books: ‘Daily connection’ with in-city wildlife inspires Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s ‘The Urban Bestiary’

| West Seattle books | West Seattle news | Wildlife

What an autumn for West Seattle authors! This week, Gatewood nature writer Lyanda Lynn Haupt‘s fourth book “The Urban Bestiary: Encountering the Everyday Wild” hit the market – a topic very close to our hearts here at WSB, and to our pixels, since we publish photos of and stories about urban wildlife so often.

You might recall Lyanda’s 2009 book “Crow Planet,” or you might have read one or more of her previous books. With “The Urban Bestiary,” she goes wider, and wilder, into the world of who and what we encounter outside our homes (and sometimes inside, as happened while she was working on the book). Her publicist describes it as “a field guide of sorts infused with popular mythology, surprising facts, and anecdotes from her life … Lyanda discusses urban creatures — squirrels, rats, birds — as well as some more suburban dwellers, such as raccoons and coyotes.”

Announcing the then-impending book back in May, Lyanda wrote:

It is my passionate belief that daily connection with the natural, wild world matters. It makes us more creative, responsive, responsible, imaginative, wild, and happy inhabitants of our home communities. It also allows these communities – made up of humans and myriad other animals—to flourish. The Urban Bestiary is a song — a symphony, really — in support of this belief.

We asked her for a comment on the book’s West Seattle roots, aside from the fact she lives here and wrote it here; the WSB mention refers to a conversation she had with your editor here as part of her research:

Though this book has a national audience, it was born in West Seattle. I decided to write as much of this book as I could outdoors, and much of the work was done in my backyard in a neighborhood above Lincoln Park. Since I started work in autumn, this involved fires in a backyard fire bowl (which meant, alas, s’mores for lunch), hats, fingerless gloves, and even umbrellas. The Urban Bestiary was shaped by this unusual writing studio, and this gorgeous, unique place (where) we live.

Tracy Record at the West Seattle Blog helped me to flesh out my ideas about the relationship between social media and wildlife perceptions — thank you, WSB, for being a voice of calm and wisdom on these subjects!

I hope everyone will join me at my official book launch at Elliott Bay Book Company on Wednesday, September 25th at 7 pm. Bring everyone. There will be cake!

And urban-wildlife photos from an online contest she conducted; read more about the launch event on her website. If you haven’t been to Elliott Bay lately, remember that it is now on Capitol Hill, 1521 10th Avenue (map).

P.S. Looking way ahead, Lyanda is on the stellar lineup of local authors booked for the new “Words, Wine, & West Seattle” series of monthly readings to be presented by South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society; her appearance is set for February 7th, 2014 – details are in the official announcement.

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4 Sunday reminders: Recycling; police horses; equinox; weather

September 21, 2013 8:29 pm

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| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle weather

Four things we didn’t want to wait until tomorrow morning to mention again:

RECYCLE ROUNDUP: The fall edition of Fauntleroy Church‘s twice-yearly “drop off your not-curbside-friendly recyclables for free” event with 1 Green Planet, 9 am-3 pm Sunday, 9140 California SW – see the list of what they’ll take by going here.

POLICE HORSES: Tomorrow afternoon brings the first-ever open house at the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol HQ on the east side of Westcrest Park in Highland Park (8600 8th SW), 1-5 pm, demonstrations at 2 & 4. Sgt. Jim Scott wants to make sure you know that this is INDOORS – so even if the rain starts early (more on that below), don’t worry, they’ve got you covered. Literally.

EQUINOX SUNSET WATCH: Tomorrow afternoon, fall arrives with the Autumn Equinox. That means sunset tomorrow night is a special event with Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info (and monthly Skies Over West Seattle reports here on WSB), gather at 6:30 pm at Solstice Park east of north Lincoln Park – details here. (Cloudy or sprinkly, be there anyway. If it’s raining hard, Alice says it’s off. Which brings us to …)

WEATHER ALERT: The National Weather Service has tweaked its “special weather statement” for tomorrow – for this area, about half an inch of rain is likely, and it’s expected to get windy, with gusts up to 45 mph. That’s all supposed to pick up in the afternoon – likely while the Seahawks are playing. (Sound familiar?) No lightning in the forecast right now, though.

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Happening now: See what – and who’s – up, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

September 21, 2013 4:43 pm

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| Delridge | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

For the rest of the day and into tonight, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) invites you to stop by and see what’s up – art, music, more. You might have driven by the historic brick ex-schoolhouse many times without ever stopping in, and this is your chance, since it’s been ramping up activities and community engagement under new management. The arts at Youngstown include performing arts as well as visual arts – above, aerialists with The Cabiri are getting ready for this year’s “Ghost Game” shows (starting October 25th); below, Mary Springer from Twelfth Night Productions:

It’s an open house at Youngstown until 6, then performances commence, all free and open to the public – whether you’ve been there before or not, even if you only have a little time to spare, stop in and see for yourself!

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Update: Police search in The Junction after reported assault

September 21, 2013 2:53 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photo tweeted by @synergy3k)
2:53 PM: Police are in the 5000 block of California after a report of a possible shooting victim. So far, they haven’t found the victim; there was a report the victim was in an apartment, but a search hasn’t turned up anything; then there was word the victim might have headed north into The Junction. Updates as we get them.

3:01 PM: The possible victim they’re looking for, per the scanner, was described as a white man, around 40, with long blond curly hair, shirtless when last seen, with a tattooed chest. He might have some kind of weapon, police were told, so call 911 if you see him – they’re still looking in the California/Alaska vicinity.

3:13 PM: Also from the scanner: This is now reported to have been an assault, not a shooting, and the victim, possibly hit over the head with a piece of furniture, is headed downtown. Police are still working to sort out what did or didn’t happen and where the victim is – there are still a few SPD cars near the building south of The Junction where the report originated.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Pacific Plumbing Supply sale

September 21, 2013 12:58 pm

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| Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

At the Pacific Plumbing Supply (WSB sponsor) tent sale in Highland Park, we asked PPS’s Dan Sherman if he would show us one of the most notable items not yet snapped up. That’s him in it – a $13,000+ walk-in jetted bathtub on sale for about a third that price. Same footprint as a standard bathtub. If you’re doing bathroom/kitchen remodeling/adding/etc., lots of other discounted items to browse too; sale’s on until 5 pm today, 9-5 tomorrow and, if anything’s left, 9-noon Monday, at 7115 West Marginal Way SW, on the southwest corner at the bottom of the Highland Park Way hill.

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West Seattle Whale Watch update: Orcas in the distance

September 21, 2013 10:12 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB PHOTO ADDED 4:30 PM: Caught 2 in the distance!)

10:12 AM: Just got a text (206-293-6302 any time!) that orcas are heading southbound from the Edmonds area, so you’ll want to keep an eye on our waters. Let us know if you see them – we’ll be on the lookout too.

10:31 AM: Text update says this group has about 20 orcas! Mid-channel.

12:15 PM: They’re not moving all that fast, apparently – newest text has them off Port Madison in north Kitsap County (map). But still southbound.

(PHOTO ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: Trileigh Tucker‘s photo shows orca & freight, research, WSF vessels)
1:52 PM: Finally coming into range, according to our text update – Bainbridge ferry lane. Let us know if/when you actually see them from here!

(WSB PHOTO ADDED 4:30 PM: Whale watchers at Emma Schmitz Overlook)
2:58 PM UPDATE: The orcas are now visible with binoculars looking north in that direction from Alki and Beach Drive, per commenters.

(PHOTO ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: Susan Coles‘ photo shows Donna Sandstrom, next to TWT sign)
4:24 PM UPDATE: We’ve just heard from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, who’s watching from south of Alki Point and says the orcas appear to be turning northbound, between Blake and Vashon. Doesn’t mean they won’t change direction again, she warns. Still far from this side, so bring binoculars.

SATURDAY EVENING NOTE: We’ve added photos. As for the whales – we got to go back and watch them as they headed northbound, and last saw them after 5 pm just going past Alki Point, though still close enough to the other side to require binoculars.

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West Seattle Saturday: Youngstown open house; WestFest day 2; Solar Tour; sales; WSHS-benefit car wash; more…

September 21, 2013 9:09 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo added: WSHS athletes’ car-wash crew)
Happy Saturday! Here are highlights from the list of what’s up today, via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ROAD-WORK ALERTS: Two reminders for the weekend – ramps from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge and Beacon Hill are closed until Monday morning, and pavement repair is scheduled today and tomorrow on East Marginal Way near Hanford.

SALES! 9 am-5 pm today (and again tomorrow), Pacific Plumbing Supply in Highland Park continues its annual tent sale, which it’s been advertising here on the WSB Event Calendar page to get the word out. Discounted fixtures include bathtubs, jetted tubs, kitchen sinks, toilets, more. (7115 W. Marginal Way SW) … Also, garage/yard-sale season isn’t quite over yet – there are a few listings in the Sales/Freebies section of the WSB Forums.

COMMUNITY CLEANUPS: Reminder that there are two today – Junction Plaza Park with the Junction Neighborhood Organization just started at 9 am, Walking on Logs (alongside the Fauntleroy end of the bridge) also a 9 am start – here’s our Friday reminder about both; every single participant (and all ages are welcome) makes a difference, including late arrivals!

BENEFIT CAR WASH: The West Seattle High School Girls’ Basketball and Volleyball Teams are raising money by washing cars at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) this weekend. Today’s hours: 10 am-1 pm. They’re raising money for new uniforms. (35th and Webster)

WESTFEST, DAY 2: Holy Rosary School‘s annual fall festival continues today, 10 am-10 pm. Ride, food, entertainment info is in our preview; here’s the story from our visit last night. (42nd/Genesee)

WEST SEATTLE SOLAR TOUR: Visit the tour stops 11 am-2 pm, including, as featured here, Bob Huppe‘s home, with a solar installation in tribute to his son Ben, who designed it before his untimely death. The West Seattle map is here.

THRIFTWAY BARBECUE: 11 am-~4 pm, the final benefit barbecue of the season at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – go have lunch and help local nonprofits! Look for the tent outside the store. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

STORYTIME: At Barnes & Noble at Westwood Village; here’s Melissa‘s update on today’s 11 am storytime:

We have an awesome Curious George storytime planned for Saturday! We’re going to read the original story introducing Curious George, and we have some fun activities planned, as well as some great stuff for kids to take home! Wearing red shirts in honor of our favorite monkey is optional, but highly encouraged!

YOUNGSTOWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER OPEN HOUSE: Go find out what happens inside the historic schoolhouse that is now the re-activated Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – open house 1-6 pm, performances 6-9 pm, food trucks in the parking lot all day; here’s the event page on Facebook. P.S. And there’s a dance party at 9:30 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CHILD-CARE CONCERNS? Organize! Public meeting at 1:30 pm at Delridge Library – details in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

SWYFS GALA: Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ gala fundraiser starts at 5:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, with guest speaker former Sen. Tom Daschle; details in our calendar listing. (9131 California SW)

THE HOLLANDS @ KENYON HALL: “Merrymaking nomads” stop for the night at West Seattle’s historic Kenyon Hall, with a 7:30 pm performance – details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

SPOKEN WORD/PHOTOGRAPHY AT TWILIGHT: apertureSTOP! at 8 pm at Twilight Gallery – details in our calendar listing. (Alaska just west of California)

OKTOBERFEST: Elliott Bay Brewery Pub in The Junction celebrates it today/tonight (including live music 6-9 pm), as reported in our West Seattle Food Notes roundup earlier this week. (4720 California SW)

Even more nightlife on our calendar …

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High-school football: West Seattle over Franklin, 26-12

September 21, 2013 1:44 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Photos and summary by Lawrence Kane
Special to West Seattle Blog

At Memorial Stadium downtown, the West Seattle High School Wildcats defeated the Franklin Quakers 26-12 Friday night to begin league play on a high note.

The grueling, three-hours-and-20-minutes game was marred by eight injury timeouts and countless penalties, yet the team persevered to earn their first win of the season.

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