West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(“Walk All Ways” signage in 1956; click image to see full-size Seattle Muni Archives photo)
It’s not often news when a traffic signal is tweaked. But in this case, we’ve now received several reader reports of a sequencing change at the most-famous intersection in West Seattle – and since tomorrow is usually its busiest day of the week, with Farmers’ Market shoppers and brunchgoers (among others), we’re sharing the FYI. First word came from Kathleen, who explained:
The sequence of red/ green lights and “walk” signs has changed sequence. I walk up to the Junction nearly every day and it has always been: green light going east on Alaska across Calif.: then green light going west; and then green light for the traffic going north/south on Calif; THEN the walk all 4 ways signal.
(Thursday) I couldn’t figure why so many cars were running through the intersection at the wrong times. I almost missed going across the street because I was waiting for the north/south traffic to go before me. It has been changed so the 4-way walk is now BEFORE north/ south cars can go. Confusing to anyone who has done it the old way forever!
We’ll be asking SDOT about this on Monday.
P.S. The history of “Walk All Ways” here is part of this HistoryLink.org essay about The Junction, which says it was installed in 1952, removed in 1974, brought back in 1988.
Last time we featured undersea video from “Diver Laura” James – observing a curious octopus – we heard clamors for more. Laura has obliged, inviting us to share the clip you see above, which she titled “Beneath a Dark Sea.” Yes, these are local waters – Cove 2, right off Seacrest.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ever wish for advance alert of an upcoming meteor shower/eclipse/etc. – and/or wonder “What’s that bright ‘star’ up there?” This should help. It’s our periodic feature by West Seattle’s own Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen, famed for her solstice/equinox sunset watches, among other things.
(Friday’s moon, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog
Eclipses! We have eclipses this month! Don’t miss them, if the clouds part: This Wednesday, early morning (October 8th), lunar, and October 23rd, solar.
Hey, what’s that?
Clouds. I’m betting you saw clouds. As the rainy windstorms of fall come in, we lose some of our night skies. We’ll get a few sparkly-clear nights in winter again, but we’re into the time of year where you take what you can get. Enjoy the way the clouds make for some amazing sunsets.
Although Saturn and Mars are both still beautiful in the evening sky and Arcturus is also visible higher in the West, Capella is probably the most striking object in tonight’s sky. It is that this star always seems to sparkle and twinkle just a bit more than most other stars.
Just before the Sun rises, you’ll be unable to miss Jupiter shining low in the East. Orion is rising a bit South of Jupiter, and Sirius will be twinkling like crazy closer to the horizon than that.
Safe Eclipse Viewing
12:16 PM: The sale is on at California and Myrtle, half a block east of Gatewood Elementary, whose families are trying to raise $90,000 in a matter of days to keep a teacher – if you missed our earlier stories, here are the Thursday (with 100 comments) and Friday reports. All ages are helping out, from facepainting …
… to beverage-pouring …
Laura posed with the apple-shaped tote board as things got going after 10 am:
While we were there, somebody gave them a drive-up donation:
They say they’ll be out as long as possible.
2 PM UPDATE: Organizers say they have raised $35,500 so far, including “an anonymous $10,000 donation.”
3:15 PM UPDATE: Just in from Gatewood parent Kevin Kincade:
Both the Feedback Lounge and The Bridge will have donation boxes to support the Friends of Gatewood tonight. Go and have a drink and kick in a few extra bucks to help save a teacher. It’s a win-win! This is to support their cause of raising $90,000 in order to save a teacher at the school. Any and all donations will be appreciated. Thanks!
Kevin adds, “And one more update — they are in their last hour at the bake sale now (3:15) so come by and get some goodies before we shut down.”
Just as we were adding this update, we received a photo from Sam with donation collectors at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor):
We’ve had a few other community-contributed photos come in, and we’ll be adding to the story.
4:59 PM: We’re told that Beveridge Place Pub has joined the list above of nearby establishments that will have donation boxes tonight.
ADDED LATE SATURDAY: An update and thanks from Nicole Sipila:
We had an amazing day. Many times I was brought to tears and for those folks who know me, that is not an easy feat.
In the bank, as of 4:00 closing time, we have collected $35,300.00 We also have approx. $8,500.ish coming back to the school from a grant that the PTA made last year, so that would put us at $43,000ish to our ultimate goal of $90,000!
Yes, we had one anonymous donor with a check for $10,000. Another for $5000 and yet another for $1000!!!! I was moved to tears at all of these checks! But I was even more emotional about some of the small moments that happened today.
First, we had an amazing parent, teacher turnout. Bringing baked goods and just handing us cash, saying, “Keep it. If you don’t make your goal, do something great with the money for the kids.”
Also, one set of parents who happen to be foster parents, who had heard that many of the GW teachers would be contributing $500 and they wanted to match that amount. Then I learn that these are foster parents of a child at GW that might be going back to birth parents at the end of the month and they didn’t want a refund if we don’t meet our goal! “Keep it, do something good with it!” Yes, I was a teary mess.
We had some ADORABLE little Gators who were standing on the corners collecting drive by donations. They had walked down toward Thriftway and passed by the Real Change vendor that hangs out by McDonald’s. This man, who doesn’t have much himself, gave these children a dollar. I am tearing up just writing this.
Plus all the other small moments, the Schmitz Park 1st grade teacher (young and new to the district) who stopped by with friends who just wanted “to support us and our teachers.” And all the other schools who posted our event on their web sites (STEM and Fairmount Park) and the parents of other schools who stopped by to drop off small donations just to say, “We support you.”
I am truly blessed to be apart of this community and am amazed at the generously of friends and strangers.
(WSB photo: Cookbook editors Joan & Joey arranging stacks at LHM on Friday)
Get ’em while they’re hot! Copies of “Apron Strings,” a brand-new local cookbook, are officially on sale. This weekend, you can buy it during regular hours at the Log House Museum (noon-4 pm Saturdays, Sundays, and Thursdays and Fridays) – or maybe you’ll be at the LHM for the volunteer orientation today (11 am-1 pm) and get yours then – or, look for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market tomorrow. And get busy making recipes like this one:
Here’s the SWSHS announcement about “Apron Strings”:
Just in time for Thanksgiving meal planning and the search for a unique holiday gift, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is releasing a new, home-grown cookbook.
“Apron Strings: Recipes and Recollections from the Duwamish Peninsula” is a 180-page paperback with 114 recipes from 49 local residents. Stories accompany many of the recipes, and the book is laced with 16 photos from the historical society’s archive.
Editors of the cookbook are three longtime members of the historical society: Dayle Banks, Joey Richesson (former board secretary) and Joan Stover (former board treasurer). The cover features a colorful, quilted vintage apron from Merrilee Hagen, past president of the historical society.
“Apron Strings,” priced at $25, is on sale at the historical society’s “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum. It also will have its public debut from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at a table at the West Seattle Farmers Market in The Junction.
Net proceeds will go to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.
Three years in the making, “Apron Strings” is “no ordinary cookbook,” the editors write in the book’s preface. “It is a collection of recipes that reflect the history and culture of Duwamish Peninsula families and friends. … Entwined with the details for sifting, stirring, baking and frying are the stories of the people and circumstances surrounding the dishes, the family traditions of meals and snacks, and the community history of food that is uniquely West Seattle, White Center and beyond.”
(Harbor seal photographed by Robert Spears)
Leaping into the weekend … lots going on, so we’re going to be quick about everything and point you to the full-details links. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and coverage archives:
TLC FOR LINCOLN PARK: 9 am, meet Friends of Lincoln Park at the park’s Fauntleroy/Rose kiosk to help remove invasive plants to get ready for a planting session next month.
BAKE/LEMONADE SALE TO CROWDFUND A TEACHER: 10 am and for as long as they can keep going, Gatewood Elementary parents are planning “the biggest bake sale imaginable” (lemonade, face painting expected too) as they try to crowdfund to cover the salary of a teacher their school otherwise will lose – here’s our report from last night; original Thursday report here. (California/Myrtle)
DROP OFF ART FOR SOUTHWEST LIBRARY SHOWCASE: 10 am-6 pm,
last chance to drop off up to 3 items for the Southwest Branch Library Community Artist Showcase, which starts tomorrow. (35th/Henderson)
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AT LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: 11 am-1 pm, find out how to help the home of West Seattle’s history, as a volunteer for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. History expertise NOT required. (61st/Stevens)
LEARN TO BE QUAKE-RESISTANT: 11 am, free city-presented workshop at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library on making your home earthquake-resistant – but as announced in August, registration is required, so check to see if there’s room, before you go. (2306 42nd SW)
BARTON P-PATCH FALL FESTIVAL: Noon-4 pm, celebrate fall, food, and community at the Barton Street P-Patch – including a chance to enjoy pizza from the on-site oven! Details in our preview. (34th/Barton)
WEST SEATTLE SOLAR TOUR: Noon-4 pm, self-guided tour to see West Seattle homes that might inspire you to check out solar power.
RAINWISE AT FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE: The RainWise program (WSB sponsor) might be able to get you a raingarden with a rebate. Your next chance to find out about it is 2-4 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Refreshments! (9131 California SW)
SPIDERS OF THE DUWAMISH: 2 pm, find out, with a talk at the Duwamish Longhouse and a walk at Herring House Park, why spiders are friends, not foes!
(Orb spider! Photo by Myrtle)
Details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
MANHATTAN SHORT-FILM FESTIVAL: 4 pm, 10 short films at the historic Admiral Theater – details in our calendar listing. (2343 California SW)
FLY-FISHING DEMO: 4-7 pm, free event focused on fly fishing on the water, from kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Details in our calendar listing. (Seacrest, 1660 Harbor SW)
(Friday night sunset, by Chris Frankovich)
FAMILY FUN NIGHT: 5:30-8:30 pm, Dance! West Seattle at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (lower floor) presents this annual tradition on a Saturday, for the first time:
*Free Event with Live DJ Paul Thompson of Star 101.5!
*Hula Hoop contest, Specialty Dances, and more
*Bring your $$$ for Pizza, Pop, and Cookie, Silent Auction, Raffles, Cakewalks, Face Painting, all to help raise funds to keep our Concert Dancers performing free of charge in the community!
*Buy 10 raffle Tickets, get one free@ only $1 apiece!
*Any Donations to our Concert Dancers are tax deductible
(9131 California SW)
RAISING AWARENESS, $ TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 5:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, big slate of performers putting on “Red Light Revolution 2.0” – details in our preview. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FIGHT MS WITH THE WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND: 7 pm, dance with the West Seattle Big Band at the Senior Center of West Seattle, and raise money to fight MS – an event inspired by a band member living with MS, as explained in our preview. (Oregon/California)
LAST EVENING PERFORMANCE OF ‘THE MOUNTAINTOP’: 7:30 pm, second-to-last performance (final evening show) of the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) production of “The Mountaintop.” (4711 California SW)
NIGHTLIFE! Lots of listings on the calendar.
ONE LAST NOTE: Earlier this week, King County announced it would start working on Saturdays to accelerate excavation for the Murray Combined-Sewer Overflow Control Project’s million-gallon tank. Change in plan – instead of starting today, the Saturday sessions will start NEXT weekend, on October 11th.
Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery in Admiral early today, and we just received details via this reader report from Edward:
Three local West Seattle teens were assaulted and robbed by another group of older youths near Hiawatha park & the Safeway in Admiral area a little after midnight (early Saturday am) Oct 4th.
The boys, who all grew up here and attended Lafayette, Washington Middle School & currently attend Garfield (two) & Sealth (one), had met to hang out and get some snacks at Safeway when they were stalked by a gang of four sketchier looking males, one wearing a beanie with long curly hair.
The first blow was a sucker punch from behind that split the victims lip open, and he yelled “They punched me!” to warn the other two boys. But two of the attackers tackled and slammed the second victim to the ground, bloodying his nose and causing a large swollen contusion on the forehead from the impact.
The criminals then stole his red down vest with a K2 Snowboard logo on the chest, his new Galaxy S5 smartphone (worth over $700), and his wallet that contained an Orca bus pass, Debit Card, Garfield School ID, and a few various gift cards along with $5 cash. The third victim eluded his pursuer and ran across to the PCC, which was closed.
After regrouping, the boys contacted their parents and then the Seattle Police. SPD Officer Steiger is handling the case: Incident #14-331689. Please contact him if you have any further information regarding this violent assault & theft.
(Photos & video by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Chief Sealth International High School‘s defense was the star of their 47-6 homecoming win over Franklin last night at Southwest Athletic Complex. But the whole team emerged with energy – watch our short Instagram clip to the end:
Loading
Since it was homecoming, that was just the start of the festivities, which also featured the band, directed by Marcus Pimpleton:
They marched onto the field before the game right behind the cheer squad:
And showed off new moves at halftime:
The game was already 27-0 by halftime, by the way. But backtracking to the start of play:
Starting with recovering a fumble (photo above) for the first score of the game, it was the defense who managed to hold Franklin to a single touchdown- a run back of the second-half kickoff. Among the Sealth players who scored TDs, #5 Alloney Burris:
And #23 Czai Terrell:
Though a consistent ground game put up most of the points, Sealth’s passing game had some major gains against Franklin. #12 Weston Reed passed to #3 Jalonzo Smallwood for one of the Seahawks’ TDs. Here’s Reed in another play, with #30 Heriberto DeLuna:
In addition to the homecoming revelry, the night also brought birthday wishes for #59 Sam Tino:
This was the season’s second win for the Seahawks and head coach Simon Iniguez.
A road game is next up for Sealth, vs. Ingraham, 7 pm Friday at Northwest Athletic Complex.
One local varsity-football team played on the road Friday night – West Seattle High School. At Memorial Stadium downtown, Roosevelt blanked the Wildcats, 39-0. Next Friday, WSHS hosts Cleveland, 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex.
| 24 COMMENTS