West Seattle, Washington
06 Friday
They’re not quite burning the midnight oil, but close. Local emergency-preparedness volunteers will be in view at Ercolini Park west of The Junction and Hiawatha Playfield (above) in Admiral until about 10 pm tonight as part of a citywide drill. We stopped at both before sunset. The drill scenario: A BIG quake, with the Neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs on Day 3, working to communicate information and procure help. Listen in to a snippet from Hiawatha:
We listened in for a bit at Ercolini too:
Ham-radio operators are on site at each participating hub this time for the first time, according to West Seattle Be Prepared.
Volunteers of all ages were welcome, and were assigned roles including “greeter” and “message taker” all to be ready just in case the unthinkable happens and the hubs have to be set up because other ways of communication aren’t working:
That was the whiteboard at Hiawatha, which we visited a while after our stop at Ercolini:
While these were the only two hubs “activated” for tonight’s drill, West Seattle has ten others – check this map to find the one closest to you:
And learn more about the hubs at westseattlebeprepared.org.
As promised: Here’s why the Seafair Pirates turned up in the middle of our West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day coverage (9th photo). We were out photographing sales when a tip caused us to change course and set sail for Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where the Pirates were arriving for their annual photo shoot – Moby Duck and all.
It won’t be long until they’re back, this time arriving by sea – the annual Seafair Pirates Landing at Alki Beach is only seven weeks from today, on Saturday, June 27th.
You’ll also see them in the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday, July 18th. And you never know when and where else … keep a weather eye on the horizon (or, at least, your rear-view mirror)!
Lots of kindhearted people out and about on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, with benefit sales and post-sale donations. The generosity includes what these kids did, setting up shop along California SW in Gatewood to sell lemonade and treats to help earthquake survivors in Nepal!
They were only out for three hours this morning but they were able to raise $180 for Nepal SEEDS, according to Sandy, who shared the photos afterward, explaining that their friend Cris Miller, a West Seattleite, is on the group’s board, and that Nepal SEEDS is “in major fundraising mode to assist in earthquake relief and re-building in the villages they work in.”
If you’re a seller with leftovers and you’d rather donate them than bring them back in the house – or, if you just happen to have stuff you don’t want – we have a list of organizations hoping to reap some benefits from the aftermath of the biggest West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day ever. Here’s the list – from that list, who’s collecting RIGHT NOW:
BOOKS FOR WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Look for the truck and the sign until 6 pm today across from Junction True Value (44th/Edmunds); other donation places and times are on the list.
SENIOR CENTER’S STOP ‘N’ SHOP: On the alley at California/Oregon behind the Senior Center of West Seattle, until 7 pm tonight, again 10 am-3 pm on Sunday, donate your re-sellable items.
NORTHWEST CENTER: The Big Blue Truck is at 44th/Edmunds until 6:30 pm today. Here’s what they do and don’t take.
ALKI ELEMENTARY ‘CLOTHES FOR THE CAUSE’: You can drop off donations at Alki Elementary School until 8 pm tonight – there’s a small window tomorrow too. (3010 59th SW)
*The Tool Library and Holy Rosary’s donation drive are going until 4 pm today – again, check for other dates/times by going here.
LINKS: Web map here * Printable list/map here * Benefit sales here * Donation drives here
FIRST UPDATE, 9 AM: Good morning! Our as-it-happens coverage of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2015 is under way. You never know what you’ll find – check out what we discovered (above and below) when we checked out setup at multi-seller Sale #21, C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW)
We’re on the road stopping by sales for photos while WSCGSD continues until 3 pm. Unusual items? Unusual happenings? Send pics to garagesale@westseattleblog.com.
Sale #5 in Arbor Heights gets most creative signage so far. 3554 SW 110th pic.twitter.com/CjDzMgJsZ8
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 9, 2015
9:13 AM: We’re starting in the south – more sales this year in Arbor Heights than before (of course, overall, we have more sales than ever before – the recordsetting 340+ is up 25% from last year). Above, the #DUH is for Sale #5, which is swarmed, and billed on another pole as “PLEASE BUY OUR STUFF.” (added) Sale hosts, Kerry and Steve:
Next, we’re headed to Sale #15 at Arbor Heights Adult Family Home (10842 35th SW), with proceeds benefiting the NW Parkinson’s Foundation:
9:27 AM UPDATE: Another benefit sale just sent a photo – Sale #46 at Dance! West Seattle, on the north side of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (4320 SW Director St.):
They note, “We’ve got costumes, toys, clothes, and a bake sale.” Next, a photo from Katie at Sale #322:
Katie says, “Sale happening at 4127 49th Ave Sw (dead-end block of 49th off Dakota) is selling plants to raise money for the Children’s Garden. Stop by!” Next, we stopped by Sale #91 to say hi to Allison in High Point:
She is at 2812 SW Graham. Note that the map software seems to have trouble with High Point, so be extra-sure to go by street addresses, not just map markers.
HOUR 2 BEGINS, 10:04 AM: We’re in the Alki area after getting a tip about a Seafair Pirates sighting.
More on that later. En route now to Sale #282, the northernmost sale on the map. When they advertised an old Hotpoint range, they REALLY meant “old”:
That sale is at a beach cottage on Duwamish Head, at 1258 Alki SW. From the mailbox, Jill says, “Come say hi to Huck at Sale #197!”
Jill and Huck are at 4048 56th Ave SW. Which reminds us that the hosts of Sale #320 at 3278 41st Ave SW invite you to come meet their bunny.
10:26 AM: We’re at West Seattle High School, Sale #270 on the map, which is having a benefit sale to raise money for Grad Night, a fun time that helps make sure seniors survive the night after graduation.
Perhaps you’d be interested in a classic West Seattle 5K T-shirt?
This year’s race, by the way (co-sponsored by WSB), is one week from tomorrow – Sunday, May 17th, 9 am, on Alki. Meantime, from the mailbox, Susan sends a photo from Sale #159:
Remember, you can click on any line on the list at the right side of the online map, and that’ll open a bubble with the address AND description. Susan’s description also mentions tools and exercise equipment.
11:02 AM UPDATE: Hour #3 of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is under way. Our most-recent stops include the West Seattle Tool Library, which is on the north side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge (4408 Delridge Way SW):
On the map, the Tool Library is Sale #335. And they’re accepting donations as well as selling items – the award-winning WSTL, in fact, launched several years ago with tools in part procured during WSCGSD.
Kiley is with Furry Faces Foundation at the @hotwirecoffee courtyard for WSCGSD. Hot dogs, muffins, popcorn! pic.twitter.com/zDTiMVJhfa
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 9, 2015
11:30 AM: We’re in The Junction. Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) is the biggest multi-seller site every WSCGSD, with dozens of sellers who also spill into the Ginomai parking lot across the alley to the east – Sale #183. It’s also steps away from the West Seattle Eagles‘ Auxiliary sale to the south – Sale #182 (4426 California SW). Can’t miss the sign!
This is an outdoor AND indoor sale:
Also in The Junction:
In the newly improved parking lot at the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), it’s Sale #300, hosted by Amethyst Chapter #138, Order of Eastern Star. And from the mailbox – Sara says Sale #347 “is off to a good start”:
She’s at 2201 SW Holden. Back to the west, at 6040 California SW:
Garage Sale Day at the OJ, 1000+ items, electronics, toys, kitchen, books, DVDs @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/lRdvJaTASK
— OfficeJunction (@OfficeJunction) May 9, 2015
West Seattle’s only co-working space, WS Office Junction (free all next week, by the way – look for more on that later), is on the map too – Sale #77.
12:29 PM: We’re halfway through Hour 4 already. Had to stop down for lunch – options abound (in addition to the F3-benefit hot dogs at Hotwire, mentioned above) – we went to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), which happens to be having one of its spring/summer benefit barbecues today, burger or hot dog, chips, drink, proceeds to fight MS. And on the west side of the Thriftway lot, you’ll find Sale #71, which is a lemonade/bake sale and donation drive for Pathfinder K-8 (more details here):
Not far south of there, at Sale #97 in Gatewood, via e-mail:
Writes Christine, “Cooper is welcoming shoppers at 6741 38th Ave SW! A secretary desk and dining by table and chairs are hoping to find a new home.” Continuing south to Westwood:
@westseattleblog set up at spot 106, 32nd Ave! #westseattle #garagesale pic.twitter.com/O7CcvLS6bc
— B-Rex (@monkeylatina) May 9, 2015
The tweet is from Sale #106 at 8633 32nd SW. Another tweet, from east of The Junction:
Moving to SF, CA Spot 102 #WestSeattleGarageSale @westseattleblog 4853 37th Ave SW – pic.twitter.com/d9DSb942JR
— Laura0419 (@laura0419) May 9, 2015
Lots of moving sales today, and that’s one of ’em, Sale #102 at 4853 37th SW. Meantime, an indoor sale if you want to get out of the sun for a few – including cooking pots, drink glasses, more:
Who needs pots! @westseattleblog Garage Sale at American Legion 3618 SW Alaska street pic.twitter.com/1XRCe5EebF
— Robin Eckstein (@RobinEckstein) May 9, 2015
Sale 109 is in The Triangle, 3618 SW Alaska, American Legion Post 160/West Seattle Veteran Center (look for the cannon out front).
1:17 PM UPDATE: Hour 5! We’re back on the road, headed first to Highland Park – saw a sign promising an “epic sale” at 12th/Othello, and we believe that’ll be Sale #329. … And indeed it was.
“10 years in the making!” as the sign said:
We then found the sign for Sale #332, easternmost sale on our map, in the remote eastern reaches of Highland Park:
Easternmost sale – sale 332 – 7343 7th Pl pic.twitter.com/T9HKlMI7Cx
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 9, 2015
Also in Highland Park – two sales just a block apart, Sale #327 at 15th/Trenton:
And uphill to the east, Sale #350 at 14th/Trenton:
Checking the mailbox – Sale #42 relocated to 40th and Morgan, 6351 40th Ave SW to be specific – “Lots of kids’ stuff, vintage Pendleton blankets and, of course, lemonade!”
The lemonade’s a good idea – it’s getting hot out here. (For Seattle in May, anyway.) Just saw someone walk by with an umbrella … for shade! Also from the mailbox, in the Alki area, Elle is at Sale #295, 2485 55th SW:
She says, “I’m the only one on my street but I’ve got some goodies! Several 3/$1, 2/$5, 3/$5 etc. Accepting best offers as we are moving.”
2 PM UPDATE: Last hour, already – did you see Alison, an independent consultant with Thirty-One Gifts, when you stopped by C & P? If not, go back!
She’s having a gift certificate giveaway and is independently registered as Sale #87 (5612 California SW, out front of C&P). Meantime, we’re also hearing from shoppers:
Karen sent that photo and noted, “This is the haul my son found at his first garage sale of the day.”
2:45 PM UPDATE: We made one last stop, the Delta Kappa Gamma benefit sale at 8436 Fauntleroy Way SW, across from Lincoln Park:
And we just received this via e-mail, from Lee at Sale #174, 4420 46th SW:
Good day so far! Had an middle school friend show up! (pic attached)
Planning on selling until 4:30-5 with another sale tomorrow. I left a box with jewelry inside on accident, so that’s new here. Also still some musical equipment, tables, board games and records for sale. Met a lot of neighbors. Phew! What a day!
That’s what we always love to hear each year – WSCGSD giving neighbors a chance to see each other face to face. It’s been a beautiful day; thanks to all the sellers and shoppers. Now it’s the afterparty … a boon for local nonprofits accepting donations of leftovers (or items non-sellers want to donate) … separate story to come. Since West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is always on the second Saturday in May, next year it will be May 14, 2016.
8:19 AM: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state-ferry run is back to three boats this morning. But it’s at lower-than-usual capacity; the once-retired Evergreen State has been added to partly make up for the Issaquah’s move to the Bainbridge Island run while M/V Tacoma is repaired after its Friday afternoon breakdown. The 3-boat schedule is here, noting that the run is now being handled by Cathlamet, Tillikum, and Evergreen State; we’ll update this story if anything else changes during the course of the day.
2:14 PM: We’re seeing the Fauntleroy Way ferry lane alongside Lincoln Park, and that reminds us to update this with WSF’s note that most runs are about half an hour later than scheduled time, so far.
(Photo from ready-in-advance Sale #28 – “plants, plants, plants” – sale pics: garagesale@westseattleblog.com)
Happy West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2015! The key links, again, before we also list what else is happening:
–More than 340 sales, of all sizes, all over West Seattle, 9 am-3 pm!
–Clickable, searchable online map here
–Downloadable/printable list/guide/map here
–Donation drives listed here (not just for sale aftermath – some are collecting through the day, in case you want to buy and donate, or aren’t having a sale but have stuff to unload, and some are collecting after today, too)
–As-it-happens coverage to come (and a few more key links)! But first, a look at what else is up today/tonight:
STAMP OUT HUNGER: Whatever you’re doing today, before you head out, fill a bag with food for the National Association of Letter Carriers‘ annual collection, and put it by your mailbox, mailslot, wherever your letter carrier delivers/picks up.
NEPAL SEEDS BENEFIT LEMONADE/TREAT STAND: 9 am-noon, lemonade/bake sale, as previewed here. (7800 block California SW)
MEET ‘RAINWISE’ CONTRACTORS: 10 am-noon at Highland Park Improvement Club (which has been honored for its sustainability innovations!), find out more about RainWise and meet contractors who install raingardens and/or cisterns, for which you might be eligible for a rebate. (12th/Holden)
MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS’ FIRST ANNIVERSARY: 10 am-5 pm, the upscale-kid-stuff-resale shop in south Morgan Junction celebrates its first birthday by throwing you a party – details in our calendar listing. (6959 California SW)
ALKI WALK TO HELP SHAPE FUTURE TOUR: 10:30 am, meet up at the Log House Museum to join a walk that’s billed as a “scouting expedition” as the museum creates the definitive Alki walking tour, with your input – as explained here. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE STORY TIME: 11:30 am at Delridge Branch Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
OPENING RECEPTION AND ARTIST TALK: For Katherine Arquette, Native Kaleidoscope Collection, at the Duwamish Longhouse, 1 pm – details here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
AFTERNOON TEA AT TIBBETTS: 2-4 pm, a first-of-its-kind afternoon tea at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) – details here. (3940 41st SW)
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION HUBS DRILL: 5-10 pm, the Emergency Communication Hubs around the city are participating in a quake-scenario drill, including two in West Seattle (Hiawatha and Ercolini). Details in our preview.
SOUTHSIDE REVOLUTION JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY: Doubleheader starts at 5:30 pm at Southgate Roller Rink – explained here. (9646 17th SW)
GARY BENSON, LIVE: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
BARNYARD MUSICAL MYSTERY, FINAL PERFORMANCE: 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, the final performance of Lafayette Elementary‘s musical, as previewed here. (2600 SW Thistle)
MUSIC OF WEEZER, U2, GUNS & ROSES: 9 pm, all-ages show at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REALLY, THERE’S MORE … see it here.
| 1 COMMENT