UPDATE: Major Beach Drive emergency response; reports of ‘parachuter’ into the water, but apparently just balloons

(Reader photo)
10:04 PM UPDATE: A big contingent of Seattle Fire and Police is headed by land and sea to Beach Drive/Genesee (map), where a caller reported seeing “a parachuter” go into the water. More to come.

10:10 PM UPDATE: Scanner now indicates that more than one person saw this and called it in. Rescue crews who are arriving are setting up lights and other equipment in hopes of finding out where the person is.

(Photos from here by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli unless otherwise credited)
If you have the water in view, you’ll see multiple vessels; the U.S. Coast Guard is joining in the search, too.

10:20 PM UPDATE: They haven’t found anyone yet, but are continuing to coordinate every search tool/strategy they possibly can. We have a crew arriving on scene, but in the meantime, thanks to the neighbor who sent the photo we’ve added above.

10:28 PM UPDATE: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli is at the scene and we’re adding two photos from him inline above. Via scanner, still no word of anyone being found. The Coast Guard is planning to use aerial flares “to illuminate the area.” (Photo added)

(Christopher’s photo substituted for earlier reader photo showing flare)
There’s also word they might need to shift the search further north.

If you’re seeing emergency vehicles at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, they are staging there in case someone is found and needs to be transported to medic unit on shore. Also, please AVOID Beach Drive in that area – it’s blocked by the rescue vehicles and they’re still trying to get police to help with traffic.

10:36 PM: They’ve found a bunch of balloons and believe that’s what people saw. But they’re still checking the water in case.

10:41 PM: They’re fairly sure that’s what it was – a large bunch of “mylar balloons” – and some of the units are being dismissed now.

11:01 PM: Even more units have left, and Beach Drive is reopening to traffic.

1:10 AM: We’ve continued to monitor; the balloon discovery definitely closed the call. Both SPD and SFD had vessels on the water, but the latter tells us the former found the balloons.

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VIDEO: Watch this octopus moving along West Seattle shore

June 14, 2015 9:52 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo and video courtesy Vlad Oustimovitch)
On the rocky shores off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4503 Beach Drive SW) at low tide today, Vlad Oustimovitch and other beach explorers were mesmerized by the sight of that small – he guessed maybe a foot and a half – ~~Giant Pacific Octopus~~ octopus, as it headed toward the water, and then arrived, as Vlad’s two short clips show:

The lowest low tide will be even lower the next two days – per our favorite long-range chart, -2.3 feet at 10:42 am tomorrow, -2.5 feet at 11:23 am tomorrow.

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Another cleanup: Cables, blocks left by protest barge in dive zone to be removed Monday

June 14, 2015 8:38 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news

8:38 PM: Before the “Solar Pioneer” protest barge moved to its spot off Don Armeni Boat Ramp, you might recall, it originally anchored further east, off Seacrest. That brought some concerns about possible danger to divers and damage to wildlife, so it moved; “Diver Laura” James was involved with making that happen, and now reports that the blocks and cables left behind in the “Cove 2” area will be removed tomorrow. You’ll see them in her video, embedded above (it has music and explanatory captioning). She explains: “Seacrest Park Cove 2 is the most popular dive site in Seattle, home to the world’s largest octopus and numerous other varieties of marine life. When the tide changed, the cable attached from the anchor blocks to the barge overhead swept across the underwater landscape, damaging the fragile habitat and destroying the homes of underwater creatures. When it was noted that damage was occurring, the cables were dropped and the barge was moved further towards Duwamish Head. The blocks and cable are slated for removal on Monday by Global Diving & Salvage, Inc., thanks to Washington State Department of Natural Resources, GUE Seattle, concerned individuals … and the Northwest Dive Community at large, who took note and voiced concern.” A spokesperson for those responsible for the barge told The Seattle Times last month that “We clearly didn’t have any intention of doing damage to a dive park. It was an honest mistake.” We’re checking on who’s covering the cleanup cost.

9:01 PM: We won’t be able to get a direct answer on that any sooner than tomorrow but there’s more backstory in this post on the Northwest Dive Club website (intended primarily to warn divers away from the area tomorrow, but also explaining why).

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5,000 fewer butts on the beach: Seal Sitters’ Alki cleanup

June 14, 2015 4:23 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Photo by Eilene Hutchinson)
That’s part of what Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network, friends, and volunteers found during their Alki Beach cleanup Saturday morning. From Robin Lindsey:

After learning that 360 billion cigarette butts are discarded each year in the US (you can just imagine the numbers worldwide!), volunteers spread out along Alki Beach and the sidewalks with buckets and bags. They returned with over 5,000 butts and amassed a large amount of trash in under two hours. Passersby were astounded and very grateful. People in cars yelled out their support as they drove by the dedicated people plucking up all sorts of toxic and dangerous trash along the street.

Before heading out, the volunteers got educational encouragement:

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)

Daoud Miller from Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalists (photo above) spoke briefly to more than 80 volunteers, asking them to make sure to hceck trash before removing it in case an invertebrate had claimed it as “home.” He was available all morning to engage with participants and inform them about the small critters that live along the shoreline. Peggy Foreman, education specialist from NOAA, talked passionately about the Arroyos gray whale who died in 2010 with a disturbing amount of human trash in his stomach.

Seal Sitters, Seattle Parks and Recreation, ACC and PAWS (co-sponsors of the event) thank everyone who helped make the beach safer for marine life yesterday!

More photos and details from Saturday are in Robin’s full report on Seal Sitters’ blubberblog website.

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Congratulations! A’s are West Seattle Baseball’s Bronco champs

June 14, 2015 3:17 pm

| Comments Off on Congratulations! A’s are West Seattle Baseball’s Bronco champs

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

More congratulations as youth sports leagues’ seasons end: Thanks to Nicole Zerbato, league secretary for West Seattle Baseball, for sharing the photo and report on the league’s Bronco Division champions, the A’s:

Congratulations to the A’s on winning the 2015 West Seattle Baseball Bronco Championship. Led by Coach Perry Brown, the boys often heard “ play like you are down by one run “ and “are you having fun out there?” These often-heard mantras, plus top-notch offense, defense, and teamwork, are what kept the A’s in the winning bracket throughout the playoffs, and allowed them to clinch first place. Outstanding season and hard work by the players and coaches.

In the photo, L-R: Conner Diede, Ethan Levine, Max Zerbato, Charlie Odiorne, Jesse Brown, Noah Kubo, Gabe Palmer, Carson Manns, Abe Odiorne, Steve Zurek. Missing from photo: Deni Tonn and Quinn Kerwin.

(WSB sports coverage is archived here, newest-to-oldest.)

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5 weeks till West Seattle Garden Tour: Poster artist honored

June 14, 2015 1:53 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Gardening | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

One more scene from this month’s West Seattle Art Walk, this past Thursday: Winning 2015 West Seattle Garden Tour poster artist Gretchen Flickinger was honored. Her work was on display at West Seattle Windermere in The Junction; that’s where WSGT president Jan Clow presented her with the $500 check for winning. (That’s the poster art behind them.) This year’s WSGT (co-sponsored by WSB) is on Sunday, July 19th; your ticket book gets you admission to nine great gardens (and includes their locations) plus Phil Wood‘s midday lecture on garden design. You’ll soon be able to buy yours at West Seattle Nursery or Junction True Value.

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PHOTOS: West Seattle Farmers’ Market debuts in new street location

June 14, 2015 10:57 am

| 36 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

10:57 AM: “This rocks!” That’s the first comment we heard today from a visitor to the newly relocated West Seattle Farmers’ Market (WSB sponsor), on until 2 pm in the middle of California Avenue SW between Oregon and Alaska. As first published here last week, here’s the vendor map:

The move has been months in the making, officially – but it’s also been a years-long dream for some, with the knowledge that it brings more space for more vendors and more local nonprofits, plus more room for shoppers to roam, and more chances to show off The Junction’s bricks-and-mortar businesses to WSFM visitors. More photos to come, but better yet, just go see for yourself!

P.S. Transportation notes – ~~only one bus route is affected, the 22~~; for vehicle parking, while the market block is off-limits until about 4 pm, the 45-space lot that formerly held the market is open; for bicycle parking, remember the “corral” on the southeast corner of California/Alaska. Also, east-west streets are all open, including Alaska and Oregon themselves.

2:43 PM: Adding photos. Above, the fresh produce is the star of the show this time of year. But as noted in our preview, you’ll find food trucks too – that made it a hit for Sammy and Annika, whose mom Lori shared the photo:

The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is back for summer appearances – we found them right by the south end at California/Alaska:

And we happened onto Ivy from market staff, with WSFM buttons:

(added) From MercyMoi, “August is making a necklace with beautiful paper beads”:

MM adds, “The artist (and farmers market rep) showed us how to make the beads, so I expect many textured jewelry projects this summer.”

Photo to share from the street site’s debut? Share it! Meantime, again, this is the market’s new home, so it’ll be back in the street every Sunday – except for July 12th, when it’ll be back at the old location in the 44th/Alaska lot since West Seattle Summer Fest will have taken over the street for the weekend.

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West Seattle Flag Day: American Legion Post 160 decorates Junction with the Stars & Stripes

June 14, 2015 10:16 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

It’s Flag Day in the USA – and the flags you’re seeing in The Junction while visiting for the newly relocated West Seattle Farmers’ Market (and/or for brunch, shopping, etc.) are in place courtesy of American Legion Post 160, whose volunteers put the flags in place this morning.

As mentioned here on Saturday, Post 160 agreed to help with what was left as an orphaned task after the death of Don Smathers. Post leaders tell us they’ll also be helping on Veterans Day; Independence Day is still open for somebody else to step up.

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City Council District 1 campaign: Wednesday forum with ‘feedback tool’ & food truck; video from Monday’s Pigeon Point event

June 14, 2015 9:53 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Voting in the first-ever Seattle City Council District 1 primary is sooner than you think. Ballots you’ll use to help narrow the field of nine candidates to two finalists will arrive in about five weeks. So it’s down to decision time, if you haven’t made your choice yet.

NEXT WEDNESDAY: 7-9 pm Wednesday (June 17th) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, your next chance to see the D-1 candidates side by side will be presented by the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council. DNDC chair Mat McBride promises some format change-ups: “The audience will be equipped with a feedback/voting tool, and reactions to candidate statements will be displayed on screen.” Also – come early for dinner; Indian-food truck Spice on Curve will be at Youngstown. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WHAT YOU MISSED LAST MONDAY: The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council‘s candidate forum in the Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria used the “candi-dating” format – after introductions at the front of the room, the candidates circulated between tables. Seven of the nine candidates participated (Arturo Robles, Brianna Thomas, Chas Redmond, Jody Rushmer, Karl Wirsing, Lisa Herbold, Phillip Tavel – organizers said Pavel Goberman declined the invitation and Shannon Braddock was ill) and each table got to talk with five of them before time ran out. Since we’ve been videotaping all the D-1 forums, we had to do this one too; the format was a challenge for that, so our cameraperson picked a random table at which to record the turns. Challenging acoustics, but here’s the result:

Then we recorded the candidates answering one final question at the front of the room – they were asked what they specifically would do for Pigeon Point if elected, but the answers turned out to speak more to West Seattle-wide issues:

We also sat in at a second table without video. The questions varied from candidate to candidate, so no comparison is possible, but the questions asked by those at the table involved White Center annexation (we put that question to all candidates earlier this month), rent control and housing affordability, workers’ rights, education, transportation, weed control, and crime.

FINAL FORUM? In addition to the June 17th event mentioned at the start of this story, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce also has finalized the plan for what might be the final forum before the primary – July 15th at the Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. It’ll start with a 5:30 pm meet-and-greet, then 6 pm opening statements, followed by table-to-table “candi-dating,” and a closing statement. This will be open to all, members and non-members, no admission charge. (6000 16th SW)

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West Seattle Sunday: The Farmers’ Market moves! and more

June 14, 2015 8:18 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The big event today: The West Seattle Farmers’ Market moves to its new home in the street!

(Photo added 8:48 am, as vendors set up)
FARMERS’ MARKET MOVE: Today is the first day for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market to set up in its new permanent home, California Avenue SW between Oregon and Alaska. Hours are the same, 10 am-2 pm; each Sunday, that block will be off-limits to vehicles 7 am until approximately 4 pm. Check out this WSB update to find out about some of the new vendors. And check out Junction businesses and restaurants while you’re there – some will have celebratory specials, such as WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW, right on the market block). We’ll have a separate story about the first day of the market move – come back to WSB later today or tonight and share your thoughts about it.

Also today:

LAST DAY FOR ZATZ A BETTER BAGEL: As reported here on Friday, the bagel shop in The Admiral District says it’s closing after 20 years, and told us (and others) that today is the last day. (2348 California SW)

(Thanks to the texter who shared this photo of the pool entrance’s relatively new signage)
COLMAN POOL: Final day of the final preseason weekend for Colman Pool on the shore in Lincoln Park, three sessions between noon and 7 pm; see the schedule here.

KITTY HARBOR: West Seattle’s cat/kitten adoption center is open noon-5 pm. (3422 Harbor SW)

NATIVE FOOD ENGINEERING: 1-4 pm, free program at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (doors open at noon), details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

ROY ZIMMERMAN AT KENYON HALL: A lively way to wrap up your weekend – satirical and other original songs, 7:30 pm at historic Kenyon Hall in Sunrise Heights. Details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

Plus a transportation note:

WSF’S SUMMER SCHEDULE: Today’s the first day of the Washington State Ferries summer schedule.

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VIDEO: Congratulations, Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2015!

June 13, 2015 9:58 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | Westwood

(Sealth staff & students’ procession at start of this afternoon’s ceremony)

Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

YOLO.

You probably know that’s short for “You Only Live Once.” It started and ended what language-arts teacher Breanna Whited told the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2015 at its graduation ceremony this afternoon. (More on her speech later.)

Though commencement is considered to be the start of the rest of graduates’ lives, as Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer detailed, the 267 graduating seniors already have achieved quite bit. She went through a long list of achievements including more than 20,000 hours in community service and $1.2 million in college scholarships.

The principal noted some of the class’s “bold” accomplishments – from a World Water Week focus on the unglamorous but life-saving topic of toilets, to Hafid Yassin‘s dunk seen ’round the world.

The first student to speak was Timothy Wo, who observed that “we’re all thinking right now … ‘it’s over’.” (That’s him in the frame grab below, but the video is of the entirety of the rest of the ceremony, beginning with the principal’s speech.)

To get to “the promised land of graduation,” he said, he and his classmates “crossed the land of procrastination.” Whatever lies ahead for them in the immediate future, he expressed confidence they would “reap success, whatever it is, and make it into whatever it can be.”

Another student speaker, Monica Harris, urged her classmates to “stand tall – we have nothing to fear.”

And she celebrated the fact that “by persevering, we have proven we deserve to be here today.” The proud family and friends had proven that too, and they were saluted during the ceremony.

They of course exhibited plenty of exhilaration themselves:

Back to staff speaker Whited, introduced as “hilarious and beautiful.”

She spoke warmly and personally to her now-former students, saying she watched them while chaperoning the senior prom three weeks ago: “It was OK for me to cry there, which I did, because I had to be strong to speak to all of you today.”

Mentioning she was a 1985 high-school graduate, she said, “I am you in 30 years … and yes, you’ll still be this fabulous.” With the help, Whited continued, of three things to remember, starting with: “Apologize quickly, even when you are right – you will be loved and you will be happy. It’s better to be happy than to be right.”

The essence of her other advice: Shut down your “negative self-talk,” and “do what you love,” which she said she’s been doing for decades. And shortly thereafter, the Chief Sealth Class of 2015 was off to find a way to follow her advice.

OTHER NOTES: One of the valedictorians and the salutatorian, Sophia Boyd and Olivia Boyd, are sisters, and the daughters of former longtime CSIHS principal John Boyd. Samuel Orlin also is valedictorian. … SPS executive director of southwest schools Israel Vela had a stand-in, northwest ED Jon Halfaker, because he was at his son’s graduation in Kent … Last year, umbrellas were in use because of the threat of rain; this year, one was in view because of the sun:

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Shell at T-5 updates: Canoe procession/rally Sunday; ‘T-5 Intervenors’ seek to join city permit fight; more

June 13, 2015 6:41 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

Newest developments in the ongoing Shell presence at Terminal 5 and challenges to it:

WHAT’S UP AT THE DOCK: The latest vessel in the Shell fleet to come dock by the Polar Pioneer is the supply ship Harvey Explorer:

Lynn Hall shared the photo, noticing its arrival in Elliott Bay around 2 pm Friday; it’s one of the vessels specifically called out in the U.S. Coast Guard rule for “safety zones (and) restricted navigation area” related to the Shell Arctic-drilling fleet. We’re also seeing, frequently checking MarineTraffic.com, what appears to be a more constant presence of police/security/port tender boats near T-5. The “Shell No” coalition says it’s watching for signs of potential departure any day now; members expect to deploy a “rapid response” flotilla once they get those signs. It’s based at Don Armeni Boat Ramp:

We photographed the flotilla HQ last night, while musicians performed on the protest barge offshore.

The next major event announced at the barge is tomorrow:

CANOE PROCESSION/RALLY TOMORROW: The Native advocacy movement Idle No More is organizing a canoe procession and rally tomorrow, starting with departure from Don Armeni 10-11 am tomorrow, followed by a rally on the platform, and concluding with a blessing ceremony in late afternoon. The latest information is being posted via this Facebook event page.

MARITIME ‘INTERVENORS’ ASK TO JOIN APPEAL OF CITY ACTION: As first reported here last month, it’ll be late July before the city Hearing Examiner hears the Foss/Port/Shell appeal of the city’s “interpretation” saying the fleet shouldn’t be here. The newest document filed in the case is in support of Foss/Port/Shell, from maritime interests calling themselves the “T-5 intervenors.”

The “T-5 intervenors” are listed as: Alaska Marine Lines, American Seafoods Company, American Waterway Operators, Arctic Fjord, Inc., Arctic Storm, Inc., Ballard Oil Company, Crowley Maritime Corporation, Glacier Fish Company, Premier Pacific Seafoods, Sailors’ Union Of The Pacific, SSA Terminals, LLC, Transportation Institute, and Vigor Industrial LLC. They are asking for permission to “intervene” and show support for the appellants in this case. Their document, embedded above, says they believe that if the interpretation is upheld, it will adversely affect their interests, which, they say, are not exactly the same as Foss, Shell, and the Port:

DPD’s attempt to reinterpret an issued permit after-the-fact has serious far reaching implications on the viability and reliability of the myriad and numerous permits granted to and relied upon by the T-5 Intervenors. For example, any one of the T-5 Intervenors could potentially receive a Notice of Violation at a moment’s notice upon DPD’s reinterpretation of their permits in response to intense political pressure. Or fishing vessels or freight barges could be barred from calling into and docking or mooring for off-season storage and maintenance at Port facilities because DPD changed its mind regarding those operations for similar perceived political reasons at issue in the Appeal. Such a reinterpretation that effectively ejects vessels from their regular operation will undoubtedly and indirectly affect Vigor’s, SSA Terminals, LLC’s and Ballard Oil’s ability to service the array of shipbuilding, repairing, fueling and loading needs of such vessels and operators throughout the region. Neither T-5 Intervenors— nor anyone doing business in Seattle for that matter— can afford to have the terms of their permits and entitlements redefined after issuance. While the Appellants are focused on the Permit and Interpretation at issue in this Appeal, the T-5 Intervenors are focused on the sanctity and security of the permits and entitlements that are part of the bedrock of the maritime industrial community in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

The Hearing Examiner now will decide whether to allow this group to intervene. Its filing came days after a decision granting environmental groups’ motion to intervene on the city’s side.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Kids go fishing on shore

June 13, 2015 4:33 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

Today brought the one morning each year that you’ll find a fishing pond on the dock at Seacrest Boathouse, courtesy of the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club. The club’s annual Kids’ Fishing Pond offers young West Seattleites, up to 14 years old, a free chance to find out a bit about fishing.

Moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas, were all there, along with Sportsmen’s Club members, to help the kids navigate the waters – and the bamboo poles:

They got to keep their catch if they chose – this photo was tweeted at us by the Gerding family:

Maddie's success at West Seattle Sportsmen's Club Kids Fishing Pond. @westseattleblog photo by Dad @patrickgerding. pic.twitter.com/RJ8u4LTe6G

— sgerding (@sgerding) June 13, 2015

Find out more about the Sportsmen’s Club here.

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What you’re seeing at sea: USCG Cutter Healy off Alki Point

June 13, 2015 1:48 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Added: Photo by Gary Jones)
1:48 PM: From the “in case you wondered, too” files: Thanks to the tipster who texted (206-293-6302 any time) that the 420-foot US Coast Guard Cutter Healy is off Alki Point right now. Our tipster also points out that the Seattle-based Healy has a big mission ahead in late summer, headed for the North Pole to study the chemistry of Arctic waters. (P.S. Thanks in advance if you have a photo to share – we can’t get down to the water right now!)

2:20 PM: Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo we’ve added atop this story – which, as you’ll see, includes other vessels in what he says appears to be a ceremony. We’re checking! (USCGC Healy did have a change of command earlier this month, for starters …)

4:20 PM: Might be related. Eve says she inquired at the lighthouse after noticing party preparations there and was told it was for a retiring captain.

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West Seattle Girls Softball: Championship congrats; umps’ story

June 13, 2015 11:37 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Girls Softball: Championship congrats; umps’ story

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Two updates from this past week’s West Seattle Girls Softball championships:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S GAME: We stopped by Fairmount Playfield on Wednesday night after a tip that we’d find the 12U championship game there. Final score – (Vashon) Rockettes 13, (West Seattle) Flame Throwers 5. In our photo, that’s Kate from the Flame Throwers, at left, with Pippa from the Rockettes trying to evade the out.

MONDAY NIGHT – UMPIRES’ SURPRISE: The Monday night slate led to an interesting story from Kayleen Dunson, the West Seattleite who is this region’s Umpire In Chief:

The West Seattle Girls Softball fastpitch league is usually covered with just one umpire. Most of the players in the league range in ages from 10-15 and it is a true recreational level. This year, the league requested two umpires for the championship game – to give the girls the thrill of playing the game with two umpires. Seattle UIC Kayleen Dunson didn’t want to stop there. “I thought it would be awesome to give these young players the sense that they were in the big leagues – let’s give them 3-umpires, just like the college players.”

(Umpires with players – from left, Mike Katz, Kayleen Dunson, Shani Neamen)
Dunson lives in West Seattle and cut her teeth umpiring this local league. “These young women, their coaches, and their parents are models of great sportsmanship and a supportive enthusiastic community. I wanted to give all of them something to remember.”

Dunson was assigned to work the game with another local West Seattle umpire, Shani Neamen, and so recruited yet another West Seattle umpire, Mike Katz, to join the crew. The all-local umpire team arrived on site and were treated like rock-stars; cheery hellos from the fans, giggles and whispers of “it’s my favorite umpire” from the players; and strong hearty handshakes from the coaches.

But there was only one team at the park – the other team had to forfeit, so there was no game to umpire. That didn’t stop the group from taking a team photo with the three umpires and breaking out into a raucous game of kickball.

“This is softball at its absolute best,” Dunson said. “And we will be back next year!”

Find out more about WSGS at westseattlegirlssoftball.com.

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Sunday in The Junction: New help for Flag Day; more updates on Farmers’ Market street move

June 13, 2015 9:40 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

One more day until a momentous Sunday in The Junction:

(WSB photo from Flag Day 2013)
FLAG DAY HELP THANKS TO POST 160: The death of Don Smathers earlier this year not only brought memories and mourning, but also the question: Who would make sure flags are up in The Junction on key holidays, as Don had done for so many years? Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB that American Legion Post 160 has offered to help, so when you see the flags on Flag Day tomorrow, that’s who to thank.

Of course we know you’ll be in The Junction tomorrow to check out the debut of the new West Seattle Farmers’ Market location:

WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE FARMERS’ MARKET MOVE: WS Farmers’ Market management is out with a list of “10 cool things” about the market’s move into the street, starting tomorrow (California Avenue SW between Oregon and Alaska). If you don’t want to read the whole list, a few highlights:

*More room to shop – 28,000 square feet, up from 16,000 sf in the 44th/Alaska lot (which reverts to parking as of this Sunday, except for July 12th, when it will host the market again on West Seattle Summer Fest Sunday)

*9 new vendors, listed by WSFM as “including Mariposa Farm, Left Foot Farm, Nelli Farm, Yellow Belly Farm, Starvation Alley and Seola Bee, which sells honey from hives kept in West Seattle.”

*Prepared hot food will be for sale, for the first time, from vendors including Falafel Salam, Girls Gone BBQ, and Loki (longtime vendor which now gets to bring its sliders and hash). Look for sidewalk-café tables supplied by the Junction Association!

And market management points out that the move will bring shoppers closer than ever to The Junction’s year-round bricks-and-mortar restaurants (and retailers!) so you can visit them too while you’re there.

WSFM hours are the same, 10 am-2 pm; the market block will be a no-parking zone 7 am-4 pm.

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West Seattle Saturday: Nine ways to get your weekend going

June 13, 2015 8:18 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Nine ways to get your weekend going

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki Statue of Liberty during Friday night sunset; photo by Jeff Kaufer)
Good morning and happy weekend! In case you hadn’t seen them already on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s our list of highlights for today:

WEST SEATTLE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB’S FISHING POND FOR KIDS: The annual tradition is under way right now at Seacrest, under the canopies we photographed Friday evening:

Until 11 am – or until they run out of trout. Poles provided. Free to kids 14 and under. (1660 Harbor SW)

ALKI BEACH CLEANUP: 9 am-11:30 am, Seal Sitters and friends will be on Alki, picking up trash to be sure it doesn’t get into the water and endanger sea life. Details in our Friday night preview. (61st/Alki)

SHOREWOOD ON THE SOUND STREETS OF SALES: Community garage sale in Shorewood today, just south of West Seattle, 9 am-4 pm! More info, and map, here.

BENEFIT BARBECUE LUNCH: At West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 11 am-3:45 pm, get a pulled-pork barbecue sandwich lunch with proceeds going to Pencil Me In For Kids. (California/Fauntleroy)

LONGFELLOW CREEK CELEBRATION: All are invited to join IslandWood School and friends at Greg Davis Park, 11 am-2 pm, to celebrate Longfellow Creek and students’ investigation of this precious West Seattle waterway – details here. (2600 SW Brandon)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, the home of West Seattle’s history is open for you to visit. ADDED: “And if you have photos from the 1930s and earlier, you can bring them into the museum from noon to 3 p.m. today for scanning as part of a new Seattle history book.” (61st/Stevens)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, CAPERS: The Junction store celebrates its 30th anniversary with cake noon-4 pm, a jewelry trunk show, and more; details in our calendar listing. (4525 California SW)

TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Free lighthouse tours continue, starting at 1 pm, last tour of the day at 3:40 pm, courtesy of US Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers. (3201 Alki SW)

REMODELING? BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME? Free workshop at 2 pm at award-winning Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) – call to check if there’s still room; info’s in our calendar listing. (5458 California SW)

CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: 2 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, it’s our area’s last high-school commencement ceremony for this school year, sending off the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2015. (2801 SW Thistle)

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), the West Seattle Eagles, and The Skylark all have listings on our calendar page.

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