West Seattle, Washington

15 Friday

40℉

month : 08/2016 296 results

‘Hillclimb’ stairway from 35th SW to The Triangle now open
August 22, 2016 3:51 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news

IMG_5520

When the 159-unit mixed-use building at 4435 35th SW now known as Aura went through Design Review three years ago, its most-acclaimed feature wasn’t actually part of the building – it was the “hillclimb” stairway proposed for the south side of the property. That side is actually city right-of-way, technically part of SW Oregon Street, but previously undeveloped. Now, the stairway is open; the photo is courtesy of Josh Sutton from the nearby West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). This is envisioned as an easier way to walk between The Junction, The Triangle, and Seattle Parks facilities to the east (West Seattle Stadium, Golf Course, Camp Long, Rotary Viewpoint Park), and the growing number of residences and businesses in the area.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP! Louisa Boren STEM K-8 painting party Saturday
August 22, 2016 2:09 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Louisa Boren STEM K-8 painting party Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Back-to-school time edges ever closer … and there’s still a little work to do to get some campuses ready. If you can spare a little time this Saturday, Louisa Boren STEM K-8 could use your helping hands:

Parking Lot Painting Party!

WHO: Louisa Boren STEM K-8 community and any community member willing to help!

WHEN: August 27th 9 am-1 pm (drop in as you can!) but rain cancels event

WHY: Safety!

WHAT TO BRING: Wear old clothing! PTA / SPS will provide painting supplies, water, coffee and donuts. Kids more than welcome with parent supervision.

Need more info? Robin Graham – robingraham26@gmail.com

As of June, the school was expecting almost 500 students this fall – up from about 400 last fall. They’ll have a little more room to roam because after two years of sharing the campus, Arbor Heights Elementary is moving into the new building on its “old” site.

P.S. Any other schools that could use community help to get ready for returning students – volunteer labor? donations? or? – please let us know and we’d be glad to announce/calendarize – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

Share This

UPDATE: 2 West Seattle marijuana biznotes
August 22, 2016 12:28 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:28 PM: Notes today on the first two recreational-marijuana stores licensed in West Seattle:

NEW LOCATION FOR ORIGINS? We reported back in March about the opening of the first West Seattle recreational-marijuana store, Origins at 1416 SW Roxbury. According to a filing with the State Liquor and Cannabis Board, Origins is now looking to move into the heart of West Seattle – The Junction. It’s asking the licensing board for permission to relocate to 4800 40th SW, a building on the southeast corner of 40th/Edmunds that’s had two early-stage development proposals in the past two years and also currently houses a fitness business. We have a request out for comment but have yet to hear back.

NAME CHOSEN: Origins was the second West Seattle marijuana store to be licensed, but the first to open. Now there’s a name for the first one to receive its license – 5440 California SW will be Canna West Seattle, according to its website. It’s been six months since we reported on the licensing of this shop, but we don’t know yet when it’ll open – we’re awaiting a reply here too.

ADDED 7:45 PM: We’ve heard back from Canna:

… It took a very long time for the city to permit the project. We finally got the permits last week and plan to begin renovations ASAP.

The project will take several weeks, so we will be temporarily opening in the space across the street at 5435 California Ave SW (previously Alternative Medicine Collective), which will eventually be the Canna Glass and Accessories Shop. We plan to be open at this location in four to five weeks.

(AMC was a medical-marijuana dispensary; the dispensaries that did not get recreational licenses had to close by July 1st, and that’s led to a few other vacant storefronts in West Seattle, including two at 35th and Roxbury.)

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer meeting tomorrow for The Whale Trail; run, or help with, the Orca Half next month
August 22, 2016 10:54 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer meeting tomorrow for The Whale Trail; run, or help with, the Orca Half next month
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

thumb_IMG_0097_1024
(Southern Resident Killer Whale breaching in Puget Sound last November – photo by M. Sears, permit #16163)

Get some more joy into your life – the joy of helping. Donna Sandstrom from West Seattle-headquartered The Whale Trail has two ways to suggest:

The Whale Trail is hosting a Volunteer Meeting tomorrow [Tuesday] night at C & P Coffee in West Seattle [5612 California SW] from 6:30 to 8:30. We’ll be planning for the Orca Half/Seattle Summer Parkways, our next season of Orca Talks, and more! A great chance to meet other orca enthusiasts, and put your passion to work for the whales! Learn more and RSVP at Brown Paper Tickets.com. Hope to see you there!

PLUS:

Run, Walk or Volunteer for the Whales and The Whale Trail! The Whale Trail is the beneficiary of the Orca Half, a half-marathon in West Seattle on September 25! We’ll also be participating in Seattle Summer Parkways, 11 to 4 on the same day.

–We need help handing out water at the water tables 9:00 to 1, and staffing our booth at Seattle Summer Parkways from 11 to 4.

–To help with the water tables, sign up at orcahalf.com, and tell them you’re with the Whale Trail! Join us tomorrow at C & P to learn more, or get in touch with Donna – donna@thewhaletrail.org – 206-919-5397

P.S. We notice on the Orca Half website that it has participation capped at 500 runners and is up to 439 signups as of this writing – so if you’ve been procrastinating, time to get going.

Share This

5 options for your West Seattle Monday
August 22, 2016 9:54 am
|    Comments Off on 5 options for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

AnnasHB0816-03
(Male Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

For today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SUMMER GAME CLUB: For kids and teens – drop in and learn a new game at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), noon-3 pm. See what else is on the Meeples calendar for today/tonight. (3727 California SW)

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 1 pm-7 pm, Peace Lutheran Church in Seattle is hosting a mobile blood drive. Walk-in donors welcome, except during the 3-4 pm break. (39th SW/SW Thistle)

FAMILY STORY TIME: Stories, songs, rhymes, and fun at High Point Library, 6:30-7 pm. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

ALL-AGES QUIZ NIGHT: 7:30 pm at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

PUB QUIZ: 8 pm at Shadowland in The Junction. (California SW/SW Oregon)

AND MORE … on our full calendar.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday on the roads, bridges, trails, plus this week’s reminders
August 22, 2016 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday on the roads, bridges, trails, plus this week’s reminders
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:30 AM: Good morning and welcome to Monday. We start with a few notes for the rest of the day and the week ahead:

SURFACE SPOKANE ST. PROJECT: Here’s the latest update as this project continues east of the low bridge.

STADIUM ZONE, THIS WEEK: Mariners are home vs. the Yankees tonight and Tuesday at 7:10 pm, Wednesday at 12:40 pm … Seahawks have a preseason home game Thursday vs. Dallas, 7 pm …

ALKI BEACH 5K NEXT SUNDAY: Early reminder that the Alki Beach 5K, raising $ for Northwest Hope and Healing, is next Sunday (August 28th), 9 am, and that means Alki SW and part of Harbor SW will be closed for a few hours that morning. (Not registered yet? Go here!)

Share This

West Seattle Garden Tour gives the greenery you helped grow
August 21, 2016 11:56 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news

If you went out on the West Seattle Garden Tour five weeks ago (WSB coverage here), you helped support half a dozen nonprofits, who are now reaping the results:

DSCN6687

The photo by Nancy Wilcox is courtesy of the WSGT, whose Aubbie Beal reports:

The West Seattle Garden Tour’s Summer Finale was held this evening at the home of Maryanne Tagney and David Jones. There were about 100 people in attendance, including this year’s gardeners, sponsors, committee members, and the six beneficiaries whose projects have been funded by proceeds from this year’s tour. In total, the tour donated $24,500 to six non-profit organizations this year.

Pictured L to R: Wendy Ann Morgan of Highline Botanical Garden Foundation, Steve Hootman of Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Laura Lee of ArtsWest, WSGT president Pam Stusser, Cass Turnbull of PlantAmnesty, Liz Bullard of Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, Heather Foss of South Seattle College Foundation, and Terre Shattuck of the Arboretum at South Seattle College.

The West Seattle Garden Tour is now in its third decade.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 break-ins while residents slept – then, a neighbor’s kindness
August 21, 2016 9:29 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

Another reader report of burglars breaking in while people were home – in this case, asleep. From RA at West Ridge Apartments (7900 block of Delridge Way SW):

Last night, sometime between 2-830 am, two homes were broken into. In my unit, the burglars entered through the kitchen window, over the kitchen sink and into our home, where they stole my 11 year old son’s PlayStation.

Two buildings down, our neighbors lost much more. Laptops, phones, tablets, car keys, and wallets. The burglars were brazen enough to enter my neighbor’s bedrooms, as well as their 16 year old daughter’s bedroom, while they were asleep, and take things right off the nightstand.

Police responded this morning and reports were filed for both incidents. They also obtained several fingerprints from our window. A big thank you to SPD for making this a priority among the chaos this weekend

THE GOOD NEWS: My next-door neighbor, whom I have only known for three months, stopped my house with a NEW PS4 for my son!! He stated, “I knew you were under a lot of stress today, and wanted you to have one less worry.” In all of the ugliness in this world, we are reminded of the abundance of generosity and kindness out there.

Share This

ROAD WORK UPDATE: Bike/pedestrian detour ahead for Spokane Street project
August 21, 2016 8:11 pm
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK UPDATE: Bike/pedestrian detour ahead for Spokane Street project
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

The surface Spokane Street work east of the low bridge continues tomorrow, and the contractor has sent an extra alert beyond what was in the city’s latest update:

We want to make you aware that the contractor intends to bump up their schedule a bit and start work on the storm drain connection at the driveway to Harley Marine [map] on Monday.

Access to the parking lot will of course be maintained but a few spots for parking on the western half of the lot may be lost during construction. After drainage work is complete they will begin work on the elevated pedestrian crossing through the driveway. They will construct the west half of the crossing and open it to traffic before moving on to the east half. Maintaining an approximately 24ft wide driveway to accommodate two-way traffic during each phase.

The contractor will try and leave the existing bike/ped crossing through the driveway open for as long as possible but eventually (Monday afternoon or more likely Tuesday) this work will require a temporary rerouting of the bike path. The detour will be through the parking lot on the back side of construction activities and will use temporary asphalt ramps to connect back to the trail. The detour will be in effect until the new elevated pedestrian/bike crossing is completed and is anticipated to last approximately 1-2 weeks.

Other project notes for the week ahead, and a detailed map, are in this flyer.

Share This

PHOTOS: Unified Outreach’s youth fashion show in The Junction
August 21, 2016 6:25 pm
|    Comments Off on PHOTOS: Unified Outreach’s youth fashion show in The Junction
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

IMG_5979

6:25 PM: Just under way in The Junction – a fashion show!

kid1

Youth models, designers, and production crew members are all involved as the show takes to the runway at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center (4400 42nd SW), with an enthusiastic audience here cheering them on.

IMG_5985

Two groups of models are scheduled to appear – the Little Royals are modeling right now, with The Reign of Fashion scheduled around 7 pm, with the TKG Dance Crew performing inbetween (photo added):

dancers2

The show (free admission) is scheduled to continue until 8 pm, so you have lots of time to get here.

kid3

The nonprofit Unified Outreach (headquartered across the street at Ginomai arts center) has organized it with the help of a grant from the city’s Work Readiness In The Arts program.

kid4

7:43 PM: Back at HQ now, and we’ve added more photos.

Share This

UPDATE: Fire response in 8600 block 20th SW
August 21, 2016 5:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

IMG_5201

5:15 PM: A Seattle Fire Department “full response” has been sent to a house in the 8600 block of 20th SW [map]. Checking on it.

5:17 PM: Per scanner – as our crew heads that way – we’re hearing that it’s a small fire, now tapped, and the response is being scaled back.

5:30 PM: Firefighters at the scene tell our crew that this was a kitchen fire – but no one was home, so they’re waiting for a resident to return so they can talk to someone about what happened. No major damage; the house is being ventilated with fans right now.

Share This

West Seattle weekend scenes: Farmers’ Market food fun
August 21, 2016 4:07 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: Farmers’ Market food fun
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

zukes1

Today was the annual occasion for the parental admonition “don’t play with your food” to NOT apply at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. Not only was it Zucchini 500 day – the annual chance to race vehicles made from vegetables (top photo shows construction in progress) – it was also a celebration of hand-tossed pizza dough:

dough2

Pagliacci offered kids the chance to see what it takes to toss pizza crusts. And then Andrew showed how to make it go airborne – intact:

andrew

These two food-and-fun events go together because Pagliacci sponsors the Zucchini 500 – and has, we learned via a bit of searching, for more than 15 years!

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: From bullets to burglars
August 21, 2016 12:51 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes today:

CASINGS FOUND: Police reported finding shell casings in the 6500 block of Sylvan Way early today after a caller reported people “shooting (in their) yard.” No injuries reported. This is the same block where 14 casings were found after reports of gunfire one Saturday night in May. We’ll be seeking the report on last night’s incident tomorrow.

WALK-IN PURSE THIEF: Marie points out that the most brazen thing about the theft of her purse is that the thief – a burglar, really, under the definition of that crime – just walked right into her house across from Lincoln Park while her husband was home. She says it happened Saturday, after she left to walk their dog, and her husband, who had been sitting on the porch, briefly went in the house to use the bathroom. When he went back to the porch, he saw the thief/burglar at the end of their driveway but didn’t immediately realize what had happened – he said the man, described as “a large Caucasian man wearing a white shirt and dark pants, with long dark hair, approximately mid-20s,” had a strap hanging from under his shirt but then didn’t, after going into some nearby bushes. Later, Marie found her purse in those bushes – “with cash, cell phone, and ORCA card missing.” They believe the man walked in through an open garage door.

STORAGE UNIT BREAK-INS: Jasmine says her storage unit in the 2900 block of SW Avalon Way has been broken into twice in the past month and that she’s heard of others. Checking police-report records, we see two reports for the address this week and a report from late July involving six units. She wanted to warn storage-unit users “to take photos, have a good inventory, and check it often. The insurance company requires proof of interest via photos or receipts in order to file a claim.”

Share This

West Seattle Sunday: Zucchini racing, fashion show, festival, history, dogs, more…
August 21, 2016 8:38 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The heat wave’s over (for now) but the summer events continue. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ZUCCHINI RACING: The annual squash-on-wheels event at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is today! Kids get to create a “vegetable vehicle” and race it, 10 am-1 pm. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)

POP-UP SHOP: LuLaRoe clothing pop-up shop 10 am-2 pm at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) – info here. (4410 California SW)

SAINT MARY SUNDAY: Special service, 10:30 am at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle. (4105 California SW)

ARTS IN NATURE FESTIVAL, DAY 2: Music, dance, visual art, kids’ activities, all around Camp Long, 11 am-6 pm. Just west of the meadow, find the shelter where you can create and display poetry:

hangingpoems2

Nature Consortium presents the festival; the performance schedule is on the festival website, as is ticket information. See WSB coverage from Saturday here. (5200 35th SW)

DELRIDGE WADING POOL FINALE: Last scheduled day of the season for Delridge Wading Pool, noon-6:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

DOG DAYS OF AUGUST BEERFEST/ADOPTION EVENT: It’s all about dogs this afternoon at West Seattle Nursery, 1-4 pm, with adoptions and information as well as beer – benefiting Furry Faces Foundation – and music. More info in our calendar listing. (5275 California SW)

CONVERSATION WITH CHIEF SEATTLE’S GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GRANDSON: 2 pm at Delridge Library, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s “SouthWest Stories” series brings you Ken Workman:

(5423 Delridge Way SW)

‘HAIRSPRAY’ CLOSING PERFORMANCE: 3 pm at West Seattle High School Theater, Twelfth Night Productions‘ musical has its final performance – ticket info’s in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

‘MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG’ CLOSING PERFORMANCE: 3 pm at ArtsWest, this summer’s musical-theater-student performance is onstage one last time – ticket info here. (4711 California SW)

FASHION SHOW: You’re invited to this summer’s Unified Outreach Fashion & Runway Program show, the result of a summer of hard work for youth who’ll be on the runway and behind the scenes. Mingling at 5 and the show at 6, free, at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center – details in our calendar listing. (4400 42nd SW)

CANCER-FIGHTING FUNDRAISER: Starting at 6 pm at The Skylark, you’re invited to Kevin‘s birthday bash – a public event with food, drinks, and music, raising money for the American Cancer Society, working toward a world with “less cancer and more birthdays.” (3803 Delridge Way SW)

PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD, AND BEYOND … as well as even more listings for today … by checking out our full calendar.

Share This

UPDATE: Fire response in North Admiral
August 20, 2016 10:37 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

10:37 PM: Seattle Fire dispatched a full response to a possible house fire in the 2100 block of 47th SW (map). Checking on it.

10:57 PM: Finally got here. Nothing on the scanner in the interim so clearly not anything major, but Ladder 11 is still here.

11:04 PM: Finally got to talk with the crew, which is leaving. Smoke in the house was determined to be from an electrical circuit. No fire.

Share This

West Seattle weekend scene: Smoky sunset, as temperature tumbles
August 20, 2016 9:13 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

20160820_201107

Thanks to James Bratsanos for the smoky sunset photo – as noted here last night, four wildfires are burning on the Olympic Peninsula, all ignited weeks ago (here’s the newest information). Here in the city, conditions are improving – as of minutes ago, the “excessive heat warning” is officially over as scheduled, and tomorrow’s forecast is still for a high in the 70s, much closer to normal for this part of the summer.

Share This

UPDATE: Southbound Beach Drive crash scene clears
August 20, 2016 7:57 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:59 PM: Thanks for the tips – just got a call and a text about this, though it apparently happened an hour ago, according to the Seattle Fire 911 log: A crash is blocking southbound Beach Drive in the 5400 block (map). People headed that way are being turned around at Shore Place, according to the texter. The 911 log shows a low-level one-engine callout to the crash at 6:50 pm, and it’s long since closed, so apparently no serious injuries, but there are no outlets in that area, so it doesn’t take much to block traffic. The texter says northbound traffic is being allowed through.

8:35 PM UPDATE: As noted in a comment, and as we just discovered firsthand, the scene is now clear.

Share This

PHOTOS: West Seattle Outdoor Movies has moved!
August 20, 2016 7:10 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

IMG_5969
7:10 PM: As of tonight, West Seattle Outdoor Movies has officially moved to its new location – SW Snoqualmie between 36th SW and 37th SW, aka the “festival street” on the south side of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). In case you were wondering about the setup before heading to tonight’s movie (“Princess Bride“), we stopped by a short time ago for photos. Lots of shade, and lots of room – the seating area has a gentle upslope into the parking area south of the street, so it’s almost an amphitheater feel. On the left in our top photo, that’s the concession stand operated by, and benefiting, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – everything’s $1 as usual, popcorn, candy, soda, bottled water. The movie’s at dusk – should be around 8:30 tonight – and this is the last one of this season; next year will be the first full season for WSOM in the spacious new digs.

ymcasetup

(Added photo) Above, that’s your new host, the Y’s Josh Sutton, setting up the projection equipment with wife Susan Sutton. We also spotted Lora Swift, now movie host emeritus after 11 years of WSOM at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor). We’ve been the proud media sponsor for nine seasons and hope to continue!

9:24 PM: We couldn’t stay for the movie, but Kevin Freitas is in the crowd and tweeted this photo to us:

kevinf

We’ll of course let you know when next year’s dates are announced (you can also check in on our West Seattle Outdoor Movies coverage archive).

P.S. One more photo from Kevin:

movieside

Share This

CONTINUING SUNDAY: Arts In Nature Festival 2016 @ Camp Long
August 20, 2016 5:45 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

IMG_5952

Want to be outdoors – and be cool? The meadow at Camp Long is the perfect place right now. We just arrived at the Arts In Nature Festival, presented by Nature Consortium, which is sponsoring WSB right now to promote the annual festival. It’s on until 9 tonight, and again 11 am-6 pm Sunday – you still have lots of time to get here to see this evening’s headliners in the meadow at 7 pm, Big World Breaks, playing on the Nancy Stage [named for NC founder Nancy Whitlock, who’s here right now, as is former NC leader Merica Whitehall and David Bestock of DNDA, with which NC is merging – photo below].

bosses

Big World Breaks is in fact doing a sound check right now, before Etienne Cakpo (video added below) takes the stage around 6 pm.

And this is just the main stage – one of four major spots around the park that you’ll find music, dance/performance, or activities. Most of the latter two are done for the day, but music continues until 9, as does the Beer Garden (top photo), where you can also buy and drink Ethiopian coffee:

ethiopiancoffee

Camp Long’s famous cabins have artists in residence throughout the weekend, with “installations that mix sound, auditory arts, music, and visual arts.” (Added) That includes poetry, and you can write your own:

hangingpoems1

Lots more to explore:

IMG_5959

On the south end of the meadow, YAMS (Yesler Art Mobile Studio) is here with all-ages activities.

naturekids

Festival ticket info is here; the park is at 5200 35th SW, with the main entrance off northbound 35th at Dawson.

P.S. One more addition from Saturday evening – the installation inside the Camp Long Lodge that managed to make its subject (“Dust Motes”) seem magical:

(Mouse over the image to reveal the “play” button so you can click it.)

Share This

TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash blocking WB Roxbury at 25th
August 20, 2016 5:14 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash blocking WB Roxbury at 25th
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

image

No major injuries reported but if you are heading out, you should know a crash involving at least two vehicles is blocking westbound Roxbury east of 26th. SPD, SFD, and KCSO were on scene when we went by.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP! Back-to-school benefit at Talarico’s tonight
August 20, 2016 4:47 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Back-to-school benefit at Talarico’s tonight
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Late addition to the lineup – just got word that Talarico’s Pizzeria in The Junction is hosting a back-to-school benefit tonight, collecting supplies and $ donations for the foster kids helped by Treehouse. From the sponsoring group Chive On Seattle‘s event announcement:

Remember your first day of school? The feeling of invincibility in your new sneakers, creased jeans, and fresh t-shirt. You were nervous, but at least you knew you looked good.
Treehouse wants every kid to have that reassurance and we are here to help! This year we will be supplying foster kids of Washington state with clothes for the new school year to help give them the confidence they need to succeed!

We are keeping with tradition and having giant pizza slices and cold beers because Talaricos Pizzeria is generous enough to host us yet again! There will be prizes for our donors, karaoke at 10 pm, and drink specials tbd.

We are shopping for all school-aged children (age 5-18) of all shapes and sizes! They will need

-New outfit head to toe (socks and underwear)
-Jeans/pants
-Long and/or short sleeved shirt
-Hooded sweatshirt
-Shoes
-Durable backpack

Bring any of those items to donate, and/or $ for other needs with which benefit organizers are hoping to help. And if you can’t make it to the event, you can donate online here.

Share This

VIDEO: Duwamish River Festival 2016
August 20, 2016 1:41 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Duwamish River Festival 2016
 |   Fun stuff to do | South Park | West Seattle news

Looking for a waterside spot to stay cool today? The Duwamish River Festival is on until 6 pm at South Park’s waterside Duwamish Waterway Park. Full slate of performances, as mentioned in our list of highlights for today/tonight – above, Folklore Guatemala; below, a Somali youth group that was a late addition to the schedule:

They were followed by this Khmer group:

khmerkids1 (1)

Performances continue through the lively Banda Vagos (we’ve seen them in West Seattle before) at 5 pm. You can browse a variety of booths representing nonprofits as well as government agencies. At the RainWise booth, you can meet up for a 3 pm tour of local raingardens:

IMG_5947

At the King County Wastewater Treatment booth, find out about the big project in Georgetown, near the entrance to the 1st Avenue South Bridge – meant to help the Duwamish River be cleaner. Not far away, Metro is ready to answer your questions:

IMG_5948

Kids’ activities are folded into informational booths:

deptecology (1)

And free boat and kayak tours are promised on the Duwamish River itself, in part thanks to West Seattle-based Alki Kayak Tours – none in sight during our stop, but the view of the river is cooling:

IMG_5943

To talk about the Duwamish River itself, you can check in with Duwamish Alive! among others – and we even saw the West Seattle-based The Whale Trail. Duwamish Waterway Park is just over the hill from West Seattle, 7900 10th Avenue S.

Share This

PHOTOS: Kids’ Day with Puget Sound Beekeepers @ West Seattle Bee Garden
August 20, 2016 11:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

IMG_5196

11:30 AM: While the West Seattle Bee Garden is here to see at High Point Commons Park any time, it’s only once a year that you can enjoy it with the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association offering a variety of activities and demonstrations – and that’s happening right now: PSBA Kids’ Day at the WSBG. If you’re worried about the weather – there’s shade, as well as canopied booths with activities, crafts, and coloring, plus a garden full of gorgeous flowers.

beez4

This is all free and all happening at 31st SW/SW Graham until 1 pm.

beez2

Above, Bee Garden founder Lauren Englund in her “bee suit” for a hive demonstration; next one, by the way, is 12:15 pm, so you have time to get here!

12:20 PM: Back at HQ, we’ve added a few more photos, including Chris Porter (below) with pollination information:

chri

Christine Deppe and Marco Deppe had a coloring quiz for older kids – whether you can identify parts of a bee’s anatomy:

IMG_5930

The PS Beekeepers, by the way, are the people with whom you check if you discover a honey-bee swarm and don’t happen to be a hive-keeper – information about that is here.

Share This