West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
One day after what he had proclaimed to be Gun Violence Awareness Day in Seattle – concurrent with other designations nationwide – Mayor Ed Murray quietly participated in today’s Alki rally, joining the “Wear Orange“ group that had walked from Anchor Park.
Murray didn’t speak. Two moms who lost their sons in deadly shootings did. The first, to homicide … the second, to what claims even more lives every year: Suicide. Some in the crowd could be heard crying as Rachel Smith-Mosel told the story of how her 20-year-old son Brennen Smith was able to get a gun in minutes while waiting weeks for mental-health care (we recorded her story in two parts):
(The health-care organization that made her son wait in 2015 later changed its policies, according to journalist Jesse Jones‘s report.)
Smith-Mosel’s requests to the crowd included that they support gun-safety education in schools and that they talk with their families about suicide prevention: “More access to mental health, less access to guns.”
The rally’s sponsors, Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety, also displayed 93 pairs of orange shoes, one for each person shot to death on an average day in the U.S..
A week and a half ago, one of those lives was lost steps from the site of today’s rally, when 23-year-old Jordan Thomas was shot and killed at 62nd/Alki. His death was mentioned in organizers’ introductory remarks. His killer remains at large. Organizers stressed, “This is not about a gun debate, this is not about gun control – this is about doing what’s right for our kids.”
Didn’t register in advance for the first-ever Loop the ‘Lupe tomorrow (Sunday, June 4th)? No worries – you can sign up starting at 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th SW/SW Myrtle), just east of Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center, home of numerous community-assisting programs and beneficiary of Loop the ‘Lupe.
It’s a four-event extravaganza, with the following starting times: Senior Saunter at 1 pm, Youth Dash at 1:30 pm, 5K at 1:45 pm, Obstacle Course at 2:10 pm; all four events are explained here.
Looks like comfortable weather for walking/running/dodging!
Thanks to Vy Duong for the photo of a bungalow demolition today at 1118 Alki SW. The 97-year-old house and its 75-year-old neighbor at 1122 Alki SW are to be replaced by a six-story, 11-apartment building. (We first mentioned the project in December 2015.) County records say the two sites were sold in late April for $1.5 million each.
(UPDATED SUNDAY with another photo)
Thanks to parent Steve White for the report and photos on West Seattle High School musicians’ cross-country journey!
The Jazz 1 and Jazz 2 bands (directed by Ethan Thomas) flew to New York City yesterday to participate in a workshop at Lincoln Center. While here we are also touring the 9/11 Memorial, seeing a Broadway show and some other sights. Last night we attended the “World of Monk” concert at Lincoln Center featuring the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis.
And tonight, their travels took them to “The Lion King” at the Minskoff Theater.
ADDED SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Another photo from Steve, who reports: “The group went on tours of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State Building and are spending the evening in Times Square.”
The musicians are headed back home on Monday.
Before we get back to reports on what happened today – a couple quick reminders about tomorrow, starting with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented tour of Sea View Hall in South Alki. Here’s a video invitation:
The 1905-built log house at 4004 59th SW is the site of this year’s SWSHS “If These Walls Could Talk” tour, a drop-in, self-guided event, 3-5 pm Sunday – full details are on the SWSHS website.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
AUTO THEFT: Darlene‘s silver 2009 Chevy Traverse, personalized plate MGICIAN, was stolen Thursday night/Friday morning near 17th/Dawson. If you see it, call 911, and refer to police report #17-196428.
PREVENTION ADVICE: Auto theft is up in the Southwest Precinct this year – Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge says that 215 cases were reported in the SWP jurisdiction (West Seattle and South Park) January through April of this year, compared to 179 in the same period last year. Here’s a one-sheet with SPD advice for protecting your vehicle(s).
ROCK THROUGH WINDSHIELD: A texter reports this vandalism in Arbor Heights early today:
It happened near 42nd and 100th.
Also:
NEXT WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING: The special guest booked by WSCPC president Richard Miller will talk, and answer questions about, gangs – 7 pm June 20th at the precinct, 2300 SW Webster.
Above (or in PDF here), you can see and learn about the nine West Seattle/South Park park/street projects that made the ballot for the first-ever Your Voice, Your Choice “participatory budgeting” vote. We first told you about the voting plan back in January, followed by the project-suggestion period in February, and then the final 10 for the West Seattle/South Park area in April (from 211 suggestions). Now the official ballots are out with nine projects in each city-council district; you can vote for three. $285,000 is allotted to each district (ours is #1), and that will cover three projects. Voting starts today and goes through the end of the month. You can start the online voting process by going here – or look for in-person voting at these upcoming West Seattle/South Park events and meetings listed here and below:
South Park Pride Picnic
Sunday, June 04, 2017
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Duwamish River Park, 7900 10th Ave SWestwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council
Tuesday, June 06, 2017
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Seattle Public Library – Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave SWNorth Delridge Neighborhood Council
Wednesday, June 07, 2017
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SWWest Seattle Farmers Market
Sunday, June 11, 2017
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Farmers Market, 44th Ave SW & SW Alaska St or park at Alaska & 42nd Ave SWStewart Manor Resident Council Meeting
Monday, June 12, 2017
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Stewart Manor, 6339 34th Ave SWMorgan Junction Festival
Saturday, June 17, 2017
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Morgan Junction Park, 6413 California Ave SWDelridge Neighborhood District Council
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW
The city says paper ballots also are available at all city-run community centers and libraries; the votes will be counted after June 30th, and winning projects announced by July 18th. Everyone 11 and up is eligible to vote.
Two more hours to go celebrate fly fishing at Emerald Water Anglers‘ (WSB sponsor) Fly Fest at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park. You can browse gear including demonstration rods, get casting instruction, and more – plus the schedule includes one more presentation this afternoon – “Fly Fishing Cascade Mountain Creeks” at 2:30 pm. When we stopped by, it was guide-cookoff lunchtime:
In the foreground, EWA proprietor Dave McCoy was making spring salmon pizza on a naan-bread base, and in the background, Hilary Hutcheson was cooking up a version of Philly cheesesteaks with elk. She’s the special guest tonight at EWA’s Junction shop (4502 42nd SW) for the 7 pm Seattle premiere of the Costa film “SLAM,” billed as “the engaging story of three female anglers from different walks of life in pursuit of the same epic challenge – landing a grand slam in the Keys – with just a few days to accomplish it.” Free, but tickets are required – check availability here. Meantime, Fly Fest continues at Me-Kwa-Mooks (4503 Beach Drive SW) until 4 pm.
Today, you don’t have to wait for a whale sighting off West Seattle shores to learn about the “Whales In Your Neighborhood” – just go check in with The Whale Trail and friends at Constellation Park before 2 pm, as previewed on our calendar. It’s part of Orca Awareness Month – next local event, a cleanup at Alki one week from today and a Whale Trail-presented talk on vessel traffic’s effect on whales – info’s all here.
Meet Stannis. He’s the 10-week-old Newfoundland puppy who’s just joined the family of Dutchboy Coffee proprietor Jenni Watkins, and today he’s making his public debut at the stand in Highland Park.
When the stand opened in January, we introduced you to its namesake – Dutchboy the Newfoundland. Heartbreakingly, he died a few months ago. While no beloved pet can ever be replaced, there’s room in the heart to love again, and so here’s Stannis of Court Royal. You can stop by and say hi until 1 pm today; he’ll make other periodic appearances. And any time this month, there’s something else special to see at The Dutchboy:
The stand has been featuring local artists, and Jenni’s husband Todd Watkins created the photography that’s on display this month – you can admire it from the ordering window while you’re getting your coffee. The Dutchboy is on the northeast corner of 16th and Holden.
(Above, Dahlia Sebastian; below, Rowan Preedy)
Congratulations to the Madison Middle School students whose scientific achievements landed them in a districtwide spotlight! Thanks to science teacher Fred Jenner for the photos and report:
Madison MS had four finalists submitting projects at Thursday night’s District Science Fair at The Museum of Flight. Sixth graders Elliott Allen, Dahlia Sebastian, Rowan Preedy, and Ian Iserman showed their projects to a large crowd of visitors and twenty plus judges. Dahlia Sebastian’s engineering project “The New and Improved String Instrument Cleaner of the 21st Century” won Best Overall project for engineering design and Rowan Preedy’s engineering project “Automated Chicken Door Closer” won Most Original Engineering Project award for the entire district’s 6th grade category field of projects.
(Above, Elliott Allen; below, Ian Iserman)
This year there were more engineering design projects than science inquiry projects. Congratulations to all of them for their awesome work and for making Madison Middle School proud!
(The lovely and loud Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
So many choices for the day and night ahead – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ART & PUPPY @ DUTCHBOY COFFEE: 8:30-1 pm, drop by Dutchboy Coffee in Highland Park and see this month’s art show plus meet the Newfoundland puppy who’s the stand’s new mascot. (1513 SW Holden)
FLY FEST: Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) presents this daylong celebration of fly fishing at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, 9 am-4 pm. Classes, demonstrations, even a free lunch (with the guides’ cookout competition) – here’s the schedule. (4503 Beach Drive SW)
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY – TAKE A HIKE! Guided hikes in the West Duwamish Greenbelt at 10 am and noon today in honor of National Trails Day, as previewed here. (Meet at 12th SW/SW Holly trailhead)
WORKSHOP ON SUPPORTING LOCAL IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES: 10 am-1 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, free workshop with local organizations: “Many in our Greater Seattle community want to take action to help local immigrants and refugees; this workshop is designed to provide specifics on how to help.” Details here. (7141 California SW)
LEARN ABOUT FOOD FORESTS: 10 am-12:30 pm workshop at the Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, with Kimberly Leeper & Jackie Cramer. Full details – cost, what to bring, what you’ll do – in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
FRIENDSHOP POP-UP: Friends of the Seattle Public Library invite you to their pop-up sale today, 10 am-2 pm, at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch – used books, gifts, more. (2306 42nd SW)
GATEWOOD FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL: 11 am-2 pm, all welcome to enjoy free, fun activities, including Mikey Mike the Rad Scientist (noon-1 pm). Details in our calendar listing. (4320 SW Myrtle)
BARBECUE COOKOFF/FUNDRAISER: 11:30 am-2:30 pm at Daystar, barbecue cookoff and $5 lunch with proceeds benefiting the Senior Center of West Seattle – music and kids’ activities, too. Details in our calendar listing. (2615 SW Barton)
BENEFIT BARBECUE: 11 am-3:30 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), enjoy a barbecue lunch benefiting Pencil Me In For Kids. (4201 SW Morgan)
‘WEAR ORANGE’ WALK & RALLY: Gun-violence-prevention advocates will lead a walk from Anchor Park at 11 am, followed by a rally at Alki Beach Park around 11:45 am – details are in our calendar listing. (1150 Alki SW)
WHALES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Noon-2 pm in honor of Orca Month, learn about land-based whale-watching. Talk with naturalist Kersti Muul at Constellation Park south of Alki Point. (3521 Beach Drive SW)
(TIME UPDATED) NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY SPRING RELEASE: Noon-6 pm wine sale and free tasting at NWA on the north end of the South Seattle College campus. (6000 16th SW)
FIRST DAY OF SECOND WEEKEND FOR COLMAN POOL: The outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park starts its second preseason weekend, with sessions noon-7 pm – schedule’s here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NO ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY … but they’re expected to resume tomorrow.
SKIN CARE POP-UP: West Seattle resident Kari Gran is at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) for a 2-6 pm pop-up shop featuring her skin-care creations. (4540 California SW)
WSHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION & CENTENNIAL ‘GROUP HUG’ PHOTO: The West Seattle High School All-School Reunion starts at 4 pm, celebrating 100 years since the school opened (1917 district photo at left) – the schedule of events is here, culminating in the “Group Hug” photo on the north side of the school – all community members welcome – be there by 6:15 pm. (3000 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: “Racing Extinction” is this month’s film.
Doors open at Neighborhood House High Point at 6:30 pm for socializing; film at 7, followed by discussion. Free but donations welcome. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
CHIC STREET MAN IN CONCERT: 7 pm at Alki UCC, to raise money for West Seattle Helpline.
Details in our calendar listing. (6115 SW Hinds)
‘THE LION KING’: Encore performance of Our Lady of Guadalupe School (WSB sponsor)’s performance of the kids’ version of the musical, 7 pm. In the gym; free; donations appreciated. More info here. (3401 SW Myrtle)
THE TIKIGRAPHS: 8:30 pm at Parliament Tavern. $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Via text and via scanner, we’re hearing about gunfire heard near 11th/12th/Barton [map]. Police were dispatched after multiple 911 reports; some reported a vehicle believed to be associated with what they heard, described as a “small compact with loud exhaust.” No reports of any victims so far, and we’re not hearing (yet) if police have found casings and/or property damage.
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