West Seattle, Washington
09 Saturday
Four groups demonstrated at Walk All Ways in The Junction today, focused on “peace and justice” – West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice, which has long rallied there on Sundays, was joined by Hate-Free Delridge, Anti-Hate Alaska Junction, and Sustainable West Seattle, as a followup to last Wednesday’s gathering in North Delridge. Participants spanned generations:
One of the signs on the southwest corner mentioned Anti-Hate Alaska Junction’s next “bystander intervention training” workshop, one week from today, which is also listed in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.
It’s been almost a year since we first reported on Westside Neighbors Network, building a “village” to support positive aging. Now, WNN has announced it’s ready for members and other forms of support:
Westside Neighbors Network (WNN) has reached two major organizational milestones: incorporation in the State of Washington and 501(c)(3) federal nonprofit status. As a result, it’s now accepting Founding Memberships as well as financial donations.
WNN is a group of West Seattle neighbors working to create a “village” on the west side. The village model began in Boston and has been replicated many times throughout the country. Three other village organizations are already in place in Seattle and several other neighborhoods are planning theirs.
In a village, members access the social connections they need to thrive, the support they need to age gracefully in their homes, and the sense of community they desire. Each village has a unique focus.
“We envision our village as a network of neighbors who come together to create and sustain community,” said founding member Judie Messier. “Our goal is to nurture a lively and engaged multigenerational community that celebrates and supports positive aging.”
WNN recently hosted two community forums and has been making presentations to a wide variety of organizations throughout the west side. Planners have chosen Jan. 1, 2018, as the official launch date and two tiers of membership for individuals and households:
*Social membership, which entitles members to participate in activities and, if they choose, to volunteer their skills to support other members.
*Full membership, which includes the benefits of a social membership plus the ability to receive support from other members (such as rides to appointments and light household repair), to get member-referrals to service providers, and to utilize co-living resources.
By paying 2018 dues early, Founding Members can lock in the cost of membership and participate in member-driven activities through the remainder of 2017. Those who like may also be involved in continued development of the village.
Learn more about WNN and Founding Membership from Judie at westsideneighborsnetwork@gmail.com or visit the website at westsideneighborsnetwork.org.
(Northern flicker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Options for your Sunday:
SFD TRAINING: Today through Tuesday, Seattle Fire Department training is planned at an Alki house slated for demolition and redevelopment, as previewed here. (3027 59th SW)
EXPLORE THE BEACH AT LOW TIDE: Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are out at Lincoln and Constellation parks 9:30 am-noon, with a -1.9 foot low tide at 10:21 am today.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, see what’s fresh as we head into the final weeks of summer. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
CHEER HAWKS CAR WASH: 11 am-(updated end time)NOON at Les Schwab Tires in Burien, the Chief Sealth International High School Cheer Hawks are raising money by washing cars – $5 donation requested. (13609 1st Ave. S.)
TODAY’S WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK: Lincoln Park wading pool and Highland Park spraypark remain open daily, 11 am-8 pm, through Labor Day. Today is the final day of the season for Delridge wading pool, noon-6:30 pm. (Find addresses here)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR KIDS WHO NEED THEM: Backpacks, school supplies, and haircuts are being offered at the Mary’s Place shelter in White Center, 11 am-2 pm. (10821 8th SW)
‘STAND FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE’: Noon in the heart of the West Seattle Junction, join West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Hate-Free Delridge, and others, for a followup to last Wednesday’s demonstration. Noon-1 pm – bring a sign, or borrow one. Kids’ activities too! (California SW/SW Alaska)
ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Third-to-last weekend this year! 1-4 pm tours at Alki Point Lighthouse. Free. Get there before 3:40 pm to be in the final group of the day. (3201 Alki SW)
JAMTIME: Bluegrass and old-time music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)
BICYCLING HISTORY @ SW STORIES: 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, Stu Hennessey talks about “Alki Bicycling History” in the next installment of SouthWest Stories, presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and the Seattle Public Library. Free! (2306 42nd SW)
FINAL PERFORMANCE OF ‘SHREK’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ summer show closes with today’s 3 pm performance at West Seattle High School‘s theater. (3000 California SW)
K-TEL CABARET: A ’70s-music extravaganza at Parliament Tavern, 8-11 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
WATER TAXI ON EXTENDED SCHEDULE … to get you back home from the Sounders FC match – last run from downtown (now NORTH of Colman Dock) to West Seattle, 10:45 pm.
LOOK AHEAD to next week and beyond via our complete calendar!
Second confirmed gunfire incident tonight – and again in this case, no victims reported – dispatchers reported multiple calls, and officers have radioed in that they found casings at 11th and Kenyon.
On many Sundays at noon, West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice demonstrate at Walk All Ways in the heart of The Junction. Tomorrow, they’ll have company from other groups, including Hate-Free Delridge, as a followup to that group’s demonstration last Wednesday on the overpass by Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (WSB coverage here).
(WSB photo from last Wednesday)
As HFD told us at the end of that event, all are welcome during the noon-1:30 pm demonstration in The Junction, at which they intend to “stand for peace and justice” – bring your own signs, or borrow one of their extras.
8:09 PM: Police are at 16th and Barton investigating a reported exchange of gunfire, and radio discussion says they have found shell casings, but no victims, and that those who were involved are believed to have gotten into at least two vehicles and left. More to come.
8:19 PM: If you heard/saw a helicopter, that was Guardian One looking around for anything matching what descriptions police have so far of the vehicles – white mid-2000s Mercedes SUV, and a black vehicle.
8:25 PM: Our crew has talked with police at the scene. No property damage so far as they can tell; they say they have found one confirmed shell casing, 9mm. Along with the aforementioned white SUV, the description of the second vehicle involved is now black or blue. By the way, if you’re a bit south of the scene and noticing police pulled over with a silver car, near 15th/Roxbury, that’s NOT believed to be related – they noticed plates on the car that were reported as stolen, and pulled it over.
8:40 PM: Our crew says police are wrapping up at the scene. No further reports of progress on finding those responsible, but if you have any information, call 911.
8:44 PM: Now police are investigating a report that one nearby residence was hit by a bullet.
9:31 PM: We went back over to find out more about that. Police confirm that a bullet went into an apartment two buildings south of Barton, along the alley between 16th and 17th.
No injuries.
SIDE NOTE: From SPD’s latest SeaStat briefing last week (last page here), the Southwest Precinct – West Seattle and South Park – has had 41 confirmed “shots fired” (meaning confirmed because of shell casings and/or property damage and/or victims), second after the South Precinct, which has had 111.
You might remember the “open letter to a bicycle thief” from Byron, published here a week and a half ago. Today, he e-mailed this followup:
I am writing to tell the person who was arrested today for stealing my daughter’s bike – told you I would find you. It took me two weeks but I got you. I am not putting his name here for now, even though he was arrested by Seattle Police today with the bike and will be charged with a felony, because he is innocent until proven guilty.
I did my duty as an engaged citizen and helped by watching websites, making phone calls, and driving around neighborhoods BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR, our Seattle Police, Southwest Precinct, did the heavy lifting today. Officers put themselves in harm’s way to find and arrest this guy. Our police have a brutal job, and any way we can help them we should. Every bike theft can’t be investigated, as much as we want it to be, but we as law-abiding citizens can do something to help. Be vigilant and don’t give in to these thieves. Don’t shrug it off. Theft is not OK.
The Southwest Precinct was awesome. The Officers were amazing. Thank you for helping us.
Moral of the Story: Crime doesn’t pay? Don’t give up? Don’t Steal?
Sure, but even better…COPS ARE AWESOME.
Thanks for giving back some faith in humanity to an eleven-year-old.
Make sure you shake an officer’s hand next time you see one and say thanks for protecting us. I know I will.
We will do our best to track the case through the system.
One week from today, you’re invited to the 10th annual West Seattle Car Show, presented by West Seattle Autoworks and Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsors)! 10 am-3 pm on Saturday, August 26th, it’s taking over the north side of the Puget Ridge campus of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), with vehicles old and new to admire, plus music – the Disco Cowboys, live! as well as a DJ – kids activities, vendors (not just vehicle-related – jams, jellies, and pickles too), plus food trucks – Double Up (Caribbean cuisine) is already confirmed. Check out SSC programs including Automotive Technology, which show proceeds help support, and the Northwest Wine Academy. As a co-sponsor again this year, we’ll be there too, covering the show as it happens, so come say hi. Spectators get in free.
P.S. It’s not too late to get your vehicle into the show – pre-registration has ended but same-day registration is available; find the form here – load-in starts at 8 am on show day.
P.P.S. Even if you’re not entering your vehicle, yours will be eligible for free leak inspections during the show courtesy of “Don’t Drip and Drive” as well as free bulb checks via “Lights On For Safety.”
Seattle Police are at 37th and Cambridge, south of Fauntleroy Park, where they and SFD responded to an “assault with weapons” call – but they found no evidence that the purported victim who called it in had been assaulted at all, with or without weapons. He showed signs of intoxication and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
What better way to let your kids learn about bees and their vital role in our ecosystem, than by taking them to the West Seattle Bee Garden for Kids’ Day, presented by the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association? Above, you can watch the bees without getting too close. Earlier, it was story time:
Art activities are keeping other young visitors busy:
And the grownup visitors might be interested in buying honey to support the nonprofit PSBA:
The event’s on until 2 pm. The WS Bee Garden is on the north end of High Point Commons Park – scroll down this page for a map.
The last weekend in August has historically brought the Alki Beach 5K, presented by and benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing. As of this year, NWHH is no longer presenting that run, but instead, it’s the beneficiary of this year’s Cosmo 7K, part of the Cosmo All-Women’s Race Series, moving its local event from Kirkland to Alki. It’s a 7K run and 5K run/walk set to start at 9:30 am Sunday, August 27th, with a kids’ half-mile run at 10:30. The runners will use the road, so even if you’re not participating, be aware of parking restrictions and an Alki Avenue road closure that morning.
Welcome to the weekend! Highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE LINUX USERS GROUP: 9 am every-other-week meeting in room 416 of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – Meetup.com page here. (9140 California SW)
TOUR HIAWATHA WITH FRIENDS OF SEATTLE’S OLMSTED PARKS: Think you know everything about the history of Hiawatha Playfield, the city’s first sports-oriented parks? Take this free guided walking tour and find out! It’ll last about two hours. Meet on the west side of Hiawatha Community Center. (2700 California SW)
PUGET SOUND BEEKEEPERS’ FIELD DAY FOR KIDS: 10 am-2 pm at the West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point, lots of activities for kids! Full details here. (Graham/Lanham)
LONGFELLOW CREEK RESTORATION: 10 am-2 pm, join Earth Corps along Longfellow Creek. (West of Delridge Way SW/SW Juneau)
TODAY’S WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK: 11 am-8 pm, both Lincoln Park wading pool and Highland Park spraypark are open. Noon-6:30 pm, it’s the last day of the season for Hiawatha wading pool, and the second-to-last day of the season for Delridge wading pool. (Find addresses here)
VIETNAMESE STORY TIME: 11:30 am at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
NO ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY … but they’ll resume tomorrow!
‘SHREK: THE MUSICAL,’ 2 SHOWS TODAY/TONIGHT: 3 pm and 7:30 pm, you have two chances today/tonight to see Twelfth Night Productions‘ summer show “Shrek: The Musical” at the West Seattle High School Theater. (3000 California SW)
‘QUEEN OF KATWE’ @ WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Second-to-last movie of the summer at the “festival street” on the south side of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – it’s “Queen of Katwe,” telling the story of Phiona Mutesi, the young Ugandan woman who became a chess champion (and visited West Seattle a few years ago to inspire other youth!). You’re welcome to arrive as early as 6:30 pm; the movie’s free and starts at dusk – likely before 8:30 pm this week. Bring $ for options including the BC Zhang food truck, raffles raising money for nonprofits, and concessions. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)
ROO FORREST AND FRIENDS: Eclectic mix of originals and covers at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
COHO CHAMBER ENSEMBLE: Classical wind quintet playing a variety of music, with a pianist joining them for a sextet, too. 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall. Our calendar listing includes reservation info. (7904 35th SW)
UKULELE ROCK: With The Castaways, at Parliament Tavern. 9 pm-midnight. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP, TODAY AND BEYOND … via our complete-calendar page.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Earlier this month, the scheduled meeting of the community advisory committee for city-sanctioned Camp Second Chance on Myers Way was abruptly postponed.
“Unforeseen circumstances” were blamed. No elaboration at the time – but now we’re learning about change and upheaval behind the scenes.
Patacara Community Services is withdrawing as the camp’s operator/fiscal sponsor, responsible for the $200,000+-a-year city contract.
The camp has been hailed as a model for its drug-and-alcohol-free policies and self-governance.
But Patacara’s executive director Polly Trout says, “The Patacara Board has determined that given that the self-governance process at camp has broken down, and it is no longer a safe place, we do not have the organizational capacity to continue the contract.”
Camp Second Chance’s resident manager and one of its co-founders, Eric Davis, says he was evicted a week ago, and fired from his paid position, after a confrontation with Trout. He says police came to the camp and told him he was trespassing and had to leave. He’s now staying with camp supporters.
With a Sunday night Sounders FC match, the West Seattle Water Taxi will be on its extended schedule all weekend, as announced tonight. And in case this weekend will be the first time you’ve taken the WSWT since its dock and schedule change – see the new schedule here; last trip from the new dock north of the state-ferry terminal tonight, Saturday, and this Sunday will be 10:45 pm.
Less than three weeks until school starts. Here’s a way to help local students succeed this school year:
The Seattle Public Library is seeking Homework Help volunteers who have a passion for helping elementary, middle, and high school students learn and succeed in school.
Homework Help volunteers support students’ academic success by helping them develop literacy and mathematics skills, understand homework assignments, and prepare for college. Volunteers coach students in all academic subjects and may also specialize in college-prep subjects.
Most of the students are first-generation Americans who speak a language other than English at home. Volunteers will interact with children and teens in small groups and individually. A volunteer commitment throughout the school year is requested. Those volunteers who have variable job and/or school schedules can be scheduled as substitute Homework Helpers at least twice a month.
Eleven branches – including, in our area, High Point and South Park – will offer homework tutoring, reading support, and educational games September 11th through June 14th. South Park is particularly in need of bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish. Find out more about the program here; if you’re interested in an application packet, contact SPL volunteer-services coordinator Anne Vedella at volunteer@spl.org by August 25th.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Police are in the 4500 block of Beach Drive SW, at Emma Schmitz Overlook, across from Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, investigating a death. So far, they say, evidence indicates the man whose body was found in a car – reported by a passing jogger – died by suicide. The official determination will be up to the King County Medical Examiner, which has a unit on the way to the scene.
As always with stories mentioning suicide, we want to remind you that if you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm, you can call the Crisis Clinic hotline at any time, 206-461-3222.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON: A texter sent this photo of a memorial at the scene:
A motorcycle rider was taken to the hospital by private ambulance after a collision about half an hour ago in the Seaview area. Authorities cleared the scene quickly; a witness says the rider was headed southbound on 48th SW and hit by a driver headed east on Juneau. That’s all we could find out; private ambulance indicates the injuries weren’t life-threatening.
From Autumn:
My car was stolen sometime last night. It was parked on the street right in front of our house in the Morgan Junction area. Doors locked and nothing valuable inside. Some blankets, sweatshirts and a cooler in there.
Toyota RAV4 Limited edition. 2006. Blue with light tan interior and sun roof. No identifying markers or stickers. I just bought it 2 months ago. WA license plate BEN7363.
It’s been reported to police; call 911 if you see it.
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
That century-old house at 3027 59th SW in the Alki area [map] will soon be demolished to make way for a three-townhouse building. First, the Seattle Fire Department plans to use the site for training exercises, with the owners’ permission. SFD says the training is scheduled for Sunday through Tuesday (August 20-22). The announcement adds, “This training will not include any live fire burning and every effort will be made to not impede traffic and/or access to the area. Observers are welcome! Areas will be marked off for safe viewing.”
(WSB photo: Community Orchard steward Narcissa Nelson checking in on the crops)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
As all gardeners know, what you grow and how you grow it – whether from seed or start – will change. Not always according to plan.
So it has been for the Community Orchard of West Seattle, which is at a turning point. It’s going on eight years since the seed for COWS started to sprout.
And that’s the length of the first lease COWS has had for land at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). It began on the campus’s south end, then moved to the northeast side.
The lease comes up in January, explains orchard steward Narcissa Nelson, and decisions need to be made.
One possibility that sprouted unexpectedly – though potentially, Narcissa says, serendipitously – is that the orchard could become a college project.
All along, one of the intentions for the eighth-of-an-acre plot has been that it would be involved with food security for the area. Eastern West Seattle is a known “food desert,” after all. Along with being a place for growing and harvesting food, the orchard has also been a teaching venue – including workshops on permaculture.
We talked with Narcissa this week at the orchard, within view of its espaliered apples (above) and raised beds growing everything from tomatoes to herbs to squash; earlier in the season, strawberries, collards, parsley, kale. She explained that the college has started a food-pantry program, with an interest in access to fresh food, and the need is increasing. This growing space could become part of that.
COWS already is part “giving garden,” with food harvested for and donated to the White Center Food Bank. Part of it also has been open for community “forage,” though its visibility is minimal – it’s between a fence and a forest, separated from the nearest public road – 16th SW – by SSC’s sprawling north parking lot.
What it really needs, Narcissa explains, is consistent support for maintenance. Student/school involvement could provide that.
In the early going, the thought was that COWS could become a large-scale food-production site for the community. Early involvement was strong, especially from Puget Ridge neighbors. But many of them, Narcissa has noticed, are now focused on growing their own gardens. “A lot of people who were inspired locally have moved on to their own thing, and it’s beautiful – we were a demonstration garden, hoping to inspire people.”
Another thing that has changed: The orchard at one point had a paid manager, funded by a grant. She moved away. What project funding there is, still stems from the original grant.
But the decisions to be made aren’t about money or a lack of it. They’re about the right future for the orchard/garden and its space, whether that’s as the Community Orchard of West Seattle or something else, Narcissa says.
It’s time, she says, for open discussion. “At one point, the community asked for this” (the orchard) – “a lot of people put work into it over the years. This is yours.”
So what do you think its future should be? For starters, you can weigh in via e-mail at info@fruitinwestseattle.org.
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Montessori: Former library, new enrichment center)
Big news from West Seattle Montessori School & Academy (WSB sponsor) – it’s expanding in more ways than one! Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle Montessori School & Academy, a Pre-K through 8th grade school serving West Seattle, White Center, North Highline, and Burien families since 1985, is pleased to announce exciting changes this coming school year.
*A fifth pre-primary classroom (2½ – 6 year-olds) will be opening this fall.
*A new enrichment center will be opening this coming school year, located in the former White Center King County Library. This enrichment center will be home to a performance stage area, kids’ kitchen, and a student-run store, The Owl’s Nest. This new community-centered space will extend student learning and cultivate all-school connections.
West Seattle Montessori School & Academy strives to create an environment where students embrace differences and can connect on compassionate levels with others and the world around them. West Seattle Montessori School & Academy is still accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year.
If you are already set for this school year but looking beyond, West Seattle Montessori’s open-house dates are already set for preschool through 8th grade – November 7th, 6 pm-7:30 pm; January 27 (2018), 1 pm-3 pm; March 7, 6-7:30 pm. The school is at 11215 15th SW.
South Park community advocate Jeff Hayes, whose efforts we have chronicled here, has been working with city leaders to set up a meeting about public-safety issues – and now the date is set. It was just announced in City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s weekly update:
The Department of Neighborhoods will be organizing a community meeting in South Park on Tuesday, August 29th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the South Park Neighborhood Center @ 8201 10th Avenue South.
In response to community requests, especially after a number of nights with vandalism against businesses, I sent a letter to the Chief of Police requesting the Seattle Police Department hold a community meeting. The Department of Neighborhoods stepped in to organize the meeting, and bring in other City departments to address other ongoing issues in South Park.
We’ll also hear an update about the work of a Task Force of South Park residents that have been meeting to formulate and report to the Executive and Council future recommendations regarding the public safety and vitality of South Park, including strategies for a new model of neighborhood policing and strategies for a culturally and linguistically responsive data-driven approach to improving the City’s relations to and effectiveness with the South Park neighborhood.
Childcare, light refreshments, and interpretation (in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Amharic) will be provided.
Other topics in Councilmember Herbold’s update include more on the vacant-building legislation, which, as we reported earlier this week, is headed to a full-council vote next month.
(Great Blue Heron photographed at Constellation Park by Mark Wangerin)
Some options for your Friday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ECLIPSE GLASSES: Looking for some? WSB readers continue to crowdsource offers and sightings in the comment section following our original story about them.
WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK: Lincoln Park wading pool and Highland Park spraypark are open 11 am-8 pm today and daily through Labor Day. But today’s the last day for EC Hughes wading pool, noon-7 pm, and the second-to-last day for Hiawatha wading pool, noon-6:30 pm. (Find addresses here)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: Tonight at 6 pm on the south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent campus, the 85th Street Big Band performs in the second-to-last show of this year’s series. Free; bring your own chair/blanket. Dinner/drinks available for purchase starting at 5:30 pm. (4831 35th SW)
PAUL GERARD: Singer-songwriter Paul Gerard performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘SHREK, THE MUSICAL’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ summer show, 7:30 pm at West Seattle High School. Ticket info in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)
MOVIES IN THE PARK: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene‘s last scheduled event this summer, in the “park” south of the church. Free hot dogs and popcorn, too. “Queen of Katwe” is on the big screen at dusk. (42nd SW/SW Juneau)
DYR AND VAUGHN: 9 pm at The Skylark, “a night of interstellar beats, electronica, hip-hop and more featuring local Seattle artists DYR and Vaughn.” $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
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