West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
Ann Walker has a big reason to smile – her West Seattle Junction shop Curious Kidstuff (WSB sponsor) is celebrating 20 years in business! And in honor of that, this year’s anniversary sale is bigger than ever – 11 am-5 pm on Sunday (May 6th). More on that in a moment – but first, a bit more of this business’s backstory!
Ann came to Seattle from St. Paul, Minnesota, where she grew up, and Curious Kidstuff is modeled after a shop in Minneapolis. It’s officially described as a shop that features “non-violent toys, books, music, art, and other tricks and treasures. You will find green toys, wooden toys, infant to 12 years. All products in our store are up to the highest new safety standards and every item has a USA General Conformity Certificate. We welcome children to play with our many display tables. We have truly created a safe and warm environment to discover and socialize with others.”
So what’s changed over the 20 years she’s been in business? Back when she was starting up, Ann says, The Junction had about 10 open retail spaces – long before new construction added more retail spaces – so she had many options. Also, she says she could never have imagined she would see a second generation of customers – some who came to her store as kids are coming there now with their own kids! She also recognizes that toys and games aren’t just for kids, and has begun stocking more puzzles and games geared toward adults – they are popular with the new apartment residents, who are becoming steady customers. Meantime, her store has grown to have a staff of six.
Whatever you’re looking for, you are invited to help Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW) celebrate on Sunday. Ann calls it the 20/20 sale – 20 years in business, 20 percent off everything in the store (excluding LEGO brand items). Besides the discounts, the daylong party will include games and crafts, prize drawings, a family photo booth, treats, and … what’s the store’s always about … fun.
Your next major chance for input on where Sound Transit‘s West Seattle light-rail extension goes is now just hours away. The first “neighborhood forum” for West Seattle is 10 am-12:30 pm Saturday (May 5th) at the Masonic Center (4736 40th SW) and we wanted to remind you about it one more time. This is the final round of feedback in the “Level 1” part of the year-long process moving toward coming up with a “preferred alternative” (route and stations) by this time next year. The format for the forum, according to ST:
*Sign in and check out project maps and background info (10 minutes)
*Watch a brief presentation that covers the project overview and new concepts from early scoping (20 minutes)
*Break out into small groups to discuss neighborhood-specific topics and share your insights (2 hours)
The most recent developments, in case you want a refresher ahead of time:
-Sound Transit reps briefed the Junction Neighborhood Organization a week ago on where things stand (our report includes video of their presentation and attendee Q&A)
-The Stakeholder Advisory Group for the West Seattle/Ballard light-rail extension met two days before that and made some first-level recommendations (above) that the Elected Leadership Group will consider in two weeks (here’s our report)
This is by no means the last chance for community feedback but it’s a crucial point before potential options advance to “Level 2,” and ST emphasizes that it’s particularly interested in “refinements” to what’s on the table, so if you have an opinion, you’ll want to be there. The Masonic Center is at 4736 40th SW.
(Female Rufous Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ST. JOHN’S SALE: Get your rummaging skills in gear for next weekend’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day by going to St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s big rummage sale today and/or tomorrow. Today, it’s on until 7 pm. (3050 California SW)
BILL DAVIE: Alternative folk singer/songwriter/poet performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: It’s a must-win game for the West Seattle High School Wildcats in the Metro League tournament, 4 pm today at Southwest Athletic Complex vs. Bishop Blanchet. (2801 SW Thistle)
CORNER BAR: The “monthly neighborhood party” at Highland Park Improvement Club starts at 6 tonight. Featured band this month is One Bad Hat from White Center; DJ Dr. Lehl is spinning, too. (1116 SW Holden)
‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’: Madison Middle School‘s presentation of the popular tale is at 7 tonight and 10 am tomorrow in the West Seattle High School Theater. You can buy tickets online – the links are in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)
PREVIEW THE WEEKEND … by browsing our complete calendar!
Just got word of this from SDOT, which says it’s happening now, and since it’ll affect traffic well beyond the morning commute, we’re publishing it outside the traffic report:
Emergency deck spall repair work, on the (bridge).
The location is eastbound in the left general-purpose lane approximately 10 feet after the exit for 4th Ave S.
Crews should complete all work by 3:30.
Message board signs will be in place to alert drivers, approaching the work area.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:09 AM: Good morning! Only one incident reported in the area – if you head this way from points north, note that there’s a crash blocking one lane of southbound 99 at King St.
7:16 AM: That has cleared.
7:23 AM: If you use East Marginal Way to head to/from downtown, note there’s a crash response right where it becomes Alaskan Way near Massachusetts.
7:29 AM: SDOT says that crash is blocking SB lanes but not NB.
7:33 AM: From the scanner, trouble at 4th/Spokane, blocking a westbound lane there.
7:38 AM: SDOT reports the East Marginal/Alaskan Way S. scene is all clear.
7:40 AM: Transit alert – the Metro Route 113 bus that would usually leave 26th SW/SW 116th, downtown-bound, right now, won’t operate today, Metro just texted.
This month’s Southwest District Council meeting had an environmental theme. Two guests spotlighted that. First, Craig Kenworthy, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:
In our photo, Kenworthy was showing a test strip that indicated air dirty enough for a burn ban. He gave the SWDC a primer about the most common particulates in our area – mostly fine particles that come from engine combustion – diesel and gas, cars, rail, or ships. (Added – here’s his slide deck):
Congratulations to Chief Sealth International High School artist Zhen Williams for winning a competition that will see her winning work displayed in D.C.! The announcement and photo are from our area’s U.S. House Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s office:
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal announced the winners of Washington’s 7th District 2018 Congressional Arts Competition. They are:
1st: Zhen Williams, Chief Sealth International High School, “Voice Through My Hands”
2nd: Marlowe Pody, Garfield High School, “Fleeting”
3rd: Min Jeong Lee, Shoreline Christian School, “Hope”
Zhen’s painting will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year; Jayapal will hang the second place entry in her congressional office.
“Congratulations to Zhen on winning this year’s Congressional Arts Competition. I’m proud of the 7th District for another successful year celebrating the arts. This would not have been possible without the six schools who participated or without our amazing judges, supportive parents and teachers,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Every year, students have raised the bar, and I look forward to seeing the entries we receive in next year’s competition.”
Six high schools from around the district participated in this year’s contest, including Chief Sealth International High School, Shoreline Christian, Ingraham, Garfield, The Northwest School and New Start High School.
Thanks to Gary Jones for the photos, which were too sweet to put on hold until, say, tomorrow morning’s highlights. Notice in the top photo that Harbor Seal #1 is just hanging out at low tide off Constellation Park, with somebody peeking from the water to the left … and then deciding to get out and join the basking.
Flagging us to the same scene via Twitter, @1fox2fox noted, “As always, please be respectful to these sentinels of the Sound qnd give them space.” And if they come ashore, give Seal Sitters a call … 206-905-SEAL. P.S. Low-low tides are coming up later this month – lower than -2 feet for four afternoons starting Wednesday, May 16th.
4:01 PM: If you’re going to be using 35th SW south of Morgan any time soon, heads up – there are two crashes, one at Morgan involving a vehicle that lost at least one wheel, and just now, a 5-vehicle crash blocking the northbound lane in the 7700 block of 35th (at or near Holden). We’re on our way to check.
4:14 PM: Above, the cars on NB 35th just south of Holden have moved to the side. No injuries, we’re told. Checking 35th/Morgan next.
4:24 PM: Above is the pickup that lost a wheel at 35th and Morgan. Police are there and a tow truck too, blocking the inside northbound lane of 35th. No injuries reported in either incident.
Just found out today that another regional 5K fundraiser is moving to West Seattle – on June 9th, you can join the Take Steps 5K Walk/Run at Lincoln Park. It’s a fundraiser for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. This is an afternoon event, with a festival starting at 1 pm and the 5K at 2:30 pm, all in an effort to find new treatments and someday a cure for these intestinal disorders. You can participate as an individual or as part of a team – here’s where to start.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This has continued to be a frequently asked question in the WSB inbox, with an empty space in the heart of The Junction sporting “Coming Soon: The Hydrant” in its window since before Summer Fest in 2015. Our newest WSB contributing reporter reached the proprietor.
Story and photo by Tony Lystra
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
After nearly three years, the West Seattle Junction’s bar for dogs and their owners may finally soon become a reality.
Since 2015, Beya Mark and her husband Cliff have been planning to open a bar called The Hydrant that serves both humans and dogs. The bar would be next door to the Marks’ upscale pet store, Next to Nature, in the 4500 block of California SW.
But the windows at The Hydrant’s proposed location, a prime piece of Junction real estate, have been papered over for all this time. An interim liquor license to serve beer and wine is still posted on the door; it expired Jan. 11, 2016. The mysteriously shuttered storefront has become a neighborhood curiosity.
Beya Mark, who leases the storefront with her husband, said a family emergency delayed the bar’s opening. Now, she tells WSB, preparations for opening are nearly complete.
“The Hydrant is definitely still on,” she said.
Beya Mark said the bar could open this summer, but at this point she’s reluctant to make promises.
She said The Hydrant will serve European and local wines, beer, and high-end coffee. It will be a sort of community hub for dog lovers, she said.
Because businesses that allow dogs can’t serve food under state food safety rules, Beya Mark said she plans to partner with nearby restaurants so people can order a bite to eat and enjoy it at The Hydrant.
“It’s a lifestyle,” she said of being out in the neighborhood with your dog. “We want people to just be able to come in and relax.”
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
DUMPED/STOLEN? A reader spotted these items strewn at the Murray Wet Weather Facility across from Lowman Beach this morning and sent the photo:
We can’t guarantee they’re still there but passing along the photo just in case someone recognizes their stuff.
ODD THEFT: Kathryn noted a piece missing from her vehicle:
Someone stole my lower (reflector) from my Jeep parked on the street (Tuesday) night. I park on 42nd Ave SW between Fauntleroy and Graham. There’s no other damage to the vehicle or signs of forced entry. Just annoying!
Along with photos from last night’s sunset, here are the highlights of what’s ahead for your West Seattle (and a bit beyond) Thursday:
DROP-IN ART FOR PRESCHOOLERS: 11:30 am-12:30 pm at Delridge Library, drop in to work on art projects with guest teacher Miss Lisa. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
TODDLER STORY TIME: 11:30 am-noon at High Point Library, you and your toddler(s) are welcome to enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
MAYOR IN SOUTH PARK: As previewed here last night, Mayor Jenny Durkan will be just over the ridge at the South Park Community Center at 3 pm for a community roundtable. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
(This photo and next by Jim Borrow)
DESIGN REVIEW FOR NEW LAM BOW BUILDING: As also previewed here last night, the Southwest Design Review Board will meet at 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building to provide Early Design Guidance on the new building proposed at 6355 Delridge Way SW to replace the Lam Bow Apartments building destroyed by fire a year and a half ago. The design packet is shown/linked in our preview. The meeting includes a public-comment period. (4217 SW Oregon)
ALKI ELEMENTARY PTA: 6:30 pm meeting at the school. (3010 59th SW)
PUBLIC FORUM ON HOMELESSNESS: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church, “This public forum will dive below surface responses to give homelessness a human face and explore specific decisions ahead if Seattle and its neighborhoods are to turn the corner on this tenacious problem.” All welcome; more info in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)
THURSDAY TRIVIA, TWO ROUNDS: 7 and 8 pm at Great American Diner and Bar in The Junction. (4752 California SW)
NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: 7 pm at North Highline Fire District HQ, the community council for White Center and vicinity has an info-packed agenda as always, including briefings on the HONK Fest! festival coming to WC next month and work at Steve Cox Memorial Park. (1243 SW 112th)
‘AN OCTOROON’: 7:30 pm curtain for ArtsWest‘s performance tonight of this award-winning play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, described as a “genre-bending work” dealing with “race, identity and time.” (4711 California SW)
ALWAYS MORE … so please also check our complete calendar!
Even if you’re not directly involved with one of the 330+ sales signed up for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 12th – somebody near you probably is, and if you haven’t already heard about their plan, you’ll know in two days, when the WSCGSD 2018 map/list goes live! More than 20 sales are block, business, organization, or school sales – but as usual, that still means most are individual house/townhouse/apartment/etc. sales. And even in their relatively short listings, you’ll see tons of personality – moving sales, sales promising treasures, sales proudly proclaiming junk, knickknacks, bric-a-brac; sales clearing out years of hobby items, years of unique tastes in decor … stuff from employer, military, school affiliations … baby’s-on-the-way sales, baby’s-grown-up sales … We also have an increasing number of sales this year choosing to open before/stay closed after the official WSCGSD hours of 9 am-3 pm. It’ll all be on the map/list and as usual we have two versions going live on Saturday, the clickable map (every sale has a numbered marker, clickable to open the balloon with its address and description) and printable map/list (PDF version with all 330+ listings in order, plus map sections). Watch for it all here on WSB (when it’s ready we will also link it from the menu that you can access on all devices) as well as linked from westseattlegaragesale.com. It’ll be the 14th annual WSCGSD, eleventh year that we’re coordinating it here at WSB, and an awesome day of person-to-person recycling!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far – no transit alerts, either.
10:57 PM WEDNESDAY: Two areas of West Seattle have been the source of multiple 911 calls about possible gunshots in the past 15 minutes or so. First, Avalon Way, where police in the area subsequently told dispatch that a loudly backfiring motorcycle had gone through the area. Shortly thereafter, we heard a couple of booms as did multiple others here in the area uphill/east from Lincoln Park. Police are checking around but so far no reported evidence of gunfire (no victims, casings, damage).
THURSDAY AFTERNOON: No confirmed gunfire cases ended up in the SPD Twitter log that we aggregate on our Crime Watch page. We are checking with SPD media relations to see if they can turn anything up.
(WSB reader photo from September 2016 three-alarm fire, the cause of which was never determined)
Tomorrow (Thursday) night, the plan for replacing the fire-destroyed building at the Lam Bow Apartments (6955 Delridge Way SW) goes before the Southwest Design Review Board. Here’s the full “packet” prepared for the meeting:
(You can also see it on the city website in PDF.) While getting ready for the meeting, project-team members visited the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting in mid-April. If you’re interested in a preview before tomorrow’s review, here are our notes:
The briefing was led by Ryan Moore of the Seattle Housing Authority, which owns the Lam Bow. He said that as is required in the Early Design Guidance phase, they will be presenting three options for the new building, which will be 3 stories high, with about 50 apartments and 49 offstreet parking spaces. Their preferred option has a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, with a central play area, a new commons building, and an open space that might be used for a P-patch or recreation. In general, DNDC attendees had positive reactions, but they also had a lot of questions about access to the parking lot on the Delridge Way side of the building; SDOT is apparently requiring that access be closed because of the future conversion of Metro Route 120 to the RapidRide H Line. The future of that project depends on federal funding that already has been called into question, and since then, the Move Seattle levy spending situation has raised further questions about upcoming RapidRide projects’ city funding. Moore said access to the parking lot would continue via 23rd SW, which would also see improvements such as a sidewalk and gutter. Attendees said they still thought keeping both sides open would be optimal. Moore also was asked about nearby Longfellow Creek and drainage, and said they are still working with a consultant on that.
Thursday night’s hearing will be limited to design issues, and is the first of at least two times the project will be considered by the SWDRB. It starts at 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon).
Two notes on this second night of Bike Everywhere Month:
ALKI ELEMENTARY RODEO: Thanks to Chris Nutter for photos from this afternoon’s Bike Rodeo at Alki Elementary School. Right after classes ended in early afternoon (remember that Wednesday is always early-dismissal day), riders took to the playground to work on bike-handling skills and safety awareness:
This was a tune-up for Bike to School Day, which is one week away – next Wednesday, May 9th. Alki is participating; if your school is, too, let us know!
WSBC COMMUTE BUDDIES: For grownup riders who are looking to spend more time on two wheels this Bike Everywhere Month, Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections shares an announcement:
West Seattle Bike Connections is offering assistance during May, Bike Month, to people who want to ride to work, but aren’t sure about the route or the traffic.
We’ve got 10 experienced riders offering to be COMMUTE BUDDIES to get you going on your first ride to your destination.
Click the link to sign up and pick a convenient time and location to meet. We will do our best to connect people with nearby origins and destinations.
Three months after she joined the peace vigil/march in South Park, the mayor returns to SP tomorrow afternoon.
As part of her ongoing effort to bring City Hall to all Seattle communities, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan will host a roundtable with South Park community leaders to discuss ongoing and new City initiatives in South Park. Mayor Durkan will be joined by representatives of the Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and Seattle Police Department, who will be able to answer questions and provide resources to the community.
“South Park is a diverse and vibrant home to many young people, families, and small businesses, but it also demonstrates our City’s need for equitable investment in economic empowerment, public safety, and better basic services,” said Mayor Durkan. “Through collaboration with community leaders, we are going to tackle the tough challenges facing South Park and create more opportunity for our young people.”
She’s scheduled to be at the South Park Community Center (8319 8th Ave. S.) at 3 pm Thursday.
5:20 PM: In case you’re wondering about the police search in central Delridge, with a K-9 team joining officers in the Delridge/Myrtle vicinity, as well as points east and uphill toward Puget Ridge, here’s what we have found out so far: This started with one man punching another in the face near Home Depot. The victim was taken to the hospital by private ambulance. The suspect is known to the victim. No luck finding him yet.
5:50 PM: Still on the loose.
3:51 PM: The State Patrol – which shared the photo – says a tow crew is on the way to the scene where that on-its-side semitruck is blocking the northbound I-5 exit to the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how WSDOT advises getting around it.
UPDATE: The cavalry has arrived to help move the rolled semi blocking the northbound I-5 off-ramp to the West Seattle Bridge. Still no ETA on reopening. pic.twitter.com/NAgtpCotNo
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 2, 2018
4:13 PM: The tow team has arrived, reports the WSP with that tweeted video clip – but no estimated time yet for reopening.
4:34 PM: Major progress – the crew has the truck upright.
5:45 PM: Finally reopened.
The countdown continues for all the cool spring and summer events coming up. Today, we are exactly one month away from Seattle’s “only urban obstacle course race,” Loop the ‘Lupe, June 2nd at Walt Hundley Playfield.
This will be the second year for Loop the ‘Lupe, which drew 300 people in the first year of “the biggest, muddiest, family-friendliest event.” For year two, organizers are adding a food/drink area, live music – Bottle Rockit! is booked already – and a beer garden (presented by The Beer Junction).
From Race Director Brian Callanan:
Loop the ‘Lupe features a 1K “loop” around Walt Hundley Playfield, where participants race under, over, and through seven obstacles (two new ones added in 2018), including a mud pit, walls, “Squirtgun Alley,” and more.
Loop the ‘Lupe has four options to get the whole family involved in a fun day at the park:
Obstacle Course: For ninja warriors who think their skills are up to the task, the Obstacle Course 5K (five loops) begins at 11 a.m.
5K Family Fun Run/Walk: Not ready for the obstacles? No problem! You can pass them by and make this into a family fun run/walk, starting at 11:45 a.m.
Senior Saunter: The “Saunter” is for walkers age 65+ looking for a flat, no-obstacles walk. The turf soccer field at the park is the “race” course. People used their rolling walkers at this event in2017, so come see how many laps you can complete in 20 minutes! Starts at 12:15 p.m.
Youth Dash: Do you have a child under 8 years old? They can join in the fun, too, by taking one loop around the course (parental help encouraged). The fun begins at 1 p.m.!
Proceeds from Loop the ‘Lupe support the Walmesley Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. The Center has been one of the area’s most utilized facilities for sports and social outreach work since opening in 2012.
You can go here right now to register.
On this beautiful spring day, we welcome Jason Kibbey Design and Landscape as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what they would like you to know:
Are you looking for an exterior space to match the detail of your home’s interior? Do you want to extend your living space out into the garden? Jason Kibbey Design and Landscape has distinguished itself in designing, installing and maintaining gardens that invite the visitor into their spaces and encourages them to linger, relax and unwind. Established in 2006 and based in West Seattle since 2014, Jason Kibbey Design and Landscape welcomes new homeowners and established West Seattleites as we continue to grow our roots deeper in the neighborhood. We work in gardens from Arbor Heights to Alki Beach.
With over 20 years of horticultural and design experience, we provide our clients with unique garden design that closely aligns with their desired aesthetic, style of home, and natural surroundings. Our work ranges from containers to mixed borders, estate gardens to urban oases. In addition to fine pruning, seasonal color updates, seasonal cleanups, garden restoration, garden coaching, design & installation, we also specialize in garden maintenance.
Once your new or restored garden is in place, you’ll want to keep it looking beautiful with regular maintenance. Our dedicated crew of gardeners will work closely with you up to and including garden coaching or will work completely independently. Trust in our knowledge and expertise to assess your garden at any time of the year, create a game plan, and implement it over time. Fine pruning techniques are used to whip neglected maples, rhododendrons, and other ornamentals into shape and keep them looking beautiful from season to season.
For those whose love of gardening exceeds the space that they have, let us tempt you with some lush and lovely custom containers. Check out the container portfolio on our website for just a few examples of containers that our clients love.
We at JKDL know that there are many landscaping companies out there and perhaps you’ve worked with one only to have been underwhelmed. Give us a call and let us show you what it means to work with a professional gardening company. Check us out on Instagram @jasonkibbeydesignandlandscape; look us up on Yelp, where we are a 5-star company; then head over to our website jasonkibbeydesign.com where you can see our portfolio and contact information. We look forward to meeting more of our West Seattle neighbors as we continue planting the seeds of great design.
We thank Jason Kibbey Landscape and Design for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
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