West Seattle, Washington

09 Saturday

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month : 05/2018 314 results

Remember HONK! Fest West in WS? It’s coming to WC next month
May 15, 2018 4:09 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | White Center

(Reader photo from April 2010 HONK! Fest West in West Seattle)

Back in April 2010, there was a glorious day of dancing and music in the streets, with an eccentric edge, as HONK! Fest West came to West Seattle. In the ensuing years, the street festival of wild-and-often-wacky marching musicians has visited other neighborhoods in the city but hasn’t been back here. Next month, though, it’ll be close – HONK! Fest West bands (the list is now online) will spend the festival’s second day on the streets of White Center, 1-6 pm Saturday, June 2nd. It’s free, it’s unpredictable, and you’re invited to drop by for part of it or all of it. (We have a bit more background in our recent White Center Now coverage of a festival briefing for the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.)

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Big meeting this week; new set of unofficial renderings
May 15, 2018 1:39 pm
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Two developments as planning continues for West Seattle’s planned 2030 light-rail extension:

ELECTED LEADERSHIP GROUP MEETS THIS WEEK: For only the second time since the kickoff of the intensive one-year-plus planning process to come up with a “preferred alternative,” Sound Transit is convening the Elected Leadership Group for the West Seattle/Ballard lines. They meet 2-4 pm this Thursday, May 17th, at ST’s downtown board room (401 S. Jackson). The meeting will include a public-comment period. (Here’s our coverage of the ELG’s first meeting back in January.)

(3:32 PM UPDATE: Since we published this, ST has added the Thursday meeting’s agenda and slide deck to its website. One page of interest in the slide deck – page 20, feedback highlights from the May 5th “neighborhood forum” in West Seattle.)

MORE UNOFFICIAL RENDERINGS FROM ‘AVALON TOM’: Though five “concepts” emerged for the West Seattle end of the line (as shown here a month ago), ST’s public visualizations of them haven’t gone any further than flat lines. So “Avalon Tom” offers unofficial visualizations for anyone interested in seeing what the “concepts” might look like. Backstory: He is a West Seattle resident who generated lots of discussion four months ago by producing renderings based on ST’s original “representative alignment.” Now he’s generated a raft of new renderings that show what the 5 West Seattle concepts MIGHT look like. He has multiple renderings for each one – we’ve just pulled one from each set, and you can click through to see the others (or just skip ahead to his special webpage):

First, the “Pigeon Ridge/West Seattle Tunnel” alternative:

Next, the “West Seattle Bridge/Fauntleroy” alternative:

The “Yancy Street/West Seattle Tunnel” alternative:

The “Oregon Street/Alaska Junction” alternative:

And the “West Seattle Golf Course/Alaska Junction” alternative:

Again, click the links to any/all of the pages “Avalon Tom” has for the “alternatives” and you will see multiple renderings – we just chose one from each. At its most recent meeting, the project’s Stakeholder Advisory Group (which meets again May 30th) recommended only continuing consideration of the “Pigeon Ridge” and “Oregon Street” concepts (WSB coverage here), but that’s by no means a binding recommendation – the Elected Leadership Group is to take it under advisement.

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Know all your transportation alternatives? Forum on Saturday will probably show you something new
May 15, 2018 12:58 pm
|    Comments Off on Know all your transportation alternatives? Forum on Saturday will probably show you something new
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Last fall, we covered a forum on transportation alternatives, presented by the West Seattle Transportation Coalition and packed with information about options. It was so informative, WSTC decided to present another one – and they’re reminding you that it’s coming up this Saturday (May 19th):

This public forum on transportation alternatives is intended to help seniors and people with disabilities learn more about mobility options other than driving. If you or anyone you know is driving less—or even no longer able to drive at all—this forum will explain the resources that are available to help. This should be a very informative afternoon with lots of interesting guest speakers. We are counting on you to spread the word to folks who might not otherwise hear about this event!

It’s happening 1:30-3:30 pm Saturday at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

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Library to Business: Free help for local entrepreneurs
May 15, 2018 11:34 am
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 |   Delridge | High Point | South Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Running a small business? And/or launching one? The Seattle Public Library has free consultation appointments open starting soon for its Library to Business program. Librarian Nancy Slote, who’s part of the L2B team, explains, “We help research business questions, particularly with market research. The library has great subscription databases, available in the branches and remotely, with a library card, which can provide consumer buying data and identify competitors and market trends. We meet with entrepreneurs in all stages of business development, from people with an idea, to those writing business plans, to those operating businesses.” They have appointments at the Delridge, High Point, and South Park branches – this flyer shows the day/time windows, and the number(s) to call to get yourself set up to go in for help (or, Nancy says, you can schedule via e-mail at L2B@spl.org).

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West Seattle Tuesday: Mural announcement; low-low tide; WS Crime Prevention Council; Admiral Neighborhood Association; more!
May 15, 2018 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Mural announcement; low-low tide; WS Crime Prevention Council; Admiral Neighborhood Association; more!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tacoma-baesd SS Cape Island, passing West Seattle on Monday, photographed by Jamie Kinney)

Highlights for the rest of your Tuesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH: Two days after the special day in honor of Mom, you are invited to the Senior Center of West Seattle at 11:30 am for a special lunch in honor of moms. Call to see if there’s still room. (4217 SW Oregon)

LOW-LOW TIDE: 11:35 am, the tide is out to -1.8 feet, as the low-low tides of spring/summer begin, Even lower the next three days – here’s the tide chart!

MURAL ANNOUNCEMENT: This afternoon, you’re invited to a public announcement of “a major step forward to jump-start the restoration of the Murals of West Seattle.” It’s happening at 2 pm in front of the mural that’s leading off the project, hosted by the West Seattle Junction Association and Dan Austin of Peel and Press. (West side of the southwest corner of California/Fauntleroy)

PRESCHOOL PREVIEW: Got a preschooler or preschooler-to-be? West Seattle Montessori School and Academy (WSB sponsor) invites you to tonight’s open house, 6-7:30 pm. Kids welcome too. (11215 15th SW)

(Monday sunset, photographed by Jim Borrow)

HIGH POINT READS ‘HOMEGOING’: 6:30 pm evening book group at High Point Library features a discussion of the 2018 Seattle Reads book, “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi. (3411 SW Raymond)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: As previewed here, the 6:30 pm bimonthly meeting of the Admiral Neighborhood Association at The Sanctuary at Admiral will feature a Community Police Team officer, an update on the West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway extension to Admiral, and the latest on Sub Pop‘s August 11th Alki anniversary extravaganza. All welcome. (42nd/Lander)

CHIEF SEALTH IHS BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATER: You are invited to come watch and applaud Chief Sealth International High School students’ Book-It performances, adapting poetry into theater. 7 pm at the school auditorium. Free admission. (2600 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Transportation is on the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council agenda tonight as Jim Curtin of SDOT is the scheduled guest, along with the usual updates from – and Q&A with – SPD reps. 7 pm at Southwest Precinct. (2300 SW Webster)

TRIVIA X 2: At Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), “Friends” trivia at 7 pm; then at Whisky West (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor), Geeks Who Drink trivia at 7:30 pm.

SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … by visiting our complete-calendar page.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Civic; dumped purse & more
May 15, 2018 9:10 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports to start off the day in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN BLUE CIVIC: Yolina‘s car was stolen near 24th SW and SW Holden. It’s a blue four-door 1998 Honda Civic, plates AOT1713. If you see it, call 911.

DUMPED AND LIKELY STOLEN: From Jonathan:

I woke up this morning to find that someone had dumped a handbag and some other personal items at my curb. I have attached a photo in the off chance it can find its way back to its rightful owner.

I’m located at 49th and Stevens.

P.S. – CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TONIGHT: Got a neighborhood crime concern? Or a question for police? Tonight’s your chance to bring it up with them in person at the monthly West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), all welcome.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch
May 15, 2018 7:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! No current incidents in/from West Seattle; no transit alerts, so far, either.

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FOLLOWUP: Where South Seattle College’s Pastry and Baking Arts program stands
May 14, 2018 10:18 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo, April 10th)

A little over a month after students, faculty, and community members pleaded with the interim president of South Seattle College< (WSB sponsor) not to kill the Pastry and Baking Arts program, Peter Lortz has made a decision. The college’s communications director Ty Swenson says Lortz “is not forwarding a recommendation of program closure until more is learned from conversations with industry and further discussion with faculty.” Those conversations, he explains, emerged from “connect(ing) with those who expressed a willingness to support the program … a plan emerged for Seattle Colleges to meet with baking industry representatives to discuss how the district (this includes South Seattle College, Seattle Central College and North Seattle College) can best meet industry needs and student demand. Those meetings will be held in the near future.” In the meantime, though, Swenson adds, “South will not run Pastry & Baking Arts classes during Summer Quarter 2018 and is not currently accepting new students into the program for Fall Quarter 2018.”

Closure was recommended by the college’s vice president of instruction in the face of a college budget crunch, but before forwarding that recommendation to the district chancellor, Lortz convened a “listening session” that filled the school’s board room with supporters including prominent bakers/restaurateurs who said the program is an invaluable training ground for businesses like theirs.

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VIDEO: What’s in the ‘head tax’ the City Council unanimously passed
May 14, 2018 8:45 pm
|      141 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Seattle Channel video of this afternoon’s council meeting – public comment at 17:58, tax items at 59:08)

Ample citywide coverage of the City Council’s final vote on the “head tax” this afternoon – but we’re noting it here anyway. For one, the two West Seattle-residing councilmembers – District 1’s Lisa Herbold and citywide Position 9’s Lorena González – led the task force that brought the concept to the council in the first place. From the official news release, details on the compromise that passed in a 9-0 vote:

… The amended proposal establishes an annual tax of $275 per full-time employee on the City’s largest businesses, those with revenues of more than $20 million (about 3% of all businesses). The measure would generate an estimated $47 million annually and end on December 31, 2023.

… Selected highlights of the amended ordinance include:

*Exempt Seattle’s small and medium-sized businesses, only applying to those with at least $20 million or more annually in taxable gross receipts as measured under the City’s existing Business & Occupation tax;

*Apply only to the City’s approximately 585 largest businesses, or approximately 3% of all Seattle businesses;

*Require large businesses to pay $275 per full-time equivalent employee working 1,920 hours per year (or about $0.14 per hour);

*Include an evaluation of the economic impacts, and an independent oversight committee; and,

*Exempt healthcare providers that provide at least 25% of their services to patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid as well as all hospitals. …

You can read the amended plan here. Here’s some of what’s happened in the hours since the council vote:

*Mayor Durkan said, “I plan to sign this bill” (here’s video of her news conference; here’s her statement)

*Amazon said it’s “disappointed” and “apprehensive” (GeekWire.com coverage)

The tax starts in January. But first, as was noted in Q&A at Durkan’s news conference, a spending plan has to be finalized for the money it will raise.

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COYOTE REPORT: ‘Pack of pups’ southwest of The Junction
May 14, 2018 6:25 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

For the first time in a long time, today we received a reader report about a coyote sighting:

Last night: a pack of coyote pups heard and spotted at 46th and Edmunds in West Seattle at 1:25 am. About eight of them, running wildly around houses looking for food.

Over the years, we’ve published coyote reports when we received them, to help people remain aware that we and these wild neighbors are co-existing. If you don’t know much about coyotes, or what to do if you see one or more, this state webpage can help.

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HELPING THE HELPLINE: Here’s the lineup for next week’s Taste of West Seattle
May 14, 2018 4:00 pm
|    Comments Off on HELPING THE HELPLINE: Here’s the lineup for next week’s Taste of West Seattle
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Waiting to find out who’s part of the peninsula’s tastiest fundraiser of the year before buying your ticket(s)? The wait is over. The West Seattle Helpline has sent word of the food and beverage purveyors you’ll find at May 24’s Taste of West Seattle:

The West Seattle Helpline’s 13th annual Taste of West Seattle (presented by Metropolitan Market) is just a little over a week away! Join us May 24th at The Hall at Fauntleroy from 6-9 pm for the most delicious night in West Seattle. If you don’t have tickets, you need to buy them fast — Tuesday, May 22 is the last day to purchase tickets.

The Taste of West Seattle is a local, community-based food fair and is the largest event of its kind in West Seattle. This year’s Taste will feature food and drink from 37 different restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, and more – all from right here in West Seattle! Check out the lineup below:

Admiral Bird
Arthur’s
B’s Po Boy
BAKED. Custom Cakes
Bakery Nouveau
Beveridge Place Pub
The Bridge
Brookdale Admiral Heights/WS
Cafe Mia
Cafe Osita
Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe
Circa
Coastline Burgers
Copper Coin
Coral Wines
Cupcake Royale
Dream Dinners, West Seattle
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Duos Catering
Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Husky Deli
Metropolitan Market
Mission Cantina
Pecos Pit-West Seattle
Pizzeria 22
Prost! West Seattle
Salty’s on Alki
Schooner EXACT Brewing Co.
T2 Cellars
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes-Catering and Events
Viscon Cellars
West 5
West Seattle Brewing Co.
West Seattle Cellars
The Westy
The Swinery
Wildwood Market

All proceeds from the event go directly to the West Seattle Helpline’s emergency assistance and homelessness prevention programs. These services stabilize and support individuals and families in West Seattle who are recovering from a crisis or unexpected hardship.

Buy your tickets online today by going here.

(Viscon Cellars, The Westy, Salty’s, Pecos Pit, Metropolitan Market, Dream Dinners, and Circa are also WSB sponsors.)

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: U.S. Coast Guard air and sea crews, training
May 14, 2018 2:44 pm
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: U.S. Coast Guard air and sea crews, training
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Gary Jones (above) and Scott Lipsky (below) for photos of U.S. Coast Guard sea and air crews in action off West Seattle shores at midday today.

We checked with the Coast Guard’s 13th District public-affairs office to be sure this was practice, not a search, and they confirm, “It was just training.”

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BIZNOTES: City Mouse Studio closed for building maintenance; FastSigns moving
May 14, 2018 2:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two more biznotes:

CITY MOUSE CLOSED FOR A FEW DAYS: Donna at City Mouse Studio (4218 SW Alaska) in The Junction says her shop is closed for a few days – through Thursday
because of maintenance at the historic Campbell Building. She says hers is the only business affected. She expects to reopen at 10 am Friday.

FASTSIGNS MOVING: While at the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Instruments of Change event on Saturday night, we learned that FastSigns (6323 35th Ave. SW) is leaving West Seattle and headed to Burien. The FS website confirms the move to 922 151st SW is effective June 1st. The shop has been in the ex-laundromat space for almost four and a half years.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red Accord
May 14, 2018 12:29 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We think the cats are OK – but Barbara‘s car is gone:

This morning my car wasn’t in its spot at Tracy Ann Apartments on Murray Ave. ’92 Honda Accord, dark red and reported missing around 7 am. If seen please contact 406 599 6185.

But first, call 911. P.S. Barbara’s car has Montana plates.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Barbara says the car has been found.

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BIZNOTE: Don’t panic if you see the cow come down during Best of Hands Barrelhouse work
May 14, 2018 11:29 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(WSB photo)

It’s been somewhat slow going for the Best of Hands Barrelhouse crew as they continue remodeling the former deli space at 35th and Webster. After a few recent reader questions, we checked back in with Nick Marianetti, who replied with this update:

Things are moving along quickly now that SCL and PSE have us on their schedules and are installing the power upgrades we require to operate a brewing facility and taproom. Build out on the inside has been moving along steadily, and our neighbors will begin to see changes to the outside of the building as well. … We’ll be pulling off old siding and replacing it; re-roofing the taproom side (old market side); installing new HVAC systems; painting the whole building, and adding a patio on the south wall of the taproom! We will also be giving the iconic cow a new paint job, so if we’re required to take her off the roof to do so, fear not, she will return to her perch atop the building!

Opening dates are still a moving target at this time. Once the power installs are completed we can install our brewing system, and then we will have a better idea of how quickly we can be up and brewing.

For more backstory, check out our first report on the Best of Hands plan in February 2017.

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7 for your West Seattle Monday
May 14, 2018 10:08 am
|    Comments Off on 7 for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Crow in Lincoln Park with nesting material, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, seven highlights for the rest of your Monday:

LEARN ABOUT BUGS: 11 am, a new lecture series at the Senior Center of West Seattle, featuring West Seattle entomologist Jen Paur of Tiny Science. Call ASAP to register. (4217 SW Oregon)

SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: District tournament game for West Seattle High School, vs. Bellevue HS, 4 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)

DROP-IN PT NIGHT: Aches? Pains? Injuries? Drop-in consultation with Biojunction at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), 5:30-7 pm. Free. (2743 California SW)

CITY CHAMPIONSHIP TRACK MEET: Ages 7-10 compete starting at 5:30 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)

‘SEATTLE READS’ BOOK GROUP: 6:45 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – if you’re reading this year’s “Seattle Reads” book, “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi, be there! (2306 42nd SW)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: Meantime, at Southwest Library, also at 6:45 pm, the evening book group meets to talk about “Nine Parts of Desire” by Geraldine Brooks. (9010 35th SW)

MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION: Buddhist Meditation class at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (5639 California SW)

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COUNTDOWN: West Seattle 5K on Sunday!
May 14, 2018 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: West Seattle 5K on Sunday!
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(2017 West Seattle 5K photo by Leda Costa for WSB)

It’s a run/walk for the whole family – and it’s now less than one week away. Sunday (May 20th) brings the first big 5K of the season to our area, the West Seattle 5K, raising money for the West Seattle High School PTSA. Even if you’re not participating, you need to know that the WS5K takes over the waterfront road for a few hours on Sunday morning, so heed those no-parking signs! So you might as well join in. The run/walk starts just after 9 am, leaving from and returning to 61st/Alki, just west of the Bathhouse. If you’re not already signed up, you can still register online – go here. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome! (WSB is a co-sponsor again this year, as we’ve been every year since the WS5K launched in 2009.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
May 14, 2018 7:06 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents or transit alerts affecting our area, so far.

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Remembering Seth, the West Seattle Nursery cat
May 13, 2018 10:39 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Nine years ago, in a WSB series on “shop cats,” we featured the story of Seth, who lived at West Seattle Nursery. This past week, WSN’s Marie McKinsey tells us, Seth passed away, at what you might call his retirement home:

No one here ever set out to have a nursery cat, but Seth wandered into the nursery one day, took a look around, and decided that he belonged here. Since it was clear that he wasn’t going to leave, the nursery staff adopted him. He had a good career at the nursery and became friends with a lot of customers. Working in retail took its toll, though, and after 12 years on the job, he was ready to retire. Ingrid Nokes, our gift and houseplant buyer, took him home to live with her and her husband. They made a comfortable home for him to live out his remaining years. Ingrid says, “He was a great mouser and became quite the love kitty in his later years. We will miss him greatly!” Seth passed away peacefully (Wednesday) morning at home, curled up on his favorite pillow.

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UPDATE: Hundreds gather to help thousands @ West Seattle Food Bank’s 2018 Instruments of Change
May 13, 2018 8:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(UPDATED MONDAY with fundraising tally from Saturday’s event)

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“Tonight we are here to be sure all our friends and neighbors in West Seattle have enough to eat.”

That’s how auctioneer/emcee Ian Lindsay summarized things for about 250 people who gathered last night for the West Seattle Food Bank‘s annual Instruments of Change dinner and auction.

The celebration at the Seattle Design Center honored a job that can’t go undone – but, the WSFB’s 17-year executive director Fran Yeatts (above), acknowledged, would ideally be unnecessary. “I am really sorry that we have to do this work,” she began, while explaining that it will make a difference for about 10,000 people in the community this year – some, just once; some, over and over again. Ten thousand also is how many people in West Seattle live below the federal poverty level, according to a video shown at the event.

The stats are eye-opening:

Read More

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SUMMER CAMP: Seattle Audubon camps in West Seattle still have room
May 13, 2018 6:07 pm
|    Comments Off on SUMMER CAMP: Seattle Audubon camps in West Seattle still have room
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Still looking for summer camp? Seattle Audubon says it still has room in camps it’s offering this summer in West Seattle:

Nature Camp is for children entering grades 1-9, and all children in this age range are welcome. Our camp will be based at Explorer West Middle School, with two off-site field trips each week. Though there is a fee to attend, we have a generous scholarship fund so that all children may have a summer camp experience.

Nature Camp emphasizes experiential outdoor activities that instill an appreciation of nature for children and teens. Each week is a different theme, from Tide Pool Treasures (grades 1-3) to Habitat Restoration Rangers (grades 4-6) to Young Birders for middle schoolers. Sessions range from $210-$295 and includes two off-site field trips each week. Regular camp hours are 9 am-3:30 pm, with morning and afternoon extended care available.

The sessions are in July and August. You can register at seattleaudubon.org/sas/naturecamp.

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Reinforcement reveals history at Fauntleroy YMCA
May 13, 2018 4:23 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

A project at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) gym has opened the door to revisiting history involving a window. Judy Pickens shares the story:

Anyone who’s played basketball at the Fauntleroy YMCA knows that a forceful throw could cause noticeable movement of the west wall of the gym. Now that structural weakness is being rectified through a joint project of the Y and Fauntleroy Church. (In the top photo, the boarded-up window framing is visible behind scaffolding as Potter Construction works to reinforce the west wall of the Fauntleroy gym.)

Large windows to let in natural light seemed like a good idea in 1914 when the community built the wood-frame facility to provide young people a place for sports, meetings, and manual training. This illustration showing the fully exposed windows appeared in a 1944 edition of the “Little Brown Church News” to keep service members from Fauntleroy up to date on local basketball activity.

The windows stayed until 1950, when more stability was needed for the building’s move to its present location to make way for a new sanctuary.

Full use of the gym is expected to resume by June 1.

(Image credits: Top photo by Monika Lindman; other two, from Fauntleroy Church archives.)

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PLAN A MURAL! Friends of Roxhill invites kids to upcoming workshops. P.S. Playground builders needed too!
May 13, 2018 3:04 pm
|    Comments Off on PLAN A MURAL! Friends of Roxhill invites kids to upcoming workshops. P.S. Playground builders needed too!
 |   Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

As Roxhill Elementary prepares to move to EC Hughes, it’s time to ramp up the community mural project at the new site. From Jenny Rose Ryan of Friends of Roxhill Elementary, a special invitation for kids (and read through to the P.S. for adults):

Friends of Roxhill Elementary (FoRE) is pleased to announce the selection of Henry Luke as the artist to lead our community mural project. To kick off the project and help develop our community’s vision, Henry invites youth ages 7 to 13 to a series of workshops in the upstairs meeting room at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library from 4 to 5 p.m. on three upcoming Friday afternoons: May 18, May 25 and June 1. All kids are welcome — not just those from Roxhill.

Our goal is to create a long-lasting piece of art that truly represents the history, culture, and aspirations of the people in the neighborhood who will see it every day. We are excited to work together with Henry to create a mural that reflects our hopes, dreams, and visions for the future while making connections with each other.

The mural will be located at the concrete retaining wall at the corner of 32nd Avenue SW and SW Holden Street, along the street side of Roxhill’s new home at the historic E.C. Hughes Elementary. If you are an adult interested in participating in the mural design or volunteering to help paint the mural, please contact us at friendsofroxhill@gmail.com. It will be painted this summer, after installation of our new playground.

P.S. Friends of Roxhill will also be hosting a community build day for our new playground at our new home at the renovated and restored E.C. Hughes, where Roxhill is moving in the fall. Volunteers will be supervised by our selected playground firm, PlayCreation, on June 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details are coming very soon — if interested now, you can sign up here. We have morning and afternoon shifts.

Both the mural and the playground have been made possible by a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund grant.

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