West Seattle, Washington

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month : 08/2019 302 results

‘BETWEEN THE LINES’: What you didn’t know about West Seattle’s final years as a separate city
August 17, 2019 10:47 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

Maybe your basic West Seattle history knowledge includes the fact that this area was annexed to the city of Seattle in 1907. But there’s a lot more to the story – a lot more we hadn’t heard until we previewed the new Log House Museum exhibit “Between the Lines” tonight.

The exhibit, which officially opens tomorrow (Sunday, August 18th), details years of votes and counter-votes, petitions and counter-petitions, even proposals that never came to a vote.

It also looks at the motivation behind some of the failed proposals – issues that still aren’t settled more than a century later – like transportation.

Guest curators Phil Hoffman and Greg Lange were there for tonight’s Southwest Seattle Historical Society members-only preview:

(added early Sunday) Courtesy of Clay Eals, here’s video of their presentation:

Their work also looks at the context – such as, the peninsula’s first government:

Despite that fact, Duwamish Tribe members couldn’t vote at the time of annexation without renouncing their tribe. Voting rights also were denied to many others, including women and Asians:

You can see this exhibit as well as the continuing “Sound Spots” at the museum, Thursdays through Sundays, noon-4 pm, 61st SW/SW Stevens. There is no admission charge but a donation is welcome if possible.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Classic cars on Alki
August 17, 2019 9:20 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Classic cars on Alki
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Arriving in Alki a few hours ago to visit the Log House Museum (story to come), we noticed a lineup of classic cars that had us wondering how we missed word of a car show.

Turned out, it wasn’t a show – it was a picnic, with some of the participants’ rides parked nearby.

(Nobody’s come forward to take over the West Seattle Car Show, by the way, so no show this year.)

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Car fire in Morgan Junction
August 17, 2019 8:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Thanks to the reader who texted that photo of a car fire this past hour on the east edge of the Morgan Junction business district. High-visibility spot, so we went down the hill to find out more:

SFD, which has since cleared the scene, told us nobody was hurt. They said the car’s driver thought the fire might have been related to some work recently done on the car.

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ONE MORE DAY: Pianos in the Parks ends Sunday
August 17, 2019 7:14 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Tomorrow’s the final day for Pianos in the Parks around the area, including that one at Junction Plaza Park (42nd SW/SW Alaska) decorated by artist Mindi Katzman, so it’s your last chance to see, maybe even play, it. In case you aren’t a piano player and don’t happen onto one, Mark Jaroslaw recorded the piano in use:

Pianos in the park / last chance to play from JaroslawMedia on Vimeo.

The pianos have been in 13 neighborhoods around the metro area since August 1st (when we took the top photo).

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CELEBRATION: ‘Grand re-opening’ party Thursday for new West Seattle Clothesline location
August 17, 2019 3:33 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

As reported earlier this year, the West Seattle Helpline‘s clothing bank Clothesline has moved to a new location – still in The Junction, still in a space owned by West Seattle Christian Church. You’re invited to a party Thursday to come see for yourself! Here’s the announcement:

Join us for our Grand Re-Opening of the Clothesline, our free all-ages clothing bank. There will be tours of the new location, food, games, and friends. We will be celebrating this new space with our neighbors, and would love for you to be there!

Date: Thursday, August 22
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: 4425 41st Ave SW

The Clothesline served 1,660 people last year!

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HAPPENING NOW: Benefit bake sale at Alki Beach
August 17, 2019 2:02 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Benefit bake sale at Alki Beach
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

At Alki – or headed there? Until 4:30 pm, you can check out that benefit bake sale, linking students across thousands of miles:

We are part of an organization called Seavuria Girls to Girls.

We have a bake sale fundraiser today on Alki, across the street from the Bathhouse.

Our organization is run completely by high school students and with the help of an advisor. Girls to Girls raises money for educational scholarships in Taita-Taveta, Kenya.

Taita- Taveta is a rural town where the government doesn’t fund education past the 8th grade and most families can’t afford to send their kids to school. We also directly communcate with the students we sponsor.

Our Mission is to use education to establish friendships of global connections, that inspire youth, particularly girls, in the United States and Kenya.

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State ferry crewmember bitten by bat
August 17, 2019 1:00 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Unusual incident aboard the state ferry Issaquah on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth this morning. WSF spokesperson Ian Sterling confirmed, when we inquired after a tip, that a crewmember was bitten by a bat. He says the crewmember picked up what he though was debris on the car deck around 8:30 am – and it turned out to be a bat. The crewmember stayed in place until the ferry docked and animal control retrieved the bat, “apparently alive,” according to Sterling, and then went to a clinic for treatment.

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COUNTDOWN: Five weeks until ‘A Grand Affair’ to help West Seattle Food Bank
August 17, 2019 12:28 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Five weeks until ‘A Grand Affair’ to help West Seattle Food Bank
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Leda Costa, September 2018)

You’re invited to end summer by helping ensure the West Seattle Food Bank can keep going strong through fall and winter – tickets (and sponsorships!) are available now for this year’s “A Grand Affair.” The announcement:

Five weeks to go to the West Seattle Food Bank’s 4th annual Roaring ’20s-themed A Grand Affair Cocktail Benefit, Friday evening, September 20th beginning at 6:30 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral.

Bring your friends to this fun benefit that will celebrate the Food Bank’s achievements in helping our neighbors who are in need of food and other services. The evening will be filled with casino-style gaming with a chance to win prizes, hosted wine, beer & hors d’oeuvres, themed cocktails by Peel & Press and The Bridge, Husky Deli’s Jack Miller serving Whiskey Shakes, a photo booth, silent & live auctions, and a chance to give back through Funds for Food.

Dress is cocktail attire but themed costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $75/guest and $85 at the door. Each guest will receive $10,000 worth of gaming chips with each ticket. To be a sponsor, purchase tickets, see our fabulous auction items, or get more A Grand Affair information, go to: westseattlefoodbank.ejoinme.org/AGA

All proceeds will go to providing the 11,500 individuals we serve yearly with nutritious food and other needed services through our shopping style distribution, Mobile Food Bank, Home Delivery, Backpack Program, Baby & Child Corner, Pet Pantry, Bookcase and Community Connections. For more information, or to donate, go to westseattlefoodbank.org.

Community co-sponsors for “A Grand Affair” include WSB; as mentioned above, there’s room for more!

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BACK TO SCHOOL: What West Seattle High School athletes and their families need to know
August 17, 2019 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on BACK TO SCHOOL: What West Seattle High School athletes and their families need to know
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

As we’ve been reporting, while the first day of Seattle Public Schools isn’t until September 4th, things start early for student athletics. From West Seattle High School athletic director Corey Sorenson, a list of key dates, some just days away:

Football Parent Meeting:
Location: West Seattle High School Commons
Date: Wednesday, August, 21st
Time: 7:00 pm

Parent Meeting for Volleyball, Golf, Girls Swim, Girls Soccer, Cross Country and Slow Pitch Softball
Location: West Seattle High School Commons
Date Wednesday, August 28th
Time: 7:00 pm

Football:
First Week of Practice August 21st – August 23rd
10:00 am – 3:30 pm at WSHS
3:30 pm – 7:00p m at SWAC
Buses will be provided for transportation to and from SWAC

Girls Volleyball Tryouts:
August 26th – August 28th
Monday – Wednesday: 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: West Seattle High School

Girls Soccer Tryouts:
August 26th – August 28th
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Location: Walt Hundley Field

Girls Swimming:
First Practice August 26th
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:00 am – 7:45 am
Tuesday and Thursday: 7:00 am – 7:45 am
Southwest Athletic Complex Pool

Boys & Girls Cross Country:
First Practice August 26th
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: West Seattle High School

Slow Pitch Softball:
First Practice August 26th
Monday – Friday: 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Southwest Athletic Complex

Boys & Girls Golf:
First Practice August 26th
Monday – Friday
Location: West Seattle Golf Course
Contact Coach Joel for practice times: WSHSGolfTeam@outlook.com

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12 for your West Seattle Saturday!
August 17, 2019 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on 12 for your West Seattle Saturday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thursday night photo by Jim Borrow)

Welcome to the weekend!

‘GET FIT, WEST SEATTLE’: 8 am, it’s the first (short!) run – or walk – in this free program to get you from couch to half-marathon, courtesy of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), where you’ll meet. “Designed for beginners!” (2743 California SW)

TAI CHI AT THE BEACH: 9 am by Statue of Liberty Plaza on Alki, an hour with instructor Caylen Storm. Free but “portraits of presidents welcome.” As are you, whatever your skill level. (60th SW/Alki SW)

STAPLES ‘BLOCK PARTY’: 9 am-9 pm at the Westwood Village store, a back-to-school prep party that’s more than shopping – though you can get a deal on school supplies for your family and/or to donate to others – also other vendors, food trucks, more. (2501 SW Trenton)

LAFAYETTE KINDERGARTENERS’ PLAYDATE: 10 am, families with incoming Lafayette Elementary kindergarteners are invited to bring them to the school playground to get acquainted. (2645 California SW)

HONORING TWO HISTORY-MAKING VETERANS: 11 am at DAV Chapter 23 HQ in North Delridge, you’re invited to an event that, as previewed here, will honor two history-making Black veterans, and more. (4857 Delridge Way SW)

DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Noon-5 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park, celebrate and learn about Seattle’s only river, as previewed here. (7900 10th Ave. S.)

CITYDOG MAGAZINE COVER DOG SEARCH: Noon-2 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), get your dog photographed for a chance at appearing on CityDog Magazine‘s cover! Details in our preview. (4201 SW Morgan)

CROSS-SOUND SWIM: As previewed last night, Tricia Elmer is swimming from Bremerton to Alki Point today, likely to finish around 12:30 pm – you can watch the tracking signal here. (10:51 AM UPDATE: The attempt was called off after 2 1/2 hours.)

‘9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL,’ TWO PERFORMANCES: 3 pm matinee and 7:30 pm evening performance of Twelfth Night Productions‘ version of the classic tale, told tunefully, at West Seattle High School Auditorium. Get your ticket(s) here. (3000 California SW)

GATHERING FOR PEACE: 6 pm at The Salvation Army in South Delridge:

Come together as a community to be people of peace in a hurting world. … Some of us need to grieve, some of us need a safe place to share our stories, some of us need an extra dose of hope, and all of us need to generate ideas for how we can move forward offering dignity and respect to all of those in our sphere of influence.

(9050 16th SW)

JOE T. COOK BLUES BAND: 8 pm at Poggie Tavern, “Minneapolis bluesman Joe T. Cook and his band of west coast all stars perform high energy, traditional Chicago and Texas blues, originals, and swing for dancing. No cover. 21+. (4717 California SW)

SUMMER JAMS, VOL. 3: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE OTHER OPTIONS … on our complete calendar.

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Dragonfly Park volunteers fighting city plan they say will clip its garden’s wings
August 16, 2019 9:30 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Gardening | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(2013 aerial of Dragonfly Garden/Pavilion, by Long Bach Nguyen)

As that aerial view shows, North Delridge’s Dragonfly Park doesn’t just get its name from the pavilion structure, but also from the garden beds.

The volunteers of Friends of Dragonfly Park were preparing for a new season of work when they got startling news from the Parks Department, as Laura Bruco explains it, “that Parks plans to turf the gardens over and put an outline of the wings in crocuses.” Those, as you probably know, are short-lived early-spring blooms, so most of the year, the garden’s distinctive shape would be lost.

“This park is just too unique and special to replace with an outline of crocus bulbs,” Bruco says. “Our group worked really hard to prepare those beds to take new plantings last year, but Parks kept delaying. They said back then that they were working on figuring out who needed to approve the plans for native plantings that are lower maintenance with the artist Lorna Jordan.”

(October 2017 photo courtesy Friends of Dragonfly Park)

And then suddenly came the news of the Parks plan to just put in grass.

Bruco asked Parks for a chance to discuss this before it’s done, and that meeting is set for next week, open to anyone who’s interested. We asked Parks why the change, and spokesperson Karen O’Connor replied:

We have been working with the community that has provided many hours of volunteer time to keep the garden maintained along with the support from our SPR landscaping crew. We have concluded the planting and gardening design is not sustainable with the current level of volunteer and staff support.

After much work and consulting with the Office of Arts and Culture, our Sr. Landscape Architect has put together a design that is respectful of the Dragonfly Pavilion original design intent. The plan calls for the large areas of bark mulch to be replaced with grass and consolidate the plants that are doing well into the garden beds along the wall. We plan on planting crocus bulbs throughout the lawn so that there would be a bloom time in the spring where different colors would pop under the dragonfly sculpture. Having grass within the butterfly wings will allow us to mow the returning horsetail along with the other invasive weeds.

The garden dates back to the early 2005, with Seattle Public Utilities originally involved. The garden sections now scheduled to be replaced with grass are an integral part of the original intent, as explained here:

… Dragonfly Pavilion is the entrance feature to SPU’s Longfellow Creek Drainage and Habitat Improvement Project and serves as a creek overlook and outdoor environmental education facility. The artist-designed Dragonfly Garden, which surrounds the pavilion, is a landscaped area demonstrating salmon friendly and water-wise gardening techniques and is crucial to SPU’s mission and educational message at the site. …

Bruco is taking the case to Parks higher-ups as well as Councilmember Lisa Herbold and the aforementioned city Office of Arts and Culture, “and whomever else I can find who may have the power and influence to do something.”

If you’re available at 12:30 pm next Thursday (August 22nd), that’s when Bruco and other Friends of Dragonfly Park volunteers will meet with Parks reps at the park to try to save the garden, and all are welcome to be there (28th SW & SW Dakota).

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SWIMMING: Another Bremerton-to-Alki Point attempt on Saturday
August 16, 2019 7:51 pm
|    Comments Off on SWIMMING: Another Bremerton-to-Alki Point attempt on Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Tomorrow morning, a swimmer who trains off Alki will be the next to tackle the Amy Hiland Swim – swimming from Bremerton to Alki Point, something seven others have done, from Hiland herself in 1959 to Stephanie Zimmerman two weeks ago. Tomorrow, Tricia Elmer plans to start at 7:30 am, according to Northwest Open Water Swimming Association president Andrew Malinak, and will likely finish about five hours later. As usual, the swim will be tracked by an escort boat and you can see the progress here. Big weekend for NOWSA – they’re celebrating a cross-Strait of Juan de Fuca swim that happened today, completed by Kim Rutherford in 10 hours, 22 minutes.

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VIDEO: The ABBAgraphs @ The Mount
August 16, 2019 6:30 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Peak season for free outdoor music! The ABBAgraphs – you can guess whose music is their specialty – are playing right now in the third of four shows as part of Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s summer concert series.

Something extra at The Mount’s shows – you can buy dinner if you want:

Tonight’s menu includes burgers, tacos, and baklava! And/or free snow cones and popcorn. The concert continues until 7:30; The Mount is at 4831 35th SW and the stage is on the south side of the campus.

Next week, this year’s series wraps up with the 85th Street Big Band, dinner available starting at 5:30, music at 6.

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From the ‘dumped, likely stolen’ file: Bicycle
August 16, 2019 5:21 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Missing a Gary Fisher Tarpon bicycle? L found one, abandoned, “at Lincoln Park near Fauntleroy and Othello. Likely stolen.” Contact us if it might be yours and we’ll connect you.

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BIZNOTE: New ownership for Alki Mail & Dispatch, as a milestone anniversary approaches
August 16, 2019 3:20 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Alki Mail and Dispatch)

Above are Bree Fitts and Don Wahl of Alki Mail & Dispatch (4701 SW Admiral Way), who have a big announcement – Bree is taking over the business!

Bree was born and raised in West Seattle and is a graduate of Chief Sealth high school. She came to work for Alki Mail & Dispatch in 2011 after the California Ave. Blockbuster Video closed, where she had previously worked as a shift manager for about 5 years.

She has been managing Alki Mail for the past several years for Don and he has decided after 30 years (we celebrate 30 years in business on November 17th of this year) he is ready to step away, but it was important to him that it went to someone who was as dedicated to the business and its customers as he is, and there was no question it would be Bree!

She is passionate about customer service and dedicated to providing nothing but the best for her customers. She is so proud and so excited to join the club of women small business owners in her hometown and hopes to see Alki Mail grow even more with the support of the community.

We plan to have an anniversary/customer appreciation party sometime in November, so be on the lookout for the announcement when we decide on a date! A reminder of Alki Mail’s services: Private mailbox rental, packaging, shipping, printing services, notary public, faxing, scanning and coffee! We are open Monday-Friday 7 am-7 pm, Saturday 9 am-5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm-4 pm.

Alki Mail has been at this location for 15 years, after the first 15 at the beach.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Bat-wielding resident chases fence-climbing intruder
August 16, 2019 2:15 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A 32-year-old man is in jail today after a resident caught him trying to climb into his patio near California/Charlestown late last night. We requested and obtained the report, which says police got the call around 11:23 pm. Police arrived to find the victim following the suspect, with a baseball bat, southbound on California. Officers detained both until they sorted out what had happened. The victim explained that his dog alerted him to noise on the back patio; he said he walked out to find the suspect halfway over the fence. First he grabbed “a pellet gun resembling a rifle” and pointed it at the suspect, who he said dared him to shoot and then threatened to burn the house down. The suspect kept yelling and took off. When stopped, he claimed to police that he had had “a rough day,” had been in the alley collecting trash, and was just trying to get back to California SW to head toward Morgan Junction. Once the suspect was under arrest, the report says, investigating officers noted that the victim’s patio does not connect to California SW. The suspect was booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of criminal trespassing. Records show this is his third arrest in less than two months; the other two were for allegedly harassing/threatening people outside their homes in Morgan Junction, and the second report says he is a known troublemaker in that area.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: 2 traffic alerts for next week
August 16, 2019 12:33 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you use the high bridge, you’ll want to know about two things next week for which SDOT has issued traffic alerts (thanks to Mike for spotting them first!):

HYDRANT TESTING: Next Monday (August 19), SFD will test the bridge’s fire hydrants. That requires closure of the eastbound and westbound inside lanes, SDOT says; the work will start around 8:45 am and end by 2:45 pm.

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT REPAIRS: As you probably know, the eastern section of the bridge, from the Highway 99 overpass eastward, is technically the Spokane Street Viaduct. Its surfacing needs some repairs, and SDOT has plans to do that between 10 pm next Friday (August 23) and 7 pm next Saturday (August 24). During the work, the two left eastbound lanes will be closed.

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BIZNOTE: Change at The Nook
August 16, 2019 11:20 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Thanks for the tip! After a reader told us they’d heard that The Nook (2206 California SW) in North Admiral is ending their coffee operations, we stopped by this morning to verify. That’s Johnny at the espresso machine and he tells us Sunday’s the last day for morning operations at The Nook because he’s moving to Alaska. But the evening bar operation WILL continue under the helm of his brother Jimmy. The Nook’s been open for 2 1/2 years and added coffee just after their first anniversary.

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9 for your West Seattle Friday!
August 16, 2019 10:53 am
|    Comments Off on 9 for your West Seattle Friday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Red-breasted Nuthatch, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN: Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open until 8 pm, Hiawatha wading pool (Walnut/Lander) is open noon-6:30 pm (second-to-last day of the season!), and the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open until 8 pm.

BINGO! Weekly bingo! 11 am-2:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)

TALK WITH YOUR COUNCILMEMBER: 2-7 pm, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is holding this month’s “district office hours” at South Park Community Center. Drop-ins welcome. (8319 8th Ave. S.)

CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: 5:30 pm, dinner’s available for purchase; 6 pm, music begins. The ABBAgraphs‘ ABBA-tribute performance continue the series tonight. Free, bring your own chair/blanket. South side of Providence Mount St. Vincent campus. (4831 35th SW)

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), live music with Nelson Wright, Steve Beck, & Brian Cutler. (5612 California SW)

OUTDOOR MOVIE: “Captain Marvel” is this week’s movie at Aegis Living, 7 pm. (4700 SW Admiral Way)

‘9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL’: This summer’s Twelfth Night Productions show continues tonight at the West Seattle High School Theater, 7:30 pm. Ticketing info and more here. (3000 California SW)

MARLEY’S GHOST: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, celebrating the release of their latest album. (7904 35th SW)

3 BANDS AT THE PARLIAMENT: Human Ottoman, Moon Letters, and Funk Jazz with Peter Daniel, 9 pm, $8. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

LOTS MORE! See it all on our complete calendar.

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YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle YMCA soccer signups
August 16, 2019 9:58 am
|    Comments Off on YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle YMCA soccer signups
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy West Seattle YMCA)

The approach of fall not only means back to school, it’s back to sports for many local kids. The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) has opened soccer signups – here’s the announcement:

Get in the game this fall with Y soccer for ages 3 to 8. Kids learn the rules of the game, sharpen skills like dribbling, passing, defense and offense while learning teamwork and sportsmanship.

YMCA youth sports encourage and promote healthy kids, families, and communities by placing a priority on family involvement, healthy competition rather than rivalry, the value of participation over winning, team-building as well as individual development, a positive self-image and a sense of fair play and mutual respect for others. Parents are encouraged to be more than mere spectators, by contributing their time as volunteer coaches—as well as being their kid’s greatest fan.

For more information and/or registration, go here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
August 16, 2019 7:06 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts in our area.

TUNNEL CLOSURE: Maintenance closure of southbound Highway 99 tunnel overnight tonight at 10 pm until tomorrow (Saturday) at 8 am.

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Celebration of Life party August 25th for Dorothy G. Wright, 1925-2019
August 15, 2019 9:04 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather August 25th to celebrate the life of Dorothy Wright:

Dorothy Gloria Wright passed away at the age of 93 at Harborview Hospital, on July 28, after being struck by a car in a crosswalk at Jefferson Square on July 26.

Dorothy was born at home in Fairdale Township, North Dakota in 1925, the youngest of 6 children. After graduation from Crookston MN High School, she moved to Chicago to live with her oldest sister and family. She worked as a model at Sears. She met her future husband , Everett, who just happened to be her sister’s brother-in-law, at Christmas, while he was on leave from the Army Air Corp. They wrote for 8 months, became engaged on his next leave, and married two days later (technically their 4th date). They were married for 72 years, until his passing in 2016.

In 1956, they left Chicago with their children Wendy and Brad and moved to West Seattle, where several family members had relocated. They lived in their West Seattle house for the rest of their lives.

Dorothy was a homemaker, active in the PTA, Cub Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and bowling leagues. When the kids were out of grade school, she went back to work at Sears on First and Lander in the catalog sales department, until her retirement in 1987.

During their married life, Dorothy and Everett went on 28 cruises (Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.) They loved to dance together at White Center Eagles, play the slots, and meet other travelers.

Mom loved playing Copper Dropper slot machines at the Tulalip and Emerald Queen Casinos, having a rum and coke at 5 pm, her water aerobics class at the West Seattle YMCA, happy hour at Salty’s with her 90+-year-old friends, chicken fingers and fries at the Luna Park Café and her family.

Dorothy leaves behind her daughter, Wendy (Michael) Hobson, son Brad (Colette) Wright, and her grandsons, Aaron & Shawn Hobson and Carson Wright. She also leaves her sister Violet Denison and many nieces and nephews in Seattle and across the USA.

A Celebration of Life party will be held on Sunday, August 25, 1-4 pm at the American Legion Hall at 37th and Alaska in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Seattle Family YMCA, 3622 SW Snoqualmie St., Seattle 98126.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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NAME TIME: Seeking suggestions for 48th/Charlestown park-to-be
August 15, 2019 7:57 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)

After five years in landbanked mode, the 48th/Charlestown park site is finally on the path to reality. As part of that, Seattle Parks is soliciting name ideas. The announcement:

SPR purchased .33 acres at 4801 SW Charlestown St. in 2014 for the future development of a park. The corner property had been a small community garden and prior to that a neighborhood grocery store. It has a history as a community gathering space. Osborn Consulting and SPR worked with the community on the design for the new park, which will provide a “neighborhood green” for the people of all ages to meet, eat, play, and celebrate.

The design includes an oval lawn surrounded by a loop path with arching seat walls, imaginative and active play for young children, picnic areas, and a small stage. Native and drought-tolerant plants will express the natural history of this area, and trees will frame the park and provide shade. The new park will be completed in 2021. More information on the project can be found (here).

The Parks Naming Committee will consider all suggestions and make a recommendation to Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, who will make the final decision.

The Parks Naming Committee is comprised of one representative designated by the Board of Park Commissioners; one by the Chair of the City Council Civic Development, Public Assets and Native Communities Committee; and one by the Parks Superintendent. Criteria the committee considers in naming parks include: geographical location, historical or cultural significance, and natural or geological features. The Park Naming Policy, clarifying the criteria applied when naming a park, can be found (here).

Please submit suggestions for park names in writing by Friday, October 18, 2019 and include an explanation of how your suggestion matches the naming criteria. Send to Seattle Parks and Recreation, Parks Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, or by e-mail to paula.hoff@seattle.gov.

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