West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(WSB photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Our area has an Aviation High School – so why not a Maritime High School?
Seattle Port Commissioner Fred Felleman talked up the value of jobs in the maritime industry, and the need to educate people about that, as part of his speech to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce last Thursday. It was the Chamber’s annual “State of the Port” lunch meeting, outdoors at port-owned Jack Block Park.
We recorded his humor-peppered remarks, which in part reflected on his first four-year term on the commission, coming to a close as he runs for a second. (See the video here.)
He noted the park’s proximity to West Seattle’s Terminal 5, and recalled the controversy in which it was mired while he was running four years ago, as T-5 hosted vessels intended for Shell‘s Arctic oil drilling.
Those are some of the two-dozen-plus people who participated in last year’s Artist Showcase at Southwest Library, an annual tradition. This year’s showcase is weeks away, so here’s the announcement that it’s time to get your entry/entries ready!
Calling all West Seattle artists! It’s time for the Southwest Library‘s 28th annual Artist Showcase. Artists may submit up to three unique works of art for this non-juried exhibition to celebrate West Seattle’s creative talent.
Entries may be submitted at the Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) from Thursday, October 3rd through Saturday, October 5th. Be sure to stop by the artists’ reception at 2 pm Sunday, October 6th to meet the artists and view all the fabulous work! Art will be on display at the library through the month of October.
The library will also be hosting two art programs to celebrate: a drop-in Family Art Day on Saturday 10/5 at 2 pm and Fill the Frame, a painting-exploration class for teens and adults on Sunday, 10/27. Please call 206-684-7455 for more details.
The walkthrough on the west side of California SW midblock between SW Edmunds and SW Alaska will be the site of a one-of-a-kind volunteer work party next Saturday. As announced by the West Seattle Junction Association:
Saturday, September 21st 9 am – 12 Noon
Volunteer opportunity! Be a part of the transformation of the walk-thru and a piece of mural history. Help turn the walk-thru from a uninteresting passageway into the new Mural Alley!
The Junction is renovating the walk-thru, transforming it into a positive space full of local art.
Renovations include:
Pressure washing
Cleaning the walls
Removing staples and flyers
Painting a backdrop
Installing the 5 community murals painted during 2019 Summer FestGloves, tools, and cleaning supplies provided.
Meet at 9 am in front of the walk-thru on California Ave by Northwest Art and Frame.
The new “Mural Alley” will be dedicated during the next West Seattle Art Walk (October 10th).
P.S. Always lots of volunteer opportunities with The Junction – see the list here.
(WSB photo from May)
10 years ago – months after the fire that ravaged its interior – the Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge (2717 61st SW) appeared on an “endangered properties” list. But now it’s been rescued, restored, and reopened, and it’s won an award. Kathy Blackwell, president of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society board, reports Historic Seattle will be honoring the landmark at its Preservation Celebration this Thursday. It’s the winner of the Beth Chave Community Investment Award. One of its owners, Matt Schilling, will be there to accept the award; he and his father Dennis Schilling led the work to restore it after buying the historic log structure four and a half years ago.
(Photo courtesy SWSHS)
SWSHS nominated the project for the award; see the nomination here. As you probably know, the refurbished and reopened Homestead has been home to the restaurant Il Nido since May.
Almost three months ago, SDOT announced a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) would be created in the West Seattle Junction area, as the result of the second community request in a decade. This means that parking in the RPZ area will have time limits except for residents with permits (which cost $65 for two years unless you qualify as low-income, in which case it’s $10), as explained in this FAQ (PDF). Today, we’ve received an SDOT update on the two next steps toward the RPZ officially taking effect:
This week, we’re mailing letters to all residents within Zone 35 with information on how to purchase permits. Residents within Zone 35 can begin applying for permits per the instructions in the letter. Zone 35 signs will be installed during the first two weeks of November.
The permits do not guarantee parking in the RPZ; they only exempt the permitholder from the time limits. Lots more info is on the project website. Paid street parking was ruled out, but as announced, and shown on the map above, the three main mostly-business blocks of California SW in The Junction will now have parking time limits until 8 pm most days, instead of the current 6 pm, and a few other blocks will have new limits too.
Fall doesn’t officially arrive until next Monday (equinox moment at 12:50 am September 23rd) but tomorrow’s weather will be autumn-ish – south wind up to 30 mph in the afternoon, not major but potentially strong enough to cause some trouble, especially this time of year with leaves still on the trees. Rain will precede the wind, so check your nearest storm drain(s) too.
(Hummingbird sipping from salvia, photographed by Susan Romanenghi)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, as the last week of summer begins
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: Noon-6 pm mobile blood drive outside Admiral Safeway – walk-ups welcome but note that it’s closed 2-3 pm for a break. (2622 California SW)
TAKE YOUR DOG SWIMMING! 5-7 pm at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, it’s the first swim in this year’s Dog Days. Dogs only, not you. The club does this every year as a swim-team fundraiser after people-swimming season ends, before the offseason pool cleaning. (11003 31st SW)
SOUTH DELRIDGE DEVELOPMENT MEETING: The Early Community Outreach for Design Review meeting for 9 townhouse/rowhouse units at 9402 18th SW is at the White Center Library, 6 pm. If you can’t get there, a survey about the project remains open, too. (1409 SW 107th)
MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION: The series continues tonight at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor), 7 pm; drop-ins welcome – info here. (5639 California SW)
QUIZFIX TRIVIA: At The Skylark, free, all ages, with prizes! 7:30 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
From Angie:
My parked car was hit (Sunday) while I was at work in West Seattle. It was hit on Glenn and Oregon. According to a neighbor who walking their dog around 2 pm, it was like this.
It happened between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. Maybe someone saw something and could help find the person responsible for damaging my car.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:52 AM: Good morning!
DEARBORN CLOSURE CONTINUES: The closure of Dearborn at 1st for demolition of a remaining section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to continue all week. If you are traveling on NB 99 and exiting just before the tunnel, you continue onto Alaskan Way; NB buses are rerouted too. Also note that 1st Avenue is narrowed near the demolition zone.
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