West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
(May photo by David Hutchinson)
Almost three weeks ago, we reported on the closure of Jack Block Park‘s walking pier, following damage (above) believed to have been the result of a vessel hitting the pier. Today, Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw tells us the pier has been repaired and is open again.
Thanks to Kersti Muul for the alert – she relays word that Washington State Ferries spotted orcas off the north end of Vashon, northbound, as of the top of the hour. Transients, not residents. As always – if you see them, please let us know!
(Sunday photo by Jim Borrow, who writes, “Saw this Great Blue Heron in the top of a 50-60 ft. Atlas Cedar”)
What’s ahead for the rest of your final Monday of spring:
LOW-LOW TIDE: Another one today, with visits by Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists, now through 1 pm today at Constellation and Lincoln Parks. (Today’s lowest tide is -2.4 feet at 11:38 am)
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: We list mobile blood drives in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar when we find advance word of them, and here’s another: 11:30 am-5:30 pm today at Admiral Safeway. Open to the public if you can donate, but note that it’ll be closed for a break 1:30-2:30 pm. (2622 California SW)
AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: 2 pm at Southwest Library. This month’s title is “Mudbound” by Hillary Jordan. (9010 35th SW)
EAT THE RAINBOW: Workshop and cooking demo at West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), 6:30-8 pm. Part of Pride Month at the Y. All welcome, membership not required. (3622 SW Snoqualmie)
PIGEON POINT FOCUS GROUP: Residents of that neighborhood are invited to a focus group to help update the Micro-Community Policing Plan, part of a series of neighborhood-by-neighborhood conversations as previewed here. 6 pm at Southwest Precinct. (2300 SW Webster)
OPEN MIC NIGHT: 7:30 pm signups, 8 pm performances at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(WSB file photo)
After five preseason weekends, today’s the first weekday for city-owned Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park. This week is still considered “preseason,” so the schedule for noon-7 pm sessions today through Friday is a little different than the rest of the season – see it on the pool website. (The full brochure including pool fees and policies is here [PDF].)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. One major transit alert: Metro says the Route 773 Water Taxi shuttle is not running this morning. No details yet on why.
7:09 AM: Metro has just announced via tweet and text that Route 773 IS now running again.
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer tells WSB that the problem was an unavailable operator.
Spring’s final weekend came to a colorful close:
That’s the view Marc Milrod had looking northwest from Alki, and here’s the one from Jim Borrow looking southeast:
Jim also sent a bonus pre-sunset view:
Next Friday, you can celebrate the change of seasons by watching the first post-summer solstice sunset with Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW) – she’ll be there starting at 8:30; sunset’s around 9 – come learn about the solar system as well as why the park got its name!
As the weekend ends, a look at how it began:
(WSB photos/video)
On Friday night, students, families, staff, and neighbors gathered at West Seattle Elementary School in High Point to celebrate this year’s Multi-Cultural Night. The program began with students singing African songs of welcome:
The program also included hula from Hawai’i and a folkloric dance from México:
Vietnam, Eritrea, and Bangladesh were represented too – as were U.S. art forms from hiphop to cheerleading, the latter courtesy of next year’s Chief Sealth International High School varsity cheer squad:
While performing was a joy …
… visual art was shown off too:
Multi-Cultural Night at WSES was the result of lots of community support as well as school planning and practice.
Continuing our countdowns to big summer events – we are now just one week away from this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour. It’s a self-guided tour and you have all day next Sunday (June 23rd), 9 am-5 pm, to visit any/all of the nine gardens at your own pace. They’re all previewed on the WSGT website – but to enjoy them in person, you’ll need to buy a ticket book. You can get your ticket book at HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon), or Junction True Value (44th/Edmunds), or order online and pick it up on tour day at Metropolitan Market (41st/Admiral; WSB sponsor). Proceeds benefit other local nonprofits; see the list of this year’s beneficiaries here.
A few people have asked in recent days about the status of the West Seattle Outdoor Movies series. Answer: No one came forward to take over the series, so it’s not happening this year, after 14 summers.
(P.S. In recent years other groups have presented one-time outdoor movies during the summer, so if your group/organization/etc. has one planned this year, be sure to let us know ASAP so we can add it to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!)
While we’ve only been covering the high-school commencement ceremonies (Seattle Lutheran HS here, Chief Sealth International HS here, West Seattle HS here), we know hundreds of eighth-graders are celebrating this month too!
WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen sends along photos from this past week’s Hope Lutheran School ceremony – above, the graduates’ group shot by Sally Heit; below, Jason’s photos from inside and outside:
This year, Jason reports, HLS graduated twenty 8th graders.
Wondering how the current cleanups in/near the Duwamish River are going? Your next opportunity to talk wih groups and agencies is at a Community Open House event on Tuesday at the Georgetown campus of South Seattle College (6737 Corson Ave. S.), 5:30-7:30 pm. Here’s the announcement:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington Department of Ecology, together with the Community Advisory Group, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC/TAG), will hold a Community Open House for the public to learn about the current work that Ecology and EPA are doing to clean up contamination in and adjacent to the Lower Duwamish Waterway. You will learn also about the upcoming public comment periods and how to participate.
The open house will feature information on the following sites:
Boeing Developmental Center
Boeing Plant 2
Snopac Property
8801 E Marginal WayIt will also feature information on the overall sediment cleanup (led by EPA) and Source Control (led by Ecology).
The meeting will be open-house format in which you can talk with members from Ecology and EPA working on individual sites.
Families are welcome; Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer interpretation will be available.
(Photo by Janice Yi)
Markus Taylor shares the photo and report:
Two West Seattle authors have won a 2019 IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Award) for their erotic romance novel Pop Secrets. Markus Taylor and his silent writing partner live on Alki, along with the book’s female protagonist. Markus accepted the award in New York City on May 28th at the Copacabana in Times Square. The writing combination of a gay male and a straight female worked remarkably well for the genre.
Pop Secrets synopsis:
A fast-paced, edgy escape into a secret world of sexual temptation and liberation. Thirty-year-old Jackie Notter has had enough of men. After a disastrous marriage, Jackie has a chance encounter with pop sensation Brixton Webber. For the first time in her life she finally experiences true pleasure. Jackie wants more and Brixton is happy to deliver. What begins as wild sex turns into a torrid love affair. But they live in completely different worlds, and their age difference complicates matters. How far will Brixton’s disapproving manager go to keep them apart? Will Jackie’s interloping “was-band” ruin everything? Is Brixton willing to alienate his young and adoring fans for the sake of love, or will Jackie remain his Pop Secret?
The book’s website is here.
If you haven’t been to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market yet today, look for those special markers when you go – they were presented to the 10+ vendors who’ve been part of the WSFM since it opened 20 years ago. Today’s market marks that milestone anniversary, and founder Chris Curtis rang the opening bell:
Here’s the birthday cake:
If you’re new here, you might not remember that the market used to be in the parking lot behind Key Bank/Bin 41/Pharmaca – four years ago, it moved out into the street. (One day a year – on Summer Fest Sunday – the market moves back to that spot, so look for it there on July 14th.)
(Red-Breasted Sapsucker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LOW-LOW TIDE: Another round of low-low tides, with visits by Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists, 9:30 am-12:30 pm today at Constellation and Lincoln Parks. (Low tide is -2.2 feet at 11:01 am)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET TURNS 20: Starting with cake and a special opening-bell-ringing by market founder Chris Curtis, today’s WSFM is a 20th-anniversary celebration. The market’s on until 2 pm as always but the cake is first-come, first-served. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
FRISBEE! 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield, you’re invited to play with West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee. (34th SW/SW Myrtle)
COLMAN POOL: Swim this afternoon/evening at West Seattle’s outdoor saltwater public pool, on the beach at Lincoln Park. Noon-7 pm; the session-specific schedule is here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Take Dad to a cool historic spot! The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary invites you to come see the historic lighthouse, 1-4 pm (last group enters at 3:45 pm). Free. (3201 Alki SW)
JAMTIME: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
DRUNKEN OWL THEATER: 7 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
ROY ZIMMERMAN: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall:
The troubadour of the left brings us his take on current political and social issues, offering original songs performed with taste, style, and prodigious musicianship. His music speaks to the heart, and he juxtaposes outrage with hope, jolting us out of complacency into action. It’s powerful stuff, beautifully presented.
More info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
MORE! You can always see the full list for today/tonight/beyond on our complete calendar.
Three West Seattle Junction notes:
FIRST WEST SEATTLE .5 K: The first-time West Seattle .5K today was a sudsy success, with seven venues participating in the sold-out event that put a different twist on the term “beer run.” The Beer Junction was packet-pickup central before the four-hour .5K began:
More than 200 peoole signed up. If you missed out, watch for early word next year.
MURAL RESTORATION: Work continued this week on the next historic Junction mural to get some TLC:
THat’s Bob Henry at work on the “West Seattle Ferries” mural behind the KeyBank/Bin 41/Pharmaca building. As we reported last month, crowdfunding continues to cover the costs of restoration, and a commemorative keychain remains available through the end of this month for donations of $50 and up. Here’s how to donate.
FARMERS’ MARKET PARTY SUNDAY: And one more reminder that tomorrow brings a party at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in the heart of The Junction – it’s celebrating 20 years, with cake (first-come first-served) and founder Chris Curtis ringing the opening bell at 10 am. See you there!
(WSB photo from 2018 Morgan Junction Community Festival)
West Seattle’s next summer festival is one week away! The Morgan Junction Community Festival takes over Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) and vicinity next Saturday (June 22nd). In this preview – the vendors!
The festival features more than 30 vendors this year, some new, many returning, who are mostly from West Seattle neighborhoods. They will be in the parking lots behind Zeeks and Whisky West and on Beveridge Place and Eddy Street (south and north of the park). Handmade jewelry and crafts by local artisans make up the majority of for-sale items. A variety of commercial vendors will be there to provide information on their services and/or products. Community and local government organizations look forward to informing festival attendees about their activities and how to become involved. Cal-Mor residents will be selling bottled waterm with proceeds going toward their recreation fund.
New Morgan Junction Business
Paper Boat Books
Community/Government Organizations
Seattle Parks and Recreation – will showcase draft plans for the park extension, based on feedback from a survey they conducted during last year’s festival
Seattle Police Department
West Seattle Democratic Women
34th District Democrats
Seattle Public Library
West Seattle Food BankEdibles (more food annoucements in a separate preview!)
Blue Bird Ice Cream
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets – handcrafted chocolates, caramels
Indulge Desserts – local cake and cupcake specialty bakeryFor Kids
West Seattle Leaps and Bounds – Children’s therapy information
Counter Force – Takewondo Martial Arts information
Church of the Nazarene – gamesHandmade Crafts/Jewelry
Ginger Jewelry Design
Penguina Designs
Lelia Rae Handbags
Perch Paper Goods
Rich and Pam Thompson
Wendy Sloneker, Green Gift HandkerchiefsPets
Puddles Barkery – dog treats
Mud Bay – pet food and suppliesServices/Lifestyle
Smith Brothers Farms
Intuitive Art Seattle
Just in Case – Disaster Preparedness Services
Nepenthe Massage and Boutique
Vibrant Magazine (Unified Outreach)
West Seattle Electric and Solar
Pathway Desigh & Construction
Wellness
Super Supplements
Good Med Direct Primary Care
De Sautel Chiropractic
Seattle Allergy Natural SolutionsDistrict 1 City Council Candidates
Lisa Herbold
Brendan Kolding
Phil Tavel
As a festival co-sponsor, we’ll be there too, for as-it-happens coverage. More festival info in our calendar listing!
Two more hours until Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (WSB sponsors) close in The Junction (4736 California SW) and prepare to move to Morgan Junction (6400 California SW). Above, we found Thunder Road proprietor Frank working on the windows in the new spot; below, Jef and Chad were at The Bass Shop getting the bass cases together to start taking instruments off the wall:
Closing time tonight: 6 pm. The shops hope to announce the reopening date soon, aiming for the end of the month.
The photo shows a bathtub full of the brown water that at least one Gatewood household has been dealing with today. They’ve reported it but didn’t get an explanation. Anyone else? Any time this happens, be sure to report it via the Seattle Public Utilities 24/7 line, 206-386-1800.
From Zach Jones, West Seattle Baseball president:
Wanted to shout out all our West Seattle PONY league champions from this year’s season:
Pinto (7-8)- Wildwood Market:
Mustang (9-10)- Mountain To Sound Outfitters:
Bronco (11-12)- Alki Lumber:
P.S. WS Baseball is still signing up 6- through 10-year-olds for Summer Crush baseball – more on that here!
(WSB photo: SW Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
From police policies to staffing, big-picture Q&A dominated the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch featuring Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis.
We recorded it all on video:
If you don’t have time to watch, here are the toplines:
(Beware of baby birds! Fledgling robin barely visible in the grass, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE FOOTBALL CAMP: First West Seattle High School Football-presented camp for K-8th graders, 9 am-noon at Hiawatha Playfield. (2700 California SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Another round of low-low tides begins, and with it, visits by Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists, 9:30-11:30 am today at Constellation and Lincoln Parks. (Low tide is -1.7 feet at 10:23 am)
FREE SHREDDING! Got something to shred? Grab something nonperishable to donate to the White Center Food Bank and bring it to the northwest lot at Westwood Village for free shredding, sponsored by John L. Scott Westwood (WSB sponsor), 10 am-noon. (2600 SW Barton)
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS’ LAST PRE-MOVE DAY: This is the final day in The Junction for Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (WSB sponsors) before they close for their move to Morgan Junction. 10 am-6 pm. (4736 California SW)
GARAGE BOOKSTORE GRAND OPENING: 10 am-1 pm and 4 pm-8 pm, explained here. (3710 SW Barton)
COLMAN POOL: Starting today, the city-owned outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore is open 7 days a week. Here’s the session schedule. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TRY THE TIMEBANK: Orientation and more, 1-3:30 pm at High Point Library. See what the West Seattle Timebank and you can do for each other. (3411 SW Raymond)
WEST SEATTLE .5K: The Junction’s first-ever beer run. Or walk. Or however you choose to get from the check-in venue, The Beer Junction, to the six other participating spots! It’s sold out so his is just a reminder that if you did register, today’s the day, 1 pm-5 pm.
BLOCK PARTY AT THE WETLAND: 2-6 pm, visit this special Delridge spot for a summer celebration. (23rd SW/SW Findlay)
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: 3-5 pm, talk Seattle Public Schools matters with West Seattle/South Park elected board member (also its president) Leslie Harris, Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
ALBUM SIDE SATURDAY: Vinyl madness! Explained here. All welcome. 4-8 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. (1116 SW Holden)
STEELTOE METRONOME: West Seattle-born musician Seri Thompson‘s homecoming; Steel Metronome is playing with Tripp Rezac and Ghost Train Trio, 8 pm at Drunky Two Shoes in White Center. $6 cover. Here’s a sample of their music:
Seri explains, “I am a fourth-generation West Seattleite on both sides of my family. My father owns West Seattle Brake as did his father before him, and my great-grandfather before then. My mother was also raised in West Seattle, her grandfather was a founding member of the Alki Masonic Lodge and she and her siblings (as did their mother) grew up on Alki Beach.” So go see her in nearby WC tonight! (9655 16th SW)
AND THAT’S NOT ALL! See the full list for today/tonight/beyond on our calendar.
(Photo courtesy SSC: President Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap [center] and Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees Member Teresita Batayola congratulate a graduate)
Another big graduation tonight! Just received the announcement and photo from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) communications director Ty Swenson:
South Seattle College’s Class of 2019 graduates were honored at the Seattle Colleges Commencement Ceremony on Friday night at T-Mobile Park. Over 900 SSC graduates were celebrated, having earned a wide variety of degrees, certificates and diplomas that open doors to future educational and career opportunities.
South Seattle College is part of the Seattle Colleges District which includes Seattle Central College, North Seattle College and the Seattle Vocational Institute. Students from all four institutions were joined by family, friends and Seattle Colleges faculty and staff for the celebration.
“It was an amazing evening at T-Mobile Park as we celebrated over 900 South Seattle College graduates for the talent and drive they exhibited in earning a credential and creating vast opportunities for their future,” South Seattle College President Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap said. “I want to thank our faculty and staff for supporting our graduates since their first days on campus. To our new South alumni: take great pride in this milestone. You own it, you deserve it, and I ask that you turn this moment into self -confidence and belief that the next chapter is yours to write.”
Outgoing SSC Student Body President Jeffrey Campbell, a graduate who will transfer to the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, spoke during commencement.
“Who I am today is due to the many people who have helped me along this journey,” Campbell said. “Many are with us here today. The community of individuals that make South Seattle College their life have become an integral component of my life and success.”
South Seattle College conferred a total of 916 awards this year, including:
· 467 associate transfer degrees that enable graduates to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
· 294 associate of science degrees and certificates that prepare graduates to enter the workforce immediately.
· 122 high school diplomas or equivalents, allowing graduates to take a significant step toward future education and employment opportunities.
· 33 bachelor of applied science degrees, taking graduates’ careers to the next level and increasing their earning potential.
SSC’s main campus is on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, at 6000 16th SW.
10:11 PM: Guardian One has been helping with a police search just north of The Triangle. One person is reported to be in custody but we don’t yet know what led to the search.
10:40 PM: Still trying to find officer(s) on the ground to ask. We’ve found police cars but no officers in sight.
10:45 PM: Talked to an officer. He said this was called in as an attempted burglary. (When we first heard radio exchanges, police were pursuing a suspect through yards, then took someone into custody.)
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