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5 for your West Seattle Monday
June 24, 2019 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on 5 for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here’s what’s ahead for summer’s first Monday:

SOUND STEPS WALK: Join the weekly walk in Lincoln Park. Meet at 10 am at the center of the north parking lot. More info in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: If you can donate blood, consider doing it today during the 1-7 pm mobile blood drive at Peace Lutheran Church – closed 3-4 pm for a break. (39th SW/SW Thistle)

5051 FAUNTLEROY EARLY OUTREACH MEETING: 5:30-6:30 pm at High Point Library, drop in for your chance to get information about the proposal for townhouse/rowhouse units at 5051 Fauntleroy Way SW, before they submit a design plan to the city. (3411 SW Raymond)

TRIVIA: Monday night trivia at The Skylark, 7:30 pm, all ages, no cover, prizes! (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SING IT! Open mic at Parliament Tavern. 7:30 pm signups, 8 pm music. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch; Avalon fire aftermath
June 24, 2019 7:06 am
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 |   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! The first morning commute of summer 2019 is on. The big news so far is the aftermath of the response to an apartment fire on the east side of Avalon just north of Genesee. The road has been reopened to traffic and buses but be aware of possible residual delays.

Other notes:

STATE FERRIES’ SUMMER SCHEDULE: Now in effect. Doublecheck times here.

NEW WATER TAXI BICYCLE POLICY: Scheduled to start today – limits on size and number. Here’s the announcement.

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL: The year ends for Highline Public Schools, just south of Seattle, with a half-day Tuesday. For Seattle Public Schools, Thursday is the last day of classes, with one-hour-early dismissal.

7:20 AM: Metro messaging confirms that the buses that were routed off Avalon are all back on their normal routes.

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UPDATE: Apartment fire in 3100 block Avalon Way
June 24, 2019 6:03 am
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Reader photo)

6:03 AM: SFD has just arrived at an apartment building in the 3100 block of SW Avalon Way [map] on a “full response” dispatch.

6:06 AM: The fire is on the building’s first floor. So far they’re saying it does not appear to have spread. The big response, however, is further complicating Avalon/Genesee traffic, so you’ll want to entirely avoid the area.

6:13 AM: The fire is reported to be under control. No report of any injuries.

6:17 AM: The fire has just been declared “tapped,” which means (mostly) out. But SFD’s likely to have crews on scene quite a while, so expect bus/traffic impacts TFN.

(Reader photo)

6:22 AM: Metro has messaged, ” Routes 21, 50, 55, DART 773 & the RapidRide C Line are currently rerouted … Use stops on 35th Av SW south of SW Avalon Way.” Meantime, per radio communication, SFD is evaluating one person for a “possible respiratory” problem.

(Photo tweeted by Regan)

6:35 AM: The Red Cross is being summoned to help two people.

6:58 AM: Per scanner, police are reopening Avalon/Genesee traffic “all ways.”

7:07 AM: Bus riders are reporting that bus service has resumed too. The incident log shows the response is down to three units including a supervisor.

7:13 AM: Firsthand report by nearby resident Tomasz Biernacki, with his video, starting even before firefighters arrived, as someone shouted FIRE! FIRE! to wake people up:

I got up to make coffee and saw white smoke across the street from our condo. 30 seconds later the fire alarm goes off and people are running out of their apartments. A woman was carried because of disabilities. One gentleman was heroically trying to use a fire extinguisher but it was too late for that. Everyone worked together to get folks out. For sure there are some folks homeless today because of this. Last I looked they were letting people back into their apartments as they clean up.

We’ll be following up with SFD regarding how it started.

ADDED TUESDAY: The fire was ruled accidental, sparked by a cigarette.

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West Seattle Garden Tour 2019 scenes, from history to hideaway
June 23, 2019 9:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news

By the last hour of today’s 25th annual West Seattle Garden Tour, the most historic stop on the map had logged more than 1,000 visitors, we learned. That was the historic Colman family estate in Fauntleroy.

The century-old estate has had “new” owners for a decade now, and they have enhanced the original landscaping. It has breathtaking sight like this – just off the street entrance, an amazing tree looked snow-dusted:

At every stop, tour-takers had the opportunity to learn about one of the Garden Tour’s nonprofit beneficiaries. At this one, fittingly enough, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council was spotlighted. Judy Pickens said she had talked with more than 100 people by the time we stopped by:

The tour offered the chance to visit nine gardens, from The Arroyos to North Admiral – we made it to two, including this Gatewood retreat (that has history too), where the lush gardens screen away a busy street that otherwise might be in view.

A special feature here – interpretive before/after displays like this one:

Extra touches were tucked between the plants in many places:

This year’s tour – the third one since it moved to June – sold out in advance. Watch early in the year for next year’s availability announcement!

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DEVELOPMENT: Proposal for HALA-upzoned ex-single-family sites in Morgan Junction
June 23, 2019 8:24 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Two years ago, we reported on the for-sale listing of seven Morgan Junction single-family-zoned parcels in anticipation of their HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability upzoning to Lowrise 3. That happened, and now two of those parcels are set for redevelopment into townhouses and listed on the city’s Early Design Community Outreach site – 6326 41st SW [map], planned for nine 4-story townhouse units with no offstreet parking, and 6320 41st SW, planned for six 4-story townhouse units with four offstreet-parking spaces. Neither parcel has a sale showing in county records yet. Meantime, while it’s not listed in the Early Design Outreach program with those two sites, a different set of city records shows a similar proposal for the also-upzoned lot just north of them – six 4-story townhouse units with four offstreet parking spaces.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Retirement celebration for longtime educator Lorrie Cook
June 23, 2019 6:16 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

After 30 years at Little Pilgrim School, Lorrie Cook gets to take a break. And she has a special bench for that purpose, if she takes time out of retirement to visit the school she has directed for more than a decade at Fauntleroy Church. The bench was dedicated this afternoon at a celebration with multiple generations from local families on hand:

Little Pilgrim School serves children ages two to five. The church has not yet announced Lorrie’s successor.

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TUESDAY: Safety, crime prevention, and emergency management @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
June 23, 2019 3:42 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

Join your neighbors to talk about crime prevention, safety, and emergency management at Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting, last one before summer hiatus. The agenda includes an update from and Q&A with SPD leaders from the Southwest Precinct, which is where the meeting will happen, 6:30 pm Tuesday (June 25th), 2300 SW Webster. All welcome – Block Watch involvement not required.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police searching after robbery
June 23, 2019 2:29 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

2:29 PM: If you’re wondering about the police search in North Delridge, officers are searching after a man reported being robbed while sitting in his car. We haven’t picked up radio communication on exactly where that happened but the robber was reported to have gotten away walking southbound on 26th, and a K-9 team is searching the Delridge Playfield vicinity. The only description we’ve heard for the robber so far is black, male, 17-19 years old, 5’11”, thin build, dark hoodie.

3:14 PM: Still searching.

MONDAY UPDATE: We obtained the report narrative from police. First, the location: It happened in the Delridge Community Center parking lot. The victim told them the robber put a knife to his neck and stole his tablet following what was supposed to be a meetup arranged via Offer Up to buy a speaker. The seller was late. The speaker didn’t work, so the victim refused to buy it. That’s when the seller pulled out a 2.5-inch pocket knife, held it to the victim’s neck, and demanded money. He went through the victim’s pockets, took his phone, then reached into the victim’s car and took the tablet and a speaker, and fled.

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From White Center Now: Triple-shooting investigation closes streets
June 23, 2019 11:09 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

11:09 AM: On partner site White Center Now, we’re covering a shooting investigation that has closed part of SW 98th just west of 16th SW, and part of 17th SW south of Roxbury. Shots were heard around 5:30 am – reported by just one 911 caller – and then three victims showed up at a hospital. We’ll continue to add updated information on WCN; the street closures are likely to continue much of the day, KCSO tells us.

5:08 PM: Just went back to check; the streets have reopened.

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12 notes and events for your West Seattle Sunday:
June 23, 2019 6:07 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Western Tanager in a Douglas Fir, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR – SOLD OUT! No tickets left so this is just a reminder if you have yours, 9 am-5 pm, self-guided tour of West Seattle gardens, locations only revealed in the ticket books.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET, WITH COOKING DEMO: 10 am-2 pm market, today featuring 10:30 am-11:30 am cooking demo with author Jill Lightner. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

FRISBEE! 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield, play with West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee. (34th SW/SW Myrtle)

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR LORRIE COOK: 11:30 am-1 pm, in front of Little Pilgrim School:

For the many members of the community that she has touched, help us in celebrating Lorrie’s 30 years at Little Pilgrim School. We will congratulate her on this next step with refreshments, and a dedication of a new bench in in front of the school to honor her long-standing legacy of bringing people together.

(9140 California SW)

SUPER DELI MART 6TH ANNUAL BBQ: Noon-5 pm, details here, including a raffle fundraiser for Arbor Heights Elementary. (35th/Barton)

COLMAN POOL: West Seattle’s outdoor saltwater public pool is open on the beach at Lincoln Park. Noon-7 pm; the session-specific schedule is here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)

NO ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY: But the Sunday tours of the historic lighthouse will resume NEXT Sunday.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Brief service at Fauntleroy Church, 2 pm. Bring your furry/feathered friend – or, if you’re not so sure they could handle it, bring a photo.

Thanks to Judy Pickens for that photo from last year. “Refreshments for all” will follow. (9140 California SW)

CATSINO: 2-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, it’s Furry Faces Foundation‘s 10th annual fundraiser. Get your ticket here – no guarantee there’ll be any left at the door. 21+. (6413 California SW)

BALLARD SEDENTARY SOUSA BAND: Free concert with this one-of-a-kind group performing on the lawn at Admiral Congregational Church, 2 pm. (4320 SW Hill)

BLACK HOT SUNDAY: Doors at 6, music at 7, all ages, $10 cover at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIO OF DUOS: See the slate here! 7:30 pm at Parliament Tavern. $6 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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UPDATE: Crash on NB 1st Avenue South Bridge
June 22, 2019 10:39 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Crash on NB 1st Avenue South Bridge
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:39 PM: If you’re headed toward the 1st Avenue South Bridge any time soon, be aware that most of the northbound side is blocked by a collision reported to involve four vehicles, one on its side. No life-threatening injuries reported but it’s drawn a big emergency response.

12:42 AM: The camera shows the bridge is clear. SFD confirms injuries were minor.

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Toplines from pre-summer-hiatus West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting
June 22, 2019 10:36 pm
|    Comments Off on Toplines from pre-summer-hiatus West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting
 |   Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

This past Tuesday’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting was its last one before fall. No headlines, but here are the toplines:

CRIME TRENDS: Same stats Southwest Precinct commander Pierre Davis brought to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce five days earlier: Down 13 percent overall year to year. One point of note, emphasis patrols have helped quiet things at Westwood Village.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS: The recurring gatherings at 24th/Kenyon in memory of murdered musician JuiceThe God (whose downtown killing remains unsolved) are still a concern for nearby residents, as voiced a month earlier too. The night before the meeting, people had gathered there for the victim’s birthday. Capt. Davis said Community Police Team officers had gone out earlier in the day for some cleanup, but he and City Attorney Precinct Liaison Joe Everett said some other approaches might be needed in the long term, such as trespassing enforcement and ensuring the right of way (streets/sidewalks) remains clear. As for the gunfire on that corner in mid-May, Davis said the Gang Unit has identified a few potential suspects and continues to investigate. … A concern about camping in Me-Kwa-Mooks Park had arisen a few days earlier; Davis said officers went to the park earlier Tuesday but didn’t find anyone. He promised to continue patrols. (Later in the week, we heard from an area resident who had CC’d us on her letter of concern to various officials; she said she had been notified “that the City’s encampment crew removed the camps” on Thursday.)

NEXT MEETING: WSCPC meets on third Tuesdays and is expected to resume that schedule in September.

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COUNTDOWN: Seafair dates, with 2 weeks until Pirates’ Landing on Alki
June 22, 2019 8:44 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Seafair dates, with 2 weeks until Pirates’ Landing on Alki
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2018 Seafair Pirates Landing)

Two weeks from today – on Saturday, July 6th – the Seafair Pirates land on Alki Beach. As usual, they’re expected ashore in the early afternoon. And that’s just one of the big event dates Seafair has officially announced for this summer. Here are a few others with West Seattle impacts:

Monday, July 29th – Parade of Ships, with U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy ships sailing past West Seattle on their way to the downtown waterfront

Thursday-Sunday, August 1st-4th – U.S. Navy Blue Angels, rehearsing and then performing, taking off from and landing at nearby Boeing Field

Lots of other Seafair events elsewhere, of course – the full calendar is here (including local events that are sanctioned, and in some cases participated in, but not presented, by Seafair).

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NEXT WEEKEND: Arts in Nature Festival at Camp Long
June 22, 2019 7:22 pm
|    Comments Off on NEXT WEEKEND: Arts in Nature Festival at Camp Long
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2017 Arts in Nature Festival)

As we head into the heart of summer, big events are getting closer – like the 2019 Arts in Nature Festival, just one week away! Here’s the newest preview:

The 20th annual Arts in Nature Festival is right around the corner. Produced by Delridge
Neighborhoods Development Association, this unique FREE Festival on June 29th-30th will feature live musical performances, interactive art installations, creative nature-based activities and more, set in the lush 68-acre landscape of Camp Long, Seattle’s only campground.

Come for an hour, or stay all day, enjoy visual art installations in 8 rustic cabins, and full schedules of performances throughout the park each day, including featured musical acts Hollis Wong-Wear, Thaddillac, Tiffany Wilson, and eclectic performances throughout the weekend from performers like Cherdonna Shinatra, NW Tap Connection, Show Brazil!, AU Collective, Totem Star, and so many more.

Arts in Nature Festival: Harmony
June 29 & 30, 2019
Saturday, 11 am – 8 pm / Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm
Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave SW
FREE!!!

In addition to interactive art activities and games for all ages, there will be local food trucks on site, and adults can wet their whistle at the festival beer garden. There will also be booths from many of DNDA’s local partners. Bring some cash to purchase items and to donate to the Festival if you can.

Activities abound for kids and adults. Become immersed in your local environment and experience the beauty that exists at the intersection of art, nature and neighborhood.

You can learn more about the Arts in Nature Festival on the DNDA website, www.dnda.org/festival.

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BIZNOTE: 2 local Safeways on the renovation list
June 22, 2019 4:00 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Roxbury Safeway, Kiing County Assessor’s Office photo)

After this Seattle Times report about Safeway‘s renovation plans around the metro area, we checked to see if any local stores were on the list. Safeway’s Sara Osborne tells us yes:

The Roxbury remodel will start in July and the Junction remodel will start in October. The duration of the remodel usually takes about 2 months. Generally, all our remodels this year will include new self-checkout lanes, space dedicated to “Drive Up & Go” grocery pick-up services (if feasible at the location), updated interior décor, refreshed exterior, and upgraded service departments.

Our area’s other Safeway, Admiral, was fully rebuilt from the ground up eight years ago.

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: Morgan Junction Community Festival 2019
June 22, 2019 10:39 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(FESTIVAL SCHEDULE HERE … VENDOR LIST HERE … ‘BARK OF MORGAN’ INFO HERE)

Music and more will greet you as soon as you get to the Morgan Junction Community Festival, happening until 4 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW):

As a sponsor, we’re on site for the duration, and right next to us on the north side of the park, you have the chance to talk with Seattle Parks about the future park addition:

They’re seeking opinions on proposed concept for the park, as planning/design continues. Also here on the north side, kids’ art activities. Entertainment is in the park; vendors and community organizations are just to the south, including the lot behind Zeeks Pizza and Whisky West.

More coverage to come!

11:40 AM: Bubbleman has wrapped up after delighting a park full of delighted kids:

Spotted in the crowd: One child who brought a baseball mitt to try to catch bubbles. Right after Bubbleman said bye-bye, the families streamed out here to the north side, many for the face-painting and art activities (balloon artist, too!) … some to check out the park-feedback table next door … and others are talking with Yun Pitre from the Department of Neighborhoods, who has joined their space. Also here, the SPD Mobile Precinct.

On the sidewalk nearby: Chalk art!

And in the park, the next performance is about to begin – world-beat music with Soyaya. Then in about an hour, be here with your dog(s) for the Bark of Morgan!

12:20 PM: All three City Council District 1 candidates are here, with tables between the park and Beveridge Place Pub. Phil Tavel would be here anyway, as he’s helped coordinate the festival and serves as vice president of the Morgan Community Association, which presents it:

Also here, Brendan Kolding and Lisa Herbold:

No speeches scheduled – just a chance to talk with them if you have a question, comment, etc. Two of these three will advance to the general election, depending on how the August 6th primary turns out.

Meantime, Soyaya continues to perform in the park:

And it’s lunchtime! You have multiple options. But if you go over to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), the fresh-grilled burger/hot dog lunch proceeds all go to support keeping the festival free!

Bark of Morgan coming up at 12:45! Bring your dog(s) to the north side of the park – look for the signs on the fence of the future park addition.


1:30 PM: Above, our Twitter video of the parade as it concluded, followed by contests. Cash, for example, won “loudest bark”:

Happening now, a festival favorite – the Splatter of Morgan, on the fence around the future park addition. Paint and squirters provided!

Onstage in the park: Servants of the Rich.


The festival continues until 4 pm.

2:49 PM: This is the quieter home stretch of the festival. The final performers are even playing under the name Quiet Heart (Gary Benson and Ariel Westfall). The banner-towing plane (not associated with the festival!) that was making passes every 15 minutes for a while is gone. Some cool art has been created:

Kids’ craft/art tables are still in action west of us; the Parks table to the east of us is gettng lots of action. The festival is volunteer-powered, and free in no small part thanks to community sponsors (including us):

Remember that supporting local community businesses often also means you’re supporting local community events and activities too.

3:06 PM: The sun finally joined the party!


3:47 PM: Cleanup has begun. Congratulations to the Morgan Community Association on a fun 14th annual festival!

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HAPPENING NOW: Terminal 5 project open house @ Jack Block Park
June 22, 2019 9:58 am
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Terminal 5 project open house @ Jack Block Park
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

That big tent at Jack Block Park is where the Port of Seattle/Northwest Seaport Alliance invites you to visit until 11:30 am to get information/answers about the modernization project they’re about to start at nearby Terminal 5.

Easels are set up with the toplines on everything from project basics to the plan for handling concerns from air pollution to noise.

The entrance to the park is at 2130 Harbor SW, just southeast of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). Groundbreaking on the project to make the terminal “big-ship ready” is expected next month.

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Festivals, Field Day, and more for summer’s first West Seattle Saturday!
June 22, 2019 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on Festivals, Field Day, and more for summer’s first West Seattle Saturday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photographed at Lincoln Park by Susan Romanenghi)

Welcome to the first full day of summer!

FIELD DAY & MINI URBAN SURVIVAL SKILLS FAIR: 9 am-5 pm, you’re invited to visit local amateur-radio operators during Field Day – schedule’s in our calendar listing. This year, 11 am-3 pm, there’s also a Mini-Urban Survival Skills Fair. Happening in the field on the south end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16h SW)

TERMINAL 5 PROJECT OPEN HOUSE: Coffee, donuts, and info. Come to Jack Block Park 9:30 am-11:30 am to ask questions and get answers about the soon-to-start Terminal 5 project. (2130 Harbor SW)

MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: 10 am-4 pm at Morgan Junction Park – entertainment – including The Bubbleman – art activities, vendors, food, the Bark of Morgan dog parade/contests … be there! The schedule and other details are in our calendar listing. We’re a co-sponsor and will be there to cover it as it happens. (6413 California SW)

GRAND REOPENING: Right across the street from the festival, 10 am-6 pm, first day in the new storefront for Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (WSB sponsors), as previewed here. (6400 California SW)

COOKBOOK/MOVING SALE: 10 am-2 pm, West Seattle cookbook author is “lightening her cookbook library” before a big move. Some kitchen/pantry items too. Location & more here.

MORE THAN TREES: Special event at the Duwamish Longhouse, in partnership with Seattle Parks, teaches you about native-tree ID. Full details here. 11 am. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: First day of the season, as previewed here. 11 am-8 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

(Fledgling crow in Delridge, photographed by Chuck)

LGBTQ/RAINBOW STORY TIME: Special all-ages story time for Pride Month at the High Point Library, 11:30 am-12:30 pm. (3411 SW Raymond)

CHINESE GARDEN KITE FESTIVAL: 2-6 pm at the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Bring your own kite or buy one there. Free admission for kids up to 12; suggested donation $3 teens, $5 adults. (6000 16th SW)

SUMMER BARBECUE PARTY: 2-6 pm at Canna Culture, with a DJ, and with Girls Gone BBQ selling food. Games start at 2:30 pm. 21+. (5435 California SW)

SUMMER KICKOFF MUSIC: 6 pm-9 pm at Drunky Two Shoes in White Center, but a lot of West Seattle energy on this:

No cover. All ages. (9655 16th SW)

ART MARKET: 6-10 pm at Tin Dog Brewing in South Park. (309 S. Cloverdale)

AT C & P COFFEE: 7 pm, Mike Spine and Barbara Luna perform at the coffeehouse. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: 9 pm, The Jesus Chords, Will Rainier & The Pines – “Americana, roots and cool w/some down home solid West Seattle folk.” $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THERE’S MORE! Just see our complete calendar.

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Summer arrives in West Seattle with Alice Enevoldsen’s sunset watch at Solstice Park
June 22, 2019 12:13 am
|    Comments Off on Summer arrives in West Seattle with Alice Enevoldsen’s sunset watch at Solstice Park
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Clear skies and an impressive Friday night sunset treated visitors at West Seattle’s Solstice Park for a summer solstice watch hosted by local volunteer and NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen (pictured above at center-left, holding her trusty globe-on-a-stick and explaining with youth volunteers how the Sun and Earth are positioned at various times of the year).

Enevoldsen, who said she has been organizing these quarterly change-of-seasons gatherings for “10 years — plus one sunset!” talked with attendees about the solstice.

The unique park, uphill from the tennis courts by north Lincoln Park, has paths and markers that were built to align precisely with the sunsets on solstice/equinox days. Prior to sunset just after 9 pm, Enevoldsen showed visitors where to stand to best experience the event.

Several younger attendees were equally happy to run around the markers and burn off some welcome-to-summer energy.

In Seattle, the exact moment of the summer solstice occurred at 8:54 a.m. on Friday, and during the day the sun’s position in the sky was at its highest point of the year (66 degrees).

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UPDATE: Morgan Junction power outage
June 21, 2019 10:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

10:24 PM: Thanks to Diana for the tip. She says a loud boom preceded a power outage that the Seattle City Light map says is affecting 43 customers just southwest of California/Fauntleroy. The utility blames the outage on “bird/animal” – we’ve had several of those lately.

2:15 AM: The map shows the outage is over.

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BIZNOTE: See inside new home of Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop, opening Saturday
June 21, 2019 9:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

The crew at Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (WSB sponsors) were all smiles this morning as they entered the home stretch of a grueling week. Since the close of business last Saturday, they’ve moved into their new Morgan Junction space at 6400 California SW, and at 10 am tomorrow, it’ll be time to open!

So what’s different? “It’s going to be tight for a while,” acknowledges TRG proprietor Frank Gross, who has moved the shop twice now (its original location was south of Admiral) and has bought this building, planning to occupy it in its entirety in about a year. But they still offer guitar repair and guitar lessons, along with a merchandise, and out back, this shop has something the previous Junction location did not have:

Yes, that’s a dedicated parking lot, for TRG/TBS and The Wash Dog – enter from the alley off Fauntleroy. Back inside, Frank says, the ex-restaurant space didn’t have much of the old kitchen equipment left; they tore off the old floor covering and stained the concrete, giving everything else a “spit-shine.” The guitars are the stars:

Frank says they’re happy to be part of the Morgan Junction “transformation,” including other new businesses like just-opened Youngstown Coffee Company and soon-to-open Paper Boat Booksellers. You can check it out for yourself 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays; tomorrow they’ll be opening just as the Morgan Junction Community Festival gets going across the street, so that’s a bonus reason to visit.

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Memorial planned July 13 for James J. Granquist, 1945-2019
June 21, 2019 8:08 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather July 13th to remember Jim Granquist. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

James Joseph Granquist was born on August 1st, 1945, as WWII was ending.

He was the 3rd of 6 children, born to Joe & Mildred Granquist. It was a fun-loving, rollicking bunch: Lee, Sally, Jim, Mary, Bob, & Gary.

Jim was very athletic. He grew up mainly in West Seattle, where he would swim every day at Colman Pool & play tennis at Lincoln Park. He also loved baseball & football.

Despite a devastating brain hemorrhage just before his 16th birthday, he managed to graduate on time from West Seattle High School in 1963. He went on to get a teaching degree at the University of Puget Sound and a Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Washington.

Despite his left-side paralysis, Jim didn’t let it slow him down. He worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker at Rainier School in Buckley, WA for 35 years, where he was well liked by staff & parents.

Jim married Wanda in 1968, and they celebrated their 50th anniversary just last year. Jim loved being a Dad to his two sons, Doug and Joe. And delighted in his two daughters-in-law, Megan and Keri. He was blessed with four sweet grandsons: Tyler, Elliott, William, & Ruston.

Jim loved many things, but especially: his sports teams, Scrabble, flashlights, Fig Newtons, the Auburn Senior Center, playing dummy rummy, traveling with our camping buddies, his family, his friends, & his church.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, July 13th at 3 pm at Family of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Auburn Senior Center.

(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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Wading-pool season starts Saturday. Here are West Seattle opening dates
June 21, 2019 7:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo, Delridge wading pool)

The city is about to start opening its wading pools! Tomorrow’s the first day in our area. From the citywide schedule, here’s the plan:

Lincoln Park Wading Pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
6/22-9/2
Daily
11 am – 8 pm

Delridge Playfield Wading Pool (4501 Delridge Way SW)
6/24-8/18
Mon/Tue/Sun
Noon – 6:30 pm

South Park Playground Wading Pool (738 S. Sullivan)
6/24-8/15
Mon/Tue/Wed/Thurs
Noon – 7 pm

Hiawatha Playfield Wading Pool (Lander/Walnut)
6/26-8/17
Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat
Noon – 6:30 pm

E.C. Hughes Playground Wading Pool (2805 SW Holden)
6/26-8/16
Wed/Thurs/Fri
Noon – 7 pm

Important to remember – the city only opens the pools on days expected to have sunshine and temperatures of at least 70 degrees. The hotline – 206-684-7796 – is updated every morning. We also check on iffy weather days and include the information in our daily highlights list. Our area’s one city-run spraypark, at Highland Park Playground (1100 SW Cloverdale), is open every day, 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather.

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