West Seattle, Washington
15 Saturday
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Cool treats are a hot commodity in summertime, and this summer you’ll have another option on Alki. The plant-based (aka vegan) ice-cream purveyors Frankie & Jo’s are opening a “pop-up” shop in the ex-Sushi Samurai spot at 2758 Alki SW, starting with a soft-open day tomorrow (and official grand opening Thursday). From the announcement:
This pop-up shop is reminiscent of their other scoop shops with a few exceptions: tons of purchasable plant life provided by friends at Glasswing Greenhouse and an exciting photo booth provided by Hello There You that includes an incredible custom backdrop installation built by DISCO NAP. They will also have their pint cooler filled to the brim for neighborhood passersby that want to pop colorful pints into their f&j *hello sunshine* reusable cooler bags and stroll over to the beach for summer picnics.
And don’t fret! The shop will have all of their everyday flavors: brown sugar vanilla, chocolate date, salty caramel ash, gingered golden milk, mint brownie, beet rose sorbet, chocolate tahini supercookie, date shake, california cabin, as well as their three aggressively seasonal monthly flavors. They will continue to make their gluten-free maple vanilla waffle cones in house, and have activated charcoal caramel sauce, Moon Goo, and their vegan chocolate sauce, Dark Cocoa, to top the scoops.
They’re planning to be open through Labor Day, “with the potential of a long-term location in the future.”
ADDED WEDNESDAY: They’re open! A look inside:
Also note, as a commenter mentioned, they are not taking cash. It’s an experiment at this store only, they tell us.
12:38 PM: Four days after heading out, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is inbound again, just about to pass West Seattle on its trip back to Bremerton. Thanks to Benjamin for the tip!
1:14 PM: Photo added (thank you, Jim Borrow). The Nimitz is entering Rich Passage. (added) Another view – thanks to David Hutchinson:
According to the Kitsap Sun, the Nimitz was out on a training mission after maintenance.
(WSB photos, 2018 parade)
Now that Memorial Day is past … we can look forward to the next big holiday, Independence Day. This year, the 4th of July is on a Thursday, five weeks away, and it will again be highlighted by the big West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade through North Admiral. This is the 25th anniversary of the parade! It starts at 10 am at 44th/Sunset and is a casual family-friendly stroll along several blocks, ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park with kids’ activities including sack races and craft tables.
Speaking of which …Nicole Lutomski, co-organizer of the parade this year with Megan Erb, says business sponsors are still being sought to host tables and/or support the parade! It’s an all-volunteer effort but costs to make it happen include a park permit, special-event permit, insurance, and more. Here are the sponsorship levels – including a special “silver” support level open to all in honor of the parade’s silver anniversary:
RED, $500:
Announced at the Welcome Address as the provider of the FLAGS and LEIS distributed to the crowd at the beginning of the parade.
Logo on “Walking on Logs Statues” Banner & Parade Banner
Logo on Yard Signs distributed around town
Host a Kid Craft Table at the end of the paradeWHITE, $250:
Logo on “Walking on Log Statues” Banner & Parade Banner
Logo on Yard Signs distributed around town
Host a Kid Craft Table at the end of the paradeBLUE, $100:
Logo on Yard Signs
Host of a Kid Craft Table* * * SILVER * * * $25+
Friends of the Parade, no commitment necessary
* * * * * * * * *
You can contribute at any level via the parade’s PayPal page.
And to be part of the parade, just show up at the gathering place (map’s on the parade website) – decorated bikes, (non-motorized) scooters, wagons, strollers, etc., all welcome – if it’s your first year, we advise coming early – as you can see in our past coverage, it’s usually a sizable turnout!
(Red-breasted Sapsucker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Welcome to post-holiday Tuesday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: Bring your up-to-12-month-old(s) to Southwest Library for stories, songs, and rhymes, 10:30 am. Free as always. (9010 35th SW)
PRIORITIZE PARKS/STREETS PROJECTS: Your Voice, Your Choice offers you the chance to participate in city budgeting. Current process: Prioritize proposed parks/streets projects in District 1. Tonight’s meeting starts at 5:30 pm, South Park Community Center. Not many opinions yet online – as you can see here – so you can still make a big difference. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: 5:30 pm at Delridge Library, learn about travel photography. Free but first-come first-served, limited space. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: Everybody is welcome to come play! 6:30 pm at Fairmount Playfield. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NO BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS’ MEETING: Due to the proximity to the holiday, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting that would have happened tonight is canceled – next one June 25th.
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm at Duwamish Longhouse. Our calendar listing includes the agenda for this group of community advocates from around West Seattle and South Park. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
SUFFERING F-HEADS: 9 pm, the punk/jazz duo plays Parliament Tavern. 21+. No cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … with our complete calendar!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. No incidents or transit alerts in our area so far.
AVALON/35TH PROJECT: Here’s the latest update on what’s next with this major project.
STADIUM ZONE: Mariners are home again tonight vs. the Rangers, 7:10 pm, and that means a late night for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
(File photo)
On one day each of the next two weekends – June 1st and 9th – the city is presenting Parks and Rec Fest events. Neither is in West Seattle, but both are opportunities to show Seattle Parks that you care about Alki Community Center‘s future. That’s what Mary Vigilante from the center’s Associated Recreation Council told the Alki Community Council at its May meeting. She distributed a one-sheet promoting the Parks and Rec Fest events with this message:
Dear Alki Neighbor:
In June 2023, Seattle Public Schools will rebuild Alki Elementary School, which will take 2 years. At that time Alki Community Center will be closed for the duration of the construction project. The Parks Department has made no plans yet to renovate or rebuild the Alki Community Center. Please stop by one or both of the open-house-style Parks and Rec Fests (June 1 and June 9) to encourage the Parks Department to improve Alki Community Center while it is closed. Please let the parks planners know how important the center is to you and your family and what programs you would like offered at the Alki Community Center. These meetings could determine the future of the Alki Community Center.
The June 1st event is at Green Lake Community Center; on June 9th, it’s at Yesler Terrace Park and Community Center. Both are 10 am-3 pm drop-in events; here’s the description, which indeed include a nod to the future updating of the department’s Strategic Plan.
Memorial Day can be joyful as well as somber. A local veteran offered that assurance during the traditional remembrance ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) this afternoon. Above, our video includes the 17-minute event in its entirety, including a chaplain’s opening prayer that “peace (will) prevail among nations” and music by young participants – Searely Camarillo-Gonzalez sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful”:
Scout Whit Linxweiler bugled “Taps”:
American Legion Post 160 commander Keith Hughes observed that this is a day to offer thanks:
And VFW Post 2713 commander Steve Strand said it’s OK to wish people a “Happy Memorial Day” – saying it’s a day “to do all the things you have the right to do and the freedom to do” because of those who sacrificed their lives, including two friends he lost in Iraq a decade-plus ago:
“Love your life, enjoy your life – make the sacrifices of others worth it,” he exhorted.
At the conclusion, after a release of doves and retiring of the colors, words of thanks from Forest Lawn’s K.C. Engle:
And the Duwamish Jazz Band played classics as attendees moved on to the rest of their holiday afternoon.
Duwamish Jazz playing after the Forest Lawn ceremony. pic.twitter.com/wjSwi00K10
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 27, 2019
If you didn’t make it to this month’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting – here’s the next best thing: We recorded both of the briefings that comprised most of the meeting.
The first speaker, city Office of the Waterfront deputy director Angela Brady, brought an update on the downtown waterfront district, stretching from the stadium district to Bell Street Pier. Key points:
-The seawall replacement is done.
-The Highway 99 tunnel is open.
-Viaduct demolition continues.
-Building the new (surface) Alaskan Way is key, as is building the new post-Viaduct-ramp Columbia St. to connect transit. The new park promenade will be under construction soon.
-Construction is under way on the southern half of Pier 62/63.
-WSDOT is building a new Railroad Way diagonal to get from the stadium zone to the waterfront.
-Elliott and Western, formerly exit and entrance streets for The Viaduct, will remain one-way.
The new Alaskan Way should be open by late 2021; the “promenade” will be built after that. Questions? The waterfront-construction website might have the answers.
Next up, two of the three legislators who represent the 34th District (which includes West Seattle, White Center, Vashon/Maury Islands, and a bit beyond):
This was a very casual briefing, more of a conversation. A few points:
Sen. Joe Nguyen said the work’s not over even though the session is. They’re working on a new budget now.
The Sound Transit light-rail “preferred alternatives” board vote had happened hours before the WSTC meeting (last Thursday, May 23rd), so that was one of the first topics. Nguyen said he supports the tunnel option and will be participating in brainstorming how to pay for it.
The new transportation budget includes a $1.25 million request for funding the Highland Park Way roundabout; WSTC chair Michael Taylor-Judd pointed out that the Highland Park Action Committee had learned one night earlier (WSB coverage here) that the estimated cost had jumped dramatically to $7.3 million.
He also touched on ferry funding, saying not only is that going toward new vessels, but also toward electrification. And the controversy over bus-lane/block-the-box enforcement cameras came up too.In all, transportation funding for 34th District projects totaled close to $300 million, Nguyen said.
Taylor-Judd wondered if the state could help mediate with BNSF Railway on matters including the safety proposal for crossing West Marginal Way SW at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse; SDOT said dealing with BNSF was a problem impeding that project.
Rep. Eileen Cody noted that one chronic problem for the Duwamish Tribe is its lack of recognition.
An attendee brought up housing issues including the city’s proposed rule changes regarding “backyard cottages” and voiced concern that increased coverage of lots would mean less room for trees. Sen. Nguyen said it should be seen through the lens of the need for more affordable housing. Several other topics came up, though no revelations or surprises; watch the video for the full Q&A.
The West Seattle Transportation Coalition meets fourth Thursdays most months, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW).
11:57 AM: Flags are lining the heart of the West Seattle Junction again this year thanks to the volunteers who showed up this morning to put them in place.
Even if you weren’t there this morning, you’re welcome to volunteer to help remove them – meet at the NE corner of California/Alaska just before 5 pm.
Meantime, if you didn’t get a Memorial Day poppy over the weekend, you have another chance – outside Admiral Safeway until about 2 pm.
That’s Steve Strand of VFW Post 2713.
ADDED 12:19 PM: Outside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), we just discovered the Disabled American Veterans are distributing forget-me-nots:
They’re there until 2.
(WSB photo, Forest Lawn, Monday)
Good morning! We start Memorial Day with information you might find useful:
TRAFFIC/TRANSIT: No traffic report today because of the holiday, but you can see local cameras here. … Metro buses are on the Sunday schedule … The West Seattle Water Taxi is on an “extended Sunday schedule” … Sound Transit Route 560 is on the Sunday schedule (as is light rail) … The Washington State Ferries Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on the regular weekday schedule.
OTHER MEMORIAL DAY NOTES: Here’s the Seattle Parks open/closed list … Schools are closed … Seattle Public Library branches are closed … Today is a U.S. Postal Service holiday … If you’re going to a Seattle neighborhood with on-street pay stations/metered parking, you won’t have to pay, because it’s a city “free parking” day.
What’s happening today:
HELP PUT UP/TAKE DOWN JUNCTION FLAGS: If you can help American Legion Post 160 put up and/or take down The Junction’s flags, meet at the northeast corner of California SW and SW Alaska just before 9 am for the morning help and 5 pm for the evening removal.
SPRAYPARK OPEN: It’s day three of the 7-day-a-week season for Highland Park Spraypark, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL, LAST DAY OF THIRD PRE-SEASON WEEKEND: Three swim sessions, noon-7 pm, at the city-run outdoor saltwater pool at Lincoln Park. See the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: The traditional service with veterans’ organizations including American Legion Post 160 and community partners is at 2 pm this afternoon at Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor), all welcome. (6701 30th SW)
… FOLLOWED BY A BARBECUE: Again this year, after the Forest Lawn event, Post 160 invites you to a community barbecue – hamburgers and hot dogs! – at its headquarters in The Triangle, starting around 3:15 pm. All welcome. (3618 SW Alaska)
TRIVIA: End your holiday with The Skylark‘s free weekly all-ages trivia. Prizes! 7:30 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MORE … on our year-round calendar.
(Image from community grant application)
The next step in a redesigned future for the Delridge Triangle – at Delridge/Barton – is next Saturday (June 1st). Here’s the invite from Friends of the Delridge Triangle:
Save the Date! June 1st: Delridge Triangle Community Review of Redesign Concepts
The landscape architects have been busy and we’re ready to present the redesign concepts for the Delridge Triangle!
You’re invited to attend the upcoming community to review the four design ideas.
We need your input!
Fun activities to explore and share your vision for the Triangle.
Be counted! Have your voice heard by both SDOT and Seattle Parks.
Learn about the next steps that will make the Delridge Triangle “A Place For Our Community To Play”.
All are welcome!
When: Saturday, June 1st, 9 am-11 am
Where: Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden.
Doors open at 8:45 am. Plenty of parking in the area. Snacks will be provided.
Makers will guide the review as the project landscape architects.
Community work to redesign the triangle goes back more than two years.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo – instead of the sunset from Alki, this time it’s a view of who’s on Alki at sunset. Busy night, as he observed. With the temperature expected to be in the 70s tomorrow, Memorial Day evening is likely to bring a crowd too.
We visited Forest Lawn Cemetery (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor) in High Point today to photograph the flags marking veterans’ graves. Tomorrow, you are invited to the annual remembrance ceremony there, a short and simple reminder of what Memorial Day is all about, 2 pm. One of the local veterans’ organizations that participates, American Legion Post 160, also welcomes help putting up the flags in The Junction tomorrow morning and/or taking them down, whenever you’re available – meet at the NE corner of California/Alaska a few minutes before 9 am and/or 5 pm. And after the Forest Lawn ceremony, Post 160 invites you to a free community barbecue at its HQ in The Triangle, 3618 SW Alaska, starting around 3:15 pm.
Four weeks after they both (re)surfaced, West Seattle’s mystery birds have been sighted again this afternoon:
THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: This bird seems to be southbound now. First sightings were in Seola and Arbor Heights in late April – 3 years after another string of turkey sightings – and it moved north to Alki Point, then east to Admiral/Belvidere, where it seemed to have settled – until this sighting today near Tibbetts United Methodist Church, about midway between Admiral and The Junction.
Linda sent that photo/report; this next one is from E:
THE WEST SEATTLE GOLDEN PHEASANT: This one has not ranged far from the Arbor Heights area since we published a sighting four weeks ago, six years after the previous series of sightings. E’s photo was taken today in the Marine View Drive area.
Midway through this three-day weekend, here’s something coming up next weekend that you might want to plan ahead to be part of: The monthly West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails guided hike on June 1st offers the chance to “Walk Native Land” with someone who knows all about it. The announcement:
Celebrate National Trails Day in our West Duwamish Greenbelt!
“Walk Native Land” with Ken Workman, a descendant of Chief Seattle and a member of the Duwamish Tribe. Ken will talk about his personal experience growing up in the greenbelt and his tribe’s use of the land and nearby Duwamish River.
The hike begins at 10 a.m. near the Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle College. We’ll walk down Puget Ridge to the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center and return. This hike is on unimproved trail with aspirations to be a connector between ridge and river, about two miles round-trip with 200 feet of elevation gain coming back. Wear good shoes or boots and be prepared for small obstacles like logs, brush, and walking near the edge of West Marginal Way.
South Seattle College is at 6000 16th Ave. SW (bus route 125). Enter at the north entrance and we will meet near the first building on your left. Parking is on 16th Ave. SW or at the arboretum and garden center at the college.
This walk is sponsored by West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails. Please join us for greenbelt walks scheduled on the first Saturday of each month until October!
Those are also featured in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.
(Photo by Mark Sears – permit 21348)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“It’s a good week for the whales!”
So declared Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail as her organization’s May gathering began at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).
She added: “It’s going to be different for the whales this summer and beyond.” Her explanation at the May 16th meeting was followed by an update from Mark Sears, the West Seattle-based researcher who is ofteb out with them when they visit central Puget Sound.
But first: Read More
(Bald Eagle @ Alki, photographed by Lynn Hall)
Your holiday weekend continues … first:
EARLY-MORNING TRAFFIC ALERT: The northbound Highway 99 tunnel will be closed to motorized traffic 6-10:30 am for the Cascade Bicycle Club‘s Emerald City Ride.
Now, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MEMORIAL DAY POPPIES: Didn’t get yours on Saturday? American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary Unit 160 are scheduled to be back outside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) today, 9 am-3 pm. Donations support local veterans. (4201 SW Morgan)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, even on holiday weekends! 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction, see what’s fresh this week. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
GO THROW: 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield, you’re invited to play with West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee. (34th SW/SW Myrtle)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Second day of the season for West Seattle’s only spraypark, open 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Second of three days that you can swim this preseason weekend at West Seattle’s outdoor saltwater public pool, on the beach at Lincoln Park. Noon-7 pm; see the session-specific schedule here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: First day of tours this year! 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)
FINAL ‘OFFICE HOUR’ PERFORMANCE: Today’s matinée is the closing performance for ArtsWest‘s play, 3 pm. Tickets available here. (4711 California SW)
BLUEGRASS JAM: You’re invited to play, sing, and/or listen, starting at 7 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
LOOK AHEAD … via our complete calendar.
Thanks to JayDee for the pre-sunset photo from Alki, after the sun emerged following a rainy afternoon. Good news is that the weather’s looking up for tomorrow and Monday – sunshine and 70-ish highs are in the forecast.
New on the schedule for the Southwest Design Review Board: One year after the first review of the apartments-and-retail Junction project that’ll be Husky Deli‘s new home, the second review is now penciled in. The SWDRB schedule has the meeting set for Thursday, July 18th, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon); the project passed the first review phase on July 19, 2018 (WSB coverage here). The project is currently described on the city site as “a 7-story, 74-unit apartment building (with p)arking for 45 vehicles.” One note for those keeping track: The SWDRB schedule now lists the project with the address 4749 California SW, while it was at 4747 California SW for last year’s review. No other documents show the address change so we’ll be asking the city about it next week.
In our continuing series of summer event reminders, today we want to be sure your calendar is set for June 22nd – just four weeks away – when the 2019 edition of the Morgan Junction Community Festival takes over Morgan Junction Park and vicinity, just north of the Fauntleroy/California intersection. The 10 am-4 pm festival presented by the Morgan Community Association includes performances – including the ever-popular Bubbleman – art, kids’ activities, vendors, and the Bark of Morgan pet parade/competition, all free thanks in large part to community sponsors (which include WSB again this year). More info as the festival gets closer!
3:11 PM: Thanks for the tip. If you’re heading toward West Seattle from points south, steer clear of northbound I-5, which is described in radio communication as at a “complete standstill” because of a crash involving a semitruck.
This one could take a while, folks. Northbound I-5 just before the West Seattle Bridge a collision involving a semi truck is blocking two lanes. #seattle pic.twitter.com/gIbgf3KHZB
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 25, 2019
4:44 PM: SB lanes that were also closed by this crash have reopened, but NB is still just one lane.
Outside West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor), that’s Keith Hughes, the U.S. Army veteran who is commander of American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle. Until 3 pm today and again 9 am-3 pm tomorrow, you can stop by for your Memorial Day poppy, with donations supporting local veterans. As explained on the Legion’s website, the poppy “reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms.”
Post 160, by the way, is celebrating its centennial this year. You can also join them in other traditional observances this weekend – details are in our preview.
(Video by Karen Therese, as orcas passed Lincoln Park)
8:45 AM: Northbound orcas off Constellation Park, reports Kersti Muul.
10:40 AM: Thanks for the updates and photos in comments!
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