West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

49℉

month : 05/2022 331 results

Here’s what was asked and answered at Fauntleroy ferry-dock-replacement meeting
May 26, 2022 11:02 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Fauntleroy ferry-dock/terminal-replacement project is “where the Viaduct was in 2005,” suggested Washington State Ferries‘ David Sowers at last night’s online community meeting – lots of alternatives, early stages of planning.

He should know, having led the Viaduct-replacing tunnel project in its late stages.

Sowers now oversees terminal projects (among other things) for WSF, and he did much of the talking at the meeting. Attendance wasn’t shown or announced but when doing an early attendee poll, facilitator Lauren Foster showed a result with a 6%, which she described as “one of you,” so that would suggest fewer than 20 in attendance at the start. This was the second of two meetings meant to recap where the project is now – still a relatively early stage of planning. No new information was presented, but 45 minutes were spent on Q&A, which might be of interest even to those who’ve been following the project closely. First:

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VIDEO: West Seattle centenarian’s short tip for a long life
May 26, 2022 9:41 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Anne Czelder celebrated her 100th birthday at Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) today, and the folks at Daystar asked her about her advice for living to the century mark. Her reply – just four words – is in the short clip above. Happy birthday, Anne!

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Repaving work this weekend at eastbound entrance to West Seattle low bridge
May 26, 2022 7:52 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Repaving work this weekend at eastbound entrance to West Seattle low bridge
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just announced by SDOT, paving work this weekend that might lead to delays at and near the 5-way intersection east of the low bridge:

This Saturday and Sunday, we’re paving SW Spokane St between the Chelan 5-way intersection and the Terminal 5 access bridge. This is the eastbound entrance to the low bridge and the access bridge to Terminals 5 and 7. The pavement at this location has been rapidly deteriorating due to the increase of heavier vehicles since the closure of the West Seattle Bridge.

We’ll start this paving around 4 AM and expect to be done by 6 PM each day. During this work, we’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane. We’ll have someone directing traffic at the work location to keep traffic moving efficiently.

If you plan to drive on the low bridge this weekend, please leave early and expect delays. As always, drive slowly and carefully in work zones and follow directions from signs and flaggers.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Structural-concrete pours completed, ‘mid-2022 reopening’ still expected
May 26, 2022 4:49 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(SDOT photo: Structural-concrete work inside the bridge)

As first reported here on Tuesday, SDOT said the last two structural-concrete pours for the West Seattle Bridge repairs were scheduled for yesterday and today – and they’ve just announced that indeed, the last one did happen today. Here’s the announcement:

Today, our construction contractor finished pouring structural concrete inside the bridge, forming the structures that will hold new steel cables essential to strengthening the bridge. Completing this crucial project milestone marks the end of a challenging process that affected our reopening schedule.

We still expect to reopen the bridge in mid-2022 and can now work with our construction contractor to finalize the sequence of the remaining work.

Concrete work was originally scheduled to begin in February and was delayed by a concrete strike that affected practically every transportation and construction project in the Puget Sound region. We appreciate and thank the concrete suppliers and drivers who came together for the community to enable projects like the West Seattle Bridge to move forward again.

We never stopped working on the bridge, despite the concrete strike. We adjusted the sequence of work activities so that we could complete other strengthening measures like sealing cracks with epoxy and wrapping the bridge walls with carbon fiber.

This week’s deliveries involved concrete trucks making back-to-back pours. Our construction contractor poured 15 truckloads of concrete in two days, more than half of the 245 cubic yards of structural concrete needed for the entire project.

The concrete was piped into the hollow bridge interior through a hole in the deck and was used to create massive blocks that form the foundations of the bridge’s additional post-tensioning system. Once the concrete structures have cured after 28 days, they’ll be capable of holding more than 20 million pounds of force.

The next step in the post-tensioning process is to install ducts in the new concrete blocks so that we can thread steel cables through the length of the bridge. After the concrete has fully cured, we will tighten these cables to strengthen the bridge and prevent future cracking.

SDOT also confirmed earlier this week that it expects to present a reopening-timeframe update when the Community Task Force meets on June 9th.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Pathfinder K-8 students’ Delridge demonstration
May 26, 2022 4:13 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Thanks to the parents who let us know about Pathfinder K-8 students’ walkout/demonstration today. Students left the Pigeon Point campus around 11:30 am and walked to the pedestrian/bicycle overpass at Delridge/Oregon for sign-waving.

The banner in the foreground was the work of someone else (we saw it there a few hours earlier) but gun violence is one of the two issues about which the Pathfinder students were demonstrating, along with reproductive rights:

This was one of many walkouts across the country today.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Final hours at Illusions Hair Design
May 26, 2022 3:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

You have 2 1/2 more hours to stop by for snacks, sips, and stories as Illusions Hair Design gets ready to close its doors forever. Owner Sue Lindblom and her longtime team are retiring from the salon business.

Lindblom announced the closure three months ago so clients had plenty of time to prepare; we talked with her then about the salon’s 44 years and trailblazing business practices. (She has also sold the building at 5619 California SW, so its future is in somebody else’s hands.) P.S. – we want to thank her for 14 years of sponsoring WSB!

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From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Water Taxi drill
May 26, 2022 2:14 pm
|    Comments Off on From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Water Taxi drill
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

We’ve received several questions about a King County Water Taxi vessel off Alki, interacting with emergency responders. Water Taxi spokesperson Al Sanders says it’s just a drill, in conjunction with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

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WHALES: Humpback sighting off West Seattle
May 26, 2022 1:28 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

1:28 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip: She says two humpback whales have been milling off Cormorant Cove (3700 block of Beach Drive). Humpbacks have grown more common in Puget Sound. Let us know if you see them!

2:10 PM: Texted photo added. Kersti says in a comment below that it might just be one humpback.

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SNEAK PEEK: See the music lineup for return of West Seattle Summer Fest!
May 26, 2022 12:29 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(SDOT cam overview of past West Seattle Summer Fest)

The return of West Seattle Summer Fest is less than two months away! July 15-16-17, The Junction’s three-day street party is back. Today, we have a sneak peek at the music schedule – two days/nights this year, as on the third day, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market will be on the block north of SW Oregon (rather than in the parking lot behind KeyBank as in years past). Since it’s early, there’s a chance of schedule changes, but this is the lineup now:

FRIDAY

3:00 PM – Appaloosa
4:00 PM – Chris King & The Gutterballs
5:00 PM – Caitlin Sherman
6:00 PM – Smoker Dad
7:00 PM – Acapulco Lips
8:00 PM – Spirit Award
9:00 PM – Naked Giants
(DJ Kurt Bloch)

SATURDAY

12:00 PM – School of Rock
1:00 PM – Mode Music
2:00 PM – THEM
3:00 PM – Emily Stranger
4:00 PM – Johnny Nails
5:00 PM – Mark Pickerel & The Peyote 3
6:00 PM – Mala Suerte
7:00 PM – Chong the Nomad
8:00 PM – Battlestar Kalakala
9:00 PM – True Loves
(DJ Yo! Adrian)

Toward the south end of the festival, music is also planned on an Elliott Bay Brewing Company-sponsored stage Friday and Saturday nights, 7 pm each night – the Urban Achievers on Friday, Eldridge Gravy and The Court Supreme on Saturday. More Summer Fest previews to come!

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RETURNING: Weekly tours of Alki Point Lighthouse resume Sunday
May 26, 2022 11:21 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)

Weekly tours of Alki Point Lighthouse are returning, as just announced by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary! Last year, two tours were given, in September, after a tour-less 2020, so this is the first full season since 2019. Here’s the announcement:

The tours of Alki Point Lighthouse will be back this year! First day of the season is this Sunday, May 29th. First visitors enter the site at 1 p.m. Last tour begins at 3:45. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary plans to provide tours every Sunday afternoon during the summer season through Labor Day weekend, pending availability of sufficient volunteer staffing. Tour updates will be published on Friday each week.

This year, in order to enhance safety and reduce crowding, the tour team is piloting a new system to manage the number of visitors in the lighthouse, in the tower and on site. No reservations are needed but there will be a sign up sheet at the gate on the day of the tour for visitors to sign up for a tour time slot for that afternoon. They may also be assigned a specific time to go up to the tower’s lantern room.

Visitors age six and up may climb to the lantern room at the top of the tower. All children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult while on the lighthouse site. Service animals are welcome, but no pets are allowed. For more information about the site and other visitor guidelines, go here.

Questions can be emailed to: alkilighthouseteam@gmail.com

The lighthouse is at 3201 Alki SW and has a long history you can read about here.

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West Seattle Transportation Coalition, candidates’ debate, more for your Thursday
May 26, 2022 10:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Recent sunset photographed in Fauntleroy by Gabby, age 11)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ILLUSIONS’ GOODBYE OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, you can stop in to wish the Illusions Hair Design team farewell on their last day before permanent retirement closure. (5619 California SW)

SOUND TRANSIT BOARD: Monthly meeting, 1:30-5 pm online. The agenda explains how to watch and how to comment (live or in writing).

NEED HELP WITH MEDICARE? Consultant Patrice Lewis is taking appointments for consultations 2-3:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) – our calendar listing explains how to check for availability.

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm online, with topics including Vision Zero, WS Bike Connections, and board openings – our calendar listing has more info including how to attend.

CANDIDATES’ DEBATE: As previewed here, the two Democrats in the race for the open 34th District State House District 1 – Leah Griffin and Emily Alvarado – are facing off for the first time, 6:30 pm online. Here’s the link for registering to attend.

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Come try something new at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: No WS venue yet, so their free spring concert is at 7 pm at Foster High School Performing Arts Center (4242 S. 144th St, Tukwila).

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Abby K and Friends perform Americana/folk. Free; all ages.

Have an event to list on our calendar/in our daily lists? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Regional festival this weekend for Chief Sealth IHS musicians
May 26, 2022 8:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Around this time Wednesday, we were telling you about a community campaign to help fund Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School music students. This morning, we have word some of those students are headed to a prestigious festival. From Dawn Pomeroy of Denny-Sealth Performing Arts:

Eleven music students from Chief Sealth IHS were selected to participate in the Music in May Honor Festival this weekend at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. They will be representing orchestra, band, and choir at one of the longest running high-school music festivals in the Pacific Northwest. These students were nominated by their music directors and selected from a large pool of applicants to participate in the festival. They will work with distinguished guest conductors alongside their peers from all over the region during the 3-day festival ending with a concert on Saturday afternoon. Congratulations to all of you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Pre-holiday-weekend Thursday
May 26, 2022 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Pre-holiday-weekend Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning; welcome to Thursday, May 26th.

WEATHER

Another mostly cloudy forecast, with a chance of rain later, and seasonable temperatures – possibly around 70.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. (Note that it’ll run a special schedule on Memorial Day.)

Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. No extra boat for the holiday weekend; Memorial Day will be on the Sunday schedule.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

794th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way (one of four new cameras!):

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan – might still be experiencing difficulty):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Sunset surprise, and holiday preview
May 25, 2022 11:50 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Gene Pavola)

Wish we could say the sudden burst of color at sunset tonight was a preview of a bright holiday weekend ahead. But so far, the National Weather Service‘s forecast looks cloudy and cooler, even rainy at times. However, there’s one point from which you can take solace:

(Photo by Adam Gosztola)

On many recent days, the weather has tended to be better than forecast – today, for example, brought plenty of unpredicted sunshine. So you can hold onto hope that the Memorial Day weekend might not be as gray as predicted.

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West Seattle naturalist/photographer suddenly cameraless
May 25, 2022 8:45 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photos by Kersti Muul)

We describe WSB as a “community-collaborative news source” because of the thousands of ways community members have contributed over our 15 years – from someone who texted us once about a traffic jam, to those who send calendar listings, to those who attend/support those events, to people who share photos of our area’s natural beauty – from neighborhood flowers to breathtaking wildlife. Among those contributing in that last category, and then some, is Kersti Muul, whose name you see here most often when whales are in the area. Kersti’s dealing with a tough break right now – literally – and could use some support. She explains:

I have been having bad vertigo and vision issues off and on for the last three months. While coming out of an episode; still slightly unbalanced, I took a hard fall at Alki on the concrete, while watching “T-63 Chainsaw” the famous orca, pass by in Elliott Bay. My camera unfortunately was broken in the fall. Nikon has just deemed the camera damage ‘beyond repair’.

For those not familiar with me, I am a scientific educator, urban conservation specialist, community naturalist, award-winning photographer, and wildlife rescuer.

I am extremely active in the West Seattle community, donating my time, expertise, and photography at no cost. The loss of my camera is devastating to me as it is my vehicle for community education, research, outreach, and it’s how I decompress from the extremely stressful work that I do.

I’m reaching out to the community to help me, so I can continue to help you!

On her crowdfunding page, Kersti elaborates: “Helping others see the world through my lens and spurring them into action has been the biggest loss so far.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Midday gunfire; stolen white pickup truck
May 25, 2022 7:23 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

MIDDAY GUNFIRE: A preliminary police summary confirms gunfire at midday today. It was called in from the vicinity of 28th/Myrtle just after 11:30 am. Here’s what police wrote:

It appears two SUVs were chasing each other for an unknown reason. A passenger in a white SUV fired rounds at the blue SUV. At least one round missed the blue SUV and struck a residence. No one was struck by the errant rounds. Evidence of a shooting was located at the scene. A short while after, a white SUV was located in the 6300 block of 34 AV SW (unoccupied). It was a Federal Way stolen vehicle. It appears to be the suspect vehicle in the shooting. It was recovered and impounded to the processing room. Patrol processed the scene. … No suspects were located. The other vehicle was not located.

STOLEN TRUCK: Via text, another report of a stolen pickup truck to watch for:

License B99083L. Incident #22-131227. Stolen from SW Dakota and 45th (on Monday). 1997 Ford Ranger.

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NEW EVENT: West Seattle High School hosting car show next month
May 25, 2022 5:06 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Three years after the last West Seattle Car Show, there’s a new event for showing off amazing automobiles.

West Seattle High School automotive-technology instructor Carmin Thomas sends word that they’re hosting a car show on June 11th – open to the public to enter, as well as to students. It’s non-competitive, so you won’t have to figure out what class you’re entering – just sign up and show up. The full version of the flyer has a QR code you can use. Entry fee is $5 for students, $10 for non-students. Even if you’re not interested in entering, you’re welcome to come look, 1-4 pm on Saturday, June 11th. The school is at 3000 California SW.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Elephant-seal sighting
May 25, 2022 3:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Hugh Donnelly for the photo! That’s a Northern Elephant Seal, seen today off Lincoln Park. We reported on sightings last year – Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network noted they were becoming more common in area waters; one, nicknamed Ruckus, hung around for quite some time last July. If you see this – or any other marine mammal – on a West Seattle beach, please notify SSMMSN at 206-905-SEAL.

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UPDATE: 30th/Trenton house fire
May 25, 2022 2:00 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: 30th/Trenton house fire
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | Westwood

2 PM: Seattle Fire is arriving at a house-fire call in the 8800 block of 30th SW. One person is getting medical attention. Updates to come.

2:03 PM: Firefighters report it’s under control and assess it as a “small” fire.

2:14 PM: The fire’s just been declared “tapped” (out) and the response is being downsized. The person who was medically assessed does not need to go to the hospital, we’ve been told at the scene.

ADDED FRIDAY: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Our investigators determined the fire was accidental, and likely caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. The estimated loss was $100,000.”

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BIZNOTE: Lily’s Salvadorean Restaurant invites you to grand-opening celebration
May 25, 2022 1:56 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Two and a half months after opening in Luna Park, Lily’s Salvadorean Restaurant (2940 SW Avalon Way) is finally ready to celebrate. You’re invited to the 2-6 pm party this Saturday (May 28th). Lily’s announcement promises “mariachi, special discounts, cocktail drinks, and more” and adds, “We are so happy that we are in the neighborhood and for all the warm welcoming that we have received.” Lily’s was a Farmers’ Market fixture before adding this bricks-and-mortar location.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Short shrimp season
May 25, 2022 12:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Got a question this morning about all the small boats off west-facing West Seattle. Thanks to Jim Borrow for the photo and info providing the answer: “Shrimp season opened briefly today (8 am-noon). Elliott Bay is closed this year so sport fishing was allowed in Area 10. Not as many boats as past years (probably 20 maximum) and, with Elliott Bay closed, no boats off Duwamish Head.” Find out more (and see maps) on the state Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

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Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday
May 25, 2022 10:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Mike Burns)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TEXAS MASSACRE VIGIL: From Forest Lawn at 6701 30th SW:

For those who need a place to go a moment for quiet. Forest Lawn Funeral Home will have an open chapel
today through Monday to offer a place to reconcile your thoughts, to sign a guest book for the families and just simply grieve. You are welcome to bring flowers, cards candles… whatever you need or would like to. We will get the items and cards to a local funeral home in Texas. At times like this is hard to know where to turn, what to do and how to react especially when we feel so helpless. Our team is here for you as a community as we all try to make sense of such a horrific day. Our love and strength to all of those in Texas whose lives have been forever changed.

The chapel will be open 9 am-5 pm each day.

PICKLEBALL MEETING: 4:30 pm, Seattle Parks has one last online meeting for pickleball and tennis players – attendance info is in our calendar listing.

RACIAL-JUSTICE VIGIL: Not in West Seattle, but two local Catholic parishes are participating in a vigil for racial justice on the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, 6 pm at Immaculate Conception Church (820 18th Ave.).

FAUNTLEROY FERRY-DOCK PROJECT: Second of two online community meetings to talk about where the planning is at – 6 pm; register (and find more info) here.

JAZZ NIGHT: Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) hosts its first jazz night – no cover, 21+, 6:30-9:30 pm.

MORE LIVE MUSIC: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) has live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.

BOOK-LAUNCH CELEBRATION: As previewed here, West Seattle writer Susan Rich has a new book of poetry out, and she and the other two co-founders of the legendary WordsWest Literary Series are reuniting for a celebration tonight at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – 7 pm, and you’re invited to be part of it (p.s. cake!).

HPAC IN PERSON: 7 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way), join your neighbors in talking about community issues including traffic safety.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm on Wednesdays, Kimball and The Fugitive Trio play live at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).

TRIVIA x 2: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.

Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Music fundraiser for Denny IMS and Chief Sealth IHS students
May 25, 2022 9:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Throughout the year, community members have generously supported fundraisers to help local students, from benefit sales and auctions, to dine-out events. As the school year winds down, we have news of another one – from Denny-Sealth Performing Arts president Dawn Pomeroy:

Denny Sealth Performing Arts parent booster organization is currently holding our 3rd annual online fundraiser through Snap Raise. This is our largest fundraiser of the year and the money raised goes to ensure that our students have access to working instruments, new music, uniforms and concert attire, and the ability to participate in music festivals. Please consider donating through either the Denny link or Chief Sealth link. Thank you!

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