West Seattle, Washington
16 Friday
Everyone has a role to play at West Seattle skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen‘s change-of-season sunset watches – if you choose to participate. Tonight at Solstice Park, the members of the ~70-person crowd who chose to form a circle at her invitation all got to be Earth for a while. But that was after the sunset.
Along with watching the first sunset of summer, at the park where markers and paths are in place to line up with the setting sun on solstice and equinox days, the highlight was Alice’s explanation of how the Earth and Sun interact on these days, (A young attendee named June volunteered to portray the Sun.)
She also shared the pro tip that you can experience the sunset alignment at Solstice Park for a few days before and after the solstices/equinoxes, since the setting sun’s position doesn’t quickly change that radically.
Alice also answered questions, starting with one about the upcoming planetary alignment – where and when to watch.
Alice – who leads these events as a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador – said the show will be best between 3 and 4:30 am, and with a view of the east/northeast sky; she recommended Westcrest and Myrtle Reservoir Parks in West Seattle
(2019 Seafair Pirates Landing photo by David Hutchinson)
If you haven’t already seen it in our calendar – the Seafair Pirates Landing returns to Alki Beach on Saturday (June 25th). But it’s a “scaled-down” version of the event, Seafair tells us – no vendors, but, “There still will be a PA system for commentary and the usual shenanigans.” They’re expected to land around 1:30 pm, “storming the beach to steal the key to the city,” says Seafair. This time around they’re under the skullduggery of the incoming Captain Kidd, Michael “Mouthfish” Brown, who’s taking the wheel from the outgoing Captain Kidd, Damian “Terrible” Terrell. Remember there’ll be offshore cannon fire as the Pirates approach, so the event’s not for the easily startled. If you’re new – the Seafair Pirates have sailed the summer seas of Seattle since 1949, and participate in countless parades and festivals as well as devoting time to various charitable deeds. Be mindful that 1:30 pm time is approximate – we advise not waiting till the last minute! The actual landing is usually in the vicinity of Alki Bathhouse.
As featured in our daily event list and calendar, a new summer-solstice celebration is debuting today! The gardenkeepers (above) invite you to stop by the Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW) for all-ages fun until 7:30 pm. We went over just as it was getting started.
You can buy dinner from West Seattle’s own Chef Gino Williamson, proprietor of TheHomeSkillit.com – he’s on the Delridge side of the garden (by the sidewalk) and at center in our top photo. Organizers told us this is an extension of their regular 6 pm Tuesday storytime. (added) Several kid activities:
A small plant sale too:
You can even spend $1 on an entry to guess how tall the P-Patch’s tallest sunflower will be at season’s end!
(WSB file photo)
Friday was the last day of school for most local students who weren’t already out for summer – and for some educators, it was the last day of their classroom career. Among them: Craig Parsley, a founding teacher at Louisa Boren STEM K-8, who spent the past 10 school years there – from its start – after a long run at Schmitz Park Elementary. He sent us this announcement:
(Friday), I retired from Louisa Boren STEM K-8. It was a good run and I really appreciate our West Seattle Community’s support of STEM education.
Many parents have asked what is next for Mr. Parsley.
I plan on supporting STEM Schools in Seattle and across the state in developing Project-Based Learning Programs that are cost effective and Standards-Based. If my time at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 has taught me one thing, it’s that STEM education is not merely a pedagogical decision, it’s a investment in our country’s future. I want our education decision-makers to know that STEM is not a financial burden…it’s a commitment to inspiring innovation, craft, invention, and optimism.
I’m very proud of all the engineers, architects, astrophysicists, bioengineers, civil and electrical engineers our program has inspired, some entering college and a few soon to graduate from these programs. Perhaps, we really did make a difference.
Last year we reported on an award given to Parsley for what the STEM PTA described as his “life-changing” work.
With the weather finally warming, time to think about even more of what’s happening this summer. As we first reported in March, outdoor movies are returning. The current plan is for five Saturday nights in the Hotwire Coffee (4410 California SW) courtyard, site of many summers, though Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB the location might change for the final one. Start time is expected around 9 pm for the July movies, 8:30 pm for August.
JULY 23 – “The Goonies”
JULY 30 – “The Never-Ending Story”
AUGUST 6 – “Encanto”
AUGUST 13 – “Coco”
AUGUST 20 – “Back to the Future”
Those were chosen from a list of 18 on which WSJA (as we also reported at the time) sought votes in March. No admission charge, bring your own chair; more details as it all gets closer.
TUESDAY REPORT: The Seattle Police Department is actually one of two local PDs with a chief search under way. The Port of Seattle also is without a permanent police chief at the moment, but it’s getting closer to a hire, and that’s of interest with the Port PD’s jurisdiction including Terminal 5 and other sites here in West Seattle. This week, the port is expected to announce finalists for the job, and next Monday, the finalists are expected to answer questions at an online public forum. The previous chief was fired last fall, more than a year after he was placed on leave during what regional media described as a misconduct investigation. Mike Villa has been serving as interim chief. The port’s webpage about the chief search has information on how to watch the finalists’ forum at 4:30 pm June 27th, and how to send advance questions (requested by tomorrow).
ADDED WEDNESDAY: Two finalists have been announced – interim chief Villa, and Seattle Police Captain Eric Sano, currently commander of SPD’s East Precinct.
(Tree frog, photographed in West Seattle by Steve Bender)
Happy summer! The solstice moment was 2:13 am; two local events later today top our highlight list from the WSB West S
DELRIDGE P-PATCH SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: First year for this start-of-summer event at the Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW), with free fun including music, crafts, and face-painting, plus you can buy dinner from Chef Gino of TheHomeSkillit.com.
SOLSTICE PARK SUNSET WATCH: West Seattle skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill from the tennis courts) to lead her traditional change-of-seasons sunset watch, starting at 8:30 pm. All ages welcome. See if the setting sun lines up with its marker at the park!
Also happening today/tonight:
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Drop-in advocacy, Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
CALLING ALL PROSPECTIVE HIGH-SCHOOL ULTIMATE PLAYERS: Summer break is the time to get ready for school sports. Teens interested in Ultimate at West Seattle HS or Chief Sealth IHS are invited to an info session at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW) noon-3 pm today. Meet the coaches, get your questions answered, play a bit of pickup.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Online at 2 pm; here’s the agenda. Watch live here.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
CONGRATULATIONS, SSC CLASS OF 2022! South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) is part of the Seattle Colleges commencement ceremony at 5 pm today at T-Mobile Park (1250 1st Ave South).
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends of Don Werlech will gather July 2 for his Funeral Mass. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with his community:
Donald Stephen Werlech
In Loving MemoryIt is with sadness that we say goodbye to our father at 94 years old.
Donald Stephen Werlech (Don) was born March 16, 1928, the oldest of five children, and passed away peacefully at home June 10, 2022, surrounded by his three children and five grandsons.
Born to Croatian immigrants Mike and Josephine Werlech, Don was raised in the Riverside neighborhood and was a lifelong resident of West Seattle. He attended Holy Rosary grade school and Seattle Prep High School. Following high school, Don served honorably in the US Army as a peacekeeper following World War II. His service to our country paved the way for him to attend Seattle University on the GI Bill. Always independent minded, Don was a successful business owner of more than 45 years in the White Center area.
Don’s passions were numerous. A lifelong member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, he attended many functions throughout the year, including picnics and music festivals. Don spent many hours restoring his “baby,” a vintage 1931 Ford Model A, and was a proud member of the Evergreen A’s, a group of local Model A enthusiasts. In 2021, he was honored by the A’s with their prestigious Man of the Year award. He loved reading, hummingbird watching, fishing and traveling with his life-long buddies, family gatherings and reunions, and especially socializing with old friends and new acquaintances.
Don’s greatest joy and ministry was helping others. He would make people laugh with his stories and quick tease. He would drive those in need to any appointment or event. You would often see Don at Providence Mount St. Vincent visiting all the residents and taking time to talk and get to know them. He would often bring them flowers to brighten up their day. His generosity did not stop there, as he would also bring flowers to his family and friends. He had a passion for daily walks around the neighborhood and would often take his neighbor’s dog Tucker (and any other dog he would spot along the way), ending with a treat and lots of appreciative barking.
Without question, Don’s greatest passion was his five grandsons. Don spent countless hours cheering at their sporting events and attending school functions, always the proud Grandpa. Don loved going on road trips to his grandsons’ sports tournaments or simply to visit them as they grew into young men and ventured out on their own.
Don was a strong believer in community and family. He and his wife raised their children in the family home on 35th Avenue, which they owned for 61 years. Don regularly attended mass just down the road at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where he served as head usher for years. As testament to Don’s belief in being a strong member of the community, all eight of his children and grandchildren graduated from Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien.
Don is survived by his children Donita, Deena, and Michael; daughter-in-law Mary Jo; grandsons Danny (28), Anthony (27), Joey (26), Michael (24), and Alexander, (24); and his sister Helen Chamberlain and brother Zrene Werlech. Donald is preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Patricia. Don will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, special grandfather, and friend to many. We feel blessed to have had him for so long and know he will be forever missed. His smile, laughter, and love will forever live in our hearts.
For those wishing to offer a token of remembrance, the family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation in Don’s name be made to Saint Theresa’s Orphanage of Zagreb, Croatia c/o CFU 439, Humanitarian Aid Fund, 2130 48th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116.
Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, July 2, 2022, at 10 am, 7000 35th Avenue SW, Seattle. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Seattle. Please view his online obituary at bonneywatson.com.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:05 AM: Good morning; welcome to Tuesday, June 21st, the first day of summer (solstice moment was 2:13 am).
WEATHER
Mostly sunny forecast, after morning clouds, high in the 70s.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is back on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
821st 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):
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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