West Seattle, Washington
31 Sunday
11:24 AM: Thanks to everyone who has helped reunite people with their stolen vehicles. Here’s another one to watch for – reported by Samuel:
My silver 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup was stolen sometime between Sunday night (4/24 around 6:30 pm) and Tuesday afternoon (4/26 before 6 pm). Last seen was on the corner of Findlay St. and 44th Ave SW. (This is a stock photo of what it looked like with some slight differences.)
License plate: C22041F
Identifying Features: Paint fade on roof and hood, large dent/scratch above RR wheel well, white chalk lettering on the back of the toe hitch bar that says J+S with a heart around it and I ❤ Pickle Rick.
Incident # 22-104619
7:47 PM: Samuel reports that his pickup has been found.
The stands were full last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex as Chief Sealth International High School hosted their league-leading crosstown competitors from West Seattle High School. The Seahawks were ahead 7-2 going into the fourth inning, and that’s when the Wildcats roared with a comeback.
By the time the inning ended, WSHS had the lead, 11-7. Sealth added one more run but couldn’t close the gap, and WSHS got one more run too, winning 12-8.
WSHS finished with 12 hits, Chief Sealth with 7 hits. The Seahawks (9-8) are on the road today vs. Lakeside at Magnuson Park; the Wildcats’ game today at Sammamish was canceled, but they have a 10 am home game Saturday vs. Blaine at NCSWAC.
(Tuesday’s sunset, photographed by Bruce Gaumond)
Here’s what’s up for the rest of your Wednesday:
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: We’ll remind you again later too – 11:30 pm tonight, registration closes for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day sales (WSCGSD is on May 14th). Go here to sign up!
SPORTS: Both high-school-soccer teams are playing home games today – West Seattle HS vs. Nathan Hale at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), Chief Sealth IHS vs. Ingraham at 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
LIVE MUSIC AT LOCOL: 6:30 pm, Arthur James performs at Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) – 21+, no cover.
‘LGBT Q&A’: Parent educator Jo Langford‘s presentation is part of the West Seattle High School PTSA‘s meeting tonight at 7 pm online, and as previewed here, community members are invited – here’s the link to register.
HPAC MEETUP: Casual in-person drop-in gathering for the Highland Park, Riverview, South Delridge community council HPAC this month – stop by the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) at/around 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA: 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.
Something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, April 27th.
WEATHER
Forecast says partly sunny, slight chance of rain, high in the 50s.
ROAD WORK
*Overnight alerts all week for some work under the bridge related to what’s happening on it – with an added night of work since we first published these.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – with later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
765th 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:
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.
The Seattle Police Department is still losing more officers and hiring fewer than projected. So what if anything should/can be done about it? That question was at the heart of the latest SPD-staffing briefing, presented this morning to the City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee, chaired by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold.
Overall, the committee was told, “the trend is not particularly good.” Here are the numbers presented by analyst Greg Doss:
We first mentioned the report last Friday, when it was released; we noted that the Southwest Precinct, which covers West Seattle and South Park, had lost more sworn staff in the past year – both in number and in percentage – than other precincts. (Our questions sent immediately to SPD and Herbold remain unanswered.) The discussion at today’s meeting didn’t get that granular. The issue became what to do about the continued staffing drop – or whether to do anything at all. That was a sharp point of disagreement between some of the councilmembers. Citywide Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (a West Seattle resident) emphasized that research has shown many of the calls handled by police could be handled by other types of responders. Yes, but, asked Councilmember Alex Pedersen, does the city have those alternative responders available today? “No,” replied Doss. Recently elected citywide Councilmember Sara Nelson, who is pushing to reinstate hiring incentives, asked, “Are we happy with the status quo? Are we fine with doing nothing? I am not.” In response to an observation that other cities are having hiring challenges too, Nelson wondered if any other cities are having trouble with departures as well as hiring.
Interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz, also present at the online meeting, said the current staffing situation is causing “wear and tear” because almost every shift needs to be “augmented” with officers on overtime just to reach minimum levels. Response times continue rising, with “priority 2” calls up to half an hour, “priority 3” calls averaging a full hour, he said.
While Nelson is proposing a resolution expressing support for hiring bonuses/incentives, Herbold is proposing a bill to offer money to cover moving expenses for officers hired from outside Seattle – and for some other types of city employees; in the ongoing discussion of the SPD staffing challenges, she has countered that other departments face critical staffing challenges too. (This document from the meeting goes into both councilmembers’ proposals, as well as data including what other cities are offering.)
Nelson continued to advocate for hiring bonuses: “If we don’t do this, what else are we going to do? … I don’t see how we’re going to get to 98 new hires this year if we’ve only had 13 so far.” She wanted to extend the discussion, but Herbold cut it off, with the item having run more than an hour – twice the allotted time – and with two other items on the agenda, including another hot topic (the PayUp proposal for app-based workers). No votes had been scheduled for today, so the discussion is likely to continue when this committee reconvenes next month.
Two followups on West Seattle Crime Watch reports from last week:
BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Last Thursday, we published this report of a burglary at Meeples Games. The shop says somebody then tried to break in the next day:
On Friday 4/22 at 5:00 am we had a second attempted break-in. These are the pictures of the Friday suspect. We are unsure if he is connected with the first two or not. Luckily he wasn’t able to get in. But he did completely destroy our door.
We want to thank everyone who has offered to donate money to fix the door. Right now, the best way to help is to stop in and buy some games, have dinner and hang out, and share the posts. We also think that the truck in the first break-in was a Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with an access cab in a lighter color.
If you have tips for police, this attempt is under the same incident # – 22-099401.
STOLEN PICKUP FOUND: Also on Thursday, we published this report about Sean‘s stolen 1992 Nissan pickup. Somebody spotted it on Monday. We checked with Sean to see if he indeed got it back, and he confirmed that today, sending this photo:
I got a call from the police at around noon yesterday. They ran out of gas off the west Seattle Bridge heading south on Delridge. I jumped it. put gas in it, and I have it.
Side note – When we get word someone has their stolen vehicle back, we go back to the original report and add the update, just in case somebody spots it days or weeks later and doesn’t know its rightful owner has it back … and we’ll be doing that with this one too.
6:33 PM: Seattle Fire sent a few units to a report of something burning on the roof of a house in the 3200 block of Walnut SW [vicinity map], and the first crews on scene assessed it as a fire on an upper floor, so they’re upgrading it to a “full response.”
(Added: Photo sent by Christine)
6:38 PM: The firefighters report finding fire in the attic of the 3-story house.
6:46 PM: Firefighters have told dispatch the fire is under control and they’re just looking for hot spots. No injuries reported so far.
(Added: WSB photo)
7:01 PM: They’ve called the fire “tapped” (out). Our crew at the scene confirms everyone got out OK. … SFD’s investigator is there to try to figure out what sparked the fire.
ADDED: We followed up on the fire’s cause. SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says it “was determined to be accidental. Likely caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. The estimated loss is $70,000.”
We promised more biznotes – here are four West Seattle businesses inviting you to weekend celebrations:
WEND AND MOLLY’S TURN ONE: It’s first-anniversary-party time at neighboring WEND Jewelry and Molly’s Bottle Shop (3278 California SW). WEND proprietor Wendy says, “West Seattle has been a wonderful community to open a shop in during a global pandemic with no bridge, and we want to say THANK YOU to our neighbors! Celebrate our first year with us.” 4-8 pm Saturday (April 30th) they’re having a party with music, treats, tastings, and at WEND, discounts and raffles. Neighbor Inkberry Tattoo (which opened 9 months ago) is joining the party too. P.S. WEND has class openings right now too – more on that here.
INDIE BOOKSTORE DAY @ PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS: This Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, and Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) has a big day planned. The store opens at 10 am; shoppers have a chance at raffles and will get to “spin the wheel.” You can also get a passport to start a 10-day journey to all 24 independent bookstores around the Seattle area – visit them all and win discount coupons for all the stores! (More on this at seattlebookstoreday.com.) Then at 11 am, three local authors lead a special Family Reading Time a few doors north at HeartBeet Event Space.
HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE: 4 pm-7 pm Sunday (May 1st), Highland Park Corner Store invites you to come enjoy mariachi, tacos, and beer.
The award-winning store’s owner Meaghan says, “To celebrate spring and with a nod to Cinco de Mayo, we’ve invited CocinaMX 32 back, this time they’re making tacos! Enjoy your tacos with a draft beer while listening to mariachi from Mariachi Alma Nueva (featuring one of our staff on violin!).” The store is at 7789 Highland Park Way SW.
Another West Seattle neighborhood is dealing with discolored water – this time, Pigeon Point. Thanks to Matt for the report. No water breaks in that area reported currently, so there are various possible causes – the discoloration is usually from “sediment” getting stirred up in the line, most often rust. If it happens to you, report it to the Seattle Public Utilities round-the-clock hotline at 206-386-1800.
The Rotary Club of West Seattle just welcomed four new members – and is now having “hybrid” weekly meetings, so you can attend in person or online. Here’s an update from the club:
Come Join Us! West Seattle Rotary is now offering a hybrid option for our weekly meetings. We are meeting in person on Tuesdays at the Alki Masonic Hall (4736 40th SW) from 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and have a Zoom Link option here to join virtually. Upcoming May programs:
Tuesday, May 3, 12:00 noon
Susan Carroll, Managing Director, Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center
Celebrating 20 Years of the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace CenterPresentation: As we reach our 20th anniversary as one of the Rotary Peace Fellowship Program’s Centers, now is a good moment to react on how the program and the ‑eld of peacebuilding have changed over these past two decades.
Tuesday, May 10, 12:00 noon
Greg Dirks, Jim and Michelle Edwards, The West Seattle Big Band
Introducing The West Seattle Big BandPresentation: A community-based 18 piece music ensemble that plays Big Band swing and jazz standards at events throughout the greater Seattle and Puget Sound.
Tuesday, May 17, 12:00 noon
Safo Mawuko Kutorwu, Founder of Denyigba LorLor , Ghana, Africa
“Tree Planting Project” Denyigba LorLor “Forest Regeneration” Donations herePresentation: A grassroots NGO in West Africa battles hunger and climate change by planting trees along roads, schools and beaches.
Tuesday, May 24, 12:00 noon
Elizabeth Cruft-Anderson, CFRE, Senior Major Gifts Officer
Promoting Peace through Rotary InternationalPresentation: Rotary’s strength is our ability to join together the right people, united in common goals to create projects in our local communities and around the globe.
We formally inducted our four newest members at our meeting last week. In photo above: Acting Membership Chairman Martha Sidlo, new members Kristy Haro with John L. Scott, Tom Nychay is the owner of Gany Nychay Architecture, Greg Dirks is a long-time West Seattle resident and is retired, and Travis Hartman with State Farm Insurance, and President Alan Mitchell.
One more reminder as West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (Saturday, May 14th) gets closer – if you’re planning a sale and haven’t registered yet, tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 27th, 11:30 pm) is the deadline! The list is now up to 270 sales, all over the peninsula, all sizes – block sales, business sales, nonprofit-fundraiser sales, alley sales, more. We’ve gone through about two-thirds of the registrations so far and we’re tracking zip codes – 98116 is in the lead with the most sales, 98136 isn’t too far behind. Soon as registration ends on Wednesday night, we get to work on the map – which will assign each sale a number – and list, so those can be available one week in advance to give shoppers time to read through and plan. Thanks to everyone who’s helping revive the WSCGSD tradition! If you’re ready to register a sale, go here to sign up.
Lots of biznotes to report today – we’ll start with these three (with three more later this afternoon):
TACONTAINER’S FUTURE: When Victor closed the unique taco truck on Alki two months ago (aside from occasional openings), he said someone was preparing to take it over. That fell through. So it’s available – here’s his pitch:
Available for lease right away and up until March 2023. It may be possible to extend, but that is uncertain as the container might need to be moved to a different location in spring of 2023. Water, electrical and sewer is connected. All equipment and kitchen supplies included. Everything is up to code, licensed, permitted and last inspected by Seattle Public Health in March 2022. Self ordering kiosk and the kitchen display system for automated orders can be included as well. For lease amount and terms please contact Victor at 808-352-1779 or TACOntainerSeattle@gmail.com.
GIGI’S CAFE: Chef Gino Williamson says his hopes of taking over the Super 24 building on Delridge didn’t work out, because he couldn’t work out the lease terms with the owner, so he’s still looking for somewhere to open a bricks-and-mortar restaurant (to be named Gigi’s Café, after his daughter). Meantime, his mobile food business TheHomeSkillit.com is continuing to rove – you might have seen him recently on Webster by The Home Depot and Southwest Precinct, and he is taking nightly call-in dinner orders online.
RUE THERAPEUTICS: Josie emailed the announcement of her new business:
Rue Therapeutics: Massage and Pilates open in the Morgan Street Junction!
Located in West Seattle Pilates (6521 California SW); Rue Therapeutics offers gentle myofascial and Swedish massage paired with private Pilates instruction.
10:10 AM: SFD has a large response on a “trench rescue” call in Schmitz Park. They’ve reported that the “patient is extricated.” SFD says the original report was of a “child stuck in a mud hole.” Updates to come.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
10:27 AM: We’re told the child is OK – just took a fall during a field trip into the park.
11:01 AM: We have a lot of followup questions out on this and will add the answers as we get them.
11:37 AM: SFD spokesperson Hilton Almond summarizes what happened: “Firefighters rescued a four-year-old male from a mud hole. He was stuck up to his hips, which required a couple of firefighters to pull him out. He sustained no injuries and his mother picked him up.” She verifies in a comment that he’s OK. It was a learning experience for all:
12:26 PM: Seattle Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin tells us, “Staff are out there today evaluating if anything can be fixed or needs to be blocked off for a time.”
(Pacific Bleeding Hearts at Fauntleroy Park, photographed by Rosalie Miller)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: If you’re interested in attending the West Seattle Democratic Women’s meeting on Thursday, RSVP deadline is 5 pm today – info’s in our calendar listing.
CITY COUNCIL’S PUBLIC-SAFETY COMMITTEE: 9:30 am, with the agenda including an update on Seattle Police staffing issues (which as we reported Friday appear to be disproportionately affecting our area); you can watch via Seattle Channel.
PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION: Public meeting starts at noon, online and at Sea-Tac Airport – here’s the agenda, with info on viewing and commenting.
CITY COUNCIL: Their weekly meeting is at 2 pm, online. The agenda explains how to comment; Seattle Channel is where to watch.
DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, Scott leads this long-running weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
(added) SPORTS: Two games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – in softball, West Seattle HS vs. Eastside Catholic, 4 pm; in baseball, West Seattle HS vs. Chief Sealth IHS, 7 pm.
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 us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo from local amateur-radio operators’ Field Day)
Be a neighborhood hero – be the person on your block or in your building who has amateur-radio skills just in case of catastrophe. It’s the communication mode that’s likely to keep working even if everything else goes out. First step: Take a class that’s coming up, so you can get a license. The West Seattle Amateur Radio Club has issued the invitation:
Ham radio is a great hobby and a great way to serve the community. One can communicate locally, around the world or even via satellite. It provides an excellent means of emergency communication. Your license never expires as long as you renew every 10 years (no need for another exam). This is to be a fun, low-key, learning experience; class participation and asking questions are encouraged. However, instructors will not call on individual students during class, so that you can feel free to participate at your comfort level. Conceptual materials will be presented during the first weekend so that you can study efficiently during the following week. Practical scenarios and demonstrations will be presented on the next Saturday. A review session will be offered on the final Sunday.
The classes are all day Saturday, May 7th, Sunday, May 8th, Saturday, May 14th, and then it’s exam day on Sunday, May 15th, all at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW). The classes are free; the test carries a $15 fee. You can go here to register.
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, April 26th.
WEATHER
Monday’s weather was nicer than predicted – maybe today’s will be too. Rain is in the forecast again, though.
ROAD WORK
*Alerts all week for some work under the bridge related to what’s happening on it – 7 pm tonight to 6 am Wednesday, a southbound WMW closure.
*Still awaiting the work at California/Myrtle and 8th/Roxbury.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – adding later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
764th 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:
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.
Both these reports came in this afternoon:
THE KENNEY’S VAN VANDALIZED: Silvia at The Kenney sent the image of a man they report tried to get into their building and then broke into their van around 1:30-2 am today, where he “cut wires that control our door and wheelchair lifts for our residents … also he proceeded to ignite a small fire in front of our building.” The wires in the van weren’t stolen, just cut, she said; they found a foot-long saw near the cut wire. We’ve asked if any community help is needed and will update if so.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER TAKEN FROM KIWANIS VAN: The nonprofit Kiwanis Club of West Seattle does need help recovering from a theft that put their van out of service. The club reports:
Sometime around March 7th, someone stole the catalytic converter from the Kiwanis van. The van is vital for the Kiwanis Club to continue its service to the community, and they are seeking donations to help cover the cost of the repair, which is estimated at $1,000.00. If you can chip in and help them pay for it, contributions can be made through their PayPal account or checks can be mailed to Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, P.O. Box 16128, Seattle, WA 98116.
You may have seen the Kiwanis booth at the West Seattle Farmers Market or attended the annual Pancake Breakfast, but did you know the KiwanisClub and its members have been a fixture in West Seattle since 1929?
The major emphasis of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is improving the life, safety and health of children in West Seattle. Sponsored youth programs include Key Clubs in 3 West Seattle high schools, Seattle University Circle K, South Seattle College scholarships, Scout Troop 284, Troop 8284, Venturing Crew 284, Crew 279 and Cub Scout Pack 136. The club also supports Westside Baby, Food Lifeline, West Seattle Food Bank and Clothesline, Project Cool, Relay For Life, the SIGN Fracture Care Programs, and the Seattle Adopt-A-Street program.
The Kiwanis Club will have to temporarily divert funds from its community service to pay for the repair. Any contribution to repair the van is appreciated! Members expect to be back at the West Seattle Farmers Market in late Spring, once their van has been repaired. Contact Club President, Denis Sapiro, at 206-601-4136 with any questions.
The theft happened while the van was parked near (corrected) 44th/Hinds.
Sent by Beth:
Found this bike in my front yard this morning. I live a block from Westwood Village.
Stickers on the bike include one that says “Save a Tree.” If this is your bike, email us and we’ll connect you.
4:42 PM MONDAY: Nighttime traffic alerts are out for four of the next five nights because of surface-street work related to the West Seattle Bridge repairs. We got the first hint at this with an unexplained Metro detour advisory issued late last week, and obtained the full list of alerts from SDOT just now:
This week, crews will be installing safety measures beneath the West Seattle High Rise Bridge and Fauntleroy Expressway as a precaution for upcoming overhead work. Crews will need space to stage equipment beneath the bridge while equipment is being installed, leading to some late-night detours on SW Spokane St, West Marginal Way and East Marginal Way on certain nights this week.
Here is the full detour information for each night this week.
10 PM Monday, April 25 to 5 AM Tuesday, April 26:
Closure of eastbound Spokane Street Between Avalon Way & Delridge Way
Detour in place: Southbound on SW Avalon Way, east to SW Genesee St, North on Delridge Way SW7 PM Tuesday, April 26 to 6 AM Wednesday, April 27:
Closure of southbound right lane of West Marginal Way.
Pedestrian path to be closed from 10 PM to 5 AM10 PM Wednesday, April 27 to 5 AM Thursday, April 28:
Closure of East Marginal Way U-turn lane and right lane approaching the U-turn10 PM Thursday, April 28 to 5 AM Friday, April 29:
Closure of westbound Spokane St between Delridge Way and Avalon Way
Detour in place: south on Delridge Way SW, west on SW Genesee St, northbound on SW Avalon Way10 PM Friday, April 29 to 5 AM Saturday, April 30:
Closure of S Spokane Street to northbound East Marginal Way; closure of Northbound East Marginal Way at Spokane Street.
There will be a signed detour to Eastbound Spokane St.
6:42 PM TUESDAY: Updated above, with Wednesday night work added, and Thursday scope changed.
(WSB photo from 2021)
After a successful first year of monthly events, the South Delridge Farmers’ Market will return for a second year starting in May, and it’ll be twice monthly, with more vendors. Here’s the announcement we received today:
On May 14, 2022, the Delridge Farmers Market reopens in the Delridge neighborhood of Southwest Seattle. The Market launched last summer, and seeks to put fresh, local food produced by Black, Indigenous and People of Color-owned businesses directly into the hands of the neighborhood’s residents.
With a mission to serve the African Diaspora immigrant and refugee community in King County, nonprofit African Community Housing & Development, led by Executive Director Hamdi Abdulle, has heard from the community for years about the need for food access programs in Delridge. The Delridge Farmers Market is designed to provide a wide array of culturally appropriate foods for the immigrant and refugee community in the area. Featuring robust food access programs, the primary goal of the market is to bring local, nutritious food to everyone, especially families for whom fresh produce is a financial struggle. The market also aims to holistically support Black and Brown entrepreneurs who run farms and food-based businesses.
The majority of vendors at the Delridge Farmers Market are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, and many are immigrants and refugees themselves. With the goal of supporting the development of small businesses in mind, vendors are not charged a stall fee to participate and are provided with resources, equipment, and technical support as they build their capacity to sell at farmers markets. In addition, ACHD seeks to reduce the inherent economic risk of selling at a farmers market while eliminating food waste by purchasing any leftover produce at the end of the market day. That food is then delivered to members of the African Diaspora immigrant and refugee community who are unable to attend the market due to mobility or transportation barriers. “We’ve created a market model that is a win-win-win for customers, vendors, and the community,” says ACHD Associate Director Bilan Aden.
Throughout 2022, a variety of vendors will be returning to the market, including: Afella Jollof Catering (Senegambian cuisine), Chef Jalissa Culinary Co (Southern-inspired baked goods), CityFruit (fruit from Seattle’s urban orchards), Heu’s Blooms & Greens (vibrant locally grown bouquets), Ma & Pops (Caribbean-inspired popsicles), Regeneration Farm (sustainably grown produce from Woodinville), Seola Bee Company (hyper-local honey from West Seattle hives), Small Axe Farm (produce grown by the Black Farmers Collective), Umoja Ni Nguvu (produce grown by Burundian immigrants), and Wakulima (culturally relevant African produce). The market is also seeing incredible growth, adding 10+ additional vendors this year including: Ardour Sisterz Candle Co. (100% coconut soy wax crafted candles and melts as well as traditional African beads and clothing), Haki Farmers Collective (produce and spices grown using traditional methods), Lillie’s Passion (lovingly-crafted sauces, pickles, and jams), Theary’s Flowers & Produce (sustainably grown Cambodian produce), and more!
The Market also hosts on-site connection to resources, offered by ACHD staff in both English and Somali, and provides other community organizations the opportunity to introduce their community services to both vendors and patrons. Organizations like Muslimahs Against Abuse Center and the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association have already signed up for tabling this year.
Look for the market on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from May – October 2022, 10 am – 2 pm in the courtyard of Hope Academy (9421 18th Ave SW). Everyone is welcome to attend, and robust food access programs are available (including SNAP/EBT, WIC/Senior FMNP checks, SNAP Market Match, and Fresh Bucks). Free bags of produce will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Delridge Farmers Market is made possible by King Conservation District, Albertsons Foundation, and PCC Community Markets.
Individuals interested in attending or volunteering at the market should visit achdo.org/delridgefarmersmarket. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Rachel Perlot at rachel@achdo.org.
(WSB photo from 2019 Float Dodger 5K)
With the return of the West Seattle Grand Parade this summer, a major pre-parade event is coming back too: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) says it’s reviving the Float Dodger 5K, a fun run/walk on the parade route, round trip from the Admiral District. Registration is open now! Here’s the announcement from WSR:
Float Dodger 5K is back this year on July 23rd. Run or walk the parade route of the West Seattle Grand Parade right before the parade starts. Root-beer floats await you at the finish line. 100% of the proceeds goes to West Seattle Food Bank.
That’s not only proceeds from entries, but also from sponsorships, so the more sponsors they get, the more the WSFB is helped. Sponsor spots are now open, starting at $150. Here’s how to find out more about sponsoring. To register for the 5K – discount pricing until May 1st – go here.
P.S. Another donation that’ll contribute to the event – a beer garden with a donated keg from Good Society!
Though cruise season has officially begun, that ship’s not sailing away just yet, and some are noticing it at anchor off Manchester today. It’s the 3,000-passenger-capacity Carnival Splendor (photographed by James Bratsanos as it sailed past Alki towar the anchorage known as Yukon Harbor, after a few days at the Smith Cove terminal in Magnolia). The season schedule shows Splendor is scheduled for its first cruise one week from today.
As announced, a city crew showed up at Fauntleroy and Fontanelle this morning to examine the roots of a big chestnut tree that residents fear will be lost in a curb-ramp project. (Our previous coverage is here and here.) Indeed, city arborist Nolan Rundquist told them, the root system is too extensive to proceed with the standard ramp design – he spoke with the handful of people who looked on as the roots were examined, including Sara Macko, who lives in the house with the yard that’s home to the tree:
Another complicating factor in redesigning the corner would be the hydrant, the city crew noted.
But as planned, they’re going to take what they learned back downtown to talk about it. The tree’s roots, meantime, will be protected with burlap. The tree’s advocates, meantime, are hoping to learn more about what a redesign would cost so that they could do crowdfunding if needed.
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