West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
At the end of an epic Record Store Day at Easy Street Records in The Junction, the grand finale was an all-star performance, first time in a long time that The Rockfords took the stage. Here’s how they’re explained in Easy Street’s latest newsletter:
The Rockfords could be called a Seattle supergroup, but the band was actually a reunion; Chris Friel and Danny Newcomb of the band Goodness and Rick Friel of Jody Watts were in a band called Shadow with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam during the mid-’80s; in the late ’90s they re-formed and added Goodness vocalist Carrie Akre under the name The Rockfords (named after McCready’s favorite TV show The Rockford Files).
The group’s self-titled LP and bonus EP were among today’s Record Store Day releases. We recorded a bit of video during their sound check:
(Our photographer had to bolt after that because of breaking news on the other side of Walk-All-Ways.)
Many trees were planted coast to coast in honor of Earth Day. But this one had extra meaning. On Friday, Providence Mount St. Vincent planted a Japanese maple to mark the conclusion of Volunteer Appreciation Week. Both volunteers and staff pitched in to get the tree planted. The Mount’s new chaplain Peter Min also offered a blessing for the volunteers.
The new tree is by the southeast corner of the main building, not far from the front entrance.
(Mayor’s Office photo)
Southwest Pool in West Seattle is expected to be part of a program announced by Mayor Bruce Harrell today. Registration will open May 16th for Swim Seattle, described as “a new drowning-prevention and youth aquatics initiative.” Here’s the city news release, sent following a launch event at Rainier Beach Pool:
Swim Seattle is a new initiative that will combine the efforts of YMCA, Public Health—Seattle & King County, Associated Recreation Council, Washington State Parks, No More Under, Seattle Children’s, and the University of Washington to remove barriers to learning to swim and to eradicate disproportionate drownings among youth of color.
In 2023, Swim Seattle will begin as a pilot by providing a year of free lessons to a cohort of 250 youth, prioritizing access to those who cannot afford lessons, while also providing workshops to support children and their families in becoming comfortable swimmers and water safe.
“Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is an important lesson that will serve them for years to come,” said Mayor Harrell. “For far too long, lack of access to swim lessons and water safety education has put children and families of color at a disproportionate risk of drowning. Swim Seattle will address these disparities by offering free lessons to the children who need them most, removing the barriers that have prevented many youth and families from accessing swim lessons and offering culturally responsive workshops so they have the tools they need to stay safe in and around the water. Programs like this will help every child, from every neighborhood, access opportunities to learn and grow, promising a safer future for our entire city.”
“Swim Seattle is a promise that, together with our partners, and any interested investor to come, the Department of Parks and Recreation will not stop until we can eradicate the barriers to learning to swim and erase the needless risk and harm to our children. While we are starting small, with phased and implemented pilot programs to study effective outcomes, we know a program like Swim Seattle cannot wait, and drowning disparity data amongst white children and children of color implores us to act now. Swimming is an essential life skill that must be taught to all children, and Swim Seattle will ensure that all those living in a city surrounded by water can enjoy that water safely,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.
“Water safety is a critical part of childhood development,” said Loria Yeadon, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. “Unfortunately, many historical and generational barriers prevent children (especially children of color) from accessing swimming lessons, including cultural barriers, systemic inequalities, and lack of transportation. We still feel the effects of those barriers today. At the Y, we are breaking barriers to swim safety and fun by offering programs designed to make swim lessons accessible, affordable, and culturally responsive. Water safety is for all and our collective responsibility, and we are excited to join the Swim Seattle collaboration to ensure that every child learns how to swim and stay safe around the water.”
“Water safety is a fundamental life skill that every child should have the opportunity to learn. Swim Seattle is doing its part to ensure that children in our community have access to quality swim lessons, regardless of their financial circumstances. By working together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to swim safely and confidently in our state’s beautiful bodies of water,” said Chezik Tsunoda, Executive Director of No More Under.
“We all have some connection to the dangers of drowning. And we all can help improve this devastating problem. Numbers show that water safety is a critical public health and public safety issue. Swim Seattle invests in our children’s futures and will save lives in the long run,” said Tony Gomez, Manager of Injury Prevention for Public Health-Seattle & King County and one of the co-leads for the Washington State Drowning Prevention Network.
Registration for the first cohort will begin May 16, online, in-person at Seattle pools, and via phone (206-684-8020). Lessons will begin in summer 2023 at pools throughout the city, and workshops for families will be monthly on topics such as skincare and haircare when swimming, addressing fears of water, and water safety practices.
7 PM: SPD and SFD are headed to a possible shooting reported in The Junction. The report came from a caller at the Junction 47 building at California/Alaska but they’re trying to confirm where the possible victim is. Updates to come.
7:03 PM: Police are still checking but so far there’s NO confirmation of any shooting, with or without a victim.
7:08 PM: Police have concluded that it was a false report by a person in crisis. The SFD response has been canceled.
It’s Salute to Armed Forces night as the Mariners continue their series vs. the Cardinals, and that included a US Air Force C-17 cargo-plane flyover. We noticed it as it headed southbound over West Seattle a short time ago, so we’re making note in case you noticed it too.
(Added photo sent by James Bratsanos.)
Three weeks from today – Saturday, May 13th – the peninsula will be Garage/Yard Sale Capital of the World (well, at least the state – we’ve heard from somebody in Spokane who’s coming over to shop) as West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day arrives for another year. 260 sales are registered now, and if you plan to have one too, you have five more days to register to be on the map/list – registration closes at 11:30 pm Thursday, April 27, so we can get the map and list ready for circulation a week before WSCGSD.
So far 98116 is the zip code with the most registered sales, 103, followed by 66 in 98136 and 50 in 98126. The two zip codes that are only partly in West Seattle follow – 98106 (31) and 98146 (11). But that’s just a preliminary tally; we’re likely to see at least a few dozen more register by the deadline. As always, some sales are starting early and/or ending late – some are even adding days, Friday and/or Sunday – but the basic WSCGSD window is 9 am to 3 pm. So here are the three dates to remember:
–APRIL 27: Last day to register a sale
–MAY 6: Map/list available
–MAY 13: Sale day!
If you’re ready to register (have your up-to-20-words sale description ready, here’s where to tell us your plan!
That traffic-camera image from a few minutes ago suggests the crowd has finally thinned a bit at Easy Street Records, where people were lined up well before today’s special early (7 am!) opening for Record Store Day. WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen got in line at 6:45 am and was still waiting two hours later – he sent this photo showing the early-morning line wrapping down Alaska and onto 44th:
While he waited, Jason reported “seeing happy people coming out with lots of records.” Easy Street’s award-winning proprietor Matt Vaughan said this RSD brings more than 300 “exclusive titles,” and Taylor Swift was the biggest draw. Eddie sent photos, too, and says the line was still going strong around quarter to 11.
You’re likely to see a crowd at the corner again this evening – The Rockfords will wrap up Record Store Day with an in-store performance – their first show in 20 years – at 7 pm. More on that in ESR’s newsletter.
We stopped by the Southwest Precinct after the first hour of today’s Drug Take-Back Day dropoffs – one box was filled and a second well on the way. Left to right above are Betsy Cruz from the DEA, SPD Officer Taylor Vergara, and Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner. All you have to do is walk into the meeting room right off the precinct’s public parking lot (2300 SW Webster, just west of Delridge) and drop your unwanted, no-longer-needed, and/or expired medication. They have some swag too, while supplies last. As featured in our calendar and preview list, this continues until 2 pm.
P.S. If you missed it, as commenter “Auntie” notes, there are multiple West Seattle year-round dropoff spots too – you can look them up by zip code here.
It’s a familiar sight if you walk, run, ride, or drive along SW Thistle in Gatewood – the garden outside Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle). It’s not just for show – it’s part of the church’s RainWise installation, as are cisterns:
The church’s grounds are the setting for today’s RainWise info event – more West Seattle residents are eligible for rebates to lessen the load on our area’s stormwater system by capturing rainwater, so they’re getting the word out this spring. Even if you’re not, you’re welcome to stop by and talk about topics including wildlife habitat:
This is on until 1 pm – more info here. (And if you miss it, another round of RainWise events, in-person and online, is coming up soon – watch this page, and our calendar, for details..)
As one commenter noted following today’s event list, “two lines, no wait” at Fauntleroy Church‘s spring Recycle Roundup, a free dropoff event that continues until 3 pm. The list of what Recycle Roundup partner One Green Planet will take is long – more than 70 different kinds of items you might just have in a closet, basement, outside, but can’t donate or sell. Check the list here. Then just drive up, ride up, walk up, and drop it off.
P.S. If you missed this – Fauntleroy Church usually does it in the fall too, so watch for news of that!
(Earth needs bees. Photo by Rosalie Miller – mason bee in her garden)
Many Earth Day activities on the list today, but that’s just part of what’s happening on your West Seattle Saturday. Thanks to everyone who sent these in to fill our West Seattle Event Calendar:
ROAD-WORK ALERT: Weather permitting, SDOT expects to be out on West Marginal Way SW north of the Duwamish Longhouse, working on the new protected 2-way bicycle lane.
RECORD STORE DAY: Easy Street Records goes all out for this, opening at 7 am, with 300+ exclusive titles. (4559 California SW)
RECYCLE ROUNDUP: 9 am-3 pm, drop off your recyclables at this twice-yearly event in the lot at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). But first – check this list of what the church’s partner 1 Green Planet will and will not accept. And please don’t wait till the last minute – so there’s not a 2:55 pm line.
(added) COMPOST GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Jen for the reminder in comments! Until noon, or until the supply runs out, whichever comes first, free compost is available (bring your own container/shovel, half-yard maximum) in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). This will be repeated in two weeks, on Saturday 5/6.
EARTH DAY AT DELRIDGE P-PATCH: Big day at the P-Patch (5078 25th SW) – be there for all or part of it. 9 am community cleanup, 10 am coffee and donuts, 10:30 am story time, 11 am-2 pm plant free seeds to start plants that you’ll take home to grow.
POND EXPLORATION: Ages 5 and up can join in this exploration at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), 9 am-11 am. Meet at the Visitor Center. Pre-register here. $10 fee.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: (corrected end time) 9:30 am-3 pm, the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center will be open for the first time this spring, selling a vast variety of student-grown plants. (6000 16th SW, north end of campus)
LAUREN’S JEWELRY ANNIVERSARY SALE: Everything in the shop is 10 percent to 50 percent off. Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor), a couple doors north of Ross at Westwood Village, is open today 10 am-6 pm.
EARTH DAY GARDEN CELEBRATION: 10 am-1 pm, celebrate the rainwater installations at Peace Lutheran (39th/Thistle) while learning about gardening and RainWise, which offers rebates to some local residents.
SCHOOL CLEANUP: Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton) could use some help cleaning up school grounds today, 10 am-12:30 pm.
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: Those unwanted/unneeded/expired prescription drugs need to get out of your house and into the disposal bin you’ll find at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), 10 am-2 pm. No questions asked.
EARTH DAY SALE: The cancer-fighting Discovery Shop (4535 California SW) is offering 25 percent off everything today. Open 10 am-4:30 pm
THE BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, prospective families are welcome to visit this cooperative elementary school (10300 28th SW).
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 10 am-5 pm, the garden’s centerpiece courtyard is open, while the rest of the garden’s grounds are accessible dawn to dusk. More info here. (5640 16th SW)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:15-10:45 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Find out about Marco’s music here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
LOW-TIDE EXPLORATION: Noon-2 pm at Charles Richey Viewpoint (Constellation Park) – register here. $10.
DRIVE ELECTRIC EARTH DAY: Curious about electric vehicles? Visit the South Park Duwamish River Community Hub (southeast corner of South Cloverdale and 14th Ave. S.) noon-3 pm.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: You’re invited to visit the home of West Seattle’s history noon-4 pm Saturdays. (3003 61st SW)
VISCON CELLARS: 1-6 pm, visit the tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – selling wine by the glass or bottle. Learn about their wines here! (5910 California SW)
DOING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW) will host another session of its ongoing volunteer fair with visiting local organizations. 1-3 pm, Delridge Grocery Co-op will be there.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Taste, sip, buy student-produced wine at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor; 6000 16th SW), 1-6 pm.
LEARN ABOUT WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT: The hikes that precede this are full, but a 3 pm panel discussion at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way) has room for you to visit and learn about Seattle’s largest contiguous forest, the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Panelists include community naturalist Kersti Muul, the tribe’s Ken Workman, and former City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen.
TIMEBANKING AND GARDENING: Everyone’s invited to Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) to join West Seattle Timebankers in some garden work. Kids welcome too! 3-5 pm.
BEACH CLEANUP & SILENT DISCO: Doubleheader at Alki! Clean, then dance, 5-9 pm.
RAINBOW BINGO FUNDRAISER: The Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to a fun night at the West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), 5:30 pm, highlighted by Rainbow Bingo with Sylvia O’Stayformore. Get your tickets here.
MUSIC AT THE SPOT: 6 pm, 4-band lineup including Tiny Monsters‘ first show! (2920 SW Avalon Way)
THE ROCKFORDS: End Record Store Day with this band’s first show in 20 years, live at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm.
NIGHTTIME COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), listen to the blues with The Jump Monkeys.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, The Approximates, Toby C Brady, Opaline at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 21+.
TIM’S TAVERN, FOURTH WEEKEND: 7 pm doors, 8 pm show at the new Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th) – Extra Thick with Cecil Moss and The SG’s. $12 advance tickets, $15 at door.
If you have a show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? for our calendar … please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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