West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
Our two days of almost-summery weather are ending, and clouds are due back tomorrow, with a slight chance of rain. So if you didn’t go to the West Seattle Rock and Gem Show today, you might consider visiting tomorrow. The big community room off the Alki Masonic Center‘s lot is brimming with sights to see:
The West Seattle Rock Club has presented this show for more than half a century – though that’s just a blink in the geological time that many of these specimens represent:
Demonstrations, activities, and a chance to learn about rocks are all part of the event. If you want to take home a souvenir, here’s one option:
The venue is on the northeast corner of 40th and Edmunds. Admission’s free, and show hours are the same tomorrow as they were today – 10 am to 5 pm.
Out walking in the Seacrest/Don Armeni area tonight, we noticed this crowd aboard the Water Taxi for an evening run to downtown. This is the second weekend of the year that the WT is on its full spring/summer schedule, including Friday and Saturday nights. Last scheduled run of the night is 11 pm from West Seattle to downtown.
5:45 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip: “Transients are on the edge of Elliott Bay. Southbound, visible from Alki. Mid-to-east in channel.” Let us know if you see them!
5:57 PM: Kersti says orcas are now “milling” off 64th/Alki.
6:03 PM: Another texter sees them from 62nd/Alki and says they seem to be moving east in the bay. (Texted photo added – thank you!)
ADDED 8:32 PM: And two more photos just in, courtesy of Robin Sinner, who explains: “The 2 orcas were off 64th and Alki at 5:45 pm. Walked fast to Constellation and caught a close pass at 5:53pm. Could hear them breathing! This was most likely T123 pod of 3. Big Male is T123a Stanley.”
Just a refresher – transients are not endangered, and eat other marine mammals, particularly seals and sea lions. They’re an entirely separate population from the Southern Resident Killer Whales, who ARE endangered and primarily eat fish, especially salmon.
Two dumped-likely-stolen reader reports:
DOG DOOR: If you were expecting a package with a dog door – Susan may have found it. She writes, “(Friday) afternoon I found a dog door, still in its retail box. Brand new! It was lying on the sidewalk on SW Andover St. and California Ave SW. I’m guessing someone is missing it.”
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Jennie spotted items including these dumped near Weather Watch Park on Beach Drive:
In either case, if these might be yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.
Just drive, ride, or walk up to get free shredding, courtesy of John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood (WSB sponsor), right now in the northwest parking lot at Westwood Village (west of the former Bed Bath and Beyond space). Until 5 pm, they’re offering shredding while collecting nonperishable food (and money) for the White Center Food Bank, so bring a donation if you can!
Sale season is on! Not only are we two weeks from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, you can shop right now at a big sale raising money to help a local school. This is the Highland Park Elementary PTA‘s sale, happening at the school until 2 pm. The merchandise includes lots of kid stuff and family-fun items, of course:
HPE is at 1012 SW Trenton.
10:35 AM: All ages are welcome at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) Healthy Kids Day celebration that’s happening right now – even prehistoric! The free mini-festival is on, full strength with indoor activities, until 1 pm, on the West Seattle Y’s main campus at 3622 SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle. More photos later!
ADDED 12:24 PM: More of what’s happening:
Healthy Kids Day is an annual event held at multiple Y locations around the region.
(Schmitz Preserve Park – photo by Jay Speidell)
Here’s what’s happening on this warm and bright Saturday, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
UTILITY-WORK ALERT: Seattle City Light crews are expected to be out on Harbor Avenue again today.
BENEFIT BREAKFAST: West Seattle-based nonprofit Stephanie’s Lifeline is raising money with a pancake breakfast today at Optimism Brewing on Capitol Hill (1158 Broadway), to fund youth programs. 8-11 am.
DONATE AND SHOP THE HPEPTA RUMMAGE SALE: Starting at 9 am, donations can be dropped off for the Highland Park PTA‘s rummage sale, which is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm. (1012 SW Trenton)
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY: Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) is opening one hour early, at 9 am, for the occasion – details in our calendar listing.
BENEFIT PLANT SALE: 9 am-2:30 pm, near High Point Library (location explained in our calendar listing), the PEO Sisterhood is selling plants, planters, and more.
MERCH POP-UP: 9 am-4 pm, new merch at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW).
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 9:30 am-3 pm, the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center will be open, selling a vast variety of student-grown plants. (6000 16th SW, north end of campus)
HEALTHY KIDS DAY: The free fun festival at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor) is back big time, 10 am-1 pm. Everyone’s welcome, membership not required.
WEST SEATTLE ROCK AND GEM SHOW: 10 am-5 pm both days this weekend, the West Seattle Rock Club presents its annual show at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), including rocks/gems on display and for sale, kids’ activities, demonstrations, more. No admission charge.
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.
DOING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW) will host another session of its ongoing volunteer fair with visiting local organizations. 10 am-noon, West Seattle Bee Garden, and 1-3 pm, West Seattle Food Bank will be there.
CAMBODIAN STREET FESTIVAL: The big street party celebrating Cambodian New Year is back on SW 98th in White Center between 15th and 16th, with performances, food, and more.
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).
NORTHWEST GREEN HOME TOUR: 11 am-5 pm, with two West Seattle stops. Get free tickets and tour map online here.
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)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Taste, sip, buy student-produced wine at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor; 6000 16th SW), 1-6 pm.
FREE SHREDDING & FOOD DRIVE: 2-5 pm, bring your shreddables to the northwest parking lot at Westwood Village (2800 SW Barton) for this free event presented by John L. Scott Real Estate – Westwood (WSB sponsor). And if you can, bring nonperishable food (and/or a monetary donation) for White Center Food Bank! (Food-drive donations welcomed even if you’re not getting anything shredded.)
POETRY: Before National Poetry Month ends, catch Ellensburg Poet Laureate Marie Marchand‘s 2 pm reading at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOD TRUCK IN GATEWOOD: WSUU is bringing in the MexiCuban food truck for a church event but welcoming any and all community members to come buy food while it’s there, 4-8 pm. (7141 California SW)
MADISON BEACHY BULLDOG BASH: 6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), beach-party vibes at this annual auction to raise money for the Madison MS PTSA.
SILENT DISCO: Dance, quietly, on Alki! Starts at 7 pm.
LIVE AT EASY STREET: 7 pm, Warren Dunes live at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), plus DJ Troy Nelson.
NIGHTTIME COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), listen to Guitar Gil.
(added) PUGET SOUNDWORKS CONCERT: “Down to Earth,” 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), info and ticketing link in our calendar listing.
SILENT DISCO: Dance at the beach on the first warm Saturday night of the year! 7 pm, Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. (61st/Alki)
DRAG AT THE SKYLARK: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, for the monthly West End Girls drag extravaganza, hosted by Cookie Couture, at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), all ages.
AT TIM’S TAVERN: 7 pm doors, 8 pm show at the new Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th) – Nick Drummond Band with Glass Beaches and Good Liar.
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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