(WSB file photo)

School Board director Leslie Harris has just announced this at her community meeting at West Seattle Library:

I will not be running for re-election to School Board Director Position 6 for the next four years.

It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as your elected Director for the past 7.5 years. I ran on the platform of accountability, trust, and equity – and we’ve made progress, but there is a far way to go to deliver outstanding tax supported educational services to SPS’s approximately 47,000 students. We can and must do better.

The different Boards I’ve had the opportunity to serve on have put forth extreme effort despite decades long systemic issues, e.g., underfunding from the state, staff turn-over, Covid 19, and significant changes in the make-up of our community and housing.

Each Director has given hundreds of hours a year for four-year terms for very limited per diem pay which affects their families, employers, and the continuity/history knowledge of the Board’s and District’s work. To expect this sacrifice from working people and families is not sustainable and irresponsible for an elected Board responsible for a $1.2 Billion annual operating budget with limited staff support.

Voters who wish to run for the District 6 position need to register with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) by May 19th. The Primary Election pool is limited to West Seattle, South Park, and Georgetown. Ballots will be mailed July 12th with the top two candidates proceeding to the city-wide General Election. General election mail ballots will be mailed October 18th and the deadline for return is November 7th. There are a number of deadlines for the PDC, campaign laws, voter’s pamphlet submissions, and several debates and symposia throughout the cycle. There is no filing fee for this position. Four positions of the seven member Board (a majority) are up for election this year. I am happy to be a resource to answer questions for those considering running for election.

I will be working hard through November 2023 with my colleagues and SPS staff addressing looming issues such as the potential $131M 2024-25 budget deficit, boundary changes for attendance schools, transportation changes, curriculum adoptions/changes, legislative advocacy with the City and State, the Memorial Stadium potential public/private partnership re-build/rehabilitation to this non-ADA nor earthquake protected extraordinary capital asset in the middle of Seattle Center owned by SPS, as well as the current ongoing significant policy, procedural, operational, and outreach/communication changes already underway which fundamentally change the way the School Board operates.

To my family and the community, thank you for allowing me the opportunity and support to serve in the best and hardest job of my life. It has been worth every minute of effort and an honor to serve the furtherance of our children’s futures. A good education is truly the gateway to a good life for our students and their families.

Harris said it was a very difficult decision. She said she tried to find a successor; absent one, she is encouraging would-be candidates to run. Harris won her first term in 2015 by unseating incumbent Marty McLaren.

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UPDATE: Homicide investigation on Chief Sealth International High School campus (updated Monday with victim’s name)

April 8, 2023 9:10 am

| 78 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

9:10 AM: Thanks for the tip. Police, including homicide detectives, are in Westwood near Chief Sealth International High School. We’re told a person was found dead – so far described by police only as male – apparently shot, as shell casings have been marked in the street (27th SW, which runs along the campus’s west edge).

More information as we get it.

9:45 AM: SPD has sent a public-information officer (though we are the only media on scene) so we hope to learn more soon. We’ve been reminded that there was a report of possible gunfire in the area late last night – we heard the dispatch before 11 pm but did not hear anything further regarding whether evidence of gunfire was found at the time. (See this comment posted last night on our story from the previous night about gunfire near Westwood Village, a short distance south of here.)

10:16 AM: We’ve counted a dozen casing markers in the street.

Meantime, our crew says Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz has just arrived at the scene.

CSI too:

10:50 AM: SPD spokesperson Officer Shawn Weismiller spoke with us at the scene a short time ago. The victim, who he described as a Black man in his 20s, was found in the CSIHS southwest driveway this morning, according to both Officer Weismiller and recorded dispatch audio. Though it’s up to the Medical Examiner’s Office to confirm the cause of death, the discovery of shell casings and unspecified “other evidence” makes this “presumably” a shooting death, he said. As for the reports of gunfire in the area last night, he said investigators would review those reports and whether responding officers checked this specific area. Meantime, we’ve added more photos above, as the investigation continues.

12:45 PM: We just went back to the scene to check – 27th SW has reopened and the last investigators were leaving. The SPD Blotter post published about this a short time ago adds two more details – that the victim is believed to be in his early 20s, and that his body was found by a person walking their dog. The police tipline for any information: 206-233-5000.

ADDED MONDAY: The Medical Examiner’s Office identifies the victim as 20-year-old Ka’Don Brown, cause of death “multiple gunshot wounds.” No other new information so far.

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Egg hunts and more for your West Seattle Saturday

April 8, 2023 6:34 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Welcome to the weekend! Here’s what’s happening today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, starting with our list of Saturday egg hunts:

DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER EGG HUNT: 10 am, 4501 Delridge Way SW.
HIGH POINT CC EGG HUNT: 10 am, 6420 34th SW.
EASTRIDGE EGG HUNT AT LINCOLN PARK: 10 am, south meadow, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW.
(added) ROXHILL EGG HUNT: Noon-2 pm, Rec’N The Streets at Roxhill Park (29th/Barton), hunt at 12:30.
YAPPY EASTER EGG HOUND HUNT: Noon-4 pm at Mud Bay (2611 California SW)
OUNCES BEER GARDEN EGG HUNT: 3 pm, 3809 Delridge Way SW.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Here’s the list of services at churches we’ve heard from.

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, RainWise will be there; 10 am-1 pm, learn about CityFruit.

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).

PROP/COSTUME LIQUIDATION: Twelfth Night Productions says everything must go in the wake of their shutdown! Noon-3 pm today (and April 30th) at 6305 Corgiat Drive South.

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 (6000 16th SW), 1-6 pm.

TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: Drop-in community meeting with Leslie Harris, 2-5 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 2306 42nd SW.

ASTROLOGERS AT SWAN DIVE: 3-5 pm, astrologers from the So Divine! podcast are at Swan Dive in The Junction (4537 California SW) – our calendar listing explains all the fun you’ll have.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, Waxer, Worry Surfer, Thats Nokay, Dearee at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), $10 cover.

OPEN MIC AT THE SPOT: 7-10 pm, do your thing! (2920 SW Avalon Way)

NIGHTTIME COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), the Brew Brothers perform.

MARLEY’S GHOST ALBUM-RELEASE SHOW: 7 pm doors, 7:30 pm music at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).

TIM’S TAVERN, SECOND WEEKEND: 7 pm doors, 8 pm show on night 2 of the second weekend for the new Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th) – The Shaken Growlers // The Mrs. Bill Larsens // Lushy..

OUT AT THE BOX: Sci-fi-themed drag show, 9:30 pm at Box Bar (5401 California SW), 21+

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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CONGRATULATIONS! Big award for West Seattle Elementary principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers

April 7, 2023 10:01 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo)

What a way to head into spring break! West Seattle Elementary principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers got a $25,000 surprise at an assembly this afternoon. The Alliance for Education presented her with the grant while announcing her as the latest recipient of the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence, given annually to “two outstanding Seattle Public Schools principals who have demonstrated success in advancing educational justice and racial equity in their school community.” McCowan-Conyers said the grant for her school will help WSES keep moving forward as students and staff move back this fall to their newly expanded building in High Point, after two years at the former Schmitz Park Elementary campus. Foster Award recipients are chosen from “colleague and community nominations, as part of a process which takes into consideration school data and principal commitment and effectiveness.” This is McCowan-Conyers’ seventh school year leading West Seattle Elementary. Along with her students and staff, those on hand to congratulate her this afternoon included SPS superintendent Dr. Brent Jones and School Board director Leslie Harris.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Roadside surprise

April 7, 2023 8:48 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo is from Kersti Muul, who explains she got a report of a beaver along SW Thistle, and indeed, that’s what it was. So what happened next? “He’s fine. I scooted him into that yard and he ate and then bedded down in the blackberries. Most concerned for it being on such a busy road. I imagine it’s a path it takes all the time back and forth to the creek. [Longfellow] I told everyone to leave it alone and give it space.” Here’s the state Living With Wildlife infopage about beavers.

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CRIME WATCH: ‘Suitcase bodies’ killer sentenced; Target standoff sentencing delayed; peeper alert

April 7, 2023 8:08 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three more Crime Watch notes:

‘SUITCASE BODIES’ KILLER SENTENCED: As previewed here earlier this week, Michael L. Dudley faced a judge one more time today – to be sentenced for killing Jessica Lewis and Austin Wenner and putting their bodies into suitcases found in Elliott Bay and the Duwamish River. The judge went with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommendation we reported – 560 months (just short of 47 years). Documents from the sentencing say family and friends of the victims and the killer were all in court for this morning’s hearing.

TARGET STANDOFF SENTENCING POSTPONED: Also scheduled for sentencing today was Timothy Clemans, arrested in January 2022 after trying to take hostages in the Westwood Village Target. He went to trial last month, choosing to represent himself, and a jury found him guilty of attempted kidnapping. Today’s hearing was postponed, however, and rescheduled for May 5th. According to documents on file, prosecutors are recommending a sentence of just under five years. Another document in the file is a statement from a Target employee listed as a victim in this case, saying that she believes “putting … someone mentally ill in prison for 12+ months is absolutely pointless because you wouldn’t be fixing his problems, you’d just be punishing a sick man.” Clemans was found mentally competent to stand trial, prosecutors note, and say that alternatives to incarceration were tried in previous cases involving him, but that he “reject(ed) the state’s attempts … to divert him from the criminal-justice system and link him with community resources.”

One reader report:

PEEPER ALERT: Via email: “Two different residents in a building at the corner of SW Lander St and 59th Ave SW have both spotted a person holding their phone up to their windows and recording through the windows and lingering around their apartments. A police report has been submitted.”

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Here’s what police say led them to suspect in Leticia Martinez-Cosman’s disappearance

April 7, 2023 5:24 pm

| 54 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

The 46-year-old man arrested in connection with the disappearance of Leticia Martinez-Cosman remains in jail today, and probable-cause documents in his case reveal what led police to him, and what they have found out so far. The man is not yet charged so we are not publishing his name; we’re publishing the probable-cause narrative from today’s documents without any names except those of law-enforcement officers. Though the jail docket shows that the suspect was initially booked for investigation of homicide among other possible crimes, a judge has not found probable cause for that, but did find probable cause to continue holding him for investigation of kidnapping, assault, theft, attempted murder, and unlawful firearm possession. The suspect did not appear in court today and bail has not yet been set, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Here is the narrative, a type of document generally initially written by police – note that it describes an assault and injuries in places:

Leticia “Leti” Martinez-Cosman was last seen 03/31/2023, heading to the Mariners game in Seattle. The Photo (previously distributed by police) was taken by Leticia at that game, which began at around 1900 hours. The photo was texted to her (friend #1) and it was later provided to the police. Leticia had invited the male pictured with her below, to join her at the game.

Leticia met the male … at a Costco in Seattle on 03/19/2023.

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GOT YOUR TICKET? Last day for early discount to West Seattle Food Bank’s ‘Instruments of Change’

April 7, 2023 3:37 pm

| Comments Off on GOT YOUR TICKET? Last day for early discount to West Seattle Food Bank’s ‘Instruments of Change’

| How to help | West Seattle news

If you don’t already have tickets to this year’s West Seattle Food Bank-benefiting “Instruments of Change” dinner and auction, today’s your last chance to get in on the early discount rate. Here’s the announcement:

16th Annual Instruments of Change 2023 Gala Dinner & Auction
Neighbors Helping Neighbors

You’re Invited!

Annual Instruments of Change Gala Dinner and Auction
May 6th, 2023 at 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy
9131 California Ave SW

This event will be a night of fun and entertainment, all in support of our mission to ensure all in our community have access to the essential necessities of living.

The West Seattle Food Bank provides essential services to our neighbors in need, and your support is critical to our continued success. Your ticket purchase, auction bids, and donations will benefit individuals and families in our community who rely on our services.

Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you at the Instruments of Change Gala Dinner and Auction.

Passed Hors d’oeuvres – Beer Wine & Cocktails – Silent & Live Auction – Photo Booth – Games & Prizes – Raffle – Served Dinner – Informative Program – IOC Award Winner – Dessert Dash

Tickets! Regular Price $150 – Early Bird Price: $125 ends 4/7 – Must be 21+ to attend
Register Here

Tickets include admission, happy hour wine and beer, passed appetizers, catered dinner by Tuxedoes and Tennis Shoes and informative program.

Registration Deadline: April 21st

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CANCELED: Tonight’s ‘Friends Across the Wires’ performance

April 7, 2023 1:13 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

1:13 PM: Just got word from producer Tamara Bunnell that the Seattle Historical Theatre Project has to cancel tonight’s performance of “Friends Across the Wires“ in West Seattle. She emailed to say, “We are very, very sorry to report that tonight’s performance of ‘Friends Across the Wires’ at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center has been canceled because of Covid. We are so sorry to cancel, but need to prioritize keeping the community safe.” This was to be a one-night-only WS performance of the play telling a story of how youth were affected by the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. We’re asking whether there’s any chance of a reschedule.

1:36 PM: Bunnell says they’re hoping so and will send us word of a new date when they work one out.

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FOLLOWUP: Late-night crash leaves ‘Welcome to West Seattle’ sign damaged

April 7, 2023 12:58 pm

| 38 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

12:58 PM: Thanks to the texters who sent photos of the damaged “Welcome to West Seattle” sign along the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge. We reported late last night on the crash at that location. The sign was installed by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce in 2019, funded by a donation from the late philanthropist Ada Cruzen; we have a message out to the WSCC to see what their plans are.

1:05 PM: Quick response from Chamber executive director Whitney Moore: “Absolutely, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce will be repairing the Welcome Sign and restoring it to its former glory.”

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Brown water reported in Upper Morgan

April 7, 2023 12:26 pm

| Comments Off on Brown water reported in Upper Morgan

| Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Jessica for reporting brown water near 35th/Morgan. No incidents shown on the Seattle Public Utilities water-outage map; we’ve advised a call to Seattle Public Utilities as usual, 206-386-1800, to be sure they know. “Brown water” usually results from some kind of anomaly – from a broken line to a hydrant test – stirring up “sediment” (mostly rust) in the system.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Talk with your Seattle School Board rep

April 7, 2023 11:19 am

| Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Talk with your Seattle School Board rep

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

After today, Seattle Public Schools – and some others – go out on spring break. If you have SPS issues, concerns, questions, ideas, Saturday brings your next chance to talk with our area’s elected School Board director, Leslie Harris. She’ll be at West Seattle (Admiral) Library 2-5 pm on Saturday (April 8) – you don’t have to attend for all three hours, just drop in when you can. (She’s also promising her famous lasagna.) The library is at 2306 42nd SW.

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9 notes for the rest of your West Seattle Friday (with one cancellation and one addition)

April 7, 2023 10:16 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday photo by James Bratsanos)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Friday:

PASSOVER CONTINUES: Tonight’s the third night.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Here’s our list of churches we’ve heard from, some with Good Friday services today/tonight; list additions still welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com.

SCRABBLE CLUB: Come play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café in the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open for visits at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: 2-6-year-olds welcome 3:30-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).

(added) SPORTS: Four local games this afternoon – three at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – Chief Sealth vs. West Seattle softball at 4 pm, Chief Sealth vs. Sammamish baseball at 4 pm, Chief Sealth vs. Ballard boys’ soccer at 4:30 pm; one at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), West Seattle vs. Franklin boys’ soccer at 4 pm.

TIM’S TAVERN, SECOND WEEKEND: 7 pm doors, 8 pm show at the new Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th) – The Dusty 45s perform.

Canceled due to COVID ‘FRIENDS ACROSS THE WIRES‘: One night only, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), this play tells a story of how youth were affected by the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. Free admission, first-come, first-served – more info in our calendar listing.

SOUND BATH: “For the Full Pink Moon,” 7:30 pm with Maari Falsetto at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

AT THE SKYLARK: Lark Vs Owl, Dragontail Peak, Gnarlene and the Frisky Pigs, 8 pm. $10 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Drive-up ATM damaged

April 7, 2023 9:28 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips. That’s what the drive-up ATM at US Bank in The Junction looks like after someone went after it overnight. The police call log shows it was reported around 6:30 this morning; no other details available yet. This bank’s drive-up ATM has been targeted before; someone tried to steal it a year ago, and it was stolen in 2017 (with two people eventually arrested). If you have any information about this incident, the SPD report # is 23-93562.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Pre-spring-break Friday

April 7, 2023 6:03 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Pre-spring-break Friday

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, April 7th. Last day before spring break for Seattle Public Schools and others.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast for today: Showery, breezy, high in the low 50s. Sunrise 6:36 am, sunset 7:48 pm.

TRAFFIC ALERT TONIGHT

Highway 99 tunnel closed both ways, 10 pm Friday-6 am Saturday.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to receive them, watch channels like this one).

Water Taxi – Regular schedule. P.S. Late-night Friday/Saturday trips resume April 21; to prepare for the summer season, there will be no WS WT service the weekend of April 15-16.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the camera at the top:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – looking southwestward toward it:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire at Westwood Village

April 7, 2023 12:49 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

12:49 AM: Police are investigating a report of gunfire outside the Westwood Village McDonald’s. So far they report finding shell casings and holes in a car. No injuries reported initially, although SFD has since been sent. Officers told dispatch that “McDonald’s staff thinks it happened in the drive-thru line.”

12:55 AM: No victim, SFD has confirmed, so their response is being cancelled. Officers meantime are finding damage to at least one other car as well as possible damage to a building, with a possible witness saying this seemed to involve multiple vehicles and might have happened a bit further west, closer to MOD Pizza. Officers investigating at WWV also have just reported hearing a half-dozen more suspected gunshots in the distance.

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UPDATE: Crash near southwest end of West Seattle Bridge

April 6, 2023 10:19 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:19 PM: SPD and SFD are responding to what’s at least the third reported crash on the West Seattle Bridge today. This time, a texter says, it’s an SUV that crashed into/near the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign on the westbound side of the Fauntleroy end. One vehicle, according to the dispatch.

11 PM: We haven’t heard anything further about circumstances, but apparently no one reported serious injuries – SFD closed out of the call fairly quickly, with no unit on scene longer than 19 minutes.

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Ready for a giving garden? Free plants await via Heron’s Nest Sprouts

April 6, 2023 9:37 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news

If you enjoy growing vegetables – and helping others – here’s a way to do both this spring. It’s a new effort called Heron’s Nest Sprouts, and it’s offering free plant starts later this month for would-be giving gardeners. Here’s how organizers explain what’s planned – and what’s been happening to prepare for it:

Feeding hungry people in Seattle involves a complex patchwork of programs and funding, but part of the work is simply growing vegetables! Seattle is dotted with “Giving Gardens,” many situated at our community P-Patch Gardens–including Delridge, High Point, Solstice, and others in West Seattle–and they are an important piece of this puzzle, growing fresh produce for those in need. Gardens in the Seattle Giving Gardens Network pledge their harvest for donation to community food programs. Last year, the growers generated 44,400 pounds of produce.

For 15 years, Ballard Sprouts volunteers have supported these gardeners, growing over 20,000 vegetable starts each spring and donating them to the Giving Gardeners. This year, a new sister project has emerged to supplement their efforts: Heron’s Nest Sprouts.

On Saturday, April 15 from 10 am to 4 pm, about a thousand plants will be available to pick up for the first time at Heron’s Nest, where 12 enthusiastic volunteers have been quietly growing seeds in the greenhouse since February. Pots of lettuce, chard, pac choy, mustard greens and kale will be available. Any gardeners interested in growing to donate to their community can come to get as many free starts as you need. Seattle Giving Garden Network will happily get you started in growing to give.

An added bonus to this happy occasion is the first Art Market of the year at Heron’s Nest that same day, giving space to Indigenous and other artists to display and sell their work. The public is invited to come visit Heron’s Nest, browse the art, and learn more about the Giving Garden program.

Heron’s Nest Sprouts hopes to continue next year and expand its production, because after next season, the Sprouts program will lose their Ballard location. The goal is to develop several new sites similar to Heron’s Nest Sprouts to continue the work going forward. Anyone with an interest in starting a Giving Garden, volunteering with Heron’s Nest, or who knows of an available greenhouse location elsewhere in the city should email the Seattle Giving Garden Network at info@sggn.org.

Heron’s Nest is located at 4818 15th SW [map]. Turn west onto Puget Way from West Marginal Way, south of the Duwamish Longhouse, and follow a short winding road to the entrance. The property is being restored by a passionate group of volunteers with the mission of community outdoor education. Besides the greenhouse, there are raised beds, a chicken run, the forested Duwamish Greenbelt, and space for community events such as the art market, outdoor movies, skill workshops, a tool library, and sustainable and traditional indigenous farming practices. The Heron’s Nest site is available by reservation for workshop space, classes, all-ages activities, cultural education, gatherings, meetings, music, art, and more. Check the Heron’s Nest events page for their updated calendar.

Heron’s Nest is accepting online donations to further their efforts, and volunteer help is appreciated as work continues at the site. Email HeronsNestOutdoor@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer or rent the space.