West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
Hundreds of sellers and thousands of shoppers are getting ready for the 17th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day this Saturday (May 13th), 9 am-3 pm (and some sales with bonus hours/days – browse the listings to see where). We’ve already published mini-lists of benefit/fundraiser sales (here) and other big sales (block sales, etc. – here). Tonight, two more mini-lists – first, business sales (check the map/list to see what they’re offering):
#22: 6400 California Ave SW – Thunder Road Guitars (longtime WSB sponsor)
#40: 6032 California Ave SW – HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Cafe
#69: 7615 California Ave SW – Keeping Up With The Roses
#167: 2626 SW Nevada St – Guesthouse Acupuncture
#221: 3043 California Ave SW – Inner Alchemy, Treasures & Transformation
#272: 4410 California Ave SW – Hotwire Coffeehouse, multiple-seller site
#294: 1508 42nd SW – The Stemmery & Eat Cake and Dance
#297: 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW – Lila Logan Design Studio
#318: 4736 California Ave SW – Three Little Birds
#327: 4542 48th SW – Bee Organized & Happy Haulers (services)
#364: 7527 19th SW – Wanderlust Nursery
And a tradition for the thirsty – the sales mentioning lemonade is planned or likely:
#46: 4028 SW Trenton
#65: 6613 Holly Pl
#137: 5939 32nd SW
#174: 3732 38th SW
#177: 3806 36th SW
#212: 2123 46th SW
#220: 4845 48th SW
#291: 3321 56th SW
#343: 4720 SW Edmunds
#348: 4128 47th SW
#376: 6715 12th SW
#386: 1262 SW Orchard
#403: 9049 13th SW
More mini-lists Friday, plus our compilation of post-sale-day donation opportunities for sellers with leftover stuff they can’t bear to haul back inside. Again, the online map of all ~400 sales is here; the printable list is here.
7:33 PM: SFD is sending a water-rescue response to the 2600 block of Alki Avenue SW for a report of someone who, according to dispatch, “flipped (their) kayak” a quarter-mile offshore and is having trouble righting it. Police are also going to help from shore.
(Added: Photo by David Hutchinson)
7:43 PM: The person is safely ashore and this is “no longer an emergency event,” responders have told dispatch.
6:33 PM: As previewed here, you can head out tonight to enjoy art and artists all over the peninsula during the West Seattle Art Walk. Our first stop: West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor):
Longtime West Seattle sculptor Warren Pope is at WSR tonight, as is musical guest Aurora Avenue.
You can stop by until 9 pm.
6:49 PM: Next stop, Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor), where Heidi Gottshall is showing tonight; she works primarily with color pencils:
7:20 PM: Mason Heckett is showing his mixed-media paintings at Canna West Culture Shop (5435 California SW; WSB sponsor):
If you can’t get out tonight, remember that many venues show art throughout the month, so visit your local businesses and check it out.
5:37 PM: SPD and SFD are responding to a report of a possible stabbing in an apartment in the 9400 block of 27th SW. Updates to come.
5:41 PM: So far, police on scene say it appears this was unfounded. The response is being closed out.
Several people have asked about work under way at 2536 Alki SW, the site vacated by West Seattle Brewing at the end of last summer, when a redevelopment project was expected to start soon for the site holding this small building and the home of Ampersand Coffee next door. That hasn’t happened; Ampersand has stayed in its location, and now another brewery is preparing to open an outpost next to it: White Center’s Future Primitive Brewing. After noticing via state records that they had applied for a beer/wine license for the Alki space, we inquired both there and at their WC location, and got confirmation that Future Primitive is opening at the beach. After some renovation work, they’re hoping to be open sometime in June, and once they open, we’re told, hours will be 11 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. Future Primitive opened its headquarters in White Center more than four years ago. As for whatever happened to the project on the Alki site, described previously as a renovation of the two commercial spaces with a residential addition above them, we have an inquiry out; city files show no new documents filed for more than a year.
(Photo courtesy Rain City Ropeworks)
Five local jump-rope athletes from West Seattle-based Rain City Ropeworks are headed to the world championships! Here’s the announcement we received today:
The American Jump Rope Federation announced the US National Team for 2023. Among the team representing the US (with more than 30 other countries from around the world) are five local teenagers from the Rain City Ropeworks team: Calla Freeman, Madeleine Garrison, Riley Hill, Halle Morgan, and Ava Wheatley. The girls will be competing in two Team Double Dutch categories. Riley and Madeline will also be competing in the Individual Freestyle category.
The event will have 3,000 participants and will mark the first time the event will be held in Colorado Springs, CO. The event will be a combination of the World Championships, as well as the International Open Tournament and the Junior World Championships, held July 16-23, 2023.
Rain City Ropeworks is led by Rene Bibaud, a 5-time world rope-jumping champion and Cirque du Soleil performer. Rene believes everyone should have access to the joy of jumping rope. “A jump rope is portable, inexpensive, and can be done virtually anywhere – making it an incredibly equitable and fun activity!” said Rene.
Rene’s goal is to share her passion for jumping rope with the community through her after-school programs, summer camps, workshops & classes and the Rain City Ropeworks jump rope team. The team is a performance and competition team based in West Seattle. Team members range from 8-18 and perform at special events, halftime shows, festivals, school assemblies, and compete in local, regional, national, and international tournaments. Rain City Ropeworks will be performing at this year’s 50th anniversary Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival.
Another local event in which RCR is participating – this Saturday, they’re having a fundraising sale as part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, as noted in our benefit/fundraiser sale list – on the WSCGSD map, they’re Sale #251. (Demonstrations promised, too!)
(Colman Pool, photographed in 2017 by Long Bach Nguyen)
For everyone wondering when the city will open its outdoor aquatic facilities this year – the answer is just in from Seattle Parks and Rec. We’ve pulled out the West Seattle/South Park-specific info:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Opening May 27th and open every day of the week, 11 am-8 pm, through Labor Day.
COLMAN POOL: West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool will start daily operations June 24th and continue through Labor Day. See the schedule details here. No mention of “preseason” weekends, so we’re doublechecking on that. (Note that it will be closed to the general public July 6 through 8 and July 14 and 15 for swim meets.)
WADING POOLS: Here’s the plan for West Seattle/South Park – and yes, Hiawatha WILL be open, the city says:
Delridge – 6/28-8/18, Wed/Thurs/Fri, 12-5:30 pm
EC Hughes – 6/26-8/20, Mon/Tue/Sun, 12-7 pm
Hiawatha – 6/29-8/19, Thurs/Fri/Sat, 12-6:30 pm
Lincoln Park – 6/24-9/4, daily, 12-7 pm
South Park – 6/26-8/16, Mon/Tue/Wed, 12-7 pm
As always, the city reminds you, wading pools “are open on sunny days when the temperature is forecast to be 70 degrees or above.” You can call 206-684-7796 during the season for a recording updated daily regarding what’s open and what isn’t.
P.S. The city still has lots of job opportunities, for lifeguards, for example – info here.
From Isabella:
Was taken between 7:30-9 AM off 20th and Roxbury. My contact info is 425-221-3092.
We’ll add the police-report # when we get it.
11:34 AM: Transient killer whales are back in Elliott Bay right now, reports Kersti Muul. They’re in view off the promenade – we were just briefly in the area and while we didn’t see the whales, we did see the boats watching them.
5:31 PM: Thanks to Robin Sinner for the photos! Robin says, “Orca Network identified male orca T87, Harbeson, born 1962. Oldest known male Biggs transient orca.”
“We’re in the enviable position where people want more transit. But – we’re unable to give it to them.”
So said Metro‘s general manager Michelle Allison toward the end of a just-concluded media briefing with early warning of route suspensions planned for the next twice-yearly “service change,” on September 2nd.
One West Seattle route is on the list – Route 55, which is scheduled for only six trips a day now, five in the morning, one in the afternoon (its schedule was officially reduced last September). “Scheduled” is the key word here – as riders know, Metro has been frequently canceling trips. Allison said the point of suspending more routes – 32 of the current 156 system-wide – is to improve reliability so that by the time they get to September, “the schedule IS the service,” not just an aspirational plan.
Here’s the full list of what they’re planning now for a September 2nd change. And needless to say, currently suspended routes aren’t in the plan for restoration – that would include long-suspended West Seattle Route 37. We asked how they can be certain that this round of suspensions will put them on the road to reliability. Allison, who took over as Metro GM earlier this year, said they believe they’ve done enough analysis and “daylighting” of personnel and supply-chain reality, that they have an accurate picture of what they can reliably deliver. She added that what’s on the schedule starting September 2nd is roughly equal to what, with ongoing trip cancellations, they’re actually delivering now.
Again, the changes announced today – and other forthcoming adjustments – won’t officially be part of the schedule as of September 2nd – so until then, Route 55 is still, technically, operational.
Tonight, five highlights in our preview list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – first, it’s West Seattle Art WalkC night!
That’s the list of who’s participating – where you’ll find art (some venues with the artist present) and/or food and drink specials for Art Walk night. General Art Walk hours are “5 pm until late,” but some venues start earlier or later. For specifics – including artist previews – go here. Participants this month include these WSB sponsors, north to south:
LAKE WASHINGTON PHYSICAL THERAPY (1309 Harbor SW) – “Spring and the 4 Elements” show, 7-8 pm reception
WEST SEATTLE REALTY (2715 California SW) – Warren Pope, reception 5-9 pm
VERITY CREDIT UNION (4505 California SW) – Heidi Gottshall, 5:30- 8 pm reception
QUAIL PARK OF WEST SEATTLE (4515 41st SW) – Virginia B and Doug Peak, reception 4-8 pm
ARTSWEST (4711 California SW) – Rodger Greene, reception 4-7 pm (then go see “Zach” at 7:30 pm in the theater!)
CANNA WEST CULTURE SHOP (5435 California SW) – Mason Heckett, 5-8 pm reception
Many other amazing artists and venues are participating this month – so browse the preview post to see many more!
Four other major highlights:
SOUTHWEST PRECINCT CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 6 pm at the precinct (Delridge/Webster), it’s your chance to hear from police and ask questions – specific incidents or trends, for example – plus guest speakers, this month from Parking Enforcement. If you can’t get to the precinct in person, you can attend online – that information is in our calendar listing.
WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: Also at 6 pm, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society presents this month’s speaker – paranormal investigator Ross Allison. This renowned “ghost hunter” will speak during an online event; our calendar listing has the registration link.
MATILDA JR. THE MUSICAL: Go support the 8th graders of Our Lady of Guadalupe as they stage a one-night-only performance of “Matilda Jr. the Musical.” Doors at 6:30, show at 7 pm, runs about 40 minutes, at OLG’s Walmesley Center (north side of 35th/Myrtle) – details in our calendar listing.
LGBTQIA+ BUSINESS OWNERS’ MEETUP: First-ever meetup for LGBTQIA+ business owners from West Seattle and White Center, 7 pm at Launchpad (6030 California SW)
There’s even more in our calendar!
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, May 11th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch starting mid-afternoon Saturday. Today’s forecast: Sunny, low 70s. Sunrise was at 5:37 am; sunset will be at 8:35 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening.
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations on short notice, so 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 main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
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 trouble 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!
Some years, as West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day approaches, we’ve been watching the forecast nervously, hoping the weather would stay dry, at least for that day. This year, there’s no nervousness needed – not only will Saturday’s weather be dry, it’ll be sunny and warm, a great day for person-to-person recycling, treasure-hunting, neighbor-meeting … So when you’re ready to browse the 400-sale map – if you haven’t already – you’ll find it here (that page also includes a link to the printable map, which you can search via browser find). We’re publishing some highlight lists in the days leading up to WSCGSD – Tuesday night we published the list of benefit/fundraiser sales; tonight, the other sizable sales (those that registered as block sales, and a few other highlights – note that a “block sale” may be everybody on the block selling together at just one house, so go first to the specific address listed):
#2: 3910 SW 109th – estate sale with Café de la Loba food truck (breakfast and lunch options)
#56: 6043 48th SW – block sale
#59: 3915 SW Austin – block sale
#79: 4700 SW Othello – multiple tenants at “West Seattle’s notorious pink and gray apartment building”
#81: 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW – The Kenney senior-living community
#88: 6041 California – View On California apartments
#106: 4600 SW Maple Way – block sale
#122: 5914 34th SW – block sale
#144: 3279 38th SW – block sale
#147: 5908 31st SW – block sale
#156: 4611 35th SW – West Seattle Brookdale senior-living community
#200: 3241 47th SW – Art glass by multiple artists who have been working for months just to create pieces for Sale Day. A WSCGSD tradition! (Note that when you look at the map, the marker may be under #276, a neighbor’s sale.)
#206: 6117 SW Spokane – block sale
#227: 4426 California SW – West Seattle Eagles Aerie 2643, in the parking lot
#241: 5205 SW Charlestown – block sale
#252: 3715 41st SW – block sale
#253: 4160 California SW – antiques and collectibles on California/Genesee corner, a WSCGSD tradition
#272: 4410 California SW – multiple sellers in the courtyard by Hotwire Coffee, a WSCGSD tradition
#288: 4000 54th SW – block sale
#289: 3241 41st SW – block sale
#304: 2719 47th SW – block sale
#354: 4815 Fauntleroy Way SW – multi-tenant sale in apartment complex courtyard
#366: 7137 27th SW – multiple locations in Sylvan Ridge townhome community (look for signs)
#399: 8812 24th SW – “West Seattle Amateur Radio Club Swap Meet and HAM Shack Yard Sale”
Later today, more mini-lists, including the business sales and the lemonade-stand sales! Remember on Saturday morning to check the map page for any last-minute changes/announcements. (The lists will be linked there, too.)
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