West Seattle, Washington
24 Wednesday
(WSB photo: L-R, Stephen Brown, Maren Costa, Rob Saka, Phil Tavel, Preston Anderson)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the second time in five days, candidates for Seattle City Council District 1 answered questions side by side this afternoon. Five of the eight candidates participated in a forum presented by the 34th District Democrats at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge.
Like the King County Council D-8 forum that had preceded it (WSB coverage/video here), this one was a prelude to the 34th DDs’ endorsement meeting next week. Five of the candidates participated – Maren Costa, Preston Anderson, Rob Saka, Stephen Brown, and Phil Tavel; a sixth, Jean Iannelli Craciun, was expected, but sent a last-minute message citing a “scheduling conflict.”
Rachel Glass moderated the forum, asking questions the organization had planned in advance. Here’s our video:
For those who don’t want to – or have time to – watch the video, we also summarized their replies. Take note that our summaries do not represent everything they said, nor are they direct quotes unless you see words/phrases/sentences within quotation marks. We’re summarizing the questions, too.
First, self-introductions.
Reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN COMPUTER: From Gershon:
I am just grasping at straws on how to get my computer back. It was my work computer with over 2 years of data that I am not able to replace. This hits me pretty hard. My vehicle was broken into in the parking lot behind the Skylark last night. My gray Dakine backpack was snatched, which had my computer and some other personal items in it. Send me a message if you see it ditched somewhere or have an idea on best way to retrieve it (buy it back) or something. The computer inside was a Samsung Galaxy book2, midnight blue.
Police report # is 23-909691. If you’ve found the computer and/or backpack, we can relay a message to Gershon (westseattleblog@gmail.com).
PRIDE FLAG STOLEN AGAIN: The Community School of West Seattle‘s Pride flag was stolen for the second time in less than two weeks. You’ll recall it was taken on May 27th, and replaced courtesy of White Center Pride. Then this past Thursday morning, it was taken, and the flagpole damaged, again:
Police report # is 23-909576. Whitney at CSWS says, “WC Pride is going to stock us up on poles and flags so that the thieves won’t win.”
CAR VANDALIZED: The reader who emailed us is hoping to find witness(es) to this:
It happened on Dawson, between California and 42nd SW, Friday between 5:30 am and 2:30 pm. The victim says, “Maybe someone has info or maybe saw something or has any surveillance cam footage.” It’s been reported to police, though we don’t have a report # yet.
(WSB photo: King County Council District 8 candidates Teresa Mosqueda and Sofia Aragon)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
With ballots going out in just a month, the start of primary-election voting is fast approaching.
Three of our area’s highest-profile elected positions will be on the primary ballot without incumbents. This afternoon, the 34th District Democrats held forums for two of those races – Seattle City Council District 1 and King County Council District 8 – as a prelude to their endorsement votes next week.
We recorded video of both and took as-it-happened notes. First, we’re presenting the one that started the afternoon, two of the three candidates vying for the seat that County Councilmember Joe McDermott is leaving after 13 years. At-large Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon shared the stage for 45 minutes at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge. (Participation was limited to candidates eligible for the 34th DDs’ endorsements, as spelled out here.)
34th DDs’ chair Graham Murphy welcomed attendees and Chris Porter moderated. First, here’s our video:
For those who don’t want to – or have time to – watch the video, we also summarized their replies. Take note that our summaries do not represent everything they said, nor are they direct quotes unless you see words/phrases/sentences within quotation marks. We’re summarizing the questions, too.
First, Porter asked a sort of icebreaker: Name your favorite food in District 8 (which includes Burien, West Seattle, White Center, Vashon Island, and more)
Aragon: Tung Kee Mi Gia.
Mosqueda: Marination.
Then, opening statements.
(J51 porpoising, photographed by Mark Sears, Permit 21348)
We haven’t seen them in West Seattle waters lately, but the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales are never far from many people’s hearts. Get updates and information at the Summer Gathering just announced by The Whale Trail:
Celebrate summer and the passage of a new law to protect the endangered southern resident orcas! The Washington State Legislature recently passed a bill requiring all boaters to stay 1,000 yards away from J, K, and L pods, starting in 2025. This milestone legislation will give the whales the space they need to find and catch their prey.
Join us for a special presentation by Dr. Julie Watson (Killer Whale Policy Lead, WDFW) and Captain Alan Myers (WDFW Enforcement). Learn more about background and need for the law, next steps, and how boaters in Puget Sound can help orcas today.
Featured speakers also include orca heroes House Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and researchers Mark and Maya Sears. Mark and Maya will share updates about recent orca encounters in central Puget Sound, including rare encounters with J pod in April!
Hope to see you there! Get tickets now, before they sell out!
What: Whale Trail Summer Gathering: Celebrate Give them Space!
When: Thursday June 22, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Where: C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW
Cost: $5, Kids under 12 get in for free.
Advance tickets: brownpapertickets.com
The Mount got a facelift inside and out on Friday from a big group of volunteers. Thanks to Scott Nelson for the photos and report:
On June 9, nearly 100 volunteers gathered at West Seattle’s Providence Mount St. Vincent (lovingly called “The Mount”) with wheelbarrows, shovels, and work gloves in hand. It was the annual Day of Service where Deloitte and Providence volunteers joined hands to show the West Seattle residents how important they are.
For 6+ years, this collaboration has benefitted the elderly residents and young children enrolled in learning programs who can better enjoy their common spaces, gardens, and each other as part of an intergenerational facility. This year’s Day of Service event is helping The Mount spruce up the grounds for their 100-year anniversary come January 2024.
Molly Swain, Foundation Director for The Mount, welcomed volunteers that morning, explaining that “The Mount is about community and people coming together to help make the end of life as extraordinary as the beginning of life.” Providence Group Vice President, Frances Chao, values the effort because it is “about connecting with each other and nature while carrying forward the spirit of Providence.” Randy Bush, Principal at Deloitte, and his Deloitte colleagues joined in recognition of Deloitte’s Impact Day and praised the opportunity to come together to give back to the community.
Two major Pride events in West Seattle are set for next weekend. On Saturday (June 17), the first Pridefest in The Junction is planned at seven venues. The lineup, from organizer Alex Garcia:
Our goal is to celebrate diversity, pride, community, LGBTQ culture and our local businesses. 1 night, 7 amazing FREE events in Alaska Junction. Click on links to RSVP and learn more
6-9 pm: Queer Art Show @
Revelry RoomJet City Labs8-9:30 pm: Trivia Night Pride Edition @ Camp West
8-9:30 pm: LGBTQ Comedy Show @ Great American Diner
8-10 pm: Pride Bingo @ Supreme Pizza
9-11 pm: Queer Rock Show @ Poggie Tavern
9-11:30 pm: Queer Drag Show @ Shadowland
9 pm-1 am: Pride Fest Dance After Party @ The Alley
Organizer Alex is co-proprietor of Admiral Pub, which is hosting a pre-funk the night before – Friday, June 16th – 9 pm-midnight. Like last weekend’s Sounds From Around the World Festál, Pridefest is one of three grant-funded events happening this summer in The Junction, as first noted here.
Then on Sunday (June 18th):
(WSB photo, 2022 Pride March in Morgan Junction)
Autumn Lovewell and Monica Colgan of Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café, and Launchpad are again organizing the annual Morgan Junction Pride March. 11 am, meet up at (updated) Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) – the march’s mission is to celebrate families and youth so all ages, and allies, are welcome.
One week ago, one of summer’s first big events, Loop the ‘Lupe, drew the largest turnout of its 7-year history to climb, run, crawl, jump hurdles in a 5K obstacle course. Now, one last obstacle, with which you can help even if you weren’t among them. From organizer Brian Callanan:
Great news: We just had our biggest Loop the ‘Lupe ever, with 703 obstacle racers, runners, and walkers! Congratulations, and thank you!
However: participation in our donation drive is down, and that’s where Loop the ‘Lupe needs help. As the cost of putting on this event rises each year, those donations are critical. This funding helps maximize the support of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s social outreach programs, like safe parking areas for our homeless neighbors, meals, rent assistance, and utility payments for those in need, and more.
Our goal for this year is $5,000, and we’re about $1,250 short of that, as of this writing.
You can help get this fundraiser to the finish line by going here.
(Snail on sea holly, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Welcome to the second weekend of June. Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening!
SHOREWOOD ON THE SOUND STREETS OF GARAGE SALES: Loved West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day? Today, head to this community a short distance south of West Seattle and shop all day, 9 am-4 pm! Here’s the sale map.
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)
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is happening weekly this year, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, prioritizing vendors of color and presented by African Community Housing & Development.
CELEBRATING TEACHER KYLENE: She’s retiring from West Seattle Cooperative Preschools after 30 years, and a celebration is happening at Highland Park Playground (1100 SW Cloverdale) 10 am-noon today.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn 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).
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Highland Park Spraypark is open daily, through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
GEORGETOWN CARNIVAL: Noon-10 pm, all kinds of fun, all over Georgetown – see the map, schedule, and more by going here.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
WORKSHOP AND BEACH WALK: For shoreline property owners, as explained here. Starts at 12:30 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) and includes a Lincoln Park beach walk. Preregister here.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CLOSED: It’s usually open Saturdays, but not today.
CANDIDATE FORUMS: The 34th District Democrats present an in-person doubleheader – King County Council District 8 candidates at 1 pm, followed by Seattle City Council District 1 candidates at 2 pm – in the theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way 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)
DUBSEA FISH STICKS: 6 pm home game at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) for the collegiate summer baseball team‘s game vs. the Seattle Studs.
MUSIC, COMEDY, SHENANIGANS: That’s what “Perfectly Shaped Heads” promises at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm.
PRIDE EDITION OF OUT AT THE BOX: 9:30 pm at Box Bar (5401 California SW).
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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