West Seattle, Washington
19 Friday
First time we saw Ayron Jones was during the 2015 Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, when he and his band The Way played an impressive set. The ensuing eight years have seen him rise to rock ‘n’ roll heights, with a #1 song and world touring, and tonight he was back in West Seattle – his former home neighborhood – for an album release party at Easy Street Records. It wasn’t billed as a concert – but Jones, his mighty guitar, and friends took to the stage:
You might recall Jones’ previous gig at Easy Street – playing “Star-Spangled Banner” atop the store van during the huge West Seattle Junction Black Lives Matter rally in June 2020. Looking ahead, he’s about to head out on tour again. His new album “Chronicles of the Kid” is of course available through Easy Street.
Another chance to support student performers is just hours away. The Louisa Boren STEM K-8 Drama Club is presenting Roald Dahl‘s “Matilda,” in the musical’s junior edition, one performance only, free!
It’s at 2 pm tomorrow (Saturday) in the school gym at 5950 Delridge Way SW. The announcement notes that Matilda “tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.” Doors open at 1:30 pm and though there’s no admission charge, they’ll be selling concessions to raise money for the Drama Club, and you can also donate via PayPal. Tomorrow’s show will run about an hour.
Thanks for the tip and photo! That’s the Zhen Hua 23 passing West Seattle, carrying four China-built port cranes southward. Usually there’s a big advance alert about this kind of thing, but so far all we’ve found is that the Zhen Hua 23 is on Monday’s schedule to dock at the Port of Tacoma’s WUT (Washington United Terminals) terminal. (Terminal 5 in West Seattle is due to get cranes for the second modernized berth, but that’s still some months away.)
ADDED: Here’s the WUT announcement from when these cranes were ordered.
(WSB photo: Service With A Smile onstage)
Until 6:30 pm at West Seattle High School, some of WSHS’s talented student musicians are rocking a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank. It’s the WSHS Earth Club‘s project, led by Lizzy Greene and Henry Walum.
Other bands on the slate included THEM, The Potholes, Princess Pulpit, and Pieces of Lisa. Sorry we got late word of this but if you can’t get to the school before 6:30, you can donate directly to WSFB any time here.
ADDED: Here’s a bit of Service With A Smile, performing during our visit:
Back in April 2020, SDOT announced West Seattle’s first “Stay Healthy Street,” in High Point and vicinity. Now it’s planning to downsize. Here’s the announcement sent this afternoon, with word of a chance to talk with SDOT about it next week:
Over the last year we’ve been doing additional reviews and updating our Healthy Streets across Seattle based on community use trends and public feedback. For the High Point Healthy Street, we plan to remove the Healthy Street designation for some of the route while making another section permanent.
Permanent: Segment A – on 34th Ave SW, between SW Holden St and SW Graham St – is proposed to become a permanent Healthy Street. We plan to install permanent signage with a concrete block base and new painted curb space around it at each intersection. There is an option to replace the concrete base with a planter barrel if a neighbor wants to maintain it. Our Healthy Streets webpage has more information about adopting a planter.
Removal: We will be removing Segments B, C, and D and returning them back to a Neighborhood Greenway.
Segment B – SW Graham St, between 34th Ave SW and High Point Dr SW
Segment C – High Point Dr SW, between SW Graham St and Sylvan Way SW
Segment D – SW Holly St, between 34th Ave SW and 31 Ave SW
Please see the map (above) for your reference on the segments.Join us June 27 for an Open House. We will have light refreshments to share and staff will be available to listen to your feedback regarding this update.
When: Tuesday, June 27, between 5:30 pm-7 pm
Where: High Point Neighborhood House, 6400 Sylvan Way SW, Room 207
They’re also asking your opinion on what type of permanent signage a Healthy Street should get – this SDOT photo shows the two “main options,” planter or signpost:
More info on the options is here. Meantime, we’ll be following up with SDOT Monday on whether other Healthy Streets are in for changes.
3:41 PM: Just reported by Kersti Muul, southbound transient orcas are coming into view from West Seattle, headed across the mouth of Elliott Bay toward Alki Point.
3:59 PM: Update from Kersti – “First group has rounded Alki Point; a second group still back, super close to shore.”
8:05 PM: Thanks to Robin Sinner for sending photos!
ALSO ADDED: Photos from Jamie Kinney (you can see more here):
While the pools at Lincoln Park are about to open, you’re going to want to stay out of the water at the beach until further notice. Seattle Parks notes that county and state agencies advise avoiding contact with the water at Lincoln Park because of elevated bacteria levels. This isn’t a beach closure but rather an advisory.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
SUSPECTED SKIMMING: From Michael:
I’d like to get the word out that my debit card information was likely skimmed when I used it at the ATM inside QFC on 42nd & Alaska, then was used by the thief at the ATM inside the Safeway in Jefferson Square, a few days later.
The worst part of the scam was a battery of emails, text messages, and phone calls pretending to be from my bank, alerting me to the fraud. These messages were mixed into the real fraud alerts from my bank. The fake ones were hard to distinguish from the real ones. These messages were designed to trick me into giving bank account authentication information to the thief (or thieves), and perhaps for identity theft as well.
My bank assures me that I’ll be able to dispute the fraudulent withdrawal after it is posted to my account. If the thief had succeeded at taking over my account, I might not have been able to dispute it, and they might have been able to empty the account using the payments service.
I reported this to the police, via the website, giving them the time that the fraudulent ATM withdrawal was made, and where. Hopefully that can help identify a suspect.
The card skimmer is likely gone already, but I figure a public service announcement would be useful for the community.
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN: From Greta:
I found a milk crate full of a dog harness, leashes, and some keys, maybe a house key, in our alley behind our house. Also someone dumped a Yakima car topper.
If any of that might be yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.
“First in line for the Colman Pool opening!” That’s how Mike Mahanay captioned the photo he sent to us. The ducks don’t have much longer to wait, nor do you – tomorrow (Saturday, June 24th) is opening day for West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool. If you haven’t been there – Colman Pool is on the shore at Lincoln Park, a city-owned 82-year-old outdoor salt-water pool that’s only open in the summer. Starting tomorrow, the pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day – the online schedule shows you the specific sessions that breaks into. (See this year’s fees here.) Every year, it’s closed to the public several days for swim meets; this year, those dates are July 6-8 and July 14-15.
P.S. Tomorrow is also the start of wading-pool season – first to open in West Seattle will be the Lincoln Park wading pool, 12-7 pm daily starting Saturday, also through Labor Day.
(SSC photo: A Bachelor of Applied Science graduate poses with Seattle Colleges Interim Chancellor (former SSC President) Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap as Board of Trustees Vice Chair Rosa Peralta looks on)
Graduation time! The newest grads from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) celebrated their achievements during a three-college ceremony last night – here’s the story from SSC:
South Seattle College celebrated the Class of 2023 on the evening of June 22 with a commencement ceremony at T-Mobile Park. The ceremony brought together graduates from South Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and North Seattle College – all part of the Seattle Colleges District.
720 graduates from SSC were recognized for their achievement of earning a degree or certificate.
“Graduates, tonight we celebrate your story,” SSC Interim President Dr. Jean Hernandez said at the event. “It’s one you will share with family and friends for decades to come. It is a story of pushing through in life, work and education during a time that still brings economic and social challenges. The burden of the past three years has been massive and yet here you stand strong: a college graduate more than ready to write your next chapter and make your mark.”
Ana Chamale was SSC’s 2023 graduation speaker. She served as student government president, graduated with an associate transfer degree, and will be attending New York University in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science.
“I am a proud Guatemalan-Mexican-American,” Chamale said. “Many of us here today are not only representing ourselves, but our parents, our children, our siblings and our family back home. We are here, and we have made it.”
Speaking directly to her family members in Guatemala who were able to watch on livestream, Chamale said, “Estoy hoy aquí representándote, no te he olvidado ni a ti ni a tus palabras de aliento. Cuando mis estudios se pusieron difíciles o parecían abrumadores, siempre pensé en ti y en cómo algún día estaré en un taburete con pedales como este para darte las gracias y lo hicimos.” (English translation: “I am here today representing you. I have not forgotten you or your words of encouragement. When my studies got difficult or seemed overwhelming, I always thought of you and how one day I’ll be on a pedestal like this to say thank you and we did it”).
Of the awards South Seattle College conferred this year:
-374 graduates earned associate transfer degrees that enable them to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
-228 graduates earned career training associate of science degrees and certificates that prepare them to enter the workforce immediately.
-93 graduates earned high school diplomas or equivalents, allowing them to take a significant step toward future education and employment opportunities.
-25 graduates earned Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, taking their careers to the next level and increasing their earning potential.
SSC is headquartered on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, with a satellite campus in Georgetown. Registration is open now for summer-quarter classes, which start June 26, and fall-quarter classes, which start September 26.
(Bald Eagle seen from Emma Schmitz Overlook, photo by Scott Collins)
And now, the list for the rest of today/tonight mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GARDEN CENTER OPEN: Need more plants for your garden, containers, etc.? You can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of plants, until 2 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)
SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open daily.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
BEYOND GOOGLE: Seattle Public Library presentation at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor), noon, explained in our calendar listing.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
LIQUOR TASTING: At West Seattle Liquor and Wine (4714 42nd SW):
Jason Parker, President and Co-Founder of Copperworks Distilling Company (based on the downtown Seattle waterfront), will be pouring samples of Copperworks spirits at West Seattle Liquor & Wine tonight, Friday, June 23, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Jason also happens to be a West Seattle resident! He will be offering samples of vodka, gin, and American Single Malt Whiskey, all produced at Copperworks.
VISCON CELLARS: Stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW).
SUMMER SOLSTICE YOGA WORKSHOP: 6:30 pm at Limber Yoga (7901 35th SW).
AYRON JONES AT EASY STREET: The Seattle star is back at Easy Street Records to celebrate the release of his newest album “Chronicles of The Kid,” 7 pm – pre-order to guarantee you’ll get in. (4559 California SW)
LGBTQ+ SELF-DEFENSE: For Pride, Combat Arts Academy (5050 Delridge Way SW) is hosting a self-defense workshop tonight at 7 pm. Our preview explains how to register.
KENYON HALL CABARET, PRIDE EDITION: Monthly drag show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – doors at 7 pm, show starts at 7:30 pm.
LIVE MUSIC AT C&P: Steve and Kristi Nebel, along with JW McClure and Thaddeus Spae, perform 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover.
SILENT DISCO: At Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki), 7-9:30 pm, dance like no one can hear you!
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: MAD Cutaways, Tio Nacho’s House, Snafflehound, funk at The Skylark , doors at 7, music at 8, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Before we get to the list of what’s up today/tonight, we have new details of one of Saturday’s coolest events – it’ll be like going to the mountains without leaving West Seattle! Camp Long (5200 35th SW) is presenting Mountain Fest all day, and shared this preview (with photos):
Join us this Saturday, June 24th for Mountain Fest at Camp Long! This is our annual celebration of all the things that make Camp Long the hidden gem it is and more!
We will have lots for you to do including old favorites like our rock climbing, naturalist programs and the high ropes course along with other organizations sponsoring events like bouldering on the north rock tower by Vertical World and rappelling down the Glacier by Mountain Madness, The Falconer, a smores station by the Girl Scouts, and even more!
We will have activities for all ages and everything is free! Some activities require waivers and registration at the main booth in the center of the field.
The event will run from 11 am to 5 pm with some activities starting/finishing at various times within that window but come out and enjoy our lovely park and all that it has to offer! We look forward to seeing you.
If you haven’t been to Camp Long, you might wonder, why Mountain Fest? Its famous Schurman Rock is one big reason.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Friday, June 23rd, second full day of summer.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm.
(Thursday’s sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)
STILL IN SCHOOL
Seattle Public Schools classes continue through next Friday (June 30).
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, with trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions possible.
Water Taxi – The West Seattle WT is on its regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible 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 – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – 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: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether 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!
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