West Seattle, Washington
08 Friday
Fireworks season has begun, formally as well as informally. We’ve been hearing booms in the distance for a while, indicating a show somewhere, and indeed, it’s the Bremerton Bridge Blast.
Will skating officially be in the Morgan Junction Park expansion‘s future? Last Sunday during the Morgan Junction Community Festival, community volunteers talked about it with visitors – and hosted a Build-A-Board station. Josh Radick sent photos and tells WSB, “We were able to build and distribute 15 complete skateboards, 10 skateboard decks, and countless wheel and bearing combos to kids in the community!”
Also at the festival was Seattle Parks, talking to visitors about the site. Josh notes, “The voting on-site indicated that there is definitely an interest to have skateboarding included at Morgan Junction, along with a slew of other active space options for our community.”
Now it’s time for online opinion sampling – Parks promised to launch an online survey after the festival, and it went live at week’s end. The survey features elements from the original design from the site – and new ones like the possibility of accommodating skating – and asks you to pick three you’d like to see. Go here to answer the survey.
Meantime, the site – which previously held a mini-mart and dry cleaner – is due for soil cleanup starting later this year, and park development in 2025. As for the skating advocates, Radick tells WSB, “We hope to do more build-a-board events this summer.”
Seven hours in, the local amateur-radio operators gathered at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) for this year’s Field Day are just getting started. They’ll be there for a full 24 hours, until midday tomorrow. It’s part of a national event, so they’re talking with and listening to other “hams” around the country. They’re also talking about technology:
And they even have a swap meet set up for buying and selling equipment:
Ham radio is more than a hobby – it’s also a vital part of the plan for communications in case a catastrophe interrupts the regular methods, so this event is a test/practice too:
Many of the scheduled events for the day are over but you’re still welcome to stop by (all ages invited) to see what they’re doing and how things work – they’re in the north lot and field of the college (6000 16th SW).
That’s one of two new Peace Poles installed around the peninsula by the Rotary Club of West Seattle
4:10 PM: Just in from Kersti Muul, word of northbound orcas off West Seattle’s western shore – seen off Lincoln Park.
4:21 PM: Kersti says some are now in view off Constellation Park.
The only West Seattle park that’s home to a climbing rock is celebrating that and more today. Until 5 pm, you’re invited to Mountain Fest at Camp Long (5200 35th SW).
Not an experienced climber? No worries. They’ll show you how. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, there’s still lots to do. The Falconer is there – we got to see Junebug the falcon:
Kids’ craft activities are an option too:
Our preview includes the map of what’s happening where around the park.
Just got late word of this, along with a texted photo – until 3 pm, you’re invited to the Genesee Hill Elementary lot for a car show organized by two fifth-graders. “Some cool cars,” we’re told – at least 14. The lot is off Genesee near 51st.
It’s a street party in White Center today, with 16th SW closed to vehicles between Roxbury and SW 100th for the Taste of White Center, benefiting the White Center Food Bank. 32 restaurants and bars are offering $5 “tastes” – some savory, some sweet, like the three cream puffs from Puffy Pandy:
Here’s how it works – find one of the WCFB booths along 16th, and buy $5 tickets, redeemable at the participants of your choice.
You’ll get a map/list with the locations/names of the participating restaurants and bars and what they’re offering. Some non-downtown WC businesses have set up shop in booths on 16th so they can be part of it, like Dubsea Coffee (strawberry lemonade):
The food spans a variety of cuisines – Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Laotian, Salvadorean, American, and vegetarian/vegan options – Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant‘s booth (fried rice, Singapore noodles, egg roll) among them:
Almost all the venues are offering their tastes until 4 pm. A few have later starts – Tomo, offering strawberry/basil kakigori for dessert, is listed as “1 pm until sold out.” Five venues are north of Roxbury in South Delridge: Nacho Mama, Young’s, Meat the Live Butcher, Can Bar, and Mac’s Triangle Pub. Wherever you get your food, tents are set up at multiple spots with tables and chairs.
If you have memorabilia – particularly signage – from a past business, Vanishing Seattle wants to hear from you. The temporary exhibit they’re planning isn’t in West Seattle, but it’s not far, and they’re hoping to draw items from all over the city. Here’s what we were asked to share with you:
Vanishing Seattle is seeking remnants of our city to display at Forest For The Trees, a satellite event to Seattle Art Fair. The “Vanishing Seattle” exhibition will offer a poignant reflection on the changing face of our city, a reminder of the impermanence of urban spaces and the profound impact of “progress.” We hope to bring together a collection of sign works, artifacts & memorabilia that have shaped the city’s visual and cultural landscape over the decades, as an ode to the artisans and spaces that brought life to the city streets, and as a celebration of the ephemeral beauty that continues to shape our collective memories. As we bear witness to the disappearance of these art forms and gathering places from our streets, we invite you to contribute to a visual dialogue that pays tribute to this legacy.
The exhibition will take place in an open 12,000 sq ft brick and timber space at historic RailSpur building in Pioneer Square from July 27 – 30, 2023 and First Thursday Art Walk August 3, 2023. Entry is free to the public.
The exhibition will take place on an upper floor of the building, so the sizing of the items will be restricted to the capacity of the elevator and stairwell (roughly 8ft X 4ft, but don’t hesitate to contact us if you have an awesome item that’s bigger).
Items will be credited as on loan from the owner unless you wish to remain anonymous.
Please contact us if you are interested in sharing signs and other local artifacts from your collection!
vanishingseattle@gmail.com
(Lincoln Park – photo by Coleman Smith)
Here’s what’s happening on the first day of our first summer weekend, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-2 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.
SOUND TRANSIT AT FARMERS’ MARKET: Got questions about West Seattle light rail? Sound Transit reps are scheduled to be there today.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
HAM RADIO ‘FIELD DAY’: 11 am today starts 24 hours of demonstrations and drills for local amateur-radio operators in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) – details are in our preview. Stop by any time and see what’s going on!
CAMP LONG MOUNTAIN FEST: 11 am-5 pm, climb, hike, play, learn at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), as previewed here.
TASTE OF WHITE CENTER: 11 am-4 pm, go explore WC food/drink spots, all to help the White Center Food Bank – here’s how it works:
With 34 restaurants participating, attendees purchase $5 tickets to try a variety of foods like banh mi sandwiches, Colombian empanadas, Indian fry bread tacos, strawberry basil kakigori, and much more. Iconic restaurants like Tomo, Puffy Pandy, Salvadorean Bakery, El Catrín and others are ready to serve up amazing bites!
Each ticket is an opportunity to taste a small plate, drink or dessert from participating restaurants. All ticket proceeds support the White Center Food Bank, while sponsorship dollars go to the restaurants to purchase ingredients and pay for event costs.
Tickets will be available for purchase at three locations in downtown White Center in the area of (16th Ave SW, between Roxbury and 100th St). A ‘menu’ will be given to each attendee at the time of ticket purchase, with a map and details on restaurants and items available. This is a first come, first served event, with limited quantities available at each establishment. There will also be a raffle for 2 roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Highland Park Spraypark is open daily, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale-
(added) SEATTLE FOLKLORICO FESTIVAL: Thanks to Kirk for the tip on this – we didn’t get an announcement. Folklorico music and dancing fills the field at Highland Park noon-5 pm. (Kirk’s photo shows the schedule.)
COLMAN POOL: First day of the season for the city-run outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 12-7 pm, as previewed here.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also the first day of the season, 12-7 pm, in the upper park near the north play area.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
MEET & GREET WITH PET RESCUE: Motley Zoo Animal Rescue is at Pet Supplies Plus (2600 SW Barton) noon-3 pm.
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)
COCKTAIL 101 CLASS: 1 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) – get your ticket(s) here.
FAMILY DAY AT THE MUSEUM: Bring the whole family to the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 1-3 pm – story time included!
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
‘MATILDA JR.’: Louisa Boren STEM K-8 presents a one-hour version of the musical at 2 pm in the school gym (5950 Delridge Way SW), no admission charge but donations accepted for the school drama club (concession sales too).
BOUNCY HOUSE AT OUNCES: Bring the kids, 2-5 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
DICK’S TRUCK @ DUBSEA FISH STICKS: 6:05 pm home game at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) for the collegiate summer baseball team‘s game vs. the Gumberoos, with a special extra – the Dick’s Drive-In burgers and shakes truck will be on site 5 pm-8 pm.
SILENT DISCO: At Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki), 7-9:30 pm, dance like no one can hear you!
WEST END GIRLS, PRIDE EDITION: Doors at 7, show at 8, West Seattle’s drag extravaganza at The Skylark, hosted by Cookie Couture with special guests. Tickets available at the door. (3803 Delridge Way 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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