month : 07/2023 303 results

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST: Street-closure reminders for later this week

With West Seattle Summer Fest approaching, the “no parking” signs are up in the heart of The Junction, so this afternoon we’re reminding you about the road-closure plan. First – note that the signs warn of parking restrictions on California SW starting as soon as Wednesday. The first street closure starts Thursday morning – that’ll be California north of SW Oregon and south of SW Genesee, the block where the main stage and beer garden will be set up Friday and Saturday (and the Farmers’ Market on Sunday). Then at 4 pm Thursday, the rest of the festival zone will close to traffic – California from Oregon to Edmunds and SW Alaska from 44th to 42nd. Metro will publish bus reroutes later this week. On Thursday evening, as setup proceeds, the streets will be open to foot traffic as usual for Summer Fest Eve – then the festival is officially on 1 pm-8 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, and 10 am-5 pm Sunday, with music running later on Friday and Saturday. WSB is a community co-sponsor of Summer Fest – see you there!

Seattle Public Schools closures? Next step: Midsummer meetings

When Seattle Public Schools started hinting at school closures/consolidations earlier this year, amid a budget crunch, the district promised to start talking with the community this summer. That’ll happen in August, SPS now says. The district is planning five regional in-person meetings August 8-15 plus an online all-district meeting at 5:30 pm Tuesday, August 29. They describe these meetings as aimed at “developing a shared understanding of what resources, programs, services, and learning experiences make up a well-resourced school” (theoretically closures/consolidations would be intended to enable the remaining schools are “well-resourced”). SPS says it will announce specific dates/locations for the regional meetings next week. Whatever changes are decided, the district says, they won’t kick in before the 2024-2025 school year.

BIZNOTE: Daiso penciled in for Westwood Village

The new-ish owners of Westwood Village have tended to announce new tenants by simply adding them to the shopping center’s site map and directory. For example, that’s how we learned last year that the burger chain Five Guys – expected to open later this month – was on the way. So we check it periodically, and discovered today that the Japan-based discount variety store chain Daiso is mapped for what looks to be a combination of the recently vacated ex-SportClips space and the 5-years-empty ex-Fresh Vitamins space, next to Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor). If you haven’t been to a Daiso store (they’re already semi-nearby in the International District and at Southcenter, plus thousands of other locations worldwide), we’d describe it as the kind of place where you find yourself buying small inexpensive things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. We have an inquiry out to Daiso to see if they’ll comment on the Westwood Village plan.

BIZNOTE: Grand opening Friday for ‘new’ West Seattle Junction shop

The location is new – the shop is not. You’ve probably noticed the work going on at the former Wild Roses storefront at 4529 California SW in the West Seattle Junction. It’s the new location of The Brocante Beach House, which is moving to The Junction after two years on Alki. Proprietor Kim Medica says she plans to open this Friday (July 14th), just in time for West Seattle Summer Fest and Bastille Day. If you haven’t been to Brocante before, its specialty is “vintage home and garden.” Kim is excited about what the new location will make possible, telling WSB, “The new space will be 3 times the size of our old space on Alki Beach, allowing us to bring in more furniture, vintage garden items, longer hours. etc. We will still keep our vintage coastal vibe with a European flair, but will be offering many seasonal items as well.” On opening day this Friday, Brocante Beach House plans special hours – 12 pm-8 pm (so the shop will be open throughout the festival that day); after that, regular hours will be Wednesdays through Saturdays 11 am-5 pm, Sundays 10 am-4 pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays (but available by appointment).

Here’s what’s happening – and not – for the rest of your West Seattle Monday

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Here’s the list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

WADING POOLS OPEN: Noon-7 pm, the city says wading pools WILL be open today because the weather is expected to be clearer and warmer later – though that could change if the forecast takes a turn for the worse. Today’s scheduled pools in West Seattle: EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

LIBRARIES REOPEN: Delridge, Southwest, and High Point branches are scheduled to reopen at noon after being closed all weekend for bedbug trouble.

CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic continues at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.

D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

ALKI MEDITATION CANCELLATION: Tonight’s “introduction to meditation” at Alki UCC is canceled.

PLAY TRIVIA! Three options on Monday nights for playing trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

SUMMER CAMP: Tennis in Arbor Heights

July 10, 2023 9:18 am
|    Comments Off on SUMMER CAMP: Tennis in Arbor Heights
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Still scheduling the rest of the summer? Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club has tennis-camp openings – Leonard asked us to share this:

Open to kids ages 7-17, no experience required, you don’t have to be a member, and racquets are provided for those who don’t have one. Questions can be directed to ah-tennis@ahstc.com.

We are offering two weeks of camp: 7/31-8/3 and 8/7-8/10. More information and our registration links are here.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: All-Star Monday

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, July 10th.

ALL-STAR ‘WEEK’ CONTINUES

The big game isn’t until tomorrow, but today brings the Home Run Derby at T-Mobile Park, 5 pm. Here’s the full schedule. For transit changes, see below.

TRANSIT

MetroFree to ride today and tomorrow.

Water TaxiFree to ride today and tomorrow. Added night runs both days – here’s the schedule.

Sound Transit – Also fare-free today and tomorrow.

Washington State Ferries – No All-Star changes. 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. See Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Clouds for starters, getting sunnier, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:22 am; sunset will be at 9:07 pm.

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!

Here’s how the All-Star Drone Show looked from West Seattle

You had to be at Seattle Center to hear the music – but otherwise, last night’s All-Star Drone Show was visible from across the bay! Thanks to Carolyn Newman for the photos. The Center said 600 lighted drones flying up to 400 feet above ground were used for “stunning baseball-themed visuals and iconic Seattle scenes … set to a soundtrack of baseball classics and summertime music.” The “iconic scenes” included the Pike Place Market sign:

And even a “twin” for the Space Needle:

According to this GeekWire story from last year, the show was produced by Texas-based Sky Elements.

COUNTDOWN: Five days until West Seattle Summer Fest – with booths beyond shopping!

So who’ll be at West Seattle Summer Fest this year, you ask? We talked about the added music – two stages! – last night. Tonight, with five days to go until the three-day festival in The Junction, the vendor lineup. As always, booths will line California Avenue SW from SW Oregon to SW Edmunds. Lots of cool shopping, but also surprises. For one – if you love to read, Summer Fest will introduce you to local authors. West Seattle’s Susan Whiting Kemp (featured here in January) tells WSB that she’ll be at the Author Event Network booth Saturday and Sunday: “My novel The Climate Machine and book of short stories We Grew Tales will be available; other Puget Sound authors will also be there with signed copies of their work.” You’ll also get to learn about some West Seattle businesses from outside The Junction who will have festival booths – like Camp Crockett from North Delridge and Upper Morgan (a WSB sponsor), Meeples Games and Inner Alchemy from South Admiral, Canna West Culture Shop and Moon Room from north Morgan Junction, The World’s Fossils and Minerals (which moved from a Pigeon Point driveway to a SODO shop) … lots of other local vendors, plus more than 30 year-round Junction businesses having sidewalk sales. Festival hours are 1 pm-8 pm Friday (July 14th), 10 am-8 pm Saturday, and 10 am-5 pm Sunday. See you in The Junction!

FOLLOWUP: Shelter/Legion/Veteran Center roof project needs one last boost

That’s part of the new roof at 3618 SW Alaska, the building that houses the West Seattle Veteran Center, American Legion Post 160, and our area’s only emergency shelter, among other things. We first told you 3 1/2 weeks ago about the donations from Adaptive Roofing, Malarkey Roofing Products, Stoneway Roofing Supply, Do It Right Roofing, and DTG Recycle making it possible for the building to get a badly needed new roof – the old one was estimated to be at least 40 years old! We saw the center/shelter’s leader Keith Hughes at an event on Friday and asked about the roof’s status; he said final work was scheduled for this weekend. And there’s one last thing you might be able to help with – though the businesses’ generosity totaled about $90,000 worth of labor and materials, Keith still has to cover several thousand dollars of related expenses, as explained on this crowdfunding page, where you can donate if so moved.

DEVELOPMENT: 1116 Alki SW gets approval to advance to final phase of Design Review

Few projects have gone before the Southwest Design Review Board in the past few years, as large-scale development has slowed down dramatically in West Seattle since the boom years a decade ago. But the board does occasionally get a project to review. This past Thursday night, for the first time in five months, the SWDRB met online, for the second Early Design Guidance meeting for 1116 Alki Avenue SW, a proposed ~60-unit residential building replacing a group of old houses on Duwamish Head.

The board’s newest chair Gavin Schaefer led the meeting. Also present: members Brenda Baxter and Alan Grainger, plus fill-in member Gina Gage, as well as the project’s assigned city planner, Theresa Neylon. She reminded everyone that since this project is still in Early Design Guidance, the graphics in the design packet (see it here) are “conceptual.” Here are toplines from the meeting, which followed the standard four-part format:

Read More

REMINDER: Celebration of Life this Thursday for Dan DeSantis, 1945-2020

The family of Dan DeSantis, who died in July 2020 at age 75, wants to remind those who knew and loved him that his long-delayed Celebration of Life is this Thursday:

Celebration of Life for
Dan DeSantis
July 13th, 2023
4 pm-8 pm

Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota)

If you have questions, email ginarosedesigns (at) gmail.com.

FOLLOWUP: New home for Carrot, the lost penguin

Back in mid-May, we published Shelby‘s photos and story about a little lost stuffed penguin that turned up in Metropolitan Market in Admiral. The ultimate hope was that somebody in Carrot‘s human family would hear about the penguin’s whereabouts and come rescue it. Shelby says that didn’t happen – but as of this week, Carrot has found a new home:

As promised, here is an update on Carrot. He joined his foster family (this week) and it is going well. This is Carrot and his new brother, Ice Cream, hanging out. Ice Cream had been staying with us so that I could perform some minor surgery to repair a hole, so he was able to tell Carrot all about D, who is 9 and very kind-hearted, and the rest of the family. Carrot really wanted to be with a child again, and I think he looks pretty happy now. He’s getting lots of hugs and snuggles and has been learning to play Kirby on the Switch. Life does not always take you where you wanted to go, but sometimes the new place is pretty good, too, and you can be loved and find happiness again. Thank you to everyone in the WSB-sphere for your good wishes!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Kia Soul

The report and photo were sent by Carlos:

My 2016 Kia Soul was stolen from West Seattle. WHITE KIA SOUL, plate number CFY 8219 It was stolen July 9th, 2023 [today]. Case number 23-193036. This car is used to drive special kids.

Carlos didn’t include a location but the police-call log indicates this was reported stolen in the 3000 block of Harbor SW. Thanks again to everyone whose sighting reports have helped find West Seattle neighbors’ stolen vehicles.

FOLLOWUP: Here’s when three local Seattle Public Library branches will reopen, post-bedbug treatment

As reported here on Friday, bedbug sightings led the Seattle Public Library to close its Delridge, High Point, and Southwest branches all weekend. SPL explained that the branches would subsequently receive “chemical treatment” Monday morning and then reopen later Monday. They’ve sent word that the three branches are expected to reopen at noon tomorrow. Back when we reported on a High Point outbreak in May, SPL explained that it has an “integrated pest-management system” for this and other types of pests; Web searches suggest bedbugs have been a recurring problem for libraries nationwide for at least a decade. Meantime, thanks again to the reader who spotted the sign on one branch’s door Friday – that was our first word of the closures.

BIZNOTE: New coffee option on Alki

If you’ve been to Alki in the morning or early afternoon recently on a Saturday or Sunday, you might have noticed the new coffee cart outside Driftwood (2722 Alki SW). Jackie from Driftwood emailed to tell us that it’s Numa, a new mobile coffee business launched this spring by West Seattleites Nathan and Seth. They’re operating as a pop-up 8 am-2 pm weekends throughout the summer. The proprietors have been best friends since college and a combined five years of experience in the coffee-service business, for companies small and large. Their philosophy is that “coffee is a gift to be stewarded well while service is an opportunity for creativity and goodwill.” According to the Numa website, they’re serving coffee from Olympia and Passenger. As for the name – they explain that “Numa is the Greek word for spirit.”

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 14 things to know

July 9, 2023 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 14 things to know
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Early-morning photo by Marc Milrod)

Here’s our list for what’s happening in West Seattle today/tonight:

THREE LIBRARIES CLOSED: As we reported Friday, the Delridge, High Point, and Southwest libraries are closed all weekend because of bedbugs, for which they’ll be treated tomorrow, reopening late that day.

BABY DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY & Q/A: 9 am at Alki Beach – for parents and babies. Our calendar listing has details.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm; the market offers summer produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, plant starts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska – but note that next week during West Seattle Summer Fest, the market will relocate to California north of Oregon)

SOUL SPA: Inner Alchemy is hosting Soul Spas on Sundays at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) during Farmers’ Market hours, 10 am-2 pm: “a fun community experience of meeting our talented local healers, makers, and artists right alongside the Farmers’ Market. Mini-sessions, shopping, connecting, and Timmy cooking brunch!”

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day, shine or rain. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Second Sunday of the season for free tours of historic Alki Point Lighthouse (3201 Alki Avenue SW), 1-4 pm (last tour starts at 3:45 pm).

HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH: 3 pm matinee at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the ticket link.

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Hunty Lyles performs acoustic music 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

WSHS CLASS OF ’55, ’56, ’57? Today’s reunion is for you! If you’re not already RSVP’d, our calendar listing has organizers’ contact info. Event is at 3 pm at Glen Acres Golf and Country Club (1000 S. 112th).

SUNSET GONG BATH & MEDITATION: 7:30 pm at Lowman Beach (7017 Beach Drive SW) – details in our calendar listing. $25 suggested donation.

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another convenience-store robbery

This time it’s the ampm store at 7301 Delridge Way SW – police are investigating a report of an armed robbery there. Early description of the robber is male, Black, late teens, covered face, all-black clothing, armed with a gun, got into a black SUV and left northbound. This is the fourth convenience-store robbery in West Seattle in the past nine days; the other three were at 7-11s.

COUNTDOWN: Six days to West Seattle Summer Fest 2023. This year, more music!

July 8, 2023 11:56 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Six days to West Seattle Summer Fest 2023. This year, more music!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

By this time next Saturday night, we’ll be two-thirds of the way through West Seattle’s biggest party of the year – Summer Fest! The three-day festival takes over the heart of The Junction next Friday through Sunday (July 14th through 16th), and the streets start closing Thursday pm (California from Oregon to Edmunds and for part of the block north of Oregon, Alaska between 44th and 42nd). You’ve already seen the main-stage music lineup for Friday and Saturday. But even though the main stage will be gone by Sunday (that’s where the Farmers’ Market happens, north of Oregon, on July 16th), it won’t be a music-free day: This year, the West Side Stage has been added, in Junction Plaza Park – that’s actually the east side of the festival grounds; the name is for West Side Music Academy, which is leading the programming, 11 am-7 pm Saturday and 11 am-4 pm Sunday. You can see that lineup on the same page as the main-stage schedule. See you in The Junction! (WSB is a West Seattle Summer Fest community co-sponsor.)

YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Little League baseball, softball tournament time

July 8, 2023 10:20 pm
|    Comments Off on YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Little League baseball, softball tournament time
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

It’s not only All-Star time for Major League Baseball, it’s also All-Star Tournament season for West Seattle Little League teams. Jackie Borg from WSLL shares these updates:

West Seattle Little League (WSLL) sent three baseball teams – one for each division, 10s, 11s, and 12s – and three softball teams – 10s, 11s, and Juniors (13-14-year-olds) – to compete in the WA District 7 Little League All-Stars Tournaments.

WSLL 12s baseball All-Stars won their district tournament and are state-bound! The state tournament starts on 7/15 in Poulsbo.

Juniors softball took 2nd place in the District 7 tournament.

Around town, you can catch the other WSLL All-Stars teams in play:

10s Baseball – Tournament started today @ South Highline National LL field in Normandy Park
11s Baseball – Tournament under way, with another game today @ South Highline National LL
10s Softball – District 7 Championship game tomorrow @ SWAC Upper field
11s Softball – Tournament starts 7/17 @ Issaquah HS

We will be updating the website westseattlelittleleague.com with standings as often as possible. You can also see the full schedule and check out the rosters for all teams.

VIDEO, PHOTOS: Seafair Pirates conquer Alki

(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)

We may not have year-round royals like Charles, Camilla, and company, but Seattle does have royalty once a year … during Seafair. This year’s King Neptune, radio personality Bender, tried to defend Alki Beach from the Seafair Pirates this afternoon … but somehow, as happens every year, they managed to storm the beach anyway. At about 1:10 pm, in a haze of cannon smoke, they arrived at Alki aboard the Global vessel Prudhoe Bay:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

The Pirates disembarked near Alki Bathhouse, with hundreds there to watch – and snap photos:

After coming ashore, they were found to be bearing gifts – not plundered treasure, but instead, stickers for kids:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

The Pirates made their way through the curious crowd, up to where their land-going vessel Moby Duck awaited, as did a ceremony in which they seized – OK, were presented – the key to the county/city, held by County Executive (and lifelong West Seattleite) Dow Constantine:

Other royalty participating in the ceremony included Miss Seafair, Savannah Parker, who took a moment to pose with King Neptune:

As for the Pirates, it was eventually “all aboard” the Moby Duck, which they’ll sail back into West Seattle two weeks from today for the WS Grand Parade.

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

The parade’s at 11 am Saturday, July 22, starting from California/Lander in The Admiral District and heading southbound on California to The Junction, preceded by the Float Dodger 5K at 9:30 am.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Kia Forte stolen near Lowman Beach (update: found)

Nicole reports her 2020 midnight blue Kia Forte was stolen last night or early today by Lowman Beach – “near the intersection of Lincoln Park Way and Beach Drive. Was parked out on the street there and window was broken with remnants of glass on the street. This has been reported to SPD but just wanted people to be careful if parking there while visiting the beach/Lincoln Park!” License plate is Illinois CT60292; SPD report #23-192134.

MONDAY UPDATE: Found, and Nicole says a suspect was arrested.

HELPING: Save a life while you’re at West Seattle Summer Fest!

Next Friday, during the first day of West Seattle Summer Fest, Verity Credit Union in The Junction (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor) is offering opportunities to give a life-saving gift via a blood drive with Bloodworks Northwest. The drive is scheduled for 10 am-4 pm Friday; checking the appointment link, it looks like some afternoon spots remain. If you can donate blood, go here to sign up!