West Seattle, Washington
14 Monday
(Tonight’s rainbow, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Somewhere under the rainbow … a few of those residences are probably on the map for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday (May 11). Now just five days away … but by then, forecasters seem to agree, the dark clouds and showers will be just a memory; right now the Saturday prediction is for a sunny WSCGSD, high near 80. If you’re not among the 500+ sellers, see which of your neighbors are, by looking at the WSCGSD map – the interactive version is here (click any line or marker to see that sale’s address and description), and the printable PDF guide (32 pages, with all the listings) is here.
ANOTHER LIST: Sunday we published the list of sales that are partly or entirely fundraisers. Tonight, another mini-list – here are the participating businesses you’ll find among the mapped locations – click their numbers on the list at the right side of the map to see the addresses (a few are home-based businesses) and what they’re offering:
Sale #1: Wanderlust Nursery
Sale #38: The Skylark
Sale #99: Olympia Coffee Roasters
Sale #133: The Stemmery & Flour Lane Bake Shop
Sale #154: Hotwire Coffee (multi-seller site again this year)
Sale #166: Alair/Dylan
Sale #167: Three Little Birds
Sale #188: NWTXBBQ
Sale #357: Rebellyous Foods
Sale #365: Good Speed Ink
Sale #400: C & P Coffee Company (art/crafts fair)
Sale #411: Thunder Road Guitars
Sale #435: The Kenney
Sale #473: Inner Space Designs
Sale #483: Second Gear Sports
Official WSCGSD hours on Saturday are 9 am-3 pm, but some start earlier and some close later – browse the listings for that info. Several have added days (those will comprise one of tomorrow’s mini-lists). More previews ahead!
#42 Sabin Tomlinson jumped exuberantly as he finished rounding the bases following a two-run sixth-inning homer that helped power the West Seattle HS Wildcats to a 4-0 Metro League Tournament semifinal win tonight.
The win over Seattle Prep at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center sends WSHS not only to the Metro championship game but also to the state tournament. #17 Matthew Henning got the complete-game shutout win, yielding only five hits and two walks while amassing four strikeouts.
The Wildcats’ two other RBIs tonight were by #2 Bobby Trigg and #5 Matthew Hazlegrove. WSHS, under head coach Dylan Mclauchlin, will play the championship game, also at Steve Cox, at 7 pm Saturday (May 11), versus the winner of the other semifinal game – under way right now – between Eastside Catholic and Ballard.
Early-evening whale-watching opportunity! Kersti Muul just sent word of a baleen whale (usually either a gray or humpback) in view off Alki Point.
Less than two weeks now until West Seattle’s new pre-pro soccer club, Junction FC, takes the field for their season-opening match on Sunday, May 19. On Sunday, hundreds of fans got a preview during a preseason match with Cultures United FC at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. But the organization is still trying to get approval from Seattle Public Schools, which owns the venue, for access to operationally vital field resources. Junction FC executive director Jessica Pierce shares this report on the game and the challenges:
It was an exciting 4-0 victory for West Seattle Junction FC vs Cultures United Sunday in their first friendly match of the 2024 season at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex! With goals by Joel Demian, Will Maschmedt, Reed Henley, and Mani Diop.
The team showcased exceptional skill and determination on the field, making for an outstanding first performance after only four days of training together. The fan base was also strong despite the Sounders afternoon match and cold stormy weather.
The Club welcomed approximately 300 guests to the stadium who enjoyed tres leche cake, spicy duros, and Mexican-inspired coffee while cheering on the Junction FC to their win.
However, amidst this triumph, Junction FC continues to face challenges with Seattle Public Schools and equitable access to existing field resources despite paying the hefty rental fees and 10% of ticket revenue for their permit. Junction FC reports ongoing struggles with SPS, who are currently denying essential resources like the Nino Cantu scoreboard, existing WiFi, essential PA systems, and space in the empty home team booth to monitor the game properly.
Junction FC, in collaboration with West Seattle Booster Club, will be running concessions to benefit the West Seattle High School Athletic program; both rely on WiFi to run point of sale terminals and cameras for their (7) home matches. A majority of the concessions profit is donated to the Booster Club to run their 2025 athletic programs, which SPS gives minimal funding to. The scoreboard and PA system are obvious essentials for the general fanbase as well as those with visual or hearing impairments. SPS cites Master Use Permits from 2002 and a 1999 Superintendent decision which notes that a PA system will be installed and used up to 10 times per year for football. The language does not limit the use to 10; it notes how often it will be used. The decision goes on to say that the Parks Department may also use the PA system for weekend tournament play to allow more intensive use throughout the year. This Master Use Permit was superseded by the 2011 MUP (3011407-EX) which approved the relocation of Denny Middle School from the athletic complex property to its current location behind Chief Sealth; this action expanded the public space and the sports complex. All conditions were removed and no limitations exist on public record.
The issues of WiFi and scoreboard access come without consistent reasoning. Junction FC has requested time for public testimony at this Wednesday night’s School Board Meeting and will open this issue up to a greater audience. The Club has workarounds in place to get through the season, but is frustrated by the necessity for replacement resources when adequate facilities are already in place for the benefit of the community, its taxpayers. Stay tuned for updates.
We’ll be asking SPS for comment on this tomorrow.
(King County Assessor’s Office photo, mid-2010s)
Back in December, we reported on the latest in a somewhat long line of development proposals for vacant parcels grouped under the address 3257 Harbor Avenue SW. An early-stage proposal in city files at the time suggested that developer Bode was exploring a 115-unit project. Now it’s turned up on the city’s Early Outreach for Design Review website, described as a much-larger size – eight stories, “approximately 308 dwelling units.” However, on the Bode website, the project (under an adjacent address, 3303 Harbor SW) is listed as 220 apartments, and other city files still suggest 115 units. Bode designs, builds, and manages its own projects; it already has two in West Seattle, 75 apartments at 2222 SW Barton and 115 apartments at 3050 SW Avalon Way. We’re contacting them in hopes they will clarify the 3257 Harbor plan.
As reported here last month, Delridge Grocery Coop has ended retail operations – and its former space is becoming home to a new store aimed at making affordable fresh food available to everyone. That new store, Cascadia Fresh Market, opens this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12, in the space at 5444 Delridge Way SW. As noted in our previous story, the people behind it are the West Seattle entrepreneurs and community advocates behind Cascadia Produce, Jill Moore and Jeremy Vrablik. They’ve lived in North Delridge for a decade and have had the free-food stand Carrot Man’s Carrot Stand outside their house since mid-2020.
They established Cascadia Produce in 2017, and pivoted to food security in 2020 “with a food box contract from the USDA serving all of Washington State in a time of critical need.” Jill continues: “Since then, Cascadia has gone on to make custom food boxes featuring produce for many customers, most of them non-profits, food banks, or government institutions. Cascadia specializes in culturally relevant food boxes and medically tailored food boxes for people with specific health conditions – health organizations are increasingly investing in food as medicine. Our boxes always feature fresh produce, but include other items that allow meals and snacks to be made from the contents.”
Here’s how they make this go: “During the course of our food box work, as well as the fresh food sourcing we do for over 50 Washington food banks, Cascadia developed unique access to wholesale recovered food, as well as farm fresh food without a sales channel. Cascadia is able to receive these two categories of food and create a secondary market for food security partners in which the originating farms are paid, fresh food is affordable, and no food goes to waste for lack of a market. Fresh Food should be available to everyone at a reasonable cost, within a reasonable distance of where they live.”
That’s the philosophy that led them to propose the Cascadia Fresh Market pop-up as a successor to DGC – as a four-month pop-up for starters. “If successful in the community, Cascadia Fresh Market will negotiate with the landlord (DESC) to stay long-term,” Jill explains. Here’s how the store will work: “Cascadia Fresh Market is produce-focused, but will have other cooking staple items and some simple, sweet treats. Produce will be priced like a dollar store, for $1, $2 or $3 per item. All produce prices will be well below retail. Produce we can’t sell rapidly will go to an onsite ‘Foodbank Outpost’ sponsored by the West Seattle Food Bank. Anyone may take food from the free fridge during business hours. The market aims to be zero waste, making sure all edible food has a chance to be consumed by a human while still in good condition.” As for the space, even if you shopped there in the DGC years, Jill says, “We have been working hard in the space to reconfigure and add additional cold storage to showcase the fruits and vegetables. It looks very different!”
They’re soft-opening for a “neighbor preview night” this Friday. Then it’s opening weekend Saturday-Sunday; Jill says, “The market will be fully stocked and will carry some flower bouquets for Mother’s Day.” The store will be open daily – 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-6 pm Sundays and Mondays. That may change, Jill adds, “as we understand the preferred shopping hours of our community.”
There’s a benefit aspect too: “Cascadia Fresh Market is partnering with a different elementary school each day of the week in a symbiotic effort to make families aware of a market where they can save money by buying more fresh produce and also benefit school programs. Every day, once the Fresh Market hits a low daily overhead number, Cascadia will profit-share 20% of sales back to the PTA of the school assigned to the day of the week. Shop, save money, eat more fresh foods, and benefit local schools all in one fell swoop.” So far they’re partnered with Fairmount Park (Sundays). Highland Park (Mondays), Louisa Boren STEM (Wednesdays), Sanislo (Fridays).
For families, “This market will be very kid friendly, with a couple of games for them to play while parents browse, as well as snacks on site so parents can have a quiet moment to squeeze melons etc while they shop. The market will also be friendly for the DESC building residents, providing hot coffee and eventually grab and go foods we hope will please residents and give them a nice place to visit.”
For everyone: “Shopping at the fresh market will be a bit of an adventure. While we will have all the produce staples like apples, potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, etc, we will also have exotic foods – less commonly-seen produce items like broccoflower, escarole, purple cauliflower, dragonfruit and more (rotating stock, always fresh). We hope people will enjoy the produce they love but also try new and exciting foods, because why NOT when it’s only $2?”
Two food-donation drives ahead – first, this announcement is from West Seattle High School care coordinator Stacey Fernandez:
I am hosting a food drive tomorrow for the WSHS Pantry (which benefits students). The drive will happen tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7th from 4-5:30 PM. Location is WSHS Historical Entrance, which are the doors facing Hiawatha. I have attached a list of items we are requesting.
The school is at 3000 California SW.
Then this Saturday (May 11) – along with West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day! – the second Saturday in May is also the USPS letter carriers’ nationwide Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Set out a bag of nonperishable food wherever your mail is delivered. Donations are collected, sorted at local post offices, and distributed to organizations that serve food banks.
(Chive bud, photographed by Rosalie Miller)
Here’s our list of what’s up this afternoon/evening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FUTURE GROWTH PLAN: Today’s the deadline for public comment on the draft One Seattle Plan. Easiest way is via OneSeattleCompPlan@seattle.gov – you can also use this page of the “engagement hub.” Here’s our report on the last West Seattle briefing, which includes links to our previous coverage.
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Reminder that expanded hours continue at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm Mondays-Thursdays.
BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
PLAYOFFS: Postseason play continues for some local high-school teams, as we reported Sunday, including West Seattle High School‘s baseball game vs. Seattle Prep at 4 pm today, Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). As always, all welcome, first-time players too.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Four places to play tonight – Music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcome to join free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION ON ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community welcomes you to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) for meditation. 7 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE: 9 pm brings Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(March photo courtesy WSHS Water Polo)
In this first year of the West Seattle HS water-polo team – created as a club sport after students worked to make it happen – a clinic is planned to teach prospective players. Here’s the announcement:
WEST SEATTLE GIRLS WATER POLO TEAM will host their first Clinic & Open House for middle/high school age girls on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 3:00 – 4:30 pm. Learn and play alongside the high-school girls’ team players, under the direction of Coach Truly Dorland. Find out what this growing sport is all about and jget a chance to learn the basics.
6th through 12th grade girls are invited to attend. This is an educational event open to all middle school and high school-age girls. A $20 suggested (but not required) donation is encouraged on the day of the event to help defray pool costs.
Registration required in advance of the event. Please contact WSWP to receive a link to register. wshswaterpolo@gmail.com
You can support WSWP now – join the WSWP Online Auctions and bid on gift cards and other offerings from community businesses. Different offerings every week. All auction proceeds go to support WSWP’s season and community education opportunities.
Register for the Auction Site at paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@3
See next items up for bid at paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@2
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, May 6.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, chance of rain/thunderstorms, breezy, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:43 am; sunset will be at 8:29 pm.
(Sunday’s sunset, reader photo by Ken Maier)
ROAD-WORK ALERT
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues at Delridge/Oregon, which is narrowed as a result:
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Open.
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic. (We’re aware that the low bridge hasn’t shown up in this feed since the recent closure, and we’re awaiting SDOT’s explanation.)
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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