West Seattle, Washington
07 Monday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Some of the questions posed to State Sen. Joe Nguyễn during his Saturday morning Town Hall were about the biggest issues faced by state government – like school funding, public safety, and climate response.
Then, there was the attendee who wanted to know who had the power to keep the Blue Angels away.
Sen. Nguyễn, a West Seattle-residing Democrat in his second term as senator for the 34th Legislative District, spoke to and with more than two dozen people scattered around the back garden at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). As announced, the Town Hall lasted an hour – we recorded it on video:
Many of the questions were about climate/sustainability, not surprising considering that Nguyễn chairs the State Senate’s Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee. But school funding carried the most immediacy, given that Seattle Public Schools‘ superintendent Dr. Brent Jones has cited inadequate state funding as a reason he’s considering closing ~20 schools.
(WSB file photo from a movie night at Camp Long)
Camp Long has set the date for three outdoor movies this August – now the park staff is hoping you’ll help choose which movies are shown. Movie nights will be Fridays – August 2, 9, 23 – “shortly after dusk.” You’re invited to choose your first, second, and third choices from a list of more than 30 movies – go here to cast your votes!
Though most of the attention has gone to the Alki Point stretch, West Seattle has two other “Healthy Streets,” and SDOT sent an announcement this week that it’s done with work on what was the first one announced in 2020, officially the “High Point Healthy Street” though it stretches into Sunrise Heights. After a downsizing decision last year, SDOT retained the designation for 34th SW between Graham and Holden. Most of what the “construction” entailed was the placement of permanent concrete-base signage, including some with planters, as shown above, and pavement markings around the signs. SDOT says it will decide by year’s end whether the other West Seattle Healthy Street, Delridge/Highland Park, will become permanent; community advocates have long been requesting that if it does, the Trenton stretch is removed, as that’s a major neighborhood connection street.
Thanks to Teri for the photo. As noted in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and today’s highlight list, former longtime West Seattle Nursery employee Linda Hornberg has written a book “for children of all ages,” and she’s at the nursery until 3 pm signing and reading from “Picture a Garden“ – all welcome to stop by! The nursery is at California/Brandon.
King County Road Services reminds us that today is the 10th anniversary of a momentous day in local transportation history – the opening of the rebuilt South Park Bridge. Our photo above is from the grand-opening party, held on Sunday, June 29, 2014, a day before the full opening to traffic. The bridge opened exactly four years after its predecessor was closed for safety concerns; when its closure was announced, there was no guarantee a new one would be built, as funding hadn’t been finalized, and community tumult resulted. But a few months later, full funding was announced, and construction started half a year after that. Final cost of the bridge, which is a King County structure, was $175 million.
Family and friends will gather July 26 to remember Kelly Jean Wilson, and are sharing this remembrance with her community now:
Kelly Jean Wilson, a lifelong resident of West Seattle, passed away on April 30, 2024, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on May 21, 1957 at the Doctors Hospital in Seattle to Dale and Peg Wilson. Kelly attended Hope Lutheran School, Denny Middle School, and graduated from Chief Sealth High School in 1975.
Following her high school graduation, Kelly attended beauty school and embarked on her career as a hairstylist. She worked at salons in Pioneer Square, South Lake Union, and 9th & Lenora, before starting her own salon in the Trigger Building in Sodo. Kelly reluctantly retired in December 2021 due to her illness.
Kelly also worked part-time for Seattle sports teams, concerts, and shows at both Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. As someone who loved being around others, she enjoyed the camaraderie of her coworkers and interactions with the fans.
In addition to her work, Kelly had a passion for playing sports and being active. In high school, she lettered in volleyball and track. She played soccer for many years in an adult league as well as Gaelic football for the Seattle Gaels. Kelly also loved attending her kids’ sporting events, cheering them on from the sidelines. She was a fan of all the professional and college teams in Seattle and the Zags in Spokane. Later in life, Kelly enjoyed attending yoga and fitness classes and missed them terribly when she became too ill to participate.
Kelly loved going on camping trips with family and friends and enjoyed her time traveling throughout Europe and her multiple trips to Ireland.
Kelly had many lifelong friends, especially from high school. She will be remembered for her unwavering love for her community and those around her, and her courage to take on any challenge that came her way.
She will be greatly missed by her partner Alan Gaskin, daughter Sara, son Joe (Margaret), sisters Vicky and Tammy (Marvin), brother Larry (Semie), as well as her many nieces and nephews and extended family.
A memorial service for Kelly will take place on Friday, July 26th, 2024, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 7001 35th Ave. SW.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Here’s our list for the last day of June, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE FYI: Today’s the big day downtown – here’s what you need to know, whether you’re going to the parade or going downtown for something else.
ADMIRAL CHURCH FOOD DRIVE: Continues today – drop off nonperishable-food donations at the church (4320 SW Hill) 9 am-noon.
PLUNGE INTO THE SOUND: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 9 am, meet at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon) for this week’s Sunday Funday Run.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open today, 10 am-2 pm as usual, on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering early-summer vegetables, flowers, fruit, and plants, plus baked goods, cheese, fish, meat, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Daily operation continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is back open to the public today, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the only city-run wading pool in West Seattle that operates seven days a week, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
CONCERT TRUCK AT ALKI: Noon outside Alki Beach Bathhouse (60th/Alki), the Seattle Chamber Music Society Concert Truck returns with the musicians and program performed at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Thursday night.
Free – bring your own blanket/chair.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS RETURN: Reminder that Alki Point Lighthouse is open to the public today for free tours, 1 pm-3:45 pm, Alki Avenue SW & Point Place SW.
READING AND BOOK SIGNING: Longtime West Seattle Nursery employee Linda Hornberg returns to read from and sign her book “Picture a Garden,” 1-3 pm. (5275 California)
‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: 3 pm closing performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – “In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck-stop cafe.” Find the ticket link and more info in our calendar listing.
LITTLE’S HOUSE AT KENYON HALL: Doors at 7, show at 7:30 – tickets here. (7904 35th SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Organizing and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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