West Seattle, Washington
08 Saturday
That’s one of our clips from Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby‘s season-opening bout at Southgate Roller Rink three weeks ago. The skaters are now just a week away from the season’s second home bout, set for next Saturday night (January 18) at the White Center rink. If you haven’t watched roller derby before, what you see in our videos is mostly what’s referred to as “jamming” – trying to block one or more skaters from getting through. (Next bout, in fact, will be “Battle of the Jams.”) In keeping with longstanding roller-derby tradition, you’ll notice that the skaters all have derby names, often puns – we noted a few while watching that first bout, like Acid Reign, Omar-geddon, Aya the Hurricane.
Some of the referees have derby names too – we noted Millennium FoulCon. The bouts are scored and announced, and we noted a good crowd of families and other fans watching this one.
Next Saturday night, doors open at Southgate (9646 17th SW) at 4:15 pm, and then you get more than three hours of roller-derby action for your admission fee ($12 adults, $6 kids 6-12, kids 5 and under free). The Southside Revolution Rebels, one of their five teams, are on the East Coast this weekend, competing in Pittsburgh!
(WSB photos by Dave Gershgorn)
16 years have now passed since the Duwamish Tribe opened its Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle – just a grain in the sands of the tribe’s time in this area. Nonetheless, they were reason to celebrate with an anniversary open house today. Visitors gathered in the Longhouse’s great H=gall for a welcome from the Duwamish Tribe’s elected chair of half a century, Cecile Hansen.
This year’s anniversary celebration was not on a scale with last year’s event (WSB coverage here), laden with speakers and history presentations.
But tribe members and friends also got to hear from the Longhouse’s executive director Kristina Pearson.
Also speaking, a cousin of chair Hansen, Marylin Oliver Bard, daughter of the Quinault Tribe elder, Emmett Oliver, who founded the Tribal Canoe Journeys that have stopped at Alki many years:
After years of fundraising, the tribe broke ground for the Longhouse in summer 2007, a year and a half before its grand opening. Since then, they’ve expanded their property on the west side of West Marginal Way, with adjacent lots largely being used for much-needed parking, as well as for environmental education and cultural traditions.
You can visit the Longhouse and Cultural Center (4705 W. Marginal Way SW) 10 am-5 pm Tuesdays-Sundays, or for one of its public events, usually listed on its online calendar.
Reported by Karina:
Just wanted to let you know that my car was stolen. It’s a white Hyundai Tucson. On the left side of the rear windshield there’s a Baby on Board sticker and on the left it says Jesus is King. It was stolen from Dawson Street (near) 41st Avenue. The license plate number is CRF8182. The driver’s door handle was removed so you can recognize it by that and also that the Hyundai logo in front is missing.
We’re awaiting the report #; if you find it, call a.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
PACKAGE TAKEN: Ben reports this happened at midday today near 38th/Genesee:
They were driving a small red/gray pickup truck.
We’ll add Ben’s police-report number when we get it. Same with this one:
CAR WINDOW SMASHED: Sent anonymously from an Upper Morgan resident:
Vehicle was parked on street in front of house; went out 2:30 am Friday to go to work, discovered front passenger side window smashed, contents of glove compartment and center console strewn around interior, missing vehicle registration. Car was locked, no bags left in vehicle, oddly alarm did not go off; it seems like they just reached into the car through the broken window. Please share as FYI to encourage neighborly vigilance.
Story and photos by Aspen Anderson
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Moody lighting, a mix of photography, colorful ceramics, paintings, and tunes by the high school band The Potholes filled West Seattle Grounds in North Admiral on Art Walk night this past Thursday, as visitors explored art by more than 50 West Seattle High School student artists, opening a show that continues all month.
(Eiree Tolentini captured a photo of her two friends performing cheer and gymnastic tricks)
Photography and graphic design teacher Kelli Perletti says it’s been four years since they started displaying high school art, and it’s been vital in connecting students with the community, showing them professional practices and highlighting the talent emerging from their school.
“It has importance in the world,” Perletti said, referring to students’ art. “Their voice matters.”
Junior Iris Margell explained that her artistic style came naturally to her as she painted a large abstract self-portrait.
“I kept postponing its completion, so I decided to keep it as it was as symbolism for how we are all constantly growing and evolving as our own pieces,” Iris said.
Iris gathered the hues of paints for the piece from a Buy Nothing group, and the canvas was from her grandmother’s stash. The only thing bought for the artwork was black paint.
“Resourcefulness runs in my family,” Iris said. “It’s a major value of mine. It’s something that I want to utilize to the best of my ability in art. There’s a lot of wasted materials.”
Iris aimed to blend as many colors as possible in her piece, creating a folk-inspired line art abstract.
“I don’t think I am ever going to stop doing art,” Iris said. “I’ve been doing art since I could hold a crayon.”
Senior Sora Martina made a ceramic piece adorned with flowers on the sides after returning to ceramics a couple of years ago.
“The piece was made for a person that took me in during a hard time in my life,” Sora said. “It represents my life being full of color again.”
Each flower and color carries a unique memory from the trips Sora has taken with this person, all contributing to unforgettable experiences.
“It’s a relieving pleasure,” she said. “I like to make whatever comes to mind and let my emotions flow through it.”
Sora plans to continue art as a hobby, with a particular interest in Japanese ceramics.
Senior Asteria Paraghamian created a ceramic piece as a memorial for his grandfather.
“He passed away very suddenly earlier last year, and it was really hard on me,” Asteria said. “I made it as a way to vent all of that grief and frustration.”
He used colors that reminded him of his grandfather, incorporating traditional Armenian shades and Persian-inspired flowers.
“What really tied us together was that identity of being Armenian,” he said. “I carry it with me as much as I can.”
Making this piece helped Asteria process his grief, and he plans to display it next to a photo of his grandfather.
Sophomore Boden Johnson displayed a photograph of his friend doing a handplant on a quarter-pipe at Snoqualmie Park.
“He landed it first try,” Boden said. “It captures a lot of physical movement and has good contrast … and he’s upside down, which I thought was pretty cool.”
Boden shared that he’s had a camera for a long time but only recently began using it.
You can see the WSHS students’ art all month at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW, open 6 am-4 pm weekdays, 7 am-4 pm weekends).
(May 2024 Garage Sale Day photo)
You don’t have to have a cute mascot to participate in West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, but it might help! Charlotte the corgi was hanging out in south Highland Park during last year’s WSCGSD, and we pulled her photo from that day’s as-it-happened coverage to help remind you that this year’s WSCGSD is getting closer – now less than four months away, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This year’s a milestone, too, the 20th anniversary of WSCGSD! the founders ran a nonprofit called Megawatt, and decided to try it as a community-building event in 2005. After presenting it for three years, Megawatt announced it was disbanding, and looked for someone to take over WSCGSD … we raised our hand, and have been organizing it since 2008, always on the same date they chose, second Saturday in May. Registration will open on April 1st. (P.S. If you’re new – WSCGSD isn’t one big sale – it’s hundreds of sales, all sizes, all over the peninsula, depending on who decides to participate!)
(WSB file photo: Rainbow Bingo @ what’s now Center for Active Living)
If you’re already ready to plan next weekend, here’s a rare chance: Some tickets remain for The Center for Active Living‘s next session of Rainbow Bingo! It starts at 6 pm Friday night (January 17) and this month’s theme is “Slumber Party” – you can come dressed for the theme, or not. Rainbow Bingo raises money for the center’s programs serving local seniors; your $35 ticket includes “entry, entertainment, dauber, and one food item decided by our Chef.” Beverages, with or without alcohol, are available for purchase. You can get your ticket(s) right now by going here. The Center is in The Junction, at 4217 SW Oregon.
(Mount Rainier from Constellation Park at sunset – photo by David Hutchinson)
Happy Saturday! Here’s the list for today/tonight from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
SAM MIND + BODY FEATURING WEST SEATTLE BOOK CLUB: Downtown, but with West Seattle participation! A free day of self-indulgence including silent reading time with the West Seattle Book Club, doors open at 8:30 am at Olympic Sculpture Park (2901 Western Avenue) – details and schedule in our calendar listing.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free community meditation, 9 am at Inner Alchemy‘s sanctuary/studio (3618 SW Alaska).
INTRODUCTORY WALK: Prelude to the next event – meet at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, 9:30 am, for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Then at 10 am, you’re invited to join others for the weekly walk in Lincoln Park (also meet at 47th/Fauntleroy).
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, visit independent K-5 Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) – our preview explains what they want you to learn about Tilden.
THE BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, the cooperative elementary at 10030 28th SW invites you to visit: “Kids welcome, snacks and coffee served. Staff and current families will be onsite to show families around and answer questions. Come find out what makes cooperative elementary unique and learn about our whole-child approach to education!”
HEALTH FAIR & RESOURCE EVENT: 10 am-2 pm, Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton) offers a variety of services and resources for community members who need them. Free food truck too!
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – “This is a free, weekly, in-person active writing group grounded in the Amherst Writers and Artists method. It is a safe, critique-free space. Writers of all levels welcome, 16 and up.” Our calendar listing has location and RSVP info.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the newest exhibit, about the West Duwamish Greenbelt! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is also open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE & CULTURAL CENTER OPEN HOUSE: 1-3 pm, celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Longhouse’s grand opening with this drop-in event. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PRE-CRAWLER MOTOR-SKILLS GROUP: 3 pm at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
ASTRA LUMINA: The illuminated walk at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge continues. 5 pm and later entry times; ticket cost varies. (6000 16th SW)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIE: 6:30 pm, “A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks,” movie at 7, discussion 8:30-9, WSUU (7141 California SW); more info in our calendar listing.
BENEFIT FOR THE SKYLARK: Bent Not Broken, My Next Planet, Space Tractor, doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, $10 donation to benefit The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, Soul Focus FM DJs. (4547 California SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 10 pm start time for Saturday singing at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event is welcome to a spot on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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