West Seattle, Washington
28 Monday
A solemn commemoration in West Seattle today marked half a century since a difficult day in history.
This week will bring the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Today’s attendees and participants at the Vietnamese Cultural Center included South Vietnamese and U.S. military veterans.
Speakers talked about the “complicated” and painful feelings stirred by the anniversary.
The ceremony also included a chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders, who stood with flags throughout the program. The focus was on honoring fallen soldiers. Incense and food offerings were made. Attendees chanted “long live the Republic of Vietnam” and “Down with communism” in both Vietnamese and English.
One speaker who had served in the U.S. military during the war, 81-year-old U.S. Navy veteran Samuel Perkins, offered words in honor of the thousands of refugees rescued from Saigon who came to the U.S. and have worked hard for decades. “You came here with nothing and now you are more than great,” he said. (You can read some of the history of Southeast Asian refugees settling in our state after the war by going here.)
The Vietnamese Cultural Center is at 2236 SW Orchard, usually open to the public on Saturday afternoons. They also welcome community members during multiple cultural events each year, such as Vietnamese New Year and the Children’s Moonlight Festival.k
For the second time in less than a month, the West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer teams faced off last night, this time at Walt Hundley Playfield. And again last night, the Wildcats won. Final score was WSHS 3, CSIHS 2 (last month, West Seattle won 2-0). It was also Senior Night for graduating WSHS seniors:
(L-R: Hollis Johnson, Finn White, Cole Heinrichs., Collin Temme, Jacob Stevens, Kingston Darocy, Arjun Rajaratnam, Pa Njie. Photo by Brandon Faloona)
You can see photographer Brandon Faloona‘s game gallery here. WSHS is now 9-3, #2 in the Metro League, while Sealth is 5-9. The Wildcats have a 4 pm Monday game against Seattle Academy at Delridge Playfield; the Seahawks’ next local game is on Friday, 4:30 pm vs. Cleveland at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
(WSB photo by Anne Higuera)
Of the many groups and organizations presenting events in West Seattle today, this one was unique – Renton-based Progress Pushers, focusing on youth empowerment. They presented a resource fair at Delridge Community Center, geared to their mission “to guide, educate, and empower Black and brown youth and those most impacted by societal systems by connecting them to mentors and much-needed skills and opportunities so they can live in their greatness.” They mentor youth with trained “Credible Messengers” and told us that many of those involved have changed their lives from a path they want to help youth avoid – some have been in the incarceration system, for example. Mentors help youth through teaching life skills, leadership development, and job readiness, as well as working with them on results-based projects. Interested in getting involved? ad***@*************rs.org
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
There’s still one more day to stop in at the West Seattle Rock Club’s Rock and Gem Show, which is open again Sunday from 10 am-5 pm at the Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave SW, free to the public and with some tantalizing door prizes. But the true gems of the show may just be hiding in plain sight.
The Rock Club is celebrating its 60th year with 100 members, 30 of whom are juniors. Members get to show off their finds, their work and their knowledge via displays at the annual show. This year’s show also has 5 stone craftspeople demonstrating their skills and the machinery required to make things like beads, creating facets, and shaping cabochons. There are also a few sellers with rocks and gems in a finished form.
Show visitors have the chance to bid on rocks and minerals in a silent auction; there’s a “people’s choice” award for the best displays, and a chance at a prize just for walking in the door. It’s the group’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and it’s the 57th show.
That is also coincidentally the number of years that Audrey and Lyle Vogelpohl have been members of the club, joining in 1968. They have humbly stewarded the organization practically ever since, adding a Juniors group to the roster along the way. Often, those younger members will get the rockhounding bug after going on one of the club’s field trips and then start going to monthly meetings to learn more.
The Vogelpohls have consistently made the West Seattle Rock Club a priority through most of their married life, while providing an educational opportunity for the entire community. They’re also involved with statewide and national organizations devoted to mineralogy. As the club website says, it is, “dedicated to the advancement of the lapidary arts and to enjoying the great outdoors.”
Audrey says they’ve both relished the work they’ve done with the club, particularly in the 27 years they’ve been retired. “You can’t just sit in a rocker,” she said. Lyle’s specialty is shaping cabochons, and Audrey was wearing a necklace today that she made out of one by adding beading to it. It’s work that takes patience and dedication, something the Vogelpohls have in spades.
Admission to the show is free, and so is parking in the Masonic Center’s lot for showgoers.
2:32 PM: SFD and SPD are on the scene of a crash that’s brought down a utility pole and wires in the 4800 block of Beach Drive [vicinity map] and report the entire street is blocked as a result. One person is reported injured. The Seattle City Light outage map says 58 customers are out of electricity, too.
3:26 PM: The photos are from WSB’s Jason Grotelueschen, who says the pickup truck in the photo below is the vehicle whose driver is reported to have hit the pole.
City Light is on scene and the street is still closed, though SFD has departed.
4:21 PM: The photo above is from Lura, showing City Light crews working at the scene. (Added below, a photo from Asher:)
6:34 PM: After four hours, Beach Drive is still closed, and if you’re going northbound from Lowman Beach you won’t know that until there’s finally a sign at Shore Place.
10:21 PM: Still closed after 8 hours. But a texter says “City Light team arrived in full force … Chainsawing the old pole out, getting ready to add the new pole and transformer.” They texted this photo too:
11 AM SUNDAY: Just went down to confirm, the work is done and road reopened. Meantime, the police data map confirms the driver was taken into custody for investigation of DUI.
Anne, with jam, is one of the ~20 sellers you’ll find at the West Seattle Eagles‘ garden/craft sale, if you haven’t been already – it’s on at the Eagles’ HQ in The Junction until 3 pm, and you can get fresh-grilled lunch until 2, with proceeds going to cancer research!
The Eagles are at 4426 California SW. P.S. Anne – who sent the pics – was bringing eight cases of jam, including raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb, peach, and orange marmalade!
Thanks to Nathan for the photos! Looking for someplace new to take your little one(s) to play? If you can get over the ridge to South Park, the play area at this brand-new park is an option. The park is South Park Plaza, on what was most recently a big gravel lot southwest of the South Park Bridge. The grand-opening celebration is happening until 2 pm, with speeches and a ribbon-cutting:
The city infopage for the project says the almost-one-acre park has been in the works for seven years, at a cost of $2.6 million.
(WSB photos)
Health is what the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is all about, and you have a better chance of a healthier, longer life, the earlier you start. So that’s why the Y invites kids and families to visit for Healthy Kids’ Day, which is happening right now at the main West Seattle branch in The Triangle. Planned activities:
-Kayak races in the pool
-Glow in the dark yoga and zumba classes
-Bouncy House
-Basketball mini hoop challenge
-Photobooth
-Face painting
-Hula hoops
-Wood cookies crafting
-Trail Mix making
-Food samples from Distinguished Foods vendors
-Forgotten Dogs Rescue
You can enter a free raffle – the prizes (soccer balls and bikes) are on display:
It’s all happening until 1 pm at 36th/Snoqualmie, nonmembers welcome too!
(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen)
That’s Sara Smith, coordinating Fauntleroy Church‘s long-running twice-yearly Recycle Roundup for the first time today, and excited about it! The church’s partner in the free dropoff event, 1 Green Planet, has two trucks ready to fill, and reinforcements waiting in the wings.
Just drive, ride, or walk up to the dropoff spot in the church’s lot at 9140 California SW before 3 pm. Sooner rather than later, so they don’t wind up with a last-minute backup! The list of what they will and won’t take is here.
2:15 PM: WSB’s Jason Grotelueschen sends that photo taken about half an hour ago, as Recycle Roundup approached its final hour, and reports, “Volunteers say things are going well, traffic slowed down around lunchtime, but has now picked up in the final hours. Still ample space for your treasures!” But 3 pm is closing time.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
The weekend is here! So are dozens of notes about what you can do in and around West Seattle today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll see even more):
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the free weekly group run.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS REGIONAL TRACK & FIELD: Qualifying competition all day at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 8:15 am-4 pm.
RECYCLE ROUNDUP: Don’t throw it away, recycle it! 9 am-3 pm free dropoff event outside Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) – here’s the latest list of what they will and won’t take this time.
BENEFIT GARDEN SALE: Plants and more to benefit the PEO Sisterhood, 9 am-3 pm just west of High Point Library in the 6000 block of the alley between 35th SW and 36th SW (cross streets are SW Raymond and SW Graham).
PLANT, ART, CRAFT SALE & BBQ: Also 9 am-3 pm, at the West Seattle Eagles HQ (4426 California SW), big sale plus 11 am-2 pm barbecue with hot dogs and burgers.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free community meditation, 9 am at Inner Alchemy‘s sanctuary/studio (3618 SW Alaska).
WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL EVENT: Celebrate softball with a two-part event at Bar-S (6425 SW Admiral Way) – a panel discussion with pro softball players at 9:30 am, then a game at 11 am.
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Then at 10 am, join others for the full weekly walk in Lincoln Park (also meet at 47th/Fauntleroy).
YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY: Tons of free fun at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor) – membership not required, just show up! From the Y:
Our activity stations for the day are as follows:
-Kayak races in the pool
-Glow in the dark yoga and zumba classes
-Bouncy House
-Basketball mini hoop challenge
-Photobooth
-Face painting
-Hula hoops
-Wood cookies crafting
-Trail Mix making
-Food samples from Distinguished Foods vendors
-Forgotten Dogs Rescue
ART MARKET AT THE LONGHOUSE: Spring edition of the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse‘s popular art markets with Native artists, first of two days, 10 am-5 pm. (4705 West Marginal Way SW)
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Tool Library)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY SALE: Hand and power tools are available at this huge annual tool sale, 10 am-3 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
WEST SEATTLE ROCK AND GEM SHOW: Activities, displays, vendors, also happening both days this weekend, 10 am-5 pm at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), admission and parking free!
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: Have expired and/or no-longer-needed medication? 10 am-2 pm, it’s one of two events each year when you can take it to the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) and dispose of it, no questions asked.
MASTER GARDENERS: They’re out again in the community, ready to answer your questions! Saturdays this spring and summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.
SEATTLE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY: Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW) tells us they’re celebrating 10 am-8 pm – here’s the plan, with special events and giveaways.
NORTHWEST GREEN HOME TOUR: Free regional tour, 11 am-5 pm, with two West Seattle homes among those being showcased. Here’s the map and location info. (Thanks to Jeff for the tip!)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 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.
KHMER NEW YEAR STREET FESTIVAL: 10:30 am-5 pm, the annual block party takes over SW 98th between 15th and 16th SW in White Center. Free.
GRIEFSHARE: If you have lost someone close to you, this is for you. The series continues today, 10:30 am, Grace Church (10323 28th SW).
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.
SHOP TO FIGHT LEUKEMIA: In The Junction, 11 am-5 pm today, shop at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) and/or Menashe Jewelers (4532 California SW) and part of the proceeds will go to help fight leukemia!
FAMILY STORY TIME: Canceled this week at High Point Library.
FAMILY READING TIME: Also at Paper Boat (see above for today’s main event), 11 am family reading time.
WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD SALE: Second and final day of the spring rummage-and-book sale at White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) with the WC Library Guild, 11 am-4 pm. (Plants too!)
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION: Alki Coffee Co. and Ben & Jerry’s opened Wednesday on Alki, and today is the grand-opening party – a ribbon-cutting at noon, Dub II the Husky mascot for pics 2-3 pm, balloon artist 2:30-4:30 pm, diaper drive all day for WestSide Baby. (2742 Alki 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, WITH SAIGON COMMEMORATION: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. Today at noon a ceremony commemorates the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. (2236 SW Orchard)
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE NEWCOMERS: Orientation meeting, 1-2:30 pm, for the group “committed to nonviolent and persistent advocacy for democracy.” At West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW)
READY FREDDY FREE PREP PARTY: Start your preparedness journey with a free, fun, short session with preparedness expert Alice Kuder, walk-ins welcome, 1 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB: 1 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), “Waco Rising” is this month’s book.
SONG CIRCLE: New participants welcome at this monthly event, 1 pm in West Seattle – participation details are in our calendar listing.
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).
RESOURCE FAIR: Progress Pushers welcome kids and families to Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW) for a resource fair, 2-4 pm
FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.
ONE SHORT NIGHT IN THE EMERALD CITY: 5 pm at Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), Lafayette Elementary fundraising gala. Online ticket sales are closed, but you can check at the door.
LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: 6-8 pm, Makeda Belete brings “neo-soul” to C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
‘THE SHAPE OF THE NIGHT’: This “immersive experience” has two shows a night at the historic Georgetown Steam Plant (6605 1st Ave. S.), 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Synopsis and ticket info in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Doors 7, show 7:30, Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), celebrating the circus. All ages; tickets here.
‘ATHENA’ AT ARTSWEST: Third weekend continues, 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse (4711 California SW), for “Athena,” by Gracie Gardner – get tickets here.
WEST END GIRLS AT THE SKYLARK: West Seattle’s drag extravaganza! As reported here, tonight is hostess Cookie Couture‘s last show “for a while.” Online tickets are sold out, though you can check at the door. 8 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
COMEDY AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 8 pm, with Joe Gomez, Jenna Nobs, Michael Aguilera, $15. (9444 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Spinning starts at 9 pm with DJ 206 Dub at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday night singing, 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
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