West Seattle, Washington
16 Monday
Story and photos by Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
One more big event. today: The Chief Sealth International High School parking lot was a rainbow of colors today as the Chief Sealth Automobile Association held its first-ever car show, in collaboration with White Center community staple Eazy Duz It Car Club. Visitors were treated to rows of extravagant cars, live music, dancing, and food.
Unfortunately for Chief Sealth IHS Junior and club president Richie Nguyen, his favorite car was not in attendance. As he puts it, “A Paul Walker classic – the Nissan Skyline R34” (as in Paul Walker, best known for his roles in the original “Fast and Furious” films).
Despite this, he couldn’t have been happier with the event. The Chief Sealth Automobile Association has been planning this all year, according to Nguyen. Seeing the parking lot lined with more than a dozen chrome-plated bumpers and metallic finishes in colors across the spectrum brought him hope for the future of the club.
“Today isn’t just a way to show off cars and spread car culture, it’s a chance for the community to get together,” Nguyen said. “(District) Funding was difficult to get, but eventually we sat down and figured out exactly what we needed, and we made it happen.”
Nguyen managed to reach every corner of the Chief Sealth community, with music performances from current students and alumni alike. The Chief Sealth MECHLA club attended, and the Chief Sealth Marching band and Jazz Combo, the Star Dance Club, and the alumni-led South Park-based band Opus all performed in the background of the show.
Special Education teacher Sopath Keith has helped oversee the club’s activities, and his connections played a crucial role in making the show happen. The credit should go to the students, though, according to Keith. “I was so impressed by how motivated the students were. Today wasn’t just a club event; it was an exercise in building networking skills, planning, and sending emails. All of those skills are things they’re going to need as adults. I just did whatever I could to help fulfill their goals. Most importantly, these kids worked hard.”
Fulfilling their goals in this case meant reaching out to the Eazy Duz It Car Club, a White Center community mainstay who have been building, fine-tuning, and showing off lowrider cars since 2010. Eazy Duz It founder Keo Sanh says events like these are important for the club as both car enthusiasts and community members.
“(Eazy Duz It) started in 2010 as just a group of friends, but as we got older, we decided we wanted to get involved in the community. It seemed like the responsible thing to do. Events like this are a perfect example. When (Keith) told us about it, we went in full force, we didn’t hesitate,” said Sanh.
The pride and joy of the event for Sanh today was Eazy Duz It’s newest creation, a lowrider in metallic purple. Each year, the club builds a car, which will join more than 140 others during their summer show on July 19th, on 16th Avenue SW in White Center.
As for the Chief Sealth club: “Hopefully we can use this momentum to do bigger and better next year,” said Nguyen, looking ahead. They’re hoping to grow their membership, hold activities during the year, such as going to car shows, and even advising students on safe driving. They also hope to collaborate with West Seattle High School’s automotive club, the “Greasy Peeps” car club (which had its own show last weekend), in a joint show next summer.
Gary Potter and his crew from longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction spent this sunny summer Saturday in the shaded front yard of a Fairmount Park-area home, working on a special project – building a ramp to give the gift of mobility. It was part of the annual Rampathon by Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties, with the help of community volunteers, building access ramps for those who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Here’s how today’s project was explained:
This West Seattle home has 4 steps to navigate, and our ramp recipients currently need assistance from 2 people to help them up and down the exterior steps. The ramp recipient, Queenie, has mobility issues due to Cerebral Palsy. Queenie also lives with her mother, who is 80 years old and recently diagnosed with ALS. They will both benefit from use of the ramp, and it will safely allow them to get in and out of their home.
Rampathon has been a tradition for more than 30 years; Potter Construction has been participating since the early 2000s.
Photos by Richard Figgins
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
The graduating 8th-grade class of Hope Lutheran School was honored and celebrated on Friday night during the school’s annual graduation ceremony, in front of an adoring crowd of friends and family.
There were 17 graduates in the class, and according to admissions director Sally Heit, they will be attending eight area high schools in the fall: West Seattle, Chief Sealth, Kennedy Catholic, Seattle Prep, Bishop Blanchet, Lakeside, Seattle Christian, and Vashon Island.
The class valedictorian was Emily Esses and co-salutatorians were Michael Raleigh and Addie Grotelueschen, and the winner of the coveted “Eagle Award” (voted on by classmates, for citizenship and character) was Bryson Fukumoto.
Hope principal Kristen Okabayashi said, “This year’s graduating class is a bright and talented group of young people! They care about the community around them and will do well at the high school of their choice. We are so proud of them!”
This 8th-grade class was part of the first middle-school group to attend classes this past year at Hope’s newly renovated “north campus” at the former Seattle Lutheran High School building at 4100 SW Genesee St. Friday’s graduation ceremony was held in its usual location in the Hope Lutheran Church sanctuary, attached to the school’s main campus at 42nd Ave SW & Oregon St.
Heit added that Hope Lutheran has openings for the next school year, and tours are available during the summer (contact the school here).
Here is another class photo courtesy of Hope Lutheran, featuring the class verse:
James hopes someone will spot his stolen car:
My stolen car is a 1991 Honda Civic Hatchback DX, license plate #CLG0690 . Police report number is: 25-164276 The car is red, with black trim on the bottom half, and the hood and mini spoiler are acid washed red and blue, so it’s very recognizable. (Also) an identifying feature besides the hood color is the door trim on the driver side is halfway broken off.
Call 911 if you find it.
11:39 AM: Also happening right now, the “No Kings” rallies coast-to-coast. While Seattle’s biggest gathering is planned for Cal Anderson Park, as we’ve reported, at least five West Seattle gatherings have been announced, and the first is happening right now on the corners at Admiral/California. WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen counted at least 70 people between the corners and sent these photos:
Earlier, some West Seattleites met up to take Metro east from The Junction, including this woman who was handing out small flags:
A gathering at The Junction has just begun – updates on that shortly.
11:54 AM: Hayden estimates more than 260 people in The Junction “and more filtering in.”
12:42 PM: We heard honking near our booth at the Morgan Junction Community Festival, so went out to the street to look and found a few demonstrators gathered, unannounced, on the corners at California/Fauntleroy too:
The man with the upside-down flag – a symbol of distress – told us his flag dates back to at least the ’60s, passed down by his grandfather. … Meantime, we just checked out the demonstration in The Junction via live traffic cam – here’s a screengrab:
1:22 PM: The downtown march is headed west from Cal Anderson – be aware of traffic effects if you are headed across the bay in the next few hours. Here in WS, we have a photographer checking out the South Delridge gathering and will add that later.
2:57 PM: Nathan sent this photo from a gathering on the South Park Bridge:
ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: The next four photos are from the Junction rally, by photojournalist Oliver Hamlin for WSB:
This one was sent by Arlene Rubin:
And this video is from Clay Eals, who recorded several passes at Walk-All-Ways:
Still a bit more to add later…
10:02 AM: The sun is out and the festival is on! Until 2 pm, the Morgan Community Association is presenting the Morgan Junction Community Festival in Morgan Junction Park and behind the Zeeks Pizza/Whisky West building steps away. Here’s the entertainment schedule on the green in the park:
Bubbleman is about to begin. This is all happening on the west side of California SW, north of Fauntleroy Way SW. (If you need parking, it’s free in the O’Neill Plumbing [WSB sponsor] lot on the northeast corner of California/Graham, first-come first-served.) More coverage to come!
10:26 AM: The Bubbleman has drawn an enthusiastic crowd:
“He’s super-funny, mama,” one young fan was heard to exclaim. And as usual, as he runs through his series of custom-rigged bubble generators – including the “Mega-bubble-opolis” – he’s leading the kids through the humble declaration that everything is a “cheap toy.” (His props have included a variety of items from an umbrella to a water bottle to a toilet seat.)
10:55 AM: Don’t just come for the entertainment – check out the community groups! Last night we previewed Schmitz Park Creek Restore‘s plan – they’re (updated) along the street between Beveridge Place and Whisky West:
Behind Zeeks/Whisky West, you’ll find unique independent local businesses including Nepenthe (which is on 35th just north of Roxbury):
In the park, you’ll find the Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association talking about plans for an all-wheels area in the park. On the green, meantime, another family entertainer – Mikey the Rad Scientist, who’s part singalong (with science facts woven in), part comedy – is performing right now.
11:21 AM: Lots of audience participation with Mikey, especially as he invites the little ones to move like the animals he’s singing about, from sharks to snakes. And his music has a message – like the refrain, “We’re living in a garden; may we live carefully.”
12:09 PM: The entertainment slate for the festival expanded to five acts this year, and this one is new, Crush on Her X:
West Seattle’s own The Potholes are up at 12:45 pm.
12:43 PM: Just back from another spin through the lot behind Zeeks/WW. Late addition to the festival vendor lineup – Rhodies FC, West Seattle’s brand-new women’s soccer team, with a few more home games coming up before their first season ends. And if you’re looking to find out about summer camps focused on music and theater, Mode Music and Performing Arts is there:
1:18 PM: Running out of time to get here if you haven’t been already! The Potholes are playing now:
Back in the vendor/community group, the folks with the Seattle Emergency Hubs can tell you all about household and neighborhood preparedness:
And if you stop by the West Seattle Food Bank booth, you can support them – and get a chance at cool local prizes – by buying a ticket in their Summer Raffle:
The festival continues until 2 pm.
1:44 PM: This is running a bit overtime – The Potholes (who you’ll be able to catch at West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction on Friday, July 11) just wrapped up, and Gary Benson will be starting about 20 minutes later than scheduled.
2:03 PM: Though the musical finale has just begun, vendors are starting to fold up. SFD has just arrived with Engine 32 (above), though, so if you’re in the area, stop by to say hi.
ADDED POST-FESTIVAL: A sample of Gary Benson’s performance:
You can catch him and his mellow acoustic sound on occasion at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor).
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Our list of West Seattle happenings begins with today’s two biggest events:
MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: The Morgan Community Association presents this festival, 10 am-2 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (west side of California north of Fauntleroy Way), with free entertainment (see the schedule here), kids’ activities, local organizations and businesses (see the lineups here) – four hours of free fun to celebrate your community!
‘NO KINGS’ DEMONSTRATIONS: While the biggest Seattle gathering is on Capitol Hill, and local resistance group West Seattle Indivisible plans to travel there, several small rallies have been announced around West Seattle – here’s the list we published last night, also including rallying points for those taking Metro.
Here’s what else we have for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GAME OF SHROOMS: Up for a scavenger hunt? West Seattle’s own Potterings has hidden pottery mushrooms around the peninsula for you to find, as explained here, starting today.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the free weekly group run.
WEST SEATTLE BRAKE SERVICE SALE: As previewed here, moving/closure sale for contents of the longtime business at 4464 37th SW, 9 am-2 pm today (and tomorrow).
FREE PRENATAL FITNESS CLASS: This morning at the beach:
At 9:00 am, FIT4BABY West Seattle in collaboration with Prepare the Nest is holding a free prenatal fitness class open to anyone wanting to move their body during pregnancy. The class will take place at the Alki Statue of Liberty and welcomes mothers at any stage of pregnancy! Immediately following the class will be a short conversation with Birth Doula Bri Music from Prepare the Nest to discuss the benefits of having a doula present at birth and answer any questions people might have.
Register here. (61st/Alki)
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: That’s followed immediately by this walk in which you can participate regardless of whether you were on the introductory stroll. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, body-care products, more.
MASTER GARDENERS: They’re ready to answer your questions! Saturdays this spring and summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.
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.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – Canceled again, back June 28.
WEST SEATTLE BOOK CLUB: 10:30 am-12:30 pm, pop-up silent-reading event at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).
ALKI HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Meet at 11 am at Log House Museum (61st/Stevens), after registering here. Suggested donation $15.
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
CHIEF SEALTH IHS STUDENT-ORGANIZED CAR SHOW: 11 am-4 pm in the school parking lot, first one ever! (2600 SW Thistle)
EMERALD CITY ROMANCE WRITERS: Author and reader event 11 am-5 pm at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center (6000 16th SW), as previewed here! Meet your fave love-story-teller, discover locally based writers you haven’t read yet, explore romance-related vendors, more.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
SIXTH WEEKEND FOR COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open today to start the final of six preseason weekends before its 7-day-a-week season begins next week, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.
GEORGETOWN CARNIVAL: Our neighbors to the northeast invite you to come on over, noon-10 pm, Airport Way S between Corson Ave & Bailey St. for “all kinds of quirky fun.” Details in our calendar listing.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Explore the present and past at the home of West Seattle history, open for your visit, noon-2 pm (closing early today) – see the exhibit about the West Duwamish Greenbelt! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
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).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can you may request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area. Come support our student winemakers and join us for a student tasting.
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: 1:30 pm matinee show for the Pride edition of Kenyon Hall Cabaret – get tickets here. (7904 35th SW)
NORTHWEST FIRELIGHT CHORALE: In concert, 2 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), info and ticket link in our calendar listing.
HIGH SCHOOL WATER POLO CLINIC: 3 pm with the West Seattle HS Girls’ Water Polo team at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle) – signup info is in our calendar listing.
FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.
ROLLER DERBY: Rainier Roller Riot bout “The Pack Is Queer,” 5:30 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
THE BREWS BROTHERS: Acoustic trio live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, no cover, all ages.
DUB SEA FISH STICKS: 6:05 pm home game vs. the Seattle Blackfins at Steve Cox Memorial Park‘s Mel Olson Stadium. (1321 SW 102nd, White Center). Go here for tickets.
ONE-ACT PLAY: Chief Sealth Drama student-directed production, “The Angel Intrudes,” 6:15 pm. Tickets $2. (2600 SW Thistle)
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Brittany Davis album-release show for “Black Thunder,” 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), free, all ages.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Mountain Holler, The Flameglo, Oscillatina at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors at 7 pm, music at 8 pm, $10 cover, all ages.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s Soul Focus FM at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
DANCE! Monthly Machine Learning night at The Lumber Yard in White Center, 9 pm-2 am. (9630 16th SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Up for Saturday night singing? 10 pm karaoke 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 westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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