(Los Flacos presented by Sustainable Music NW, August 5. WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Music is a part of Seattle’s identity as much as good coffee and bad traffic. But the community-centered, grassroots performances often associated with our neck of the woods have faded away as time has gone on. At least, that’s how West Seatte musician Kevin Nortness sees it. To solve this problem, Nortness and four other Seattle-based musicians and music educators have banded together to create Sustainable Music Northwest, Seattle’s newest music nonprofit.

(Photo courtesy Sustainable Music Northwest)

Sustainable Music Northwest is a nonprofit that performs free concerts at community gatherings and events, and local music shows. “The Seattle music community is missing something – giving music to the public that’s outside of nightclubs and concert halls,” said Nortness, who’s made his living as a performer and teacher for the better part of 20 years. Through this nonprofit work, Nortness and his fellow board members – Marc Fendel, Samantha Boshnack, Chuck Demonnin, and Adam Gross – want to redefine what a concert can be. “We’re making it about the gathering as much as it is the music,” Nortness said. “The performance and the conversations should be at equal sound levels, we want people to be able to use the music as an enhancement of the occasion.”

(Sustainable Music Northwest photo: Board member Kevin Nortness)

On August 5th, the nonprofit made its debut at a Delridge gathering for Night Out, featuring local band Los Flacos. The event was a surreal experience for Nortness, who has been working on this project for the better part of a year and a half. “I put so much time into this,” he joked, “that I didn’t realize I was slowly going broke.” Fortunately, though, his efforts have paid off, and in cooperation with the Musicians’ Association of Seattle, he’ll be receiving a stipend for his work on the nonprofit. They’ll also be working with Seattle-based consultant firm Scandiuzzi Krebs, which specializes in local community-building organizations.

With the combined support from both the Musicians’ Association and Scandiuzzi Krebs, and the collective effort of Nortness and his fellow musicians over the past year and a half, Sustainable Music Northwest is now budgeted for ten more shows in 2025.

(Sustainable Music Northwest photo: Board member Marc Fendel)

“It’s especially heartwarming to see it come together,” said Nortness, “and it’s so nice to finally be in a position to say ‘this is what we’re doing’, and we’ve gotten nothing but positive feedback.”

Now that they’re finally established, they’re going to take a breath and keep pushing forward. Nortness has his eye set on the Alki Beach promenade, Kenyon Hall, and the lobbies of West Seattle’s condos and apartments for performances. The nonprofit is also continuing to apply for grants, looking for new board members, and scoping out new locations to perform at. If you’re interested in any of those areas, Nortness says they’d love to hear from you.

“We’re trying to get the word out,” He said, “This exists, and it’s a resource. We’re essentially offering a free band for people to gather their communities together, create connections, and maintain those connections.” (The musicians, like Los Flacos on Night Out, do get paid.)

For more information about Sustainable Music Northwest, to apply to become a board member, or to book them for an event, check out their website here.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Stu Hennessey honored with Admiral Neighborhood Association’s first Patrick Sand Community Advocate Award

August 24, 2025 7:12 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn: Award recipient Stu Hennessey at the mic, with WSB’s Tracy Record and ANA’s Joanie Jacobs at left)

You might know Stu Hennessey as founder of Alki Bike and Board in the Admiral District. But he’s done so much more to help make this a better place to work, live, study, and play, and so the Admiral Neighborhood Association presented him at Saturday’s Admiral Block Party with the first annual Patrick Sand Community Advocate Award. Named in memory of WSB’s co-founder, the award is meant by ANA to “celebrate an individual whose in-front-of as well as behind-the-scenes service and commitment have made a lasting impact on the Admiral District of West Seattle.” Stu was chosen from nominations sent by community members. His community work includes advocating for a Walkable Admiral, helping lead Sustainable West Seattle in its heyday, inspiring park- and garden-lovers everywhere by growing Puget Ridge Edible Park from idea to reality, leading bike rides exploring local street features like greenways, and more. As we said during the presentation, Patrick would be happy to hear he’d inspired a new honor for unsung heroes! Thanks to ANA’s Dan Jacobs and Joanie Jacobs for creating that honor, and watch for nominations to open next spring.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: West Seattle low bridge reopens early

August 24, 2025 4:54 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Screenshot from low-bridge SDOT camera, post-reopening)

Since last time we checked, the West Seattle low bridge has reopened to all surface traffic after weekend repairs that originally were expected to run as late as 10 pm tonight. We’ll be following up with SDOT tomorrow re: how the repairs went and if any other closures are ahead.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: DNDA Summer Youth Program interns wrap up their work

August 24, 2025 4:44 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Delridge | High Point | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

With less than a week and a half until most students will be back in school, summer activities are wrapping up – including Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association‘s Summer Youth Program:

The program’s participants included one dozen paid teenage interns who worked ten hours a week for the past six weeks, taking on a variety of tasks. With them in our photo is DNDA art program specialist Claire DeBenon, who says their last task of the summer was litter pickup in the area near Neighborhood House High Point on Friday afternoon, shortly before we took the picture. Claire also showed us another beautification project carried out over the summer – this mural on the Neighborhood House basketball court:

The interns got to free-style some touches:

Other work spanning DNDA’s art and environment focus included stenciling storm drains to remind people that fish are She explained, “The youth has done a lot for their community by working with kids and families to facilitate an educational, fun, and safe summer for West Seattle residents.” The interns are ages 13-17 and got a stipend for their work – for most if not all, their first experience drawing a paycheck, added DNDA’s Yeggy Michael, with whom we also spoke while there for the photo op. “This is a starting point for them,” he declared. He and Claire explained that getting into this program is “very competitive” – they had 40 applicants before narrowing it down to the dozen participants.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Ukrainian Independence Day rally at Alki

August 24, 2025 2:11 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

Last night we published an announcement of two events today on Alki commemorating Ukrainian Independence Day. The first was a 10:30 am rally at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza; David Hutchinson sent the photos above and below:

Regarding the rally organizers’ choice of location, David included this observation and image:

A very appropriate location for this event. The original Alki Statue of Liberty was installed at this location by the Boy Scouts of America in 1952 during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The theme of their campaign, started in 1949 to celebrate the Boy Scouts’ 40th anniversary, was “Strengthen the Arm of Liberty”:

Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza was dedicated in 2008 as a new home for the statue, which had been recast and reinstalled on its old pedestal a year earlier. Meantime, today’s Ukrainian Independence Day rally was to be followed by a picnic on the beach at Alki, running until sunset, all welcome.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package locker break-in

August 24, 2025 12:54 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks to the reader who sent this photo and report after happening onto this at Admiral Safeway around 7:30 am:

When I arrived … there were a few empty packages in the parking lot. Amazon person is at machine …. reporting.

The sender says a store employee told them it’s happened before. We don’t know if it has been reported to police – there’s no obviously correlatory incident on the SPD map.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 24 notes

August 24, 2025 6:34 am

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 24 notes

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday sunset behind Mt. Jupiter, photographed by Dan Ciske)

Good morning – here are our notes for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOW BRIDGE CLOSURE CONTINUES; The low bridge is closed for repairs, as announced here, expected to reopen by 10 pm tonight.

‘BEND IT LIKE BOOKER’ CONCLUDES: Started 10 am Saturday, continues until 11:15 am Sunday – 25 hours of stories, conversations, and community, convened by the 34th District Democrats at the Machinists Union Hall in southwest South Park (9125 15th Place South) – here’s our preview; here’s a list of some of the participants. Tickets $10; through that link, you can buy a ticket to watch online too.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: This week’s 9 am Sunday Funday run leaves from Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW).

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Find the market on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, still the heart of summer produce season (stone fruit, berries, cherries, greens), plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, flowers, more.

MASTER GARDENERS: They’re at the market today, also 10 am-2 pm, if you have a garden question/challenge/etc. that would benefit from expert advice.

SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: While you’re in The Junction, visit the alley behind Carmilia’s boutique (4528 California SW) for food, music, and fun, “a neighborhood party!”, 10 am-3 pm.

FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)

UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: 10:30 am rally at Alki Statue of Liberty, noon picnic at Alki Beach, as previewed here.

COZY GAMING SUNDAY: 11 am-5 pm at Fourth Emerald Games (upstairs at 4517 California SW), you’re invited to get out of the heat and play.

SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, 11 am-8 pm, through Labor Day.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE RESISTS: Sunday signholding in The Junction (California/Alaska), 11:30 am-1:30 pm.

COLMAN POOL OPEN: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open today as its 7-day-a-week season continues for two more weeks – noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.

WADING POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park,the wading pool is expected to be open, noon-7 pm.

FREE COMMUNITY PICNIC AND CONCERT: Admiral Church invites you to come enjoy a free hot-dog lunch at noon followed by a 1 pm concert on the lawn – all welcome; details in our calendar listing. (4320 SW Hill)

ATTENTION, NEW LAFAYETTE FAMILIES! Play date for incoming Lafayette Elementary kindergarteners and other new students, 2-4 pm at school playground. (California SW/SW Lander)

NO ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Reminder, no more tours this year (as explained here).

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Kick back and enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)

JAZZ AT TIM’S: 3-7 pm, 4th annual Jazz Renion with Reggie Goings and friends. (16th SW/SW 98th, White Center)

CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). This month’s title: “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (1967) by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez.

FREE OUTDOOR YOGA: 5 pm at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW) with Dragonfly.

LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: 5 pm, featuring music by The Deftones. Free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could feature on the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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