West Seattle, Washington
01 Wednesday
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB
A Labor Day tradition was carried out again today at Alki Masonic Lodge on the east edge of The Junction: The annual changing of the flag that flies over the lodge. It’s held in conjunction with a community barbecue/picnic, and this year there was a bonus. First, the main event, preceded by a flag tribute read by a member of the Rainbow Girls youth group, who then joined attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance:
Then, with assistance from members of two VFW posts, the old flag was brought down and meticulously folded, and the new one went up:
The retired flag will be kept by Alki Lodge’s outgoing Worshipful Master Ron Creel, who received it from Post 1263’s Traci Williams and observed, “This is special” as a memento of his year leading the lodge:
She was assisted by Ron Palacios from West Seattle’s Post 2719 and Darrell Pilat, also of Post 1263:
After the flag ceremony, everyone enjoyed lunch inside – a little too chilly to grill outdoors, they decided – and then it was time for the scheduled visit from Engine 32 firefighters, based at Junction Station 32:
Firefighter Kelsey Nolta gave tours of the engine, while firefighter Max Wagner demonstrated their gear:
7-year-old Owen was among the kids who got a firsthand look inside Engine 32:
The lodge’s other community events include the annual student awards (here’s our coverage of this year’s presentation).
Each corner of 16th/Henderson had about 10 sign-wavers when we went by about an hour and a half into the two-hour window for West Seattle Indivisible‘s Labor Day rally/protest. Messages included some specific to this pro-worker holiday:
Next up, the organization is hoping to organize 1,000 people jnto a “human banner” on the West Seattle waterfront for International Day of Peace on September 21.
Maybe you can help find this distinctive ebike:
My bike was stolen just outside of the Benbow Room on California and Admiral in West Seattle at 1:04 pm today, September 1st. Distinguishable features include large trunk on back, has light-up pedals, an underglow that can be turned on, as well as an LED sign that lights up on top of the trunk. I have also included photos of the new tires put on recently … This is my daily commuter and use this to get to and from work. Any help is very much appreciated and I am very grateful.
We’ll add the police-report # when we get it. (UPDATE: It’s 25-253565.)
(WSB file photo)
Most local schools will start a new year of classes within the next few days; a few have started already. Even if you don’t have a student in the household, it might be helpful to know who starts when, so we compile this every year:
ALREADY STARTED
Summit Atlas (started August 13)
Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School (started last Wednesday)
Kennedy Catholic HS (started August 22)
STARTING TUESDAY
Holy Rosary School
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School
Bridge School Cooperative Elementary
Vashon Island School District
STARTING WEDNESDAY
Seattle Public Schools (grades 1-12)
Westside School (WSB sponsor)
Tilden School (WSB sponsor)
Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor)
Hope School
West Seattle Montessori
Highline Public Schools (grades 1-12)
STARTING NEXT MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 8)
Seattle Public Schools (pre-K and K)
Whichever school(s) you’re affiliated with, tell us what’s new, now and as the year progresses – new principal? fundraisers? events open to the community? successes? – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
As mentioned here last week, HomeStreet Bank becomes part of Bay Area-based Mechanics Bank as of tomorrow, and while in The Junction this afternoon, we noted the signage is up at 4022 SW Alaska. Both companies have century-plus histories, but their branches have been in different areas, so there’s no overlap here or elsewhere, we’re told. Before the name change, what was then HomeStreet had one last event:
(Bank-provided photo)
The branch had been showcasing local independent businesses every month, closing out the month with a drawing – this month’s showcase featured M & M Balloon Co.
Quick updates:
WENDY’S WHITE CENTER: We just went over to 10050 16th SW to see if they indeed made their “target date” of today. A worker outside told us no, they’re not open yet, but aiming for “tomorrow after lunch.” We’re awaiting an official reply from the franchisee. (Signage wasn’t up yet either.)
PANDA EXPRESS COUNTDOWN, SORT OF: When last we heard from Panda Express about the Westwood Village location, they were hoping for “the week of September 8.” Then a sign went up three days ago (as noted by a commenter) declaring “coming soon – 4 days.” The sign then switched to “3 days.” But we just checked on our way back from White Center, and it’s been stuck on “3 days” for two days now.
ELSEWHERE IN WESTWOOD VILLAGE: The fourth year of Spirit Halloween temporarily taking over the ex-Bed Bath and Beyond has begun – they’re now open.
LAST DAY BEFORE MOVE: And a reminder, also in the south end: Today is the last day for The Missing Piece Café and Game Lounge at its original 35th/Roxbury location. As first noted here in May, they’re moving to the ex-Pharmaca space in The Junction, 4707 California SW, next to Emerald Water Anglers and KeyBank. The Missing Piece hopes to be open there “the second week of September” if all goes well. (No word yet about a 35th/Roxbury successor.)
(Boats in the setting sun off Alki – photo by Erik Moris)
Good morning! Holiday notes:
TRANSIT/TRAFFIC
–Metro buses are running on a Sunday schedule
–West Seattle Water Taxi is on a regular schedule
-Fares change today for Metro bus and Water Taxi service too – here’s our original report with details
–Sound Transit buses and light rail are on Sunday schedules
-If you’re going to an area of the city with pay-station street parking, you don’t have to pay today
-Check local traffic cams here, citywide cams here
HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT
Last day of the season for most city outdoor aquatic facilities – After today, city-run wading pools and sprayparks are closed until next year – so it’s your last day for Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm, and Lincoln Park‘s wading pool (noon-7 pm). But Colman Pool not only will be open noon-7 pm today, it’ll have two postseason weekends this year, September 6-7 and 13-14.
Last day of the season for Alki summer hours and beach fires – as noted here.
Art on the Corner – artist’s home-studio sale benefiting food banks, 8 am-4 pm at 39th SW/SW Holden
Silent Disco and Plunge for the Orcas – 11 am-1 pm, dance and swim by the Alki Bathhouse.
Labor Day rally – West Seattle Indivisible plans to sign-wave in support of labor, 11 am-1 pm, at 16th SW/SW Henderson.
Flag ceremony, BBQ, SFD visit – Everyone is welcome at Alki Masonic Lodge‘s annual event, starting with the annual flag-dedication ceremony at noon at 40th/Edmunds, including free burgers/hot dogs, and then visiting firefighters/SFD apparatus at 1 pm.
(See our calendar for more!)
NOT HAPPENING TODAY
-Banking (holiday)
-U.S. Postal Service (holiday)
-Libraries (closed)
-Many Seattle Parks facilities (here’s the closed/open list)
-City Council briefing meeting (councilmembers are back from 2-week end-of-summer break tomorrow)
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET
Cloudy, then clearing, high in the mid-70s. Sunrise will be at 6:28 am, sunset at 7:48 pm.
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