West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
Need some inspiration? Check out more than 100 people joining forces to help local kids! Everywhere you turned at WestSide Baby‘s White Center warehouse/HQ this past Thursday night, volunteers of all ages gathered to “Sip and Sort.” They spent hours sorting donations – and none were more energized than the kids sorting “stuffies” to be distributed:
That young volunteer was impressed by the size of the stuffed shark. This one, even younger, was very adamant about sorting stuffies into age-appropriate piles – she was heard shouting “Baby safe! Baby safe!” multiple times.
Adult volunteers were busy too, readying dozens of car seats so they can be given to families to protect babies and toddlers:
One little-known fact about WestSide Baby that was spotlighted during Thursday night’s volunteer event: It doesn’t just serve babies. They serve older kids and even teenagers. That is at the heart of the current “Gear Up for Fall” campaign, although some Thursday sorters did deal with baby gear, like this huge box full of all types of bottles collected by Ridwell:
In addition to the 100+ volunteers giving WS Baby a boost on Thursday night, they got major support from King County too – a proclamation in honor of Diaper Need Week (which concludes tomorrow), and a $25,000 check, presented by County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and accepted by WS Baby’s executive director Allie Lindsay Johnson and development director Morgan McGinn before a short round of speaking:
WestSide Baby accepts donations from anyone – money and/or items – and diapers perennially top the need list. Or if you want to volunteer, at a one-time event like this or on an ongoing basis, here’s info on that.
Near Westcrest Park, a motorcyclist is seriously injured after crashing at 8th SW and SW Barton. Police have closed northbound 8th until the scene is cleared. They have said they believe no other vehicles were involved.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The words PEACE FOR ALL are outlined on the ground at the Harbor Avenue property known as Pier 1, as shown in the drone photo taken by West Seattle Indivisible today, in advance of their International Day of Peace mega-gathering tomorrow morning.
If 1,000 people show up, they’ll line all the letters, three across, as a “human banner” in honor of Peace Day. If fewer show up, organizer Laurie Reinhardt says, no worries, they have contingency plans, all the way down to 100 people filling out a single letter at a time, then moving to the next, and the next.
We visited the site today for a look at where Reinhardt’s idea will take shape, one way or another, whatever size it turns out to be. She stresses that it’s not meant to be a feel-good quick photo-op – it’s meant as a metaphor for the fact that, individually, people can only do so much, but together, “we are greater than the sum of our parts.” She hopes those who show up to be part of it will “really feel that” before leaving to go back to their everyday activities.
Before we get into how the event will unfold, some logistics points. A banner marks the fence by the main entrance to the property, 3 1/2 acres that have been long up for lease (after housing a crane yard for a while), being borrowed for this event with the owner’s permission.
Reinhardt and 70+ volunteers will get there first thing in the morning, but the gates won’t open for participants until 8:30, so don’t show up before then. Parking is on the street (though a small part of the west/north end of the property is set aside for volunteers to park, maximizing the number of street spaces available for participants).
After checking in, participants will move further into the site, which has an unbroken waterfront view – we asked Reinhardt to pose in the middle of one of the letters in PEACE:
They’ll have some amenities for the crowd – food trucks and portable toilets. Each letter will have a captain to show you where to stand and to hand out the flags made at the event we mentioned last weekend. The photo won’t be taken at one specific moment – there’ll be at least four drones photographing multiple times while the crowd listens to music and speeches, emceed by Port Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed, addressing global, national, regional, and local issues and possibilities. There will be a moment of silence, led by Admiral Church’s pastor Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom. The speeches and photography aren’t expected to happen until some point after 9:30 am – when they are pretty sure everyone who’s showing up has arrived.
Side note: While we chatted at the site this afternoon, Reinhardt said the original idea was to “think big” and see if this could be done on the West Seattle Bridge. She even got so far as to fill out a “25-page application,” before, she said, city officials including Mayor Harrell himself (who is also scheduled as a speaker on Sunday) realized it wasn’t that great an idea, especially on a day with a home Seahawks game.
So instead, “human banner” participants – all ages ages 14+ welcome – will gather on a West Seattle waterfront site frequented by “real” Seahawks (Ospreys are among the birds Reinhardt said they’d seen while at the site earlier, and we heard Bald Eagles’ distinctive call while talking). They’d appreciate it if you pre-registered, but you’re also welcome to just show up in the 2100 block of Harbor Avenue SW.
(WSB photo from 2024 autumn equinox sunset watch)
Fall officially arrives Monday morning with the equinox moment at 11:19 am – and that means West Seattle educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park on Monday evening to commemorate the change of seasons with one of the quarterly sunset-watch events she’s been leading for more than 15 years. It’ll include her interactive demonstration of what “equinox” really means, as well as an opportunity to see how the placement of markers and paths at the park lookout are meant to align with the sunset on equinoxes (and solstices). If you haven’t been to one of Alice’s events before, the Solstice Park lookout is uphill from the tennis courts (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW). She’ll be there 6:30-7:30 pm, with the actual sunset as seen from that site expected around 6:50-7 pm, though the official sunset is 7:06 pm. It’s free, fun, educational, all ages, happening whether the sun’s visible or not (heavy rain is the only weather that will cancel this).
12:46 PM: Look for banners like that one marking the 14 stops on this year’s free, self-guided West Seattle Art Tour, on until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow. Each stop has multiple artists, usually including the host whose studio/workspace is on the map. Our first stop today was the southernmost site, #4, where you’ll find printmaker Diane Kappa (WSB sponsor):
In her backyard studio, she showed us and other visitors a linoleum print she’s working on – she explained that it’s painstaking, but she puts on her headphones, turns on her music, and gets lost in her work.
(As noted here, Diane teaches classes too, so when you visit during the Art Tour, you can talk with her about those!)
She’s hosting three other artists at her Arbor Heights studio/backyard as part of the Art Tour, including another. printmaker, Sahily Anais Perez McMillan:
Sahily is also a printmaker, with subjects including birds, like this Spotted Towhee:
She told us she’s a bird advocate and has volunteered with Birds Connect Seattle, so they’re more than just subjects! Also at this site in Arbor Heights (see the map for the address) are artists Tanya Knannlein and Shelly Sazama, who both work in textiles. In addition to the clickable map we’ve linked to (which includes artists’ websites and short descriptions of their work), there’s a printable map on the Art Tour website too. We’re headed to the north end next and will add more Art Tour sights later.
2:50 PM: Thanks to Eddie for this photo from northernmost stop #12 on the map, in North Admiral:
This stop is hosted by colored-pencil artist Jan Koutsky, with visiting artists Johanna Lindsay (jewelry), relief block printer Theresa Neinas, and ceramics/pottery artist Jody Wally.
4 PM: Our last stop of the first day was Daniel Bernunzio‘s home studio in Highland Park, easternmost stop on the Art Tour, #1 on the map.
In our photo below is the host at center, with visiting artists Cat Brooks (left) and Eric Eschenbach (right) – all three are painters:
Each has an individual tent showcasing their work – Daniel:
Cat:
And Eric:
As with everyone else on the Art Tour, they’re there until 5 today, and again 10 am-5 pm on Sunday.
(WSB photos)
The second hour of today’s six-hour Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church has just begun. We were there for photos half an hour ago and one volunteer told us it had been “nonstop.” However, no backup – it’s always a very efficient operation with partner 1 Green Planet, with multiple bins, trucks, and boxes ready for whatever you’re dropping off:
Here again is the long list (PDF) of what you can bring for free recycling (and a shorter list of what they won’t accept). They’ll be there till 3 pm.
But don’t wait until the last hour unless that’s absolutely the soonest you can get there – they try to avoid an end-of-day backup. The church offers this service to the community twice a year; if you miss today’s Recycle Roundup, watch for advance announcement of the date for the next one, in spring.
9:55 AM: If you’ve been seeing the Southern Resident Killer Whale updates in recent days but couldn’t get down to the water to look, maybe today’s your day. Kersti Muul reports J-Pod orcas are back in the area, southbound from just north of West Seattle at last report.
2:31 PM: Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail says they are northbound again, currently off north end of Blake Island, and she’s at Emma Schmitz Overlook (across from Me-Kwa-Mooks, 4500 block Beach Drive SW) with binoculars to share.
2:45 PM: Donna says they’re closer to Bainbridge now, so she’s heading toward the Alki area.
3:55 PM: She ended up staying at Emma Schmitz Overlook and says more J-Pod whales were headed north in Colvos Passage along the west side of Vashon Island.
(Moon and Venus Friday morning, photo by Kevin Freitas)
Welcome to the last weekend of summer! Here’s our big West Seattle list for Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
ORCA HALF: This big running event, starting at Lincoln Park and ending at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, is spread across two days this year. No road closures, but be watchful of runners. Participants start in waves beginning at 7:30 am each day; course maps and other information can be found on the Orca Half website.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Want to run a shorter course today? West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!
GARAGE/YARD SALES: See this weekend’s listings in the WSB Community Forums. (If you have a sale to add, but don’t have a login for that section, go to westseattleblog/log-in – thanks!)
RECYCLE ROUNDUP: Fall edition of Fauntleroy Church‘s popular free-dropoff event, 9 am-3 pm. Here’s the list of what they will and won’t accept this time. (9140 California SW)
URBAN FARMING WORKSHOP: 9 am at Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon), the first workshop in a series that will teach you about growing food in an urban community garden, as previewed here.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.
WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT HIKE: This month’s free hike leaves from Westcrest Park (7th/Cloverdale), 9:30 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: That’s followed by this 10 am walk, which you can join even if you didn’t go on the introductory walk. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
WEST SEATTLE ART TOUR: Day 1 of this free two-day self-guided tour at stops all over the peninsula where you can meet dozens of artists and discover their work! 10 am-5 pm; the Art Tour website includes printable and clickable versions of the map as well as the artist list. (Community co-sponsors include WSB.)
HELP VFW WITH ROOF PROJECT: If you can spare some time, the West Seattle VFW welcomes volunteers to help winterize their roof before rainy season. 10 am. (3601 SW Alaska)
WESTFEST AT HOLY ROSARY: The fall festival/carnival’s second and biggest day, 10 am-10 pm on the school grounds, with music, food, rides, games, bingo, even a book sale. The entertainment schedule is in our calendar listing. See our report on night 1 here. (41st/42nd/Genesee/Dakota)
ADMIRAL DISTRICT HISTORY TOUR: Still a few spots as of early this morning! 10 am; meet at Belvedere Park (37th SW & SW Admiral Way).
BATMAN DAY AT TAILS TO ASTONISH: Deals and freebies during this special day at the comic-book store, 10 am-5 pm. (5633 California SW)
ALKI BEACH CLEANUP: As part of the International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers will spend two hours cleaning up Alki – details here. To help, show up at Alki Bathhouse at 10 am. (2701 Alki SW)
SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: One more month to shop at this weekly market! Open 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, in and around the courtyard at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, sweet treats, body-care products, more!
RICE, BEANS, HAPPINESS POP-UP: 10 am-3 pm at Milpa Masa (3416 SW Webster).
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.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FREE WRITING GROUP: On hiatus; no gathering until mid-October
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
ANTIQUE MALL OF WEST SEATTLE SALE: 11 am to 5 pm today, second day of four-day sale. (4516 California SW)
ONE LAST DOG-SWIM SESSION: “Dog Days of Summer” last day at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW), noon-5 pm, $5 per dog to come swim in the pool (no humans in the pool, though) before it’s closed for offseason cleaning.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SHREKLEBALL: 1-4 pm, it’s the annual pickleball funfest and potluck for “Shrek” fans (well, fan status not required), as explained in our calendar listing, at Delridge Community Center. All welcome, even if you’re not an experienced pickleball player and you don’t have gear. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
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 request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.
HOPS FOR HOPS: Pet bunnies and drink beer at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 2-5 pm.
FREE MASSAGE: Walk-in clinic returns at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), short, specific sessions, 3-5 pm.
GOOD DAY SAUNA’S LINCOLN PARK DEBUT: 4-8 pm portable sauna on the shore, sessions sold out per website.
EVENING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Roo Forrest and Friends at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, no cover, all ages.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, tonight it’s two bands in the School of Rock Adult Showcase. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘NERDLESQUE RISES’: The return of nerdy burlesque, as previewed here – experience it tonight, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Roc Phizzle at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight, with rotating DJ Josh and DJ NightMere, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes with 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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