West Seattle, Washington
31 Sunday
(Saturday photo by Mark Filteau)
You saw their grand-prize-winning performance in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade … you might have seen their practice and photo shoot at Seacrest five days earlier … and now, the All-City Band has one more West Seattle performance, at this year’s Band Jam on Friday night. ACB director Marcus Pimpleton shares the full lineup in this invitation to you:
The Seattle All-City Band will once again be hosting the annual Band Jam event at the Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle.
This year’s event will take place this coming Friday, July 28th, from 7:00-9:00 pm and feature musical performances by the Junior All-City Band, the Gents Drumline, the John F. Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band, the Rainbow City Band, the Sumner High School Spartan Marching Band, and the Seattle Schools All-City Band.
Stadium concessions will be available beginning at 6:00 pm and pre-show entertainment by the Ten Man Brass Band will begin at 6:30. This family-friendly event celebrating young people and music is free to the public.
The lineup varies each year; here’s our coverage from last year. SWAC is at 2801 SW Thistle, across from Chief Sealth International High School.
Just wanted to get this on your post-Summer Fest calendar, if it’s not there already: One week from tonight, you’re invited to the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center for the West Seattle Big Band‘s 22nd annual Concert in the Park, free and fun. Bring a chair/blanket/picnic dinner, bring the family/friends/neighbors; the band, directed by Jim Edwards, starts playing at 7 pm Tuesday, July 18th. WSB is proud to be a co-sponsor this year. If you haven’t been before, while Hiawatha’s official address is 2700 California SW, the concert is on the Walnut side. See you there!
(2016 ‘Mini-STP’ photo by Don Brubeck)
Next Sunday morning, you’re invited to join West Seattle Bike Connections and an all-ages group of bicyclists on the fifth annual West Seattle Mini-STP ride – from California/Seattle in North Admiral, south to California/Portland in Gatewood, and back north to WS Summer Fest in The Junction. If you haven’t heard of it before, the name is a nod to the STP ride between the cities of Seattle and Portland, which is also happening next weekend. But instead of 200 miles, this one covers 10 – and that’s if you ride all the way back to the starting line after visiting the festival. The ride starts at 9:15 am next Sunday (July 16th) – what you need to know to be part of it is all here.
(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:21 PM: Alki Beach is in the midst of its annual pirate invasion – the Seafair Pirates landed just before 2 pm, aboard the Prudhoe Bay, courtesy of West Seattle-based Global Diving and Salvage.
(Photo tweeted by Brandon, @olysportsblog)
Though the landing itself is over, the party is not – it’s on until 6 pm. Live music started at 11:
Next band up is scheduled to be Queen Anne’s Revenge (3 pm-ish). Meanwhile, kids’ activities continue, including inflatable rides:
Vendors are offering merchandise including official T-shirts:
Among those gathered pre-landing, we even spotted a mermaid:
(added) And sword-wielding beach defenders:
(Photo by Don Brubeck)
ADDED 7:56 PM: More photos after the jump – including the aspiring pirates onshore! Read More
(2014 photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
One more reminder that this weekend’s biggest West Seattle event happens tomorrow – the Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki Beach. Thousands show up every year to greet the Pirates, whose website says they’ll land around 2 pm – be forewarned, the time can vary, likely to be earlier; last year, for example, it was closer to 1 pm. The festivities last all day, pre- and post-landing, including music (starting at 11 am), inflatable rides for kids, craft and food vendors, and more, 10 am-6 pm, mostly in the Alki Bathhouse vicinity (60th SW/Alki SW). No street closures but the beach zone will be jammed, so we suggest alternative transportation, or else get there really early if you want to find parking anywhere in the vicinity.
(WSB photo, Summer Fest Eve 2014)
It’s been three years since The Bubbleman whirled and swirled his show in the heart of The Junction on West Seattle Summer Fest Eve. But this year, Junction Association executive director Lora Swift tells us, he’ll be back. Summer Fest Eve is Thursday, July 13th, when the streets shut down for festival setup, and many local businesses start pre-festival fun, so this will be part of it – it’s West Seattle Art Walk night, too, and with the recent additions to Art Walk, you’ll find food and drink specials at many venues as well as art. Lora says Bubbleman will be there 7-8 pm on Summer Fest Eve, exact location TBA (the festival zone is on California between Edmunds and north of Oregon, and Alaska between 44th and 42nd) – and stand by for news of other SF Eve entertainment, too.
(WSB video showing 2016 Float Dodgers leaving the start line)
Continuing our summer-event countdowns … we’re less than three weeks from the sixth annual Float Dodger 5K, 
a fun costumed-if-you-want run/walk that precedes the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday, July 22nd. West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) presents it:
8:45 am – Free Kids Dash around the track
9:00 am – California Ave SW closes to traffic
9:30 am – Race starts
10:00 am – Awards ceremony and costume contest
10:15 am – Afterparty at West Seattle Runner
10:30 am – Parade floats are unleashed
“The track” is at Hiawatha Community Center (right across the street from WS Runner!), where the Float Dodger 5K starts and finishes again this year. Here’s the course map. The Float Dodger 5K benefits My Team Triumph; you can register online here (or in person at WS Runner, 2743 California SW).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Kristine Atri is a United States Air Force veteran who says not much scares her.
She in fact is a huge fan of “escape room” game venues.
So much so, that she’s opening the first one in West Seattle, where she and her husband live.
We talked with her today about The Escape Artist, which Atri expects to open this fall in three vacant spaces spanning about 2,500 square feet in the commercial building at 4517 California SW – two on the ground floor, separated by the breezeway, and one upstairs.
First – if you aren’t familiar with the “escape room” concept – it’s a 21st-century phenomenon, Atri explains.
It’s more than a hobby … amateur radio is vital to emergency preparedness in our area and many others, too. So – both to practice their skills and to offer a public view into how amateur radio works – International Field Day is under way right now, with local operators gathered in the south field on the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus on Puget Ridge through about 11 am Sunday.
You are invited to stop by any time before then (kids welcome too!) to see and hear how it works. While we were there, solar-power demonstrations were under way:
Just look for the antennas rigged in the field, and the tents nearby:
Thanks to David for the photo of the all-dad band DAD, performing right now on 48th Avenue SW west of The Junction. It’s the second year that they’ve closed the street (with permits) for an end-of-school-year party. They’re scheduled to play until about 10 pm, and you’re welcome to go join the party. They’re collecting donations for the PTA at West Seattle’s most-populous elementary, Genesee Hill.
Didn’t register in advance for the first-ever Loop the ‘Lupe tomorrow (Sunday, June 4th)? No worries – you can sign up starting at 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th SW/SW Myrtle), just east of Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center, home of numerous community-assisting programs and beneficiary of Loop the ‘Lupe.
It’s a four-event extravaganza, with the following starting times: Senior Saunter at 1 pm, Youth Dash at 1:30 pm, 5K at 1:45 pm, Obstacle Course at 2:10 pm; all four events are explained here.
Looks like comfortable weather for walking/running/dodging!
(WSB photo: EWA’s Dave McCoy @ past Fly Fest Guide Cookoff)
Fly-fishing fan? Know one? You’ll want to be at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park this Saturday (June 3rd) as Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) presents the annual free Fly Fest. Here’s the plan:
Schedule of Presentations and Casting Classes:
9:00 AM – Intro to Fly Casting Class
9:45 AM – Summer Steelhead Opportunities and Tactics
10:30 AM – Fly Fishing Puget Sound
11:15 AM – Single Hand Spey Demonstration
12:00 PM – EWA Guide Cookoff and Free Lunch
1:00 PM – Cuba: What US Anglers/Travelers need to know
1:45 PM – Advanced Casting Class: Double Hauling, Distance, etc.
2:30 PM – Fly Fishing Cascade Mountain CreeksAll presentations and classes are open to all, no reservations required!
All Day:
Demo rods from Scott, Winston, Sage, G. Loomis, Echo, Epic, Hardy, Redington, Fenwick, and More!
Check out the latest in gear from Patagonia, Simms, Costa, Yeti, Airflo, Rio, OPST, Outcast, Nautilus, Bauer, Waterworks-Lamson, Abel, Galvan, 3-Tand, Tibor, and More!
Experience the heat of competition as EWA guides battle it out in the Annual EWA Guide Cookoff. Sample guide lunches and make sure to cast your vote for the ever popular people’s choice award.
Free casting instruction all day from EWA Staff and IFFF Certified Instructors
Free seminars from EWA Staff and Industry Reps
Later on Saturday night, at Emerald Water Anglers’ Junction store (4502 SW Oregon) at 7 pm, it’s the Seattle premiere of “SLAM” with Hilary Hutcheson: “the engaging story of three female anglers from different walks of life in pursuit of the same epic challenge.” Free, but tickets are required – go here to get yours.
(Lost Pond in the West Duwamish Greenbelt)
Explore your peninsula! Next Saturday brings a special opportunity – the announcement and photo are from Judy Bentley:
On National Trails Day, Saturday, June 3, hike locally without crossing the bridge.
The West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group is sponsoring guided hikes in the largest urban forest in Seattle, on a ridge above the Duwamish RIver. Members of the trails group and Nature Consortium will be on hand to guide hikers and provide information on the history and reforestation of the greenbelt.
The first half of the trail is a constructed gravel trail. The second half is muddier and less developed. There are a few ups and downs and a bit of scrambling but only modest elevation changes, suitable for most ages with appropriate footwear. The trail makes a loop from the south end of the campus of South Seattle College, paralleling the campus in the greenbelt, to the Chinese Garden and Arboretum at the north end of campus, returning to the start along the campus and 16th Ave. SW.
Guided hikes will be at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Meet at 12th Ave. SW and SW Holly Street.
The West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group’s work was also featured at the first stop on last Thursday night’s Highland Park Find It, Fix It Walk (WSB coverage here).
Springtime’s most delicious event is just a few nights away … and we’re told a few tickets remain for the Taste of West Seattle. It’s Thursday night (May 25th) at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 6 pm for VIP admission, 6:30 pm for general admission, 40+ food/drink purveyors with fabulous things for you to enjoy (see the list in our previous update). 21+ – IDs will be checked at the door – and the proceeds go to West Seattle Helpline programs that prevent people from becoming homeless. Get your ticket(s) here ASAP!
(WSB photo from Taste of West Seattle 2016)
With less than one week left to buy tickets for West Seattle’s biggest annual celebration of food and drink, the Taste of West Seattle‘s lineup has been revealed.
Backstory: The Taste of West Seattle benefits West Seattle Helpline, whose work basically comes down to preventing people from becoming homeless, by providing emergency help. It’s happening 6 pm Thursday, May 25th, at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and you have to buy your ticket(s) by next Tuesday (May 23rd). From Helpline:
The Taste of West Seattle is a local, community-based food fair and is the largest event of its kind in West Seattle. This year’s Taste will feature food and drink from 40 different restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, and more – all from right here in West Seattle! Check out the restaurant lineup below:
BAKED. Custom Cakes
Bakery Nouveau
The Beer Junction
Beveridge Place Pub
The Bridge
Brookdale Admiral Heights/WS
Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe
Circa
Coastline Burgers
Copper Coin
Coral Wines
Dream Dinners, West Seattle
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Doolie’s Food
Duos Catering
Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Endolyne Joe’s
Fresh Bistro
Harry’s Chicken Joint
Husky Deli
The Lodge Sports Grille
Locöl Barley and Vine
Metropolitan Market
McCrea Cellars
Mioposto
Mission Cantina
Pecado Bueno
Phoenecia
Pecos Pit-West Seattle
Pizzeria 22
Prost! West Seattle
Salty’s on Alki
Schooner EXACT Brewing Co.
Stuffed Cakes
T2 Cellars
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes-Catering and Events
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Cellars
The Westy
Zeeks PizzaAll proceeds from the event go directly to the West Seattle Helpline’s emergency assistance and homelessness prevention programs. These services stabilize and support individuals and families in West Seattle who are recovering from a crisis or unexpected hardship.
Buy your tickets online right now – go here
For more information – go here
(Eight of the participating venues – Dream Dinners, Endolyne Joe’s, Metropolitan Market, Pecos Pit, Salty’s on Alki, Viscon Cellars, The Westy, and Zeeks Pizza – are WSB sponsors.)
One of the year’s biggest school fundraisers is just three weeks away: Sunday, May 21st, starting around 9:20 am, you can run, jog, walk, or roll in the West Seattle 5K. This is the ninth year for the WS5K, which takes you all along Alki, from the starting line near 61st SW/Alki SW, to Anchor Park and back. It’s been presented every May since 2009 by the West Seattle High School PTSA (with co-sponsors including WSB), and the proceeds go to programs for WSHS students. Your registration also gets you a cool T-shirt with the new logo (at right). Kids 6 and under run/walk for free. Don’t procrastinate – you can sign up here, now.
The outdoor obstacle course is a classic feature of Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), but this time – the first HKD since the Y’s expansion – you’ll find new fun too, especially indoors!
That’s the “make your own trail mix” area to help kids have fun learning about healthy snacks. Also new this year – executive director Shalimar Gonzales!
You’ll find family-oriented businesses and organizations on site too – like Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor), whose proprietors Mark Bremen and Ellen Bremen are there:
Here’s the list we published earlier this week showing the schedule, and list of activities, for what’s happening until 1 pm. The Y’s at 36th SW/SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle.
(WSB photo, Healthy Kids Day 2016 @ West Seattle YMCA)
Another look ahead to one of this weekend’s big events: Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) on Saturday. All welcome, membership not required, and it is an action-packed three hours, 10 am-1 pm, with so much to do. Here’s some of what, and who, you’ll find:
DEMOS SCHEDULE
10:30 Zumba
11:00 TBA
11:30 Y Staff Cha Cha Slide
12:00 Karate
12:30 WS Performing ArtsROTARY ROOM
Make and Take Arts and Crafts
Make and Take Snack
Dream Dinners
Smith BrothersSTUDIO ONE
Helmets
T-Shirt Pickup
Passport Prize PickupSTUDIO TWO
My ID Club
QUEENAX
Demo-Obstacle Course
KIDS ZONE
Tween Zone
Kids Corner
Adventure Zone
Outside Play Ground
Family RaceOUTSIDE
Obstacle Course
Dunk Tank
GaGa Pit
Y Summer Camp Booth
Climbing Wall
Bead Bracelets (Preschool)
Face Painting
BowlingCOMMUNITY BOOTHS
Mary’s Place
Chaco Canyon
Second Gear Sports
Neighborhood Health
School of Rock
Lil’ Bug StudioGYM
Fitness Station
Y Sports
Y BDays
Martial Arts
Seattle Public Library
Seattle Public Schools
Photo Booth
The West Seattle/Fauntleroy Y’s new executive director Shalimar Gonzales advises getting there early – free T-shirts and helmets are while supplies last (they have 100 of each). But everything else is free too, 10 am-1 pm Saturday, first one since the Y’s expansion was completed – 36th SW/SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
This pre-Easter morning full of egg hunts began with the biggest one of all – the only one in our area with aisles of smiles – the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) egg hunt, with hundreds of hunters finding many ways to cruise around the store:
The Easter Bunny was there as always to offer a paw for a high-five:
The hunting continued, past the freezer cases …
And if you looked closely at the cracker boxes …
Eventually it was time for a break to see what was inside those eggs:
For a trip down the memory aisle – our coverage of the Thriftway egg hunt from the past eight years:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
This morning also brought the annual egg hunt at Lincoln Park‘s south meadow, presented by Eastridge Church, which has branches in The Junction and on the Eastside, each one presenting a hunt with 40,000 treat-filled eggs promised between the two. Sometimes, just a few are enough to make a little one stop and consider:
The Eastridge event also offered other activities for kids, including face-painting.
After our drippy winter and early spring – the sun was out in full force for this morning’s egg hunts. We photographed some of the younger egg-hunters at High Point Community Center – as they looked around the play equipment, and on the tennis court:
Egg-hunting equipment has gone far beyond Easter baskets – this young participant had a unique tote:
More egg-hunt coverage to come.
It’s been a big morning full of egg hunts around West Seattle and we’re still out covering them. But first – a unique view of the Alki Community Center egg hunt, shared by Don Brubeck – first, above, the eggs are all out on the playfield … and then, kids get the go-ahead to go get them:
Alki is one of four city-run centers that had egg hunts this morning – we’ll have photos from High Point later (as well as two non-CC hunts), and we covered Hiawatha’s week-early hunt last Saturday. If you couldn’t get to any today, there are some tomorrow too, as listed on our Easter & More page.
(WSB photo @ Southwest Pool, April 2016)
In case you haven’t already seen it on the calendar already – tomorrow (Saturday) morning brings the annual fun, free, potentially life-saving April Pools Day event at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle), which invites kids and their families into the water to learn about:
Preventing open-water drowning
Life-jacket use and promotion
Cold-water awareness
Basic water rescue for children
No pre-registration necessary – just show up at SW Pool, 10:30 am-noon. (It’s one of seven Seattle city-run pools participating.) That’s conveniently right after the 10 am egg hunt at adjacent Southwest Teen Life Center!
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