West Seattle, Washington
12 Sunday
(Photos by Holli Margell)
It’s a North Delridge fall tradition – cider-pressing! Blustery weather couldn’t stop this year’s edition, and so the West Seattle Tool Library-loaned cider press was set up under a canopy at the Delridge P-Patch, and friends and neighbors of all ages got busy collaborating, like Lily and Cooper above. Below, Harpo (with mom Amanda Leonard) will likely have to wait a year or two.
If you missed the cider event, another chance to meet North Delridge neighbors is coming up when the neighborhood council meets, 6:30 pm Monday, October 14th, at Delridge Library.
Exactly three months until Christmas! No, we’re not trying to rush things, but the clock IS ticking on the West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular contest announced a month ago – “Name That Snowman,” on behalf of the new emcee the synchronized-holiday-lights show will have this year, an 8-foot-tall talking, singing snowman. The contest details and rules are on the West Seattle Lights website; the winner gets to push the button and turn on the lights on opening night of this year’s show, 7 pm Saturday, November 30th (3908 SW Charlestown).
To commemorate the first-ever standup-comedy show at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), we stopped by Wednesday night for a pre-show photo of the comedians, (updated) from left – Jeffrey Robert, Cait Parks, Daryl Coxy, Cris Rodriguez , host/headliner Mona Concepcion, and Sara Bergner; Mona tells us there will be another comedy night October 16th.
Then, talking to Feedback co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert, we found out about something new for Wednesday nights starting next week – here’s a hint:
Custom cards are now in the house because Wednesday nights at 7 pm, starting September 25th, the Feedback will offer Purse Poker – show up, sit down for a game of Texas Hold ‘Em, but – as the explanatory flyer says – “instead of using money to ante up, you ‘bet’ with items in your purse.” Just about anything except for unwrapped food and alcohol. Yes, guys can play, but purse still required, says the Feedback. Games start at 7 pm but you can come in and join in any time between then and close.
Hard to find comedy in West Seattle’s nightlife – but this Wednesday (September 18) will be an oasis of laughter at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) with six comics on one bill – headlined by West Seattle’s own Mona Concepcion. The “Fantasy Island” theme is inspired at least in part by Mona hailing from Saipan, the reason she describes herself as “the world’s only female Chamorro comedian.” Long before she became a standup comedian, she was a funny writer, and her blog-format website kirida.com was a mainstay on the old WSB “blogroll” page. Show’s free, and it starts at 8 pm Wednesday.
(UPDATED post-show with award-ceremony video, list, more photos)
Sunbreaks at the West Seattle Car Show – and “bright overcast” in general! Come on down to The Junction for what looks to be a few hours of good weather, now that even the fog has passed. Next door at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, it’s the Zucchini 500:
That continues until 1 pm; the car show will continue for a few hours past that – c’mon down! Though admission is free, consider bringing a few dollars for raffles benefiting Pencil Me In For Kids, which provides school supplies to kids in need. You can get your tickets at California/Alaska, which is where we (in our sixth year as a co-sponsor) are hanging out too – a few yards from the SDOT camera providing this view looking north:
This is the sixth year of the car show – produced by Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design. More car photos shortly!
11:47 AM: This might be the most unlikely sight at the show, at the northeast corner of California/Alaska:
It’s here on behalf of the Seattle Lutheran High School auto shop – and here’s what it’s from:
The photo explains that “this year’s project (is a) frame-up rebuild of a 1963 Bel-Air wagon.” If you pass that corner, stop by our nearby table for a free WSB-labeled ice scraper – we brought along a few leftovers from our giveaways at last year’s fall-festival season.
Not much ice-scraper weather last year, but you never know, might come in handy.
Speaking of weather, another sunbreak is moving through, and things have definitely dried out since the brief thunderstorm a few hours earlier – which even at its height didn’t deter spectators. We spotted a couple Junction entrepreneurs snapping pix:
That’s Dean from West 5 at left, Matt Vaughan from Easy Street Records at right. Dean’s co-proprietor Dave Montoure is here too – we photographed him with mom Paula, whose ’58 Nash Metropolitan is in the show:
12:31 PM: The sun’s even brighter. The forecast suggests this is the big break before stormy weather this evening, so now is PRIME TIME to get outside if you haven’t come on down yet. Turnout’s been excellent:
Thanks to everyone who has stopped by to say hi! Couple more hours to see the cars before the winners are announced. Speaking of which, more photos, starting with this 1970 Ford Gran Torino:
And a 1956 Alfa Romeo:
Voting wraps up around 1 pm. Lot of folks here are looking ahead to tonight’s football game – we’re seeing Seahawks jerseys everywhere.
1:55 PM: About an hour until the awards are announced, so if you’re still thinking of coming to the show – it’ll likely be clearing out around 3:30 pm, so don’t wait too long. We’ve seen one politician so far today – Mayor McGinn circulated in the late morning:
He and challenger State Sen. Ed Murray will both be in West Seattle this Tuesday (September 17th), 1 pm, for a forum/debate at the Senior Center of West Seattle (as previously reported here) – all welcome. Back to the cars:
That’s a 1956 Porsche. For some reason, it’s the mid-’50s cars that have caught our eye today – this is a ’56 Ford:
The rain’s continued to stay away except for a brief sprinkle that blew through about an hour ago.
3:40 PM: The show’s a wrap – awards have been handed out and the cars are leaving. We rolled video on the awards ceremony and will add that here after we upload it back at HQ.
5 PM: Thanks to whomever texted us that the streets in The Junction are open again – as you can see via the “live” camera in this story.
6:51 PM: Jim Clark has a wonderful gallery of car-show photos – browse them here. And he shared these two with us for publication:
Meantime, here’s our video of the awards ceremony that concluded the show:
(added) We asked show producer Michael about a written list – here’s what we received:
Favorite West Seattle Car – Bob Harvey / 1937 Buick 10
Favorite Foreign Car – Dennis Saxon / 1965 Austin Healy MKIII BJ8
Favorite Ford – David and Alissa Riker (father & daughter) / 1970 Ford Torino
Favorite Mopar – Gini Bailey / 1933 Plymouth Coupe
Favorite Chevy – Mike Wilson / 1962 Chevrolet Belair
Favorite 20s – Greg Holmes / 1929 Ford “A”
Favorite 30s – Terry Skiple / 1932 Ford Coupe
Favorite 40s – Steve Neilsen / 1947 GMC COE
Favorite 50s – Ken Thompson / 1950 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight DLX 4 door
Favorite 70s – 1970 Dodge Challenger SEParticipants’ Choice:
Winner: Chris Alther / 1966 Chevy Nova supersport
Rudy Alviar / 1951 Chevy Bel Air 2 door hardtop convertible
Ron Rolfsness / 1957 Chevy Cameo Pickup
Michael Daily (Mission Moto) / 1975 Honda CB125
Bill Dwyer / 1954 MG MGNSRA Safety Award – Fred E. Yeates / 1938 Olds 2 door
Sponsor Awards:
Liberty Bell Print & Design – Scotty Almoslino / 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible
Don Swanson Insurance – Jack Gentry / 1968 Chevy Impala
West Seattle Thriftway Award – 1968 Chevy Camaro
Gary Parker Memorial – Steve Olson / 1967 AMC Rebel SST
P.S. – Next street-closing celebration in The Junction will be this year’s Harvest Festival on October 27th (as announced earlier this month).
Some fun summer events are intricately planned and formally booked … some are just “let’s see who shows up and what happens.” The generally annual “Alki Classic” bike/trike/unicycle ride, barbecue, jugglefest, etc., is more along the latter lines. One of our favorite anonymous community contributors shared photos from this year’s edition, which included fun at Lincoln Park under the clouds (below) as well as the late-in-the-day sunshine (above).
The route from Lincoln Park was scheduled to proceed toward the event’s namesake beach – so if you saw a group with human-powered wheeled transportation of all configurations, as well as some juggling, now you know who it was. As noted in our morning preview, it’s always open to the public, so if you missed the advance word, watch for it next year!
One more reminder before Sunday arrives – California SW will be closed in The Junction, between SW Genesee and SW Edmunds, 
6 am to 6 pm tomorrow, for the sixth annual West Seattle Car Show. The show itself runs 8 am-4 pm; spectators are free, while pre-1980 cars/trucks/motorcycles are $20 if you haven’t pre-registered (yes, there are trophies!). Looks like the weather will be best in the morning, so come down early, have breakfast or lunch, and we’ll see what happens. The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on as usual, too, 10 am-2 pm, featuring this year’s Zucchini 500 (10 am-1 pm). We’ll be in The Junction reporting live; hope to see you there.
From West Seattle Car Show producer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design, here’s your preview of this year’s official T-shirt, three days before the show (with co-sponsors including WSB). It’s the sixth year that classic (pre-1980) cars, trucks, and motorcycles will line the heart of The Junction; Hoffman says pre-registration is at its highest level ever. But you can still register on show day – registration is $20, T-shirt (optional) $10. Here’s the form! No admission charge for spectators, as always; just come stroll The Junction 8 am-4 pm on Sunday (September 15th) and enjoy the sights and sounds (classic music, too). P.S. As with other events closing California SW in The Junction, there’ll be bus reroutes that day – check Metro to see if yours is affected.
(Photo courtesy Austrian Club of Washington)
The Austria Club of Washington is bringing its Oktoberfest celebration back to West Seattle – and getting out the word early, because you have to buy tickets in advance – by postal mail! It’s at 6 pm Saturday, October 5th, at the Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW):
Western Washington’s most authentic Oktoberfest! Wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen and join the Austria Club of WA in celebrating our Alpine heritage and the fall season. Traditional music, Bavarian food, plus beer and wine at reasonable cost. Na, Prost! $30 (includes dinner) ADVANCE PURCHASE ONLY!
Table Reservations for Parties of 8; tickets must be paid and reservations made by October 1. Mail check (made out to Austria Club of WA) to: Rosie Mulholland, 11737 5th Avenue NE, “C,” Seattle, WA 98125
For info, call Rosie at 206.367.1988 or Martin Král at 206.546.9692
Less than one week to go until the sixth annual West Seattle Car Show in The Junction this Sunday (September 15th), produced by Liberty Bell Print and Design. The show will close California SW in the business district starting early Sunday morning; official hours for the show are 8 am-4 pm. Pre-1980 cars, trucks, motorcycles will be parked on both sides of the street, and it’s free to spectators. Early registration is over for participants but you can enter on show day if there’s room – $25; details on this page of the official website. The West Seattle Farmers’ Market will be on as usual (10 am-2 pm) that day too. For more West Seattle Car Show details, check out the official website and our August 12th preview; WSB is among the co-sponsors, as we’ve been each year since it began.
We’re outside Alki Bathhouse, where chairs and a mini-stage are set up in advance of the 1:30 pm dedication ceremony for the “Sentinels of the Sound” sculpture by Georgia Gerber – a highlight of Seal Sitters‘ Harbor Seal Day festivities, under way here until 4 pm. If you’re not here yet, get yourself to the beach! Even if you don’t make it for the ceremony, there’s plenty more to see and do. Here’s the order of events for the rest of the day:
2 pm ribbon cutting (following speeches)
2:15-2:45 pm jazz quintet on the east side of the Bathhouse
2:15-3:45 pm face-painting with Lashanna on the east side of the Bathhouse
2:30 pm cake/refreshments inside the Bathhouse
3:45 pm raffle winners drawn/announced (don’t have to be here to win)
4 pm festivities conclude
The organizations inside the Bathhouse there to meet you, answer questions, etc., include not just the Seal Sitters, but also The Whale Trail, Killer Whale Tales, NOAA, Puget SoundKeeper Alliance, PAWS, Tox-Ick, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
2:15 PM UPDATE: The ceremony and speeches just ended; fun continues inside and outside the Bathhouse. We have it all on video and will publish that later.
3:27 PM UPDATE: The event photos and video will be in a separate report, but we’ve added one image here – Seal Sitters kids who joined founder Brenda Peterson onstage to tell their stories, after she told three – the story of Spud, the pup who inspired the creation of Seal Sitters; Leopard and Silkie, who became the subject of a book by Peterson and SS’s first responder (and much more) Robin Lindsey; and Sandy, the pup who was rehabilitated, then tracked, then died because of abandoned fishing gear. You’ll hear it all on our forthcoming video. The event’s on till 4; really big crowd!
That’s Strong Suit, the band you’ll see onstage at Hiawatha Community Center – east lawn, or in the gym if it rains – Thursday night (August 29th) at 6:30. It’ll be the final show in this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with co-sponsors including WSB. The other outdoor-entertainment series have already wrapped for the year, so bring a blanket and/or chair, even a picnic dinner, and come bid summer farewell with Strong Suit’s guitar-pop sound. It’s been another summer of smash shows, with hundreds on the lawn each Thursday night; we’re likely to hear a series recap when ANA next meets, second Tuesday of the month – September 10th, 7 pm, on the lower level of Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill).
In the tradition of drive-in movie theaters (remember those?) doubling as swap-meet venues, the big-screen-centered courtyard outside Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is hosting a multi-seller rummage/craft sale until 3 pm. Too big for one camera lens – what you see is barely half the setup. Walking up a little while ago, we heard exclamations such as, “Did you see THIS?” (which can mean many things at a rummage sale!). Sellers tell us it’s been going well, but there’s still lots to browse. Then tonight – come back when the gates open at 6:30 pm for the last West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of the season, “This Is Spinal Tap,” with Those Guys playing live before the movie. Co-sponsors include Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and West 5, and WSB continues as this year’s media sponsor; the movie’s free, starting at dusk (8:30ish, if not slightly earlier), but bring some cash if you can for concessions and raffle prizes, all benefiting local nonprofits. Haven’t been here before? Southeast corner of California/Genesee on the north edge of The Junction.
Three weeks from Sunday, on September 15th, the sixth annual West Seattle Car Show rolls into The Junction. The poster’s now out and making its way onto windows, walls, and bulletin boards; signups are revving up too – WSCS producer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design says more than 50 of the 100 goodie bags for the first 100 entries are already spoken for. The discount early-bird registration rate, $15, is good until September 1st – download and mail the form ASAP. For spectators, it’s free as always – the vehicles (pre-1980 cars, trucks, motorcycles) will be parked along closed California Avenue SW in the heart of The Junction, 8 am-4 pm on show day, and you can wander to your heart’s content. The West Seattle Farmers’ Market will be on as usual (10 am-2 pm) that day too. For more West Seattle Car Show details, check out the official website and our August 12th preview; we’re proud to be among the co-sponsors again this year.
Here’s what’s ahead for West Seattle’s weekly free summer entertainment events this week – two of which are season finales:
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Still two more shows to go in this series, with Fly Moon Royalty onstage tomorrow (Thursday) night, 6:30 pm, as the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented concerts (with co-sponsors including WSB) continue on the east lawn at Hiawatha (along Walnut Ave. south of Lander).
CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: It’s ’60s nostalgia at 6 pm Friday night as The Spyrographs take the stage for this year’s fourth and final outdoor concert on the south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. On the menu for (optional) dinner at 5:30 pm – salmon or chicken Caesar salad.
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Saturday is the grand finale for this summer’s series (with co-sponsors including WSB), with the ’80s classic “This Is Spinal Tap” screening Saturday at dusk (around 8:30 pm; gates open at 6:30) on the big screen next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor). The movie’s free, but if you can, please bring $ for concessions and raffle supporting local nonprofits.
While many schools start up two weeks from today (!) the Seattle Public Library wants to make sure kids and their families are aware its Summer Reading Program isn’t over yet. And they can get credit for reading they’ve already done:
If you know a child who has or will read 10 books this summer, bring them to your local library branch to fill out their Reading Certificate. Each finisher receives PRIZES! They will receive a free book of their very own, a family pass to go to the Burke Museum for FREE and their name on our Wall of Champions. If they haven’t read 10 books, that’s okay. They can receive a cool window cling for reading 5 books!
Our area has four SPL branches – find the one nearest you by going here. The Summer Reading Program officially ends on August 31st, but that’s still ten days away.
(Thanks to Bruce for sharing the Alki Point-area view from Saturday – busy on the water!)
The full list of what’s up today/tonight is on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – but before the morning’s over, here’s a quick 5-point highlights list for this afternoon:
CITY DOG MAGAZINE COVER DOG SEARCH: Once again this summer, West Seattleite-founded City Dog Magazine comes to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) for its Cover Dog Search (which has had local winners in the past). Noon-3 pm; details in our calendar listing. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
OUTDOOR THEATER AT WESTCREST PARK: West Seattle-based theaterSimple presents “The Adventures of Owl and the Pussycat,” 1 pm at Westcrest Park in Highland Park! Details in our calendar listing. (9000 8th SW)
‘IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK’: We’ve previewed it multiple times, including earlier today – today’s the day to tour and learn about the 100-year-old North Admiral home that former mayor Greg Nickels and family have been restoring, as a benefit for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. VIP event 1-3 pm, tours 3-5 pm. More in this morning’s preview, and on the SWSHS website. (1910 47th SW)
TOUR ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: You’re running out of chances to see the hundred-year-old lighthouse this summer – tours only continue through the end of August. 1-4 pm today. (On Alki Point, where Beach Drive and Alki Avenue meet)
‘GUYS AND DOLLS’ FINALE: 3 pm at West Seattle High School Theater, the final performance of Twelfth Night Productions‘ musical. Details in the calendar listing. (3000 California SW)
(WSB photo from our September 2012 car-show coverage)
The big event that has wrapped up summer in West Seattle the past five years is indeed coming back for a sixth. We talked today with Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design, producer of what’s now officially the West Seattle Car Show. As you’ll see on the official website at WScarshow.com, the show is set for 8 am-4 pm Sunday, September 15th, in the heart of The Junction. Registration is open now for pre-1980 cars, trucks, and motorcycles – download the form here.
Sponsors from all around West Seattle and beyond are lining up, headed up by West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) and Don Swanson Insurance returning as “best in show” sponsors; other co-sponsors include WSB again this year. Hoffman says he’s already heard from car clubs too, especially because of a recent feature about the show in the Northwest car enthusiasts’ magazine CruZin‘. Admission will again be free, and they’ll sell raffle tickets benefiting Pencil Me In For Kids, which provides school supplies to kids in need; raffle prizes include a grill donated by Junction True Value (WSB sponsor). TJ Entertainment, which has provided music the past few years, is lined up for this year again too. And helping you keep The Junction clean while attending will be Waste Management, which donates and handles the totes for recycling and trash.
P.S. First 100 cars to register get a goodie bag, and Hoffman says more than a few are already spoken for, so sign up quick. Categories are listed on the website, and there’ll be a “best West Seattle car” category again too. Stand by for more updates as the West Seattle Car Show (just under five weeks away) gets closer!
On the stage on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, playing to hundreds of people enjoying another perfect summer evening, that’s Impossible Bird in our short Instagram video clip. (added) And here’s a full song:
Summer Concerts at Hiawatha aren’t just about the music – there’s lots happening on the sidelines, like Joyful the Clown making balloon animals for kids:
Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) is presenting Joyful tonight. Other freebies include popsicles from the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which presents the concert series – here’s past and current presidents Katy Walum and David Whiting:
Katy organizes the concert series, now in its fifth year (and we’re proud to have been a sponsor every year since the start). Yet more freebies tonight – coffee and iced tea from Starbucks, and peaches from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), which is now in its Peach-O-Rama mode. Plus: West Seattle’s own Marty Riemer is tonight’s emcee:
He told the crowd that Impossible Bird has been on his podcast many times – they’re making beautiful music onstage while families, friends, and neighbors visit. The free concert continues until 8 or so – if you’re not here already, c’mon over.
P.S. Next week, same time/place, it’s Massy Ferguson, for the fourth of this year’s six Thursday night concerts. And there’s more outdoor music in West Seattle tomorrow – the second of four concerts on the south side of Providence Mount St. Vincent, featuring the Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band; the 6 pm concert is free, and dinner’s available for purchase (menu here).
(2010 WSB photo taken during a concert at The Mount)
Another outdoor-concert series gets going this week in West Seattle- Summer Concerts at The Mount, presented at and by Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor), four consecutive Friday nights starting August 2nd. The show’s free, presented on the south side of The Mount’s campus (4831 35th SW), with free popcorn and snow cones – but you have the option to buy dinner/drinks, to make a picnic out of it. We just procured the menu, but first, the musical lineup:
AUGUST 2: Ian McFeron – Singer/songwriter with upbeat musical styles.
AUGUST 9: Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band – 5-piece bluegrass/country acoustic group.
AUGUST 16: 85th Street Big Band – 20-piece big band featuring swing favorites from the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s, including tunes made famous by Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Nat King Cole.
AUGUST 23: The Spyrographs – 5-piece band that plays the best Spy, Pop, Surf and Bossa Nova hits of the ’60s.
Read on for the full-series menu:
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No big festival or parade in West Seattle tomorrow – but fun events abound just the same. The video’s from the WSB sponsor where you’ll find one of those events – a community open house at West Seattle Fight and Fitness in North Delridge. Tomorrow from 10 am to 3 pm, you’re invited to stop by to tour the facility, where more remodeling is under way, and meet seven community vendors, including Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic (also a WSB sponsor), plus there’s word a food truck will be there too. Here’s the Facebook event page; WSFF is at 5050 Delridge Way SW.
(WSB/The South Park News photo from 2012 Lucha Libre)
August 17th will be another one of those HUGE days. Here in West Seattle, the Delridge Day festival (presented by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council with co-sponsors including WSB) is happening 11 am-4 pm at Delridge Community Center/Park, with this year’s Picnic at the Precinct co-locating there the same day. Meantime, our neighbors in South Park host the Duwamish River Festival noon-4 pm that day, with THIS big just-confirmed fun – a third year of Lucha Libre, Mexican-style masked wrestling following at 6 pm – read on for the official announcement:
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On the day that Paul McCartney‘s concert tour stopped in Seattle, some Beatles homage from local kids-music star Caspar Babypants. He’ll soon release an album of Beatles songs, and is selling advance copies at shows like today’s concert at Hiawatha Fun Fest – where he had the little ones hopping and bopping to a cut from the “Baby Beatles” collection, “Here Comes the Sun“:
With Caspar at Hiawatha, his CD cover artist and wife, illustrator and collage creator Kate Endle:
And after the concert, it was time for the hundreds of kids at Fun Fest to play carnival games:
They also got to check out the Kid Picks truck visiting from PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor):
And though this year’s Fun Fest was missing the traditional West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court coronation, royalty was there anyway:
That’s Senior Court Queen April, who you’ll see with the Hi-Yu float “Alki Deep” in tomorrow’s West Seattle Grand Parade, and her mom. (More big events ahead at Hiawatha this summer – including the start of the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series at 6:30 pm next Thursday (July 25)!
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