VIDEO: West Seattle Big Band captivates Concert in the Park crowd
It’s a 27-year tradition for the West Seattle Big Band – the midsummer Concert in the Park. Here are some of the people who showed up tonight to enjoy the free concert at High Point Commons Park:
They were treated to more than an hour and a half of music from the WSBB, directed by Jim Edwards, with vocalists tonight including the band’s newest singer, Sam Henry:
Longtime vocalist Jenaige Lane, too:
And a guest return appearance by former vocalist Jeff Carter:
The concert was sponsored by the West Seattle Grand Parade (this Saturday!). During the school year, you can catch the WSBB performing at fundraisers for student musicians; you’ll often see them at other big West Seattle events too, like the Fauntleroy Fall Festival in October.
FOLLOWUP: SDOT says it’s finished High Point Healthy Street construction
(WSB photo, 34th/Morgan)
Though most of the attention has gone to the Alki Point stretch, West Seattle has two other “Healthy Streets,” and SDOT sent an announcement this week that it’s done with work on what was the first one announced in 2020, officially the “High Point Healthy Street” though it stretches into Sunrise Heights. After a downsizing decision last year, SDOT retained the designation for 34th SW between Graham and Holden. Most of what the “construction” entailed was the placement of permanent concrete-base signage, including some with planters, as shown above, and pavement markings around the signs. SDOT says it will decide by year’s end whether the other West Seattle Healthy Street, Delridge/Highland Park, will become permanent; community advocates have long been requesting that if it does, the Trenton stretch is removed, as that’s a major neighborhood connection street.
FYI: Film crew planning to work near 35th/Morgan tomorrow
Thanks to Chris for the tip about no-parking signs in the 34th/35th/36th/Morgan vicinity. A close-up look shows they’re attributed to a production company for “filming” tomorrow (Monday, June 17). Detailed information on some of the signage pointed us toward the production manager, who tells WSB they’ll be filming a “TV commercial” tomorrow; he isn’t allowed to say what the commercial’s for, but insists it’s nothing “exciting.” He says passersby will notice production trucks and a motor home, and that what they’re filming will include a delivery truck rigged with a camera, “driving around the neighborhoods,” with a police escort.
CAN YOU HELP? Bloodworks Northwest looking for more donors in West Seattle
If you can donate blood, Bloodworks Northwest hopes to see you at one of its West Seattle donation locations in the next week and a half. They’re offering an extra incentive, too. Here’s the announcement:
Water adventures await you this summer! Donate blood in June and ENTER TO WIN a BOTE Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board & Life Vest. Sail The Sound, Deschutes, Willamette, and beyond!
The lucky winner will be contacted between July 3-15, 2024. They will have 24 hours to accept their prize.
Bloodworks Northwest will be at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor Ave SW) for blood drives on June 3, 4, 10, and 11, and at Peace Lutheran Church, West Seattle (8316 39th Ave SW) on June 5.
Please sign up to give blood! Appointments are required. If you need help booking an appointment, please contact Bloodworks DONOR CARE TEAM at 800-398-7888 or e-mail schedule@bloodworksnw.org
VIDEO: ‘Let us be peacemakers,’ urges speaker @ Forest Lawn’s West Seattle Memorial Day remembrance
That was the most touching moment of today’s Memorial Day remembrance at Forest Lawn in West Seattle – the presentation of a U.S. flag to Gregorio Garcia, one of a dozen Filipino American World War II veterans honored with Congressional Gold Medals in 2017. This afternoon’s event had a special spotlight on Filipino Americans, as it was held in partnership with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.
NaFFAA’s national president Mariela Fletcher spoke about being “united in remembrance and gratitude” for veterans, who “embody faith and resilience” as a “guiding light.” She also reflected on “these troubling times” and urged everyone present, “let us be peacemakers.” Also urging a peaceful resolution for current conflicts was Maricres Valdez Castro. who sang the national anthem and read a poem about her grandfather’s brothers, who died in WWII:
Other speakers included John Miller, with a brief tribute to those who gave their lives “knowing that our country is worth any risk.”
Here’s the event in its entirety, starting with the anthem:
The flag-handling was by members of the Seattle Police Honor Guard.
Flags in the cemetery were placed by volunteers Shawn Vogt and Vina Vogt:
This is the first year that Forest Lawn has held the previously annual ceremony since 2019.
PHOTOS: West Seattle Bee Festival draws swarms of visitors
(Thanks to Lora for the photos)
10:58 AM: If ever you’ve wanted to find out more about the West Seattle Bee Garden, today is THE day. The West Seattle Bee Festival is under way all day in and around High Point Commons Park (Lanham/Graham). The morning is devoted to walking and running activities, with the help of Emerald City Wanderers:
Then from noon to 4 pm, booths will be set up along Lanham Place, with a variety of organizations and vendors to visit, and you can check out activities and demonstrations – to learn about the bees, be at the Bee Garden at 1 pm for a hive demonstration. The full schedule of events is in this preview.
12:26 PM: Thanks to Lora for more photos – you can meet beekeepers and buy honey, of course, at the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association booth:
The Seattle Public Library hopes you’ll be abuzz about reading:
Seattle Police sent four-legged ambassadors from the Mounted Patrol:
The festival is on until 4 pm!
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation
6:51 PM: After 911 calls reporting apparent gunfire near 30th SW and SW Morgan [map], police have arrived in the area and confirmed it. They have found at least three casings in an alley near that intersection. They also have found a vehicle with “two bullet holes in the windshield,” officers told dispatch. No report of any injuries so far; there are reports the gunfire may have involved multiple groups of people on foot and in vehicles.
6:54 PM: Now they’ve reported to dispatch that they’re up to 15 casings.
7:14 PM: Officers have also told dispatch about “possible gunfire damage” to the 2nd floor of a home in the area.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: West Seattle Bee Festival tomorrow!
First big event of a lively West Seattle weekend starts at 9 am tomorrow – the West Seattle Bee Festival! Here’s how the day will unfold:
Commons Park runs north behind Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW; map) and the West Seattle Bee Garden is at its north end (corner of Lanham and Graham); Lanham is where you’ll find most of the booths during the community activities between noon and 4 pm (that street will be closed to traffic much of the day). It’s all free! The first Bee Festival was back in 2013, celebrating the launch of the Bee Garden itself.
COUNTDOWN: 4 weeks until Loop the ‘Lupe obstacle-course 5K
Spring/summer event season has begun! We’re now only four weeks away from the Loop the ‘Lupe obstacle-course 5K and its companion events. Loop the ‘Lupe happens in the late morning and early afternoon of Saturday, June 8 – starting with the obstacle-course 5K’s Elite Wave at 11 am, continuing with the Family Wave, then the 5K Fun Run, the Senior Saunter, and concluding at 1 pm with the Youth Dash. (Get more info here about all the events.) Lots of fun on the sidelines too at Walt Hundley Playfield, with music, food, and a beer/cider garden. Loop the ‘Lupe raises money for Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s social-outreach work. If you’re not registered yet, you can fix that by going here right now! (WSB is Loop the ‘Lupe’s media sponsor.)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation
ORIGINAL REPORT, EARLY FRIDAY: Police following up on multiple 911 calls about suspected gunfire have confirmed it. Officers just told dispatch they’ve found “a bunch of casings” at 32nd SW and SW Raymond, plus “bullet damage” at a nearby residence. No word of any injuries, and no description of who was responsible, though the 911 callers were reported to have heard “a vehicle” in the area.
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: A few more details from the SPD incident summary:
At 0011 hours, officers responded to a shots fired call near 32 Ave SW/SW Raymond St. The suspect exited the vehicle and shot at least 29 rounds at a house. The house was struck multiple times, and it was occupied by five children and three adults. Officers arrived and checked on the welfare of the occupants of the house. Officers checked other houses nearby. The occupants didn’t report any injuries.
COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks until West Seattle Bee Festival!
One of the year’s first festivals is exactly two weeks away – the West Seattle Bee Festival in High Point. Here’s the overview of what’s planned for the festival 9 am-4 pm Saturday, May 18, at Commons Park (home to the West Seattle Bee Garden) and along Lanham Place:
During the noon-4 pm festival, two dozen nonprofits, schools, agencies, and city departments will have informational booths so you can connect with your community. That and the other Bee Festival activities and performances are all free!
SIDE NOTE: You can help get the Bee Garden ready for the festival by volunteering there Sunday morning!
FOLLOWUP: SDOT says construction starts soon on permanent ‘High Point Healthy Street’
When the city launched what were originally called “Stay Healthy Streets” four years ago, the first one announced in West Seattle was in High Point/Sunrise Heights. SDOT announced today that construction of its permanent features is about to begin:
First, SDOT’s reminder: “As announced earlier this year, 34th Ave SW will become a permanent Healthy Street and the other streets will return to neighborhood greenway (status).” So, for 34th (the stretch shown above in purple), the emailed update says:
We are excited to share an update for the High Point Healthy Street! We will start construction of the permanent installments for the High Point Healthy Street as soon as late April!
We will install permanent signage with a concrete block base and newly painted curb space around it at each intersection along the Healthy Street. At intersections where neighbors requested planters, we will install the permanent signage with a planter sign base.
SDOT crews will likely be on site soon to start preparing for work. You may see crews marking the pavement along the Healthy Street.
The project’s official page is here.
OTHER HEALTHY STREETS: SDOT says it’s still determining whether the Delridge/Highland Park Healthy Street will become permanent. And we’re checking on whether the construction schedule has been clarified for Alki Point since the reiteration four weeks ago that the design features announced last December will be built.
You’re looped in with Loop the ‘Lupe early-signup pricing – but just for a few more days
Even with spring officially arriving tonight, June might seem far off. Think twice before you let that perception prevent you from registering early for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe obstacle-course 5K (or one of its companion events) – you only have until this Friday to get the early discount. Loop the ‘Lupe is set to unfold over two-plus hours on Saturday, June 8 – starting with the obstacle-course 5K’s Elite Wave at 11 am, continuing with the Family Wave, then the 5K Fun Run, the Senior Saunter, and concluding at 1 pm with the Youth Dash. It’s all one big party on Walt Hundley Playfield, with music, food, and a beer/cider garden, too, Loop the ‘Lupe raises money for Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s social-outreach work. You can register at the lowest prices by going here right now! (WSB is Loop the ‘Lupe’s media sponsor.)
CAN YOU HELP? Volunteer youth track coaches needed, fast!
(High Point Community Center, via seattle.gov)
Spring track-and-field season is less than two weeks away at High Point Community Center – which needs volunteer coaches to step up right now! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
High Point Community Center is currently looking for volunteer coaches for the High Point Track Program for the upcoming season. Track practices will start on Monday, March 18, 2024 . Monday practice will be 6:00 – 7:00 pm @ Hiawatha track and Wednesday practice will be 6:00 – 7:00 pm @ West Seattle Stadium. If you are interested in being a coach or know of anyone that is interested, contact Buck for more details at Buck.Buchanan@seattle.gov. We do not want to cancel practice until we find coaches … Thank you in advance for your help.
BIZNOTE: High Point Walgreens’ temporary closure
1:24 PM: Thanks for the tips. Multiple readers have asked why the High Point Walgreens is closed right now. We went there to check on the situation; the entrance is closed, no signage. One reader says someone there earlier told them the door was inoperable because of a burglary attempt, and that the store had been waiting for a repair crew; we haven’t been able to verify that – the door did not show obvious damage, and there’s no police calls to that address listed for last night or this morning. We’ll go back to check again in a few hours; if you see the store open sooner, please let us know (text to 206-293-6302 is optimal) – thank you!
2:57 PM: A texter says the store has reopened. Also, the “temporarily closed” message is no longer on the store’s website.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigated in two locations
10:29 PM: Multiple 911 callers – and texters contacting us after calling 911 – reported suspected gunshots in High Point a short time ago, and police have confirmed it was gunfire: Officers have just told dispatch they found casings at 29th/Brandon. They’ve also heard from people near 29th/Findlay who say they were “shot at” – but no injuries are reported so far. The only description is a “black sedan with aftermarket headlights.”
10:47 PM: A texter says they’ve found casings by the 34th/Myrtle roundabout and have reported that to police.
10:56 PM: Officers have just told dispatch they’re at the aforementioned “second scene.”
11:11 PM: They’ve subsequently reported a “bullet in a house” near the second scene. Still no injuries reported in connection with either scene.
YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle Bee Garden work party Sunday
The weather looks promising tomorrow for the next “work party” at the West Seattle Bee Garden on the north edge of High Point Commons Park. If you can spare a little time, 10 am-noon Sunday, you can make a big difference in getting the garden ready for the new year. Lisa from the Bee Garden says the work party “will be led by our wonderful volunteer Katherine M. I invite you to join her in continuing the work to reclaim the beds and pathways from weeds, making room for new plantings in the coming months. As usual, dress for the weather (chilly) and bring a bottle of water. We have many pairs of work gloves, weeding tools, some light snacks, and our gardening crews provide great company.” No pre-registration required – just show up (here’s a map).
SUNDAY & BEYOND: West Seattle Bee Garden needs you
(WSB photo, West Seattle Bee Garden, last May)
Have some time to spare tomorrow and/or beyond? The West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point would love your help:
Work Party dates
Sunday, November 19th, 10 am-12 pm (this is a make-up for the one cancelled recently due to stormy weather)
Saturday, December 2nd, 10 am-12 pm
For these events, our focus is on weeding and other garden clean-up. We may begin some relocating of some plants to make room for new plantings in the late winter/early spring. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle. A small snack will be available.
Plant committee
We expect to meet for the first time in early January to discuss what and where to install some new plants. So exciting! We’ll discuss keystone native plants, berries for more picking and eating engagement, other pollinator friendly plants as well as conduct research to identify plants suitable in the face of climate change. Please email volunteerwsbg@gmail.com if you’d like to be added to the Plant Committee communications.
Lastly, we are trying to grow our volunteer support for the garden – email volunteerwsbg@gmail.com
For Sunday morning’s work party, just show up! The Bee Garden is on the north side of High Point Commons Park, Lanham/Graham.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation
Police investigating multiple 911 calls about suspected gunfire in High Point have found evidence. The reports came in just before 9:30 pm, and officers have since reported finding 16 shell casings. (updated) This was described as a “drive-by shooting” in the 5900 block of 32nd SW; no report of any injuries so far, but according to what officers told dispatch, at least one vehicle might have been damaged, in addition to one caller reporting “bullets inside her house.”
BACK TO SCHOOL: West Seattle Elementary returns home after ‘sorely needed’ renovation/expansion
For thousands of West Seattle families, today’s biggest news is the start of the new school year. The traditional red-carpet welcome for students at West Seattle Elementary in High Point was paired today with a ribbon-cutting for the school’s newly complete expansion/renovation. Last month, we took you on a photo tour of the school. Now, principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers (above right), her staff, and their students are all back, after two years in temporary quarters at the former Schmitz Park Elementary (a “long ride” from High Point, the principal acknowledged). McCowan-Conyers hailed the project as “sorely needed” while offering a profuse round of gratitude for everyone involved, before leading the ribboncutting:
Among the dignitaries was district superintendent Dr. Brent Jones, who also enthused about the project, funded by the BEX V levy, passed by voters in 2019.
Once the ribbon was down, students headed for the entrance, under the new canopy, and were greeted by school staffers with high-fives and big smiles.
Shoutout to WSE staffer Akim Finch, who DJ’d the event, including a brisk early round of Earth Wind & Fire classics (“September” was especially appropriate):
The expansion added 12 classrooms, giving the school a capacity of more than 500 students; currently it’s around 400, assistant principal Ritchie Garcia told us when we toured for last month’s report. The school – which serves a community with a large immigrant population – is designed to support families as well as students, with areas where parents can access resources such as a job board.
P.S. With the reopening, West Seattle Elementary’s address has returned to 6760 34th SW – readers have noted that Google is still listing it with the Schmitz Park address, which is now the temporary home of Alki Elementary.
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