West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

47℉

West Seattle news 60767 results

West Seattle Art Walk Thursday: The Cask opening; buskers wanted
July 6, 2010 11:02 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Before we get to West Seattle Summer Fest this Friday-Saturday-Sunday, there’s one more Big Event – the next West Seattle Art Walk on Thursday night, “from Alki to Endolyne,” as the official postcard art proclaims – 43 venues (here’s the list/map). We mentioned one venue’s big plans last week. Today, two more highlights – First, as noted on the official Art Walk website, The Cask in Admiral plans its grand opening that night. (We brought you first word of this “Old World ale and wine house,” 2350 California SW, in this story last April.) (added 1:15 pm – we just dropped by The Cask and got these indoor/outdoor pix)

(back to original 11:02 am story) Second, for the venues in The Junction, the streets will already be closed for Summer Fest, and the theme is “Art Walk ‘Alive'” – with street performers (“buskers”) welcome to be part of it – Art Walk organizer Lora Lewis from Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) has even put out a citywide call. So if you know a busker, let them know they’re welcome to be in The Junction this Thursday night, 6-9 pm – as is everybody – we know the weather will be summery, the art will be awesome, so here’s another look at the map (again, not just The Junction, there are venues all over the peninsula) – as well as venue highlights on the WSAW site (many offer free refreshments too). See you there (and of course, at West Seattle Summer Fest the following three days).

Share This

West Seattle business news: Alki Arts to open next to Cactus
July 6, 2010 9:28 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

We’d been checking on reports of activity in the former All The Best Pet Care (closed last November) space east of Cactus, at 2820 Alki SW – and this morning, there’s a small sign in the window solving the mystery. (Thanks very much to Pat for photographing and sharing it!) The sign announces Alki Arts and points to this website, promising “amazing art, affordably priced, from local artists” and also offering the space as a venue for events of up to 60 people. The website also says Alki Arts will open this Saturday (July 10). We have a message out seeking more info, which we’ll add here when we get it. ADDED 1:02 PM: Just in, co-proprietor Diane Venti answered our request for more details:

We will be a Co-op of artists – each renting wall space in the gallery. We have room for 3 more artists at this point, but the ones we have in place now are very talented! The proprietors are Tom Wyrick and Diane Venti-We are trying this space out for the summer to see how it is received and supported by West Seattle. The space still belongs to Susan Moss, owner of All the Best Pet Care, who has ‘gone above and beyond’ making it possible for us to fill the empty store front during the summer months. She really is helping to support this endeavor!

Our hours will be 12-8 Wed-Sun. We’re so excited to have people come in to enjoy all the amazing art, which includes oil paintings, water colors, metal work, glass, and photography – there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy!

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Drumming up support to find ‘Bones’
July 6, 2010 9:09 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

That’s a photo of “Bones” – a North Delridge neighborhood fixture before somebody “kidnapped” him from his driveway-side “stage” a few days ago, according to a creative, plaintive post published to the WSB Forums. In a subsequent e-mail conversation, his owners told us:

On July 2 someone stole (“Bones”) just after we’d spent a great deal of time and money repairing him from weather damage, and we’d really like to have him returned since he has great sentimental value as well as being a significant time and financial investment.

They don’t want to make their contact info public at this point – they just hope that publicizing the theft will inspire someone who knows something to find a way to get “Bones” back to his rightful place as part of their garden-art display.

Share This

Finally wading-pool weather, but remember the schedule change
July 6, 2010 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on Finally wading-pool weather, but remember the schedule change
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

With today’s weather looking to have no trouble meeting the criteria for opening the city-run wading pools – sunny and at least 70 degrees – here’s the reminder that the schedules have changed for all but one in West Seattle, because of the midyear budget cuts. According to the revised schedule, the two that should be open today are Lincoln Park (the only one in West Seattle that’s still open daily if warm enough), 11 am-8 pm, and Hiawatha (open Mon.-Tues.-Wed.), noon-6:45 pm. Here’s the full citywide schedule (PDF).

Share This

Followup: Saving 4516 42nd SW by moving it within West Seattle
July 5, 2010 11:56 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
One week ago, we shared Larry Nitkey‘s photo of the 86-year-old house at 4516 42nd SW (map), one of four eventually slated to make way for a mixed-use development at 42nd/Oregon, and his report it would be moved. For WSB, Christopher Boffoli subsequently went to the site to get a closer look and speak with the contractors, who had told us by phone that we were welcome to come find out more, and take more photos.

Read More

Share This

West Seattle holiday scene: One last look at the 4th
July 5, 2010 11:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

As the official after-holiday comes to a close, that photo was just sent in by MDS, who says he took it from the Admiral Way viewpoint. WSB was among the businesses contributing to make the show happen after it almost didn’t – yes, we’d rather see Elliott Bay fireworks, but that wasn’t an option, so. as opposed to no fireworks, we chipped in. (As did two WSB sponsors, Ventana Construction and Merrill Gardens – see the full donor list here.) And the event producers are already starting the donor drive for next year.

Share This

West Seattle Weather Watch: Heat wave on the way
July 5, 2010 9:29 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

And the pendulum swings, big time. Tonight there’s a “special weather statement” out from the National Weather Service, since we’re suddenly looking at highs in the 90s for the second half of the week (in time for West Seattle Summer Fest, the Seafair Pirates’ Landing at Alki, the West Seattle Edible Garden Tour, among other events). Don’t believe it? Here’s the forecast! (Time to pull the fans up out of the basement … where just the other day we’d been resisting turning on the furnace …)

Share This

West Seattle youth-sports updates: Baseball & basketball
July 5, 2010 9:13 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

That’s the West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars getting a hearty cheer from the crowd, and handshakes from their victorious opponents, as they finished with 2nd place in the district Saturday afternoon at Bar-S on Alki Point. Meantime, the WSLL 10-11 All-Stars won the district championship last week (WSB coverage here) and have now moved on to the tournament, where they won at PacWest in SeaTac on Sunday and will play again at 5:30 pm tomorrow.

The next photo and update, about the PONY League All-Stars, are from Lisa:

West Seattle was well represented in the Fourth of July Blast tournament in Tacoma, with the Southwest Pony League’s West Seattle All Stars (11 year olds) taking third place. Congratulations to the team and coaches!

Other playoffs are under way for West Seattle Pee Wee, part of PONY Baseball; their 8U All-Stars recently took 1st place at Regionals (photo here). Their 9U team starts regional play Friday in Enumclaw, while the league is hosting 12 All-Star and Select 10U teams this Friday through Sunday at the Mustang Tune-Up. Then the WS Pee Wee 10U team starts sanctioned tournament play July 16-18 with the Mustang North Sectional in North Seattle.

Finally, a belated youth basketball note. We were at Chief Sealth International High School/Boren last Thursday as the first week of Basketball and Life Skills campers played their championship games (the “NCAA” – younger campers – ended with “Texas” beating “UCLA” 14-12, while the older “NBA” campers ended with “LA” 36, “Boston” 33). Here’s Coach Colin Slingsby with the announcements and congratulations:

Here’s more about the Sealth camp, from our visit on day 1 last week. The second session got under way today, but there are still three more weeklong sessions, for entering 2nd-9th-grade girls and boys, later this summer – here’s the brochure.

Share This

West Seattle Summer Fest: Donna Ryan offers Parents’ Rest Stop
July 5, 2010 7:26 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Just four days till West Seattle’s biggest event of the summer – West Seattle Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB), three days of celebration, music, shopping, art, food, family activities, and more in the heart of The Junction, this Friday through Sunday. Quick note tonight from a Junction business with a message to famiiles with babies – Donna Ryan Photography (4218 SW Alaska, just east of Cupcake Royale [WSB sponsor]) will be hosting Summer Fest’s only “Parents’ Rest Stop” in her expansive studio space. She says it’s a place for breastfeeding moms to come nurse, and overall, “I welcome parents of babies who need a few minutes of privacy / quiet to drop in during festival hours.” What else is happening at Summer Fest, you ask? There’s tons of info on the official website – live music performances listed here, other live performances and activities listed here, vendors and exhibitors listed here …

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary loot includes van
July 5, 2010 4:14 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(updated) Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share – starting with a burglary that included a van theft, and a request that you be on the lookout for the van. Read on:Read More

Share This

Free time today? WestSide Baby needs help, noon-3 pm
July 5, 2010 10:56 am
|    Comments Off on Free time today? WestSide Baby needs help, noon-3 pm
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

From Nancy @ WestSide Baby:

WestSide Baby Sorting Frenzy Volunteer Opportunity Today!

We will open today, Monday July 5th (12-3pm) for a special volunteer opportunity for adults or children over age 8 (with adult along). Have the day off and want to do something worthwhile? WestSide Baby has been fortunate to receive many of your donations of clothing items. Now we need a little help sorting through the donations to prepare them for distribution. If you can read the size tags, look for dirt and holes and inspect clothes for holes, we’d love your help to attack the pile of clothes in this picture taken this morning. We have empty shelves of many sizes but we know those gems are actually hidden in this pile.

If you can call or e-mail to let us know you are coming that would be great! If not, just show up at we’ll welcome you and give you instructions on how to make a difference TODAY.

WestSide Baby
10032 15th Ave. SW

Share This

Reminder: Holiday closures/changes today
July 5, 2010 9:21 am
|    Comments Off on Reminder: Holiday closures/changes today
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Fireworks photo by Candy)
Since Independence Day fell on a Sunday, the official observance is today – banks and most government offices (including Seattle Parks-operated community centers) are closed, Metro’s on a Sunday schedule, there’s no mail delivery. However, since libraries were closed yesterday, they’re open today. And the West Seattle-downtown water taxi is on its regular schedule.

Share This

West Seattle 4th of July 2010: No major problems reported, but …
July 5, 2010 1:51 am
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Holidays | West Seattle news

As first reported here in our coverage of last month’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting, HP residents were particularly concerned about fireworks damage to the HP Elementary campus, and hoping to dissuade people from showing up to blow things up there. Illegal fireworks proliferated anyway, according to HP resident Deanie, who provided the brief video clip above – with the sights of illegal fireworks and the sound of what she describes as “an M-80 blowing up in a trash can” – and multiple explosions of that type “under the school building.” Meantime, so far, at least, no major problems (fires etc.) reported anywhere in West Seattle (here’s the archived 911 log from Sunday night, and here’s the in-progress Monday log) – though we’re not quite sure how to take this note from one local couple:

As WS residents and spectators to tonight’s local fireworks, I’d like to thank those responsible for the great fireworks over the west part of Alki and the North part of beach drive. We enjoyed the shows – BRAVO ! It made it another “Glorious Independence Day.” Could we make it an official thing ? We’ll be happy to kick in a few bucks.

ADDED 11:07 AM: Followup photos from Deanie. First, some of the trash/debris from the illegal fireworks in Highland Park. Second – Ellis Tingstad, cleanup hero, whom she says has been out sweeping up after the field-trashers:

Share This

West Seattleites in Burien parade – but wait! Santa Claus?
July 4, 2010 7:37 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   34th District State House 2 | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

We’ve never covered the Burien 4th of July Parade before, but we heard about enough West Seattle participation that we headed down for a few photos. Before we get to the West Seattleites – we had to start this off with the guest appearance by Santa Claus. Who could be more appropriate on a rainy, chilly holiday, summer or not? Now, on with the West Seattleites. First, the much-acclaimed West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float and its entourage:

Then, the political participants – First, the 34th District Democrats (whose turf includes Burien, though the main monthly meetings are usually in WS):

Now, the candidates – in our candid shot from the staging area, that’s State Sen. Joe McDermott (who’s running for County Council) at left, a West Seattleite as is Marcee Stone (running for State House Pos. 2) next to him, and at right, Rep. Sharon Nelson (from Maury Island), who’s running unopposed for the Senate seat McDermott is leaving:

Also from the State House Position 2 race – West Seattleite Mike Heavey:

And Burien resident Joe Fitzgibbon:

We didn’t see the 4th candidate in the race, West Seattle entrepreneur Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy, there (if we missed him – our apologies!). We did see one of McDermott’s three County Council opponents, West Seattleite Diana Toledo — we had a photo of her marching, but her campaign just sent this one with Seafair Pirates right after the parade:

Toledo marched in the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade earlier in the day. If we missed any of the other County Council candidates, Shawn McEvoy or Tim Fahey, again, forgive us. (P.S. With the August 17th election nearing, we start in-depth coverage Tuesday – we’ve sat down recently to talk with each of the four candidates in the House race, for starters, and you’ll see a story a day, Tuesday through Friday.) One more parade participant of West Seattle note:

That’s a RapidRide bus – of the variety we’ll supposedly see here in about two years. In case you want a better look, we’re checking to see if it’ll be part of the big West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade on July 24th. ADDED MONDAY MORNING: Thanks to Mark for sharing this photo of another West Seattleite in the parade:

Mark photographed West Seattleite Bruce Hart in wife Stacie’s new MINI Cooper, adding, “Bruce and Stacie are part of the Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club, which participated in the parade for the fourth straight year. The club annually escorts Burien Rotary Club dignitaries. Bruce also has a MINI, which was in the parade and being driven by a relative.”

Share This

Independence Day = wedding day! Married on the Water Taxi
July 4, 2010 5:09 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Thanks to Joseph for the photo – he says the newlyweds are Heather and Josh, coming off the King County Water Taxi at Seacrest Pier, after getting married on its 3:30 run today. Congratulations! ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: We’ve heard from the newlyweds themselves in the comments, and they provided the link to video of the wedding itself:

Share This

Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade 2010, report #2: The video!
July 4, 2010 4:52 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

(Our first report on this morning’s Admiral parade, with photos, can be seen here)

This year’s Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade was bigger than last year. How do we know? We usually roll video on the entirety of the parade – this year, it was so long, we had to break it into two clips! The first seven-plus minutes – starting with Seattle Fire Department Engine 29 coming around the corner (we staked out the second block of the parade) – is above; the ensuing six-plus minutes are next:

Before the parade, a few words from West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival junior royalty (Princesses Isabella and Kaitlin and Queen Kailin Jo), followed by King County Executive Dow Constantine (with parade organizer Sherri Chun emceeing):

The ceremonial whistle officially started the parade:

One more thing – our Flickr slideshow:

All West Seattle kids are also invited to be in a parade that’s just a few weeks away – the Rotary Club of West Seattle Kiddies’ Parade, which precedes the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade – the Kiddies’ Parade sign-in is at 10 am, and the parading begins at 11, on Saturday, July 24 – more info on the Rotary website (scroll down).

Share This

150+ people turn out for Alki Homestead ‘This Place Matters’ photo
July 4, 2010 2:54 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Homestead | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

That’s our view from the third floor of the apartment building across from the Alki Homestead, as the official ‘This Place Matters’ photo was taken as part of a rally organized by preservation groups including the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, whose headquarters are in what was the Homestead (originally Fir Lodge)’s old carriage house. By our rough count, around 200 people had gathered by the time the photo was taken. (6:10 pm update: We used our photo-from-above to count: 162.) The photo was preceded by short speeches from those groups’ reps as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, State Sen. Joe McDermott, County Councilmember Jan Drago, and former mayor Greg Nickels. This came one day after Homestead owner Tom Lin (whom we did not see at the event) announced he’s putting the Homestead up for sale (WSB coverage here), starting with a one-month offer for $2 million to preservation groups. We talked to reps of two – SWSHS executive director Andrea Mercado told WSB they have no official comment yet on the offer; Washington Trust for Historic Preservation field director Chris Moore (a West Seattleite) says his group “unfortunately” doesn’t buy buildings. ADDED 5:53 PM: Video of the politicians’ speeches. SWSHS’s Clay Eals said they’d been asked to speak for 30 seconds each (here’s Eals with a historic Homestead photo during a pre-rally talk at the Historical Society’s annual picnic):

By our count, most of the rally speeches ran closer to a minute-thirty, still relatively brief. Here’s former mayor Greg Nickels:

King County Executive Dow Constantine, more formally dressed than he was in his appearance at the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade three hours earlier, alluded to that as he began:

Next, State Sen. Joe McDermott – a West Seattleite like Nickels and Constantine, and also a candidate for the County Council seat vacated last year by the now-executive:

Finally, the former city councilmember who currently holds the County Council position for which McDermott is running (though she’s not seeking to keep it), Jan Drago, who – Eals pointed out – sponsored the council resolution that made the Homestead a landmark:

Regarding the crowd count, always a thorny issue in any story in which turnout might matter (ever seen those protest stories where police say 2,000 and organizers say 10,000?), our estimate was a rough count, looking at the photo we took with the view from above. Just because we love precision when it’s possible, we’re working right now to blow it up and print it out so we can do an exact count. We can tell you unequivocally that the “nearly 100” in the lead line of KING’s story is too low. 6:09 PM: Finished the photo count: 162. Have adjusted the headline. MONDAY MORNING: As noted in comments: The “official photo” is now online. You can click on it, then click again, for a very high resolution version. We are told Historic Seattle counted 199 in the mega-high-resolution version, to which we didn’t have access yesterday. So we are going to revise our headline to “more than 150” and leave it there, for WSB purposes … no time to print and count yet again … this isn’t an election; we’ll leave the counting from hereon out to the folks who are directly involved.

Share This

Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade, report #1: Post-parade fun
July 4, 2010 11:05 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Admiral Neighborhood Association concession/T-shirt stand at Hamilton Viewpoint)
Now that the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade is over, we’re at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where there’s lots of time to get here for family games – they’re starting with wheelbarrow races – even if you missed the parade.

This year’s parade was bigger than ever – our unofficial gauge is how long it takes to videotape the entire parade going by, start to finish – almost 14 minutes (we’ll have that video up later) – compared to 11 minutes last year. As promised, County Executive Dow Constantine kicked off the parade at 44th and Sunset (along with West Seattle Hi-Yu junior royalty, and parade organizer Sherri Chun).

But, as the executive acknowledged, there was a surprise visitor – the man who’s kicked it off in recent years – his fellow Admiral resident, former mayor Greg Nickels, there with wife Sharon Nickels and their trusty dog Edgar.

The roads should be open again, in case you are wondering.

12:20 PM: Added a few more photos in the story – including this example of mega-festive patriotic parade decoration:

Our video clips will be in a separate story.

Share This

Reminder from West Seattle’s Seal Sitters: Leave pups alone
July 4, 2010 8:16 am
|    Comments Off on Reminder from West Seattle’s Seal Sitters: Leave pups alone
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Before you head for a beach this 4th of July – and beyond – a reminder from West Seattle-based Seal Sitters: If you see a pup, keep your distance. Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey says pupping season has begun in Puget Sound, and though we’re not likely to see the babies on our shores till later this summer, it’s never too soon for the reminder. If you get too close, the pup’s mom may not come back for it. Robin explains in this update on the Seal Sitters’ site.

Share This

Happy Independence Day! West Seattle 4th of July 2010
July 4, 2010 7:43 am
|    Comments Off on Happy Independence Day! West Seattle 4th of July 2010
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(July 4, 2009, photo courtesy Gilbert: Lake Union fireworks, seen from West Seattle)
Big events in West Seattle today: Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade at 10 am (44th/Sunset), Southwest Seattle Historical Society membership picnic at noon (Log House Museum), Alki Homestead “This Place Matters” rally/group photo at 1:30 pm (on 61st SW between Alki and SW Stevens). Aside from the early-afternoon street closure for that event, police are NOT planning any traffic revisions/restrictions. You’ll find many other holiday notes – including which fireworks displays are visible from West Seattle, who’s having special sales today (and yes, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market IS open as usual), and transportation-schedule notes – on the WSB 4th of July page.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Night Out’ exactly one month away
July 3, 2010 11:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news

(2009 WSB photo from Night Out party in Fauntleroy)
Signed up for a “Night Out” crime-preventing/neighborhood-strengthening party on your block yet? This year’s event is coming up August 3rd. And Seattle Police have changed a few things this time around, as noted here. For one – there’s a quicker way to sign up online – you can do it right here, right now. For two – they’ve set up a Seattle Night Out Facebook page (you can “like” it here). If your neighborhood does decide to have a Night Out block party, and you wouldn’t mind us stopping by for a photo, please let us know – SPD generally doesn’t share lists/maps of registered parties, so we’ve made this request to you the past two years, and have met some great folks as a result.

Share This

Open for the 4th (and beyond): Alki Point Lighthouse tours
July 3, 2010 7:41 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

When asked by US Coast Guard Auxiliaryman Craig Smith whether I’d visited the lighthouse before, I sheepishly admitted that, in my 27 years in West Seattle (13 of them three blocks from the lighthouse), I had never taken the tour.

If you haven’t managed to get there either, I urge you to find a sunny weekend afternoon and do so – since it’s only open during the summer, and only on weekends. Not only will you learn a lot about the history of the lighthouse and its inner workings, you’ll have a lovely view from the top of the tower.

Read More

Share This

West Seattle 4th of July eve! What’s happening here tomorrow
July 3, 2010 5:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

In case you haven’t checked it out yet, we wanted to point you once more to the WSB 4th of July page – info on what’s happening tomorrow, starting with the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (all welcome, starts at 10 am at 44th/Sunset), continuing on through a list of which fireworks displays are most visible from West Seattle. Traffic, transportation and shopping info too. Find it all here.

Share This