West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
(West Seattle gosling, photographed by Kersti Muul)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library – bring your up-to-1-year-old(s)! (3411 SW Raymond)
DINE OUT FOR LAFAYETTE: Another chance to dine out and support a local school! Tonight 6-9 pm, Pizzeria 22 is donating part of the proceeds to Lafayette Elementary. (4213 SW College)
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Lots on the agenda tonight for Highland Park’s community council – including whether to merge with Riverview and South Delridge. Plus, SDOT reps are scheduled to visit to talk about Highland Park Way/Holden and the H Line RapidRide (plus Delridge repaving/reconfiguration) project. All welcome, 7 pm at HP Improvement Club. (1116 SW Holden)
‘A LIFE UNBOUND’ DOCUMENTARY/Q&A: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center: “Want to learn about a new method for helping children and adults recover from stroke, brain injury, and other limiting conditions? Join us for a one-night-only screening of an independent documentary, A Life Unbound, by Geordie Trifa.” Full details and ticket info in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
OPEN MIC NIGHTS: Two tonight, starting with 7 pm signups at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW), or with 7:30 pm signups at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
HARTMAN FRICTION: Jazz at Whisky West, 7-10 pm, no cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
THE BILLY JOE SHOW: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern, “the regional king of roots, rock and Americana”! No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
THAT’S JUST THE START … see more for today/tonight/beyond on our complete calendar.
The photo is from Leshawn, who says, “I found this backpack last night at 44th and Walker on the sidewalk, it has clothing, shoes and cords in it, would love to reunite with the owner. Appears more likely to have been stolen/dumped than lost/forgotten, but either way, if it is yours, contact us and we will connect you.
One more stolen vehicle to watch for – from Jonathan:
My car was stolen from my driveway (9800 block of 32nd Ave SW) Monday night. Hoping to put the word out in case anyone sees it.
2006 Nissan Xterra, Silver, a couple of dents in the doors, cracked windshield. License plate AGY2166.
Call 911 if you see it.
Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School each had eight juniors honored Monday night by Alki Masonic Lodge in The Junction. For the 41st year, the Lodge presented awards and scholarships during its annual School Awards Night in Support of Our Public School System. The evening’s program explained: “The Masonic Fraternity has long supported the public-school system as one of the basic necessities in maintaining the American ideal of democracy.” Two of each school’s eight honorees received additional recognition as Top Students. Photos after the jump:
A West Seattle Crime Watch report tonight from Jacques:
Our white 1998 Isuzu Oasis van was stolen in the last 24 hours from the parking strip on the side of our house. The car is in very good shape for its age and had a black Yakima ski rack on top.
WA plate 687XKC. If you see it, call 911.
Five months after an eviction order permanently shuttered Vine & Spoon in The Junction, the restaurant space at 4706 California SW appears to have a prospective new tenant on the way. A liquor-license application just appeared in online files (and on the window) under the name West Seattle Harvest, bearing names including Brian Clevenger, the acclaimed chef who runs Raccolto on the north end of The Junction (and three other restaurants around the city). A spokesperson for Chef Clevenger – a West Seattle resident – responded to our inquiry tonight by saying she had no info to share “about how/if Brian might be involved in a potential new venture.”
(WSB photo from June 2018 recycle/reuse/shred event)
If you missed one or both of the recent West Seattle shredding and recycling events – good news – the West Seattle Junction Association is presenting a recycle/reuse event, with shredding, on June 29th! Like the one last year, it’ll be in the Junction parking lot off 42nd SW south of SW Oregon. Just show up between 9 am and 1 pm – after consulting the list of what will and won’t be accepted.
(Added: Photo by Gary Jones)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:35 PM: Thanks for the tips! We’ve gotten several about northbound orcas passing west-facing West Seattle. Most recently, Kersti Muul – who says it’s the T65a transients – reports they’re passing Fauntleroy. Let us know if you see them!
(Added: Photo by Eilene Hutchinson)
ADDED 9:23 PM: Thanks for the photos! And also thanks to the commenters for the updates as they passed our shores.
Thanks to Krista for the photo and tip. A multi-vehicle collision at the Fauntleroy ferry dock has brought a police and fire response and, says WSF, is expected to lead to some delays. No report of serious injuries. (You can check the latest terminal conditions via webcams here.)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tonight, the Alki Homestead reopens as a restaurant, almost 10 1/2 years after a fire shut it down.
While the new restaurant, Il Nido, is in a bright spotlight because of its owner’s reputation and talent, we thought the moment shouldn’t pass without remembering the years of concern that the city-landmarked Homestead – 115 years old and originally known as the Fir Lodge – would never reopen and might not even be salvageable.
We also thought you might want to see inside, since you won’t get a chance without reservations to dine at the restaurant, already booked a month out. (Thanks to Chef Mike Easton for letting us visit briefly today to photograph the interior hours before his restaurant’s first night.)
First – the past decade of history (go here to look even further back). Old West Seattle’s collective hearts sank at news of the January 2009 fire, blamed on faulty Christmas lights. Then-owner Tom Lin had been in the process of selling the beloved home-style restaurant. Post-fire, he told WSB that it would likely take “more than six months” to repair and reopen.
No one likely could have imagined it would take a decade.
The sale did not go through. By March, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society expressed public concern about the landmark’s future. By May, the Homestead was on an annual “Endangered Properties” list. In September 2009, Lin briefed the Alki Community Council on possibilities for the Homestead’s future – maybe a restaurant, bar, spa, B&B.
Its future was still a question mark by July 4, 2010, when 150+ people gathered for that group photo outside the Homestead, declaring “This Place Matters.” The following January, on the two-year anniversary of the fire, preservation groups reiterated their concerns – “Somebody has to speak for the building.” Later that month, Lin and architects brought a new plan to a committee of the city Landmarks Preservation Board, and advocates declared they were “thrilled.” Questions lingered about whether, and how, the building could be salvaged, but proposals went through four public reviews in six months until things went quiet again.
Then in December 2013, almost five years post-fire, the Homestead was listed for sale. A prospective buyer emerged more than a year later, Dennis Schilling, a Mercer Island real-estate investor known locally for buying and restoring Alki’s Shoremont Apartments, once proposed for demolition and site redevelopment. That spring, it was announced triumphantly that Schilling was going ahead with the purchase. He promptly set about doing some of the restoration work himself.
(Dennis Schilling, Alki Homestead owner – May 2015 photo by Clay Eals)
In June 2015, another group photo outside the Homestead – this time celebratory:
(Photo by Jean Sherrard, courtesy SWSHS)
Students from Alki and Schmitz Park Elementary Schools gathered for what the SWSHS dubbed a “group hug.” But while the building had been saved, its future wasn’t yet clear. Its “rehabilitation plan” won city Landmarks Board approval in March 2016. Would it eventually reopen as a restaurant? The answer finally came last September, when Chef Easton announced the plan for Il Nido. A few days later, the Homestead’s famous neon sign returned from 2+ years of restoration:
(WSB photo, September 2018)
Inside, the work of turning the Homestead back into a restaurant began. Easton told us at the time, “It initially seemed to be such a big project, just how much restoration needed to happen – I wrote it off as more than I wanted to do. But the building sort of has a haunting effect on you.” Now the work is done, and we visited for photos as final touches were readied for Il Nido’s opening.
Whether or not you ever dine at Il Nido, you might want to see what’s happened inside the Homestead:
(For a kitchen view, here’s Easton’s own Instagram photo.) The grounds have been re-landscaped:
And we’re told they hope to open the back patio in July. But first – it’s opening night, as a new chapter in the Homestead/Fir Lodge’s history begins.
(SDOT camera image, looking south over the intersection)
Just in from SDOT:
We’re happy to report that the protected bike signal at the Harbor Ave SW and SW Spokane St intersection has been activated today and the diagonal bike crossing is open.
This comes more than a year after completion of the rest of the improvements at the intersection – a community-initiated Neighborhood Street Fund project. SDOT had initially blamed the delay on “waiting on the arrival of a new programming chip.”
(WSB photo from Memorial Day 2018)
Memorial Day is next Monday and American Legion Post 160 has sent word of traditional observances you’re invited to be part of:
POPPIES: 9 am-3 pm Saturday and Sunday, Post 160 and Auxiliary Unit 160 will be outside West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) to distribute poppies “in honor of our fallen service members.” Donations are accepted and help local veterans.
JUNCTION FLAGS: You are welcome to help put up and/or take down the flags that fly along the heart of The Junction on Memorial Day. Meet on the NE corner of California and Alaska just before 9 am to help place them and/or just before 5 pm to help remove them. All ages welcome.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: Local veterans’ groups join Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor) at 2 pm Monday for this annual event in remembrance of fallen service members. All welcome.
COOKOUT AT POST 160: Community members are welcome to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs at Post 160’s headquarters, 3618 SW Alaska, starting around 3:15 pm.
Any other Memorial Day events you haven’t yet sent in for our calendar? Hurry! westseattleblog@gmail.com
(Pileated Woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DINE OUT FOR SANISLO AND FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARIES: All day at Beer Star and 5-8 pm at Li’l Woody’s and Southside Pizza next door in downtown White Center, part of the proceeds go to support Sanislo and Fairmount Park Elementaries. (16th SW/SW 98th)
DINE OUT (OR ORDER IN) FOR MADISON MUSIC: 4-10 pm at Mioposto Admiral, a portion of the proceeds – whether you dine there or order for pickup or delivery – will go to the Madison Middle School music program. (2139 California SW)
PICKUP ULTIMATE: 6:30 pm at Fairmount Playfield, drop in to play with the West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee Family. “Invite your family and friends for casual ultimate.” (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TALK WITH POLICE: Have a concern or question for Southwest Precinct police? Their briefing and Q&A are always a major part of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council community meeting, 7 pm at the precinct. Also featuring a special guest from the Seattle Fire Department, talking about the low-acuity-alarm program. (2300 SW Webster)
‘ARTIFISHAL’: Free film screening at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor), 7 pm:
ArtiFishal is a film about people, rivers, and the fight for the future of wild fish and the environment that supports them. It explores wild salmon’s slide toward extinction, threats posed by fish hatcheries and fish farms, and our continued loss of faith in nature.
Check with the shop to see if there’s room if you haven’t RSVP’d already. (4502 42nd SW)
UNPLUGGED, A MUSICAL GATHERING: Informal acoustic jam at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
JAZZ OPEN MIC: At The Skylark, 8-10 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PARLIAMENTALITY PRESENTS: 9 pm jam session at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AND MUCH MORE … all on our full calendar!
For your West Seattle summer bucket list – don’t miss the chance to tour historic Alki Point Lighthouse! Debra Alderman with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary just sent the photo and word that Sunday tours resume this weekend:
Alki Point Lighthouse Tours begin this Sunday!
Location: 3201 Alki Avenue SW
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary will again be leading free tours for the public at the Alki Point Lighthouse most Sunday afternoons Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. This year, no tours on Saturdays and we will be closed Sundays June 23rd and Aug. 4th.
Hours: 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. (last group enters site at 3:45 p.m.)
All ages welcome, but only those 6 and up may go to the very top of the lighthouse tower.
Questions? Email alkilighthouse@cgauxseattle.org
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts in our area so far.
8:14 AM: In comments, Trickycoolj reports a crash at Highland Park Way and Holden.
Thanks to Trevor Simonton for the photos from Sunday, taken from the shore at Lincoln Park. He writes:
My wife and I saw some kind of porpoises (and a harbor seal) fishing off of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal … I thought it would be fun to share some pics.
We would love to get some opinions on what kinds of fins we saw… maybe Harbor Porpoise? Dall’s Porpoise? (on the far right of the pic of the paddleboarder there’s a harbor seal’s head… he was bobbing up and down along with the porpoises)
Trevor’s photos included one that needs no ID help:
As for the fins – even with a species guide like the one offered by The Whale Trail, we couldn’t tell. Can you?
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Masked country crooner Orville Peck and his band played for a packed house Monday night during their in-store performance at Easy Street Records.
Peck, known for his unique leather-fringe mask and throwback sound, played songs from his debut album Pony, released in March on Seattle’s own Sub Pop Records. His local show on Saturday night at Barboza was sold out, which made his free all-ages performance at Easy Street an even stronger draw.
Here are two video clips of the performance:
The crowd spilled out onto the sidewalk next to California Ave., where a little drizzle didn’t spoil the fun:
Upcoming in-store shows are listed on Easy Street’s website, including Justin Townes Earle this Thursday (May 23) and Silversun Pickups on May 31st.
3 golfers from West Seattle High School will compete in the state tournament, which starts tomorrow. The report and photos are from head coach Joel Snow:
West Seattle High School Golfers are off to the State Tournament!
On Tuesday, May 14th, the West Seattle Girls Golf Team competed at the District Tournament at the Riverbend Golf Course in Kent. Lauryn Nguyen, Dalaney Pham, Jora Tillman, Maria Grossi, Helen Schlachter, and Emily Buchanan represented West Seattle High School. Although we missed out on sending a team to the State Tournament the girls played well and competed against the best girls’ teams from Seattle and Bellevue.
We did have two girls qualify as individuals for the State Tournament. Sophomore Lauryn Nguyen continues to play great golf and added the District Championships Individual Title to her Metro League Championship Individual Title. Lauryn shot a 3 under par 69 to win by one stroke in a match that wasn’t decided until the 18th hole where Lauryn scored a two-putt birdie to earn the one stroke victory. Sophomore Dalaney Pham has also earned a spot at the State Tournament with a score of 88 and a top 10 finish in the Individual category.
Representing the West Seattle High School Boys team at the State Tournament is Senior Cameron Smith. At the District Championships for boys, which was previously held back in October, Cameron shot a 77 and a top 10 finish in the Individual category.
The State Tournament will be held on May 21st and 22nd in Olympia.
Congratulations to all the girls who competed in the District Championship Tournament, to Lauryn for her Individual Title and to Lauryn, Dalaney, and Cameron for making it to the High School Golf State Tournament!
For information on the West Seattle High School Golf Team please contact Coach Joel at wshsgolfteam@outlook.com
At our West Seattle Bee Festival booth on Saturday, the bird we have uncreatively nicknamed “The West Seattle Turkey” was Topic A with those who stopped by to say hi. So we’re sharing news of three sightings today. Above is a photo sent by Lily this afternoon when the turkey turned up in the 3200 block of Walnut SW, just a bit south of West Seattle High School, where Zoe caught this quick clip:
Zoe reports, “The turkey that has been roaming around was behind the woodshop at West Seattle High School this morning. A fun addition to 4th period. And it was still in the area this afternoon – this photo’s from Ray:
Ray saw it this afternoon on the northeast side of the WSHS campus. As Rose reported last week, the turkey seems to have settled in the general east Admiral area. Sightings began in southwest West Seattle three weeks ago. No one’s come forward to say they’re missing a turkey; we’ve checked with the Seattle Animal Shelter and they’re mystified too.
The photo and report are from Sarah Blum with the Duwamish Rowing Club:
Jyvon Camarillo and Alek Gastmans from Duwamish Rowing Club won bronze Friday 5/17 in Men’s Youth Novice Doubles at Youth Regional Rowing Championships, Vancouver Lake, WA.
There were over 750 crews competing from over 30 teams including singles, doubles, fours, quads, and eights in both Novice, Jr Varsity and Varsity levels. Duwamish Rowing Club had one single, four doubles and two fours.
All the youth worked hard through the winter and spring to prepare and gave each race their best.
You can cheer the DRC on their home river during the Dieter Hotz Regatta on July 27th.
Playground projects everywhere! Here’s the latest announcement we’ve received – can you help!
STEM is Taking First Steps for New Playground
Louisa Boren is taking the first steps to improve the school playground by applying for several Seattle City Grants. One requirement is that a steering committee is created. The committee should represent school families and community members. We are looking for community members to join the Playground Building Steering Committee.
If you know of somebody, outside of STEM, that wants to help create a fun, safe space for Delridge families to access, please have them call or email Adrienne Ollerenshaw:
louisaborenplaygroundcommittee@gmail.com
The school is at 5950 Delridge Way SW.
12:45 PM: The photos are from Luna Park Café proprietor John Bennett, who wants to be sure you know there IS parking for his business and others nearby while road work has the east side of Avalon off-limits.
“Seattle Department of Transportation has arranged for us to use the park-and-ride lot underneath the West Seattle Bridge for temporary parking for the Luna Park business district,” Bennett tells WSB. “Due to construction and loss of parking on Avalon Way, we encourage our customers to park there. It is a little walk but there is plenty of parking there.” The city has said the SW Orleans street end used as public parking between LP Café and The Shack will remain open but that can fill up fast.
ADDED 2:14 PM: One more sign to underscore the point:
(WSB photo, last week)
Eight months after West Seattle-residing Chef Mike Easton announced he would open Il Nido in the historic Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge, he revealed today that it’s opening tomorrow (by reservation). He is renowned for Il Corvo downtown; in the announcement last September, he described the plan for Il Nido as “absolutely Italian, driven by market produce.” As we reported days after that announcement, when the Homestead’s refurbished neon sign was returned and reinstalled, Il Nido will be the main tenant, but Dennis Schilling, who bought the Homestead (damaged in a 2009 fire) in 2015, is still the building’s owner.
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