West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
For the second year, Chief Sealth High School alumni will gather at Lincoln Park for a multi-class reunion, and they’re inviting all classes from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s! It’s set for 5-8 pm Friday, July 28th, at beachfront picnic shelters #3 and #4, closest to the south end of the park (ferry-dock end). It’ll be catered by Dante’s Inferno Dogs, sponsored by David Katt (contributions welcome). Organizers say they’re hoping to make this an annual event – last year was well attended, and future events will “depend on level of interest and support.” Need more info? David is at 206-650-0863 or DJK@comcast.net. And if you use Facebook, you can join the reunion group.
The photos and report are from Paula:
I live in a condo near the totem pole on 35th Ave SW and discovered several items that were apparently discarded under some trees on the west side of our property. They include a navy hooded sweatshirt, a long sleeved black t-shirt, black sweat pants, one wireless mouse, one wired mouse, one headset, a wall power connector, a battery of some sort and a set of cables that look like they’d run between a television and different electronics.
My best guess is that it’s stolen property that someone dumped there. Perhaps there were larger electronics which they kept that these things were accessories for. Happy to return them if someone claims them. I first noticed them Friday (6/16) late morning and am thinking they probably were dumped sometime Thursday night/early Friday morning.
After that note, she discovered a bicycle had been abandoned nearby too:
She’s been trying to figure out how to turn the items over to police but in the meantime, if you have any info on who these items belong to, let us know.
(Looking eastward over Alki Point, to Schmitz Park and beyond – photographed Friday by Long Bach Nguyen)
Looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight:
AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: 2 pm at Southwest Library. This month’s book: “The Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter. All welcome. (9010 35th SW)
COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm, stop by the orchard – northeast end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus – to learn about it and help out. BYO gloves and water. (6000 16th SW)
WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE: Not in West Seattle, but not far – the WSLL Majors champs, the Red Sox, play tonight in a regional championship game at Rainier Playfield, 6:15 pm, and you’re invited to go cheer them on. (3700 South Alaska)
MADISON MS CONCERT: The Madison Middle School Band performs its spring concert tonight at 7 pm. (45th SW/SW Spokane)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via our complete calendar!
Today was supposed to be the start of the 7-day-a-week summer schedule at Colman Pool in Lincoln Park – but that’s been delayed because the repair work that closed the pool over the weekend isn’t done yet. According to the pool website, Seattle Parks hopes to reopen Colman Pool on Wednesday. Once the outdoor saltwater pool is back open, here’s the schedule it’ll be following.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:29 AM: Good morning! Murky but relatively quiet so far this morning.
FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK CHANGES: WSF’s procedure changes start today, explained as ” all drivers must stop at the tollbooth to buy or redeem tickets. Drivers will receive a destination card and a receipt, and will no longer have to stop again after the tollbooth to scan tickets. Instead, they must keep their destination cards visible, and will be directed to the appropriate holding lane.” Here’s the full explanation.
The Alki Community Council met this week for the first time since last month’s deadly shooting.
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli, May 23)
No arrest yet, Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith told the group on Thursday night.
Aside from that high-profile crime, the area’s main ongoing problems – like the rest of West Seattle – remain car prowls and auto thefts, both of which are up this year from the same time last year. “Crimes against persons,” such as assaults, are down 17 percent. Read More
While Sound Transit 3-funded light rail to West Seattle isn’t scheduled to open until 2030, project development of the route will be “initiated” later this year, according to ST’s newest timeline. That’s why the West Seattle Transportation Coalition is having a community-led workshop on Thursday, and circulating this invitation/reminder tonight:
Life sure gets busy, but you won’t want to miss the West Seattle Transportation Coalition Light Rail Station Routing Workshop this Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the Hall At Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave SW, from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Here’s the meeting agenda so you can be thinking about what you want to comment on:
6:00 – Welcome – Michael Taylor-Judd
6:30 – Introduction and Background – Thomas Linde
7:30 – Breakout Tables
1 – Delridge Station
2 – Avalon/35th Ave SW Station
3 – Junction Station
4 – Route Maps and Bird’s Eye Views
5 – “The Kitchen Sink”8:30 – Report Out and Next Steps
9:00 – Conclusion
Our aims for this community-led workshop include sharing information about light rail costs, options and impacts as well as identifying where the community and neighborhoods want light rail to be routed to best serve West Seattle. There will be light refreshments, a Children’s Coloring Corner, and Sound Transit and King County Metro will have a table with local information.
We’ll have several different ways for you to give your comments. After the workshop, WSTC will assemble all the results into a formal document and present it to Sound Transit, the King County and Seattle City Councils, the Seattle Department of Transportation, and local stakeholders, and urge incorporation with ST3 plans.
P.S. While Sound Transit will not be presenting at this event – they’ll be there to observe – they did give a presentation at last month’s WSTC meeting. We weren’t able to cover it, but we did follow up with ST spokesperson Kimberly Reason, who described it as “a very high-level presentation to WSTC that focused on system expansion and the implementation plan. We were sure to be clear that we haven’t started project development yet; the focus was to educate them on our process for moving forward.” We asked for the slide deck with those points – you can see it here (PDF) or below:
(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
As this weekend winds down, here’s a plan you can make for the start of next weekend: Lend a couple hours next Saturday morning to help Seal Sitters keep Alki Beach wildlife from being harmed by trash. Here’s the announcement:
Let’s clean up our act! Join Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network and co-sponsor Sno-King Marine Mammal Response on Saturday, June 24th, as we clean up Alki Beach and surrounding sidewalks and streets to help reduce the impact humans have on our fragile marine ecosystem and save wildlife (photo is a typical early morning scene at Alki during warmer months). Trash on the beach becomes treacherous in the water. The “Sentinels of the Sound” cleanup is from 9:30-noon with assembly at the Statue of Liberty Plaza (Alki Avenue SW and 61st Ave SW).
All marine life is endangered by marine debris and plastics pollution. Many, many thousands of marine animals and sea birds are injured and die each year from derelict fishing gear, marine debris, and pollution. They are entangled and drowned by nets and gear – strangled and contaminated by plastics.
Harbor seals (who do not migrate and are year-round residents) and resident Puget Sound orcas, both animals at the top of the food chain, are especially hard hit by pollutants from storm runoff and plastics that break down into microscopic particles and enter the food chain. These deadly toxins are then stored in the blubber of marine mammals and passed on in mothers’ milk to nursing young.
You can truly make a difference for wildlife. Come on down and grab a bucket and pair of “pluckers” (if you have your own, please bring them). RSVP is requested – e-mail sealsitters.outreach@msn.com – to ensure there are enough materials on hand. If you can’t attend on Saturday, you can make every trip to the beach a personal cleanup day by taking a bag and gloves along with you to pick up and dispose of trash. Every little bit helps!
Please visit Seal Sitters’ website to learn more, in-depth, about the dangers of marine debris and pollution.
Thank you so much for your patience. We’ll be starting to publish new stories again, now that our technical project is complete. For the first time in almost nine years, we have moved server companies, to address various issues that have worsened in recent months and weren’t being resolved. If you’re seeing this message, you’re seeing WSB at its new “home”; most ISPs take just a few hours to recognize such changes for websites, but some take longer, so if for example you check WSB at work tomorrow and don’t see updates beyond a “site note” post timestamped this morning, that’s what’s going on. Or if you see any other type of problem on the site right now, please let us know – we’ve tested and tweaked but you might notice something we didn’t – editor@westseattleblog.com – also try clearing your browser cache/history if you can (or refresh the page while holding down the shift or control key, depending on your browser). Thank you, and now on with the news (it’s been a quiet day so far in West Seattle, we’re happy to say).
(Photo courtesy Sanislo PTA: Louisa Boren STEM K-8 parents who supported their fundraiser)
“We called on the community and they really answered!” Rebecca Evans and the Sanislo Elementary PTA are still thrilled about the turnout they got at last weekend’s tropical-themed fundraiser: “Our goal was to raise $5,000 and we ended up raising $15,000!!!!” That wasn’t at all a sure thing – you might recall our story about their concerns, with days to go, that they had sold so few tickets, even at a low price with high hopes for helping a school community with many needs. But generous neighbors from around the peninsula responded to the pleas made here and elsewhere, and “we were able to go from having sold 20 tickets to overselling our 150 limit by about 20 tickets in less than a week! I’m still in shock and can’t wait to start planning how we’ll put those funds to use to support our students.” Though the party’s over, the needs are not, and you can still donate online by going here.
Chief Sealth International High School students will benefit from two notable donations:
When we covered the first Roll Hawks 5K last weekend, a benefit for the cross-country team, we noted that pre-race remarks mentioned a big donation on the way from Brooks Running. Tonight, volunteer assistant coach Chris Hoffman tells us more about it:
The Chief Sealth Cross Country Team was awarded a Brooks Running Scholarship last night at a ceremony at MoPop. Head coach Jim McCue applied for the scholarship earlier this year and we were notified a couple weeks ago that we were one of just 25 schools in the whole country to receive a scholarship. Through the scholarship, Brooks will donate $12,000 worth of uniforms, running shoes and gear (enough for up to 30 athletes) and $2,000 in cash to be used for team expenses. Coach Jim, assistant coach Marta Wambaugh, and myself [L-R in the photo] were on hand at the ceremony last night to receive the scholarship from Brooks.
And from Sealth academic dean Lori Douglas:
Ten Chief Sealth students were the lucky recipients of laptops from Logic 20/20. Their repurposed computers were CSI students’ gain! The students applied and wrote convincing arguments about why they should be the new owners of this valuable resource. Most common response: This will REALLY help me with my school work. Thank you to Logic 20/20 for their well-received donation!
Logic 20/20 is based in SODO.
(WSB photo: Summer solstice sunset watch 2016)
Summer officially starts at 9:24 pm next Tuesday (June 20th) – and that’s less than half an hour after sunset, so Alice Enevoldsen‘s 33rd seasonal sunset watch will be close to the actual solstice moment. You’re invited to watch it with her at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW) as usual, and there’s an informational bonus this time:
This is also my last currently scheduled event before the solar eclipse in August! Come and I’ll give tips and resources on safely observing the eclipse from Seattle, as well as at sites in Oregon. I’ve got more resources than anyone (practically) on safe observing for kids aged 18-months to 6 years, so bring the kiddos.
Alice’s events are free, fun, and informative, and part of what she does as a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador.
You might have noticed that the old Shelby’s signage was taken down this week, five and a half months after that restaurant closed (which in turn was five and a half months after it opened). So we checked with the new tenants in the space, Great American Diner and Bar (here’s our in-depth May interview), for a progress report. They tell us they’re waiting on their liquor license, and hoping to get it around June 27th.
11:20 AM: A bubbly start to the Morgan Junction Community Festival, thanks to one of today’s first performers, the legendary Bubbleman. Until 5 pm, here’s what you’ll find in and around Morgan Junction Park (and behind Zeeks Pizza [WSB sponsor] and Whisky West):
*Vendors, local businesses, community organizations
We’re here too, on the north side of the festival zone. The Morgan Community Association makes the magic happen every summer and it’ll continue until 5 pm. Updates ahead!
11:56 AM: Lunchtime! Our top recommendation – wander over to West Seattle Thriftway, kittycorner from the festival zone, and get a fresh-grilled lunch – proceeds go to help cover the festival costs. Michele is at the grill, as always:
You’ll also find food carts/trucks in the festival zone, too – The Tamale Guy, Das Brat Wagen, Mini the Dough-Nut, Sweet Bumpas Ice Cream.
Meantime, Soyaya is playing in the park
12:15 PM: Two more reasons to come by – First, as we reported earlier this week, David Graves from Seattle Parks will be there starting around 12:30 pm to talk with people about the Lowman Beach seawall situation. We’re told he’ll be in space 3 in the vendor zone behind Zeeks/WW. See the alternatives, and tell him what you think. Then 1-2 pm on the north side of the festival zone (right behind where we are!), 1-2 pm, you can join in the Spatter of Morgan – getting paint all over the future park expansion zone.
Speaking of paint, kids can have their faces painted until 3 pm, which is also when craft activities are continuing until. Lots of other fun stuff at booths including, right next to us, West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs (do YOU know where YOUR hub is?) with the Wheel of Disaster.
Don’t miss it. This side of the festival, north of the park, is also where you’ll find the Westside Neighbors Network, the West Seattle Timebank, and the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. That’s a strength of this festival, a chance to talk up close and personal with lots of your neighbors outside the more formal settings of meetings, etc.
12:52 PM: Same goes for the Southwest Precinct police who are here all day with the Mobile Precinct (Mounted Patrol officers are likely to stop by at some point too) – this is your chance to talk with them in a non-emergency, non-meeting situation. It’s a very mellow festival – Gary Benson is performing some classics right now, just his voice and guitar.
1:12 PM: The Mounted Patrol’s here now, we just found out.
That’s Justice. The Mounted Patrol is based near Westcrest Park here in West Seattle; one of their ranks, Harvest, just retired.
2:19 PM: Balloon artist Kevin just wrapped up – he got lots of raves today:
Other creativity happening – you can paint the Spatter of Morgan:
That’s on the fence around the future Morgan Junction Park expansion site at the north end of the festival zone. And kids’ crafts are on until 3 pm:
Over in the vendor zone, you can talk to Dr. Ryan and Dr. Wendy from GoodMed Direct Primary Care (WSB sponsor) to find out more about staying healthy via their unique membership-based care:
The crew from Seattle Fire Engine 37 – the closest one to Morgan Junction – was here for a while, and we got this photo before they had to head out to a medical call:
The festival continues until 5 – onstage it’s the Brian and Janie Show right now, with Yesod following at 4 pm.
3:35 PM: The Brian and Janie Show just ended their set. And light rain just started. Most of the activities are over but vendors and community groups are still here if you haven’t stopped by yet.
4:40 PM: The rain hasn’t stopped, and we’re all packing up. Thanks to everyone who came to the festival today!
Feeling super? Then this year’s Westwood Village Street Fair is the place to be until 6 pm. It’s superhero-themed, and we hear some supers will be stopping by. In the meantime, there are super-sized games (top photo) and bouncy rides, plus of course the traditional train:
While some merchants/vendors have booths in the festival zone (the central parking lot between Ulta Beauty and Bed Bath Beyond), don’t miss the year-round merchants like Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) right across the road, offering a variety of fun freebies:
Free jewelry cleaning inside the shop, too. And bring diapers for WestSide Baby!
There’s mainstage music and other fun too, plus food carts on the south side including fire-roasted corn, close to year-round eateries including Giannoni’s Pizza.
We’re at Uptown Espresso (California/Edmunds/Erskine) in The Junction, where SDOT is set up through 11:30 am for questions and comments about the West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway project. As we reported last week, the city has identified a “most promising route” for it, from 42nd/Edmunds to 30th/Roxbury.
But it’s not a final route, so they’re wondering what you think. Just drop in.
We talked with SDOT’s Summer Jawson and here are a few key points:
*First – the survey promised on the city website is not linked there yet BUT it IS live, so you can go directly here to take it (it’s open through July 9th).
*Next – the design process has not started yet. The feedback they get on this “most promising route” will go into it, so they want to hear directly from you about observations you have as someone who uses the streets and sidewalks.
*Once they start design, the next milestones include achieving 10 percent design and estimating the project’s cost.
P.S. If you can’t get to today’s drop-in meeting, there’s another one Wednesday (June 21), 5:30-7 pm at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson).
(Female Rufous Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
The official start of summer is three days away, but today’s events truly kick off the West Seattle summer season:
RELAY FOR LIFE CLOSING CEREMONY: 7:30 am at Hiawatha, it’s the end of this year’s Relay for Life-West Seattle all-night cancer-fighting fundraiser. (2700 California SW)
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY PAINTING PARTY: 9 am-noon, it’s prep time, and 12:30 pm-3 pm it’s painting and cleanup time, as previewed here – show up at either or both of those times if you can help! (4320 SW Myrtle)
ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: 9 am-noon, all volunteers welcome at the quarterly Admiral Neighborhood Association cleanup – meet at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), where pre- and post-cleanup treats will be provided. (42nd/Admiral)
WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT TRAILS WORK PARTY CANCELED: FYI, in case it was on your list.
LOW-COST LIFE-JACKET SALES: 10 am-2 pm at Southwest Pool, buy life jackets at low cost – save lives this summer! Details in our calendar listing, including pricing. (2801 SW Thistle)
WEST SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY FEEDBACK: Last weekend, we reported that SDOT had gone public with the “most promising route” for the next West Seattle “greenway.” This morning, 10 am-11:30 am at Uptown Espresso in The Junction, you can bring questions and comments to SDOT at a drop-in event. (California/Edmunds/Erskine)
MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: 10 am-5 pm in Morgan Junction Park, plus behind Zeeks Pizza (WSB sponsor)/Whisky West, and inbetween, it’s the Morgan Community Association-presented festival, with entertainment, food, kids’ activities, and vendors/community organizations. Just one of many highlights: The Bubbleman at 10:30 am. Festival co-sponsors include WSB. Lots of info in our most-recent preview. (West side of California, north of Fauntleroy Way)
WESTWOOD VILLAGE STREET FAIR: 10 am-6 pm at Westwood Village, with Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) promising giveaways including free polishing cloths, ring pops, and superhero bling! Plus, the fair offers local artists and businesses, four bands, dance teams, kids’ crafts, face painting, balloons, a pet-costume contest, inflatable bouncy toys, and the always-popular train. Plus superhero visits. (2600 SW Barton)
And right across the street …
ROXHILL BOG TOURS: 11 am-3 pm, everyone’s invited to join Roxhill Elementary students at Roxhill Bog for tours, lunch, mariachi, and more, as noted at the end of this WSB report earlier this week. (29th/Barton)
NO ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY: But they’ll resume on Sunday.
ART OPENING AT DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER PARK: Opening of “Passing By,” work by local artist Kalina Chung that “utilizes a mint color that is representative of Cottage Grove Court, an iconic housing complex in the Delridge community. The artwork interacts with this growing city and the effects on neighborhoods, creating a conversation on gentrified-affected architecture.” 3-6 pm in the field at the community center’s park. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
(added) BLOCK PARTY: 5-10 pm on 23rd Ave SW. From Diana: “Neighbors, bring your favorite chair, dish, and beverage! Road will be closed during duration from 6368/6369 to 6512 23rd Ave SW (Access by residents and emergency services only!).”
ROO FORREST AND FRIENDS: Originals and covers, live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
SUE QUIGLEY CD RELEASE: Local musician’s 4th CD! Live at Whisky West, 8 pm. 21+. (6451 California SW)
BUCKETS OF RAIN: Live at Parliament Tavern, 9 am-midnight. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Friday was historic for South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and the other Seattle Colleges – their first combined commencement, at Safeco Field. The photo and report are from SSC communications director Ty Swenson:
South Seattle College’s Class of 2017 graduates were honored at Seattle Colleges’ “Empowered to Achieve” Commencement Ceremony on June 16 at Safeco Field. More than 900 South graduates were celebrated (with more than 300 attending the ceremony), having earned a wide variety of degrees, certificates and diplomas to support their future endeavors.
South Seattle College is part of the Seattle Colleges District (which also includes Seattle Central College, North Seattle College and the Seattle Vocational Institute), and for the first time in district history, 900 students from all campuses came together for a combined ceremony. They were joined by family, friends, and college faculty and staff.
“Tonight we celebrated an amazing class of South students who have opened the door to their future in pursuit of fulfilling, family-supporting careers,” said South Seattle College President Gary Oertli. “I admire our graduates for their dedication, and thank the important people in their lives – family, friends, instructors and allies – for supporting them every step of the way.”
Outgoing Student Body President Jackie Tran, a South graduate who plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn his bachelor’s degree in engineering, spoke during commencement.
“Now we are all Seattle Colleges graduates,” Tran said. “A new chapter in our lives begins now.”
South Seattle College conferred a total of 905 awards this year, including 460 associate transfer degrees that enable students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Another 257 graduates earned associate degrees and certificates that prepare them to enter the workforce immediately. Sixty-eight graduates earned their bachelor’s degrees, and 120 graduates earned their high school diploma or equivalent, taking a significant step toward increased earning potential and future educational opportunities.
The one-on-one Reading Partners tutoring program is in danger at Highland Park Elementary, according to volunteer tutor Dina Johnson, who’s organizing a campaign to save it. “All the tutors wish to continue. We have established a close rapport with students and watched them progress. We know this is one of the under-performing schools in Seattle. Over 50% of the kids aren’t reading at grade level. So we decided to try raising the funds – $30,000. Deadline is July 15th.” They’ve set up a crowdfunding page here; there’ll also be a free Summer Book Swap event 1 pm June 25th at Highland Park Improvement Club – (updated) details here. And look for Dina at the Westwood Village Street Fair Saturday, with a table in front of Giannoni’s Pizza on the south side of the center.
We’re just hours away from the 2017 Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association, 10 am-5 pm Saturday. We’ve already featured the entertainment and food (here), kids’ activities (here), and now, one more sneak peek – the vendors and community groups you’ll find at the festival:
The festival features more than 40 vendors – some new, many returning, who are mostly from West Seattle southern neighborhoods. They will be in the parking lots behind Zeeks Pizza and Beveridge Place Pub, and on Eddy Street. Handmade jewelry and crafts by local artisans make up the majority of for-sale items. A variety of commercial vendors will be there to provide information on their services and/or products. Community and local government organizations are eager to educate festival attendees about their activities and how interested citizens can get involved.
Morgan Junction Businesses
Super Supplements
Madrid Frame, LLC
Second Gear Sports
Good Med Direct Primary CareHandmade Jewelry/Crafts
Ginger Jewelry Design
Flying Feather Designs
Maureen’s Jewelry and Photographs
Penguina Designs
Beadz-N-Mor
Lia’s Jewelry and Art
Queen Beads
Snooter-doots
DabbaWalla Bags
Endolyne Children’s Choir – with a music-themed craft activity
The Community General Store
Nepenthe Massage and Boutique – on-site massage therapy
West Seattle Electric and Solar
West Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Seattle in ColorEdibles
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets – handcrafted chocolates, caramels
Italian Ices
Puddles Barkery – Homemade dog treatsMeals and Food Services
Smith Brothers Farms
Hello Fresh
Dream DinnersCommunity/Government Organizations
West Seattle Democratic Women
34th District Democrats – voter registration, community information, and outreach
Southwest Historical Society
Seattle Emergency Hubs – emergency preparedness
Seattle Public Library
West Seattle Food Bank
Westside Neighbors Network
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
West Seattle TimeBank
Urban Homestead FoundationAlso
Eldercare Consulting, LLC
Daystar Retirement Village
The Kenney
Church of the Nazarene – Morgan Junction
Hopelink – information on King County transportation options and resources
As always, we’re among the festival sponsors, and we’ll be at the festival and publishing updates throughout the day, so come say hi. It’s all happening on the west side of California SW, north of Fauntleroy Way, in and around Morgan Junction Park.
P.S. See the full schedule in the official festival program on the MoCA website.
Cancer survivors and caregivers take first lap at Relay for Life-West Seattle. pic.twitter.com/iAm0xDgmzJ
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 17, 2017
7 PM: The annual all-night cancer-fighting fundraiser Relay for Life/West Seattle just got going with the opening ceremony, followed by survivors and caregivers taking the ceremonial first lap.
This year, Relay for Life is at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) instead of West Seattle Stadium, which is being readied for track resurfacing.
You’re welcome to stop by and cheer on the relay participants, especially during two more special events – luminarias at 10 pm (you can create one for someone you know who is fighting or has fought cancer) and the closing ceremony at 7:30 am. More info is online here, which is also where you can donate.
8:50 PM: Photos added, including, above, tents being put up by Key Club members from local high schools, participating at Relay for Life with their sponsoring organization, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle.
(2009 WSB photo of the famously altered banner on what was at the time going to be Whole Foods’ original West Seattle site)
When we heard the news this morning about Amazon buying Whole Foods, our question was the same as yours: Will that change WF’s twice-canceled plans for West Seattle?
We’ve been checking around all day and so far … too soon to say.
To recap: The spot where LA Fitness is now, at Fauntleroy/Alaska, was originally supposed to be Whole Foods. Last decade, WF was announced as anchor tenant for what was then to be called Fauntleroy Place. Ground was broken. Project stalled after excavation, becoming “The Hole.” Finally in 2010, Whole Foods announced it was definitely out, since terms of its lease – building a store for it – hadn’t been fulfilled.
Two years later, WF was announced as anchor tenant for the megaproject across the street, now The Whittaker (WSB sponsor). But in March, WF said it had “decided to delay indefinitely” the West Seattle store, and landlord Weingarten said it was “actively working with Whole Foods to find a replacement for the space Whole Foods leased …”
To date, no replacement(s) signed; the online site plan for The Whittaker shows the space as available. We have continued to check periodically with Weingarten spokesperson Carrie Murray, and we’re watching files for the project site; we asked Murray this morning about whether the WF-Amazon deal might change things, and she pointed us to WF, whose regional spokesperson in turn pointed us to corporate HQ, which in turn has not responded. Otherwise, regarding the search for a replacement tenant, Murray said, “We are still working through options.”
We’re spotlighting two ways you can be helpful for a few hours tomorrow:
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY PAINTING PARTY: That photo shows one of the spots at Gatewood Elementary where volunteers will be painting tomorrow. The paint’s been donated; all that’s needed are hands to wield the brushes. The school is 107 years old, a city landmark, and in need of TLC. Volunteers can join one or both of two sessions tomorrow; 9 am-12 pm for setup and prep, 12:30 pm-3 pm for painting and cleanup. Can you help? E-mail Amanda at amandalee_14@yahoo.com – more info here.
ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: As mentioned in our report about this week’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, tomorrow brings the quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup, for anyone and everyone who can give some time between 9 am and noon. Meet up at Metropolitan Market (42nd/Admiral; WSB sponsor), where you’ll get pre-cleanup treats and post-cleanup lunch. All ages welcome.
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