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The WSBeat: From the ‘pigeon drop’ to the crow report
June 22, 2012 8:09 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:

*Beware of scammers and the “Pigeon Drop” scheme. If someone approaches you, claims to have inherited money in a foreign country, but needs your help in donating it to a good cause, just say no. On the 7th, a woman was approached at a Westwood Village coffee shop and before the day was done she had driven (with the suspects) to her bank and handed them $20,000 worth of cash and jewelry. Both suspects were described as black females, one with her hair in a “greasy” curly perm who carried a green satchel with three zippers. The other wore purple-framed glasses, a gray leather coat, lots of silver-colored rings and carried a black purse with a circle design.

*In the evening on Saturday the 9th, an alcohol and marijuana-impaired Montana resident was booked into King County Jail for investigation of assault after he yelled profanities at children in a High Point park. When an older child told him to leave them alone, he began yelling at her, screaming nonsense, claiming she was his girlfriend. As the children left the area, the suspect followed them until he was confronted by a parent. He punched the parent in the shoulder. In return, the parent punched him in the face, knocked him down, and called 911.

Six more summaries ahead:Read More

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West Seattle schools: Lafayette’s farewell to Joyce Kuespert
June 22, 2012 7:07 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

During this morning’s end-of-year awards assembly, the Lafayette Elementary community said goodbye to Joyce Kuespert, who attended Lafayette in her childhood and then went on to teach there for more than 31 of her 40 years as a teacher. She will be gone but not forgotten – every year, the school’s best first-grade reader will receive an award named after her. The plaque was displayed during the assembly:

As of this afternoon, school’s out for summer for students at Lafayette and the rest of Seattle Public Schools!

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Morgan Junction Community Festival tomorrow: Rain or shine!
June 22, 2012 4:34 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

The sun hasn’t emerged in tomorrow’s forecast YET but we hope you’ll come visit the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB) no matter what kind of weather we wind up with. Cindi Barker from the Morgan Community Association says they have tents for the band stages if necessary, and people with booths at the festival are usually under tents anyway (we’ve got ours ready to go). Prep work is continuing at the site – which includes Morgan Junction Park, the lot behind Zeeks/Feedback (just walk southwest of the park to get there), and Washington Federal across California. Here’s what you need to know:

*The entertainment schedule (mostly live music, but including The Bubbleman at 11:30)

*“Bark of Morgan” dog parade and contests, starting at 2 pm

*Here’s the festival site map – note a Metro RapidRide bus and Seattle Fire truck are both expected. Visit the MoCA info booth in the park (marked on the map) for Bite of Morgan food-sample information/location list/tickets (free but first-come, first-served).

*Festival hours are 10:30 am-7 pm; vendors/exhibitors will likely be closing around 6 pm, so the final hour is mostly just music and unwinding. Stick around Morgan Junction and enjoy the local businesses, many of which are sponsoring the festival – have dinner, and/or drinks, lots of after-partying awaits! P.S. One lunchtime idea – there’ll be a barbecue outside nearby West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), with proceeds benefiting the volunteer-produced, nonprofit festival.

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West Seattle traffic alerts: Next week’s 99 closures
June 22, 2012 3:42 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

WSDOT has just announced next week’s Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closures:

Tuesday, June 26 – the morning of Friday, June 29 – The southbound SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct will close between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Freeway from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. The on-ramps from Elliott Avenue and Columbia Street to southbound SR 99 also will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.

Friday, June 29 – morning of Sunday, July 1 – The southbound SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct will close between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Freeway from 11 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Sunday.

As we’ve been doing, we’ll meld these with the Spokane Street Viaduct closures for next week (announced by SDOT yesterday) to create one ongoing list we can permalink from the sidebar here – we’ll add that all-in-one, day-by-day/night-by-night link here when it’s ready.

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West Seattle businesses: Jefferson Square Kits Cameras closes
June 22, 2012 3:18 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The Kits Cameras store at Jefferson Square has gone out of business. After a texted tip (thanks!) we went over to investigate and found a sign on the door, saying yesterday was its last day in operation.

Court documents available online indicate that its parent company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (We’ve sent an inquiry to corporate PR, but haven’t heard back.) As the door sign says, if you have photo prints or camera repairs you were expecting to pick up at this shop, you should instead contact Cameras West downtown, 206-628-0066.

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West Seattle ‘police dogs’ gain fame via Facebook
June 22, 2012 1:37 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you follow the WSB Facebook page and/or the Seattle Police Department Facebook page, you’ve probably seen the photo of those 2 Bichon Frises already today, but in case you don’t, we’re sharing it here too. SPD put it on FB in honor of Take Your Dog To Work Day; we shared it on the WSB FB page, without having any clue at the time that the dogs – as we were informed a while later – are West Seattleites! We’ve also heard the photo was shown on NBC’s Today show this morning and is expected to reappear in an NBC News Take Your Dog To Work Day photo feature.

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Design Review for 3829 California next week: See the proposal now
June 22, 2012 12:45 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Next Thursday night, the Southwest Design Review Board considers a three-story, 30-unit apartment building proposed for 3829 California SW (map), currently home to one-story multiplexes (as shown in our original report from June 5). The proposal’s graphics/background “packet” is now available via the city website. Since this is an Early Design Guidance meeting, the image above, taken from the packet, is NOT a final design proposal, but rather roughed out for “massing” – size/shape. Here’s how the packet describes the project:

The proposed development will create an urban infill apartment building with partially underground parking under the structure. Basement level provide parking for 20 cars and garbage and bike storage.

The ground level of the preferred scheme consists of a residential lobby and eight residential units with a variety of studio, one, and two bedroom units. The apartment service and utility area is located on this level.

The second and third floors house 11 residences each, with a mix of studios and one bedroom units.

The roof of the building will be accessible and act as an amenity space for tenants with opportunities for entertaining, community gardening and relaxation.

Parking is required for this project, as it does not fall within a frequent transit corridor nor an urban village overlay. One space is provided per unit via underground and surface parking, both accessed from the alley.

The Design Review meeting is scheduled for 6:30 next Thursday (June 28) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon in The Junction). As always, the meeting’s open to all and includes a public-comment period – as long as the comments focus on design issues – after the architects have made their presentation and been quizzed by the board members.

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Cove Park closed as Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project revs up
June 22, 2012 11:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | Utilities | West Seattle news

Down the driveway from the fence in our photo’s foreground, Cove Park north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock is now closed for about two years of construction work, as King County starts major work on the $24 million Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project. That includes site preparation – removing Cove Park’s artwork “for safe storage,” relocating the beach driftwood, and putting up a safety fence. (The park is to be restored after the project, following extensive talks with the Fauntleroy Community Association.) The county says work hours generally will run 7 am-5:30 pm. But they are NOT anticipating ferry-lane closures during this initial phase. Once the project is done, the pump station’s capacity will be 50 percent more than it is now, with all-new equipment, including an emergency generator.

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Another long-distance charity bicycle ride for West Seattle boy, dad
June 22, 2012 9:58 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

In the photo with Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board (WSB sponsor), you might recognize Cal Prinster and dad Gordon Prinster, who stopped by ABB Thursday to pick up “the last couple things” for their next adventure. Last summer, they shared the news here as they wrapped up a 1,732-mile bike trip to the Mexican border, raising money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Tomorrow, Cal and dad head out on another bicycle odyssey – this time, aiming to reach New York City by summer’s end! Here’s a one-minute preview produced by Cal (who’s going into 7th grade at Madison Middle School next year), showing their planned route:

We asked Gordon if they’re having any kind of sendoff. He says no – “We’ll just quietly roll out into the rain Saturday.”

TO DONATE: Go to this page on the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation site – and be sure to enter “Cal Prinster” as the “honoree” so PBTF will know he inspired you!

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West Seattle Friday: Happy last day of school!
June 22, 2012 8:13 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Baby eagle in the Duwamish Head Greenbelt, photographed this week by Kathy Weitz)
We know many independent-school students in West Seattle are already out – but today is the long-awaited final day for Seattle Public Schools students, so we wish them and their families “happy summer!” Here are other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY: That’s what AmericanWest Bank in The Junction is celebrating today, with free refreshments 11 am-2 pm at their branch (41st/Alaska) and a food truck on site if you’re interested in buying lunch there (Raney Brothers BBQ).

WORLD HARMONY RUN AT THE MOUNT: At 2 pm, the World Harmony Run Torch visits Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW).

LIVE MUSIC: Pat Smith at 3 pm at Bridge Park (3204 SW Morgan), RSVP requested … “Bobcat Bob” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 6-8 pm (5612 California SW) … Jazz singer Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW), 8-10 pm … Sightseer, Lush Tones, and More of Anything at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm … Jason Sees at the Heartland Café‘s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm … The Dolly Rottens and Death’s Three Daughters at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW) at 9:30 pm …

SATIRICAL SONGS: That’s what you can expect at “Live from the Starving Ear” with Roy Zimmerman tonight at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm.

SUNSET NATURE WALK: Naturalist Stewart Wechsler leads a Lincoln Park walk to commemorate the “latest sunset of the year,” meet at 8:45 pm; details on his website.

FYI – BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS’ PARTY: If you see police around the VFW Hall in The Triangle, don’t worry, it’s actually a happy occasion – they might be stopping in to say hello to the Block Watch captains of West Seattle, whose first-ever Appreciation Party, organized by the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network (with co-sponsors including WSB), is happening there tonight, including dinner and dancing.

FYI – ROTARY INSTALLATION BANQUET: That’s the big event at The Hall at Fauntleroy tonight, 6-9 pm, as the Rotarians celebrate outgoing president Sue Lindblom and incoming president Andy Horner.

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Video: The Kenney bids CEO Kevin McFeely farewell
June 22, 2012 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on Video: The Kenney bids CEO Kevin McFeely farewell
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news

Students, teachers, and school staffers aren’t the only ones marking farewells as this week comes to an end. Thursday afternoon at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), a reception honored departing CEO Kevin McFeely, who’s leaving after 9 years to run The Hearthstone in Green Lake (as reported here a month ago). Among those offering tributes at the celebration, marketing director Karmen Hudson:

His replacement has not yet been named. The Kenney is north of Lincoln Park, with history going back more than a century.

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Log House Museum looking for cleanup volunteers Saturday
June 21, 2012 10:24 pm
|    Comments Off on Log House Museum looking for cleanup volunteers Saturday
 |   How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from June 2010 volunteer cleanup @ the museum)
Inspired by recent stories of community cleanups, both spontaneous and planned? Here’s one you can join in. Just received from Marcy Johnsen at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:

Calling Volunteers! Your community museum needs you!

This Saturday, June 23rd, come help clean up at the Log House Museum. 3003 61st Avenue SW – corner of 61st and Stevens.

All sorts of chores to be done so no talent will go unneeded! Come ready to pitch in 9 am to 12 noon. No prior experience needed.

That would still leave plenty of time to check out Saturday’s big events, including the Morgan Junction Community Festival (10:30 am-7 pm) and “Celebrate Springer“ at the Alki Bathhouse (11 am-3 pm, not far from the Log House Museum).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Thieves take groceries, flowers
June 21, 2012 9:20 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports to share – one, the odd tale of a front-yard flower thief; the other, stolen groceries – read on for both, plus a quick roundup of notable incidents on the crime map from the past 24 hours or so:Read More

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Funeral service this Saturday for Mark Christopher Adams
June 21, 2012 7:18 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Shakura Kanye‘s dad passed away recently; she says he was “a very active member in the West Seattle community and I would like to spread the word about his funeral service.”

Honoring Mark Christopher Adams

When: Saturday, June 23, 2012 @ 11 a.m.
Where: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury)

Please join family and friends at Freedom Church in West Seattle at 11 am for a funeral service honoring Mark Adams- a loving brother, father, husband, uncle, and friend. He will be missed dearly.

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West Seattle traffic alerts: Next week’s Spokane St. Viaduct plan
June 21, 2012 4:58 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

Just in from SDOT – what you can expect for the next week-plus in terms of Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project closures. Right now, no bridge closures after tonight, but there are several surface closures of note, including a three-day shutdown of two blocks of eastbound surface Spokane Street. Details ahead:Read More

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From the real-estate file: Morgan Junction ‘development site’
June 21, 2012 4:28 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

A new commercial-real-estate listing of note: A half-acre site that includes Morgan Junction’s Short Stop market and adjacent dry cleaners, immediately north of Morgan Junction Park. The $2 million listing for 6311 California SW pitches it as a “TOD site with 60+ unit potential.” (TOD stands for transit-oriented development.) That number of units is comparable to the 62-unit almost-converted-to-condos Strata on California across the street. We checked and there’s no formal development proposal on file for 6311 California, but there is a city notation that “paid land-use coaching” was sought this past January “… to verify highest/best use … fully understand zoning/setbacks, units possible, height restrictions, etc. … understand comprehensive plan for area.”

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Major new Delridge rechannelization plan emerges at district-council meeting – this time, the south half
June 21, 2012 1:50 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Delridge District Council | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

When we saw the agenda for last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, featuring an SDOT presentation about “Delridge rechannelization,” we expected more information about this – rechannelization planned in connection with Metro Route 120 changes on the north end of Delridge.

Nope.

This presentation was about a new plan for mid-to-south Delridge rechannelization – and as you can see if you watch our video from last night’s meeting, its details surprised the District Council members too:

The South Delridge rechannelization plan, the SDOT reps said, is bundled with the forthcoming resurfacing/repaving of the same stretch, which was most recently detailed during Mayor McGinn‘s Town Hall in The Junction on May 3rd (as mentioned in our report on that meeting).

Read on for details of what the city unveiled last night, including the graphics of what the configurations are supposed to look like for each affected stretch, and news of one block where parking will undergo a dramatic change:Read More

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West Seattle schools: Aurora Lora leaving the district
June 21, 2012 11:47 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Seattle Public Schools‘ executive director of West Seattle schools has just announced she’s leaving the district. Here’s the letter from Aurora Lora, addressed to “colleagues” and forwarded to WSB:

It is with mixed emotions that I announce I have accepted a position as Assistant Superintendent for the Dallas Independent School District. In my new position, I will be supervising four executive directors, 45 principals, and will be responsible for overseeing the education of 35,000 students. My last day with the District will be July 6.

This was not an easy decision for me because I have truly loved my experience working with the principals, assistant principals, schools, families and community members of the West Seattle region. I have learned so much in the past two years from my work as an executive director and will genuinely miss the individuals that I have had the pleasure of working with during my time in Seattle.

I know the District is committed to finding a new Executive Director for the West Seattle region very soon. I wish you all the best of luck and look forward to hearing about the successes of the Seattle School District in the years to come.

Aurora Lora
Executive Director, PK-12 Schools
Seattle Public Schools

That’s just a few days after new SPS Superintendent José Banda begins work.

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NB Viaduct closure Saturday, & other weekend traffic alerts
June 21, 2012 11:09 am
|    Comments Off on NB Viaduct closure Saturday, & other weekend traffic alerts
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Thursday is the traditional day for sharing SDOT‘s roundup of big weekend events around the city that might affect traffic – this time around, the events include the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, which will close the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 from 5 am-3:30 pm on Saturday. And while it’s not on the city’s list, don’t forget the Morgan Junction Community Festival, which will draw a crowd to and around Morgan Junction Park 10:30 am-7 pm in the 6400 block of California SW – we’ll have another festival preview later today. Read on for the citywide heads-up, which starts with an event in the stadium district today:Read More

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Colman Pool: 9 days, 1 big operation till outdoor pool reopens
June 21, 2012 8:53 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Those bags are part of a 57,000-pound special delivery that arrived at Colman Pool Wednesday morning (thanks to some tricky truck maneuvering): A special plaster mix that will be applied to the outdoor swimming pool’s surfaces right before the water starts flowing back in. It’s the final major step before the pool’s scheduled June 30th reopening after 5 months of work in the second phase of its $1.4 million renovation project. What was happening Wednesday was the cleaning and other preparation before the plaster:

Seattle Parks‘ project manager Garrett Farrell agreed to show us around the site, with just over a week to go till its belated season opening. Ahead – what you are most likely to notice when you first visit the pool this year; a hint .. it’s not in the water!

Read More

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West Seattle Thursday: 1st full day of Summer 2012
June 21, 2012 7:56 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Alex for sharing the raccoon-family photo from “somewhere along Longfellow Creek”)
Welcome to the first full day of summer! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: If you missed the announcement on Wednesday, SDOT added another westbound closure of the Spokane Street Viaduct (plus one eastbound lane) for tonight, 10 pm-5 am – as noted on our updated “this week’s closures” page.

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Every so often, we like to remind you of these weekly events at your friendly neighborhood Seattle Public Library branch. Today, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) presents Preschool Story Time, 11-11:30 am; Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon) has its own edition, 11:15-11:45 am; High Point Library (35th/Raymond) has Toddler Story Time, 11:30-noon.

FAREWELL RECEPTION: The Kenney (WSB sponsor) is saying farewell to CEO Kevin McFeely (as reported here), and there’s a reception at 4:30 pm (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW).

‘CIRCLE OF SINGLES’: Event for singles 55 and over at Salty’s on Alki, 5 pm – details here.

WINE TASTINGS: Two tonight: West Seattle Cellars, 5:30-8 pm, Spanish and Portuguese Wines, from Casa Ventura, with Laura Stiff (6026 California SW) … Bin 41, 6-8 pm, with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon, sharing not only wines but also excerpts from his new book “Been Doon So Long: A Randall Grahm Vinthology,” and autographing it too (4707 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE FIXERS’ COLLECTIVE: Meeting tonight at the West Seattle Tool Library (northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm.

K-5 STEM AT BOREN DESIGN TEAM: The team of community, school, and district reps working on West Seattle’s new public school meets at 6:15 pm in the library at Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane).

SANISLO ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Current and new Sanislo Elementary families are welcome! 6:30 pm (details on the calendar).

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The monthly ACC meeting is tonight, 7 pm, at Alki UCC Church (62nd/Hinds) – agenda here.

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School Board: ‘Discussion’ promised for 2-schools-at-Boren plan; budget intro with Fairmount Park $; Roxhill kudos
June 21, 2012 6:17 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB cameraphone photo of the crowd just before public comment began)
Though it was not an agenda item, the just-announced co-locating of K-5 STEM and Middle College High School at Boren generated discussion, and a promise, at last night’s Seattle School Board meeting.

After half a dozen people voiced concern during the public-comment period, three board members did too, including West Seattle’s Marty McLaren, who promised a “public discussion” on the issue.

Ahead, more of the discussion, plus a budget item that might – or might not – relate to K-5 STEM’s eventual permanent home:Read More

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Summer Solstice Sunset Watch 2012: Crowd yes, sun no
June 20, 2012 9:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(1st 3 photos by Torin Record-Sand for WSB)
At Solstice Park about an hour ago, NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen looked off to the west with some trepidation/anticipation, a few minutes before the official 1st sunset of summer was supposed to happen, somewhere behind all this …

We counted more than 70 people scattered around the hillside viewpoint over the Lincoln Park tennis courts, where for the past three-plus years, Alice has showed up on equinoxes and solstices to explain them – and anything else astronomical that folks want to know about.

But as part of her volunteer ambassadorship, Alice organizes other events too – next up, a Mars landing party on August 5th, previewed a bit with Lego rover models at Solstice Park tonight:

Alice yelled out to the crowd that she’s still looking for a venue “with Internet and a roof,” available around 10:30 pm on August 5th. If you have a suggestion, reach her through her website, alicesastroinfo.com.

ADDED 11:32 PM: Thanks to those who shared their photos! First, Jordan Petram caught the color that the sunset yielded, even without the hoped-for alignment view at the park:

Cathy Jaramillo caught a closer view of Alice as she explained how that alignment would work if the sun were in view (note the stone in the lower right – that marks the spot):

And from Scott Scowcroft, the view of the crowd, looking northwest:

Note the cupola of The Kenney (WSB sponsor) off to the right.

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