West Seattle, Washington
05 Sunday
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
For the second time in five years, a centennial celebration for Holy Rosary. In 2009, the church marked its 100th anniversary; today, the school. Students were part of today’s Centennial Mass, with a special guest, Seattle’s Archbishop J. Peter Sartain:
Honoring the past and looking to the future, the Mass was followed by a reception and events involving time capsules old and new:
That one was from a quarter-century ago, 1989; here’s some of what was inside:
Archbishop Sartain and Holy Rosary’s pastor Father John Madigan also presided as a new time capsule was placed:
This one is meant to be opened a half-century from now:
What’s in it? That’s supposed to be a surprise for the people who open it in 2064. Earlier centennial events included a group photo last November, featuring more than 400 students (see it in WSB coverage).
(EDITOR’S NOTE: We reported the bottom line of this meeting briefly last Thursday night; this is the detailed report of how the Design Review Board reached the decision.)
(Above, “preferred” massing as proposed at meeting; below, project site)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Usually, a design-review meeting starts with an explanation of the process.
Thursday night, the Early Design Guidance meeting for 3211 California SW started with a relocation, as the 20-plus board members and attendees were forced out of the usual venue, the Senior Center of West Seattle, due to what was described as a “natural-gas issue.”
Southwest Design Review Board member T. Frick McNamara offered her shop a block south, Bin 41, as an emergency-substitute venue.
With a projection screen against the front window, the board behind the front counter, and attendees in folding chairs, it worked, aside from acoustics. (The air conditioning helped, too, given the unseasonably weather that night.) Behind the window covering and across the street, an under-construction project approved many board members ago, at California/Alaska/42nd.
Two more unusual points even before the change of venue: This also was the first single-project meeting in a while, and it was the last scheduled SWDRB meeting till further notice, as the flow of larger projects has slowed down, and if there’s no project scheduled to be reviewed, the all-volunteer board doesn’t meet.
On to 3211 California SW (design “packet” here):
It’s increasingly clear that talented authors abound in West Seattle. We’ve found out about another one up for a national award: “Myths Busted!” is the first book by Admiral resident Emily Krieger, published by National Geographic Kids and already voted one of the top five favorite 5th/6th-grade books in America. Emily explains: “The winner is still being determined by votes, and anyone — kids and adults — can vote in as little as 30 seconds (here). No registration required! … If any of your readers would like to vote local, they have through May 12th. And while I appreciate any and all support for Myths Busted!, if anybody has a special fondness for the other nominees, I wouldn’t begrudge them. Being involved in kids’ reading and encouraging them to talk about books is the most important part.”
P.S. She says the second book in the “Myths Busted!” series will be out May 13th, along with a short-story collection called “Funny Fill-In: My Dinosaur Adventure,” and in addition to all that, she’s just finished writing the third and final “Myths Busted!” book.
Six days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (Saturday, May 10th, 9 am-3 pm)! If you missed the announcement last night, the online map is up and running – go here to see who’s having a sale near you, who’s selling what, and more – 280+ sales big and small all over West Seattle.
As part of WSCGSD, several donation drives are planned on sale day, mostly geared toward taking advantage of leftovers – or anything you might want to buy at WSCGSD sales and THEN donate. BUT here’s one that is already under way: Denny International Middle School is spearheading a book drive. And you can even donate before the sale – today, in fact – with two local businesses offering incentives – read this message from Denny principal Jeff Clark:
Motivating and exciting students is an important part of education at Denny International Middle School and the other schools in West Seattle. One of the easiest ways to motivate students to read is to have books they are excited about reading. We are seeking donated books to help us to match each student to many appropriately-leveled high-interest books. Your book donation would help us with our efforts.
How You Can Help: You can drop off books at any of these locations:
1. We will have a truck marked Denny Middle School in the West Seattle Junction across from Junction True Value from 3 to 6 PM on May 10th.
2. Hotwire Coffee – 4410 California Avenue SW, any time during open hours thru May 18th . … Note: Hotwire Coffee, as part of its support for the West Seattle community, will give a certificate good for $1 off any purchase at Hotwire to the first 25 people who drop off 10 or more books.
3. Bank of America, West Seattle Branch, 4001 SW Alaska St, 358-2230, from 10-6 M-F, Sat 10-1, thru May 18th.
4. Roxbury Bowling Lanes, 2823 Roxbury St, 935-7400, from 11 AM to 7 PM, thru Sunday, May 18th … Note: Roxbury Lanes, as part of its support for the Seattle community, will give a certificate good for two people for two free games of bowling for any book donation over 20 books.
5. Denny International Middle School, 2601 SW Kenyon St, 252-9000. Drop off at the front desk, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday to Friday, thru Friday, May 16th.
Some books may be more suitable for older or younger readers. We plan to sort the donated books and find appropriate places for them, including local elementary schools, Chief Sealth International High School, and the West Seattle Senior Center.
Thank you very much for your book donations to help the scholars of West Seattle Schools!
Tomorrow, look for WestSide Baby‘s wish list in case you’d like to shop and donate on WSCGSD, plus other information about donation drives tied to sale day.
(WSB staff photos unless otherwise credited)
Hey, without spring showers, you don’t have bee-friendly flowers. So the showery weather is actually auspicious for the second annual West Seattle Bee Festival, underway at High Point Commons Park until 3 pm. It started right after the parade, led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band, ended at the park:
Added: Parade marchers:
(Photo courtesy Kerry L.)
(Parade video later.) Added: The WSHS band, with music director Ethan Thomas:
(Photo courtesy Anne Weglin)
As for the bees, you can peek into their enclosure in hopes of a glimpse:
You can also talk to bee experts like the folks from the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association, who are in the street-festival zone along the east side of the park:
Fun kid activities can be found throughout the festival zone:
And good neighbors too, like Deborah Vandermar from the High Point Neighborhood Association on behalf of the Keep High Point Green project:
Cindi Barker from West Seattle Be Prepared and Karen Berge from the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network are on hand too:
But it’s not a festival without you – so buzz on over before 3.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
In case you missed meeting them here back in March, from left with their sponsor banners are this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court candidates Hang Thao, Nina Coluccio, and Lorelei McFadden, with reigning queen April Davis. After talent performances at the breakfast event, the candidates are continuing with judged events leading up to the big celebration you’re invited to attend: Two weeks from today, Sunday, May 18th, coronation and tea! It’s a festive afternoon tea service at The Hall at Fauntleroy; chair Danette Carufel shared a table-setting photo:
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Hi-Yu)
You can still get your ticket(s) for the 2-5 pm tea/silent auction event on May 18th – $25/person, or bring your friends and fill a table of 10 for $250, supporting this all-volunteer nonprofit community organization – by contacting Danette at 206-935-6517 or via e-mail.
One of the first big events of Bike Month is Bike To School Day, coming up this Wednesday (May 7th). Alki Elementary teacher Terry Kegel shares the news that his school is planning two “Bike Trains” – with Seattle Public Schools superintendent José Banda and Alki principal Shannon Stanton planning to join one of them. The maps are on this flyer; Kegel says the two “trains” will converge at 59th/Alki just before heading east to the school. The school is getting ready on Tuesday with after-school bike tune-ups. Is YOUR school planning anything special for Bike To School Day? Please let us know! (P.S. Bike To Work Day is May 16th this year.)
In honor of today’s spotlight event, the 2nd annual West Seattle Bee Festival, we share another photo of a recent honey-bee swarm, courtesy of Sandra Braun. We reported on the swarm two weeks ago; if you see one, don’t panic, call a beekeeper – see this page from the Puget Sound Beekeepers’ Association. Now, to the big event (at which the bees will be in their enclosure):
WEST SEATTLE BEE FESTIVAL AND PARADE: A parade, picnic, and festival celebrate the start of the second year of the West Seattle Bee Garden on the north side of High Point Commons Park. Come “bee” in the parade, for starters – gathering at 10 am at West Seattle Elementary School (6760 34th SW), parading at 11 to the park (31st and Graham) for music, food, crafts, face-painting, more. Don’t let a showery forecast get in your way. More in our recent preview.
Also ahead for your West Seattle Sunday:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always. (44th/Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: Now at Fairmount Park, 11 am; details in our listing. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
HOLY ROSARY CENTENNIAL MASS: 11:30 am, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain will celebrate Mass in honor of the centennial of Holy Rosary School, at adjoining Holy Rosary Church. Reception in Lanigan Gym, with time-capsule opening, afterward. (42nd/Genesee)
LEARN ABOUT LINCOLN PARK: A naturalist will lead you on a walk to explore and learn about the history of Lincoln Park. Meet at 1 pm in the north parking lot. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
RAIN 2 RIVER WALK – NOTE, NEW MEETING PLACE: Join in an educational walk and get a free ticket for a Duwamish River boat tour in the future! Today’s walk has a NEW meeting place, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, but the same previous schedule, 1:30-4 pm. Details in our listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
MATINEE FOR ‘HAIR’: The classic musical is onstage at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), with a 3 pm matinee today. Ticket and show info here. (4711 California SW)
One week till the 10th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, 9 am-3 pm next Saturday (May 10th), with 288 sale sites all over the peninsula! The online version of the map is now live – until WSCGSD is over, it has its own tab on the WSB navigation bar, below the left side of the sunset-photo header. We’re still tweaking the printable version – the online version usually debuts first, and if sellers spot any address anomalies, for example, we can get those handled before publishing the link to the printable map. (E-mail garagesale@westseattleblog.com.) Text atop the map’s WSB page explains how to use the map (same format as the last 3 years). Happy map-exploring; see previous WSCGSD updates here.
In the mood for good news tonight? West Seattleite Heather P. Olson just e-mailed to say that the documentary she’s co-producing, “Gold Balls,” has passed its Kickstarter crowdfunding goal. As reported here last week, it’s about the “ultra-senior” tennis circuit. See the trailer in our previous story.
More scenes from the start of boating season: Carolyn Newman spotted the West Seattle Water Taxi navigating between shrimp boats – today is the first of two 7 am-3 pm days during which the state is allowing shrimp-catching in Elliott Bay (the second day will be next Wednesday, May 7th).
Earlier in the morning, Roger Hayes photographed a rainbow from Alki, which he considered to be an auspicious start to Opening Day:
This also is the start of cruise-ship season, as reported here earlier. And now for some history:
THE STORY OF THE SANS SOUCI II: Also to commemorate the start of boating season, Beach Drive Blog tells the tale of the yacht Sans Souci II, owned by the pioneering Schmitz family, briefly drafted into military service – read about it (and see it!) by going here.
Through the warm(er) months, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) has outdoors barbecue lunches many Saturdays, raising money for local nonprofits. Today, the season begins with a test run – so you’re invited to come have a free hot dog while they last. In our photo are Michele, Thriftway’s resident barbecue guru, and her new assistant Sam. The first official benefit barbecue is coming up in two weeks – Saturday, May 17th – with a celebrity guest chef expected, former Seahawk Mack Strong, and proceeds benefiting his TEAM-WORKS Foundation.
The eagle’s not always regal. (Click the image to see the full-size view.)
Thanks to Christopher Frankovich for sharing! Your caption?
10:29 AM: Though we still don’t know what they were, we’re mentioning this because we’re getting inquiries in all our channels: In the 5 am hour, multiple explosion-type sounds startled people awake in neighborhoods including Gatewood and High Point. Jeremy says it “shook (his) windows.” We’ve checked the police and fire logs and so far haven’t found any obviously related incidents – for example, if it were gunfire, and police found evidence, it would be logged as such. If you happen to know what it was – maybe somebody with fireworks in your neighborhood – help solve the mystery!
7:27 PM: Still a mystery. SPD Lt. Paul Leung, who was working at that hour, says he doesn’t recall any related calls, and there were no warrant services in the area (so much for the flashbang theory).
(Friday afternoon rainbow, by Jason Grotelueschen)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HI-YU COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Until 11 am, you’re invited to enjoy breakfast at the Masonic Center with West Seattle Hi-Yu, including the three Senior Court candidates’ talent performances at 9:30 am (9:33 am update, we just stopped by and now it’s looking more like 10-ish). Details here. (40th/Edmunds)
FAIRMOUNT PARK PTA CHARTER MEETING: Community members as well as future families and staff of Fairmount Park Elementary, reopening this fall after seven years of closure, are invited to come be founders of its PTA, with a charter meeting just getting under way now (9 am, followed by 10 am social hour) at Alki Elementary, as previewed here last night. (3010 59th SW)
CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE #1: First of two days for the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s giant rummage sale, 9 am-3 pm; details in our calendar listing. (7141 California SW)
CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE #2: Also 9 am-3 pm, it’s the second of two days at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s big sale. (3050 California SW)
‘JANE’S WALK’: As previewed here, meet at the Charlestown water tower for a Feet First-sponsored, neighborhood-walking-ambassador-led tour of West Seattle development, reminiscing about the past, looking toward the future. 10 am-noon. (39th/Charlestown)
PRE-CRYPTICON MAKEUP CONTEST: The PNTA store in North Delridge is hosting the early rounds of the horror-movie-makeup contest that will have its finals at Crypticon Seattle on Memorial Day weekend, as previewed here. Round 1 at 10:30 am, round 2 at 12:30 pm, public welcome. (2414 SW Andover)
WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY BARBECUE SEASON BEGINS: 11 am, the grill fires up outside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) for another season of benefit barbecues. Go say hi to Michele and company! (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
KONZUK TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! Karen Konzuk‘s “simple, modern” jewelry designs are highlighted in her trunk show at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), 11 am-5 pm today. (4540 California SW)
GRAND OPENING PARTY AT MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS: The new kids-stuff shop in Morgan Junction celebrates its official grand opening today, 11 am-2 pm. (6959 California SW)
CATTYWAMPUS: The pop-up kid-stuff shop at Center Studio (WSB sponsor) in downtown White Center is back today, 12:30 pm-6:30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (9611 16th SW)
BUILD BRIDGES! Fun competition for kids at High Point Library, 2-4 pm; details in our calendar listing. (35th/Raymond)
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AND APPRECIATION PARTY: 4-7 pm, Sustainable West Seattle is throwing you a party in The Admiral District – find out about its programs and people and how you can help. (4200 SW Admiral Way)
LAFAYETTE PLAY’S FINAL NIGHT “Aesop’s Fables” is Lafayette Elementary‘s annual production, with its third and final show at 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30; public welcome. No admission fee, but a donation box will be set up at the door to help with the costs of the production. (2600 SW Thistle)
‘INEQUALITY FOR ALL’: West Seattle Meaningful Movies presents “Robert Reich’s passionate argument on behalf of the middle class,” 7 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. Admission free, donations accepted. Details in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way)
GROW IT, SHOW IT … ‘HAIR’: The Age of Aquarius is back with the classic musical onstage at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket and show info here. (4711 California SW)
THOSE GUYS: The “fourth annual farewell show” for Those Guys, also featuring Wrecking Yard, rocks the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) starting at 9:30 tonight. (6451 California SW)
Thanks to Lynn for the early-morning view of the Golden Princess, one of the two ships in Seattle today as this year’s cruise season begins. The Princess Cruises ship is berthed at Pier 91 in Magnolia along with Holland-America Line’s Westerdam; as the season ramps up in the weeks ahead, you’ll see other ships using Pier 66 downtown, too. Here’s the full schedule for this year’s season, which runs five months, with the last scheduled stop on September 30th.
At Southwest Athletic Complex on Friday afternoon, the West Seattle High School varsity-baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Chief Sealth International High School with a 6-3 win, two days after an 8-3 victory. Greg Slader, who shared the photos, says WSHS “scored two runs in the first inning and kept adding runs almost every inning. Top of the batting order Cameron Slader and Morgan McCullough (top photo) had consecutive hits in the first and third inning to score four of West Seattle’s Six runs.
Jake Magera (above) pitched six innings. More game stats here. Next, Sealth travels to Bainbridge for a Monday afternoon game; WSHS plays Bishop Blanchet at Green Lake/Lower Woodlawn next Tuesday.
With Fairmount Park Elementary reopening this fall, seven years after Seattle Public Schools closed it, community members who know they’ll be part of the relaunch aren’t waiting for school to start to get going on forming a PTA. If Fairmount Park is in your family’s future too, you’re invited to be part of the PTA charter meeting tomorrow at Alki Elementary (3010 59th SW). It’s in the school cafeteria from 9-10, followed by a social hour. The new PTA already has a website where you can find out more – including information that’ll help you prepare for tomorrow’s meeting.
Whole lot of spring cleaning going on in West Seattle – and not just to get ready for May 10th’s WS Community Garage Sale Day. If you were part of last Sunday’s Fauntleroy Church recycling event, Judy Pickens says you were part of something big:
A steady stream of vehicles (estimated at 400 – a record) brought 10.5 tons of old appliances, computers, lawn mowers, and other recyclables to Sunday’s Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. Everything is well on its way back to the resource stream! The church’s green committee will sponsor another roundup in September.
Inbetween recycling roundups, the South Transfer Station in nearby South Park takes some things you can’t put out at curbside. The city website also has a lookup tool you can use to see what’s recyclable and what’s not.
Thanks to Amy and Lisa for sharing the photo and report:
Gatewood Elementary third graders on Mrs. Griffin and Mr. Nowicki’s team had their poetry celebration today at The Kenney. Each student read their own original poetry on the microphone based on something they cared about. Then they gave their poems away as gifts to their Kenney friends.
We had a wonderful time making new friends and sharing our poetry.
The school and retirement center are neighbors – almost directly across Fauntleroy Way from each other.
There’s still time to go get literary with two local novelists and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) instructors in this month’s edition of “Words, Writers, & West Seattle” – Mike Hickey and Arleen Williams are reading and signing their work at Barnes & Noble in Westwood Village, until 6 pm. The monthly series spotlighting local authors is co-presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.
Again this year, we’re making a page of links to West Seattle/White Center/South Park nonprofits that are participating in the GiveBIG donate-a-thon, so that readers of West Seattle Blog, White Center Now, and The South Park News will have a handy cheat-sheet for where to donate. So if you are associated with a nonprofit in WS, WC, and/or SP, that’ll be part of GiveBIG next Tuesday, please send us the link to your GiveBIG donation page, ASAP. Best way to get us this info: editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks and good luck!
(Photo from 2012 WS5K by David Hutchinson)
Another of the many huge spring/summer events coming up is the 2014 edition of the West Seattle 5K run/walk, two weeks away on Sunday, May 18th, 9 am along Alki. If you’re planning to be part of the event (organized by the WSHS PTSA, with co-sponsors including WSB), hurry up and sign up! But you can help even if you’re not walking/running – here’s the request we were asked to share:
West Seattle High School is looking for adult volunteers for the WSHS 5K fun run & walk on Sunday, May 18th. If you are able to help Sunday morning between 7:30 am to 12:00, or anytime inbetween, it would be much appreciated. Please send an e-mail with your name and time you are available to ‘wshs5kvolunteers@gmail.com’ Any and all help will be much appreciated.
As usual, this year’s WS5K will be followed by SDOT‘s Seattle Summer Streets festival – more on that here (and more on the bicycle parade here).
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