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West Seattle Monday: Delridge Grocery; Real Change; more…
June 3, 2013 9:13 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(A migratory black-throated gray warbler, photographed in Lincoln Park by Trileigh Tucker)
Three highlights for tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

OVERFLOW OPTIONS: 4:30-6:30 pm at City Hall downtown, you’re invited to an open house with more information about the options Seattle Public Utilities is exploring for reducing pollution in local waterways from combined-sewer overflows. More details in our Sunday preview, including how to offer your opinion if you can’t make it to this event. (4th/5th/Cherry/James)

DELRIDGE GROCERY: “The store opening is now a year away and we need volunteer support more than ever!” says the team putting together a cooperative grocery store to open on Delridge next year. 6:30 pm tonight at Delridge Library, it’s your next chance to offer that support. From the meeting announcement:

On the agenda:
– Background/update on Delridge Grocery
– Website
– Potential community partnership/volunteer opportunities
– Accounting/finances
– Member/owner pledges
– T-shirts and buttons
– Intro to co-ops material
– Future tabling events

(5423 Delridge Way SW)

REAL CHANGE: 6:30 pm, you’re invited to the High Point Library to discuss the Real Change News vendor program with the people who run it. The preview we published here last week led to energetic discussion, and tonight’s the night you can hear from, and speak with, Real Change reps in person. (35th/Raymond)

P.S. You can find nightlife listings, and more, by going directly to the calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: June’s first Monday
June 3, 2013 6:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
First weekday of the new month. One traffic alert – 55th SW is scheduled to be closed between Lander and Alki for water-main work, as per the Seattle Public Utilities announcement we recently published.

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Gatewood students hike to library for art as well as books
June 3, 2013 2:08 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

You know Seattle Public Library branches are places to go for books, videos, computers, more … but don’t forget the art! It was a big reason why Gatewood Elementary 4th graders hiked up SW Morgan Street to get to the High Point Branch last Thursday. Teacher Darren Radu, who shared the photos, says local ceramic artist Steve Gardner talked with them there:

The artist, says Darren, “is the creative genius behind the beautiful artwork that adorns the High Point library exterior. He provided insight to his creative process and retold the ‘Sky Legends’ from Somali, Mexican, Native American, Asian, and Greek cultures that inspired his work. The kids were extremely impressed with both the art and the stories, and made a number of connections to their studies of myths and legends this year. We’re grateful to Steve for taking the time to meet with us and share his expertise.”

While at the library, he adds, they also talked with librarian Nathalie about summer reading. “The kids wanted to pass along a message – they hope that the West Seattle community spends the summer appreciating both great art AND great books!”

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Monday: Open house seeking your opinion on reducing waterway pollution
June 2, 2013 8:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(Outfalls in our area – blue = ‘controlled,’ pink = ‘uncontrolled’)
The city has yet to finalize a plan for keeping its combined-sewer overflows out of local waterways – but once it decides on an option, West Seattle will be affected, one way or another, as this “community guide” shows – with options including at least half a million gallons of overflow storage to be built somewhere in eastern West Seattle. As part of the current environmental review of the options, the city has a “scoping” open house tomorrow to which you’re invited. It’s been advertised here and elsewhere as “The Plan to Protect Seattle’s Waterways“; it’s a chance to review the potential alternatives, and ask questions/offer comments in person. It’s downtown, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm Monday (June 3rd) in the Bertha Knight Landes Room on the main floor of City Hall downtown. If you can’t go, you can comment by e-mail, as long as your comment’s in by June 20th – e-mail betty.meyer@seattle.gov. (Or – here’s a survey.)

P.S. Just in case you wondered, two things:

#1 – This is separate from King County’s combined-sewer-overflow-reducing plans, which in our area include the planned storage tank across from Lowman Beach Park and “green stormwater infrastructure” in Westwood and Sunrise Heights. The county’s plan involves reducing overflow at two of its pump stations on the southern West Seattle shore; the city’s plan involves reducing what gets to its more-numerous outfalls both on Puget Sound and on other waterways including Longfellow Creek and the Duwamish River.

#2 – If this sounds a bit like déja vu – there was a previous round of “scoping” in 2011 (as noted here). But since then, the city negotiated an agreement with higher authorities regarding past pollution, and the results of that changed the potential plan a bit, as explained in the “community guide.”

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Update: Crash in Highland Park; 7 taken to the hospital
June 2, 2013 4:10 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
4:10 PM: Multiple ambulances are being called to 12th and Holden in Highland Park for a crash. We’re on our way to find out more.

4:16 PM: Per radio communications, 2 vehicles, 7 patients, at least two seriously hurt. Large emergency response in the area so stay clear TFN.

4:30 PM: Our crew on the scene says the vehicles are a van and an SUV. Multiple SFD medic units and private ambulances there. Photo added. The wrecked vehicles are on the south side of Holden, about 100 yards west of 12th.

4:45 PM: Seattle Fire’s public-information officer is on scene, so we’re expecting some additional information from our crew shortly. The 12th/Holden area has long been flagged by the Highland Park Action Committee and other area advocates/neighbors for safety concerns.

4:56 PM: The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad will be coming to work on this, which means the area is likely to be closed at least a few more hours. If you are heading west on Holden, you will have to detour onto 12th; if you are heading east on Holden, you will have to detour onto 13th.

5:11 PM: SFD spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl confirmed to us and other media at the scene that seven people were taken to Harborview Medical Center – two of them children – but none is believed to have life-threatening injuries. In all, she says, the first crews arriving at the scene were told that 10 people in all were in the two vehicles; one had to be extricated (cut out) of the wreckage.

Though some at the scene reported smoke, neither car caught fire, she said.

5:32 PM: Briefing video added (and shortly afterward, two more photos). We’ll check on SW Holden’s status in a few hours – please let us know if you see it reopen sooner (via comments here or text/voice 206-293-6302, our 24/7 line) – thank you.

9:37 PM: Drove by to be sure SW Holden had reopened – it has.

ADDED 8:16 AM MONDAY: Seattle Police have published a summary on SPD Blotter. The only information beyond what we’ve already reported includes the vehicles’ directions and the fact neither driver is believed to have been impaired:

… At about 3:52 pm on Sunday, it is believed that a Hyundai Santa Fe was travelling westbound on SW Holden. At the same time, a Dodge Caravan was travelling eastbound on SW Holden. For reasons still to be determined, while the cars were mid block, they collided head on.

Seattle Fire responded and treated the three adults and two small children that were in the Santa Fe. All the occupants were transported to Harborview Medical Center. Two of the adults suffered serious, but non life-threatening injuries. The two adults (one man and one woman) in the Dodge Caravan were also transported to Harborview, one with serious but non life-threatening injuries. The three young children in the Caravan were evaluated at the scene by Seattle Fire, but they did not have to go to the hospital.

As is routine in serious collision investigations, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officer responded to the hospital and evaluated both the female driver of the Caravan and the male driver of the Santa Fe for any signs of impairment. It was determined that neither driver had any signs of impairment from drugs and/or alcohol.

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Lighthouse centennial, report #2: Rear Admiral Keith Taylor’s final weeks as district commander
June 2, 2013 3:33 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS miscellaneous

Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

Before the Alki Point Lighthouse opened for this year’s summer season of weekend public tours Saturday afternoon, which also happened to be the 100th anniversary of the day the building officially opened, one of the people who live on its grounds presided over a commemorative ceremony: Rear Admiral Keith Taylor, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard‘s 13th District.

Not only did he speak about the lighthouse and its history, he told us in a conversation afterward, but also about the watch that is kept around the clock by the USCG in this region, and about his pride in the people who keep that watch. In relating the past – including the U.S. Lighthouse Service and the Revenue Cutter Service (here’s an official USCG historian slide deck) – to the present, RADM Taylor says he likes to say, “We helped the Pacific Northwest grow up.” (Lighthouses became part of the USCG’s accountability in 1939.)

This month has significance for RADM Taylor far beyond the lighthouse centennial: Before this month is over, he will turn over command of the 13th Coast Guard District to his successor. He’s retiring, 30 years after he began his service following graduation from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and two years after becoming commander of this 4-state district.

The district includes 4,400 miles of coastline, more than 600 miles of inland waterways, and a long list of stations and vessels that you can peruse here, as well as on the official fact sheet (which reveals this is the centennial year for the district itself). Hundreds of thousands of vessel journeys, dinghys to cruise ships and beyond, are made in the region’s waterways each year.

One datapoint of potential interest to sky-watching West Seattleites: No Coast Guard helicopters are based in Seattle; they’re based in Port Angeles. You may see the distinctive mostly-orange helicopters here fairly often, but when they head home, they’re flying northwest to the shore of the Strait of San Juan de Fuca. Aviation, by the way, figures prominently into Adm. Taylor’s background; his past assignments include serving as commander of the USCG’s Air Station Miami. He also has served as the Coast Guard’s Chief Financial Officer and in other USCG-wide leadership roles.

For decades, it has been tradition for the USCG 13th District’s commander to live on the Alki Point Lighthouse grounds (the last lighthouse keeper retired in 1970). Adm. Taylor has kept with that tradition; he told us he and his wife hope to stay in the Seattle area after his retirement. The other residence at Alki Point also is usually home to a USCG officer and family; its next residents are moving in soon, Admiral Taylor mentioned.

As for the lighthouse itself, he says it’s vital to the safety of local waterways and he doesn’t see that changing any time soon.

The District 13 change of command ceremony, he said, is scheduled for Friday morning, June 28th, at the USCG station at Pier 36 on the downtown waterfront; we’re expecting more information as it gets closer.

Meantime, free lighthouse tours are scheduled to continue at Alki Point 1-4 pm each Saturday and Sunday through the end of August.

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Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry update: Klahowya back
June 2, 2013 3:03 pm
|    Comments Off on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry update: Klahowya back
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Heads up for Washington State Ferries travelers – and drivers in the terminal areas – on this sunny weekend afternoon:

The Klahowya is out of service for necessary repairs. The 2:25 pm Southworth to Vashon and Fauntleroy sailing and the 3:20 pm Fauntleroy to Vashon are cancelled. The two-boat schedule begins when the 3:30 pm Vashon to Fauntleroy sailing becomes a direct 3:35 pm Vashon to Southworth sailing. The 2-boat schedule will in effect for the remainder of the day. Updates will occur when more information becomes available.

You can check the route’s status – and get the 2-boat schedule – here.

6:11 PM UPDATE: WSF says Klahowya is back in service.

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Underwater filmmaking, behind the scenes, with ‘Diver Laura’
June 2, 2013 1:03 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

You’ve seen the work of West Seattle’s award-winning “Diver Laura” James – a filmmaker, photographer, writer, environmental activist – here and elsewhere over the past few years. Now, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get those views; much more complicated than simply jumping into the water with a camera. The video above tells that story as part of a profile of Laura’s work, made for the Puget Sound Starts Here campaign by another local filmmaker, Matthew J. Clark. Some beautiful scenery above the water, too (look for the Seacrest sequence) – Laura says it was shot in mid-April.

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West Seattle schools: Denny musicians’ Disneyland success
June 2, 2013 11:56 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Young musicians from West Seattle are showing their stuff at Disneyland this weekend, and gaining recognition for it, reports Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark:

It is an honor to share with you that the Denny International Middle School senior band, senior orchestra, and jazz band musicians are performing this weekend at the Disney Magic Music Days in Anaheim, California. Mr. Pimpleton, Ms. Shaffer, and other Denny staff and volunteers are with nearly 100 students as they perform. Our scholars are having a great time and earning some prestigious awards. So far, we have been presented with a 1st place and overall top Jazz Band, 2nd place Middle School Orchestra, and 3rd place Middle School Concert Band awards! Congratulations, Dolphins! Thank you to our staff and volunteers!

P.S. After they return, the orchestra’s final concert of the year, along with Denny singers, is this Wednesday night.

SIDE NOTE: Thanks to ALL local school staffers, volunteers, parents, and others who have helped us update tens of thousands of people in the West Seattle community and beyond with news of many local schools/students’ activities, honors, open-to-the-public events and more, again this year. We appreciate hearing from any and all schools in the area! Whether it’s an upcoming event announcement, an invitation to cover something at/involving your school, or photos/info on something that’s already happened, editor@westseattleblog.com is the place to send it (and if you have questions on how or what to send, same address – thanks!).

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Tree trouble in Westwood: Big branch falls on road
June 2, 2013 11:27 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

Thanks to WSB contributor Keri DeTore for the photo and word of that big tree branch down at 29th and Henderson in Westwood. She says it took down some kind of utility wire, but otherwise, it didn’t appear other damage had been done. We’ll check back to see how soon it’s cleared away.

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11 options for your sunny (so far) West Seattle Sunday
June 2, 2013 9:29 am
|    Comments Off on 11 options for your sunny (so far) West Seattle Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Sunday sunshine! Your options include:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm today and every Sunday in The Junction. (44th/Alaska)

OPEN HOUSE: While you’re in The Junction, today’s the day for the 10 am-3 pm open house at the new West Seattle Women’s Health and Midwifery, as mentioned here (second item) (4727 44th SW, Suite 207)

FURRY FACES FOUNDATION PLANT SALE: Again today, 10 am-4 pm, the animal-advocacy group’s plant sale offers hundreds of plants of all types. More info in this WSB Forums post; you can also take part in a pet-food drive (food or cash). (3809 46th SW)

HAIRCUTS FOR HEALTH CARE: 10 am-3 pm benefit at VAIN salon in The Junction – details in our calendar listing. (4513 California SW)

BENEFIT CAR WASH: Relay for Life‘s Team Bulleavers are raising money 11 am-2:30 pm at Alki Auto. (2504 Alki SW)

FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS’ CAT ADOPTION EVENT: Noon-3 pm at Next to Nature in The Junction, Friends of the Animals Foundation has cats and kittens available for adoption – details in our calendar listing. (4543 California SW)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Open today and every Thursday-Sunday, noon-4 pm, for you to enjoy and explore local history. (61st/Stevens)

SEA LIFE, FROM GLASS: Watch artist Justin Bagley at work! Noon-4 pm at Avalon Glassworks – details in our calendar listing. (2914 SW Avalon Way)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Didn’t go on centennial day yesterday? Free tours continue 1-4 pm today, and every weekend afternoon through August. (Just north of where Alki Avenue and Beach Drive meet)

FREE BIKE REPAIRS: DIY Bikes is teaming up today with the West Seattle Tool Library – bring your bike for free repairs. 1-5 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)

GRETCHEN’S GRAINS: This West Seattle-founded company (featured here last year) is demonstrating how to use its frozen, organic, pre-cooked grains – see for yourself at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) 4-7 pm today. (California/Stevens)

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3 West Seattle community centers offering QuickStart tennis
June 2, 2013 8:35 am
|    Comments Off on 3 West Seattle community centers offering QuickStart tennis
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Kids 7-10 years old have the chance to learn tennis this summer at three of West Seattle’s city-run community centers. The announcement:

QuickStart Tennis is intended for beginning youths with little to no playing experience. QuickStart Tennis is unique and fun because kids learn the game playing with smaller rackets, smaller courts, low pressure and foam balls. They play fun games and do exciting drills. Practices are twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays starting June 24th. Practice times are 6-7 pm for 7-8 year olds and 7-8 pm for 9-10 year olds. In late July, there will be FUN matches against other teams.

QuickStart Tennis runs for 8 weeks and concludes on Wednesday, August 14th with a FUN PLAY DAY. Cost is $35 per child and equipment is included. Teams will be forming at local West Seattle community centers: Alki Community Center, Delridge Community Center, and Southwest Teen Life Center.

You can sign up via any of those three centers. Questions? Jeannie Shek – jeannie.shek@seattle.gov – 206-684-4764

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Triumphant return: West Seattle Baseball honors WSHS visitors
June 2, 2013 2:33 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

As a big day of playoff games got under way Saturday morning for West Seattle Baseball, they paid tribute to the West Seattle High School baseball team that just finished its season as the #2 3A team in the entire state. As Greg Slader, who shared the photos, notes, “Many of the high-school players played their first baseball at the Peewee Fields by Riverview. Even Coach Velko was once a baseball player in the West Seattle league.” Above, that’s WSHS Coach Velko Vitalich with some of his players, receiving a commemorative baseball from West Seattle Baseball president Eric Olson. And here’s WSHS third baseman Cameron Slader talking to those on hand:

The WS Baseball schedule shows playoffs resuming next week.

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Fire Station 32 opens its doors for a preview of its future
June 1, 2013 8:10 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news

For kids, today’s Fire Station 32 open house in The Triangle was a chance to get an up-close look at Engine 32, otherwise only publicly viewable when roaring down the street with lights and siren. For other visitors, it was a chance to preview the station’s future:

Renderings on easels and cardboard models on tables were used for an early look at what the all-new Station 32 will be like.

It’ll be a three-story structure, designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, built on the same site as the current one at 37th and Alaska:

The construction is still a ways off – about a year and a half, according to the timetable the city gave us for this story we published three months ago; the station will have to relocate during construction. Once it’s done, it’ll have an expanded role in SFD operations, as explained on the project webpage.

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Election 2013: Mayoral forum to focus on crime, public safety
June 1, 2013 7:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Election 2013: Mayoral forum to focus on crime, public safety
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

How do the candidates for Seattle Mayor differ in their philosophies toward and plans for keeping Seattle safe? With the August 6th primary election getting closer – checkbox.jpgthe vote that will determine which two of those nine candidates advance to November – you’ll get a chance to hear from them later this month. The city’s Precinct Advisory Councils are co-sponsoring a public-safety-focused mayoral forum at 10 am Saturday, June 22nd, at City Hall downtown; we received the announcement today from the Southwest PAC’s Pete Spalding. All are welcome, and while RSVPing isn’t mandatory, the co-sponsors are hoping to get an idea of turnout, so if you can RSVP to seattlecpac@gmail.com, please do. That’s also the e-mail address to which you can send suggested questions before the forum. Along with the PACs, the forum’s co-sponsors are City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Tim Burgess (now a former mayoral candidate). It’ll be moderated by West Seattleite and journalist/broadcaster Brian Callanan of the Seattle Channel.

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Carnival, donation drive at Arbor Heights Elementary
June 1, 2013 4:18 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Late lunch? Early dinner? Concession booths are part of what awaits you at the Arbor Heights Elementary carnival, on till 6 pm; our photo’s courtesy of a parent volunteer. The community is invited; lots of bouncy rides, too, with wristbands on sale. Even if you’re not going for rides, games, and food, remember they’re collecting items for Northwest Center – gently used household items and clothing, in particular.

ADDED: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand stopped by for a few more photos:

The sun came out to match that tropical-themed bouncy slide! And to make dunk-tank duty a little less chilly – that’s kindergarten teacher David Wilkie in the rainbow wig:

The donation drive filled two trucks, we’re told.

Just two more weeks of school for AH and other Seattle Public Schools campuses. Not that anyone’s counting …

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West Seattle weekend scene: HPIC’s new rain garden
June 1, 2013 4:11 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Highland Park | West Seattle news

What was long just another stretch of asphalt in the Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot is now a brand-new rain garden, after today’s planting party gave it the finishing touches. As explained on the HPIC website (where you also can see the Rain Dog Designs vision for the garden), “every little bit helps” to get toxic runoff water out of the drains that run right into the Duwamish River and Puget Sound. (You can find out about possibilities for your own little corner of West Seattle, by checking with RainWise.)

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Happening now: 2-location Alki Lighthouse centennial celebration
June 1, 2013 2:02 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Big day at the Alki Point Lighthouse – its 100th anniversary, and the first day of this year’s summer season of free 1-4 pm tours on Saturday and Sunday. Local US Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers are the people who staff the lighthouse for those tours. Today, you can even see knot-tying demonstrated outside the gate:

Also till 4 pm, a celebration at the Log House Museum just half a mile away – including lighthouse coloring sheets for kids, which are being put up as they’re completed:

The now-famous handmade lighthouse cookies are ready and waiting at the museum too, while they last:

More photos and info to come, including our conversation with RADM Keith Taylor, who, as USCG 13th District commander, lives on the lighthouse grounds, but not for much longer, as he’s retiring later this month. (This’ll be a separate story on Sunday.)

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Pop-up pond and first-time fishing with West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club and Hi-Yu
June 1, 2013 9:15 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

Just before the 8 am whistle blew and fishing began at the annual West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club Kids’ Fishing Pond, all eyes were on the collection of bamboo poles prepared for the young participants (14 and under). Then it was off to the trout-stocked temporary pond:

Good turnout right from the start in the morning sunshine, so if you’re going, don’t wait – it’s happening till 11 am, first 100 kids or as long as the fish last, at Seacrest (1660 Harbor Avenue SW). And while you’re there, say hi to Hi-Yu royalty:

Junior Court Princess Emily was the first one there. Hi-Yu would also love to see you at next Monday night’s general meeting, as they gear up for the heart of the summer event season – 6:30 pm June 3rd, St. John the Baptist Church Hall, California/Hanford.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Girl Scouts @ Camp Long
June 1, 2013 9:02 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Girl Scouts @ Camp Long
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle people

Thanks to Kris Rouse for sharing photos from the Girl Scouts gathering last night at Camp Long:

Friday night was a beautiful night for a campfire. West Seattle Girl Scouts gathered for a traditional campfire complete with good ol’ camp songs & s’mores. Deyette Swegle organized a terrific gathering for the Girl Scouts of Chinook Service Unit at Camp Long … Several Junior Girl Scouts were recognized for their achievement of the Bronze Award; acknowledgement was made for two girls’ earning the Silver Award and Ann Manning’s group of Cadettes, the winning of the Mt. St. Helens Award at the recent Girl Scout Cascade Challenge. The evening was concluded with an Eternal Flame candle ceremony led by Lynn Zahniser.

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West Seattle Saturday: Welcome to June – lots going on!
June 1, 2013 6:30 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male rufous hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
A fun Saturday ahead, as a new month begins – full lineup is on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, including these highlights:

TRAFFIC REMINDERS: The Delridge/Holden intersection is closed until Monday morning, and the 520 Bridge is too.

KIDS’ FISHING POND: 8 am-11 am this morning at Seacrest, the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club presents the annual chance for kids to try fishing in a pop-up pond stocked with trout. Meet the West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty, too! Free. (1660 Harbor Avenue SW)

SCHOOL SALE: 8:30 am-4 pm, it’s Shorewood Christian School‘s second day of a big rummage sale to raise money for computer equipment. (10300 28th SW)

MASTERS’ TRACK MEET: Competition in a wide range of athletic events, 9 am-5 pm, as noted in our calendar listing; West Seattle Stadium. (35th SW just south of Avalon Way)

FURRY FACES FOUNDATION PLANT SALE: 10 am-4 pm, it’s the first day of the second weekend of the animal-advocacy group’s plant sale. Hundreds of plants of all types. More info in this WSB Forums post; you can also donate to a pet-food drive (food or cash) while stopping by. (3809 46th SW)

RAINGARDEN EVENT IN HIGHLAND PARK: 10 am-1 pm, three big hours with a variety of opportunities – help plant the new raingarden at Highland Park Improvement Club; tour neighboring gardens; find out more about how you can do something similar at your house. Here’s our preview. (12th/Holden)

‘MINI SWAP MEET’ IN WHITE CENTER: Just over the line, 10 am marks the “soft open” of a new place to buy and sell items – vendors wanted, they tell us. Here are details from our partner site White Center Now. (9800 14th SW)

ENDOLYNE CHILDREN’S CHOIR IN CONCERT: 11 am, it’s the choir’s spring concert at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church – details in our calendar listing. (California/Hanford)

LIGHTHOUSE CENTENNIAL, TWO-LOCATION CELEBRATION: Today when the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) opens at noon and the Alki Point Lighthouse starts its summer season of weekend tours at 1 pm, both will be celebrating the lighthouse’s centennial. Be sure to visit both, particularly the museum for its newly expanded exhibit about the lighthouse, and for today’s special activities, including coloring sheets for children and special handmade lighthouse cookies as treats (explained/shown here), and a 2 pm program; at the lighthouse itself, tours are the central attraction.

DON’T FEED THE TOX-ICK MONSTER! Learn about how to help solve Puget Sound’s worst pollution problem – something with which you can make a big difference. Noon-12:45 pm at MaST, West Seattle’s “Diver Laura” James will show you how. (In Redondo, but also the home of the Arroyos whale skeleton, worth the drive – here’s a map!)

KITTY HARBOR OPENS: Noon-6 pm, it’s the first day of adoption season at Kitty Harbor – find out all about them online. (3422 Harbor Avenue SW)

FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE: 1-3 pm, tour Fire Station 32 in The Triangle and find out more about its future rebuild; there’s more info in our preview from last month. (37th and Alaska)

MEET THE ARTIST: 1-3 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, meet Nytom at the Makah Visions art exhibit – details in our calendar listing. (4205 West Marginal Way)

ARBOR HEIGHTS CARNIVAL: 3-6 pm, everybody’s invited to the Arbor Heights Elementary carnival – and it’s also a donation drive for Northwest Center – bring your donations! Details in the calendar listing.

TRIO LEXICON AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, “A Delectable Evening” features Trio Lexicon – two singers and a pianist – presenting songs about food and drink – details in the calendar listing, including how to get reservations. (7904 35th SW)

7TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT SKYLARK: The “Seven Deadly Sins” are the theme – come dressed as one! – party starts at 8 pm, guest DJs plus headliner Eighties Invasion; details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

No, this isn’t everything – you’ll have to check out the calendar to see the rest!

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West Seattle scene: Auction donation served up at Firefly Café
June 1, 2013 2:13 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Something independent local businesses don’t always get enough credit for is their community spirit and generosity. So many donate to local nonprofits and schools, including offering items to be auctioned off as fundraisers. So what happens AFTER the auction? Here’s one example: Friday night at Firefly Café and Creperie (WSB sponsor) on the north end of The Junction, a crepe party was the culmination of a donation that Firefly proprietor Charell Estby made to the Holy Rosary School Heart Auction – a private party for 10 kids with crepes and beverages. So she closed to the public a bit early and hosted the group you see above.

By the way, the winning bidder who procured the party ponied up $750 – a sweet treat for the school as well as the kids who enjoyed the crepes!

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Should high school start later? Survey, recommendations expected in the year ahead
May 31, 2013 9:06 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you haven’t already seen local schools’ “bell times” for next school year, check this link for the district-wide list shared by West Seattle High School principal Ruth Medsker in the new edition of the school’s online newsletter, Westside Weekly. It’s part of a message from the principal to WSHS families, published in the newsletter put together each week during the school year by editor Beverly Corey. WSHS will start at 8 am next year, same as this year, and the principal goes on to address this bigger issue:

We have heard that some members of the larger Seattle Public Schools community would like the District to consider later high school start times and earlier elementary start times. This has major ramifications for high school students, including after-school jobs and athletics, as well as before- and after-school child care for elementary school families. It also means that elementary school students would be waiting for buses in the dark during much of the year.

The District is committed to thoroughly studying these ideas, but we ask for your patience as it will require time and public involvement. The District is working with families, staff on these long-term issues. Our plan is to develop a District-wide survey in the fall and to make recommendations to the School Board in time for the 2014-15 school year.

You can read the principal’s entire bell-time message (and the rest of the newest Westside Weekly) by going here.

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