The date is now set for a public meeting focusing on a proposed development project in Alki that would not have been the subject of a meeting if area residents hadn’t requested one. We first reported in April on neighbors gathering signatures to convince the city to schedule a meeting about 11 residential “rowhouse” units proposed at 2414 55th SW; then in May, we published a followup with word that the city agreed to host a meeting. Now, neighbor Marie McKinsey says the meeting is set for 6:30 pm this coming Wednesday, July 17th, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, “to give residents an opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the rowhouse project proposed … Comments can be written, oral or both. All will become part of the public record on this project.” McKinsey’s been researching the situation and writing about it online; she even maps out an alternative for the site. Everyone’s welcome at the Wednesday meeting, by the way; Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.
(Photo courtesy Scott Taylor – thanks!) 5:51 PM: A power-pole problem – reported a few hours ago as “wires down” – has led police to block off Bonair just south of Alki Avenue (map), so you can’t turn onto Bonair from Alki, and you can’t get to Alki from Bonair. No ETA for a fix; we’ll check back at the scene later.
10:48 PM UPDATE: As of about half an hour ago, Luke Trier reports – sharing the photo below – the crew’s still “working tirelessly”:
11:14 PM UPDATE: An update from Luke – the crews are gone and it appears the pole’s fixed and the road’s open.
Even if you’ve already been to West Seattle Summer Fest this year, come on down one more time before it’s over! Thanks to Krista for sharing the top photo – “beautiful day in The Junction,” she noted; so true! Music, shopping, food, art, and more – it’s all here, until 5 pm. Art, by the way, is here to observe, to purchase, and to create – Jessie shared this photo from the kids’ area by Wells Fargo, where youth can create along with Young At Art:
1:38 PM NOTE: From Don Bereiter at Prudential NW Realty (WSB sponsor), whose booth has a fun game to check out: “For every child that participates, we are donating a can of food to the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks. 979 so far. Come on out and help a great cause!” (added) Here’s Tom Root and Chariti McEndoe photographed late in the day – note the counter’s gone up:
2:40 PM UPDATE: The last musical act of the day, The Jellyrollers, is scheduled to start right about now. Earlier, we caught Jazzberry with a young fan up front:
Summer Fest has been a bit lighter on political visitors than past years, but we’ve seen two mayoral candidates so far at the Info Booth – Mayor Mike McGinn, talking with, at right, Dave Montoure and Nancy Woodland from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce:
And State Sen. Ed Murray, photographed talking with Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association:
WSJA, by the way, presents Summer Fest every year. Meantime, outside West Seattle Optix, balloon-making was in full swing earlier:
And there’s still time to get down and meet representatives of businesses, organizations, and service providers – we photographed Lisa at the Highline Medical (WSB sponsor) booth, handing out reusable bags.
More to come in the final few hours!
3:42 PM UPDATE: Just got a chance to upload video from today’s first performance onstage – that’s Rat City Brass! The festival is still crowded yet mellow. SPD Lt. Ron Smith, who heads up the on-site Summer Fest patrol, tells us there have been no major problems (and few minor ones) throughout the three days. As for the rest of West Seattle – we’ll get an update tomorrow, when the Southwest Precinct hosts the mayor, as the precincts around the city have been doing, for the latest on the Safe Communities project.
4:35 PM UPDATE: Down to the last half-hour, already. Another politician visited a little while ago:
With County Executive Dow Constantine – who said he had been making the rounds of festivals, including Kent Cornucopia Days earlier in the day – that’s Hamilton Gardiner and Jerome Cohen with him, both in the Info Booth today as community volunteers representing the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
5:04 PM UPDATE: And Summer Fest is a wrap for 2013. Thanks to everyone who’s been part of it – whether visitor, vendor, exhibitor, performer, staffer, local year-round merchant, volunteer, law enforcer, sponsor, etc. … it’s been awesome. We’ll have an update later tonight when the streets reopen – it’ll take a few hours for cleanup/breakdown/loadout.
P.S. Just for fun, we have a photo album on the WSB Facebook page with some of the dogs spotted at Summer Fest – see it here.
11 am is the official start time today for the final day of West Seattle’s biggest event of the year, Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB). And there’s more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendarfor today. Here are the Sunday highlights, starting with festival-info links:
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST, DAY 3: Toplines:
*Hours today – 11 am-5 pm
*Metro bus-stop changes, linked route-by-route here
*Music – Here’s (the lineup) – today’s first act is bound to be a highlight, Rat City Brass at 11:50 am; last scheduled act on the California stage is The Jellyrollers at 2:40 pm, but you’ll find musicians elsewhere during the day too – maybe even these two who were performing outside La Romanza Bistro (WSB sponsor) on Saturday (or catch them during La Romanza’s regularly scheduled musical meals):
*GreenLife: Find GreenLife on the south side of the festival zone; see the demonstration/event schedule here, with an encore of “Illuminatio – ‘Slavery of the System'” at 4 pm – here’s our Friday video snippet:
The GreenLife day begins with “Cooking in Season,” 11 am.
*Vendors/exhibitors:Here’s the directory (use the column titles to sort alphabetically or numerically)
*Map to booths:Vendors/exhibitors map is here (PDF; we’re not listed because WSB is headquartered in the Information Booth for the 6th consecutive year)
*Kid Zone: On Alaska WEST of California, where the food used to be; $20 for unlimited rides all day; same hours as festival, 11 am-5 pm
*Food: On Alaska EAST of California (sort the vendor list by “location” and click ahead to the pages starting 151 and 176 for the “F” as in “food” entries – earlier in the list, note “Sidewalk Cafes” too at )
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Same hours, same spot! 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska – enjoy Summer Fest AND the market.
MINI-“STP” BIKE RIDE: Family-friendly, fun, AND headed for Summer Fest! Meet at Hamilton Viewpoint Park at 9:45 am; ride starts at 10 am. Traveling California SW from Seattle (Street) to Portland (Street). Then at 11 am, join a discussion about local greenways and more with West Seattle Bike Connections at the GreenLife zone at Summer Fest! Details in our calendar listing.
It’s the third and final day of West Seattle Summer Fest, so, here again for quick reference are the road/bus-stop changes, as well as what’s up if you’re leaving the peninsula:
ROAD CLOSURES: For the festival, California SW is closed between Genesee and Edmunds (except for through traffic on SW Oregon) and along SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd.
While the festival is officially over at 5 pm, it takes hours more to get everything cleared, so the road/bus changes are officially scheduled until almost midnight (though things might get back to normal sooner, and we’ll be monitoring).
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OFF-PENINSULA: The 520 Bridge/Highway 405 closure info is here; alerts for big events around the city are here.
The women’s-soccer team that’s played its home games in Seattle this summer has made it to the finals of the Northwest playoffs! Thanks to Jissy for the photo and first word that AC Seattle won its match tonight, 1-0, over Tualatin Hills United Soccer Club, to make it into the championship game, which will be played tomorrow (Sunday) night against Issaquah in Duvall. P.S.
We recorded Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands around 5 pm, just asWest Seattle Summer Fest, night 2, began. Once again tonight, 8 pm is the official end time for booths and most activities), but some, like the community groups, have rolled up for the night. It’s been sunny all day and on into the evening, not too hot, a perfect Seattle summer Saturday.
ADDED 7:20 PM: Thanks to Will Wharton for sharing this photo via the WSB Facebook page – a police officer handing out stickers to kids at Summer Fest:
When you get 10,000 people in one place at one time, it’s no small task to help make sure things stay lively but peaceful. Meantime, speaking of lively, our crew is just back from recording some video during Hobosexual‘s performance. (added – here it is):
More big smiles we saw today – Anna was selling LED light-up bows at Forsythe Studio:
We have a few more Saturday scenes to add later. But it’s after 8 pm, and the booths are closing up – music continues until about 11, with the Street Dance, featuring Whisky River at 10 pm.
Two Sunday notes: Yes, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on as usual tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm; Summer Fest itself does not officially open until 11 am, and closes at 5 pm.
Thanks to Anne and Lawrence for the tips on a police response between Morgan Junction and Lincoln Park. We’ve talked to police here at West Seattle Summer Fest and they say there was a report of someone seen with what looked like a gun, going into the park, so police were searching at last report.
(Postscript – we asked about it on Sunday; it was determined to have been someone with an Airsoft gun.)
Still time to get to Skylark Café to help friends and family raise money for Logan Wicker‘s recovery, post-crash (backstory in our report from earlier), continuing until 6 pm. Big turnout, and they were taking group shots displaying “L” for Logan.
Skylark proprietor Jessie SK tells us there’ll be a nighttime benefit later this month, with karaoke – watch for more details on that. There’s also donation information online at getrightlogan.com.
We’re live at West Seattle Summer Fest again today, covering it from the Information Booth in the heart of The Junction as it happens. Biggest event of the day so far – fans of Caspar Babypants thronged Junction Plaza Park for his performance; in case you missed it, we have a song on video, above. Spectacular sunny day in The Junction, and it’s been busy since the start – come on down and see your neighbors and friends!
Sticker update: Unfortunately, we’ve just been told the first run of WEST SEATTLE- WE HAVE THAT stickers has run out. Checking on plans for a second run.
ADDED 1:03 PM: If you’re bringing your dog to Summer Fest – more than a few have passed by – see Furry Faces Foundation in the Community Tent – between our spot in the Info Booth and the kids’ zone on the west stub of Alaska:
They’re making pet tags for the amazingly low price of $5, to increase the chance your pet will be returned home if s/he gets lost. Find them there till 6 today and 11-5 tomorrow. Also in the pet department – West Seattle See Dogs is with The Kenney (WSB sponsor) today – here’s Vanessa the guide puppy:
Ruth from West Seattle See Dogs says they desperately need new puppy raisers to sign up – so stop by to find out more, or contact her through Facebook.
Meantime, wander down to GreenLife to see The Whale Trail – with a chance for kids to create some art:
That’s TWT founder Donna Sandstrom with a young artist and with TWT’s papier-maché orca.
1:56 PM UPDATE: Speaking of marine mammals, Seal Sitters is setting up on the west side of the information booth – which has become spillover from the Community Tent across the way:
Also back here at California/Alaska, you’ll find the West Seattle High School Cheerleaders along with a setup offering WSHS alumni merchandise:
If you hear random cheering – it just might be them. Or maybe you’re hearing music and it’s nowhere near a stage – perhaps it’s members of the West Seattle Community Orchestras:
By the way, if you’re looking for information on other summer events around West Seattle – here in the info booth, we have info on all that too – West Seattle Outdoor Movies, which start next Saturday, for example (which is also the day of the West Seattle Grand Parade and the West Seattle Rotary-presented Kiddie Parade preceding it).
4:03 PM: And we’re on to the late afternoon! Still a tremendous turnout. Some observers who are here year after year say this seems to be the busiest Saturday ever. SPD says it’s peaceful, and so far as we’ve heard, we’d concur. Sights and sounds everywhere. Midblock north of Alaska, you’ll find the West Seattle Hi-Yu“Alki Deep” float:
That’s Senior Court Queen April. If you miss the float during Summer Fest, you’ll see it here on California SW again during the West Seattle Grand Parade next Saturday (starting from California/Lander at 11 am and traveling south to California/Edmunds). P.S. Buy a Hi-Yu button to support our city’s last traveling community float – this very one.
4:59 PM: Gerald Collier, performing earlier this afternoon:
Tonight’s music highlights include The Blakes at 5:40 pm, Hobosexual at 6:40 pm, and Whisky River for the Street Dance at 10 pm. We’ll have an evening update started shortly, as Summer Fest’s second (and usually biggest) day continues.
West Seattle Summer Fest day 2 is on, with street entertainment (that’s what’s in our video above) as well as scheduled music, demonstrations, and lots more! Here are some miscellaneous notes about what’s happening today
MUSIC:Caspar Babypants coming up at 11 am in Junction Plaza Park. See links here for the full schedule.
GET YOUR ‘WEST SEATTLE – WE HAVE THAT!’ STICKER: At the info booth, where WSB team members and community-group volunteers (today, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is helping out) can be found, at the heart of California/Alaska.
ALSO GET YOUR WSB INFO CARD: We’ve long been asked for a card that’s not just a standard business card, but includes information on how to use WSB for everything from a breaking-news tip to a lost/found-pet notice to a yard-sale announcement. Pick one up along with your WS – We Have That! sticker.
REST STOP FOR PARENTS: There are two – Nurturing Expressions’ booth near Puerto Vallarta and Northwest Art and Frame, and City Mouse Studio’s storefront on SW Alaska just west of Junction Plaza Park.
COMMUNITY TENT: It’s just west of our spot at the Information Booth, on the west side of California and Alaska. Among those on hand today; West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network and West Seattle Be Prepared.
WEST SEATTLE SEE DOGS: They’ll be with The Kenney (WSB sponsor) just north of Easy Street Records
(northwest side of California/Alaska), a chance for you to meet their seeing-eye puppies. Kids’ art project, too!
THE WHALE TRAIL: Here today too! In the GreenLife zone on the southwest edge of the festival – in the lot just north of Technical Analysis at California/Edmunds. They’re also having kids’ art, and your chance to see a papier-maché orca, among other things.
BOOK SALES: Two places where you will find books for a great price during the sidewalk sale – Pegasus Book Exchange, with thousands of hardcovers and paperbacks for $1 each during Summer Fest, and Merryweather Books. Both are on the west side of California SW, between Oregon and Alaska.
‘RUBY ROOM’ BENEFIT: Cherry Consignment on the east side of California just north of the festival zone has a sale today that’s raising money to help young people via the Ruby Room.
Here is a list of some of the items that will be raffled and auctioned today at during the benefit for Logan Wicker. We will also be calling the silent auction at staggered times between 3:30pm and 5pm (does not have to be present to win) and we will have the raffle items split into 3 different raffle pulls at 3, 3:45, 4:45 (must be present to win). The raffle tickets are good for all pulls so 3 chances to win!
Auction Items
1. Earl Thomas Signed Seahawks Helmet
2. X-box and 2 Brand New Games
3. Art by Dee Wicker “Car”
4. Art by Dee Wicker “Goth Bat”
5. Art by Dee Wicker “Gas Pump”
6. Art by Dee Wicker “Tractor”
7. 8 Hours Basic Landscaping Services, Including Consultation and Use of Green Products
8. 90 Min Swedish Massage
9. 1 hour Professional Photography Session
10. Mariners Ticket Package for Four + Parking Pass
11. Wine & Cheese Tasting Package @ Apex Winery in Woodinville
12. Brass Cannon
13. Beatles Rock Band for Play Station
14. Sounders Signed Soccer Ball with Certification of Authenticity
Raffle Items
$20 Talarico’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$20 Talarico’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$25 University Bookstore Gift Card
$50 Yard House Gift Card
$25 100 Bistro Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
Dr. Pepper Snowboard
Rainier Beer Hoodie
Community Fitness 4 Class Pass
$50 Angelina’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$65 Facial
$25 3rd Place Bookstore Gift Card+ Handmade West Seattle Blanket
$25 100 Bistro Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
West Seattle Bowl Gift Certificate for 1 Hour of Bowling + Shoes for 4 People
$25 Luna Park Gift Card + Luna Park T-Shirt
PBR Beach Umbrella
$20 Talarico’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$75 Aveda Spa Gift Card
$25 100 Bistro Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
Seattle Logo Pro Shop Gift Bag Including Men’s Shirt, Women’s Shirt, Sweatshirt, Hat, Stickers + Bag (T-Shirts can be exchanged for different sizes)
Tyee Golf Package + Golf Bag
Rainier Sleeping Bag
West Seattle’s biggest event of the year, Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB), goes into Day 2 in about an hour and a half. But that’s not the only event on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendarfor today. Here’s a quick overview of Saturday highlights:
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST, DAY 2: We’ll have a comprehensive preview up soon – but here are toplines:
*Hours today – 10 am-8 pm (with music running later)
*Metro bus-stop changes, linked route-by-route here
*Music highlights – Caspar Babypants at 11 am in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska); street dance tonight, including Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Whiskey River at 10 pm; lineup (see it here) also includes Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands at 4:40 pm and Hobosexual at 6:30 pm GreenLife demo schedule: Find GreenLife on the south side of the festival zone; see the demonstration/event schedule here
*Vendors/exhibitors:Here’s the directory (use the column titles to sort alphabetically or numerically)
*Map to booths:Vendors/exhibitors map is here (PDF; we’re not listed because you’ll find WSB in the Information Booth for the 6th consecutive year)
*Kid Zone: On Alaska WEST of California, where the food used to be; $20 for one day of unlimited rides; same hours as festival, 10 am-8 pm
*Food: On Alaska EAST of California (sort the vendor list by “location” and click ahead to the pages starting 151 and 176 for the “F” as in “food” entries – earlier in the list, note “Sidewalk Cafes” too)
*Art Dive:North side of the zone, north of SW Oregon
Also happening today/tonight:
PET ELEMENTS GRAND RE-OPENING: The store has been in its new location for a few weeks but today’s the official celebration, in conjunction with their 8th anniversary, 10 am-6 pm, details in our calendar listing.
(added)BENEFIT BBQ FOR WESTSIDE BABY: Today’s benefit barbecue at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) raises money for WestSide Baby (who, by the way, you will also find at Summer Fest, just outside Easy Street Records north of California/Alaska) – starts at 11 am. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan, look for canopy outside store)
CLASS FOR HOME BUYERS: At High Point Library 11 am-4 pm today, taught by Rhonda Porter (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (35th/Raymond)
VOLUNTEER AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Informational event for prospective volunteers, 11 am today – details in our preview. (61st/Stevens)
DOG ADOPTION EVENT:Emerald City Pet Rescue has an adoption event continuing today, 11 am-5 pm, at VCA West Seattle Veterinary Hospital:
They will have many small dogs of all breeds and ages looking for loving new local homes! All dogs are completely up to date on Exams, vaccines, spayed/neutered and ready for new homes. Available dogs can be seen on the rescue website at www.emeraldcitypetrescue.org There is a home and reference check for all potential adoptive families to be completed prior to adoption.
(5261 California SW)
CAT ADOPTION:Kitty Harbor is open for cat adoptions noon-6 pm today on just north of the West Seattle Bridge. (3422 Harbor SW)
ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Via Twitter, the Coast Guard Auxiliary says the lighthouse IS open for tours both days this weekend! 1-4 pm; details in our calendar listing. (Just north of where Alki Ave/Beach Drive meet)
BENEFIT FOR LOGAN WICKER: Crash survivor Logan Wicker‘s workplace, Skylark Café and Club, is the site for today’s all-ages “Big Benefit for Big L” fundraiser for his ongoing medical expenses, 2-6 pm. Separate preview coming up with details on the long list of silent-auction items that organizers have procured. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
A witness who wanted to be anonymous reports a hit-and-run Thursday night:
I was traveling West on Fauntleroy just past the Morgan Junction when 1 car with three teenagers come around the corner heading east on Fauntleroy going about 70 mph are fishtailing around the corner. The driver overcompensates and fish tails into on coming traffic just missing me, but hitting the SUV behind me head on. I pull off the road looking to give aid and act as a witness to the entire accident when I see the teenagers start to flee the scene in the car pictured (above). I see them turn down that side street and knowing it’s a loop I can head them off at the next street, so I go and block their escape with my truck. I pull up just as the driver is opening the door for his passenger. The driver run into a neighbor’s yard while his two passengers head straight toward me acting as if they’re just taking a walk in the park. I dial 911 and tell them I am holding two kids involved in the hit and run. A neighbor gives assistance, but one kid runs off while I keep the other by the shirt collar.
Police then arrived, the witness reports, but we haven’t yet found a related police report, so we don’t know whether an arrest ensued, or whether the other suspects were found. The Seattle Fire log entry for the crash shows an engine dispatched but not a medic unit dispatched, which generally means no major injuries.
Meantime, a bicycle-theft victim shares a surveillance photo, in hopes you might recognize the thief:
This tipster says the theft happened back in May – the timestamp is accurate – but hasn’t been solved yet, so he’s distributing the photo. The building where it happened is near 54th and Alki. If you have any information, contact Seattle Police and refer to incident #13-162005.
FOUND BICYCLE: These often tend to be stolen bikes, so in case someone is looking for this one, here is the information sent by Leah:
We found a women’s mountain bike, maker Norco, in the street (Wednesday) morning just north of the waters towers on 35th and Myrtle. There is an intact cable lock wrapped around the base of the bike. If it’s yours, please email us at llacivita@hotmail.com and let us know what the color is.
We usually only publish a traffic/transit alert on weekday mornings, but we’re adding them this weekend too because of the West Seattle Summer Fest road closures/bus changes and a few other notes.
ROAD CLOSURES: For the festival, California SW is closed between Genesee and Edmunds (except for through traffic on SW Oregon) and along SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd.
OFF-PENINSULA: The 520 Bridge/Highway 405 closure info is here; alerts for big events around the city are here.
**** ADDED 8:44 AM: Delridge exit from westbound high bridge is currently blocked by a crash. Thanks to @jamesmahler for the tip via Twitter. Keep an eye on the west-facing bridge cam on the WSB Traffic page to see if it’s cleared.
We’re always happy to publish wedding and anniversary announcements – and this one is momentous: 60 years of marriage for a West Seattle couple who tonight is sharing that news with the community:
John and Lois Constantine marked their 60th wedding anniversary on June 14 in Paris. The longtime West Seattleites were joined by their family for the occasion. The couple then embarked on a celebratory river cruise along the Seine through northern France to the Normandy coast.
John Philip Constantine, formerly of New York, and Lois Adele Wilson, of Everett, wed on June 14, 1953 at the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority house at the University of Washington.
Following college, they settled in West Seattle, where they raised their sons Dow and Blair.
Lois taught Home Economics at James Madison Jr. High and West Seattle High School. John, a visual artist, taught college art and art history, retiring from North Seattle Community College. The Constantines remain active in the West Seattle community.
Could be a great way to start your weekend: Spend two hours at the Log House Museum Saturday morning:
Want to learn more — and help others learn more — about the West Seattle peninsula? Volunteer!
Like to interact with people? Fix computers? Update databases? Make small repairs? Transcribe interviews? Shoot videos and still photos? Plan events? Teach school children? Get a glimpse of our community’s past?
And do you have time to volunteer? The Southwest Seattle Historical Society needs you!
The next Volunteer Introduction Session for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (July 13) at the organization’s Log House Museum.
Whether you have lived here one year or 50, come learn about how to turn your desires and skills into meaningful tasks that will help preserve and promote the heritage of West Seattle and the greater Duwamish peninsula. It’s a way to look to the future helping others explore West Seattle’s past.
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which operates the Log House Museum, offers this introduction to volunteering, led by Clay Eals, executive director. It will include a brief primer on West Seattle history. The museum is one block from Alki Beach, at 61st and Stevens. More info: 206-938-5293, loghousemuseum.info.
Day 1 of West Seattle’s biggest celebration of the year! Our coverage continues:
KID ACTIVITIES INFO: Top question of the day here in the West Seattle Summer Fest Info Booth – which is also WSB headquarters during the festival – has to do with the kids’ activities and features. This year, SW Alaska west of California is the kids’ area, since the “food court” has moved to the east side of Alaska. You’ll also find activities like face-painting (thanks to Pathfinder K-8 School volunteers led by Lashanna, in our top photo) and art projects (thanks to Young at Art) in the Wells Fargo lot as usual. We were asked about the hours and prices; the rides are open until 8 pm tonight, with a one-day unlimited pass $20, $45 for all three days, or $1.25 per ride ticket, with ride prices varying from one to five tickets. And a reminder – there are two “parents’ rest stops” for a quiet spot to feed your baby, etc. – at City Mouse Studio (4218 SW Alaska) and at the Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) booth:
Nurturing Expressions is on the west side of California between Edmunds and Alaska:
FOOD HIGHLIGHTS: Joining your WSB co-publishers (Tracy and Patrick) here at the info booth are other members of the team, including Katie and Callan, who are not only helping answer festivalgoers’ questions, but are also helping rustle up information. We sent Callan on a mission to check out the food situation. First, here are the Junction venues with outdoor seating during Summer Fest:
*La Romanza Bistro (WSB sponsor)
*West 5
*Elliott Bay
*Bang Bar
*JaK’s
*Beer Junction
*Matador
*Terrible Beauty
*Pizzeria Credo
*Maharaja
*Shadowland
*Pagliacci Pizza
*Ma’ono – which is offering $5 shave ice, $3 fried-chicken drumsticks, $6 kalua pork lettuce wraps
*Seattle Fish Co.
*Shoofly Pie
*Talarico’s
Highlights from the food stands include deep-fried PB&J for $, deep-fried Twinkies for $4, coconuts for $4 at the QFC stand (across from us!), $6 brats, kosher dogs, or jalapeno cheese dogs at Husky Deli (proprietor Jack Miller‘s in our photo above), $4 fried banana with coconut milk at Pho Cyclo’s stand.
ADDED 3:08 PM: Stop by for your free West Seattle – We Have That ! sticker (explained here):
Other ways to show your West Seattle pride include West Seattle-branded T-shirts and other swag you can find at some vendors’ booths, including The Junction’s own Seattle Logo Pros, and another West Seattle business’s booth, Shockwave Tees, which shared this photo of their “Alki Seagull” shirts:
If you have any trouble finding a particular vendor’s booth, stop by the Info Booth, where we and community volunteers (currently, the new president of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, Len Burton-Hardin, is here) will do our best to help. ADDED 3:42 PM: We’ve been rolling video on some of today’s performances. Music to come – but for starters, the performance troupe Illuminatio was at GreenLife earlier and will be back there at 4 pm – here’s an excerpt:
The performance will be repeated at 4 pm Sunday, if you missed both today. Meantime, here’s a snippet of Blackheart Honeymoon, first band of the day on the stage, which is on California SW north of SW Oregon:
ADDED 6:08 PM: It’s been a great crowd all day. The police in charge of festival patrol tell us it’s been quiet for them too. Continuous music is revving up now at the stage north of SW Oregon; the most-awaited act of the night is Young Fresh Fellows, coming up at 10 pm. Not all music is on the stage, though – check out the didgiredoo:
That’s one big reason to come on down – what’s on the official schedule is only a small part of what’s going on! P.S. Thanks to Rotarians Gary Potter and Josh Sutton for being part of the team here in the Info Booth these past few hours.
6:45 PM: And thanks to the many awesome people – those we had never before met, as well as those we had – who have stopped by today, to share information and/or to just say hi. It’s our favorite part of Summer Fest – and we have heard many others appreciate it for the same reason – getting to catch up with friends and neighbors from all over West Seattle that you don’t always see in person otherwise. Tonight’s closing time for booths is listed as 8 pm, by the way, but you may see some closing sooner. Tomorrow, things rev up at 10 am. We’ll have more coverage later tonight – including a look ahead to tomorrow.
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ONGOING: Quick links (which will keep floating down to the end of each Summer Fest report):
FOOD ZONE: It’s on Alaska EAST of California (sort the vendor list by “location” and click ahead to the pages starting 151 and 176 for the “F” as in “food” entries – earlier in the list, note a few “Sidewalk Cafes” too)
1:09 PM: The King County Sheriff’s Office has put out a bulletin for 81-year-old Roy Thompson, a Renton man who’s missing and was last seen in West Seattle this morning. Call 911 if you see him or think you have seen him. He is believed to be driving a 2006 gray Toyota Avalon with the license plate starting with AJY.
3:56 PM UPDATE: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West tells us that Thompson used his bank card at the SW Avalon 7-11 at 8:15 this morning and then at a Shell station in the 600 block of Elliott Avenue West between 10:40 am and 12:40 pm.
10:50 PM UPDATE: Sgt. West has just sent word that the man has been found, safe, in Bellevue, and was reunited with his family.
The festival is on! We’re live at West Seattle Summer Fest in the information booth right in the heart of the California/Alaska intersection. Important informational note for starters – Caspar Babypantsis TOMORROW (SATURDAY) at 11 am in Junction Plaza Park, NOT today.
ADDED 11:48 AM: Remember a few things are different this year – including the kid zone, which has taken over the west end of SW Alaska:
As a result, the main food zone (top photo) is on the east side of SW Alaska. We’re checking out the highlights and will feature them in our afternoon report, in case you’re thinking of coming down for dinner (remember all the regular restaurants are open too, many with temporary sidewalk cafés). Along the same vein, Junction stores are all open for business too, many with sidewalk sales – here’s the big tent that Easy Street Records has set up:
As mentioned in one of our Summer Fest Countdown previews – here’s the basic pricing:
Used CDs – $1/ea
Used DVDs – $3/ea OR 4 / $10
Used Vinyl – $1/ea OR 12 / $10
Lots of other sidewalk sales happening – we’ll be checking more of them out.
Quick links (which will keep floating down to the end of each Summer Fest report):
VENDORS/EXHIBITORS:Here’s the directory (use the column titles to sort alphabetically or numerically)
MAP TO BOOTHS:Vendors/exhibitors map is here (PDF; we’re not listed because you’ll find WSB in the Information Booth for the 6th consecutive year)
KID ZONE: It’son Alaska WEST of California, where the food used to be FOOD ZONE: It’s on Alaska EAST of California (sort the vendor list by “location” and click ahead to the pages starting 151 and 176 for the “F” as in “food” entries – earlier in the list, note a few “Sidewalk Cafes” too)
Questions about Seattle Public Schools‘ plan for the new Arbor Heights Elementary School? The district has announced a community meeting with updates and Q/A. It’s set for 7 pm August 7th. Here’s the announcement:
Dear Arbor Heights community,
Seattle voters approved the Seattle Public Schools Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) Capital Levy in February 2013, which includes the project to replace the existing Arbor Heights building with a newly constructed elementary school building on the Arbor Heights site.
The meeting will be presented by representatives of Seattle Public Schools capital projects team and Bassetti Architects and will include information about the projects’ early design progress. You will be able to learn more about the project scope, schedule, existing conditions and design explorations, ask questions and give feedback.
This will happen at the current AH Elementary, 3701 SW 104th.
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST: This is it! West Seattle’s biggest event of the year – blocks of activities, vendors, food, live music and other entertainment, all in the heart of The Junction.
We’ll be there live in the Information Booth at California/Alaska all weekend as usual – see the question mark on the map above. Our official coverage starts after it opens. But here are the quick links if you haven’t browsed yet:
HOURS TODAY: 10 am-8 pm, music runs later METRO BUS ROUTE CHANGES: Direct links to all route revisions are in the WSB transit/traffic report MUSIC LINEUP:See it here VENDORS/EXHIBITORS:Here’s the directory (use the column titles to sort alphabetically or numerically) MAP TO BOOTHS:Vendors/exhibitors map is here (PDF; we’re not listed because you’ll find WSB in the Information Booth for the 6th consecutive year) KID ZONE: It’son Alaska WEST of California, where the food used to be FOOD ZONE: It’s on Alaska EAST of California (sort the vendor list by “location” and click ahead to the pages starting 151 and 176 for the “F” as in “food” entries – earlier in the list, note a few “Sidewalk Cafes” too) GREENLIFE DEMO SCHEDULE: Find GreenLife on the south side of the festival zone; see the demonstration/event schedule here ART DIVE:North side of the zone
Other events of West Seattle note:
ELLIOTT BAY’S 16TH ANNIVERSARY: Being celebrated tonight at its West Seattle Junction location in connection with Summer Fest. Festivities start at 5 pm; details here.
That’s our video from the first half of last night’s Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader, the second Early Design Guidance meeting for 4745 40th SW (our coverage from the first one, in May, is here).
It’s a mixed-use project to be built on a site that currently holds a two-story office building across from the Alki Masonic Lodge and its parking lot. It’s planned for about 150 residential units, apartments with some live-works, and a 1,000-square-foot commercial space on its north side, which abuts the now-vacant site of a future city park.
As noted here briefly after last night’s meeting, the board gave its approval for the project to move out of the EDG phase, which means there will be at least one more design-review meeting. We’ll be adding our notes to this story later, but not likely before tonight, so for anyone who missed the meeting but is interested in the project and what was said by the architects, board members, and community members, we are publishing the video for starters.
Note that for this part of last night’s meeting, our video does NOT include a view of the projection screen (apologies), just the presenter, as well as the board and members of the public, so to follow along with visuals, review the packet of graphics provided to board members – see it here. If you have comments about the project – design, traffic, or any other related topic – you can get them to city planner Bruce Rips, whose e-mail address is bruce.rips@seattle.gov. (Our video from the second review last night, 4755 Fauntleroy, will be up soon.)
The date is now set for a public meeting focusing on a proposed development project in Alki that would not have been the subject of a meeting if area residents hadn’t requested one. We first reported in April on 
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