West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
(WSB photo from Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run in September 2009)
A couple things are different about this year’s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run. First, it’s in August this time, not September. It’s just one week away – Sunday, August 29. Second, instead of walking and running along the Alki Beach pathway, participants will be out in the street on Alki Avenue SW, which will be closed next Sunday morning for the event – approximately 8 am to 11 am, according to Shari Sewell from Northwest Hope and Healing, the Alki Beach 5K’s beneficiary, a nonprofit that helps breast-cancer patients. You can sign up online till 11 am Friday morning – might as well do it now! – just go here.
Things really got rolling about 45 minutes into this afternoon’s community welcome party for the visiting artisans at the Seattle Chinese Garden, when lion dancers paraded around the grounds – our video shows a small part of the procession. At one point along the route, the artisans stood side by side to watch:
They and visitors heard from two presidents – Jon Geiger of the Seattle Chinese Garden Society (purple shirt) and new South Seattle Community College president Gary Oertli, both of whom kept their speeches short, saying they wanted visitors to spend their time touring the site instead:
Pulling back from that scene – the artisans were to the presidents’ left:
Their work has been focused on the Knowing the Spring Courtyard, the first major feature of the Seattle Chinese Garden to be built – you can see into it, looking over the dancers’ shoulders – that’s not a photo or painting, but instead a view into the future courtyard:
The project itself (explained here), in fact, is for the future as well as the present – a dream becoming reality, and a building of understanding across the miles, between the cultures –
If you missed this afternoon’s party, watch the Seattle Chinese Garden website for word of tours and other opportunities to visit. Garden volunteers also are keeping a blog-format website with stories of what’s happening at the site, which is on the far north end of the SSCC campus atop Puget Ridge.
We stopped by the Sounders FC Soccer Beach Blast Tournament on Alki late this afternoon just in time for the end of the men’s final. We can tell you the Vashon team, in orange, won – via penalty-kick phase following regulation. The Sounders were expecting more than 40 teams for the day of three-on-three play. If and when we spot other results, we’ll link them here.
Two years ago, The Junction was home to that PARK(ing) Day setup, calling attention to the final push to get nearby Junction Plaza Park completed. Now it’s done – but another PARK(ing) Day (explained here) is rolling around – September 17 – and the deadline to apply for your own temporary park is almost here. Friday’s the deadline to apply – this item on the Sustainable West Seattle website explains how. And we’ve already gotten word of one PARK(ing) Day “park” planned for West Seattle – arborist and tree-protection activist Michael Oxman shares the following rendering, followed by an explanation of what it will feature – and how you can be part of it:
Now that I’m located out here in West Seattle, it’s time to give back a little to my new community. Some decoration and greenery in a vast sea of asphalt is in order. This is a demonstration project of what to do when we run out of oil, and have fewer cars. We certainly won’t need as many parking spaces. Parking Day shows what to do with them, by setting out plants, trees and oxygen-producing greenery to soak up some of that excess CO2.
West Seattle interpretive designer Pat Whempner and experience designer Sam Stubblefield are creating the design concept for the “Park.” Our Park will be a Free Speech Platform with a Free Speech Garden in the Junction neighborhood. Anyone can get up there on the podium and say anything they want for 15 minutes. No restrictions. The platform will provide space for speakers or musicians, and the garden will create a journey through a maze of plants telling the story of important historic free speech moments or asking important free speech questions.
Since the timing of the Sept 17th event is right for politicians, we usually have candidates sign up to reserve a time slot in advance to give their pitch. We’d love to have musicians serenade the strollers. If anybody wants to help with the construction, some carpentry, set up assistance, & plant loans would be appreciated. Other spaces can also be created by people that submit the $10 application for the street use permit through the sponsor, Feet First. It would be really cool to have a few spaces scattered around West Seattle.
A design competition among the expected 100 Parking Day spaces across the city will result in prizes being awarded to the most innovative projects. The Seattle Department of Transportation will be issuing one day permits to occupy the street. Did you know the street right of way footprint covers almost a quarter of the total land area in Seattle? We can certainly spare a few spots for a day.
11 days after the first word of the many ways you – and/or your kid(s) – can participate in Alki Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 12, a whimsical new video has just been made as another way to get the word out that they’ve still got spots for youth talent-show participants (as well as sponsors, vendors, and community groups). Early signup is especially vital for the talent show because they’re planning on one or two rehearsals. (Antonio Fernandez, who stars in the video with Izzy Krainick, is the talent show’s emcee and director.) The talent show will be part of a day also including a dog parade and concert. If you are interested in participating, e-mail Libby ASAP at libby@carrbiz.com – or call her at 206-938-8721.
Just some of what you’ll find on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
ADMIRAL SAFEWAY SHUTTERED – BUT TEMPORARY PHARMACY TO OPEN: Just in case you missed the past three weeks of warnings – Admiral Safeway is now closed. Construction of its big new replacement is scheduled to start next month. Meantime, the temporary pharmacy in a trailer in its parking lot is supposed to open today.
ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS EXPANDS TO SUNDAYS: As noted here a few days ago, the legendary Highland Park burger joint will no longer be closed on Sundays, effective today.
ARTS IN NATURE FESTIVAL, DAY 2: 11 am to 5 pm, Camp Long; see our earlier reports.
COMMUNITY WELCOME FOR SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN ARTISANS: 1-4 pm at the garden site on the South Seattle Community College campus – see our earlier preview for full details.
DOG-TREAT FUNDRAISER: Westcresters PAWSWalk team’s treat sale at Westcrest Off-Leash Area, 9:30-noon
SEATTLE SOUNDERS’ SOCCER BEACH BLAST: At Alki, starting at 10 am.
WATER SAFETY DAY AT LIGHTHOUSE: A first-of-its-kind event is planned at Alki Point’s historic lighthouse; details here
FINAL PERFORMANCES FOR ‘HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING’ AND ‘THE BIRDS’: The former is presented by Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) at West Seattle High School Theater, the latterby ArtsWest, and both are onstage at 3 this afternoon.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET AND HIGHLAND PARK SUNDAY MARKET: Two markets again today – WSFM, of course, is year-round, 10 am-2 pm in The Junction (here’s the latest Ripe ‘n’ Ready fresh sheet); HPSM is in its second-to-last go-round this year, 11 am-3 pm at the Highland Park Improvement Club lot (check its FB page for the latest).
FRIENDS OF LINCOLN PARK: 9 am, meet at the kiosk in the north parking lot (across from Rose St) to join a work party to help protect this green treasure. Bring garden gloves and hand clippers (extras available).
Christopher Boffoli‘s video from Day 1 of the Nature Consortium-presented Arts in Nature Festival – which continues today at Camp Long – begins and ends with the Cabiri, first with their aerial artistry during the day, then a fire-fueled performance at dusk. In case you are video-challenged, Christopher’s photo gives you a hint of the latter:
We have one other photo from Saturday night at the festival – Eileen shared the next photo while reporting that Hey Marseilles, Saturday’s final musical act at Camp Long Lodge, rocked the house:
Arts in Nature resumes today at 11 am, and two musical acts perform at 11 — Caspar Babypants in the lodge, Steven Arntson (concertina) in the Glacier area, east and upslope from the meadow, north of Schurman Rock. Full schedule details here.
Those are some of the artisans who’ve been here for two weeks now, visiting from China to help make the Seattle Chinese Garden‘s first major feature as authentic as possible – and now it’s your chance to meet and welcome them. Tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, 1-4 pm, you’re invited to the welcome party at the garden site – on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, north end of South Seattle Community College – for a welcome party. We took these photos last Monday afternoon during a quick tour of their worksite, the Knowing the Spring Courtyard:
That’s a look at the expanse inside the courtyard walls – the work is going on inside and out:
Tomorrow’s not just a simple open house – special programs are planned as listed in the full party program here, from a flower-arranging demonstration to a lion dance to martial arts (and more).
Dropped by Rocksport Bar and Grill (on SW Alaska a few doors east of California) for a photo of Jayme Miller and friend Sydni Smith just before the “Walk On, Jayme!” fundraising silent auction got rolling. In our photo, Jayme’s holding one of the many cool prizes donated by local merchants – Alki Tours, in this case. Go visit, bid on something, help Jayme with the massive medical bills she’s incurred while beating the odds in her battle to walk again, after she was suddenly struck by a rare neurological disorder (as explained here – our story includes video from the KING5 story about Jayme too).
FIRST AS-IT-HAPPENED UPDATE AT 7:34 PM: Still some room in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) for tonight’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of “Up,” starting at dusk – second to last movie of the season (this was scheduled to be the grand finale, but “Star Trek” was rained out two weeks ago, so it was rescheduled for next Saturday). Speaking of rain, yes, we know clouds are moving in, but Hotwire’s Lora Lewis has been watching the forecast all day and so far it looks like any rain won’t arrive till very late – cross your fingers. If you’re coming, bring a few bucks for the raffle, raising money tonight for Family Promise of Seattle (which has had to put its homeless-families-sheltering work “on hiatus” as first reported here). FP’s Laura Bermes talked to the crowd briefly about the agency’s mission and hopes of reopening:
Looks like there’s also still some burgers/dogs left at the free barbecue presented by West Seattle Christian Church/Preschool, if you get here fast!
POST-MOVIE NOTE AT 10:08 PM: Though it started sprinkling shortly after the movie began, and escalated for a while into a steady shower (concurrent with a thunderstorm scene onscreen!), the movie continued to its conclusion (by which time the rain had stopped). Dozens of hardy moviegoers pulled up their sweaters, or even popped up an umbrella, and stayed. Lora thinks that might be the first time in her years of overseeing the movie series that rain didn’t stop the show. The projector was manned as usual by WSCC pastor Dan Jacobs, who managed to put up a rain shield (leading, toward the movie’s end, to a “danger, projector is overheating” onscreen warning, quickly dealt with) and kept things running. Be there next Saturday night for the rescheduled “Star Trek,” and think clear skies!
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
The Nature Consortium‘s Arts in Nature Festival is for all ages – from print-making kids, to the musicians in the Seattle Festival Orchestra‘s Little Band:
If you haven’t been to the festival yet, you have till 9 tonight – then again from 11 to 5 tomorrow – on the lush green grounds of Camp Long, with venues throughout the woods, the meadow, and inside the newly renovated lodge. Among the performers – the aerial-dancing Cabiri:
Here’s the schedule – note that tomorrow kicks off with a slate including Caspar Babypants; its leader Chris Ballew then performs a benefit show to raise money for the Nature Consortium right after the festival, 5 pm tomorrow at Camp Long Lodge. (Tickets are available online here.)
Back in December, we introduced you to Kenny Wolfe, who was taking over the former Westside Pharmacy immediately south of West Seattle Nursery. He thought he’d have the renamed West Seattle Pharmacy – closed when its former owner moved to the then-new QFC in The Junction last fall – open before long. Eight months have passed, and he and wife Scarlett Wolfe are finally almost there, as the brand-new sign in the window (top photo) says. We pulled over to check in last night when we saw saw that sign and another one on the shop’s north side, just painted by West Seattle’s popular “Sign Savant“ Japhy Witte, so fresh that he was still there talking with them when we walked up.
The espresso bar in the drugstore space has been open for a week-plus – using Pioneer beans, and please note, per the sign, they’re making smoothies too – and they intend for West Seattle Pharmacy to be a coffeehouse/Internet café as well as a drugstore, with Wi-Fi and probably even a desktop computer to be used by customers who don’t bring their own. Getting the pharmacy open took a lot longer than expected because of various delays, Kenny explains, including a long wait time for the state Pharmacy Board to get to their application. But now everything’s falling in place. What the Wolfes would love is if you come in – even now, before the drugstore opens – and let them know what you’re interested in buying. They plan to offer a wide range of merchandise including medical, health and fitness equipment as well as over-the-counter sundries, and they promise that since they’re your small, independent drugstore, if you ask for something, they’ll do their best to get it – no corporate approval needed – “we ARE corporate,” they grinned. (They’re at California/Brandon; here’s a map.)
(Photos via iPhone from Deanie Schwarz)
ORIGINAL AS-IT-HAPPENED REPORT, 1:58 PM: Horses from the Seattle Police Department Mounted Patrol – headquartered right here in West Seattle, next to Westcrest Park – are always a big hit at the Southwest Precinct “Picnic at the Precinct,” and you can go meet them – and the human members of the force, too – till 4 pm. High-tech, too:
SW Webster, east of Delridge (map).
MORE PHOTOS ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: City Councilmember Sally Clark stopped by – that’s her at left in the photo above, with Deanie Schwarz, Deb Greer and Karen Berge of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network, (which has scheduled its next meeting – Sept. 28, 6:30 pm @ the precinct), and at right, SW Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow. Thanks to Karen for sharing the photo. Other community crimefighters on hand included Dot Beard, president of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council:
After no meetings in July/August, the WSCPC will meet again on Sept. 21, 7 pm @ SW Precinct. Meantime, we haven’t shown you any photos of actual police so far! Found a couple by the bouncy house:
Also spotted SWP Capt. Joe Kessler and Lt. Norm James – both busy talking with picnicgoers so we didn’t get them on camera. Back to the high-tech – two robots were on hand this year:
Here’s the whole scene, looking west down Webster:
The people in yellow T-shirts were with King County Council candidate Diana Toledo‘s entourage (we do our best to get candidates on camera when we see them at public events) – she finished second in the primary and is moving on to the general vs. State Sen. Joe McDermott.
After a few hours of fun, it was time to ride off into the sunset – or rather, into Home Depot’s parking lot:
Never mind those cloudy forecasts, the sun has come out in time for The Junction’s big multi-merchant sale. The Big Bonanza is continuing till 5. Above, that’s Linda Walsh outside her shop, Clementine, famed for its shoes (and note the ones she’s sporting); it’s one of dozens of sale displays you’ll find Junction-wide. The Junction’s newest shops are participating too, like Bin 41 (WSB sponsor) and knows perfume, whose proprietor Christen Cottam was putting the finishing touches on her table:
You can find deals for your pet today, too – here’s the setup outside Next to Nature:
At Cupcake Royale (WSB sponsor), wardrobe additions are the frosting on the (cup)cake:
As you wander The Junction, just look for the bandana and/or red balloons like the ones outside Square One Books:
For Square One, Big Bonanza falls right in the middle of a big four-day sale – drop in for a deal on almost anything in the store. And for coupons delivering bonus deals, drop by the Big Bonanza HQ tent on the southwest corner of California/Alaska. The sales are in full swing till 5 pm.
SO much going on! In order of start time, some of the highlights:
BIG BONANZA: Just look for the red bandanas and balloons at dozens of stores in The Junction to see who’s part of today’s Big Bonanza end-of-summer sale organized by the West Seattle Junction Association (WSB sponsor) – and check this list before you go. Stop by Big Bonanza HQ in front of KeyBank at Walk-All-Ways to pick up coupons (like these) you can use at many of the participating businesses – or to be part of the water showdown at high noon! Sale starts at 10 am and runs till 5 pm.
ART FAIR AT LIFE CARE CENTER: Visitors of all ages are welcome 10 am-2 pm at Life Care Center (4700 SW Admiral) for art displays, a free barbecue lunch, kids’ activities, and more, all detailed on the official flyer.
REGISTRATION EVENT FOR ALKI BEACH 5K: With the walk/run benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing coming up a week from tomorrow, West Seattle Runner (California/Charlestown) is hosting a registration party today, 10 am-2 pm – come sign up for the Alki Beach 5K and enjoy refreshments, a raffle, plus a discount if you’re buying something from WSR while you’re there signing up for the 5K.
ARTS IN NATURE FESTIVAL: The Nature Consortium‘s annual Camp Long extravaganza (5200 35th SW) runs 11 am-9 pm today and 11 am-6 pm Sunday. You will find interactive art in the woods, music in the (newly renovated) lodge, aerial dance by The Cabiri (shown in Catherine Anstett‘s photo at left) in the meadow, among many other things. Find the schedule here.
PICNIC AT THE PRECINCT: It’s really more like a street festival, with SW Webster closed west of Delridge (map) for booths and displays that also fill the Southwest Precinct‘s parking lot in a celebration/information event put on by West Seattle’s own police HQ. 1-4 pm today, come meet not only local police, but also community volunteers from a variety of local organizations. And you never know what you’ll see – SPD usually brings out everything from Mounted Patrol horses to a remote-controlled robot.
HAMS AT THE LIGHTHOUSE: A couple weeks ago, the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club shared the story of “activating” Alki Lighthouse as part of a worldwide event – but they had to do it from a tent at Alki Beach Park. Today, they will actually be set up AT the lighthouse, and are inviting everyone to come by and get a firsthand look and listen. 1-4 pm (also one of your last chances to tour the lighthouse this summer).
FUNDRAISER FOR SAILOR’S FAMILY: 5-10 pm tonight at Alki Crab and Fish (Seacrest Pier), proceeds from beer/wine sales and raffles go to the family of Petty Officer Jarod Newlove, the West Seattle sailor killed recently in Afghanistan.
‘UP’ AT WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Second-to-last WSOM show of the summer! Come get carried away with the animated hit – AND enjoy a free barbecue courtesy of West Seattle Christian Church/Preschool (6:30 pm till the food runs out). Movie’s free, at dusk. Bring your own chair/blanket – and also consider money for tonight’s raffle to benefit Family Promise of Seattle (which helps homeless families but, as first reported here, has had to shut down because of $ shortage).
WALK ON, JAYME! The amazing story of Jayme Miller‘s sudden paralysis and fight to walk again has made news all over Western Washington, because of her friends’ decision to plan a fundraiser to help with her massive medical bills. That event is tonight at Rocksport in The Junction, starting at 7:30 pm – centered on a silent auction for which they’ve collected some terrific donations. Here’s the Facebook event page.
Even more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!
(P.S. And just outside of West Seattle – South Park is throwing a party at Duwamish Waterway Park 11 am-3 pm, community garage sale and free barbecue, to raise money for Wi-Fi – details on FB.)
They’ve done it again – the wants-to-remain-anonymous West Seattle dad who went on an anti-graffiti tear with his daughter in summer 2009 – here’s the resulting story – found himself back for round 2. The vandals have been busy again lately – so, he wrote:
(Thursday) we had a father/daughter outing planned for a day of swimming and enjoying the summer day. Unfortunately, the weather did not quite cooperate but we still wanted to get outside. On a recent walk through Schmitz Park, we noticed the beautiful log benches in the center of the park were once again covered with graffiti. So we decided to spend our day cleaning up the benches and other graffiti around our neighborhood. We had a wonderful time together, cleaned up a lot of graffiti, and ended the day with a great sense of accomplishment as well as a great feeling of West Seattle community pride.
He shared numerous before/after photos; we’re putting up a couple here – though, as is our policy, we’ve blurred the tags in the “before” photos.
We asked what they use to remove tags. Answer: “We use ‘Goof Off’ and some scouring pads. They make a great product, and one specialized for graffiti. As for the log benches, the only way to get it off is with a hand-held wood planer.” If you’re not up for removal but want to be sure it at least gets reported – which police stress is important – here’s how to report tagging/graffiti vandalism on public property.
Just spotted the announcement in the WSB Forums. (It’s on the Zippy’s FB page too.) Sunday hours: Noon-7 pm.
Earlier this week, Elvis Presley fans remembered “The King” on the 33rd anniversary of his death – and tonight, Danny Vernon is re-creating “The Illusion of Elvis” for Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s summer outdoor-concert series.
Missed him? Here’s his calendar of future performances. The Mount’s series wraps up next Friday with the bluegrass/Western swing/Celtic sounds of The Haggis Brothers.
As you head back home – if you travel Highland Park Way, please note that there have been two separate incidents involving police and fire in the past hour. One, we know was a crash at HP Way/Holden; the other, 7700 block of HP Way (where it meets 8th), we’re still working to find out.
(Photo courtesy Erik)
4:48 PM: SPD media unit Officer Renee Witt tells us the 2nd incident involved a man in his 70s, apparently disturbed, who was out in the middle of the street. Both of these situations sound like they’re being resolved, but let us know if you see otherwise. Thanks to the multitude of people who e-mailed, texted and FB’ed about this.
ORIGINAL 2:23 PM REPORT: Thanks to Julie and Nicole for the tips on this: Police are negotiating with someone who is “barricaded” inside a house in the 4300 block of SW 104th (map) in Arbor Heights. That has blocked off 104th from 42nd to California (update: confirmed at the scene); Katie reports Marine View Drive is affected too. Seattle Police media unit Det. Mark Jamieson says the person is NOT believed to have anyone else inside – this is a case of police trying to talk one person into surrendering. The original call, he says, involved a concern that the person might be seeking to harm themselves. More as we get it. 2:38 PM: Adding photo, which was taken at 42nd/California – the house in the photo is NOT the one where this is happening – people are being kept well back from the scene. 3:04 PM UPDATE: The situation has ended and authorities are dispersing. We have been told it’s ending not because something was resolved but because there’s no further grounds to continue – no further danger, apparently. The roads are reopening.
Three quick shopping notes for tomorrow — As announced last month, Saturday is closing day for Admiral Safeway, soon to be torn down for a project centered on a new store almost twice the size of the current one. Safeway has told us the store will be open till midnight tomorrow night. Shoppers are discussing its closeout sales right now in the WSB Forums … Saturday also is the NEW closing day for Friends and Company in The Junction, the rubber stamps/craft store that is consolidating operations at its newer Issaquah location. That’s a few days earlier than first announced. … Tomorrow’s a big day for shopping in The Junction overall, with more than 40 merchants participating in the second annual end-of-summer “Big Bonanza” sale – with discounts and prizes. Here’s the list (which includes WSB sponsors Bin 41, Brunette Mix, Cupcake Royale, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, and Square One Books).
(Photos added 3:33 pm)
Just got word here from co-owner Melinda Nguyen that Pho Aroma (at Delridge/Findlay) is now officially open for business. Read more about Pho Aroma in our preview story from last month. ADDED 3:33 PM: Dropped by for a few photos. Owners Melinda (center with glasses) and Scott (to the left of Melinda) have lots of family members there to help and celebrate today!
ADDED 7:31 PM: Just noticed that the Delridge Grassroots Leadership website has a scan of the Pho Aroma menu!
In addition to tonight’s outdoor concert at The Mount (previewed at the end of this story), three more big events on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
YOUNGSTOWN SHOWCASE: Young artists’ work is showcased during “Youth Out Loud” 6-8 pm tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – free! The preview promises film, music, photography, and more.
Meantime, young actors will be on stage in The Junction all weekend:
(Photo courtesy Edgar Riebe of Captive Eye Media)
‘THE BIRDS’ AT ARTSWEST: Young actors who’ve spent much of the summer in classes and rehearsals at ArtsWest are now performing Aristophanes’ “The Birds,” the contemporary adaptation of a 2,400-year-old story rife with social and political commentary as well as comedy, with shows scheduled tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 3 pm.
(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
‘HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING,’ FINAL WEEKEND: Catch this one yet? Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) performers tell the musical tale of climbing the corporate ladder, with three more performances at West Seattle High School Theater – 7:30 pm tonight and tomorrow, 3 pm Sunday.
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