West Seattle, Washington
06 Saturday
Congratulations to Laura James, also known as “Diver Laura,” whose underwater adventures and sea/land volunteer work – like “The Great Battery Roundup of 2012” – are often featured here on WSB. She is one of the finalists for this year’s “Cox Conserves Heroes” award, and online voting is open now. Here’s what’s at stake, from the Cox/KIRO TV announcement:
A total of $15,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the finalists. By being a finalist, each individual has secured a $2,500 donation for his or her nonprofit of choice. The finalists are now competing for an additional $7,500 – bringing the total donation on behalf of the winner to $10,000. The winner will be chosen through an online public vote.
Laura’s chosen nonprofit is Sustainable West Seattle. To vote (and to see who she’s up against!), go to kirotv.com/heroes.
(West Seattle has had a finalist once before – Fauntleroy Creek steward Judy Pickens in 2008.)
Just launched: West Seattle Women in Charge.
Diane Venti of Alki Arts hatched the idea of a monthly mixer for local women who own businesses, and she invited a few to a get-together at her beachfront gallery/event venue last week. Five showed up, and now they’re organizing a second meeting and casting a wider net. If you’re interested in being part of it, you’re invited to “like” their new Facebook page, set up by one of the five – Krystal Kelley of Mind Unwind in the Admiral District – with this mission:
We are the women business owners of West Seattle. We believe in symbiotic networking and idea-sharing with good intentions, supporting our wonderful community and the arts in West Seattle, along with having a good time and smiling.
Interested? Next meeting is 9:30 am July 23rd at Mind Unwind (2206 California SW) – and of course there’s a Facebook event page already.
Took the photo at Anchor Park one sunny morning last week … now it’s at least handy for daydreaming during our soggy Monday morning. (“Clearing” on Wednesday, according to the newest forecast – just in time for the official arrival of summer and West Seattle Solstice Sunset Watch!) Looking ahead to the rest of today and tonight:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: Spokane Street Viaduct eastbound lanes and one westbound lane are scheduled to be closed 10 pm-5 am, along with additional surface-street closures overnight in SODO (detailed here). Today’s also the first of two days during which daytime bike-trail work near the “low bridge” is under way – explained here. Closures/changes for the rest of the week (through Saturday’s northbound Viaduct/99 closure for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon) are listed here.
GREEN SCHOOLS: Teachers, students, administrators, and parents – as well as other interested community members – are invited to tonight’s Sustainable West Seattle forum, 6 pm at Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon) to talk about environmental education/efforts happening now, and plans and hopes for the future.
DELRIDGE PRODUCE COOPERATIVE’S SUMMER PLANS: Everyone’s invited to DPC‘s monthly meeting, 6:30 pm at the Delridge Library, to hear about plans for a summer produce stand, their recent fundraising Trivia Night at Skylark (and what’s next), plus the DPC business plan as they look ahead to a permanent storefront in the future DESC development. Prospective volunteers especially welcome to come check out the group.
PUBLIC SAFETY – A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: Not in West Seattle but a topic affecting us all. And the announcement comes from West Seattleite Susie Tennant of Town Hall Seattle:
Town Hall Seattle staff, members, and board are deeply shaken and disturbed by the events that took place so close to our offices on May 30th. The other shooting the same day, previous incidents in May, and earlier in the year have caused us great concern. Like all of Seattle, we are trying to process the situation and wonder what we as a community can do to address it. As an institution whose purpose is to create a safe place for the expression of ideas, and which has hosted community conversations on topics including education, Occupy Seattle, artist space, the environment, and more, we can think of no more appropriate response than to gather as a community for a constructive conversation about these events which affect us all. A group of city leaders and citizens — including Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Mariko Lockhart, director of Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat, and others — will discuss issues of public safety, gun safety, mental illness, gangs, and how a community not only stays safe, but heals itself after such tragedies.
7:30 tonight, free with reservation at brownpapertickets.com. Town Hall is at 1119 8th Ave. downtown.
DJ NIGHT AT WEST 5: Monday night means the “Flat Earth Society” at West 5 in The Junction, with guest DJs and fab vinyl. Tonight, Rosemary Otero of Light in the Attic Records is scheduled, 9 pm.
And there’s more! Check out the calendar.
(UPDATED June 25 to add additional camps we’ve heard from)
ORIGINAL JUNE 18th REPORT: This is the last week of classes for Seattle Public Schools and schools that follow the SPS calendar. Some families are still working on the summer plan for the student(s) in their household – so we’ve compiled a list of local camp programs that still have room (at least, as of a few days ago, when we published an invitation for them to send word. Any other WS-based day-camp programs with room? Let us know ASAP – editor@westseattleblog.com – and we’ll add you to this list! Click ahead to see the (updated) NINETEEN programs we have listed so far, arranged by start date, soonest to latest:
WSDOT says the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 has reopened early, but the southbound direction will stay closed till 5 am tomorrow as planned.
P.S. Here’s our day-by-day list of closures for the week ahead, also including the city’s Spokane Street Viaduct plus the bike-trail work by the “low bridge” the next two days.
Just got an e-mail tip that the Seattle Great Wheel – aka the Seattle ferris wheel – that’s been drawing so much attention across the bay was testing its full-color light show tonight. Our “tipster” didn’t have a camera handy but, searching Twitter and YouTube, we found this clip that someone posted. Vertical video, but wow! The wheel is scheduled to open June 28th, if you hadn’t yet heard.
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: “Mz Cher,” who published the YouTube video, notes in a YT comment that she had posted Instagram photos, too. Here’s one:
Just last Thursday, when City Council President Sally Clark was speaking to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, she was asked “Where did the (Seattle Great Wheel) come from?” since for some, its appearance was something of a surprise, with little advance publicity. Clark’s answer was not extensive, but as noted in comments here last night, the project did get city approval last November – here’s the written decision (which briefly mentions the prospective lights, though not as in “multi-colored display,” on page 10).
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: KING 5 seems to have found some video from their tower cam – see it here.
(Graphic from a city flyer available in 15 languages, here)
A visit to the grocery store tonight reminded us that the city’s plastic-bag ban takes effect in exactly two weeks – starting July 1st – so it’s probably just about time for a barrage of reminders to start kicking into high gear. The City Council passed it six months ago, so you’ve had time to stock up on reusable totes if you don’t want to pay the nickel charge for paper bags, which is noted on both the city graphic above and the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) home page (their line “We don’t want to have to charge you; please remember your bags!”) – note that it’s a nickel MINIMUM, so it’s up to stores to decide whether to charge you 5 cents, or more, for a paper bag. Metropolitan Market (also a WSB sponsor) already has an incentive program for bringing your own bags – Admiral store director Glen Hasstedt explains, “Metropolitan Market has a program called Nickels for the Neighborhood. For every reusable bag a customer brings in to use at checkout, Metropolitan Market donates a nickel to a local organization whose endeavors support of our environment or ecology.” (Last year, they chose People for Puget Sound as the beneficiary, and donated $5,280.)
**Tuesday 6/19 update: This program is evolving starting July 1st, according to Metropolitan Market – they’ll continue to make donations, but the individual stores will be making decisions on beneficiaries, and you won’t be asked about it at the checkout stand. MM’s Brad Halverson says they’re also very proud to have a high rate of bag reuse already, long before the ban kicks in.**
(back to original story) Still have questions about the bag ban? Here’s an FAQ from Zero Waste Seattle; there are more informational links on City Councilmember Mike O’Brien‘s website.
(Saturday photo courtesy West Seattle Hi-Yu)
The 2012 West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float, with the theme “Secret Garden” (chosen last December, from an idea by Riley Fredericks), has made its debut – and brought home an award. At Saturday’s parade in Marysville, the Hi-Yu float was honored for “Best Floral Display,” as reported on the Hi-Yu website. Its next scheduled parade appearance is in Port Orchard on June 30th; three weeks after that, you’ll get to see it here at home in the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade on July 21st.
(Click photo to see larger image – the resulting image may also be zoomable)
Laurie in Admiral found more newspaper pages from 1917 during her ongoing remodeling project and – as she did with the ones we featured here three weeks ago – she shared them with WSB. The top story for “The West Seattle Press” on February 14, 1917, involved an uproar over the cost of completing Admiral Way – here’s a closer look at part of the top story:
We’re not sure exactly which stretch of Admiral was being discussed. But here’s a Seattle Municipal Archives photo from less than a year earlier, looking toward Pigeon Point over where Admiral Way begins now:
(Click photo to see larger image on the city’s website)
And here’s one from a different stretch to Admiral in 1916 – though the archives don’t identify exactly where:
Back to the 95-year-old newspaper pages, we have a few other things Laurie shared from her discoveries – three ads, starting with another look at what land cost back then:
You don’t have to go it alone if you want to get a good look at the Duwamish River – join one of this summer’s guided, educational community-kayaking tours presented by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/TAG, Alki Kayak Tours, the Seattle Aquarium, Sound Citizen, and the National Wildlife Federation. Two leave from West Seattle, and the other three from South Park. Kayaking experience is not required, and all gear is provided; it’s $45 per person (plus a $5 donation to DRCC/TAG). Also note that participants under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.
The tours are all 6-8:30 pm (and you’re welcome to bring a picnic dinner):
*July 19 and September 13: Meet at T-107 Park in West Seattle (4700 W. Marginal Way SW)
*August 2, 16, 30: Meet at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park (7900 10th Avenue S.)
You can reserve your spot on a tour by contacting Alki Kayak Tours at 206-953-0237 or tours@kayakalki.com.
Father’s Day wildlife viewing, anyone? Guy shared the otter photo from east Alki – where you never know what you’ll see, and when. If your plans aren’t all set but you’re looking for something with a little more of a schedule, a few options from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Under way now, till 2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska.
FRESH VEGGIES/FRUIT IN ADMIRAL: Marguerite Lynch and her teenage sons are selling organic produce, with part of the proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, till 1 pm. She says, “We will have mixed lettuce bags, fresh picked peas, strawberries, kale, mustard greens, and honey!” 44th/Hill, just west of Admiral Congregational Church.
CAT/KITTEN FOR DAD? Two options today: 11 am-3 pm, Friends of the Animals Foundation is at Next to Nature in The Junction with adoptable cats and kittens (more info here); noon-6 pm, Kitty Harbor on Harbor Avenue just north of the bridge is open for adoptions.
FATHER-AND-SON GLASS-JELLYFISH DEMO: Richard Lowrie and son Levi Lowrie are in the house at Avalon Glassworks, 11 am-4 pm, to demonstrate and answer questions about the creation of glass jellyfish. On Avalon Way just south of the bridge.
BLUEGRASS AND OLD-TIME MUSIC: Jamtime plays C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 1-4 pm, 5612 California SW.
DANCE WITH DAD: Today’s the day for the monthly Afternoon Tea Dance at Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW), 1-4 pm – details here.
(LONG)HOUSE CONCERT: The Duwamish Tribe invites you to enjoy the music of Native flutist Paul Che-oke-ten Wagner and Sin Fronteras in concert at the longhouse; doors open 3:30 pm; details and map here.
At Saturday’s Westwood Village Street Fair, someone who stopped by the WSB booth asked us what’s up with the seemingly endless work on the bus stops at 35th/Avalon – RapidRide-related work that’s been anything but rapid. Just so happens that SDOT‘s Marybeth Turner has provided this “progress report”:
After some unforeseen challenges that delayed work on the RapidRide bus stops at 35th Avenue SW and SW Avalon Way, the contractor has begun pouring the new sidewalk on the west side of the street, and hopes to reopen the sidewalk on the west side of the street by the end of the week of June 18.
In the interim, the temporary west-side sidewalk has been more clearly delineated to make it safer for pedestrians. The temporary sidewalk is also ADA-compliant with temporary ramps for wheelchairs to maneuver between the section of the sidewalk still open and the temporary sidewalk. In addition, a police officer will be present through the week of June 18 while construction activities are occurring to ensure safety and smooth the flow of traffic.
The big challenge has been on the east side of 35th, where a wooden utility pole was found to be rotted and in need of replacement, but only after the sidewalk had been torn up. It took a number of weeks to secure and place the replacement pole, but that is now done and construction activities have resumed. The contractor hopes to pour the sidewalk on the east side the week of June 18, and it should be reopened to pedestrians by the first week of July (hopefully sooner).
Both bus stops will be reopened as soon as the contractor has completed their piece of the work, although both will again be temporarily closed for several days later in the summer when the RapidRide shelters are put in place.
A couple times during Saturday evening’s West Seattle High School graduation ceremony at Memorial Stadium, the rain came down … but that didn’t keep the caps from eventually going up:
The ceremony program listed 237 graduates; here’s our video of everyone in the opening processional:
Before everything got under way, some of the adult participants paused to reflect – from left, school board director Marty McLaren, WSHS principal Ruth Medsker, and interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield:
The program didn’t list valedictorian(s)/salutatorian(s), but 29 students were listed as National Honor Society members, with grade-point averages from 3.2 to 4.0 as well as participation in activities such as meetings and community-service events.
(Photo was taken from Roxbury Safeway property looking northeast onto the scene on Roxbury)
1:21 AM: Big emergency response to 28th and Roxbury, where one vehicle is reported to have rolled over. More shortly.
1:36 AM: The crash is just north of the Roxbury Safeway. The car is on its side; both directions of Roxbury are blocked at the moment.
1:55 AM: 1 person was taken to the hospital by private ambulance. Police and sheriff’s deputies are searching a few blocks south for a suspect believed to be related to the crash – possibly a hit-run driver; they reported finding a car “in a ditch.”
Today was graduation day for our area’s two biggest high schools – both at Memorial Stadium downtown – and the first to take the field was Chief Sealth International High School, at 1 pm. Here’s our video of all the seniors walking in:
The program lists 221 graduates this year. The ceremony ran a bit shorter than planned because, according to Sealth staff, the buses didn’t show up to bring the band over. But the weather stayed dry, and all else went well:
Afterward, the traditional staff receiving line for the graduates:
But before that – a flash mob-style dance!
As denoted in the program for today’s ceremony, 2012 valedictorians are Brian Griffith, Stephanie Hernandez, and Logan Smith; salutatorian, Graham Henry. It was Chris Kinsey‘s first commencement as Chief Sealth principal:
Chief Sealth is the newer of West Seattle’s two standalone public high schools, having opened in 1957.
Thanks to Roy Kauffman for the view of tonight’s sunset – which started with a big gap in the clouds over the horizon, then morphed into swirls of different cloud formations, like the ones he captured. Spending the day outside – at the Westwood Village Street Fair and two high-school graduations (those reports are up next) – we can say it never did more than “mist” in West Seattle (though the WSHS graduation downtown got a couple showers). The sun made a cameo appearance, then retreated. Tomorrow also is forecast as cloudy with a chance of showers, per the National Weather Service.
(Updating this daily through the week to cross out what’s already happened)
Once again, looking ahead to major road closures scheduled to affect West Seattleites in the week ahead, we’re combining both sets of closure alerts – from the state, regarding the Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99, and from the city, regarding the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project – into one list for handy reference (it’ll be atop the sidebar “Biggest Stories” list throughout the week). ALSO – we’re adding in the work on the bike trail, announced a few days ago. As we write this (Saturday night), the only closure in effect is the AWV/99, scheduled for the rest of the weekend. So this picks things up tomorrow:
SUNDAY (June 17)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 – Full closure continues
Spokane St. Viaduct – No closure scheduled
MONDAY (June 18)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 – Reopens by 5 am
Spokane St. Viaduct – Eastbound lanes closed and one westbound lane closed 10 pm-5 am
Additional overnight surface closures in SODO (detailed here)
Daytime bike trail work near the “low bridge” – details here
TUESDAY (June 19)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 – no scheduled closure
Spokane St. Viaduct – Eastbound lanes closed and one westbound lane closed 10 pm-5 am
Additional overnight surface closures in SODO (detailed here)
Daytime bike trail work near the “low bridge” – details here
WEDNESDAY (June 20 – UPDATE)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 – no scheduled closure
Spokane St. Viaduct – Westbound lanes closed and one eastbound lane closed 10 pm-5 am
**Here are maps showing how to get to WS during this closure:
–From the south, here
–From the north, here
—UPDATE: 1st Avenue South offramp from eastbound bridge REOPENED EARLY
Additional overnight surface closures in SODO (detailed here)
(added) Daytime bike trail work near the “low bridge” CONTINUES
THURSDAY (June 21 – UPDATE)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 – no scheduled closure
Spokane St. Viaduct – Westbound lanes closed and one eastbound lane closed 10 pm-5 am
**Here are maps showing how to get to WS during this closure:
–From the south, here
–From the north, here
Additional overnight surface closure (detailed here)
FRIDAY (June 22)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 – no scheduled closure
Overnight surface closure (detailed here)
NEXT SATURDAY (June 23)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 – Northbound from West Seattle Bridge to Roy St., closed 5 am-3:30 pm because of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon (full race-related closure list here)
Spokane Street Viaduct – nothing scheduled
Congratulations to Axel Oxholm of West Seattle – shown above with Governor Gregoire after being chosen the Western Washington winner of WSDOT‘s “Bridging Futures Art and Essay Contest.” The challenge given to students: Write and/or draw something related to the importance of wildlife crossings; the state is building two in the Snoqualmie Pass area, to help wildlife get across I-90 safely. Here’s Axel’s winning work, which will be on a billboard in that area:
You can read more about the contest here; the awards were presented in Cle Elum this past Monday, as Gov. Gregoire presided over her last meeting as chair of the Western Governors Association. (We didn’t know about his win initially because he goes to school at Cedarhurst Elementary in Burien and so wasn’t identified in the state announcement as a West Seattleite – thanks to Axel’s dad Peter Levine for sharing the news!)
(Scroll down for the newest updates/photos)
Bounce on over to Westwood Village, where we’re live at the Street Fair, and we’re actually seeing a bit of blue between the clouds to the west. Bouncy rides (FREE!), treats, live music (School of Rock at noon!), demonstrations – like this Zumba class:
… and the beer garden, sponsored by the West Seattle Eagles JUST opened.
And bring or buy school supplies to donate at the “stuff the bus” stop:
We’ve seen at least one school among the exhibitors here, too – Seattle Lutheran High School even brought a robot!
There’s a dog contest – says the emcee – coming up at 1:30, and the blue-sky spot keeps getting bigger to the west …
12:19 PM UPDATE: You’ll meet Westwood merchants here, too – above, Curt Keppler from Wyatt’s Jewelers (longtime WSB sponsor), with Evan. And in a booth that’s a few steps from her Eats Market Café, chef Toby Matasar is selling flavored popcorn:
There’s a fire engine for the kids (and grownups!) to check out, too, along the roadway between the central Street Fair zone and the Wyatt’s/Chico’s/etc. storefronts. More to come.
1:08 PM UPDATE: Chico’s is having a fashion show right now, and dogs are showing up for the 1:30 pm competition. We also just met a dog whose person thanked us for the WSB Pets page, which helped bring the little guy home recently:
Thank you to everyone who’s stopped by to say hi – even without bright full-on sunshine, it’s definitely nicer weather than last year, when we were all out here shivering … the temps are comfortable and there’s not a raindrop in sight. At 2 pm, there’ll be a special main-stage storytime with Melissa from Barnes and Noble (who usually does storytimes in the store on Saturday mornings).
1:41 PM: Bulletin – the sun has arrived. “Partly sunny,” to be sure, but it’s sun. Also forgot to mention, the West Seattle-based food truck A Lunch in Hand is here, on the south end of the street-fair area, north of the Taco del Mar/Giannoni’s Pizzeria lot. Here’s their menu:
Another pitch for the beer garden – the proceeds go to charity! It’s right by the stage, outside BBB/Eats.
2:07 PM UPDATE: Melissa‘s onstage with a picture book now (check out her regular Saturday readings at B&N at 11 am):
Among the people who’ve stopped to say hi so far are folks we’ve written about here the past week or two – Jason from “the ex-Petco site” (Sound Ad Group’s temp home) in his West Seattle Podcast T-shirt (here’s our story about the podcast plan); Ellen Bremen, the “Chatty Professor,” who has just published “Say This, NOT That, to Your Professor …” (here’s our story). Longtime WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli stopped by to say hi – his big New York City exhibition for his internationally renowned “Big Appetites” photos is coming up this week. And even as we type … a reader who has contributed photos, Diane, stopped by … the most famous one, she reminded us, showed the inflated plastic bag that protruded from a window during last summer’s demolition of the old Denny school site.
2:22 PM UPDATE: The Seattle Fire Department‘s back – an engine was here earlier (we believe 37 but couldn’t leave our post to look) and now a ladder truck (update: it’s Ladder 13, which is currently based at Highland Park’s Station 11) – same parking spot as earlier (which is also right alongside the inflatable obstacle course). Live music is scheduled to resume at 3 pm with Gunn and The Damage Done, and in the meantime, there’s been a heavy dose of classic rock – multiple Doors hits.
3:24 PM UPDATE: BOTH units from Station 11 are here.
And the band plays on:
(added) Video:
Among those here checking out the band: Jeff Gilbert from Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. Rest of the music schedule is here.
4:17 PM UPDATE: The NW Rivals are playing now, and the beer garden activity looks to be picking up. Those blue-sky breaks from earlier are gone, sadly, but still no rain, and the temperature’s pleasant. The bouncy house, slide, obstacle course, etc., are still up and running, but some of the tablers are folding up, particularly near the stage, where the focus is fully on the music for the rest of the event.
5:27 PM UPDATE: We’re the last booth left, but the bouncy toys are still going, and live music continues, with RAF onstage now. Couple more visitors at the booth here, including the Full Tilt Ice Cream family, and Ruth from West Seattle See Dogs, the guide-puppy-raising club, here giving future guide dog Gulliver an idea of what a street fair with live music is like.
Hoping to see you not only at today’s Westwood Village festival, but also next Saturday at the annual Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association, offering a brand-new event this year: The ‘Bark of Morgan’ – sponsored by 4 area pet-services businesses, including WSB sponsor The Wash Dog:
All well-behaved leashed dogs (over the age of 4 months) are invited to bring their owners and participate in the following events:
2:00 – Pooch Parade: The parade of pooches will line up starting at 2:00 pm north of Morgan Junction Park along SW Eddy Street. Look for the signs. We will parade through Festival venues to the Bank Stage. Costumes optional.
2:15 – Contests: “Bark of Morgan” contests:
1) Cutest Puppy (4 months up to 9 months),
2) Best Trick,
3) Best Dog/Owner Look-Alike
First and second place contestants will be selected via the ‘audience applause meter’ as monitored by the MC and will be awarded commemorative medallions. All “Bark of Morgan” participants will receive a special prize.Sponsors of the first “Bark of Morgan” are Pet Elements at 6701 California SW; Service Dog Academy at 6040 California SW; The Wash Dog at 6400 California Ave SW; and Wiggle Room LLC at 7001 California Ave SW.
Next Saturday’s festival runs 10:30 am-7 pm at three venues (plus the “Bite of Morgan” sampling restaurants) around California/Fauntleroy; the event lineup is on the official website.
Just in case you saw/heard the big response – the fire reported in an apartment building in the 2200 block of SW Barton was a small electrical fire that was put out fast. No injuries reported. Building’s being ventilated right now.
(Rufous hummingbird photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr-group pool)
Don’t let the clouds keep you at home. It’ll still be warm enough to have fun at the Westwood Village Street Fair, and to help 7 groups/organizations raise money at benefits today for people and pets. Plus – good luck, grads! Here’s the roundup of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT/99 CLOSED: Another reminder that the stretch from the Battery Street Tunnel to the West Seattle Bridge is closed for the weekend, both directions, as crews continue reinforcing the Viaduct section that’s over the tunnel-boring route. It’s scheduled to reopen by 5 am Monday.
WESTWOOD VILLAGE STREET FAIR: 10 am-7 pm, it’s the annual free, fun event at the shopping center (2600 SW Barton) – kids’ activities, live music starting at 3 pm, and more, including a school-supplies “stuff the bus” donation drive and (noon-2 pm at Barnes and Noble) booksigning by local author Jon Wells (“Shipwrecked”). Here’s our preview from Friday.
FURRY FACES’ BENEFIT ZUMBATHON: Dance from 10 am-12:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to benefit Furry Faces Foundation; details here.
PET BENEFIT: The “Moses’ Torn ACL” benefit at Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) in Admiral is not only a benefit for a pet, it’s an event for your pet – with pet photos and doggie massage, all to benefit a surgery fund. 10 am-1 pm, details here.
ART AUCTION FOR CLEAN WATER: Visit Ginomai Art Center (42nd/Genesee) 11 am-3 pm and bid on art donated to help West Seattle Christian Church‘s well-building project in El Salvador this summer; details here.
CHIEF SEALTH, WEST SEATTLE HS GRADUATIONS: Both are at Memorial Stadium downtown today – Chief Sealth International High School graduates at 1 pm, West Seattle High School graduates at 5 pm.
GO TO SHADOWLAND, HELP ROXHILL STUDENTS: From 3 pm-close, 15 percent of your bill at Shadowland in The Junction helps make sure every 5th grader at Roxhill Elementary can go to Islandwood; details here.
DOGS 4 DOGS BENEFIT: Music and more at this rescue-dog fundraiser 4-11 pm at The Bridge (4439 35th SW); details here.
VETERANS HELPING VETERANS: The new organization One Less Mountain (featured in this WSB preview) is the beneficiary of Joe Black‘s comedy/hypnosis show at Youngstown tonight, 6:45 pm – more info here.
BENEFIT FOR MELANOMA PATIENT: Tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 7-11 pm, a silent/live auction and music are part of a fundraiser for Joni, a mom of two who is going through treatment for melanoma and can’t work right now because of it. More info here.
Two updates from Seattle Lutheran High School:
GOODBYE: We managed to photograph the cake for posterity before the RSVP’d crowd of 300-plus all showed up for the retirement reception celebrating Shirley Vradenburgh‘s 32 years at the school:
The Friday night celebration packed the gym where just one week earlier she and other members of the school staff and community had gathered for the graduation of Seattle Lutheran’s Class of 2012 (WSB coverage here). As an enduring tribute to her SLHS work, the Shirley Vradenburgh Scholarship was endowed at this year’s school auction.
HELLO: We learned this week that the school has announced its new principal. Dave Meyer is coming to Seattle Lutheran from Concordia Lutheran School in northeast Seattle. His appointment was announced in a letter to the SLHS school community, in which Meyer was described as “bring(ing) contagious enthusiasm overflowing with vision and a great passion for academic excellence” as well as “a renewed vitality, direction and energy to the school …” He’ll start work over the summer.
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