West Seattle, Washington
22 Wednesday
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it’s the peninsula’s biggest party of the year – West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction (sponsoring, and co-sponsored by, WSB). For the duration, we’ll be there reporting “live” from the big tent at California/Alaska; 
till then, we’ll be sharing more tidbits about the highlights. (If you have something to share about what your business/group will be doing at Summer Fest, let us know ASAP!) A few miscellaneous items for starters: Artist Glenn Case – whom we caught up with for a quick photo op [left] as he worked outside Craze in The Junction late today – will be painting a mural during Summer Fest (you have seen his work all over West Seattle, including the Easy Street wall and “Zetta” on the south side of Cafe Revo [WSB sponsor]). … The kids’ area in front of Curious Kidstuff not only will include all sorts of family activities, but on Saturday, you’ll even find mini-martial-arts classes for kids, taught by Angel Kimball. … West Seattle Helpline is getting the word out that if you bring clothes to donate, you’ll find a dropoff bin at its location in the Community Tent, which will be home to a variety of other nonprofit groups along Alaska east of California … Among the many Summer Fest food choices will be Pagliacci Pizza, which e-mailed to note that its new West Seattle general manager Mine Niznik will be out meeting people and helping his team sell $2 slices, right in front of their location on California north of Oregon. … Plus, if you missed the earlier reports on this, remember that the Summer Fest music slate is getting buzz around the city, especially with headliner Mudhoney at 8:10 Friday night … Though West Seattle Summer Fest officially begins at 10 am Friday, fun in The Junction starts when the street closes on Thursday night, just before the West Seattle Art Walk (6-9 at more than 50 venues around West Seattle; get the new map here).
Providence Mount St. Vincent threw a party this afternoon for Phil Bellefeuille, who just turned 100 years old.
We asked Phil if he had a birthday message to share. His reply: “Thank you, Lord!” He was also asked how he made it this far; he said, “I don’t know,” but noted that the best memory of his 100-years-long-and-counting life is his “wonderful marriage.” (The P-I wrote about Phil and wife Alean three years ago; she died in April of last year, about a month short of turning 96.)
On the 4th of July, we mentioned the online 911 log just jumping with brush-fire calls, including more than half a dozen here in West Seattle (such as the one near Morgan Junction Park; photo at left shows an Engine 37 crew member soaking the park afterward). Called SFD today to ask if they had some final stats. Here’s the citywide count, from spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen: 320 total SFD responses on the 4th of July, “about 100 more than usual.” (Here’s the archived log.) 34 of those were brush fires – no official cause on many of them, but, she says, “you can safely assume a lot were because of fireworks.” Three bigger fires were definitely linked to fireworks – one house, one near a community swimming pool, one school portable – none of those was in West Seattle but damage from all three tallied more than $76,000. P.S. The Fire Department just announced it’s launched a new blog-format site, The Fire Line – see it here.
That was the scene one sunny afternoon last August, as the Southwest Precinct‘s annual Picnic at the Precinct took over SW Webster west of Delridge for an afternoon of fun, free food and community mingling. The city’s Delridge District Service Coordinator Ron Angeles has just circulated this note inviting community groups to participate:
The Southwest Police Precinct is having their annual “Picnic at the Precinct” community BBQ on Saturday, August 15th. Community groups are now being recruited to have a free information table at the event. It’s a great way for organizations to reach a huge cross-section of the West Seattle community. To reserve a table, please contact Pete Spalding at bayouwonder@comcast.net
And even if you’re not interested in tabling – mark your calendar for the afternoon of August 15th! (Speaking of crimefighting-related block parties: Registration continues for the annual Night Out – if you register in advance, you get to close your non-arterial street to traffic that night, August 4 – here’s where to go to sign up and get more info – deadline 7/31.)
Vlad shared that photo a few weeks back, showing a long line at the State Department of Licensing office in Westwood. Apparently not an uncommon sight, since it’s one of the offices that offer the Enhanced Driver License (EDL), and that’s become so popular that the state just announced new procedures to shorten lines at the West Seattle office and others encountering the same problem. Specifically, as noted in a news release:
To better mitigate wait times, DOL is:
* Screening applicants waiting outside beginning at 7:15 am
* Installing a greeter at the front door to separate transactions and encourage people to do their business online or at a self service station if possible
* Not accepting EDL applicants after 2 p.m. weekdays and at noon on weekends
* Adding new office signage and information on the DOL website – dol.wa.gov
The new rules also affect the DOL offices in Lacey, Kennewick, Mount Vernon, Parkland, Renton, Smokey Point, Spokane and Wenatchee. In addition, the state points out that you can make an appointment to get an EDL through the office in downtown Seattle (as well as Bothell, Port Angeles and Bellingham). More info on the locations (and licenses) is available here.
(photo by Thomas Hyde)
Our state’s official ship is headed this way for the Seafair Pirates’ Landing on Alki this Saturday — Joe Follansbee is communications director for the Lady Washington, and sends word that it’s left its seacoast homeport:
The brig Lady Washington has made sail for Seattle and the annual Seafair Pirates’ invasion of Alki Beach in Seattle, a traditional highlight of the annual city-wide celebration. The Lady Washington departed Grays Harbor today, setting a course north along the Washington coast, then through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and then south into Puget Sound. The ship is scheduled to arrive at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle on Thursday. The stop at Shilshole Bay will include public tours. On Saturday, the vessel will move to Lake Union Park for a five-day stay, which will also feature public tours and a three-hour sailing.
This year, the Seafair Pirates’ takeover of Alki Beach is scheduled for noon on Saturday, July 11. The ship will stand by as a Seafair landing craft disgorges its piratical passengers on the beach.
Read on for the rest of the announcement about the Lady Washington’s forthcoming Seattle visit:Read More
Even if you’re not in the area, you may have heard a lot of sirens within the past hour – here’s what it was about: A crash at Andover/Delridge (map) originally went out as a “heavy rescue” call – it closed before too long, but North Delridge’s Nancy Folsom (who provided the photo) says the crash involved a car and a truck from nearby Nucor, and blocked the intersection for a while. We’ll be checking to see if anyone was seriously hurt. 1:40 PM UPDATE: No serious injuries, according to fire department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen.
FRIENDS OF JUNCTION PLAZA PARK MEETING: During West Seattle Summer Fest this Friday-Saturday-Sunday, you’ll get a chance to support the final fundraising push for the park by enjoying a beer garden at the site, and a chance to learn more about the park plan at the big tent in the heart of the festival zone (California/Alaska, where we’ll be too, like last year). But first – Friends of Junction Plaza Park invites you to a meeting tonight to discuss the latest on the project and firm up the plan for Summer Fest volunteer help. 6 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle (Nucor Room).
DUWAMISH RIVER KAYAK TOURS START: Also at 6 tonight, the first in this summer’s series of six “community kayak tours” along part of the waterway that marks West Seattle’s eastern boundary, presented by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, Alki Kayak Tours and the Seattle Aquarium Society. Full details and RSVP info here.
New information tonight about the report of a shooting at Me-Kwa-Mooks early today. Police say the victim’s claim that he was shot was false. Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith has just provided the new details, while first confirming that, as we reported early today, “An officer located a victim of an assault while on routine park check. The male stated he had just been shot in the back of the head. The male was holding his head and visibly bleeding. Officers responded to the priority call and set up containment for the K9 unit. Medics were called to the scene for medical treatment.” From there, however, the story unraveled – Lt. Smith says police found the suspect but after talking with them both, “It appeared both parties may have assaulted each other. Both subjects became uncooperative during the investigation, and neither would identify the other as the person who assaulted them … Injuries treated by Fire Personnel and witness statements led officers to believe the victim may have been hit in the head with a rock or other blunt instrument, and not shot.” The original victim was treated for a “laceration to the back of his head” described as “not serious”; the “suspect/victim,” as police describe the other person, had “minor swelling to his lower lip” and “refused medical treatment.” (Note: We asked Lt. Smith if, as one commenter suggested, this was related to an Alki bar incident a short time earlier – he says it doesn’t appear to be; both parties in this case had been at the park.)
Tomorrow (Monday) is one of the 10 days where most King County-run facilities are closed for an unpaid “furlough” day to help drain the county’s red ink. This page explains what’s open and what’s closed. Bus riders, note that Metro will run a REGULAR schedule. This is the sixth of the 10 furlough days, one of only two to be scheduled for a Monday.
No official verdict yet but most accounts of the mucky water reported late Friday seem to conclude it was an algae bloom. Here’s an aerial view sent by Craig, who explains, “Flew up to Sequim and back (Friday), and saw this scungy yellow stuff all over the place. It was from near Port Townsend down to Alki and beyond. This picture is the Kingston [map] ferry.”
(4/22 photo from Sustainable West Seattle “Bike-A-Palooza” at Camp Long)
When we covered the Sustainable West Seattle “Bike-A-Palooza” meeting in April (story here), speakers included a Cascade Bicycle Club rep who mentioned that the annual Bike Smart Seattle program would include West Seattle events this summer. Postcards for this city-sponsored program have since arrived in West Seattle mailboxes, and now the events are beginning. From the Bike Smart Seattle calendar page, here’s the July list:
Tuesday 7/7, 6:30 pm: Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Saturday 7/11, 11:30 am: Sweet Summer Cycle Ride, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Friday 7/17, 11 am: Helmet sale during Hiawatha Fun Festival, Hiawatha Community Center
Sunday 7/19, 10 am: Women’s ride to Olympic Sculpture Park, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Tuesday 7/21, 6:30 pm: Intro to Commuting Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Saturday 7/25, 10 am-2 pm: Helmet sale during Alki Art Fair
Saturday 7/25, 10 am: Around and Around Alki Ride, leaves from Alki Beach Park
Sunday 7/26, 10 am: Kids and Parents Ride Clinic, Southwest Community Center
Sunday 7/26: 12:30 pm: Family Ride to Lincoln Park, leaves from Alki
Browse the calendar to see the August and September events in West Seattle (and events elsewhere for the entire summer, too); you can also become a fan of Bike Smart Seattle via this page on Facebook (and be sure to look us up on FB at facebook.com/westseattleblog).
Two reports to share (which we were about to publish very early this morning when we got sidetracked by the Me-Kwa-Mooks shooting and numerous brush fires): First, one received by phone – a Gatewood resident (40th/Holly; map) says the Ford Expedition stolen from outside her house a month ago — then found a few days later — was broken into early Saturday. Method — smashed window. Stolen — a phone. Now, the second report: A stolen car reported here about two weeks ago has been found. Jen says, “My Canadian friend’s car that was stolen from 37th and Findlay [map] on 6/24 was found (Saturday) just a few blocks away. The ignition is wrecked and the contents are gone, but the car otherwise appears to be fine. Just wanted to follow up with a somewhat happy ending.” We also just heard from the area Block Watch leaders, who forwarded another neighbor’s e-mail including this observation about that: “This is a new twist on local car prowls; the car was broken into, hot wired, driven a few blocks to a place where the internal contents could be pulled out quickly, and the thieves leave the car behind!”
10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska, it’s the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, as always – go here to see the “Ripe ‘n’ Ready” list for today.
Even without Elliott Bay fireworks, the 4th of July view from parts of West Seattle turned out to be splendid anyway. Thanks to Gilbert for sending these photos of the Lake Union fireworks show as seen from Hamilton Viewpoint.
Unfolding on the scanner: Police were flagged down at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on Beach Drive (map) – the first officer there has found someone with a gunshot wound to the “back of the head” but also described as “conscious and alert.” The suspect, said to be armed with a handgun, is reported to have fled “on foot.” Police are asking if a helicopter is available (apparently it is not). The suspect is described as a mixed-race male running southbound in white T-shirt and jeans. 1:17 AM UPDATE: Just got a call from someone who lives just south of Beach Drive, who says police advised them to stay inside. No word yet on the victim’s condition. 2:18 AM: No further info so far; thanks to those who have added in comments what they’ve seen near the scene. 11:28 AM NOTE: Continuing to pursue additional information – will publish a separate update as soon as it’s available. 11:38 PM UPDATE: Have just published a separate update with new information from police. See it here. Bottom line – the man said he had been shot but turned out not to have been. He and the alleged suspect believed to have “assaulted each other.” Neither seriously hurt.
… remember that we have a West Seattle-specific Pets page primarily featuring lost/found pets (more than a year’s worth). We’ve already received one report of a pet found on the run (it’s atop the page). Hope all others are OK but if you do lose or find one, e-mail us the info (pic too if you have one) at editor@westseattleblog.com. The Pets page is here.
Three engines have gone to this one. We’ll be heading over to check it out – Marine View and 35th (map). Hard to imagine it wouldn’t be fireworks related – here in Upper Fauntleroy, a couple miles north, it’s been nonstop noise for about two hours. 11:01 PM UPDATE: Back from checking it out. Two engines still there but nothing visible from streetside – it’s not right at the bend, but somewhere around the homes just northwest of there. Huge amount of fireworks as we drove through Arbor Heights, though, including two people launching bottle rockets from atop a beer box right on the shoulder of 35th. Did notice the Arroyos, down the west slope from southern Arbor Heights/Marine View Drive, has an incredible view of Vashon fireworks. 11:31 PM UPDATE: Now one engine’s responding to a brush fire report in 8800 block of Delridge. (minutes later) That call closed fast but there’s a new one in the 9600 block of 20th SW. MIDNIGHT UPDATE: And since then, a couple more. No indication at this point that any has been major, but local engines have certainly had to run from one call to another, one end of West Seattle to another. Here’s the live fire/medic 911 log.
We happened onto that playground-side performance during a quick visit to the High Point Diversity Festival earlier this evening. The fun and food stretched across five hours at Commons Park, which officially opened one year ago today. Right after that, around 6 pm, we drove along Harbor Ave to see what the no-fireworks-on-Elliott-Bay crowd looked like this year. As this video from our passenger-held Flip shows, not too different from years gone by (except that, unlike last year, the road was open to all) – still plenty of RVs and tents – hope there aren’t too many who missed the no-fireworks news (and you CAN see parts of the Lake Union fireworks from there):
If you see this before 10 pm, note that KING5 is broadcasting the Lake Union fireworks live as usual, on the air and online at king5.com.
(If you’d rather watch that on YouTube – slightly shorter because of YT upload limits – click here)
From the pickup truck and medic unit leading the way, right ahead of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court carrying the banner, that 11-minute video clip shows the entirety of this morning’s Admiral 4th of July Parade, after the traditional kickoff speech by Mayor Nickels, who lives a few blocks from the parade route, as you’re about to hear parade organizer Sherri Chun note while introducing him:
When we spoke with Sherri just before the parade, she wondered if the crowd would be as big as last year, given that the 4th fell on a Saturday and more people seemed to be out of town. By our unofficial estimate, it might actually have been larger – though we didn’t take a head count, we can tell you that it took longer this year for the entire parade to go by! It was preceded by the national anthem, sung this year by Jonathan Rosoff. Sherri also offered a special thanks to folks including Dave Weitzel from Weitzel Construction (WSB sponsor), who underwrote the cost of the porta-potties at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where fun contests and games follow the parade. Thanks to Luckie for sharing a photo of today’s wheelbarrow races:
(added 8:32 pm) Almost forgot – Lisa sent us this photo via Twitter. TOTALLY made our day – we didn’t see her during the parade, as we got our video/photos from in front of the participants:
Next West Seattle parade is a doubleheader – the Rotary Club Kiddies Parade (all welcome!) and American Legion Post 160-presented West Seattle Grand Parade, both on Saturday, July 18 (two weeks from today!); the Kiddies’ Parade leaves California/Genesee at 10:30 am, the Grand Parade leaves California/Lander at 11 – with both concluding at the southern end of The Junction (California/Edmunds).
Till 6 pm, you can enjoy the shade at the annual Fourth of July Barbecue/Potluck out back at C & P Coffee. Chicken, hot dogs and corn on the grills when we stopped by:
Earlier, we visited the Log House Museum/Southwest Seattle Historical Society membership picnic, where folks like Cal shared their personal stories of the peninsula’s past:
SWSHS director Andrea Mercado tells us the picnic turnout was great (by the way, just a few weeks till the organization presents its White Center History Tour – more info here). Not far from the Log House Museum, we saw lots of people with tents set up along the Alki/Harbor Ave waterfront – we hope they’re just there for the beautiful weather and NOT because they mistakenly believe there will be fireworks over the bay tonight:
The full list of fireworks shows that ARE happening is on our 4th of July page, but one we should single out is to the south, at Three Tree Point – folks in the very southern end of West Seattle, like Arbor Heights and the Arroyos, probably have a view without driving to that narrow beachfront neighborhood. Meantime, another of the several West Seattle shops with special 4th of July sales was Avalon Glassworks, where we stopped by to say hi to proprietor Shannon:
Among the more unusual items still left during our visit (after throngs picked up a lot of great finds earlier) – a set of goblets without bases (long story). The ultimate 4th of July scene, of course, is always the flag – here are a few of the dozens we’ve seen around town:
More coverage to come – our full report on the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade is up next, and we’re also heading over to the High Point Diversity Festival in Commons Park, which continues till 8 pm – and watch our Twitter feed for quick immediate reports (with photos!) while we’re mobile. ADDED 5:08 PM: Speaking of Twitter, that’s where this photo of a 6-person “parade” in Lincoln Park just turned up, courtesy of @vbalasubramani.
(photo added 7:27 pm, courtesy of Jade)
So says KING5.com, with the photo to prove it. The report says it’s believed to be a Humboldt Squid; this info says those squid used to range further south. ADDED 5:21 PM: Here’s a larger photo from the KOMO website. ADDED 7:27 PM: Thanks to Jade for sending the photo added above – she took it while waiting for the Water Taxi on Friday, apparently after a state crew took the squid away.
Thanks to Emilie for e-mailing the news – verified via Twitter – the West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars won both ends of a doubleheader against the South Highline Nationals at Bar-S and are headed to state. Congratulations!
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