West Seattle, Washington
27 Tuesday
West Seattle’s biggest party of the year – Summer Fest – starts Friday, after a pre-funk in the closed Junction streets on Thursday night. Since our first preview of Summer Fest Eve, we’ve heard of two more reasons to be there:
‘BEYOND THE LENS: On Thursday night, legendary Seattle music photographer Lance Mercer will be at Easy Street Records, where a mini-doc about him will premiere, ESR’s Matt Vaughan tells us:
Ryan Cory is the director of the film, “Beyond The Lens.” Ryan is one of Seattle’s great videographers, editors, and storytellers. He’s directed pieces for Brandi Carlile, The Head and The Heart, Orville Peck, Pearl Jam, and of course Easy Street, Thunder Road Guitars, and the West Seattle Junction. When Ryan asked me what should he be his next film, his next project, muse, etc… without hesitation, I said, ”It’s time for Lance Mercer to shine, to be recognized for all he’s done for this city and the bands he helped elevate and the scene he helped create…and still creates …. and he lives in West Seattle. He’s elusive, let me get him for you, the story must be told.”
The premiere screening is expected to start around 7:30 pm. Matt adds, “This will be the debut of the Easy Street projector/screen.” And if you visit Easy Street, you’ll see more classic music photography – Charles Peterson‘s exhibit continues. Plus: “DJ Marc Muller from Emerald City Social Club will be the DJ thru the night.”
And right across Alaska from Easy Street:
AURORA AVE.: Along with previously announced music – West Seattle band Aurora Avenue will be playing on California Avenue during Summer Fest Eve. From band member Henry Parker:
We will be playing off and on from 5:30-6:50 and 7:20-7:45 and (Art Walk) is 5-8. We have a large set list of our own originals and crowd-pleaser covers. We’ll also be selling our own merchandise at the event. We’ll be playing directly across the street from Easy Street Records outside Key Bank, and the Junction main drag on California Ave. will be shut down to traffic to provide lots of dancing and watching space :)
California north of Oregon will close sometime Thursday morning, and then the rest of the festival zone – California between Oregon and Edmunds, and Alaska between 42nd and 44th – closes around 4 pm Thursday afternoon; the closure continues until Summer Fest breakdown and cleanup ends late Sunday/early Monday.
Quick alert sent by B less than an hour ago, of note since “Prime Day” has likely led to more deliveries: “Just witnessed a package theft from my neighbor’s porch on 11th SW and Holden. Black male passenger jumped out of an I30 Infiniti and right back into the car with a package, then they sped off down Holden toward 16th.” B says the car resembled this stock photo.
(The Brothers, photographed by David Hutchinson)
Here’s the lineup for the hours ahead:
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm,. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.
GIVE BLOOD! Bloodworks Northwest says it has openings for donors today at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW) – sign up here.
DELRIDGE WADING POOL: Noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – repair it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH’ Tonight’s performance of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) is at 7:30 pm – check here for tickets.
KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or …? If it’s open to the community, send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
All-Star Week may be ending, but the midsummer excitement continues for youth-baseball All-Star teams. West Seattle Baseball has just seen one team score a regional championship, and two others are taking a swing at the titles in their categories. Proud coach/parent Randall Hauk sent the report:
While the all-stars of Major League Baseball played this week in Seattle, some of West Seattle’s finest youth baseball players went to Olympia last weekend and brought home a championship.
The West Seattle Baseball 10U Red All-Stars emerged from the PONY Baseball Northwest Regional tournament as the 2023 champions after their 11-1 victory Sunday evening over the Maltby All-Stars in the championship game.
In the photo above are:
-front/on ground – Miles Cole and Lewis Kerns
-standing – Graham Mason, Canon Womac, Koa Perez, Henry Rice, Blake Tep, Robert Jauregui, Ari Beman, Jonah Hull, Nick Webber, Chase Cummings, and Henry Hauk
-coaches – Dan Womac, Randall Hauk, and Tim KernsWest Seattle Red advanced to the final as the tournament’s number one seed, having won all three of their group-play games, out-scoring their opponents 53-18.
The team will travel to Norwalk, California as the Northwest Regional Champion to compete for the West Zone title starting on Thursday, July 20. West Seattle will first face the host team, Norwalk PONY Baseball in a first-round match set for 4:30 p.m. PDT.
West Seattle Baseball is also sending two other all-stars teams to represent the Northwest Region in West Zone play.
The West Seattle 11U Red All-Stars squad starts their quest for the West Zone Bronco-11 crown on Thursday, July 13 in Walnut, California, as they face Simi Valley at 3 p.m. PDT. The 11U is coming off a recent championship run in the Perfect Game 4th of July Blast-Off tournament, ending with a 15-0 win over Stilly Venom in the title match.
West Seattle Baseball’s 9U All-Stars will also be in Walnut, California this week to contest the Mustang-9 West Zone title, facing the host team, also at 3 p.m. PDT. The team most-recently competed in the Lee Johnson Firecracker tournament, going 3-1 before falling in the championship game.
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to post-All-Star Wednesday, July 12th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Morning clouds expected, then clearing, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:24 am; sunset will be at 9:05 pm.
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST
In The Junction, the festival starts Friday, but parking restrictions start today, with street closures and bus reroutes starting Thursday. Here’s our preview.
ROAD WORK ALERT
Thursday and Friday in the Highland Park Way/Holden vicinity, work intensifies for the permanent signal. We saw the signboards on Tuesday and asked SDOT for details:
Construction will take place on SW Holden St, just west of Highland Park Way SW between 7:00 am and 3:30pm each day. There will not be any full street or intersection closures. Workers will only be doing construction in one part of the road at a time, and while work is occurring people will be directed to drive on the other side of the road. At some times, this may require a single lane alternating between two directions with flaggers to help safely direct traffic.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Back to charging fares.
Water Taxi – Back to charging fares and regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. See Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
Quick notes from West Seattle’s southernmost “junction”:
MoCA’S NEW WEBSITE: The Morgan Community Association has relaunched its website at morganjunction.org after a hiatus. There you’ll find info about the group and upcoming Morgan-area events.
QUARTERLY MEETING NEXT WEEK: One of the events you can find out about is the quarterly MoCA meeting, set for 7 pm Wednesday, July 19th. It’ll happen online, and you’ll be able to find connection info here (as well as in our event calendar) pre-meeting. The agenda so far includes business and redevelopment updates, officer elections, and City Council candidates.
TAKEN THE PARK ADDITION SURVEY YET? Seattle Parks published a reminder today about its survey for the yet-to-be-developed addition to Morgan Junction Park. We first told you about the survey last month; it’s open until the end of the month. The park expansion was designed since four years ago, but since then, other community interest has bubbled up, particularly the desire for skating space. So the short survey asks what potential design elements you’d prioritize.
(WSB file photo)
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Starting next week, Swedish Automotive (7901 35th SW; WSB sponsor) is changing its hours. Swedish’s Todd Ainsworth says the new hours will be 7 am-6 pm Mondays through Thursdays – a four-day week with longer days. By the way, if you’re new to West Seattle, Swedish Automotive repairs and maintains more than just Swedish cars – see the list of specialties (and certifications!) on their website. That’s also where you can make an appointment; the new hours are reflected starting Monday.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: We asked Todd about the reasoning behind the change. His reply:
It’s certainly non-traditional for our industry, but the idea has caught a lot of traction in the last few years. The primary reasoning behind it is to give our staff an added benefit and allow them to have more free time to spend with their families, hobbies, etc and give them more work/life balance. There are several auto repair shops I have talked with all over the state and in different parts of the country and all of them who have successfully made the change say they only wish they had done it sooner, because the employees love it. We will be one of the first shops in our area to try it and everyone here is excited about it. It will also benefit our clients by being here for earlier drop-offs and later pick-ups.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
GREEN CR-V STOLEN AGAIN: Last April, we published Sukie‘s report of a stolen green 2000 Honda CR-V, plate AHH9110. It was found. But now, less than three months later, it’s been stolen again – near 35th/Austin. Police report # is 23-195341.
SHOOTING VICTIM SHOWS UP: Early Saturday, we reported on confirmed gunfire in the 1900 block of Harbor Avenue SW. No victims or property damage were found at the scene – but an incident summary made available today notes, “While [police were] processing the scene, a victim with a non-life threatening (gunshot wound) to his hip arrived at a nearby hospital. Officers responded to the hospital to interview the victim.”
2:31 PM: Stadium flyovers downtown often include a West Seattle pass, so in case you see/hear something, here’s what’s planned before tonight’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game at 5 pm at T-Mobile Park: Four F-35s from Hill Air Force Base in Utah will fly over during the National Anthem, according to this Deseret News report. The story might also explain the loud-but-not-on-flight-tracker jets heard (above the cloud cover) over West Seattle yesterday, as it notes that the 388th Fighter Wing, to which the F-35s belong, announced their Seattle arrival Monday. (Added: There was a Home-Run Derby flyover too.)
5:08 PM: Just heard them pass over Upper Fauntleroy.
5:42 PM: Added above – video from Andi showing the jets over West Seattle.
Just two days away …
Thursday’s the night, the east side of Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander) is the place, 6:30 pm is the time, and West Seattle Big Band is who you will see and hear – it’s the first of three Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association for the first time since 2019! That’s also West Seattle Art Walk night, so, the ANA tells us, “The Admiral Art Walk participating businesses have passports – those who get theirs stamped (6) and drop them at the ANA booth at the concert will be entered into a drawing for an Admiral Business Prize Pack.” Meantime, as shown on the poster above, the concert series will continue for three consecutive Thursdays – July 13th, 20th, and 27th. Bring a chair and/or blanket to sit on, picnic dinner if you want, and get ready to enjoy outdoor music.
11:28 AM: Thanks to Kay for the tip. SFD is at Highland Park Way/Austin/Holden for a natural-gas leak response; avoid the area.
11:55 AM: Highland Park Way hill is closed because of this. Neighbors remind you to please slow down when detouring through neighborhoods.
12:04 PM: We’ve arrived in the area to try to find out more. Heading eastbound on Holden, it’s closed at 11th. Also, note that Metro Route 131 is rerouted because of the closures.
12:16 PM: SFD tells us a 2″ gas line was punctured by a construction crew. City Light is also in the area because they decided to take down the power as a precaution until the leak can be stopped. Meantime, approaching the area northbound, 9th is blocked at Kenyon.
12:39 PM: SFD has closed out the call and buses have resumed their regular routing, indicating roads have reopened (we’re headed back to check).
12:45 PM: Confirmed – all back open.
4 PM: We asked SDOT if the crew was theirs or a contractor’s, since they’ve been working in the area. Here’s the response from spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
Workers for KC Equipment punctured a gas line this morning at 10:45 am. KC Equipment is a private construction firm on contract with SDOT to build a new traffic signal at SW Holden St and Highland Park Way SW. KC Equipment immediately reported the incident to Puget Sound Energy.
Puget Sound Energy crews arrived on site and confirmed that they had patched the line and that the area was safe shortly after noon. Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, and Seattle City Light were all also on-site to assist with ensuring public safety.
He adds that no injuries were reported.
10:35 AM: As reported on our partner site White Center Now, SPD is assisting King County Sheriff’s Deputies with a response in the parking lot between 14th and 15th south of Roxbury. At the scene they told us that they’re after a man who had made threats to passersby and who is refusing to come out of a van. KCSO says the man is believed to be experiencing a mental-health crisis. 14th SW is blocked south of Roxbury; 15th was too, but is reported to have reopened; avoid the area.
12:26 PM: We’re back in the area to check on the situation. The lot south of Bartell Drugs is still taped off with a major police presence. 14th SW has reopened, so this situation is now confined to the parking lot.
4 PM: As commenter “Alki Resident” notes below, the person has been taken into our custody since our last check at the scene.
(Dark-eyed Junco, photographed at Lincoln Park by Jamie Kinney)
Civic involvement, musicmaking, and more, all on the list of what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
(added) GIVE BLOOD! Bloodworks Northwest says it has openings for donors today and tomorrow at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW) – sign up here.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer starting tonight. (5078 25th SW)
PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Community Orchestras welcome you to sit in with them, playing at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – 6 pm easy music, 7 pm intermediate music. Audience welcome too! More info in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly board meeting, open to community members, 7 pm, online or in person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) – attendance info’s here.
MORE TRIVIA: Three places where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather July 30 to celebrate the life of Bob Hereford, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:
Robert Roy Hereford, age 73, passed away on 6/9/2023 after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer 22 months earlier. Bob’s strong will and good humor during his chemotherapy allowed him, and those who loved him, to enjoy the gift of many treasured bonus days, including time spent with his wife, Karen, exploring the San Juan Islands on their Nordic tug, Shearwater.
He was born and raised in West Seattle. He joined the Air Force in 1969 and served until 1973, mostly in Thailand. There, he discovered photography, which became his life’s passion and career. He was a much-beloved employee at Seattle Central College, working as the school photographer, until his retirement in 2014.
But he also developed a second passion, when he was introduced to commercial salmon fishing in Alaska in 1981. His first season in Bristol Bay hooked him. He eventually became the skiff man on a seiner skippered by John Nevin out of Kodiak, AK. John and his family came to be very dear friends, and Karen often joined at the end of the season to fish, crab and enjoy adventures around Anton Larson Island.
He could always be counted on, to be there if you needed him, and to entertain with his stories and laughter. He was honest and generous and kind, but also mischievous. He loved conjuring surprises, especially for Karen, some of which are legend.
His loss is immeasurable to all who knew him.
He was so grateful for the care he received from the Swedish Cancer Institute, Dr. Philip Gold, his nurse Nancy, Dr. Christine McConnell, her nurse Charlie, and all the other incredible nurses and staff there.
He is predeceased by his father Clyde, his mother Helen, and nephew Jake, and is survived by his wife Karen, sister Robin, brother David (Natalie), nephews Sam, Reif, Tyler, and Joshua.
A celebration of his life is planned for 7/30. Contact his wife, brother, or sister for details. Please consider donating to Swedish Cancer Institute, or Fishermen’s Memorial Fund.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
9:58 AM: 14th SW south of Roxbury is blocked because of a standoff.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, July 11th.
ALL-STAR GAME DAY
The All-Star Game at T-Mobile Parkis at 5 pm tonight, so SODO will be busy. For transit changes, see below.
TRANSIT
Metro – Free to ride again today.
Water Taxi – Free to ride again today. Added night runs tonight – here’s the schedule.
Sound Transit – Also fare-free today.
Washington State Ferries – No All-Star changes. 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. See Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, high in the mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:23 am; sunset will be at 9:06 pm.
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST
In The Junction, parking restrictions start tomorrow, street closures and bus reroutes start Thursday. Here’s our preview.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
While Seattle basks in the Major League Baseball spotlight, we found Mariners All-Stars Julio Rodriguez and Luis Castillo on a wall south of The Junction – part of a mural in progress alongside the Rite-Aid parking lot’s north side on SW Dawson. You probably won’t be surprised to hear this is the work of prolific West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen. But the reader tip that led us there wasn’t about that mural – it was about the art on the block-long wall along the alley on the lot/store’s west side.
Multiple artists are contributing to this one – we happened onto two of them when we walked into the alley to check it out. They told us Desmond Hansen is leading this project too and brought in other artists because there’s so much space to fill. Some of the work includes cartoon characters:
Some of it’s complete, and some is not.
We have an inquiry out to try to find out more about the genesis of the multi-artist alley project.
Just 12 days until the West Seattle Grand Parade. Every year, parade organizers chose a community member to honor with the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community. This year, they’ve chosen Erik Bell. His organization is called A Cleaner Alki, but his work leading and inspiring cleanup projects has spanned all of West Seattle – and beyond.
(Photos provided by Erik Bell via West Seattle Parade Committee)
Erik describes himself as “a fourth-generation West Seattleite, a graphic designer and photographer by trade, and I’ve found great satisfaction utilizing my background to promote, document, and facilitate local community-cleanup events over the past several years with like-minded neighbors.”
Here’s how he got started: “My interest in this type of work was born out of frustration with the mess that parts of our city had become. But a friend’s observation that my focus to complain and find others to blame was a wake-up call for me, he rightfully noted that if I was bothered enough by a mess then I could do something about it rather than make up stories about who was at fault.” He and his brother Garet started walking the beach on Saturday mornings, and added cleaning up to their meetups. Then:
“My wife Monica and kids Caitlin, Hailey, Sof, and Evelyn have also joined me and are big supporters of these endeavors.”
During the pandemic, coping with feeling down, Erik “found myself turning to daily morning cleanups along the beach as a way to get my day going; this turned out to be a great tool for my mental and spiritual health.” In 2021, he launched A Cleaner Alki online to invite others to join in. “We moved off the beach and out into the community; this is also when I got actively involved in Seattle Public Utilities’ Adopt-a-Street program.”
Two years later, Erik says A Cleaner Alki has three general types of cleanups:
1) I deliver and pick up our self-led Block Drop stations around West Seattle each day for volunteers to collect trash from family-friendly areas; residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, beaches, and business junctions. Block Drops is a Girl Scouts project my daughter Evelyn and several of her troopmates (Emma & Paige) developed for their Silver Award in 2022 that I have committed to sustain.
2) I also organize weekly Cleanup Events along neglected roadways, at illegal dumping grounds, picking up garbage from unhoused neighbors in RVs, or cleaning up encampments with consent from residents.
3) We’ve also recently added Spruced Cleanups to our lineup where we work on overgrown sidewalks, staircases, dilapidated properties and other infrastructure as a way to create safer, easier-to-travel neighborhoods.
Erik has gratitude galore: “I’ve been extremely blessed to have such a loyal and hard working volunteer base that supports my efforts and who continue to ask where we’re headed next, or as is becoming more the case, making specific requests and suggestions as to where they want to see work being done.”
The results? More than 3,000 volunteers giving more than 4,000 hours of their time, removing more than 28,000 pounds – 14 tons! – of trash. And the operation keeps getting bigger: “In the past several months I’ve been contacted by a slew of corporate entities looking for ways for their employees to get involved through their public service initiatives. REI, Amazon, Filson, Starbucks, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Pacific Environment and The Ohio State University have all come out and done cleanups in 2023.”
Of the award, Erik says, “I’m truly humbled and honored to receive the Orville Rummel Community Service award as it’s been such a meaningful and therapeutic part of my life, though none of this would have been possible without all the great friends and neighbors who come out and make these cleanups happen, and for the Adopt a Street program which helps dispose of almost everything we collect.” You can join, too! And/or you can help by donating to A Cleaner Alki’s crowdfunding campaign for a work vehicle and ongoing operation expenses.
And on July 22 – you can cheer for Erik as he rides in the Grand Parade with the Orville Rummel Trophy. (And be sure not to litter while you’re there!) The West Seattle Grand Parade will start from California/Lander at 11 am that day, and travel south on California to Edmunds – you can watch from anywhere along the route; announcing stands are expected at California/Alaska and California/Charlestown. Parade judges station themselves along the route and announce prize winners afterward (here’s who won last year).
ABOUT THE ORVILLE RUMMEL AWARD: It’s named after the man who founded the West Seattle parade in 1934, Orville Rummel – lots of background in the story we published the year we were honored with the trophy, 2010. The award was first presented in 1984. Here’s the full list of recipients along the way (no parade 2020-2021 because of the pandemic, so no award recipient):
1984: Charles and Ann Gage
1985: RB Chris Crisler Jr.
1986: Morgan and Carol McBride
1987: Margaret Miaullis
1988: Charles Jung
1989: Aurlo Bonney
1990: Katie Thorburn
1991: Dorothy Poplawski
1992: Dan Wiseman
1993: Virgil Sheppard
1994: Dorene Smith
1995: Doris Richards
1996: John Kelly
1997: Dick Kennedy
1998: Jim Edwards and Barbara Edwards
1999: Lt. David E. Cass
2000: Husky Deli/Miller Family
2001: Stephanie Haskins
2002: Forest Lawn
2003: Sue Lindblom
2004: Edgar and Ann Phipps
2005: Karen Sisson
2006: Walt DeLong
2007: David and Doreen Vague
2008: Tim St. Clair
2009: Morey Skaret
2010: West Seattle Blog
2011: Cindi Barker
2012: Shirley Vradenburgh
2013: Judy Pickens
2014: Earl Cruzen
2015: Donn Weaver
2016: Clay Eals
2017: Keith Hughes
2018: Velko Vitalich
2019: Adah Cruzen
2022: Deb Barker
With West Seattle Summer Fest approaching, the “no parking” signs are up in the heart of The Junction, so this afternoon we’re reminding you about the road-closure plan. First – note that the signs warn of parking restrictions on California SW starting as soon as Wednesday. The first street closure starts Thursday morning – that’ll be California north of SW Oregon and south of SW Genesee, the block where the main stage and beer garden will be set up Friday and Saturday (and the Farmers’ Market on Sunday). Then at 4 pm Thursday, the rest of the festival zone will close to traffic – California from Oregon to Edmunds and SW Alaska from 44th to 42nd. Metro will publish bus reroutes later this week. On Thursday evening, as setup proceeds, the streets will be open to foot traffic as usual for Summer Fest Eve – then the festival is officially on 1 pm-8 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, and 10 am-5 pm Sunday, with music running later on Friday and Saturday. WSB is a community co-sponsor of Summer Fest – see you there!
When Seattle Public Schools started hinting at school closures/consolidations earlier this year, amid a budget crunch, the district promised to start talking with the community this summer. That’ll happen in August, SPS now says. The district is planning five regional in-person meetings August 8-15 plus an online all-district meeting at 5:30 pm Tuesday, August 29. They describe these meetings as aimed at “developing a shared understanding of what resources, programs, services, and learning experiences make up a well-resourced school” (theoretically closures/consolidations would be intended to enable the remaining schools are “well-resourced”). SPS says it will announce specific dates/locations for the regional meetings next week. Whatever changes are decided, the district says, they won’t kick in before the 2024-2025 school year.
The new-ish owners of Westwood Village have tended to announce new tenants by simply adding them to the shopping center’s site map and directory. For example, that’s how we learned last year that the burger chain Five Guys – expected to open later this month – was on the way. So we check it periodically, and discovered today that the Japan-based discount variety store chain Daiso is mapped for what looks to be a combination of the recently vacated ex-SportClips space and the 5-years-empty ex-Fresh Vitamins space, next to Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor). If you haven’t been to a Daiso store (they’re already semi-nearby in the International District and at Southcenter, plus thousands of other locations worldwide), we’d describe it as the kind of place where you find yourself buying small inexpensive things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. We have an inquiry out to Daiso to see if they’ll comment on the Westwood Village plan.
The location is new – the shop is not. You’ve probably noticed the work going on at the former Wild Roses storefront at 4529 California SW in the West Seattle Junction. It’s the new location of The Brocante Beach House, which is moving to The Junction after two years on Alki. Proprietor Kim Medica says she plans to open this Friday (July 14th), just in time for West Seattle Summer Fest and Bastille Day. If you haven’t been to Brocante before, its specialty is “vintage home and garden.” Kim is excited about what the new location will make possible, telling WSB, “The new space will be 3 times the size of our old space on Alki Beach, allowing us to bring in more furniture, vintage garden items, longer hours. etc. We will still keep our vintage coastal vibe with a European flair, but will be offering many seasonal items as well.” On opening day this Friday, Brocante Beach House plans special hours – 12 pm-8 pm (so the shop will be open throughout the festival that day); after that, regular hours will be Wednesdays through Saturdays 11 am-5 pm, Sundays 10 am-4 pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays (but available by appointment).
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s the list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.
WADING POOLS OPEN: Noon-7 pm, the city says wading pools WILL be open today because the weather is expected to be clearer and warmer later – though that could change if the forecast takes a turn for the worse. Today’s scheduled pools in West Seattle: EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
LIBRARIES REOPEN: Delridge, Southwest, and High Point branches are scheduled to reopen at noon after being closed all weekend for bedbug trouble.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic continues at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
ALKI MEDITATION CANCELLATION: Tonight’s “introduction to meditation” at Alki UCC is canceled.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three options on Monday nights for playing trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Still scheduling the rest of the summer? Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club has tennis-camp openings – Leonard asked us to share this:
Open to kids ages 7-17, no experience required, you don’t have to be a member, and racquets are provided for those who don’t have one. Questions can be directed to ah-tennis@ahstc.com.
We are offering two weeks of camp: 7/31-8/3 and 8/7-8/10. More information and our registration links are here.
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