West Seattle, Washington
26 Sunday
WEST SEATTLE WINS KEXP HOOD-TO-HOOD: Thanks to a note from Beth, we were able to share the news here last week about the KEXP radio pledge-drive Hood-to-Hood Challenge, offering a special event to whichever neighborhood had the most pledgers by the end of the drive last Friday night. Today we get word (thanks to David for the first word, confirmed on the KEXP home page) that West Seattle won! Working now to find out (a) by how much (not sure if this is the final tally), (b) who came in second, and (c) when/where that event will happen. 4:21 PM UPDATE: (a and b) answer, $70,000+ with Ballard in second at $65K+, (c) answer, sometime in the first quarter of next year, though many details remain to be worked out.
EASY STREET RECORDS ON TWITTER: The latest West Seattle business to hop onto Twitter is the legendary music store that started in the heart of The Junction. You’ll find them at twitter.com/easystrecords. (If you “follow” us at twitter.com/westseattleblog, you know we also send word when we spot any other West Seattle business/institution turning up – over the weekend, for example, Westwood Village restaurant Eats Market Cafe got on board – twitter.com/eatsmarketcafe – other West Seattle eateries on Twitter include WSB sponsors @skylarkcafe and @caferevo.) In addition to our human-powered, interactive account at @westseattleblog, if you just want links to WSB stories, follow us at twitter.com/westseattlenews. You can also see our “tweets” and others mentioning West Seattle on the WSB Twitter page.
RESTRICTED PARKING ZONE VOTE: The proposed changes in Restricted Parking Zones come before the City Council for a vote during its meeting at 2 this afternoon; if you have anything to say, there’s a public comment period as the meeting begins.
PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm, Cooper School cafeteria. Not sure if you’re in Pigeon Point? Boundaries are described here.
ALKI ART FAIR VENDOR SIGN-UPS: Last registration/site-selection event for next month’s popular artist showcase at the beach – 6:30-8 pm tonight at Alki Community Center.
VIADUCT CLOSURE AND RACE FOR THE CURE: Different agencies have offered different times but suffice it to say — the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from early this morning (7-ish) till 11 am, for the Race for the Cure. You can register at Qwest Field if you haven’t pre-registered; that’s what your procrastinating editor here will be doing — we’ll also be there to catch West Seattle middle schooler Adam Westerman (left with mom Eddie Westerman, a breast-cancer survivor) serving as Kids’ Run Grand Marshal. If you’re interested in a few updates from R4TC as it happens, check our Twitter feed (twitter.com/westseattleblog) – possibly Facebook too (where you’ll find us as WS Blog). One more Viaduct note: Remember the open house at Madison Middle School this Wednesday, 6-8 pm (see ad in WSB sidebar), for you to get info about the tunnel plan and offer comments on what should be studied for official reports.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always; here’s the “fresh sheet.”
TIDE GUIDES: It’s not a mega-low-tide today but low enough for the Seattle Aquarium to have uniformed Beach Naturalists at Constellation Park and Lincoln Park (south of Colman Pool), 10 am-1 pm
PLANT SALE/PET ADOPTION: Furry Faces Foundation‘s plant sale is 10 am-4 pm today, 3809 46th SW, with pet adoption on-site noon-4 pm.
NO SKILLET: Skillet Street Food will NOT be in West Seattle today – they’re taking their Airstream to the Mariners’ game instead.
HOLY ROSARY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BEGINS: First major event – 11:15 Homecoming Mass followed by a special luncheon (full details here).
BIKE RIDE: Tour West Seattle’s historical spots on two wheels with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society; meet at the Log House Museum at 12:30 pm.
INGRID OLSEN-YOUNG CELEBRATION: 2 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, as the beloved preschool teacher says goodbye to SSCC; see our story about her here.
COOPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAREWELL: 2 pm, looking ahead to the scheduled closure of the school “program” later this month. Full details here.
“ORCA TRAIL” OPEN HOUSE: 4-7 pm at Alki Bathhouse – details here.
Even more events — including Day 3 of SIFF at the Admiral Theater — in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
11:22 AM UPDATE: The Viaduct did reopen before 11, in case you were wondering.
(photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The party’s over but more than 20 screenings are yet to come, as West Seattle makes its Seattle International Film Festival debut — this is day 2, and many are no doubt still recovering from day 1:
Shortly after cutting a ceremonial ribbon last night during the open house/party celebrating the Admiral Theater‘s debut as a SIFF venue, SIFF director Carl Spence (with Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan at the start of the clip) was ceremonially “kidnapped” by the Seafair Pirates. But that was just the conclusion of their visit – as always, they made an entrance that could be heard for miles around:
(They’ll be landing on Alki on July 11th, by the way.) And while at the theater, they helped cut the cake in pirate style:
That photo’s also by WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, as are all the others you’ll see just ahead – more scenes from the party, and information on the rest of SIFF’s run at The Admiral:Read More
We’ve been publishing summer-camp invitations on the new Announced page – including West Seattle High School Volleyball Camp for middle- and high-schoolers (read about it here) and martial-arts camps at Lee’s Martial Arts (read about them here). This morning, Jane Harty from Music Northwest e-mailed to say, “We still have room in our Chamber Music Camp for one more group of students, ages 8-18. The dates are Aug. 18-22, and our coaches are Marcus Tsutakawa from the Garfield Orchestra, Leonid Keylin from the Seattle Symphony and several other outstanding coaches.” The camp’s at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle; the registration form and other info can be found online.
That’s the nautically themed cake that Junction-based Vertu Cakes has created for the informal open-house-style party under way right now – till 6:45 – at the Admiral Theater, on the first night of the first-ever West Seattle screenings for the Seattle International Film Festival. Film #1 is getting out in about 20 minutes, and #2, “The Admiral,” starts at 7, but even if you’re not going to the movies, the doors are open and there are appetizers, sweet treats (in addition to the cake), and general festivity here at West Seattle’s historic moviehouse. SIFF director Carl Spence (a West Seattleite) has just arrived and is talking with Admiral operator Jeff Brein and entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan, and we’ve heard there’s been a sighting of the Seafair Pirates (who we spotted preparing their invasion plans over in one of the old Huling lots). More to come. 5:56 PM UPDATE: The pirates are invaded and are promoting the “Seafair Pirates Film Festival.” Mysteriously absent an actual date, time and venue, however.
ADDED 6:17 PM: Oh dear, the Pirates have just absconded with Carl Spence. Video/photos shortly. But at least the ceremonial ribbon-cutting happened first. Here’s a shot of their arrival:
So if you hear or see the Pirates plundering some other area of West Seattle, you know where they came from. Party continues till 6:45.
ADDED 6:39 PM: Before we make our getaway (headed next for the Skylark third-anniversary party), video of the Pirates making their getaway — last seen westbound on Admiral toward Alki.
Last reminder – 5:30-6:45 pm tonight, be at the Admiral Theater for the (free!) party celebrating West Seattle’s debut as a Seattle International Film Festival venue – free treats and fun – full details here, along with details on the Skylark Club and Cafe (WSB sponsor) third birthday party tonight. Other weekend highlights include the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s bike tour, fundraising fun for ArtsWest, Transitional Resources and the Community School of West Seattle … GardenFest at SSCC … Holy Rosary‘s centennial begins with the Homecoming Mass and Lunch … the big Open House at Mural Apartments (WSB sponsor) … a weekendlong Plant Sale to raise money for Furry Faces Foundation with pet adoption added on Sunday … more than FIFTY events ahead in the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Last night’s power outage coverage pre-empted a few things we’re getting to now – among them, the final two movies chosen for West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall this summer (official website here), six consecutive Saturday nights, July 18-August 22 at dust, in the courtyard between Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and Dr. Wolff. These are movies number 4 and 5:
That’s “National Treasure,” announced by Hotwire’s Lora Lewis for August 8th. Now, the August 15th movie, one of the hugest hits of the millennium thus far – the first “Pirates of the Caribbean“:
Adding those to the slate of movies already announced earlier this week (here and here), the full slate is:
July 18 – “The Princess Bride”
July 25 – “King Kong” (1933 version)
Aug. 1 – “Footloose”
Aug. 8 – “National Treasure”
Aug. 15 – “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”
Aug. 22 – “Cars”
WSB and many other fine West Seattle businesses co-sponsor the series, which is a great way to get out of the house on warm nights and have a fun time meeting other West Seattle neighbors, as well as supporting the nonprofits who benefit from the raffles and concessions. Big thanks again to everyone who suggested movies for consideration; keep an eye on the official West Seattle Movies on the Wall site, WSB of course, and on Twitter, follow @wsmovies — see you there!
More big news about the West Seattle SIFF gala at the Admiral Theater tomorrow night – a fun free party that you are welcome to attend even if you’re not going to the movie(s): Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan says Salty’s on Alki has just signed on to provide cookies and desserts. That’s in addition to Vertu Cakes‘ ship-shape creation, plus appetizers from Metropolitan Market, flowers/balloons from Sharon’s Westwood Florist, and a special appearance by the Seafair Pirates – who Dinah says have been mysteriously seen referring to this event as “Pirate Fest” – how will that go over with SIFF director Carl Spence, who’ll be there too? Be there to find out! Again, it’s all free, 5:30-6:45 pm Friday at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater – tomorrow’s also the first day of the week-long first-ever SIFF showings at The Admiral (schedule and tickets online here). If you’re not going to the 7 pm movie, or even if you are, head east to North Delridge, where it’s a party all night long tomorrow at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor):
That’s The Apple War, who’ll be on hand as Skylark celebrates its third birthday tomorrow night, and in case you missed it the first time, here’s the heart of the party announcement from proprietor Jessie SK:
On June 5, the party commences at 8 pm with throat-singing, tabla-playing DJ Baba James, continues with the downtempo Deepsleep Narcotics Company, kicks it up a notch with westside country-punk heroes The Stevedore, and culminates with indie rock awesomeness The Apple War. The traditional third wedding anniversary gift is “leather,” but we don’t recommend wearing it to this show. You’ll overheat.
Jessie notes on Facebook that the A/C is back in business at Skylark and she has a few dinner suggestions – like barbecue ribs and grilled veggies – Skylark is on the north end of Delridge, south of The Bridge (click and pan this Google Street View to see exactly where):
Friday night’s almost here, and with it the West Seattle gala celebrating the peninsula’s first-ever participation in the Seattle International Film Festival – with the Admiral Theater hosting 25 showings of SIFF films between Friday and the following Thursday. To kick it off — even if you are NOT going to the movie that follows! — YOU are invited to a free, fun open-house style party this Friday night. WSB is co-promoting the party with The Admiral, 5:30 pm-6:45 pm, before the opening-night showing of “The Admiral.” Special guests include SIFF director Carl Spence – who lives in West Seattle – and the Seafair Pirates; treats include a ship-shaped cake from Vertu Cakes and appetizers from Metropolitan Market, plus decorations include flowers and balloons from Sharon’s Westwood Florist. Haven’t been to the Admiral? Its interior has unique sights such as the mural behind the concession stand, and other classic decor. One more note: If you’re trying to find the full schedule of SIFF films at The Admiral, and how to buy tickets (you get them through SIFF, *not* the Admiral’s box office), start here, with the June 5 schedule, featuring Admiral showings on the left side of the grid.
We reported earlier this week on Denny Middle School‘s success at a music festival in Idaho last weekend – now, we have word from Madison Middle School music teacher Clark Bathum that Madison students’ trip to the same event was successful too:
Madison Middle School Music Department had a successful and fun-filled trip to the Music in the Parks Festival in Coeur D’Alene last weekend.
In the Middle School AA Division Madison Ensembles won:
String Orchestra: 1st place (Excellent Rating)
Jazz Band: 1st place (Superior Rating)
Concert Band: 2nd place (Excellent Rating)
Middle School/Jr High outstanding Jazz soloist Award: Patrick Gordon, Baritone Sax (this was the 7th straight year that the award went to a student from Madison)Madison was also very proud to receive the Esprit De Corps award, which is given to one school at the Festival that best demonstrates “personal integrity, quality character values, and a desire for excellence.”
Click ahead for three more photos shared from the trip:Read More
We’re counting down to the Friday night party that WSB is co-promoting with the Admiral Theater to celebrate the Seattle International Film Festival‘s first-ever West Seattle run — 25 screenings, June 5-11. As you see on the marquee, the party starts at 5:30; it’s informal, open-house style, so just drop by before about 6:45, when filmgoers will start taking their seats for “The Admiral.” This morning, we have word of more party participants, from Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan, who invited local businesses to be part of the bash: Metropolitan Market is bringing appetizers; Sharon’s Westwood Florist is contributing flowers and balloons. Add that to a creation by Vertu Cakes (based in The Junction) and appearances by the Seafair Pirates and SIFF director Carl Spence. Come help celebrate yet another feather in West Seattle’s increasingly stylish cultural cap, this Friday.
So much happened last weekend, you may not be ready to look ahead to next weekend – but with only days to go till the 
Seattle International Film Festival‘s first-ever West Seattle run at the Admiral Theater (June 5-11), we wanted to remind you of the opening-night party that WSB is co-promoting with The Admiral: The time is now set for 5:30 pm – it’s casual, fun, open-house style, 5:30 till 6:45, right before the showing of, for real, “The Admiral.” Given the movie title and the theater theme, the party will have a nautical flavor – as we’ve already mentioned, the Seafair Pirates will visit, as will SIFF director Carl Spence (who lives in West Seattle), and Junction-based Vertu Cakes is providing a fun cake shaped like a ship. Come celebrate West Seattle’s continued rise in the culture ranks – 5:30 pm Friday at The Admiral. More party details as the week progresses!
That video’s from the Denny Middle School Jazz Dinner fundraiser two months ago, as the school’s Jazz Ensemble performed. We’re rerunning it this morning because Denny principal Jeff Clark just forwarded an announcement by music director Marcus Pimpleton of the school’s success at the competition its musicians are just back from:
Congratulations to the Denny Music Department on a successful trip to the Music in the Parks Festival in Coeur D’Alene.
The Denny Middle School Jazz Ensemble and the Denny Middle School String Orchestra topped the middle school category earning Best Overall Jazz Ensemble and Best Overall Middle School Orchestra.
In the Single A Division, Denny Middle School also won:
1st Place Percussion Ensemble – The Denny Steel Drum Ensemble – Superior Rating
1st Place Jazz Ensemble – Superior Rating
1st Place String Orchestra – Superior Rating
1st Place Marching Band – Excellent Rating
3rd Place Concert Band – Excellent RatingCongratulations to all the students that participated.
Beautiful night for dancing, indoors and outdoors … that first video is from The Kenney, which had a “Senior-Senior Prom” tonight, with high-school seniors mingling with Kenney residents. The Las Vegas sign in front of the band is in honor of the “Rat Pack” theme. (Note in the video, that’s Kenney CEO Kevin McFeely taking a turn on the dance floor, off to the left at one point.) Completely different dance style a few miles southeast, for the Devil’s Dance Parade in White Center — an Afro-Peruvian costumed dance troupe started at 15th/Roxbury, wound its way through the business district, south, then west, then north, and wrapped up at Cafe Rozella:
We’ve got another clip on partner site White Center Now as the dancers paused to perform by the taco truck south of White Center Plaza. A concert followed at the coffeehouse.
We say that for so many reasons – the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor) has its (free!) annual Rock and Gem Show this weekend, Delridge Day tomorrow at Youngstown Arts Center (we’ll be reporting live – hope to see you there!), the first-ever West Seattle 5K (WSB sponsor) will hit the street during “Celebrate Summer Streets” on Sunday… It will also be a magical Sunday afternoon at The Admiral, and tonight you can play Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center or catch the “Devil’s Dance Parade” in White Center … lots of live music tonight too … help mulch tomorrow on behalf of the Alki Community Wildlife Habitat … more than FIFTY events ahead in the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
The digging-up of the old, about-to-be-replaced pavement on Fauntleroy Way has started in earnest, we noticed today. But that’s not all that’s happening on the road. Brianna sent the photo within the past hour, explaining:
just thought i would pass these pics along of a local artist making the most of the fauntleroy street closure.
andy smith has been out on the street painting for the past hour or so working on some pollock inspired pieces.
looks great!!
We have a followup question out to ask exactly where this is happening – the construction zone currently stretches from Edmunds to Findlay.
CRUISE CAM: Via Facebook, Marc points out the view of West Seattle from the aft end of the Pacific Princess, currently docked in Magnolia. Ever wonder which ship’s in when? The full schedule is here.
CAPERS CONSOLIDATING: It came up first in the WSB Forums. Then, Brian sent us this photo:
We finally got to stop in at Capers in The Junction today to ask what’s up. They’re not closing – they’re consolidating; after June 1st, the store will be in the southernmost (“lower”) level, including the spot that used to be its cafe. No word so far on what will take over the space Capers is vacating, but they tell us a wall will be put up to finish enclosing the shop’s resized space.
ANOTHER DEDICATION AT MORGAN COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Not only will Morgan Junction Park itself be dedicated during the Morgan Community Festival on June 13, so will the new sidewalk art project, “Salon,” by SuttonBeresCuller (ceremony scheduled for 10 am that day, according to an invite just in from the city’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs). The festival also will feature the “Bite of Morgan” and entertainment including the famed Bubbleman. (We’ll be reporting “live” from the festival, so looking forward to seeing you there.)
POLITICS: Before summer revs to fever pitch, time to keep examining your options in this year’s crowded elections. Next chance: 11:30 am today, West Seattle Democratic Women‘s monthly luncheon, West Seattle Golf Course, with a candidates’ forum on the program. RSVP for lunch by 10 am – contact info and more details here.
EDUCATION: College Night tonight at West Seattle’s higher-education institution, South Seattle Community College. Find out more about what SSCC has to offer, 5-7:30 pm in Brockey Center; more details here.
ENTERTAINMENT: Semi-finals of Alki Idol, Bamboo Bar and Grill, 9:30 pm.
CRIME-FIGHTING: South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets 6 pm, St. James Place, 9421 18th SW (map).
ONE MORE CRIME-FIGHTING NOTE: If you’re in the Alki area, Ken Allen has set up a Facebook group to convene those concerned about crime. Go here to join “Alki Neighborhood Watch.”
More of today and tonight’s events — and tomorrow, and the days, weeks and months into the future – on the WSB Events calendar.
Two weeks till the first-ever Seattle International Film Festival showings in West Seattle (June 5-11), and one week since we first mentioned the Admiral Theater party we’re co-promoting to mark this WS cultural milestone, we’ve got some major RSVP’s: Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan says the Seafair Pirates are on board, for starters. (During a brainstorming session at which the nautical theme – natural for The Admiral, and also for the fact the opening-night film slate includes “The Admiral” – West Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Patti Mullen suggested the Pirates had party potential.) SIFF boss Carl Spence also is expected to be there, in honor of the renowned festival’s first-ever partnership with a West Seattle venue. Last week, we extended Dinah’s invitation for your ideas about what else might make this a memorable party (early evening, open-house format, before the 7 pm “Admiral” showing on June 5th), and it’s not too late for you to suggest something – leave a comment here or e-mail 
Dinah, dinah@admiralentertainment.com. And if you’re making plans to attend SIFF screenings at The Admiral, remember that ticket sales for the 25 movies are all done through SIFF, *not* the Admiral, and you can buy them online. The movie slate is here; ticket sales start here; special multi-show ticket deals are detailed here.
Since the weekend won’t be over for many till Monday night, this edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup covers four days – with events including the opening of new Junction restaurant Fresh Bistro tonight, several big events on Saturday including opening day for Colman Pool, the first-ever West Seattle Edible Garden Fair and the Alki Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Celebration on Saturday (plus a bike-trail cleanup and a car show), special events (including wagon rides!) at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sunday, and the traditional West Seattle community Memorial Day Service at Forest Lawn on Monday afternoon … more than 40 events in the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
From the Delridge District Council meeting under way now at Youngstown Arts Center, South Seattle Community College‘s Mike Munson reminded everyone that tomorrow is the third and final day of Rainbow Festival on campus (full schedule here). In the video above, you see West Seattle poet Karen Finneyfrock, who along with Tara Hardy will perform in a Girl Power Poetry Slam at 1 tomorrow afternoon — Seattle’s Poet Populist Mike Hickey, who also happens to be on the SSCC faculty, says it’s free and everyone is invited.
METRO OPTIMISM: Kery Murakami at the Seattle Post-Globe (the citywide news site run by ex-P-I journalists) writes that a Metro audit report discussed this morning suggests bus-service cuts forced by budget woes may not have to be as big as feared. See his story here.
TIDE TURNING: Fascinating study reported at Three Sheets Northwest (hat tip seattlepi.com for pointing it out): Along the West Coast, the difference between daily high and low tides is growing. Researchers aren’t sure why, but they’re working on it. This by the way gives us an excuse to remind tide-walking fans that the next round of noteworthy minus tides starts this Friday morning – here’s the tide chart.
SIDEWALK ART UPDATE: If you’re on Facebook (where you can “friend” us as WS Blog), check out the photo album by SuttonBeresCuller showing the latest photos from its sidewalk-art installation in front of the new Morgan Junction Park. We first reported on the plan for this installation exactly 7 months ago; other neighborhoods declined the chance to get it, but Morgan Junction had no qualms and it’s there now for your sidewalk-chalking enjoyment.
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