West Seattle, Washington
16 Sunday
Two days after Tuesday’s override vote, and less than a week before the next budget process begins, West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold will be the spotlight guest at a local meeting. Here’s the announcement:
On Thursday, September 24th, West Seattle Democratic Women will complete its last program of a series of three on Racism/Institutional Racism/Police. The meeting begins at 6:00 pm with a short membership meeting. The program begins at 6:30 pm with Seattle City Councilperson Lisa Herbold sharing her thoughts on the City’s proposed budget, how it will relate to any reduction/redirection of the funding of the Seattle Police Department, how any changes could affect the security of our local communities in her district, and any alternative benefits that might occur. A Q&A will follow, ending at approximately 7:45 pm with the meeting itself ending no later than 8:00 pm. We anticipate this to be a most interesting and informative program. There is no cost.
To register & get your zoom codes, have questions to submit to Lisa, or for any questions of WSDW, please email wsdwomen@yahoo.com or call Karen 206.920.2231.
(File photo by Christopher Boffoli)
In 2010 and 2017, the Seattle burgers-fries-and-shakes legend Dick’s Drive-Ins took votes on potential new locations. Neither vote resulted in a West Seattle location, much to local fans’ disappointment. But now there’s a new round of voting that again offers the hope of Dick’s in West Seattle – at least temporarily. Multiple readers have pointed out (thank you!) that Dick’s announced today that it’s launching a food truck, and taking votes on where it should go first when it hits the road in November. (Minus fries, it should be noted.) West Seattle is an option on the ballot dropdown – so if you’re a Dick’s devotée, go here to cast your vote.
Thanks to Brenda for sending this:
With all the smoke and people staying inside today, I wanted to share another online event that is happening this evening. The Ethiopian Community in Seattle is having a virtual event tonight to replace their annual gala. Yesterday was Ethiopian New Year; Ethiopians follow the Coptic calendar, which is 7 years behind the Julian calendar, making it the year 2013.
There will be entertainment, and admission to the event is free. We have a sizable Ethiopian population in West Seattle so wanted to pass this along.
The event link is here. If you choose to donate, you can do that here.
With health restrictions putting much of the performing-arts world on hold because of the pandemic, some artists are finding new ways to express themselves anyway. West Seattleite Kelly McMahon is about to direct a play you can see live online starting this Friday. Here’s the announcement:
Playlist Seattle and Trial and Error Productions are pleased to announce the online revival of Everyone Wants to Love Your Beating Heart, a full-length theatrical production inspired by Temple of the Dog’s eponymous album.
Originally staged in 2016, Director and Playlist Founder Kelly McMahon and playwright Stacy D. Flood return to the play in this time of social distancing to explore the connection that is possible through music and to answer the questions: how can we find ways to relate to one another without occupying the same physical space? How can we do that through music? And through theater? While traditional theater spaces and music venues aren’t available to us, this production melds performance with live video manipulation via digital platforms to bring actors and audiences together.
Everyone Wants to Love Your Beating Heart is about overcoming isolation using the songs of Temple of the Dog as a jumping-off point for exploring our connection to music despite time and distance. The characters alternately relate and repel as they consider the songs they all know and love in the space music creates. The cast includes Joe Glass, Christopher Martinez, Sarah Lockard, Garrett Dill, Liz Vital, and Bjorn A. Whitney, working from their living rooms across the country.
Since its founding in 2014, Playlist Seattle has created original plays and performance pieces inspired by a range of Seattle bands, from legends like Jimi Hendrix, Alice in Chains and Nirvana, to current artists performing in the scene today, such as such as Ayron Jones, Whitney Mongé, Prom Queen and The Black Tones. Trial and Error was founded in 2013 to present inclusive and thought-provoking productions for a wide range of audiences by supporting visual artists, writers, and performers of the Puget Sound region and beyond.
“Everyone Wants to Love Your Beating Heart — a play inspired by Temple of the Dog” will be streamed live via Zoom on September 11, 12, 17, and 18. Tickets for the show are available at https://dice.fm/bundle/everyone-wants-to-love. Admission is $10-35 with proceeds going to MusiCares and Road Recovery. More information about the show and Playlist Seattle at www.playlistseattle.com
Friday will mark 19 years since the 9/11 attacks. On that day, West Seattleite Annabel Quintero is presenting an online “sneak preview chapter reading” of her memoir “Step, Step Jump: Resilience From the 46th Floor,” with an interview and discussion to follow. Step, Step Jump is also the name of her personal-development company; you might remember Quintero for her candidacy in the 34th District State Senate race two years ago. She describes her forthcoming book this way:
“Step, Step Jump,” slated for publication in June 2021, is an in-depth, first-person account of escaping the 46th floor of the Tower One of the World Trade Center, but it is not only a story of that day. It is also an examination of the American immigrant experience, a study of spirituality in a secular world, a look at divine intervention in times of crisis, and an exploration of empathy against the backdrop of the financial and societal forces that shape the globe. Quintero’s successful safe escape from the 46th floor of the crumbling building caused her to question the world, embrace her Indigenous roots, examine cultural structures, redefine her spirituality, and ultimately set her life on a course for healing and empowerment. The story provides a rich source of inspiration for others who want to drive radical positive change in their own lives.
Tickets to Friday’s online event are available here.
Earlier this year, the 40th anniversary of Mount St. Helens’ eruption got a lot of attention. But here’s a story you might not have heard yet: The area’s ecological recovery. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society invites you to hear about it next week:
‘Words, Writers & SouthWest Stories,’ a historically-based speaker series of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is excited to announce that it is hosting Eric Wagner for a live Zoom presentation on Thursday, September 10 at 6:00 PM. Wagner will deliver a presentation titled “After the Blast: The Ecological Recovery of Mount St. Helens.” Registration is required [scroll down this page].
On May 18, 1980, people all over the world watched with awe and horror as Mount St. Helens erupted. Fifty-seven people were killed and hundreds of square miles of what had been lush forests and wild rivers were to all appearances destroyed.
Ecologists thought they would have to wait years, or even decades, for life to return to the mountain, but when forest scientist Jerry Franklin helicoptered into the blast area a couple of weeks after the eruption, he found small plants bursting through the ash and animals skittering over the ground. Stunned, he realized he and his colleagues had been thinking of the volcano in completely the wrong way. Rather than being a dead zone, the mountain was very much alive.
Mount St. Helens has been surprising ecologists ever since and in After the Blast Eric Wagner takes readers on a fascinating journey through the blast area and beyond. From fireweed to elk, the plants and animals Franklin saw would not just change how ecologists approached the eruption and its landscape, but also prompt them to think in new ways about how life responds in the face of seemingly total devastation.
Wagner is a freelance writer and journalist from Seattle. He earned a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Washington for work he did on Magellanic Penguins in Argentina. His essays and journalism have also appeared in Audubon, Smithsonian, and Earth Island Journal, among other places. He is the author of Penguins in the Desert and Reclaiming the Duwamish, both of which have been subjects of previous WW&SWS presentations.
Past Words, Writers, SouthWest Stories presentations, and other SWSHS videos, are here.
Small independent businesses need your support now more than ever.
While there was a big push to help them relatively soon after pandemic-related restrictions kicked in, some of that has ebbed, and the short-term assistance available to some has, too. So this is prime time to shop, dine, get services, etc., with West Seattle businesses. Today we have an update, and invitation/request for support, from a shop that’s been at the south edge of The Junction for a quarter-century – Kid-Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again. Proprietor Sarah Stegner‘s message:
Kid-Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again is well-stocked now with slippers, shoes, & boots for all kinds of back-to-school season adventures, be they indoors or out. Check out our kicky collection of waterproof styles for toddlers to teens (up to youth size 7). We’re happy to lend a socially distant hand with expert fitting in person or can walk you through it over the phone – 206-933-2060.
Open this Labor Day holiday weekend – Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 10 am-5 pm; by appointment other days/times; closed Tuesdays.
For COVID safety, we can only accommodate up to 30% of our usual capacity, require masks except for children under 2, and limit visits to 30 minutes or less. It has been a difficult half-year for our small business; we need support and hope our new website www.kidfriendlyfootwear.com helps to browse & shop online. Please contact us for a fitting consultation, to make an appointment, and arrange curbside pick-up or free local delivery!
The shop is at 4832 California SW.
Thanks to the Seattle Public Schools employee who asked us to let students/families know that if they’re having connectivity trouble, it’s not their issue – it’s the district’s. We’ve confirmed this with SPS, whose spokesperson Tim Robinson replied with this statement:
We are currently experiencing slow internet and learning platform access due to the high volume of traffic this morning. This has resulted in disruption of service on district issued laptops. Our technology teams are actively working the issues. We will update this alert when we have a resolution.
– Department of Technology Services
Our tipster had a suggestion for families: “Please reassure your kids that this has nothing to do with their devices, or your home network. Tell them to do the best they can, SPS is working on it.”
As school starts virtually, so do some other activities – even choir! That video from Endolyne Children’s Choir shows a virtual performance from this past summer. Here’s the announcement of how to join this fall:
Endolyne Children’s Choir – West Seattle’s community choir since 2003 – kicks off their 2020-2021 season with our Fall Session beginning on Tuesday, September 8th. Sessions will be held virtually on Zoom this session, so it is a great opportunity for new singers from all over Seattle and beyond, from kindergarten to High School, to join our fun and welcoming non-audition choir. Singers in kindergarten through 2nd Grade rehearse from (updated) 5 to 5:45 PM, 3rd through 5th graders rehearse from 5:45 to 6:45, and singers 6th through 12th grade rehearse from 7:00 to 8:30. Registration is open right now! For more information and to register, visit endolynechoir.org.
Our Music Director Megan McCormick and Staff Instructor Janelle Maroney have planned a fantastic session of virtual music education, building on the success and lessons learned from our (unexpected) online Spring Musicals session. They will provide engaging, challenging online instruction, coupled with interactive opportunities for singers to build friendships and have fun together. We are working on opportunities for our singers to spread cheer throughout the holiday season with virtual performances and other ways of connecting remotely with our larger community.
Quality musical education is so important and essential for children, and we want every child to have the opportunity to benefit from our program. One benefit of virtual rehearsals: no commuting, so singers from anywhere in Seattle, the greater Puget Sound region, Washington State and beyond can join us for this session.
We are offering several tiers of tuition pricing, from full tuition to full scholarship, so anyone can participate regardless of their financial situation. Simply select your payment tier when registering at https://form.jotform.com/202324865760052.
Fall session begins Tuesday, September 8th. Registration ends on September 6th. Please visit endolynechoir.org for more information.
Though this is likely to be a relatively quiet week, leading up to Labor Day weekend, at least one community meeting is scheduled: The District 1 Community Network, a coalition of West Seattle and South Park organizations, groups, and advocates, meets online at 7 pm Wednesday (September 2nd). The final agenda’s not out yet, but expected topics include the biggest issues everyone’s dealing with right now – the pandemic and the bridge. All are welcome; here’s the connection information:
ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 222 985 415
Password: 625318 (only needed if you manually enter the meeting number)Call-in-only info:
Phone number: 669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 222 985 415#
We should have the agenda by the time we publish a reminder in Wednesday’s daily preview.
Password: 625318#
Interested in what’s planned for the play-area move at Hiawatha Playfield/Community Center? You can see a briefing during tomorrow morning’s meeting of the city Landmarks Preservation Board‘s Architectural Review Committee. The project is in the board’s jurisdiction because Hiawatha is a landmark, one of the city’s historic Olmsted parks. You can preview the briefing packet here; the meeting, which starts with a public-comment period, is at 8:30 am Friday (August 28th), online – here’s the link. If you plan to comment, register here, or email your comment to erin.doherty@seattle.gov and/or sarah.sodt@seattle.gov. You can also listen to the meeting by calling 206-207-1700 and entering meeting access code 146 522 0524. (Thanks to Deb Barker, who recently completed two terms on the Landmarks Board, for the tip!)
One more reminder since we didn’t publish a daily-preview list today – if you’re interested in a racket court at Lowman Beach Park, once the seawall-removal project takes out the existing tennis court, don’t miss tonight’s online meeting – 6:30 pm. Our preview has info on how to view/participate.
How might federal funding factor into the West Seattle Bridge situation? At 6:30 pm Thursday, you can hear directly from the West Seattle resident who represents our area in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here’s the announcement from the West Seattle Transportation Coalition:
We are very pleased to welcome U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal as our special guest this month. Congresswoman Jayapal will be joining us to talk about how the Federal government could possibly help with West Seattle Bridge repair or replacement and other transportation infrastructure needs. Please join us for what should be a very informative meeting!
Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting ID 885 7359 6107
On the web
Via phone: 253-215-8782
You can watch archived video of recent WSTC meetings on YouTube.
If you’re interested in a closer look at the early-stage potential scenarios for West Seattle Bridge replacement, including an “immersed tube” tunnel, you’re invited to an online discussion/presentation Friday morning. The six scenarios are what the Cost-Benefit Analysis will examine, and sketches were featured in a presentation to the Community Task Force a month ago. The Washington Business Alliance is presenting tomorrow’s event, with speakers including the tunnel’s proponent Bob Ortblad. It’s at 10 am Friday (August 21) and you will have to register to get the link – you can do that by going here.
Just announced by Lou Magor of Kenyon Hall, the historic venue at 7904 35th SW:
Beginning this Saturday, we’ll produce online concerts featuring your favorite Kenyon Hall performers. Some of the concerts will be on YouTube, and some will be on Zoom. I’ll introduce each concert from the Mighty Wurlitzer, which is thankfully finally fully operational.
All concerts are free, and at each performance you’ll have the opportunity to donate if you’re able. All donations will be split between our artists and Kenyon Hall. We’ve temporarily halted fundraising for our bathroom upgrade, and are now asking for help to keep the lights on. If you’d prefer to donate via post, please send a check made payable to Seattle Artists, 7904 35th Avenue SW, Seattle 98126. Seattle Artists is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-deductible corporation.
Here’s the schedule:
This Saturday, August 15, at 7:30 – Casey MacGill on YouTube
Saturday, August 22, at 7:30 – Jack Williams on Zoom
Saturday, August 29, at 7:30 – Tom Collier on YouTube
(You can also donate online any time by going here.)
(Osprey, photographed in Arbor Heights by Mark MacDonald)
Lots going on for this Thursday:
DEMONSTRATION: 4-6 pm at 16th/Holden, the twice-weekly streetcorner demonstration organized by Scott from Puget Ridge Cohousing: “Hold signs, meet neighbors, and stand for racial justice.”
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: This month it’s indoor/outdoor AND online. Businesses from Alki to Arbor Heights invite you to visit, starting at 5 pm, and/or you can see work on the WSAW website and YouTube. Your guide to all of it is here.
RECONNECT WEST SEATTLE: Tonight is the “neighborhood check-in” for Highland Park, South Delridge, Riverview, and Roxhill, before project recommendations from the neighborhood-prioritization process go to the Community Task Force next week. It’s happening online, 6-7:30 pm, at this link (Meeting ID: 837 7517 5288)
STREETCAR TALK: Tonight’s the night you can learn about West Seattle’s streetcar past via Words, Writers, and Southwest Stories, as previewed here, 6 pm online. Free; go here ASAP to register.
(WSB photo, Thursday night)
9:46 AM: You’ll recall that last week, the Southwest Precinct‘s commander announced that Seattle Parks would cover the costs of having three officers on overtime be at Alki Thursdays through Saturdays to help enforce the 9:30 pm closing time. After one night – last Thursday – this was suspended, because, Capt. Kevin Grossman said, transferring money between departments would need council approval. We went immediately to City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office to find out what was being done about this; Friday afternoon, her legislative assistant Newell Aldrich told us they were awaiting more information from Parks because the situation was “complicated.” This morning, Aldrich has just updated us: “We heard from the City Budget Office that Parks will contract with off-duty officers hired through Seattle’s Finest to do the closing of Alki Beach and Don Armeni boat ramp at night. Parks has the resources and appropriation authority to pay for this work.” We are inquiring with Parks to find out how soon this will start.
10:14 AM: Seattle’s Finest, as noted in comments, is one of multiple companies through which off-duty officers freelance; here’s a link. Meantime, we just heard back from Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin, who says details, such as when this will start, are still being worked out.
Just announced by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s office:
Today, our country is facing a pandemic, an economic crisis, and justice system that needs reformation, but we also have the opportunity to make positive systemic change as we address these challenges. We invite you to plug in with your Congresswoman, Pramila Jayapal, on these issues and whatever is top of mind for you. The Congresswoman will host a Zoom call for you and your neighbors from West Seattle on Thursday, August 13th from 10:30 am – 11:30 am. This will be a time for conversation with Congresswoman Jayapal and her district office staff. Space is limited, so please RSVP here to reserve your spot. Once we reach capacity, we will put interested participants on a waitlist.
When not in D.C., Rep. Jayapal lives in West Seattle.
10:39 AM: You can click in to the live Seattle Channel stream above to watch the City Council, meeting as the Select Budget Committee, continue what they started Friday afternoon – considering proposed 2020 budget amendments that would affect the Seattle Police Department. According to what budget chair Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda said in the briefing meeting before this one, they are starting (after public comment) with Amendment #40 in this packet.
The meeting could run until 1 pm. No voting is planned today – the amendment votes are expected on Wednesday, when the budget meeting will start at 11 am (which means public-comment signup will start that day at 9 am). The final votes on these and other 2020 city-budget changes are planned next Monday (August 10th).
11:06 AM: The public-comment period has ended (20+ commenters, all but four voicing support for defunding), and the amendment discussion has begun.
1:12 PM: The budget meeting is wrapping up; we will replace the video window above with the archived video when it’s available. One change announced: The Wednesday budget meeting will start at 10 am after all (which means 8 am signups for public comment).
4:09 PM: Video added at top.
One more event for today: West Seattle skywatching expert/educator Alice Enevoldsen is planning an online viewing event for the SpaceX/Crew Dragon splashdown. It’s scheduled around 11:48 am our time, with Alice starting about half an hour before that. You need to register to get the link – info is on her site, here.
(Pileated Woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
We start our Sunday list with two traffic reminders:
SYLVAN WAY ROAD WORK: 9 am-4 pm, SDOT crews are scheduled to be out doing tree work, with traffic down to one lane at times.
1ST AVENUE SOUTH BRIDGE NORTHBOUND CLOSURES: Tonight, 10 pm-5 am, the third week of deck-replacement work begins on the 1st Avenue South Bridge’s northbound side, which will fully close. (The West Seattle low bridge is open to all 9 pm-5 am, so that’s your alternative.) Full details here.
Now, the list of online church services:
ADMIRAL UCC: Today’s worship video is viewable here.
ALKI UCC: 10 am online service via Zoom – info and link on church’s home page.
ALL SOULS SEATTLE (WSB sponsor): Online worship will be viewable here.
BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming for West Seattle here at 9:30 am.
CALVARY CHAPEL: Service info is here, plus 11 am fellowship via Zoom, 6 pm all-church prayer and 7 pm evening worship (info on home page).
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS: West Seattle Ward has Sunday services via Zoom at 10 am, one hour long, all welcome. They last an hour. Here’s the link.
EASTRIDGE CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 9 am and 11 am.
FAUNTLEROY UCC: Service at 10 am on the church’s YouTube channel.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST SEATTLE: Today’s online liturgy will be here.
GRACE CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10:30 am.
HALLOWS CHURCH: Streaming at 10 am via the church’s YouTube channel.
HOPE LUTHERAN: Today’s worship service is viewable here.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming at 10 am, here. (In-person Saturday Masses have been added – registration required.)
PEACE LUTHERAN: Livestreaming at 10:30 am on YouTube.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Viewable on YouTube: All-Ages Sunday School at 10 am, Morning Prayer at 10:15 am (here’s today’s bulletin), Kids’ Club at 11:30 am.
TIBBETTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (WSB sponsor): The video service for today is here.
TRINITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10 am.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH: The video service for today is viewable here.
WEST SEATTLE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE: Livestreaming here, 9 am.
WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN Livestreaming at 10 am on the church’s YouTube channel.
WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION: Livestreaming at 10:30 am – information’s here.
WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: Online worship at 6 pm; info here.
Any other churches to add? Please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Also today/tonight:
LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -2.1 feet at 10:41 am.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)
CAMP 2ND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL: 2 pm, the monthly meeting for updates and questions about the city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment in southeast West Seattle. Community welcome – two ways to connect:
–This link
-By phone, 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 858 5523 4269
Password: 9701
FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center, SW Roxbury St. & 15th Ave. SW (9600 15th Ave SW)
Interested in audio stories? Two podcast episodes of note:
ABOUT THE BRIDGE: Local historian/journalist Clay Eals points out this recent episode of Podcast West Seattle, “When the Ship Hit the Span,” in which he was one of the notable interviewees:
Andrew Stuckey has been producing Podcast WS for two and a half years – all archived here.
THE CASE OF THE SUITCASE MURDERS, AND BEYOND: Boston public-radio station WBUR produces a podcast called “Endless Thread,” riffing off things found on Reddit. A recent episode looks at Randonautica, the Reddit-born app that factored into why a group of teens went to Luna/Anchor Park, where they found a suitcase containing the remains of two murder victims. The case plays a significant role in the podcast, whose hosts interviewed your editor along the way. (No new info about the murders, though; the latest public comment from SPD was when Chief Carmen Best noted during the city’s recent West Seattle “town hall” that it wasn’t considered a West Seattle murder case because the victims were killed somewhere else.) The “Endless Thread” episode is here.
The sun’s not fully out (yet), so maybe you’re inside, looking for entertainment. Here’s a West Seattle creation: The team behind the annual Halloween animatronic extravaganza Skeleton Theatre has something new – online. Team spokesperson Maia Low explains, “We finally launched the side project we teased at the last Skeleton Theatre. It’s a YouTube web series called ‘Two Old Skeletons Talking’ (or T. O. S. T.). Two of our skeletons drive around Seattle talking about various subjects.” Above is the trailer for the first episode; you’ll find the series – episodes and trailers – here.
BACKSTORY: In case you’re new around here – while Skeleton Theatre, staged in an Admiral-area yard each year for more than a decade, happens at Halloween, it’s not spooky – it’s geared for laughs, not shrieks.
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