West Seattle, Washington
28 Friday
12:51 PM: So far during Seattle Summer Parkways on Alki, which continues until 4 pm, we’ve seen a shark and a whale …
The rendering of the 39-foot humpback whale that stranded and died in Fauntleroy two months ago is part of the marine-mammal chalk art outside the Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s booth in the 61st/Alki activity zone; the shark was a decoration on one of the cargo/family bicycles that headed out at 11 am for the Seattle Disaster Relief Trials, a fun combination of preparedness exercise and bicycle ride.
Participants are practicing skills that might be needed in case of catastrophe – earthquake, for example. “Cars can’t get through, we can,” was the scenario offered by organizer Morgan as she took the stage to launch the ride. Participants headed off to spots as far away as White Center, visiting up to four of West Seattle’s Emergency Communication Hubs along the way. Thanks to Jon for this photo from the Ercolini Park hub west of The Junction, where the “shark” bike was checking in:
Toting items (even containers of water) was part of the exercise. (added) And via Twitter, here’s another hub stop for that distinctive bike and rider:
Riders pick up 20# food bags @ Delridge P-Patch. #Disasterbikes aren't boring! #seattledrt2016 #whenallelsefails @seattleacs @familybikesea pic.twitter.com/riRw5unSk1
— Seattle ACS (@SeattleACS) September 25, 2016
Meantime, back at the beach, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold and SDOT director Scott Kubly were there to help launch today’s event (the mayor canceled a few days ago) but decided against speeches since, as she put it, things were proceeding relatively casually:
Also at the 61st/Alki hub, Seattle Public Library‘s two-wheeled branch:
Not pictured – a mini-tent where little ones can sit and read. Meantime, a short distance east on Alki, the Seattle Humane MaxMobile arrived with adoptable pets including kittens (who did NOT want to pose, so we have the wide view of the van):
That’s about as far as we got before having to leave Alki for a bit – but we’re headed back now to explore the rest of the route. Again, if you’ve missed all the advance alerts, Alki SW is open to walking/biking and other non-motorized transportation, both ways between 56th and 63rd, and east of 56th to Don Armeni, the inland lane is open to cars (etc.) one way westbound, while the water-side lane is for other forms of transportation, until 4 pm.
ADDED 1:38 PM: Just stopped by Don Armeni for another marine-mammal sighting – Mike the inflatable Southern Resident Killer Whale, is now ready for visitors. He’s with The Whale Trail team.
ADDED 2:19 PM: If you’re here and you haven’t stopped by City Scoop yet, to answer some questions and get free ice cream, you have until 3 pm. The tents are right by Alki Bathhouse – here’s the view from the second floor at Spud across the street:
Or maybe you are torn between hanging out in the sunshine and watching the Seahawks/49ers game on TV. Guess what – you can do both!
Alki resident Guy Olson set up the “living room in the street” – TV and all – between Marine and 59th. Meantime, at 58th SW, Seattle Parks has a play zone for kids including a bouncy obstacle course:
Also, face painting and chalk art! And that’s near Coastal, the Alki boutique, which has a lemonade stand out front, raising money for Camp Korey.
2:45 PM: Music at Summer Parkways – the Barrelhouse Jive Band onstage at 61st/Alki:
The Barrelhouse Jive Cats play Seattle Summer Parkways pic.twitter.com/kreLDgwbqQ
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 25, 2016
The clip is from WSB contributing photographer Leda Costa – our second report on Summer Parkways will include her views from today. Again, this is on until 4 pm … most activities between 56th and 63rd on Alki, but an “activity hub” remains at Don Armeni, too.
3:40 PM: Twenty more minutes to get out and play in the street along Alki. You can of course ride your bike at the beach any time, but today has been extra fun with cool people like these:
Since they were running a bike "rodeo" @SeattleParkways, @DonBrubeck & Kathy Dunn @WSeaBikeConnect dressed up in Western garb. pic.twitter.com/Oe4Qs8ERui
— Seattle Greenways (@SNGreenways) September 25, 2016
As mentioned above, we’ll have a second report with scenes of the day, later on. And we’ll update here when we get word Alki/Harbor Aves. are back to all traffic both ways – the official posted closure is until 5 pm, so there’s time for breakdown and cleanup.
Just stopped by Fauntleroy Church to see how the fall Recycle Roundup is going. You have until 3 pm to drop off recyclables for free – provided they’re on this (long) list of what 1 Green Planet is taking this time. Most memorable item we spotted during a quick look – a vintage copper “Combination” GE refrigerator/freezer.
The church is at 9140 California SW (you can’t get there directly from the main stretch of California – if you head west on Barton from 35th, the road becomes California for a short stretch before the Endolyne business district). It’s busy right now (a few minutes past noon) but they have enough help to keep everyone moving through quickly.
(Photos courtesy Admiral Theater/Southwest Seattle Historical Society)
One week into the renovation work at the Admiral Theater, here’s the first look inside, courtesy of theater staff and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. The photos above and below show parts of a mural that had been hidden since the theater was split into two auditoriums decades ago.
See and read more on the SWSHS website. When the work’s all done, the Admiral will have four screens. Right now, it has one – the western auditorium is open while work goes on next door.
10 AM: The first-ever Orca Half (as in half-marathon) is happening right now, as the kickoff to today’s Seattle Summer Parkways “car-free” event on Alki. More than 400 runners are headed outbound to Lincoln Park and back to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where they started in two groups shortly after 9:30.
This means the road changes are on, too. Our photo is from Harbor Avenue at the bottom of the California Way hill, by Seacrest – if you are westbound on Harbor, you will be diverted uphill, because that’s where the water-side biking/running/walking-only lane begins. And once you get to 56th/Alki, the entire road is off-limits to cars (etc.) until 63rd. We’ll have as-it-happens coverage from Alki once everything gets going there around 11 am.
ADDED 10:37 AM: At least one runner had a mini-cheering section:
These are the finishers’ medals, waiting back at the start/finish line:
You’ll also see The Whale Trail – beneficiary of the run – there, with Mike the inflatable orca (who was still getting deployed when we left).
(Photo by David Hutchinson – two California sea lions whose barking entertained onlookers at Duwamish Head)
Good morning and welcome to a big Sunday!
TRAFFIC ALERTS: 8 am-5 pm, traffic and parking restrictions along Alki and Harbor Avenues because of Seattle Summer Parkways (activity info below); from 56th SW east to Don Armeni, the inland lane will remain open to motorized traffic so residents can get to and from their homes; from 56th to 63rd, the road is open to people walking, running, biking … Also remember that Harbor Island detours continue, so if you’re headed to the Seahawks game or any place else across the bay, you will want to use the high bridge (or the Water Taxi!), not the low bridge.
Now, what’s happening:
RECYCLE ROUNDUP: 9 am-3 pm, Fauntleroy Church‘s Green Committee hosts 1 Green Planet in the church parking lot, so you can drop off recyclables that you just can’t put out at curbside. Be sure they are on this list of what’s accepted (which includes some reminders of what’s not), however. And please go as early as you can – the last hour tends to get stacked up. (9140 California SW)
ORCA HALF: 9:30 am, the first-ever running of this half-marathon will start from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, as an early kickoff to Seattle Summer Parkways. Runners will head toward Lincoln Park, and back. (1222 Harbor SW)
SEATTLE SUMMER PARKWAYS ON ALKI: 11 am-4 pm, the newest edition of the city-organized “car-free day” event invites you to come walk, ride your bike, dance, play games, enjoy music, participate in dozens of activities – the newest list is in our preview from last night. (Alki/Harbor Aves. from 63rd SW to Don Armeni)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, see what’s fresh for this first weekend of fall! (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
DISASTER RELIEF CARGO BIKE TRIALS: 11 am, departing from Summer Parkways, it’s a bicycle ride and a disaster-preparedness exercise all in one. Four of West Seattle’s Emergency Communication Hubs will be “activated” for the event – Alki, Morgan Junction, Ercolini Park, North Delridge – as explained here. (61st/Alki and beyond)
CITY SCOOP: Free ice cream while you share your thoughts with the city, 1-3 pm during Seattle Summer Parkways – look for the tent near the main stage. (61st/Alki)
‘HANSEL AND GRETEL’ PREVIEW: 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, a free preview lecture looks ahead to the Seattle Opera production of “Hansel and Gretel.” (2306 42nd SW)
CONCERT TO END GUN VIOLENCE: 3 pm at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), you are invited to one of the 300+ concerts across the country united in the cause of ending gun violence. Details in our calendar listing. Free; donations accepted for Everytown. (3940 41st SW)
CHORO TOCANDO: Live Brazilian music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: Last Sunday of the month brings the free all-ages open-microphone event at The Skylark, signup at 3, music 4-7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The organizers of Hate Free Delridge ran out of name tags after 200 were handed out, and the people kept coming for the group’s first big event Saturday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
They all came out to stand up against hate, meet new neighbors, make new friends, and share food, music, and art together.
Hate Free Delridge is a grass-roots organization that evolved as a result of July’s hate crime targeting a Pigeon Point family with mixed-race children. Saturday’s crowd was diverse not only in ethnicities but also geographically – while HFD organizers are primarily from Puget Ridge and Pigeon Point, people showed up from other West Seattle neighborhoods too.
Erica Moore lives in The Admiral District, where she saw a flyer for the event at Alki Bike and Board, owned by Stu Hennessey, one of the founders of Hate Free Delridge. Moore, who is African-American, said she has dealt with discrimination herself, but she has learned to handle it with goodness and grace. She echoed Pavan Vangipuram’s opening words that the way to fight fire is with water.
Vangipuram, who is with OneAmerica, and is also a founder of Hate Free Delridge, opened the program with a recap of what led to HFD’s formation.
He encouraged everyone to talk to someone they don’t know during the evening. Hennessey was the MC of the program, keeping things moving along. He had everyone stand up and meet someone they’ve never met in their life, which worked so well that the conversations around the room drowned him out.
Martha Ortiz, of Mexican heritage, said she was at the event to support the Black Lives Matter movement and all oppressed people. Her daughter Rebecca Garcia was also there with her children. “I have two kids, too,” Garcia said. “It could have been my family – they’re mixed.” Her daughter Laura Garcia, 11, was busy making balloon animals for anyone who wanted one:
The entire family lives in the Puget Ridge neighborhood. With them was Sandra Aguilar, originally from Mexico, now residing in Yakima. Aguilar has been in the U.S. for 20 years.
“In Yakima, we’re addressing these issues, too, about privilege and hate,” she said. “I’m faced with the fact of more separation of cultures in Yakima, but there are a lot of people working to change that.” She came to support the group, and to perform with Garcia. Together, they are a musical group called Once Minutos (11 minutes), performing in Seattle, Wenatchee and Yakima.
Reba Schneider, who lives near Westwood Village, grew up in the Leschi area, which she described as having been in transition at the time, from being a mostly Jewish community to an African-American neighborhood. She said that laid the groundwork for her interest in and value of diversity. Her great-grandparents had lived in West Seattle, so that was what drew her to this area later.
Attendees dined on an absolutely incredible free dinner of homemade tapas, followed by dessert. Most of the food was donated, and then prepared by a small army of volunteer kitchen wizards.
The music flowed:
Also, children had their faces painted, and everyone had the chance to sign a large banner or write a Haiku poem based on the theme “My Stand Against Hate.”
Among those penning poems, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:
Who knew that a nasty note could lead to all of this community goodness? Next up for Hate Free Delridge will be a vigil to stand up against hate, 6 pm October 15th at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza.
One last reminder … from Don Armeni Boat Ramp to 63rd/Alki, Seattle Summer Parkways will stretch along two miles of Alki and Harbor Avenues tomorrow (Sunday, September 25th), with the Orca Half (marathon) starting it all at 9:30 am, and then the main activity schedule 11 am-4 pm. See the map above for traffic/parking changes, and the updated schedule/activity/partner list below (with additions beyond what’s on the SSP website). One major difference from past years’ events is the addition of an activity hub at Don Armeni, as well as the central activity areas in the heart of Alki Beach. Meantime, the forecast still looks great!
SCHEDULE
9:30 AM Orca Half Marathon begins at Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
11 AM Kick off Summer Parkways with bike decorating & Kids Bike Parade from FamilyBike Seattle
11 AM-4 PM Disaster Relief Trials
12-3 PM West Seattle Summer Walking Tour with Feet First. Meet at Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
1-2 PM Behind the scenes bicycle tour of Summer Parkways with the event organizers. Meet at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where free Pronto bike rentals will be available.
1-3 PM Free Ice Cream at CityScoop near 61st SW & Alki Ave SW.
Live music all day on our main stage at 61st SW and Alki Ave SW.MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE (61st Ave SW and Alki Ave SW)
11:00AM – Disaster Relief Trials Launch
11:15AM – Scott Kubly and Others Open the Event
12:00PM – Zumba Kids with Jeannette
1:00PM – Ephrata Takes the Stage to Play Dreamy Shoegaze
2:00PM – Barellhouse Jive CatsACTIVITIES
*The Orca Half Marathon
*Visit Mike, NOAA’s life-size inflatable orca whale (modeled after J-26) at Don Armeni Park. Learn more about orcas, shore-based whalewatching at educational signs along the route, courtesy of The Whale Trail.
*Relax under the City’s big tent, eat free ice cream and talk to folks from various City Departments at CityScoop from 1pm – 3 pm near 61st Ave SW
*Kick off the event with bike decorating & Kids Bike Parade with FamilyBike Seattle
*Education and Creative Art Projects with the Seal Sitters
*Make it your way with topping bar at Anchor End Pretzel Sandwiches
*Food for the Soul from Neema’s Southern Comfort Foods
*Let its show, you love the dough! with Mini The Doughnut
*Children’s games and gutter protection exhibitions from Harry Helmet
*Bike Bingo from Cascade Bicycle Club
*Books on Bikes from Seattle Public Library
*Bike decorating and Kidical Mass kids bike parade with Family Bike Expo
*Live music from Ephrata
*Adaptive Bike Exhibition & games with Outdoors For All
*Bike Rodeo for kids with West Seattle Bike Connections
*Adopt a new best friend from the Seattle Humane Society MaxMobile on site!
*Bubbles & Balloons at The Seattle Barkery handcrafted dog treats & coffee for humans
*Seattle Department of Transportation Public Space Management
*Learn about HALA from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
*Free bike rentals from Pronto Cycle Share, located at the water taxi dock and at 62nd Ave SW and Alki Ave SW
*Plan your next adventure and learn about the tiny lifestyle with Homegrown Trailers
*Dance, move and have fun at Zumba Kids with Jeannette
*Lotion and body butter demonstrations from NALI Natural Body Care Products
*Connecting students to local and global community programs: FIUTS
*Delicious food from Off The Rez food truck
*Learn more about Seattle Annual Music and Jazz Cruise
*Rent a custom bike for the day and cruise with Pedal Anywhere
*Speak with experts about finances for free with Voya Financial Advisors
*Find a cool T-shirt at Northington T-shirts
*Explore and book your next travel destination with Destinations Unleashed Paycation Travel!
*Check out a Seattle Bike Polo match
*Break off a piece of all natural KRAVE Jerky
*Food and drink specials all day, plus a killer happy hour at El Chupacabra!
*Bike repair, giveaways, demos and music from Westside Bicycle at Don Armeni Park
*Drop in for a 15 minute POP Pilates classes every hour on the hour starting at 12p.m. from FitGirls NW
*Taco-eating contest
*Killer Bike Show!
*Learn about how you can get involved in supporting Seattle’s homeless population with Shorewood Foursquare Church’s Northwest Light Under the Bridge Ministry
*Pick up your Alki beachwear at Coastal Surf Boutique’s sidewalk sale
*Get some free bubbles and learn about how neighbors share time and talents with West Seattle Timebank
*Seattle Parks & Recreation will offer Karate Demos, a Bouncy Obstacle Course, Free Face Painting and Hula Demos
*The Alki Art Fair will have an art show in the Alki Bathhouse
*Behind the Scenes Bicycle Tour of West Seattle Summer Parkways with the event organizers 1-2PM beginning at Don Armeni Park.
We’re planning as-it-happens coverage; this will be the city’s first “car-free day” event on Alki since May 2014.
More than 50 goats from Rent-A-Ruminant have been busy clearing one of the Westwood-area trouble spots highlighted during the Find It, Fix It Community Walk two months ago – a tangle of stairway-side brush, the removal of which has revealed numerous cans, bottles, and other litter.
We got word of their work at 22nd SW/SW Henderson late today from Ami, who had spoken to the mayor and dozens of other walkers during the July 26th event, playing a video clip from a former neighbor who said crime and disorder in the area had forced her to move (it’s in our July 26th report).
Ami explained in her note today, “After the Find it Fix it walk, we applied for a grant to mulch the area adjacent to the 22nd Ave SW and Henderson stairs. SDOT assigned an arborist to the project who brought in goats and is donating mulch for our neighborhood work party on 10/1 from noon to 2 pm.” We went over for a look at the goats, whose “head wrangler,” RAR proprietor Tammy, told us they’ve been working since Thursday and will likely leave around midmorning Sunday. (Her herd also did work for SDOT along the Delridge/Holden stairway a year and a half ago.)
The first community gathering for Hate-Free Delridge is at the midpoint, with about 100 people enjoying (free!) dinner and music, and an open mic coming up at 7. Reporter Linda Ball, who has chronicled the formation of HFD, is there and will tell the full story in a separate report later – we just wanted to remind you there’s still time to join in! All ages welcome; it’s on until 8 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
Two reader reports and a reminder in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
CAR VANDALIZED: Michelle says this happened to her car northeast of The Junction, near 38th SW/SW Genesee:
“Last night someone smashed the window out of my Honda Fit. Can’t see that they did any other damage or took anything. Seems like vandalism.”
CAR RANSACKED: On 42nd SW near Jefferson Square, someone ransacked Kiki‘s car overnight.
NEXT CRIME/SAFETY MEETING: Questions about how the justice system works or doesn’t work? Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting – first one since summer hiatus – is for you. The special guest is from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, talking about their work on burglary/car-theft repeat-offender cases. Here’s the preview from the WSBWCN site. Meeting’s at 6:30 pm Tuesday (September 27th), Southwest Precinct, 2300 SW Webster.
Earlier this month, we brought you the story of 11-year-old Avery Berg, who, in the same week she started middle school, also started radiation therapy for a rare type of brain tumor. She is battling it with good humor and her mom Kristie is sharing that humor with the world via an online chronicle, Step by Step with Awesome Avery. As mentioned in our first report, family and friends are raising money for pediatric-brain-tumor research via tomorrow’s Run of Hope. You still have time to donate to their effort. Kristie, meantime, shares what’s new with her daughter:
… This week Avery shaved her head. Most people think that only chemo makes you lose your hair, but when you radiate your whole brain, that does the trick as well. I desperately wanted to shave my head with her, but she asked me not to. “Mom, the last thing I want to see is you without hair” is actually what she said. I know shaving my head doesn’t really do much, but honestly, I just wanted to feel this loss with her. I don’t know about you, but my hair is absolutely a security blanket for me. I’ve cried on several occasions just from a bad cut!
I was surprised she didn’t have the same reaction as she had to me when she learned four of her friends were planning on shaving their heads too. Let’s just pause for a moment and remember these are middle school kids who all just started a new school! Two of them are girls with gorgeous, long, healthy hair that will take years to return. They did it during her nightly radiation treatment and in tandem with her own shave so she wouldn’t have to walk into school alone the next day. We should all be so lucky to have friends like this. Again, any expression of gratitude falls well short of how I feel. …
In the same post, she also marveled at the Run of Hope pledges for Team Awesome Avery surpassing $100,000. As of today, it’s jumped to $137,000+, yet that is still a drop in the proverbial bucket for an underfunded type of research, so their gratitude continues to grow for every new contribution … on behalf of Avery and other children who have been and will be affected until there’s a cure.
(Family photo, used with permission)
It’s the last week of Preparedness Month and we have two related notes today:
RED CROSS LESSONS: That trailer is parked by Hope Lutheran Church right now because of what’s happening inside: With the help of the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs, local churches that participate in the Westside Interfaith Network are learning from the Red Cross about “how a faith-based organization would set up a temporary shelter for local people while the bigger, official response to a big disaster gets organized.” While the Red Cross’s mission is to help, it’s a supporting role, and in case of disaster, churches and other community organizations will be on the front lines first.
DISASTER RELIEF BIKE TRIALS: When Seattle Summer Parkways gets going on Alki tomorrow at 11 am, that also will mark the start of the Disaster Relief Bicycle Trials. If an earthquake (among other things) strikes, roads might be impassable to larger vehicles, but bicycle riders can go where cars can’t, and so the Seattle DRT is geared toward giving riders some practice for the possibility of having to help someday. Four West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs will be “activated” for the occasion, and the ride also will include activities such as “Zombie Apocalypse Survival.” (Who can resist that?) Ride if you can; cheer them on if you can’t, 11 am at the main stage area of SSP near 61st SW/Alki.
This was announced long before five people were shot and killed last night in Burlington, just an hour north of here, but it’s suddenly and tragically all the more timely: Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle is participating in tomorrow’s Concert Across America to End Gun Violence. Here’s the church’s announcement from early September:
On September 25th there is a nationwide series of live concerts brought together by social media. Please join us at Tibbetts United Methodist Church [3 pm Sunday] as we take part in this important event, and experience the power of music to heal and inspire in the midst of the terrible epidemic of gun violence in our country.
One of the featured musical groups at the concert at Tibbetts will be West Seattle’s own Christy McWilson and the West Seattle 2, along with Seattle Flash Choir, “Lady A,” Pacific Northwest Blues Diva, Tibbetts United Methodist Church Choir.
At the end of the concert, all performers and the audience will join in singing two specially-selected songs together.
Attendance is free, but we are asking for donations to support Everytown for Gun Safety. Please give if and what you can! For more information on the nationwide concert event, please (go here).
(Surfbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and coverage archie, here’s how your weekend starts:
FIRST, A ROAD-WORK REMINDER: If you were planning to use the low bridge to get to/from downtown and vicinity this weekend, you might want to reconsider.
Now, highlights of what’s happening:
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: Donate blood if you can, via the Bloodworks NW event today in The Junction, 9 am-3 pm (with an 11-noon break). Details in our calendar listing. (42nd SW/SW Alaska)
HIAWATHA TREE WALK: Explore the trees of historic Hiawatha Playfield/Community Center, 10 am-noon with Tree Ambassador Al. Free. Details in our calendar listing. (2700 California SW)
LAST CHANCE FOR YOUR DOG TO SWIM @ AHSTC: 11 am-1 pm, it’s the last session of this year’s “Dog Days” canine-only swimming at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, after the end of the human swimming season. Details in our calendar listing. (11003 31st SW)
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT: 11 am registration, play starts at noon, at The Bridge in Morgan Junction – more info in our calendar listing. (6301 California SW)
OKTOBERFEST AT ELLIOTT BAY: Get in the Oktoberfest mood today at Elliott Bay Brewing in The Junction, with special Bavarian-themed dishes, plus live music 6-9 tonight. (4720 California SW)
LIBRARY ANNIVERSARY: If the South Park Library is your closest branch, you might want to go help celebrate its 10th anniversary today, noon-4 pm, including a tote-bag giveaway 1-3 pm. (8604 8th Ave. S.)
HATE-FREE DELRIDGE COMMUNITY GATHERING: All West Seattleites are welcome to the first community event organized by the new Hate-Free Delridge group. 4-8 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, free dinner at 5 pm, bring a dessert to share if you want to. Music, activities, and a chance to share your ideas for standing against hate. (Added) Here’s the full schedule:
4:00 Doors open, with fun activities for children and everyone
5:00 Free dinner; dessert potluck
5:00 to 7:00 Live music, by Delridge musicians
7:00 to 8:00 An open mic–for sharing ideas, stories, and musical talents
(4408 Delridge Way SW)
ARTIST RECEPTION AT TWILIGHT: West Seattle-based artist Kate Petty‘s paintings are on display at Twilight Gallery and Boutique in The Junction, and you can meet her at tonight’s reception, 5-8 pm. More info in our calendar listing. (4306 SW Alaska)
FIRST WEEKEND FOR ‘GHOSTS’: 7:30 pm curtain time tonight for ArtsWest‘s season-opening production. Get tickets here. (4711 California SW)
2 BANDS AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Starting at 9 pm; details in our calendar listing. 21+, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
3 BANDS AT SKYLARK: Starting at 9 pm, The Harper Conspiracy, General Vicinity, and Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers. 21+; $7 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
OF COURSE, THERE’S MORE … for the rest of today/tonight, plus tomorrow and way beyond. Browse it all via our complete calendar.
(WSB photos. Above, Sealth sophomore running back Donnie McMillan)
Tough night for Chief Sealth International High School last night in their second home game of the year at Southwest Athletic Complex. Garfield HS went home with a big win, 65-0. The night opened with high hopes for the home team, as the Sealth cheerleaders welcomed the players onto the field:
Garfield started piling up the points relatively quickly, ending the first quarter with a 21-0 lead. Despite what was happening on the field, the two schools had an exuberant collaboration at halftime, with their bands joining in the stands to perform together:
Another moment of shared appreciation happened before the game, when Sealth announcer Eddie Snead spoke warmly of Garfield, saying GHS had given him his first fulltime teaching job and CSIHS – where he teaches history – would surely be his last. As for football, Chief Sealth plays at home (SWAC) again next Friday night, 7 pm, vs. Ballard.
P.S. We covered Garfield’s pregame protest separately, here.
West Seattle High School is 3-1 on the season after a Friday night victory against Ballard High School. Final score at Memorial Stadium downtown was WSHS 36, Ballard 20. The Wildcats are on the road again next Friday night (September 30th), playing Cleveland at Southeast Athletic Complex at 5 pm.
Two months after a racist, threatening note left for a Pigeon Point family shocked our area … seven weeks after some of that family’s neighbors joined forces to decide how to make a statement against hate … the resulting group‘s first community event is hours away, and this is a reminder that you are invited! We’ve been reporting on the plan for the first Hate-Free Delridge community gathering, and tomorrow – Saturday, September 24th – is the day. Doors open at 4 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), free dinner served at 5, music and activities promised for all ages until 8 pm, with the chance for you to “share your ideas for standing against hate.” HFD also has already announced its next event, an October 15th vigil.
7:27 PM: For the second consecutive Friday night, Garfield High School is the visiting opponent at Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle. And again before the game, its team and cheerleaders (in foreground of second photo below) knelt during the pre-game anthem:
No players from this week’s home team, Chief Sealth International High School, players joined in tonight (last week, seven West Seattle HS players did), though one person on the sidelines with them knelt:
Garfield’s team issued a statement this week to clarify the intent of its protest, which the team says it will continue at each game this season. We obtained the statement through GHS:
Recently Garfield High School’s football team took a knee at an evening game. In an effort to clarify their position and better articulate the thought behind it, Garfield’s Football Team held an inclusive meeting … to put the team’s position into writing.
Garfield Football Team – We have increasingly heavy hearts over various issues that have been escalating in the media.
Many of us have been touched in some way in our own personal lives by racism, segregation and bias.
Through a series of open, honest and supportive conversations we have reached a team consensus and understanding.
We have unanimously decided to take a position as a team and work towards a better future together. We are going to demonstrate this decision through taking a knee at our games.
We are asking for the community and our leaders to step forward to meet with us and engage in honest dialogue. It is our hope that out of these potentially uncomfortable conversations positive, impactful change will be created.
At this time, the Garfield High School Football Team is especially concerned with the following:
1. Equality for all regardless of race, gender, class, social standing and/or sexual orientation – both in and out of the classroom as well as the community.
2. Increase of unity within the community. Changing the way the media portrays crime. White people are typically given justification while other minorities are seen as thugs, etc.
3. Academic equality for students. Certain schools offer programs/tracks that are not available at all schools or to all students within that school. Better opportunities for students who don’t have parental or financial support is needed. For example, not everyone can afford Advanced Placement (AP) testing fees and those who are unable to pay those fees, are often not encouraged to enroll into those programs. Additionally, the academic investment doesn’t always stay within the community.
4. Lack of adequate training for teachers to interact effectively with all students. Example, “Why is my passion mistaken for aggression?” “Why when I get an A on a test, does the teacher tell me, ‘Wow, I didn’t know you could pull that off.’”
5. Segregation through classism.
6. Getting others to see that institutional racism does exist in our community, city, state, etc.
In an effort to find solutions and create impactful change, Garfield Football is stepping forward as leaders within the Garfield Community and Seattle. As a first step towards finding solutions, Garfield Football will be pursuing the following:
1. Meetings with the local police leaders to share personal experiences and hear from officers and leaders on what their experience is and what changes we might be able to work together on.
2. Meetings with students in classes where diversity is lacking. Speaking at assemblies and with local youth groups and/or programs.
3. Meetings with school staff to include teachers and administration. Embarking on open dialogue about what triggers the negative experiences and interactions.
Garfield Football has set a course of action and we will see it through. Together United and Garfield Strong. Our Garfield Football mandate is TOP. Totally Optimizing Potential and we will demonstrate TOP both on the field and off.
The game is under way now at SWAC and we will report on it separately after it’s over.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“The mayor got it wrong. Ms. Nyland has it wrong, too. … We represent more than who we are in this room.”
That declaration from Willard Brown of DNDA summarized what many of his fellow members of the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council said on Wednesday night, as a key part of the meeting focused on Mayor Ed Murray and Department of Neighborhoods director Kathy Nyland‘s intent to cut city support for the city’s 13 district councils.
The meeting’s other major component: A review of the five community proposals seeking Neighborhood Street Fund grant money, which DNDC members will be re-ranking now that SDOT has completed its assessment of the top-ranked proposals and what they’re likely to cost.
But first:
DISTRICT COUNCILS’ FUTURE: Chairing the meeting, Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council‘s Pete Spalding recapped how DNDC had hosted a citywide meeting at the Highland Park Improvement Club in July (WSB coverage, with video, here) to talk about the mayor’s “shocking” announcement days earlier about cutting off city support for district councils, as part of a reshaping of the city’s “engagement” policies.
The “no parking” signs are up and that’s the most visible reminder that the city’s “car-free day” Seattle Summer Parkways is happening along parts of Alki and Harbor Avenues on Sunday. While today – first full day of fall – feels anything but summery, the newest forecast predicts sunshine and afternoon temperatures in the 70s during the event.
What you need to know, one more time:
PARKING: “No water-side parking along Alki Ave SW from 63rd Ave SW to Don Armeni Boat Ramp from 8 am to 5 pm; parking will be allowed on the residential side of the street from 55th Ave SW to Don Armeni Boat Ramp,” per organizers.
DRIVING/RIDING/WALKING/RUNNING: Alki Avenue SW will be open for non-motorized vehicles only between 56th SW and 63rd SW, all lanes. Then from 56th east to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, the inland lane will remain open to motorized vehicles, while the water-side lane will be open to bicycling, walking, running, etc., only.
METRO: As of the moment we’re publishing this (2:43 pm), reroute information for Route 50 and the Water Taxi shuttle still has not been published on Metro‘s reroutes/alerts page. Kathy from West Seattle Bike Connections (an SSP participant) forwarded some partial information that SSP organizers obtained from Metro earlier in the week – noting a “temporary terminal” at 61st/Admiral – but we’re following up to see when the info will officially be posted.
ACTIVITIES/EVENTS: Orca Half (Marathon) leaves from Don Armeni Boat Ramp at 9:30 am. (If you’re already registered, you can pick up your packet at West Seattle Runner [2743 California SW; WSB sponsor)] until 6 pm today.) … The Disaster Relief Cargo Bike Trials leave from 61st and Alki at 11 am … CityScoop offers you free ice cream 1-3 pm near 61st and Alki, courtesy of the Department of Neighborhoods, which will have a few questions for you while you’re there … See the rest of the list here.
BACKSTORY: The city’s first “car-free day” event on Alki, in 2008, was in September, and followed a similar route. Sunny weather that day! Starting the next year, it was moved to late May, immediately after the West Seattle 5K, often partly cloudy and chilly. After six years, there was no event in 2015; then this year, the city confirmed in March that it was rebranding the event as Seattle Summer Parkways – the last of three SSP events this year – and moving it to late September.
Helping hands are busy right now at the West Seattle Food Bank and dozens of other locations around King County as part of the United Way-organized Day of Caring. At WSFB, 30 volunteers from Darigold – many of whom live in West Seattle – are painting the warehouse right now.
Countywide, Day of Caring volunteers number more than 1,300, according to UWKC.
(Any others at work elsewhere in WS? We’d love to at least add a mention – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
If you haven’t been paying close attention to the weekly reminders as the Spokane Street repaving (and more) project continues east of the low bridge – take note that for the second time this month, a weekend of reduced access to Harbor Island is ahead, starting late TONIGHT:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that there will be multiple lane closures and detours in the vicinity of Harbor Island on SW Spokane St, Klickitat Ave SW, and SW Manning St starting Friday evening, September 23, through Monday morning, September 26. The closures are needed to perform pavement repairs and asphalt overlay of the existing roadways.
Drivers traveling between downtown and West Seattle are advised to take the West Seattle “High Bridge” as there will be detours and closures accessing the “Low Bridge.”
From 11 p.m. on Friday, September 23 until 5 a.m. on Monday, September 26, travelers can expect the following:
· Eastbound traffic on the Spokane Street Swing Bridge going to Harbor Island will be detoured past 11th Ave SW to E Marginal Way, onto SW Spokane St and access Harbor Island via Spokane Pl. Westbound off-ramps from SR99 and the Spokane St Viaduct to Harbor Island will remain open and provide direct access to the businesses and fueling operations on Harbor Island via Spokane Pl.
· Westbound traffic to West Seattle and Delridge Way via the “Low Bridge” will be detoured to Spokane Pl, onto Klickitat Ave SW to Harbor Island where drivers will be directed south and cross the swing bridge by turning left at the intersection of SW Spokane St and 11th Ave SW. Eastbound traffic coming into Seattle via the swing bridge can expect significant delays as both eastbound and westbound traffic will alternate in a single lane at times.
· Bike and pedestrian traffic are reminded to please stay on the West Seattle Bridge Trail in order to traverse the work zone as the pedestrian crossing remains closed at 11th Ave SW.
The asphalt overlay work is part of SDOT’s SW Spokane St Arterial Paving Project to repave SW Spokane St from SW Klickitat Way to East Marginal Way S. The project began in August and is expected to take up to three months to complete.
Highlights for tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more for today/tonight):
SPORTS NIGHT: “Family Connect” Sports Night at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm. Details here. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)
BETH O’CONNOR & FRIENDS: “Earthy singer-songwriter” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth International High School is home at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm, vs. Garfield, which plans another anthem protest… West Seattle High School is on the road vs. Ballard at Memorial Stadium downtown (401 5th Ave. N.), 7:45 pm … And at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW) tonight, it’s O’Dea hosting Bishop Blanchet, 7 pm.
INTIMATE BAROQUE: 7:30 pm, it’s the Kenyon Hall debut of classical ensemble Intimate Baroque, presenting “French Enchantments.” More info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
‘GHOSTS’: Second night of ArtsWest‘s season-opening play, “Ghosts” by Henrik Ibsen:
In that photo by Michael Brunk are Suzanne Bouchard in the role of Helene Alving and Noah Racey in the role of Pastor Manders. Curtain time is 7:30 pm; ticket info is here. (4711 California SW)
COSTUMED PUB CRAWL: As previewed here earlier this week, 7:30 pm, meet at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) for a costumed pub crawl in Morgan Junction to celebrate Seattle Coworking Week. (6040 California SW)
BOYS CLUB, A TRIBUTE TO WEEN: 9 pm, Poggie Tavern in The Junction, no cover. (4717 California SW)
THREE BANDS AT PARLIAMENT: Pops Spoiler & His Deadbeats, Toxic Shellfish, Shower Power, described as “beer-soaked rock from Tacoma,” live at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District, 9 pm, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
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