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    BLUE ANGELS’ RETURN: When they’re flying

4 years ago, South Park chanted ‘We need a bridge’; now, the community and its neighbors have one again
June 30, 2014 6:14 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB video, 6 am today)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The new South Park Bridge is now officially in service, opened to regular traffic minutes ago.

(Motorcyclist Charles, center, was first in line; that’s bridge project manager Tim Lane at right)
This comes on the morning after an all-day-and-into-the-night celebration. And it comes exactly four years to the day following the closure of the bridge’s 80-year-old predecessor with a wake both boisterous and bitter.

On June 30, 2010, the crowd chanted, “We need a bridge”:

That night, June 30, 2010, it was by no means certain they would get another one. The bridge’s drawspan was raised one last time, and there it stood.

Sunday, there was no chanting. But there were fireworks:

Read More

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West Seattle wildlife: Eagles on a crane; coyote on Beach Drive
June 29, 2014 10:18 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle wildlife: Eagles on a crane; coyote on Beach Drive
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two wildlife notes from the inbox tonight – Karen, who lives in The Junction, reports three eagles spent at least 10 minutes on the 4030 California construction crane, “perching, circling, landing again and again … much chirping and activity.” They looked like two adults and a juvenile, she says, perhaps flight lessons for the younger one. Eagle sightings in West Seattle certainly aren’t rare, but this is the first on-a-crane report we’ve received.

In the early evening, Phyllis and Jeff reported, “Coyote sighting – about 50-60 lbs and wandering through our yard in the 5000 block of Beach Drive. Looks like he/she has been searching for food, as our backyard was all dug up. Usually don’t see them during the daytime! Our kitties are inside!” (We have actually had more than a few daylight reports over the years. This info from state wildlife experts explains what to do if/when you see one, day or night.)

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West Seattle traffic alert: Stoplight trouble at 35th/Avalon
June 29, 2014 9:02 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Stoplight trouble at 35th/Avalon
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

We’ve had two reports in the past few minutes of stoplight trouble at 35th and Avalon – on our way to check it out, but if you’re about to head out, you might consider avoiding it for now.

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West Seattle Grand Parade 2014: Medal of Honor recipient Col. (ret.) Bruce Crandall announced as Grand Marshal
June 29, 2014 7:38 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

The Rotary Club of West Seattle, which this year for the first time is presenting the West Seattle Grand Parade, has announced this year’s Grand Marshal:

Medal of Honor recipient Col. Bruce Crandall (retired) will be the Grand Marshal of the 82nd annual West Seattle Grand Parade on July 19, 2014. Crandall was born in Olympia and resides in Kitsap County; his son, Steve, lives in West Seattle.

Crandall is a Master Army Aviator, qualified in both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and a veteran of 900 combat missions in Vietnam. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he is also the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster and many other awards. In 2004 he was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.

In a battle in November, 1965, Crandall, flying a series of three unarmed helicopters through the day and into the night, supplied a surrounded force of 450 US soldiers and evacuated 70 wounded. The battle is depicted in the Mel Gibson film “We Were Soldiers,” where Crandall is portrayed by actor Greg Kinnear.

In January, 1966, in the dark and under intense enemy fire, Crandall twice dropped his helicopter through dense jungle canopy to evacuate 12 wounded solders.

In January, 1968, his helicopter was shot down during another rescue attempt, and Crandall was hospitalized for five months with serious injuries.

Crandall is active in the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, a middle school and high school curriculum designed to build character and promote responsible citizenship.

He travels the country addressing school assemblies about developing a moral compass and having the courage to do the right thing even when it is not popular.

The West Seattle Grand Parade is sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Seattle.

The medal was presented to Col. Crandall by President Bush in 2007; he retired from the Army with the rank of Lt. Col. but was promoted to Colonel (retired) in 2010.

The parade on Saturday, July 19th, will travel down California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction, usually starting around 11 am. More details as we count down to this year’s parade in the almost-three-weeks ahead!

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Celebrating (and walking on) the new South Park Bridge, report #1
June 29, 2014 10:57 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

(GALLERY ON THESOUTHPARKNEWS.COM: See it here. And report #2 is in the works for WSB)

4:43 PM: The new South Park Bridge is officially open – if you’re on foot (vehicle traffic won’t be permitted until tomorrow morning at 6 am)!

This followed an epic dedication ceremony:

We have it all on video and will have it in a separate story later (lots of photos too, of course). Most importantly, the street party is scheduled to run until about 9 pm, so you have time to get here, walk on the bridge, enjoy the Lucha Libre masked wrestling that starts around 6 pm …

Earlier:

2:05 PM NOTE: We’re heading back to SP for the heart of the party, but we visited in the noon hour and are already building a gallery on The South Park News.

Scroll down here on WSB, meantime, for helpful advance info if you’re planning to go. And watch the WSB Instagram feed between official updates.

And earlier still:
EARLIER, 10:57 AM: Few planned activities/events on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar today – the city’s biggest event is downtown, the Pride Parade, starting shortly (11 am). But in the “almost West Seattle” category, our neighbors in South Park are celebrating the new bridge today, on the eve of its official opening tomorrow, exactly 4 years after the old one was taken out of service.

(Added: WSB photo taken after today’s bridge party started at noon)
So here’s what you need to know if you’re planning on, or thinking about, going to the party. First, a map (the party’s on the south side of the bridge, on 14th Avenue South)! Now, today’s schedule, from the King County website:

12:00 – 3:00 p.m. — Street party: music & performances, info booths, self-guided tours of the bridge’s south tower, food & drink

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. — Dedication ceremony with elected officials & community leaders; fireworks

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. — Parade [you can walk on the bridge!]

6:00 – 9:00 p.m. — Lucha Libre; street party continues

Elected officials announced so far for the 3 pm event include U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, County Executive Dow Constantine, Mayor Ed Murray, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott. Info about street closures, parking, and bus changes during today’s party is at the bottom of this page. We’ll be covering the events here and at TheSouthParkNews.com. If you’re just waiting for the chance to use that route across the Duwamish again, take note that the new bridge will NOT be open for regular use until 6 am tomorrow (Monday).

P.S. Browse our photo galleries previewing the new bridge – looking at its exterior (including the new raingarden in the footprint of the old bridge); peeking inside during a behind-the-scenes media tour.

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Underwater video: State of the sea stars near Seacrest
June 29, 2014 10:11 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Sea Star Survey 6/26/2014 from Laura James on Vimeo.

From “Diver Laura” James, that’s the latest underwater look at the state of sea stars (aka “starfish”) at Cove 2 near Seacrest. Earlier this week, we featured video from a CCTV report on the sea-star dieoff, with Laura among the interviewees, in her role as a “citizen scientist.” The newest report was published last night on SeattleTimes.com (WSB partner), with a West Seattle focus, though our area is far from alone in experiencing the epidemic. Meantime, Laura summarizes what she observed in the video (from a dive on Thursday) as:

I’d gotten reports of baby stars showing up so figured it was time to go take a peek. It is really only one species that is showing what is hopefully signs of recovery (they still have to make it to ‘large’ size before it counts) the Evasterias or “mottled star”. Only a few pisaster (the purple ones) and zero pycnopodia (sunflower stars).

A reminder – if you spot sea stars on the beach or in the water, your observations can help too: sickstarfish.com.

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Beached-buoy update: King County water-quality outpost floats in, gets towed out
June 29, 2014 9:25 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 9:25 AM: Lura shares the photo from the 5400 block of Beach Drive SW. It appears to be the King County water-quality-monitoring buoy placed off Lincoln Park almost a year ago, described at the time as “firmly anchored in about 550 feet of water just less than half a mile off Point Williams.” She was making phone calls in hopes of finding someone to report it to, and just sent an update saying a neighbor has reached somebody. (The buoy, by the way, still seems to be sending readings.)

UPDATE, 4:51 PM: From King County’s Kimberle Stark:

Thanks definitely go out to the residents who reported the buoy was on the beach!!! Staff from the King County Environmental Laboratory are going to try and retrieve it tonight. We’re not sure what happened yet until we get a close look at the bottom frame. Thanks again to the residents who reported it in such a timely manner!

UPDATE, 6:40 PM: Looks like they were able to retrieve it – Lura sent this photo of the buoy under tow:

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West Seattle road-work update: California/Fauntleroy done
June 29, 2014 8:47 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle road-work update: California/Fauntleroy done
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

The work ran a little longer than scheduled but somewhere around 8 pm Saturday night, the California/Fauntleroy intersection did indeed reopen – as noted in our tweet, above – after a one-day repaving job. Going back in the archives, we were reminded that the intersection was not part of the big Fauntleroy Way repaving/rechanneling project in 2009 – SDOT told us at the time that it had had more-recent attention than the rest of the stretch, and that it would be repaved at some point in the future, along with other parts of southern California SW. But it was indeed on the 2014 list we obtained from SDOT in January, and it follows block-by-block repaving in the area over the past few years, including Graham to Fauntleroy, Holly to Myrtle, and Frontenac to Mills last year,

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Happening now: ‘Field Day’ with amateur-radio operators at SSC
June 28, 2014 7:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

“This is not your grandfather’s amateur radio service,” points out the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club, inviting you to stop by Field Day on the south side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus any time before 10 am tomorrow. What’s Field Day, you ask?

Every June hams across the country take their radios outside and run them free of the electric grid. Joining with members of the Auxillary Communications Service (amateurs who work with Seattle Department of Emergency Management) and the Puget Sound Repeater Group, West Seattle Amateur Radio Club members will operate radios and communicate with other hams around the world from West Seattle. We operate using power we generate including solar panels and batteries. We build our stations in the 24 hours prior to the event

Yes, you’ll see that big antenna in our top photo – with which they’ve even been talking to the International Space Station – but then there’s smaller equipment:

(The water bottles, we were told, are just for counterbalance.) The club explains further:

As a group, some of us just built our own software defined radios. The only analog part of these radios is the antenna connection. We are deploying a wide area microwave network and in doing so are learning mesh networking and how to offer services across our homebrewed internet. Knowlege like that will make hooking your printer up a snap next time. We routinely use digital modes that allow effective communication using 1/1000th the power needed just a decade ago. While some of us still employ large antenna arrays for worldwide communication, it is now possible to work the world with a very modest station.

We peeked in the main tent, and found Jeff:

Anyone you find will be happy to talk with you (as well as with whomever they’re transmitting to and receiving from). Outside, talking to Curt, we were reminded that amateur-radio operators are deeply involved in emergency preparedness – and in other tasks that need close communications coordination – even on the sidelines at the West Seattle Grand Parade (watch for them July 19th).

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West Seattle 4th of July page, first edition, just published
June 28, 2014 7:00 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Our annual West Seattle 4th of July info page is now up with the local holiday basics, including special events and transportation changes. We expect additions and updates in the days ahead, especially from local food/beverage establishments that plan to be open – just e-mail us the basics, editor@westseattleblog.com. The page is here, and you’ll see it on the navigation tabs beneath the sunset-photo header on every WSB page through next Friday night.

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Storming ashore before the storm: Seafair Pirates’ Alki arrival
June 28, 2014 1:30 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 9:13 PM with 15 more photos, including 3 more aerials!)

(Aerial views of Pirates’ Landing by Long Bach Nguyen; click each photo to see a larger image)
The Seafair Pirates have landed!

(That photo and next 2 are by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
More than anything, their annual Alki arrival is about the kids. And the photo ops. And more kids.

And the occasional politician.

LOTS more photos and video to come, of course. And though a cloudburst has dampened things post-landing, the beach festivities are scheduled to continue for a few more hours – the sun might just make a comeback.

P.S. Before they landed, the pirates tell us, they took time to remember last year’s Captain Kidd, the late Rusty Harper, with a wreath thrown toward the briny deep of Puget Sound.

ADDED 3:01 PM: Thanks to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for the next three views of the Pirates’ boisterous beach approach:

Still adding more. The Pirates will be back in West Seattle for the Grand Parade on July 19th, by the way … if not sooner.

ADDED 9:13 PM: So much more to see. Here’s the crowd on the ground:

(That photo and others from here are by WSB’s Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)
Here’s another view from the sky:

(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
Even with all those people, there were some singular moments – like this pirate fan who wanted to be first out in the water to greet them:

Others were more content to sit and wait … and sit some more:

The clouds menaced:

One pirate was ready:

Another just stuck with the sword:

And then there were some modern, uh, weapons:

Back up on stage, was this the key to the city?

Or maybe the ignition key for Moby Duck?

All over the beach, people were making new friends, like this possible future Hi-Yu candidate who posed with royalty:

This one too:

All the while, the battle for Alki raged … we think:

Some watched from a distance:

(That photo and next by Long Bach Nguyen)
And one last look at that crowd – note the pole-vaulting east of Alki Bathhouse:

Tomorrow, the Pirates will be part of the Pride Parade downtown.

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Followup: Stolen ‘Walking on Logs’ sculpture still missing; theft returns its past and plight to the spotlight
June 28, 2014 9:22 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Exactly one week has now passed since one of the four “Walking on Logs” sculptures was discovered missing, but there’s still no word of breakthroughs in the case.

The theft was discovered when volunteers from the Walking on Logs Landscape Restoration Group and Kiwanis Club of West Seattle arrived at the site alongside the Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge last Saturday morning for cleanup and weeding. (Here’s our first report, from last Saturday night.) The sculpture was severed above the foot that had balanced atop a “log,” as shown in our top photo (from Friday), leaving behind these three:

It’s not the first public-art theft in West Seattle; the Rotary Viewpoint Park totem-pole heist of 2009 comes to mind, as do years of vandalism/theft incidents targeting the original Alki Statue of Liberty.

But the Dancing on Logs site has had other challenges. First, some history: The four bronze “dancing children” by renowned artist Phillip Levine of Burien were installed in 1996. Following up on the installation’s history and context over the past week, we learned that Clay Eals, executive director of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, interviewed Levine on video just last month, out at the sculpture site, with traffic whizzing by. He and Levine agreed that this unedited interview could be published as part of our followup:

He talks about location as well as the inspiration for the “sheer joy” exuded by the sculptures’ pose. (You can see more of Levine’s work here.) Eals also recorded video of each of the sculptures – starting with the one that is now gone (also visible behind Levine during much of the interview above):

Eals then photographed Levine with Earl Cruzen, who made the Murals of West Seattle project happen – that’s what the statue was part of, confirmed Calandra Childers of the city Office of Arts and Culture, noting that “the whole project was funded from matching-fund grants from both King County and from Department of Neighborhoods. SDOT allowed the artwork in the right of way with the understanding that the community would maintain the artwork.”

In Eals’ May photo below, that’s Levine at left, Cruzen at right, and the now-stolen sculpture at top left:

Cruzen, now 93, took care of the sculptures’ site often singlehandedly until four years ago, when Nancy Driver of Fairmount spearheaded the organization of what became the Walking on Logs Landscape Restoration Group, as reported here in March 2010. Volunteer cleanups organized since then have not drawn much response. Driver got a few volunteers from the Kiwanis Club for the one last Saturday.

The theft of one of the sculptures might lead to renewed attention for the site’s plight. The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has long been accountable for giving permission for nonprofits to display messages there, and board president Nancy Woodland tells WSB:

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has been calendaring the Walking on Logs decorations for years. Local non-profits schedule time to dress the statues to promote activities that support the local community. The Chamber is now committed to stepping up that involvement to help support the dedicated work of others including Nancy Driver, the Department of Neighborhoods, SDOT, and SPU to maintain the site. We’re exploring all options for involvement but are hopeful that our membership of business owners will step in to help with clean-up efforts bi-annually at a minimum. This is a first impression of our amazing community and we want to help make it a good one.

Right now, though, the search is still on for the missing sculpture. Here’s another look:

(WSB file photo by Christopher Boffoli)
If you have any information about what happened to it and/or where it is, you can call 911 – mention case number 14-198308 – or contact the Southwest Precinct at 206-733-9800. Its burglary/theft detectives are handling the case, according to the SPD spokesperson with whom we last checked.

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West Seattle Saturday: Seafair Pirates land on Alki; city reps at ‘Let’s Talk’ in The Junction; more highlights…
June 28, 2014 7:15 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

What you should know about today, primarily from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

(WSB photo: SDOT crew working on California just south of Fauntleroy)
TRAFFIC ALERTS – ROAD WORK TODAY: Paving work is scheduled all day at California/Fauntleroy, 7 am-7 pm; two lanes of northbound I-5 are scheduled to be closed all weekend at the West Seattle Bridge, and the Highway 520 bridge is closed too.

(added) BUS ALERTS: The California/Fauntleroy work includes bus reroutes – Rapid Ride between Fontanelle and California; Route 128 between Graham and Morgan – Metro sent them as e-mail alerts on Friday.

Also today:

(WSB photo: Relay-ers on the track, 8:30-ish this morning)
RELAY FOR LIFE CONTINUES: You’re welcome at West Seattle Stadium as the all-night cancer-fighting fundraiser Relay for Life of West Seattle continues, including a fire truck scheduled to visit at 8 am, the kids’ parade at 10, a “dance party” at 10:30, and the closing ceremony at 11:30 am. Here’s our story from its start last night. (4432 35th SW)

‘WEST SEATTLE: LET’S TALK’: City reps from the Department of Planning and Development, Department of Neighborhoods, and SDOT will be at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 9:30-11:30 am, for what’s described as an open-house-format meeting – we’ll update on Twitter when we’re on site.

(added 10:21 am) We’re at the event now – there were a few minutes of remarks including DPD and DON’s directors, Diane Sugimura and Bernie Matsuno. But the emphasis is on one-on-one conversations (below, Sugimura speaking with attendees shortly after we walked in):

(They are now convening informal chat groups toward the back of the room, upstairs at the SC.) If you just can’t make it, watch for our report later and followups with the information the city departments are sharing via boards on easels. Sugimura said basically, growth won’t stop, but they’re hoping to hear from people around the city – starting with this meeting in West Seattle – about how to accommodate it. (California/Oregon)

SEAFAIR PIRATES’ LANDING: On Alki, with events centered in the Bathhouse vicinity – including live music starting at 10, Seafair Pirates (watch the bay!) expected sometime after 11:30, vendors, kids activities, and general revelry continuing on into the mid-afternoon. (added) Hi-Yu royalty too:

More details in our preview from last night. (60th/Alki)

BENEFIT CAR WASH: Hope Lutheran School 7th and 8th graders will be at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) today, 10 am-3 pm, washing cars to raise money for a trip to Washington, D.C. (35th/Webster)

HIAWATHA YOUTH FAIR: 10:30 am-3:30 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, presented by West Seattle Wildcats Junior Football and Cheer organization. Details in our preview from last night. (2700 California SW)

LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Not mega-low but low enough (-1.4 feet just after noon) for beach exploration, with volunteer naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks 10:30 am-1:30 pm.

CAT/KITTEN ADOPTIONS: Two opportunities in West Seattle today (and tomorrow) – Friends of the Animals Foundation at Next-to-Nature in The Junction (4543 California SW), 11:30-3:30 pm (details here); Kitty Harbor just north of the West Seattle Bridge at 3422 Harbor SW, noon-5 pm (info here).

FIELD DAY AT SSC: Amateur-radio operators are set up from noon today until 10 am Sunday in the field on the south side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus and welcome your visit – details here. (6000 16th SW)

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: See our calendar for listings at venues including C & P Coffee Company, The Cask, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsors), Kenyon Hall, Benbow Room, Skylark.

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Also Saturday: Play and learn @ Youth Resource Fair at Hiawatha
June 27, 2014 9:39 pm
|    Comments Off on Also Saturday: Play and learn @ Youth Resource Fair at Hiawatha
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Another big event tomorrow:

West Seattle Wildcats Jr. Football and Cheer will be hosting a Youth Resource Fair on Saturday, June 28th at Hiawatha (2900 California SW). Come for some fun, entertainment, food, games, activities, arts, crafts, prizes, raffles, education, demonstrations, music, speakers, and more. Jump on the opportunity to dunk Coach Carter, win photos of Seahawk players, and punt pass and kick your way to $500. Appearances by some of Seattle Hottest DJ’s! DJ Funk Daddy, DJ Lovesick Larry, and DJ Custom Cuts.

You’ll find the fun outdoors at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) 10:30 am-3:30 pm tomorrow.

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Happening now: Cancer-fighting all-nighter West Seattle Relay for Life 2014
June 27, 2014 7:24 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

It began with a lap around the West Seattle Stadium track featuring the participants hailed as heroes – cancer survivors and their caregivers. And with that, this year’s West Seattle Relay for Life was underway as of about an hour ago. More than 20 teams are there for the all-night relay-style walkathon/campout.

They’re raising money for the American Cancer Society, with a goal of $50,000. Some teams and participants have been raising money all year, like tonight’s greeters, the mother-and-daughter team of Gerry and Lauri Cunningham:

Again this year, they made and sold spaghetti dinners to go, and told us tonight that they raised more than a thousand dollars. Just before the kickoff lap by survivors and caregivers, participants heard from organizers including Sarah, who identified herself as a survivor – diagnosed with kidney cancer at age 3, now cancer-free 20 years later: “The money you raise is saving someone’s life,” she said. “It saved mine.” As the night goes on, a long list of activities awaits participants – from the reflective luminaria ceremony at 10 pm (you are welcome to go make your own luminaria in honor of someone fighting cancer or someone who has passed) …

… to lighthearted activities like balloon ping-pong, hula-hooping, and midnight bowling, plus music by “DJ Gary.” It’s participants only from 11 pm to 5 am (some will walk, some will sleep, some will even watch movies) but visitors are welcome the rest of the time. At the heart of it is the walking, whether you’re in costume (like team Answers for Cancers, below) or not:

Tomorrow morning’s schedule includes 8 am yoga and stretches, a fire truck visit at 9 am, the kids’ parade at 10 am, and closing ceremony at 11:30 am. It’s not too soon to start thinking about getting involved next year, either by organizing a team or volunteering to help behind the scenes – more info (and donation links) can be found on the official WSR4L page.

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West Seattle summer preview: Seafair Pirates’ Landing on Alki
June 27, 2014 5:21 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle summer preview: Seafair Pirates’ Landing on Alki
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

On the eve of thousands converging on Alki for the Seafair Pirates’ Landing tomorrow, here are all the details we’ve been able to pull from the briny deep:

WHEN DO THE SEAFAIR PIRATES LAND ON ALKI? Common question today. In fact, some of them landed this morning. Erik Walum shared the photo – they said they were doing a “TV spot.” Tomorrow, they’re back for the official landing, and we have these details so far:

*As it says on the Pirates’ website, they’re expected ashore at Alki between 11:30-12:30 (we tend to tell people, better to be earlier than later, so we’d advise an 11-ish arrival).

*The new Captain Kidd (Marvin Davis) will take command, with a knighting ceremony, pirate songs, etc., on the main stage by the bathhouse

*Also onstage before and after the ceremonies, 10 am-2 pm, live music with local bands including Side Project

*Beer garden on the beach, 10 am-4 pm

*Pirate Costume Contest/Pirate Lookalike Contest for kids

*Booths/vendors with food, toys, clothing, jewelry, art

*Royalty: 2013-2014 Miss Seafair Rio Barber, the Seafair princesses, West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty

*Mayor Murray is expected there at noon, per his official schedule

And while it’s not an official part of the Pirates’ Landing, yes, the 19th annual Alki Swashbuckler pole-vaulting competition will be happening on the beach too. See you there!

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Summertime hunger-fighting: Free meals for kids in West Seattle
June 27, 2014 4:41 pm
|    Comments Off on Summertime hunger-fighting: Free meals for kids in West Seattle
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news

Many kids in need avoid going hungry through free/reduced-price meals at school. So what happens in the summertime? The United Way One Million Meals Campaign helps provide free summer meals to kids and teens, and sent word today that they’ll be serving on Sundays, starting THIS Sunday (June 29th), 1-2 pm at Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury). Everyone 18 and under will be served, and kid/teen activities will be offered. UWKC also says you can find other summer-meal sites through this lookup.

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West Seattle development: No Whittaker appeal; Alki demolition; Saturday meeting not just DPD; more…
June 27, 2014 2:13 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Another round of development notes, including demolitions current and future:

THE WHITTAKER UPDATE – DEMOLITION THIS SUMMER: Despite previous controversy over the 4755 Fauntleroy Way project, aka The Whittaker, no one had filed an appeal of its key land-use approval by the deadline yesterday, so the project is moving ahead. A spokesperson tells us they expect to start demolition by summer’s end, but don’t yet know which of the buildings on the site will be first to go. This is the project with a Whole Foods Market (we’re checking to see if any other retailers have been signed), ~389 apartments, ~594 parking spaces. If construction does start this year, it would be on target for completion in 2016.

3008 ALKI DEMOLITION: Nine months ago, we noted an application to build five “rowhouse” units in two buildings at 3008 Alki Avenue SW. This week, the existing structures on the site were torn down:

(Thanks to the person who texted the photo!) One building, with two units now described as townhouses, will carry the Alki Ave. address; the 3-unit building will be at 6502 SW Stevens. Documents filed with the city say the offstreet parking will total 10 spaces.

1 DOWN, 2 UP AT 5421 49TH SW: A demolition-permit application was filed this week for that 93-year-old house at 5421 49th SW.

City files say it will be replaced by two single-family houses; its lot is 15,000+ square feet.

UPDATE ON 2-REPLACING-1 AT 8437 41ST SW: We reported earlier this month on the plan for two single-family houses on the site of one to-be-demolished house in Upper Fauntleroy. The owner/developer is now seeking a lot-boundary adjustment, to split the site into 4,500- and 7,300-square-foot parcels.

DESIGN REVIEW REMINDER NOTICES: The dates have already been reported here, but in case you missed them, the formal Southwest Design Review Board meeting notices appeared in Thursday’s Land Use Information Bulletin for 3824 California SW (8 pm July 10th) and 2626 Alki SW (6:30 pm July 17th).

‘LET’S TALK’ WITH DPD, SDOT, DON IN WEST SEATTLE TOMORROW: One more nudge before our Saturday morning calendar highlights – tomorrow is the West Seattle “Let’s Talk” conversation with Department of Planning and Development reps including director Diane Sugimura, 9:30-11:30 am at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon in The Junction) – and we see on the DPD’s website that reps from SDOT and the Department of Neighborhoods will be there too. It’s listed there as “open-house-style” so we’re trying to find out more specifics about the format.

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Traffic-alert update: Downed tree cleared from eastbound Roxbury
June 27, 2014 12:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | White Center

12:46 PM: Thanks to Krista for first word that a tree is down across eastbound Roxbury at 10th SW. As you can see in the photo she shared, King County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene. Avoid the area.

1:40 PM UPDATE: Metro has just texted that Routes 60 and 128 are rerouted off eastbound Roxbury in the area, between 8th and 14th SW.

3:15 PM UPDATE: Still not cleared; KCSO still diverting traffic.

6:10 PM UPDATE: We went back to check again; it’s been cleared off the road, pushed up onto the sidewalk, and traffic is back to normal.

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You’re invited to help name the new West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi vessels
June 27, 2014 12:04 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Rendering of new vessels – reflecting size/shape/configuration, not final color/paint/trim)
Just in from the King County Ferry District:

The King County Ferry District wants King County residents to help name the two new water taxis that will serve West Seattle and Vashon Island.

“This is a great opportunity to display your creativity and highlight your favorite part of our region,” said Joe McDermott, who chairs the King County Ferry District. “Anyone can submit name suggestions, so spread the word to your kids, friends, families and neighbors!”

The naming contest starts today. Individuals can submit their ideas at www.surveymonkey.com/s/2JNBGG2 or by calling 206-477-3840. Suggestions will be taken until Friday, July 18, 2014. The King County Ferry District will then narrow the names down before putting the final public vote forward to the public at the end of July.

To be considered for the final vote, names must contain regional relevancy, must not exceed two words nor have any inappropriate language. A boat’s name is said to reflect its personality, so the name should be in good taste. While this will not disqualify a name suggestion, it should be noted that maritime folklore says it is unlucky for the boat to be named after a living person who intends to ride the boat in their lifetime.

The new vessels are primarily funded through federal grants and are being designed and built by All American Marine in Bellingham. The new vessels will start serving riders next year …

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Open letter: City/developer spinning wheels on promised bicycle parking in The Junction?
June 27, 2014 11:56 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Bicycle parking along California is supposed to be part of the plan for the two-building Equity Residential project in the heart of The Junction. But supporters of a bicycle “corral” believe the developer is responsible for wheel-spinning that’s delaying installation, and have just sent open letters to the City Council Transportation Committee and Mayor Ed Murray (as well as media). This one is from West Seattle Bike Connections:

Dear Transportation Committee Councilmembers and Mayor Murray,

I am writing on behalf of West Seattle Bike Connections (WSBC) to find out what it takes to get a bike corral installed in West Seattle, more specifically in Alaska Junction at the southeast corner of SW Alaska St and California Ave SW. This letter and a timeline are attached with the efforts we’ve taken to date, beginning in late 2012. We have one simple request: please provide support to have a bike corral installed in Alaska Junction by mid-August of this year.

WSBC has worked with three different SDOT contacts over the last 18 months, where the process began anew with each different representative. SDOT has been asked by the property developer at the location (Equity Residential) to delay installation until construction is complete in 2015. We do not want to wait any longer or go through this process again with new SDOT personnel. We are upset that SDOT is succumbing to a developer for authority over the public right-of-way. We have support from several organizations and businesses who want to see this bike corral installed as soon as possible:

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West Seattle Friday: Relay for Life; beach naturalists; more
June 27, 2014 9:45 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday night sunset, photographed by Jeremiah Holt)
Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOW TIDE, WITH NATURALISTS: Not mega-low, but low enough for good exploration – the tide’s out to -1.6 feet at 11:38 am today, and you’ll find volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation Park (south of Alki Point) and Lincoln Park (near Colman Pool) 10 am-1:30 pm.

MANGA-MAKING FOR TEENS: Learning how to make a manga – supplies provided! – is the featured activity at Teen Space, 2-4 pm at Southwest Branch Library. (35th/Henderson)

LOCAL VENDOR FAIR: Meet a variety of vendors at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) 4-7 pm today. (41st/42nd/Admiral)

LIVE MUSIC VENUES TONIGHT … include Salty’s, C & P Coffee, The Cask (all WSB sponsors), as well as Kenyon Hall and Skylark Café and Club – see all those listings on the calendar.

WEST SEATTLE RELAY FOR LIFE: Has your family been affected by cancer? (Whose hasn’t?) Support the fight for survival – and cures – through West Seattle Relay for Life, an all-night American Cancer Society-benefiting event that kicks off with the opening ceremony at 7 pm, the survivors’ lap at 7:30 pm, the luminaria ceremony at 10 pm, all open to the public at West Seattle Stadium (which does close its gates later in the night/early morning, for participants’ security) – more info here. (4432 35th SW)

TWO WEEKS UNTIL SUMMER FEST! SIGNED UP FOR THE COMMUNITY TENT YET? West Seattle Summer Fest is only two weeks away. The Community Tent is taking signups through TODAY – don’t miss the chance for your group/organization to be part of West Seattle’s biggest summer party. Here’s the announcement with details.

And just in case you hear them from across the bay …

FIREWORKS … are on the Safeco Field schedule after tonight’s Mariners’ game (also July 25th and August 29th).

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Ready to roll? New junior roller derby about to launch
June 27, 2014 9:04 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center | WS & Sports

Cross-posted from our partner site White Center Now, since the new league hopes to draw from all over this area:

Pamela McCarty shares the news that Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby is launching soon, and interested skaters 8-17 are welcome to come to an Info Night at Southgate Roller Rink next Monday (June 30th), 7 pm. Southside Revolution definitely plans a girls’ team, and will also have a coed team if enough boys are interested.

Southgate will be the practice site for the new league. If you just can’t make it Monday night but have an interested skater in the family, there will be another Info Night on July 14th and an August summer camp. Questions? E-mail info@southsiderevolution.com – and you’re invited to check out this Facebook group.

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