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Spotlight Stories

Remembering Robin Williams: His West Seattle Food Bank benefits; also – how to get help if you need it
August 11, 2014 6:05 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

You have likely heard by now that actor/comedian Robin Williams is gone too soon, at 63, found dead in his San Francisco Bay Area home this afternoon, believed to be a victim of suicide.

Two things we wanted to mention here:

(Photo courtesy WSFB, added Tuesday: Mr. Williams in 2004 with WSFB volunteers Aaron & Laurie and then-operations manager Gretchen)
First, Mr. Williams had at least one West Seattle connection – a history of generous gifts to the West Seattle Food Bank, most notably, more than $50,000 in proceeds from downtown performances in 2004, 2007, and 2008.

Second, we wanted to again share the local hotline number that offers help to anyone thinking about suicide (or experiencing other crisis situations), the Crisis Clinic – 206-461-3222. The CC website also recommends reading this.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Beach Drive purse-snatching arrest
August 11, 2014 5:11 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks to the tipsters who texted/e-mailed about police activity on Beach Drive this past hour. We checked with Seattle Police’s Det. Drew Fowler, who tells us that one “juvenile” suspect is in custody after a purse-snatching incident. Information is still preliminary, but the police log shows that a woman reported someone had stolen her purse and phone around Weather Watch Park (Beach Drive/Carroll; map), and she or someone else was in pursuit. One person was taken into custody.

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Election 2014: Despite (or because of?) park proliferation, Seattle Proposition 1 on losing side here
August 11, 2014 2:58 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle police

checkbox.jpgAt week’s end, King County Elections published the legislative-district-by-legislative-district breakdown of the first night’s results in the August 5th election. Though the citywide total has been in favor of Seattle Proposition 1 – creating a Park District with taxing authority for extra parks funding that has previously come via levy – parkland-rich West Seattle is in the “no” column. West Seattle has the bulk of in-city voters in the 34th Legislative District (map), and the district’s opening-night vote was 42 percent “approve,” 58 percent “reject.” That was the lowest “approve” percentage of any legislative district with some Seattle voters; next lowest was the 32nd District (map) in northwesternmost Seattle, at 43 percent “approve.” The strongest support, meantime, was 63 percent “approve” in the 43rd District (map), which includes downtown, Capitol Hill, and Green Lake.

If you’re interested in other King County races’ election-night district-by-district breakout, it’s all in this PDF. No precinct-by-precinct breakout yet; the final vote won’t be certified until next week. (And again, what’s reported above is from a breakdown of the first count, made public election night, and does not include ballots counted and reported since then. The “approve/reject” gap has widened a little citywide since that first round; as of Friday afternoon, “approve” was ahead with 53.2 percent, while on Election Night, it was at 52.4 percent.

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Next at West Seattle Outdoor Movies: ‘The Goonies,’ by demand!
August 11, 2014 2:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

When we published the call for West Seattle Outdoor Movies suggestions this year, 10 commenters – from Al to WSResident – nominated 1985’s “The Goonies.” As announced in May, it’s on the schedule for next Saturday (August 16th) on the big screen next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor). It’s free – just bring your own chair/blanket as moviegoers do every Saturday night of WSOM; here’s part of last week’s crowd:

Big turnouts this year and this Saturday is bound to bring the same, so don’t wait until the last minute; gates open at 6:30 pm. There’s plenty to do before the movie; this week’s pre-show band is Layered System, promising blues and jazz. Raffles and concessions benefit a local nonprofit each week, and this Saturday it’ll be Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (which is getting ready for its big mural unveiling two days before movie night). The screen’s in the courtyard at 4410 California SW – see you there! (P.S. “Goonies” is the second-to-last WSOM show of the year; the finale on August 23 is “Frozen.”)

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You can help! Community support meeting Tuesday for Highland Park Elementary
August 11, 2014 11:51 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The new school year is less than four weeks away, and there’s a push to muster support for one local school that needs it more than ever, Highland Park Elementary. If you can help – or want to at least find out how to – you can do that tomorrow night. For the basic story, here’s the invitation that Highland Park Action Committee co-chairs Carolyn and Billy Stauffer wrote to district, city, and other leaders:

(HPAC’s) role is to affect positive change in our neighborhood, and we have historically been active in bringing together a voice for our neighborhood, which has faced many challenges.

We hosted parent Peter Weiss at our May community meeting, who came to speak with us as a member of the Highland Park Elementary PTA. In discussing his ideas with us to organize a 5K as a fundraiser for the school, the community learned about the state of affairs for our local school – Highland Park Elementary is ranked last in the Seattle Public School System.

Some of our members were brought to tears with this news, exhausted by what feels like yet another blind eye turned towards our community from our leaders. We write to you in response to a request that night from the community to get some answers as to why our school is doing so badly and what the plan is for improvement. We have since discussed this idea with the PTA and have formed a partnership in our efforts. We, along with incoming PTA president Sol Mendez, would like to invite you to a meeting to discuss the school, and answer some questions from our community.

And that invitation is for you too. Come to the Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden) tomorrow night (Tuesday, August 12th), at 7 pm. HPAC says the RSVPs so far include HPES’s new principal Chris Cronas, school-board member Marty McLaren, and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen.

ADDED TUESDAY: HPAC co-chair Carolyn Stauffer says the school district’s executive director of schools for this area, Israel Vela, also has RSVP’d.

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West Seattle scene: Preparing to paddle across the bay to downtown rally
August 11, 2014 10:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Anne for the photo from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where canoe paddlers are launching a trip across Elliott Bay to participate later this morning in a rally to show concern about environmental risks from increased oil/coal-carrying train/ship traffic in our region.
(Added 12:57 pm: Tweet with photo of Blue Heron Canoe‘s arrival:)

(back to earlier report) We received this announcement about that rally late last night:

(Today) at 11 am a ‘Protect Our Salish Sea’ rally will begin with a traditional Northwest Coastal canoe landing and kayak flotilla at the beach below the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is a traditional sacred gathering place of the Coast Salish Nations. The rally will include speakers such as Freddy Lane and Laverne Lane of the Lummi Nation, a traditional welcoming and protocol by Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribe, Mike Evans of the Snohomish Tribe leading a traditional canoe ‘Paddle to Seattle,’ activists Carlo Voli of 350 Seattle, and Bill Moyer of Backbone Campaign. This is a family-friendly event that will include an inter-tribal jam session, a Water Blessing ceremony, and will be immediately followed by a procession to the tracks for a symbolic blockade of the BNSF Railroad at Alaskan and Broad Street in Seattle.

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West Seattle Monday: Weather alert; plus, what’s up today/tonight
August 11, 2014 8:55 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunday’s low tide on Alki, by Danny McMillin)
This will be a great day to get out on the beach (if you’re not stuck in an office) – but take note of the weather alert for tonight/tomorrow, before we get to highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEATHER ALERT: “Scattered to abundant lightning” is forecast for much of Western Washington, possibly even here in the metro area, tonight through tomorrow, and the National Weather Service has a wide area under a “red flag warning.” And before we get to that, it’s going to be even hotter today – possibly into the 90s.

Now, from the calendar:

APPEAL HEARING: The second appeal filed in relation to the project to rebuild Arbor Heights Elementary School is being heard today by the city Hearing Examiner, starting at 9 am; here’s our earlier report. (Municipal Tower downtown, 40th floor)

LAST DAY FOR BEACH NATURALISTS: With a low-low tide of -2.0 feet at 11:50 am, it’s the final day of this summer’s Seattle Aquarium volunteer-beach-naturalist program. On the shore at Constellation Park south of Alki and at Lincoln Park (toward the south end), look for the naturalists in red hats, 10:30 am-1:30 pm.

SCIENCE MAGIC! See how to use science for magic tricks – this is a library presentation for ages 5 and up – free! – but it’s at Delridge Community Center, 2:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

…AND MORE SCIENCE! Celebrating science is the theme of tonight’s Family Story Time at High Point Branch Library, 6:30 pm, free as always. (35th/Raymond)

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: No formal agenda for tonight’s monthly NDNC meeting, so if you have a community concern/question, bring it! Tonight will be another outdoor meeting, 6:30 pm in Delridge Community Center Park. (Delridge Way SW/SW Genesee)

WONDERING HOW TO SHARE AN EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT? The basics are on the WSB Contact page. Thanks!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates; busy road-work week
August 11, 2014 6:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
As our traffic watch begins for a new week, a reminder of what’s ahead (the links each go to the previous stories with details on the work):

ROXBURY REPAVING: Scheduled for Tuesday/Wednesday, 25th SW to 27th SW.

CHARLESTOWN TRACTION IMPROVEMENT: Scheduled for Tuesday, 45th SW to 47th SW.

GENESEE TRACTION IMPROVEMENT: Scheduled for Wednesday, between Avalon and Delridge.

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West Seattle supermoon scenes: So close, and yet so far
August 11, 2014 2:40 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(From Harbor Avenue: Photo by David Hutchinson)
As Space.com put it, Sunday night’s full moon was the “superest supermoon” of the year – the closest one to Earth this year.

(Photo by Jim Clark)
Next month’s full moon (September 8th) will be almost as close.

(Photo by Craig Young)
As Alice Enevoldsen writes in the newest edition of “Skies Over West Seattle,” it’s only one of this week’s attractions for skygazers.

(Photo by Carolyn Newman)
How close *was* the moon, you ask? 221,765 miles. Or so. This calculator puts it a bit farther away.

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West Seattle sightings at Sounders FC match: WestSide Baby diaper drive; Terry Kegel honored as Community MVP
August 10, 2014 9:44 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle sightings at Sounders FC match: WestSide Baby diaper drive; Terry Kegel honored as Community MVP
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

It wasn’t officially West Seattle night at the Sounders FC match tonight (they won over Houston, 2-0), but it might as well have been, for at least two reasons!

West Seattle-founded WestSide Baby had a diaper drive at tonight’s game, and we spotted WS Baby reps everywhere, including Stacy, in our Instagram photo above. The big screens around CenturyLink Field displayed calls to text a special number to donate diapers. Then at the half, Alki Elementary teacher Terry Kegel was honored on the field as the club’s Community MVP:

Terry, you’ll recall, gained regional fame for organizing the first-ever West Seattle Cup earlier this summer.

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Skies Over West Seattle, August 2014: ‘Supermoon’ tonight, meteors this week…
August 10, 2014 6:38 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(Saturday moonrise by Christopher Frankovich)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ever wish for advance alert of an upcoming meteor shower/eclipse/etc. – and/or wonder “What’s that bright ‘star’ up there?” This should help. It’s our periodic feature by West Seattle’s own Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen, famed for her solstice/equinox sunset watches, among other things.

By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

It is time for the Perseid Meteor Shower… and another Supermoon! Let’s get started.

Hey, what’s that?

Mars, Spica, and Saturn — Last time I said you’d notice a pair of stars just after sunset, one of which was Mars (a planet, not a star) and the other, Spica. Tonight as you look up, Mars will have moved off to the South a bit and is now about halfway between Saturn and Spica. Toward the end of the month Mars will be even closer to Saturn, making a striking pairing of planets.

Morning people? Venus is a brilliant morning “star” this month, rising shortly before the Sun in the East. Wow. I saw it this morning for the first time this season (I am NOT a morning person. Just ask my Mom) and I thought it was an airplane it was so bright.

You may also have seen a few awe-inspiring shooting stars in the early evening or early morning. These are the earlybirds of the Perseid meteor shower, called earth grazers because of how they glance through our atmosphere making a long, bright trail.

Perseids!!!

The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the brightest and most fun meteor showers to view, because it is on a comfortable summer night and is traditionally a fairly dense shower with lots of shooting stars (meteors).

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Fauntleroy milestone: Kilbourne Ravine restoration work begins
August 10, 2014 3:46 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(Wednesday photo by Dylan Grace-Wells: EarthCorps crewmember beginning to blaze a path through intensive wild clematis and ivy)
Southwest of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, a green but threatened treasure is finally getting long-planned TLC – not just a round of weekend work parties, but instead, the toughest restoration project in the Fauntleroy Creek Watershed: Work has begun in the Kilbourne Ravine, announces Fauntleroy Creek watershed steward Judy Pickens, the project coordinator. After the final permit was procured, EarthCorps crew members were booked to get going with the project during two work days this past week.

The work along the middle reach of Fauntleroy Creek, between California SW and 45th SW, will focus on getting rid of invasive vegetation – aka weeds – and restoring appropriate vegetation. This in turn will accomplish goals including controlling erosion, filtering runoff, and reclaiming the ravine as wildlife habitat.

It’s a 2 1/2-acre site that is a mix of private- and city-owned property, classified overall as an “environmentally critical area.” But it’s infested, as are many of our greenspaces, with invaders including Himalayan blackberry and English ivy, as well as wild clematis and other invasive shrubs/trees. Judy reports that the work plan for the first week included:

*Cutting all clematis, especially where growing up trees, to prevent flowering and seeding this season

*Cutting blackberry (where growing in larger patches without native plants) in preparation for future spray treatment

*Pulling clematis away from native plants in preparation for future spray treatment

*If time allows, begin cutting ivy off native trees (survival rings)

*If time allows, begin treating invasive trees (holly, cherry laurel) using injection lance

*Hauling out garbage and debris as needed.

Fighting the invasives benefits more than the ravine itself – it also reduces their spread to nearby property. According to the project FAQ, this is the start of six years of work. But that will honor a legacy that is many decades old; according to Seattle Parks, its part of the ravine was donated by Dr. Edward C. Kilbourne, who established the Washington Dental Association. (Perhaps, then, it is fitting that some of the extensive work just to get to the point where restoration work can begin, sounds to have been a bit like pulling teeth.)

But Pickens and other intrepid volunteers/advocates have been at it a long time, with achievements including the restoration of Fauntleroy Creek itself as a salmon creek, so they’ve been taking it milestone by milestone, including two years of fundraising work which has yielded $55,000+ so far. Pickens notes support from “the Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund, a grant-making fund created by the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment.”

P.S. If you pass the ravine and notice rappellers – that’s what it’ll take for some of the work, given the steepness of the slopes!

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WSB reader report: ‘Gray-haired plant lady’ appreciates that ‘West Seattle loves green’
August 10, 2014 11:52 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Do you know “the gray-haired plant lady”? We don’t know her name, but she had a friend forward these photos and reader report expressing appreciation for West Seattle’s individual green spaces, so we are in turn sharing her words and pictures with you, which she sent under the heading ‘West Seattle Loves Green’:

With all the concrete and steel coming into our community, the citizens of West Seattle are creating their own green spaces. Have you noticed all the new plant containers in front of the local stores? The merchants also contributed to the beautiful hanging baskets. Even the new buildings are adding greenery in front of their buildings. In front of the stores you will find pots, boxes and even a wagon.

The old stump on the corner of California and Alaska has been replaced by a tree and a planter. A couple of days ago, I walked both sides of the street from Admiral Way to West Seattle Nursery. I found over 1,000 pots and planters and over 1,000 plantings. I didn’t count all the deck plants and patios.

I have been asked many times if I do the landscape in front of Hope Lutheran Church. A group of people help weed, mow grass and deadhead plants. The Loren Sommer family grows and plants the whole landscape. Loren, Rachel, and Bernadette spend many hours growing and planting. If you see them, say “thank you!” Omar Sommer, grandpa, helps with the watering system.

I just can’t resist adding that I was Loren’s and Rachel’s first-grade teacher.

‘The gray-haired plant lady’

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You can help! WestSide Baby needs volunteers @ Sounders match
August 10, 2014 11:09 am
|    Comments Off on You can help! WestSide Baby needs volunteers @ Sounders match
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

In today’s West Seattle Sunday calendar-highlights list, we mentioned WestSide Baby‘s big diaper drive at tonight’s Sounders FC match. WS Baby has since let us know they need volunteers to “fill in for some last-minute cancellations” assisting with the donation drive – you would have to arrive at the stadium at 5; most jobs would end at 8:30, and then you’d be able to watch the second half of the match. If you think you can help, e-mail shana@westsidebaby.org ASAP.

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West Seattle Sunday: From deals to diapers, music to moonrise …
August 10, 2014 7:02 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Mark Wangerin for sharing his photo of a juvenile Black-Headed Grosbeak)
First, enjoy a very warm summer Sunday; then watch for the supermoonrise tonight. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, some options for what you could do along the way:

HIGHLAND PARK RUMMAGE SALE: Second and final day of the summertime edition of the Highland Park Improvement Club megasale, 9 am-2 pm. (12th/Holden)

LOW-LOW TIDE: This month’s lowest low tide, -2.3, happens at 11:03 am; at Constellation and Lincoln Parks from 10:30 am-1:30 pm, it’s your second-to-last chance this summer to confer with volunteer beach naturalists as you explore the shore.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always! (44th/Alaska)

(added) CAR WASH: Thanks to a tipster for letting us know about a car wash under way until 3 pm at the Filipino-American SDA Church across from Denny International Middle School. They shared a photo:

(2620 SW Kenyon)

(back to original list) TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Just a few more chances this summer for free tours with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Alki Point Lighthouse, 1-4 pm. (3200 Point Place)

SOPRANOS! Vocal recital presented by Music Northwest at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 3 pm. (4105 California SW)

‘HELLO, DOLLY!’ MATINEE: Twelfth Night Productions presents “Hello, Dolly!” in a matinee performance at West Seattle High School Theater, 3 pm. Don’t forget the diaper/clothing drive for WestSide Baby – get $3 off the price of an adult ticket if you bring a diaper/kids-clothing donation. (3000 California SW)

GOING TO TONIGHT’S SOUNDERS FC MATCH? Bring diapers for WestSide Baby! P.S. 7:30 pm game means extended Water Taxi service.

SUPERMOON: Watch the eastern sky around quarter past eight, right before sunset. (Moon/sun rising/setting times can always be found on the WSB West Seattle Weather page.)

OPEN-MICROPHONE JAM: Every Sunday night in August at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), hosted by Lynn Sorensen – just show up with your voice and/or instrument starting at 7:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)

YES, THERE’S MORE! … on our calendar.

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West Seattle skygazing: ‘Supermoon’ tonight; meteors soon
August 10, 2014 4:19 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

Thanks to “Diver Laura” James for that photo of the nearly full moon, on its way to what’s likely to be another beautiful morning moonset. It’ll be another “supermoon” when it rises again tonight (Sunday) at 8:13 pm, not long before sunset (the official sun/moon rising/setting times can always be found on the WSB West Seattle Weather page). And then Monday-Tuesday, as noted in the most recent “Skies Over West Seattle” report by WSB contributor Alice Enevoldsen, watch for the Perseid meteor shower – if clouds don’t get in the way.

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Congratulations to newlyweds Barbara Lisko and Alex French!
August 9, 2014 10:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Wedding announcements | West Seattle news

Congratulations to Barbara Lisko and Alex French, newlyweds after their wedding tonight at Hope Lutheran Church in West Seattle. Both are graduates of nearby Seattle Lutheran High School. Thanks to the bride’s family for sharing a photo for this announcement, and best wishes to Barbara and Alex for a long and joyful life together.

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‘Bring Karen Back’ campaign launched by supporters of ousted West Seattle Senior Center director Karen Sisson
August 9, 2014 8:57 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

For almost four weeks, we’ve been covering the aftermath of citywide nonprofit Senior Services‘ decision to fire longtime Senior Center of West Seattle director Karen Sisson (WSB file photo at left). While the center has its own board of directors, they don’t have hiring/firing power over staff, but the board voiced their support for her leadership, days after learning of her firing.

Now community supporters are launching a campaign, telling WSB that tomorrow, a community petition drive will kick off to urge Sisson’s reinstatement. Volunteers are gathering at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market at 10:30 am Sunday to ‘share information and collect signatures and support for bringing back Karen Sisson as director of the Senior Center of West Seattle,” according to a note we received today from Cindy, who adds, “Any volunteers are welcome to join us. We are also setting up a Facebook page, ‘Bring Karen Back,’ for people to start their own petitions and upload information.” That page is here. Sisson led the Senior Center for a quarter-century, with her accomplishments and the center’s growth detailed and celebrated in the center’s newsletter earlier this year.

Meantime, the West Seattle center’s board president David Robertson told WSB this past week that they “continue to work on this issue.”

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Update: Southbound 99 collision kills motorcycle rider
August 9, 2014 4:42 pm
|      50 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:42 PM: Police are closing all lanes of southbound Highway 99 because of a crash reported to be parallel with Holgate, not far north of the West Seattle Bridge exit. No details yet; a witness texted to us that they believe a motorcycle rider was involved. Medics are headed northbound in the southbound lanes to reach the victim(s).

4:53 PM UPDATE: Tweeted by Seattle Fire: The patient is a 61-year-old man who was riding a motorcycle that collided with a car. He is being taken to the hospital with head trauma, and CPR is under way. Meantime, since the injuries are life-threatening, that means the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is likely to be summoned, and the road will be closed for some time. Police are working right now to get other vehicles off southbound 99, which they describe as “completely gridlock” – here’s the latest image from the south end of the elevated structure:

5:07 PM: Metro confirms via Twitter that it’s working on rerouting buses.

5:29 PM: SFD has confirmed the rider died. Police are continuing to clear traffic off southbound 99 but also advise it will be “difficult” in the area for some time.

6:08 PM: SPD also confirms southbound 99 will remain closed – from Battery St. Tunnel southward – until investigators have finished, likely a few more hours. No official report from police yet but the other vehicle involved is reported to be a RapidRide bus. A KING 5 journalist tweeted this photo:

8:11 PM: Southbound 99 has reopened.

9:09 PM: That was according to this SPD tweet – but commenters say it is NOT fully reopened, only to Atlantic. We are hoping SPD will clarify. As of right now, this traffic camera south of the crash scene does seem to verify the stretch from stadiums to West Seattle Bridge remains closed.

9:23 PM: That camera now shows traffic moving across the last southbound stretch, indicating SB 99 has now fully reopened.

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Happening now: Seattle Chinese Garden Kite Festival is aloft
August 9, 2014 4:00 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Seattle Chinese Garden Kite Festival is aloft
 |   Fun stuff to do | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

Here’s a reason for you to come visit one of West Seattle’s semi-hidden treasures – the Seattle Chinese Garden Kite Festival continues until 6 pm.

We just left the garden; it’s breezy and beautiful. It’s just past the horticulture zone on the northernmost end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge.

Admission is free; bring your own kite or buy one at the garden – also, as noted on the SCG home page, you can enjoy “kite flying demonstrations, displays, and kite painting.”

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As-it-happened coverage: Delridge Day 2014 – meeting (and having fun with) your neighbors!
August 9, 2014 11:20 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(Festival music/activities schedule here)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:20 AM: As of the top of the hour, Delridge Day is on – with cool people ready to meet you, and to entertain you, on the north side of the park by Delridge Community Center (Genesee/Delridge). Not just people – check out Olive the goat:

And a Seattle Police robot, converted for the moment into a Tootsie Pop dispenser:

“Picnic at the Precinct” is instead happening here in the park concurrent with Delridge Day again this year. We’re told new SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole is expected here around noon, so if you’d like to meet her, be here. But first, come meet all your neighbors, here with various organizations and activities. And tell them what you want to see in your community – there’s a big blackboard ready for your thoughts, as part of the North Delridge Action Plan kickoff.

Also here: Seattle Public Library:

Commenters asked earlier if any food trucks are here. Yes, Outside the Box is here again this year, up near the Delridge CC entrance.

Where, we’re also told a Seattle Fire engine is expected around noon.

(Photo added: From left, Pete Spalding, Dorsol Plants, Michael Taylor-Judd)
12:19 PM: Shoutout to the festival organizers – a small group of local community advocates put it together this year, including Dorsol Plants, Pete Spalding, Michael Taylor-Judd, Ron Angeles, and music by Chas Redmond, who is tune guru for more than a few local events:

12:38 PM: In addition to community groups/nonprofits – North Delridge Neighborhood Council, which is screenprinting its (Heart) Delridge logo onto T-shirts you bring, or bags they have…

….Also: West Seattle Food Bank (whose board member Rev. Ron Marshall pointed out they have a fundraising raffle going on):

Also: Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council, West Seattle Transportation Coalition, 34th District Democrats, Seattle Neighborhood Group, Nature Consortium …

… and more – local businesses are here too, including Skylark Café and Club and Mode Music Studios, neighbors in the 3800 block of Delridge Way SW:

12:49 PM: SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole is here, as promised. We photographed her with Karen Berge and Deb Greer from the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network:

SFD Engine 36 was here for a while but had to rush off on an aid call a few minutes ago. (added) SPD Mounted Patrol horses were the center of attention:

If you missed the horses today – the Mounted Patrol Unit’s next open house at its Westcrest Park-adjacent headquarters will be 11 am-5 pm on Saturday, September 20th.

2:30 PM: Half an hour left until Delridge Day wraps up – such a beautiful afternoon. Hard to think about rain in the midst of the sun, but RainWise is here, to help you envision a raingarden at your home:

In some areas of West Seattle, you can get a rebate to install raingarden and/or cistern-type “green stormwater infrastructure” to cut down on how much of your stormwater runoff goes into the sewer system – find out more here.

2:54 PM: Moments to go and booths are folding up. SPD Chief O’Toole was here for a couple hours but departed a short time ago. We’ll be adding a bit more to this coverage in the hours ahead, but also wanted to mention an event for which we just got a flyer – mark your calendar for the North Delridge Tree Walk, starting near the boulders at Greg Davis Park 10:30 am Saturday, September 13th, five weeks from today. As for the rest of today – there’s more going on around West Seattle, and here in the park, the wading pool is open for almost four more hours!

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West Seattle Saturday: Delridge Day festival; ‘Blues Brothers’ at WSOM; soccer-shoe sale; low-low tide; much more
August 9, 2014 9:31 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Moonrise over Brace Point, by Laura James; sun/moon times are always on the WSB Weather page)
If you haven’t already browsed the full Saturday lineup on our calendar – here’s a quick list of highlights:

HPIC RUMMAGE SALE: It’s big, it’s quirky, it’s happening now through 3 pm (and again 9-2 Sunday if you can’t get there today), it’s the Highland Park Improvement Club rummage sale. Also go admire how the HPIC parking lot has evolved into a courtyard/raingarden since last time. (12th/Holden)

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR: Now through 3 pm, unique creations are on sale at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – go browse and meet the artists! Like Machel Spence, who sent the photo of her shell-box display:

(5612 California SW)

LOW-LOW TIDE: 10:16 am, tide’s out to -2.2 feet, and that’s excellent for exploring. Do it with expert advice from volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, now until 12:30 pm, details here.

SOCCER SHOE SALE: Big event with small prices – new soccer shoes/cleats for as little as $10/pair – and all for a good cause – the West Seattle Soccer Club wants you to know about this sale 10 am-4 pm at Grace Church – full details are on the WSSC home page – just scroll down a bit. (10323 28th SW)

INCOMING GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY KINDERGARTENER? Come to today’s playdate with your child’s future classmates (and your fellow future Gatewood families), 10:30 am-12:30 pm. The playground’s on the north side of campus.

DELRIDGE DAY: 11 am-3 pm in Delridge Community Center Park, with live music, activities, community info/vendor booths, plus SPD’s “Picnic at the Precinct” activities – see last night’s preview for the schedule. (Delridge/Genesee)

BENEFIT BARBECUE: 11 am-4 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), today’s benefit barbecue is part of the Dog Days of Summer – details in our calendar listing. (California/Morgan/Fauntleroy)

KITE FESTIVAL: 2-6 pm, the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north edge of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus welcomes you to come celebrate these wind-powered wonders. Details in our preview. (6000 16th SW)

‘BLUES BROTHERS’ AT WS OUTDOOR MOVIES: Gates open at 6:30 pm, movie at dusk, with the 1980 classic “The Blues Brothers” as tonight’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies feature presentation on the big screen in the courtyard at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor). Free; preshow entertainment, too. Details in our preview. (4410 California SW)

NIGHT 2 FOR ‘HELLO, DOLLY!’: Twelfth Night Productions presents “Hello, Dolly!” again tonight at West Seattle High School Theater, 7:30 pm. In addition, they’re having a diaper/clothing drive for WestSide Baby – get $3 off the price of an adult ticket if you bring a diaper/kids-clothing donation. (3000 California SW)

MORE NIGHTLIFE! Music all over town – see individual venue/event listings for tonight (and beyond) by going directly to our calendar!

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Delridge Day + ‘Picnic @ Precinct’ = Saturday in the park
August 8, 2014 9:32 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Hours to go until summer’s next West Seattle festival – Delridge Day is happening Saturday in the park adjacent to the community center at Delridge Way/SW Genesee, 11 am-3 pm. Here again is the activity schedule and music schedule:

Other reasons to come to Delridge Day:

*Again this year, the Seattle Police Foundation-presented “Picnic at the Precinct” also is happening concurrently, at the park instead of the precinct. We’re told new Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole is expected to visit, though we don’t have a time on that yet – that would be her first official public visit to West Seattle.

*Want to talk/ask about the SW Roxbury Safety Project, including a potential “road diet” for Roxbury from 17th SW westward? SDOT will be at Delridge Day, ready to chat.

*Want to find out about the North Delridge Action Plan? City reps are ready to talk about that too.

*Live and/or work (etc.) in North Delridge? Meet your community council – the North Delridge Neighborhood Council – which is offering freebies including a chance to screenprint the (Heart) Delridge emblem on a shirt (you bring it) or tote bag (free blank bags available). Two screenprinting stations! And, adds NDNC’s Amanda Leonard, “We will even have a drying rack so you can enjoy the rest of the festival without dealing with wet paint.”

*Check out the close-to-finished Youngstown Cultural Arts Center mural right across the street from the festival zone, along the east side of the 4400 block of Delridge Way.

*Safety and preparedness: The West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network and West Seattle Be Prepared will be there.

… and so will we. 11 am-3 pm, Delridge CC Park, come have fun!

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