West Seattle, Washington
21 Thursday
8:52 AM: Another West Seattle leadership change for Seattle Public Schools. In addition to six principal changes for the coming school year, all of the district’s West Seattle/South Park principals will have a new supervisor – 
Carmela Dellino (right) is leaving her job as the Executive Director of Schools for the Southwest Region after one year.
News of this first emerged in an open discussion on the Seattle Schools Community Forum website over the weekend (thanks to the WSB’ers who called that to our attention!); we have just confirmed it with Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Teresa Wippel. She tells WSB that Dellino, who was principal of West Seattle’s Roxhill Elementary School before taking the district management job, announced it in a note to co-workers. Here is an excerpt Wippel shared:
It is with mixed emotions that I send this email to all of you. After much reflection and discussion with my family, I have made the decision to pursue the opportunity to work for the City of Seattle and support the elementary schools that are the Family and Education Levy recipients.
Throughout the last five years I have truly enjoyed working with and learning from you. I feel honored to have worked with such an outstanding group of educators who are dedicated to closing the opportunity and achievement gaps. I experienced a great deal of joy over the last 5 years, serving the children, families, principals, staff, and communities of West Seattle and the southeast region. Additionally, my central office colleagues were always there for me and I am deeply appreciative of the support and guidance I received. Without a doubt, I learned so much from everyone. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with outstanding principals and educational teams in the committed efforts for ALL students’ success. I feel lucky that I can continue to be affiliated with many of you.
Thank you for your support, partnership and dedication to serving our students. I wish each and every one of you the very best.
Dellino’s appointment as this area’s Executive Director was announced almost exactly one year ago. That was one month after her predecessor in the role, Aurora Lora, announced she was leaving, after two years, for a job in Texas. SPS has not yet announced the plan for a replacement (or search for one). In each of the “regions” served by Seattle Public Schools, principals report to an Executive Director; here in what the district considers the Southwest Region, six of the 16 schools are changing principals for next year – Chief Sealth International High School, Madison Middle School, and Alki, Gatewood, Lafayette, and Sanislo Elementary Schools.
ADDED 4:42 PM: We sought more information about Dellino’s new job. We learned from the city that it’s a position as an Elementary School Innovation Consultant for the city’s Office for Education, working with schools that are receiving Innovation funds under the Families and Education Levy, and she’s expected to start in early August; it’s an existing position that became open when someone left recently.
(Click image for full-size PDF view)
The neighborhood council for the areas at the epicenter of West Seattle’s major changes is getting ready to re-launch. The Junction Neighborhood Organization – JuNO – has been dormant a while for a variety of reasons, but is getting ready to re-launch – and making this call for involvement:
Do you live in the West Seattle Urban Hub? Do you love West Seattle and envision a beautiful Junction and Triangle community?
If yes, then you can join your West Seattle Junction Neighborhood Organization: JuNO!
JuNO is a community group from the Alaska Junction and Triangle neighborhoods who volunteer to make this neighborhood the best to live, work, and play in!
In 5 years, will we still have parades, street fairs, and Halloween at the Junction? Will we have enough parks and green space with the new developments? How can parking and beautification be addressed with the City? Can we preserve our community feel and manage density and development? JuNO is a neighborhood advocacy group that provides a voice for sensible growth. Join JuNO and be a part of shaping our growing community!
7/16 – Pre-Launch Meeting
Seeking interested individuals to be actively involved on the board and on committees … we will be forming a new leadership team for 2013!7/23 – First Juno Meeting of 2013
Hot topics you want to discuss? Attend and let us know what matters most to you.Both meetings will be held at the West Seattle Senior Center, 4217 SW Oregon, from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Alhadeff room.
We look forward to seeing you!
René Commons
Interim Director
wsjuno@yahoo.com
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Junction streets and bus stops are back open after three spectacular days of fun at West Seattle Summer Fest – thanks yet again to everyone who made it happen, visitors included! Now, back to something resembling a routine … No announced closures/road work this week – but remember that next Saturday (July 20th) brings the Float Dodger 5K, Rotary Kiddie Parade, and West Seattle Grand Parade; we’ll talk about the accompanying changes/closures starting tomorrow.
More major summer events ahead this week – starting with Tuesday night’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park. Bring a chair/blanket to the east lawn of 
Hiawatha Community Center/Park (the Walnut Avenue side) and enjoy the West Seattle Big Band at 7 pm Tuesday (July 16th). Hi-Yu royalty will be there – so, though the concert’s free, bring a few dollars if you can and buy a button to support the city’s last traveling community float (which you’ll subsequently see in next Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade). During a break in the music on Tuesday, you’ll also get a chance to applaud this year’s Orville Rummel Community Service Award honoree, local watershed advocate (and more) Judy Pickens, who will also be in the parade, with the trophy that’s being presented Tuesday. Hope to see you at the concert Tuesday – it’ll be a great way to cool down after a day that just might make it into the mid-80s.
Thanks to Don Brubeck from West Seattle Bike Connections for sharing photos from today’s “Mini-STP” bicycle ride – a family-friendly ride for those who didn’t make it to the Seattle-to-Portland megaride this weekend. Above, they gathered at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, near the Seattle (Street) start in North Admiral; below, the Portland (Street) stop in Gatewood:
Don reports, “About 30 riders made it from SW Seattle St to SW Portland Street in about an hour, and were at West Seattle Summer Fest in another 45 minutes and a nice easy pace.” Once there, a transportation discussion ensued at the GreenLife zone. You can see more photos on the WSBC Facebook page.
The date is now set for a public meeting focusing on a proposed development project in Alki that would not have been the subject of a meeting if area residents hadn’t requested one. We first reported in April on neighbors gathering signatures to convince the city to schedule a meeting about 11 residential “rowhouse” units proposed at 2414 55th SW; then in May, we published a followup with word that the city agreed to host a meeting. Now, neighbor Marie McKinsey says the meeting is set for 6:30 pm this coming Wednesday, July 17th, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, “to give residents an opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the rowhouse project proposed … Comments can be written, oral or both. All will become part of the public record on this project.” McKinsey’s been researching the situation and writing about it online; she even maps out an alternative for the site. Everyone’s welcome at the Wednesday meeting, by the way; Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.
(Photo courtesy Scott Taylor – thanks!)
5:51 PM: A power-pole problem – reported a few hours ago as “wires down” – has led police to block off Bonair just south of Alki Avenue (map), so you can’t turn onto Bonair from Alki, and you can’t get to Alki from Bonair. No ETA for a fix; we’ll check back at the scene later.
10:48 PM UPDATE: As of about half an hour ago, Luke Trier reports – sharing the photo below – the crew’s still “working tirelessly”:
11:14 PM UPDATE: An update from Luke – the crews are gone and it appears the pole’s fixed and the road’s open.
Even if you’ve already been to West Seattle Summer Fest this year, come on down one more time before it’s over! Thanks to Krista for sharing the top photo – “beautiful day in The Junction,” she noted; so true! Music, shopping, food, art, and more – it’s all here, until 5 pm. Art, by the way, is here to observe, to purchase, and to create – Jessie shared this photo from the kids’ area by Wells Fargo, where youth can create along with Young At Art:
For our quick links to info – see our first morning report. And we would love to share your festival photos too – share them by e-mail at editor@westseattleblog.com, or via the WSB Facebook page.
1:38 PM NOTE: From Don Bereiter at Prudential NW Realty (WSB sponsor), whose booth has a fun game to check out: “For every child that participates, we are donating a can of food to the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks. 979 so far. Come on out and help a great cause!” (added) Here’s Tom Root and Chariti McEndoe photographed late in the day – note the counter’s gone up:
2:40 PM UPDATE: The last musical act of the day, The Jellyrollers, is scheduled to start right about now. Earlier, we caught Jazzberry with a young fan up front:
Summer Fest has been a bit lighter on political visitors than past years, but we’ve seen two mayoral candidates so far at the Info Booth – Mayor Mike McGinn, talking with, at right, Dave Montoure and Nancy Woodland from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce:
And State Sen. Ed Murray, photographed talking with Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association:
WSJA, by the way, presents Summer Fest every year. Meantime, outside West Seattle Optix, balloon-making was in full swing earlier:
And there’s still time to get down and meet representatives of businesses, organizations, and service providers – we photographed Lisa at the Highline Medical (WSB sponsor) booth, handing out reusable bags.
More to come in the final few hours!
3:42 PM UPDATE: Just got a chance to upload video from today’s first performance onstage – that’s Rat City Brass! The festival is still crowded yet mellow. SPD Lt. Ron Smith, who heads up the on-site Summer Fest patrol, tells us there have been no major problems (and few minor ones) throughout the three days. As for the rest of West Seattle – we’ll get an update tomorrow, when the Southwest Precinct hosts the mayor, as the precincts around the city have been doing, for the latest on the Safe Communities project.
4:35 PM UPDATE: Down to the last half-hour, already. Another politician visited a little while ago:
With County Executive Dow Constantine – who said he had been making the rounds of festivals, including Kent Cornucopia Days earlier in the day – that’s Hamilton Gardiner and Jerome Cohen with him, both in the Info Booth today as community volunteers representing the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
5:04 PM UPDATE: And Summer Fest is a wrap for 2013. Thanks to everyone who’s been part of it – whether visitor, vendor, exhibitor, performer, staffer, local year-round merchant, volunteer, law enforcer, sponsor, etc. … it’s been awesome. We’ll have an update later tonight when the streets reopen – it’ll take a few hours for cleanup/breakdown/loadout.
P.S. Just for fun, we have a photo album on the WSB Facebook page with some of the dogs spotted at Summer Fest – see it here.
11 am is the official start time today for the final day of West Seattle’s biggest event of the year, Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB). And there’s more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today. Here are the Sunday highlights, starting with festival-info links:
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST, DAY 3: Toplines:
*Hours today – 11 am-5 pm
*Metro bus-stop changes, linked route-by-route here
*Music – Here’s (the lineup) – today’s first act is bound to be a highlight, Rat City Brass at 11:50 am; last scheduled act on the California stage is The Jellyrollers at 2:40 pm, but you’ll find musicians elsewhere during the day too – maybe even these two who were performing outside La Romanza Bistro (WSB sponsor) on Saturday (or catch them during La Romanza’s regularly scheduled musical meals):
*GreenLife: Find GreenLife on the south side of the festival zone; see the demonstration/event schedule here, with an encore of “Illuminatio – ‘Slavery of the System'” at 4 pm – here’s our Friday video snippet:
The GreenLife day begins with “Cooking in Season,” 11 am.
*Vendors/exhibitors: Here’s the directory (use the column titles to sort alphabetically or numerically)
*Map to booths: Vendors/exhibitors map is here (PDF; we’re not listed because WSB is headquartered in the Information Booth for the 6th consecutive year)
*Kid Zone: On Alaska WEST of California, where the food used to be; $20 for unlimited rides all day; same hours as festival, 11 am-5 pm
*Food: On Alaska EAST of California (sort the vendor list by “location” and click ahead to the pages starting 151 and 176 for the “F” as in “food” entries – earlier in the list, note “Sidewalk Cafes” too at )
*Art Dive: North side of the zone, north of SW Oregon
ALSO HAPPENING TODAY…
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Same hours, same spot! 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska – enjoy Summer Fest AND the market.
MINI-“STP” BIKE RIDE: Family-friendly, fun, AND headed for Summer Fest! Meet at Hamilton Viewpoint Park at 9:45 am; ride starts at 10 am. Traveling California SW from Seattle (Street) to Portland (Street). Then at 11 am, join a discussion about local greenways and more with West Seattle Bike Connections at the GreenLife zone at Summer Fest! Details in our calendar listing.
More on the WSB calendar!
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Open for free tours, 1-4 pm today.
It’s the third and final day of West Seattle Summer Fest, so, here again for quick reference are the road/bus-stop changes, as well as what’s up if you’re leaving the peninsula:
ROAD CLOSURES: For the festival, California SW is closed between Genesee and Edmunds (except for through traffic on SW Oregon) and along SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd.
METRO BUS CHANGES: All listed here; also, here are direct links to Metro’s PDFs with individual routes’ reroute info:
*RapidRide C Line
*Route 22
*Route 37
*Route 50
*Route 55
*Route 57
*Route 128
*Route 773 (Water Taxi shuttle)
While the festival is officially over at 5 pm, it takes hours more to get everything cleared, so the road/bus changes are officially scheduled until almost midnight (though things might get back to normal sooner, and we’ll be monitoring).
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OFF-PENINSULA: The 520 Bridge/Highway 405 closure info is here; alerts for big events around the city are here.
The women’s-soccer team that’s played its home games in Seattle this summer has made it to the finals of the Northwest playoffs! Thanks to Jissy for the photo and first word that AC Seattle won its match tonight, 1-0, over Tualatin Hills United Soccer Club, to make it into the championship game, which will be played tomorrow (Sunday) night against Issaquah in Duvall. P.S.
We recorded Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands around 5 pm, just as West Seattle Summer Fest, night 2, began. Once again tonight, 8 pm is the official end time for booths and most activities), but some, like the community groups, have rolled up for the night. It’s been sunny all day and on into the evening, not too hot, a perfect Seattle summer Saturday.
ADDED 7:20 PM: Thanks to Will Wharton for sharing this photo via the WSB Facebook page – a police officer handing out stickers to kids at Summer Fest:
When you get 10,000 people in one place at one time, it’s no small task to help make sure things stay lively but peaceful. Meantime, speaking of lively, our crew is just back from recording some video during Hobosexual‘s performance. (added – here it is):
More big smiles we saw today – Anna was selling LED light-up bows at Forsythe Studio:
We have a few more Saturday scenes to add later. But it’s after 8 pm, and the booths are closing up – music continues until about 11, with the Street Dance, featuring Whisky River at 10 pm.
Two Sunday notes: Yes, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on as usual tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm; Summer Fest itself does not officially open until 11 am, and closes at 5 pm.
Thanks to Anne and Lawrence for the tips on a police response between Morgan Junction and Lincoln Park. We’ve talked to police here at West Seattle Summer Fest and they say there was a report of someone seen with what looked like a gun, going into the park, so police were searching at last report.
(Postscript – we asked about it on Sunday; it was determined to have been someone with an Airsoft gun.)
Still time to get to Skylark Café to help friends and family raise money for Logan Wicker‘s recovery, post-crash (backstory in our report from earlier), continuing until 6 pm. Big turnout, and they were taking group shots displaying “L” for Logan.
Skylark proprietor Jessie SK tells us there’ll be a nighttime benefit later this month, with karaoke – watch for more details on that. There’s also donation information online at getrightlogan.com.
We’re live at West Seattle Summer Fest again today, covering it from the Information Booth in the heart of The Junction as it happens. Biggest event of the day so far – fans of Caspar Babypants thronged Junction Plaza Park for his performance; in case you missed it, we have a song on video, above. Spectacular sunny day in The Junction, and it’s been busy since the start – come on down and see your neighbors and friends!
Sticker update: Unfortunately, we’ve just been told the first run of WEST SEATTLE- WE HAVE THAT stickers has run out. Checking on plans for a second run.
ADDED 1:03 PM: If you’re bringing your dog to Summer Fest – more than a few have passed by – see Furry Faces Foundation in the Community Tent – between our spot in the Info Booth and the kids’ zone on the west stub of Alaska:
They’re making pet tags for the amazingly low price of $5, to increase the chance your pet will be returned home if s/he gets lost. Find them there till 6 today and 11-5 tomorrow. Also in the pet department – West Seattle See Dogs is with The Kenney (WSB sponsor) today – here’s Vanessa the guide puppy:
Ruth from West Seattle See Dogs says they desperately need new puppy raisers to sign up – so stop by to find out more, or contact her through Facebook.
Meantime, wander down to GreenLife to see The Whale Trail – with a chance for kids to create some art:
That’s TWT founder Donna Sandstrom with a young artist and with TWT’s papier-maché orca.
1:56 PM UPDATE: Speaking of marine mammals, Seal Sitters is setting up on the west side of the information booth – which has become spillover from the Community Tent across the way:
Also back here at California/Alaska, you’ll find the West Seattle High School Cheerleaders along with a setup offering WSHS alumni merchandise:
If you hear random cheering – it just might be them. Or maybe you’re hearing music and it’s nowhere near a stage – perhaps it’s members of the West Seattle Community Orchestras:
By the way, if you’re looking for information on other summer events around West Seattle – here in the info booth, we have info on all that too – West Seattle Outdoor Movies, which start next Saturday, for example (which is also the day of the West Seattle Grand Parade and the West Seattle Rotary-presented Kiddie Parade preceding it).
4:03 PM: And we’re on to the late afternoon! Still a tremendous turnout. Some observers who are here year after year say this seems to be the busiest Saturday ever. SPD says it’s peaceful, and so far as we’ve heard, we’d concur. Sights and sounds everywhere. Midblock north of Alaska, you’ll find the West Seattle Hi-Yu “Alki Deep” float:
That’s Senior Court Queen April. If you miss the float during Summer Fest, you’ll see it here on California SW again during the West Seattle Grand Parade next Saturday (starting from California/Lander at 11 am and traveling south to California/Edmunds). P.S. Buy a Hi-Yu button to support our city’s last traveling community float – this very one.
4:59 PM: Gerald Collier, performing earlier this afternoon:
Tonight’s music highlights include The Blakes at 5:40 pm, Hobosexual at 6:40 pm, and Whisky River for the Street Dance at 10 pm. We’ll have an evening update started shortly, as Summer Fest’s second (and usually biggest) day continues.
West Seattle Summer Fest day 2 is on, with street entertainment (that’s what’s in our video above) as well as scheduled music, demonstrations, and lots more! Here are some miscellaneous notes about what’s happening today
MUSIC: Caspar Babypants coming up at 11 am in Junction Plaza Park. See links here for the full schedule.
GET YOUR ‘WEST SEATTLE – WE HAVE THAT!’ STICKER: At the info booth, where WSB team members and community-group volunteers (today, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is helping out) can be found, at the heart of California/Alaska.
ALSO GET YOUR WSB INFO CARD: We’ve long been asked for a card that’s not just a standard business card, but includes information on how to use WSB for everything from a breaking-news tip to a lost/found-pet notice to a yard-sale announcement. Pick one up along with your WS – We Have That! sticker.
REST STOP FOR PARENTS: There are two – Nurturing Expressions’ booth near Puerto Vallarta and Northwest Art and Frame, and City Mouse Studio’s storefront on SW Alaska just west of Junction Plaza Park.
COMMUNITY TENT: It’s just west of our spot at the Information Booth, on the west side of California and Alaska. Among those on hand today; West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network and West Seattle Be Prepared.
WEST SEATTLE SEE DOGS: They’ll be with The Kenney (WSB sponsor) just north of Easy Street Records
(northwest side of California/Alaska), a chance for you to meet their seeing-eye puppies. Kids’ art project, too!
THE WHALE TRAIL: Here today too! In the GreenLife zone on the southwest edge of the festival – in the lot just north of Technical Analysis at California/Edmunds. They’re also having kids’ art, and your chance to see a papier-maché orca, among other things.
BOOK SALES: Two places where you will find books for a great price during the sidewalk sale – Pegasus Book Exchange, with thousands of hardcovers and paperbacks for $1 each during Summer Fest, and Merryweather Books. Both are on the west side of California SW, between Oregon and Alaska.
‘RUBY ROOM’ BENEFIT: Cherry Consignment on the east side of California just north of the festival zone has a sale today that’s raising money to help young people via the Ruby Room.
We’ll be adding more! See our “West Seattle Saturday” preview for key festival links.
Skylark Café and Club is hosting a benefit this afternoon/evening for employee Logan Wicker, who suffered major injuries three weeks ago while driving home from work, when an alleged drunk driver (who got out of jail yesterday) hit his car. It’s happening 2-6 pm, and all ages are welcome; in addition to live music, there are numerous silent-auction and raffle items up for grabs. Some are listed and shown on the official Facebook page for the event; also, as just received from organizers:
Here is a list of some of the items that will be raffled and auctioned today at during the benefit for Logan Wicker. We will also be calling the silent auction at staggered times between 3:30pm and 5pm (does not have to be present to win) and we will have the raffle items split into 3 different raffle pulls at 3, 3:45, 4:45 (must be present to win). The raffle tickets are good for all pulls so 3 chances to win!
Auction Items
1. Earl Thomas Signed Seahawks Helmet
2. X-box and 2 Brand New Games
3. Art by Dee Wicker “Car”
4. Art by Dee Wicker “Goth Bat”
5. Art by Dee Wicker “Gas Pump”
6. Art by Dee Wicker “Tractor”
7. 8 Hours Basic Landscaping Services, Including Consultation and Use of Green Products
8. 90 Min Swedish Massage
9. 1 hour Professional Photography Session
10. Mariners Ticket Package for Four + Parking Pass
11. Wine & Cheese Tasting Package @ Apex Winery in Woodinville
12. Brass Cannon
13. Beatles Rock Band for Play Station
14. Sounders Signed Soccer Ball with Certification of AuthenticityRaffle Items
$20 Talarico’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$20 Talarico’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$25 University Bookstore Gift Card
$50 Yard House Gift Card
$25 100 Bistro Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
Dr. Pepper Snowboard
Rainier Beer Hoodie
Community Fitness 4 Class Pass
$50 Angelina’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$65 Facial
$25 3rd Place Bookstore Gift Card+ Handmade West Seattle Blanket
$25 100 Bistro Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
West Seattle Bowl Gift Certificate for 1 Hour of Bowling + Shoes for 4 People
$25 Luna Park Gift Card + Luna Park T-Shirt
PBR Beach Umbrella
$20 Talarico’s Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
$75 Aveda Spa Gift Card
$25 100 Bistro Gift Card + 2 Movie Tickets
Seattle Logo Pro Shop Gift Bag Including Men’s Shirt, Women’s Shirt, Sweatshirt, Hat, Stickers + Bag (T-Shirts can be exchanged for different sizes)
Tyee Golf Package + Golf Bag
Rainier Sleeping Bag
Skylark is at 3803 Delridge Way SW.
West Seattle’s biggest event of the year, Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB), goes into Day 2 in about an hour and a half. But that’s not the only event on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today. Here’s a quick overview of Saturday highlights:
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST, DAY 2: We’ll have a comprehensive preview up soon – but here are toplines:
*Hours today – 10 am-8 pm (with music running later)
*Metro bus-stop changes, linked route-by-route here
*Music highlights – Caspar Babypants at 11 am in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska); street dance tonight, including Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Whiskey River at 10 pm; lineup (see it here) also includes Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands at 4:40 pm and Hobosexual at 6:30 pm
GreenLife demo schedule: Find GreenLife on the south side of the festival zone; see the demonstration/event schedule here
*Vendors/exhibitors: Here’s the directory (use the column titles to sort alphabetically or numerically)
*Map to booths: Vendors/exhibitors map is here (PDF; we’re not listed because you’ll find WSB in the Information Booth for the 6th consecutive year)
*Kid Zone: On Alaska WEST of California, where the food used to be; $20 for one day of unlimited rides; same hours as festival, 10 am-8 pm
*Food: On Alaska EAST of California (sort the vendor list by “location” and click ahead to the pages starting 151 and 176 for the “F” as in “food” entries – earlier in the list, note “Sidewalk Cafes” too)
*Art Dive: North side of the zone, north of SW Oregon
Also happening today/tonight:
PET ELEMENTS GRAND RE-OPENING: The store has been in its new location for a few weeks but today’s the official celebration, in conjunction with their 8th anniversary, 10 am-6 pm, details in our calendar listing.
(added) BENEFIT BBQ FOR WESTSIDE BABY: Today’s benefit barbecue at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) raises money for WestSide Baby (who, by the way, you will also find at Summer Fest, just outside Easy Street Records north of California/Alaska) – starts at 11 am. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan, look for canopy outside store)
CLASS FOR HOME BUYERS: At High Point Library 11 am-4 pm today, taught by Rhonda Porter (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (35th/Raymond)
VOLUNTEER AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Informational event for prospective volunteers, 11 am today – details in our preview. (61st/Stevens)
DOG ADOPTION EVENT: Emerald City Pet Rescue has an adoption event continuing today, 11 am-5 pm, at VCA West Seattle Veterinary Hospital:
They will have many small dogs of all breeds and ages looking for loving new local homes! All dogs are completely up to date on Exams, vaccines, spayed/neutered and ready for new homes. Available dogs can be seen on the rescue website at www.emeraldcitypetrescue.org There is a home and reference check for all potential adoptive families to be completed prior to adoption.
(5261 California SW)
CAT ADOPTION: Kitty Harbor is open for cat adoptions noon-6 pm today on just north of the West Seattle Bridge. (3422 Harbor SW)
ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Via Twitter, the Coast Guard Auxiliary says the lighthouse IS open for tours both days this weekend! 1-4 pm; details in our calendar listing. (Just north of where Alki Ave/Beach Drive meet)
BENEFIT FOR LOGAN WICKER: Crash survivor Logan Wicker‘s workplace, Skylark Café and Club, is the site for today’s all-ages “Big Benefit for Big L” fundraiser for his ongoing medical expenses, 2-6 pm. Separate preview coming up with details on the long list of silent-auction items that organizers have procured. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘THE WAY OUT’: The Acrobatic Conundrum‘s show continues tonight at 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Details in the calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
A witness who wanted to be anonymous reports a hit-and-run Thursday night:
I was traveling West on Fauntleroy just past the Morgan Junction when 1 car with three teenagers come around the corner heading east on Fauntleroy going about 70 mph are fishtailing around the corner. The driver overcompensates and fish tails into on coming traffic just missing me, but hitting the SUV behind me head on. I pull off the road looking to give aid and act as a witness to the entire accident when I see the teenagers start to flee the scene in the car pictured (above). I see them turn down that side street and knowing it’s a loop I can head them off at the next street, so I go and block their escape with my truck. I pull up just as the driver is opening the door for his passenger. The driver run into a neighbor’s yard while his two passengers head straight toward me acting as if they’re just taking a walk in the park. I dial 911 and tell them I am holding two kids involved in the hit and run. A neighbor gives assistance, but one kid runs off while I keep the other by the shirt collar.
Police then arrived, the witness reports, but we haven’t yet found a related police report, so we don’t know whether an arrest ensued, or whether the other suspects were found. The Seattle Fire log entry for the crash shows an engine dispatched but not a medic unit dispatched, which generally means no major injuries.
Meantime, a bicycle-theft victim shares a surveillance photo, in hopes you might recognize the thief:
This tipster says the theft happened back in May – the timestamp is accurate – but hasn’t been solved yet, so he’s distributing the photo. The building where it happened is near 54th and Alki. If you have any information, contact Seattle Police and refer to incident #13-162005.
FOUND BICYCLE: These often tend to be stolen bikes, so in case someone is looking for this one, here is the information sent by Leah:
We found a women’s mountain bike, maker Norco, in the street (Wednesday) morning just north of the waters towers on 35th and Myrtle. There is an intact cable lock wrapped around the base of the bike. If it’s yours, please email us at llacivita@hotmail.com and let us know what the color is.
We usually only publish a traffic/transit alert on weekday mornings, but we’re adding them this weekend too because of the West Seattle Summer Fest road closures/bus changes and a few other notes.
ROAD CLOSURES: For the festival, California SW is closed between Genesee and Edmunds (except for through traffic on SW Oregon) and along SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd.
METRO BUS CHANGES: All listed here; also, here are direct links to Metro’s PDFs with individual routes’ reroute info:
*RapidRide C Line
*Route 22
*Route 37
*Route 50
*Route 55
*Route 57
*Route 128
*Route 773 (Water Taxi shuttle)
OFF-PENINSULA: The 520 Bridge/Highway 405 closure info is here; alerts for big events around the city are here.
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ADDED 8:44 AM: Delridge exit from westbound high bridge is currently blocked by a crash. Thanks to @jamesmahler for the tip via Twitter. Keep an eye on the west-facing bridge cam on the WSB Traffic page to see if it’s cleared.
We’re always happy to publish wedding and anniversary announcements – and this one is momentous: 60 years of marriage for a West Seattle couple who tonight is sharing that news with the community:
John and Lois Constantine marked their 60th wedding anniversary on June 14 in Paris. The longtime West Seattleites were joined by their family for the occasion. The couple then embarked on a celebratory river cruise along the Seine through northern France to the Normandy coast.
John Philip Constantine, formerly of New York, and Lois Adele Wilson, of Everett, wed on June 14, 1953 at the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority house at the University of Washington.
Following college, they settled in West Seattle, where they raised their sons Dow and Blair.
Lois taught Home Economics at James Madison Jr. High and West Seattle High School. John, a visual artist, taught college art and art history, retiring from North Seattle Community College. The Constantines remain active in the West Seattle community.
Congratulations, and may you share many more!
Could be a great way to start your weekend: Spend two hours at the Log House Museum Saturday morning:
Want to learn more — and help others learn more — about the West Seattle peninsula? Volunteer!
Like to interact with people? Fix computers? Update databases? Make small repairs? Transcribe interviews? Shoot videos and still photos? Plan events? Teach school children? Get a glimpse of our community’s past?
And do you have time to volunteer? The Southwest Seattle Historical Society needs you!
The next Volunteer Introduction Session for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (July 13) at the organization’s Log House Museum.
Whether you have lived here one year or 50, come learn about how to turn your desires and skills into meaningful tasks that will help preserve and promote the heritage of West Seattle and the greater Duwamish peninsula. It’s a way to look to the future helping others explore West Seattle’s past.
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which operates the Log House Museum, offers this introduction to volunteering, led by Clay Eals, executive director. It will include a brief primer on West Seattle history. The museum is one block from Alki Beach, at 61st and Stevens. More info: 206-938-5293, loghousemuseum.info.
One week from tomorrow, a public dedication is planned for the machine that will dig the Highway 99 tunnel, known as “Bertha.” Today, West Seattleite Vlad Oustimovitch, who has been on the advisory committee for the project and related transportation issues, got a preview in a launch-pit tour – and is sharing his photos. Three more up-close photos – and some updated info – ahead:
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