West Seattle, Washington
28 Saturday
Six West Seattle and White Center restaurants are signed on for this year’s Dining Out for Life fundraiser for Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Participants in West Seattle are Buddha Ruksa, Eats Market Café, Skylark Café and Club, and Talarico’s; participating restaurants in White Center are Company and Proletariat Pizza. The event is this Thursday (April 25th), and all six of are participating at dinnertime, donating 30 percent of their proceeds (at Skylark, it’s 50 percent).
From Olympia: 34th District House Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon – who is on the House Transportation Committee – says the committee passed a package of transportation-funding bills today, and tells WSB he “was able to help amend the bill to add some projects of local significance.” Keep in mind, this isn’t anywhere near final approval, but right now, here’s some of what he says the bills now contain:
*$125,000 for safety improvements at the notorious 47th & Admiral intersection.
*$500,000 for safety improvements on the West Seattle Bridge bike trail
*$33 million for improvements to Metro Route 120
*$15 million to split RapidRide C and RapidRide D – this will significantly improve reliability on both routes and add a new bus connection between West Seattle and South Lake Union
*Authorization for King County to seek the full 1.5% motor vehicle excise tax for transit (60%) and local roads (40%), subject to voter approval. This will enable Metro to maintain current levels of service.
That last one is related to the dire dollar situation outlined by Metro Transit general manager Kevin Desmond at his media briefing three weeks ago (WSB coverage here). Regarding the biggest proposal on the list, Route 120 improvements, Rep. Fitzgibbon says the money is proposed to “leverage nearly completed speed and reliability enhancements supported by the State Regional Mobility Grant Program to serve a rapidly growing ridership base of over 8,000 daily riders. Implementing RapidRide in the corridor would provide additional enhancements such as real-time information and off-board fare payment. An investment of service hours would be required to get to frequency levels of 10 minutes or better in the high commute times and 15 minutes all day.” We’re still waiting for all the fine print on today’s action to appear online; the bills involved are HB 1954 and 1955, according to Rep. Fitzgibbon, who says their next stop is the Rules Committee.
ADDED 4:02 PM: A group of local politicians and advocates is planning to head to Olympia tomorrow morning to lobby for this to make it the rest of the way through the Legislature. They’re planning a 10:30 am media briefing; County Executive Dow Constantine and City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw are among them.
(Honey-bee swarm photographed in Genesee last year by Ute Herzel-Harding)
On this Earth Day, here’s a simple way to take action – save this information about what to do if you encounter a honey-bee swarm. Don’t panic – don’t be afraid – do report them to beekeepers who can give them a new home, which is what some bees are looking for at this time of year. Here’s expert advice from Puget Sound Beekeepers Association president Krista Conner, who happens to be a West Seattleite:
Puget Sound Beekeepers Association wants you to be prepared to help the bees!
With recent losses of bee populations worldwide, seeing a few bees around the garden is something to celebrate. But what do you do when a few thousand bees show up?
Most swarms are the size of a football, more or less.
Longer days bring a surge of blooming trees and flowers which create a short window of time for healthy honey bee colonies to split and create new colonies. This split happens when honey bees swarm: roughly 10-15 thousand bees and their queen will leave an existing colony and land upon a tree branch or side of building. Once there, this mass of bees can resemble a very large pine cone or football shaped mass. Swarming is the natural process that honey bee hives go through to create new colonies and spread their genetics to new locations.
Honey bee swarms are vulnerable outside the hive to weather, animals and more importantly people. They need to find a new home quickly. In a rural setting this is usually a hollow tree but in the city with loss of habitat this can take the form of a wall or attic of a house where they become a problem for homeowners.
If you encounter a swarm it is important to remain calm and to call a beekeeper quickly before the bees leave to a new home or take up residence in an undesirable location. It is important to not kill or disturb the honey bees by spraying pesticides or even water on them.
Puget Sound Beekeepers Association offers the community a “swarm list” – a list of beekeepers who are willing to collect swarms. The swarm list should be your first resource to manage a honey bee swarm. Swarm collection usually is provided for free if the bees are within easy reach and are not inside a wall or house. Follow the directions on the list for confirming help is on the way. While you wait for the beekeeper, the best thing you can do is get your camera ready and make sure people stay 10-15 feet away from the swarm.
When a beekeeper arrives they will remove the swarm by transferring them into a hive box. Bees in a swarm are less likely to sting because they have nothing to defend and are gorged with honey so they have energy to build a new colony. The beekeeper may work bare-handed or in a full suit to transfer the football sized swarm of bees into a hive with a shake of a branch or by the handful if they are on a wall. Once the majority of the bees are in the hive the beekeeper will wait for any stray bees to find their way into the hive box before closing the hive up to take to their new home.
Here and anywhere in the greater Seattle area, please refer to the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association swarm list to find a swarm-catching beekeeper: pugetsoundbees.org/psba-swarm-list
Thanks for helping the bees!
Puget Sound Beekeepers Association
An announcement from the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council reminds us of one other event tonight – the citywide public hearing on how the next round of Opportunity Fund dollars from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy should be spent. The levy’s Oversight Committee – with two members from West Seattle, chair Pete Spalding and Dorsol Plants – is having the hearing 6-9 pm at Miller Community Center (330 19th Ave. E.; map) on Capitol Hill (here’s the Parks announcement), and it’s a chance for people to speak out in support of projects that didn’t make the tentative cut as well as those that did. (Here’s a Parks FAQ about how the hearing’s supposed to work.)
Currently, the two projects in our region that are on the committee’s draft list for funding (see it here) are at Camp Long and in South Park – but the committee hasn’t drawn up its final list yet, and even once it has, there’s the possibility of funding from other related sources. Ahead, the GSNC’s pitch for why it’s hoping for a show of support tonight regarding the projects in its area:
Thanks to Gary Jones for sharing the beautiful bald-eagle view from Alki! As we take off into a new week, here’s some of what’s ahead today:
BAKERY NOUVEAU OPENS ON CAPITOL HILL: Our fellow community-collaborative news site CapitolHillSeattle.com reports that Bakery Nouveau‘s Capitol Hill location planned to open its doors at 8 this morning. (15th & John)
PET FOOD DRIVE ALL WEEK: West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor) is among the schools back in session today, and that means its pet-food donation drive continues. As reported here just before spring break, community members are welcome to drop off donated pet food as a contribution to the drive, too. (11215 15th SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL: Go support the division-leading West Seattle High School varsity baseball team while they get a TV spotlight. From parent Greg Slader:
Monday’s game at Hiawatha featuring Metro Division leaders West Seattle 10-1 (Sound Division) and Eastside Catholic 9-2 (Mountain Division) will be on TV! Comcast Xfinity “on Demand” will be filming for a Future episode of High School Sports Seattle.
That game’s at 3:30 pm at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW). Check the Metro League schedule for other games.
RUN FOR BOSTON: One week after the Boston Marathon bombings, support/tribute runs are happening around the country tonight. West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is organizing one that’ll start from its store at 6 pm. All welcome, no matter what your pace. (California/Charlestown)
DELRIDGE GROCERY: The monthly meeting for those involved – or interested in getting involved – with the future co-op grocery store is at 6:30 tonight, Delridge Library, with a focus on volunteer help – not just for when the store opens, but now, as preparations continue. Here’s our preview. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
FAMILY STORY TIME: Tonight you and your kids are invited to enjoy story time at High Point Library – 7 pm, free! (35th/Raymond)
Nightlife – trivia and pub quiz at multiple locations! – and more, on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Spring break for Seattle Public Schools (and independent schools following its calendar) is over, so please watch out for school buses, kids walking/biking to school, and the usual campus dropoff spots.
This week brings a fair amount of road work, too:
*Highway 99 north of downtown has various overnight closures tonight through Thursday night – details and detours here
*North of the tunnel, Highway 99 has lane restrictions and sidewalk closures starting today, as part of the Mercer project – details here
*SW 106th repaving in Arbor Heights is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday – details here
*California SW repaving between Dawson (signage goes to the northwest side) and Findlay is scheduled for Thursday and Friday – details here
*Delridge/Thistle weekend-long closure is scheduled to start Friday night – details here
(Young female Cooper’s Hawk photographed in Lincoln Park recently by Trileigh Tucker)
Think you know everything there is to know about West Seattle’s treasured Lincoln Park? We’ll be so bold as to guarantee you’ll learn something new Tuesday night, during the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s first event in the two-part “Celebrate Lincoln Park” series. Come to The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW) to learn about its past, its future, its wildlife, and its ecological importance, via informational tables and speakers. Tables will be set up at 6:30 pm; 7-8 pm, you’ll hear from Seattle Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams, local historian Judy Pickens, Seattle University Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Trileigh Tucker, and Friends of Lincoln Park President Sharon Baker.
Then next Saturday (April 27), it’s part two – and there are new details since we first published the announcement:
Celebrate Lincoln Park, Part II on Saturday, April 27, will take advantage of a minus 2.6-foot tide to help park visitors see and learn about sea life along the beach, in the water, and in the forest. Volunteer beach naturalists and Seal Sitters, plus staff from the Seattle Aquarium, will be on hand. Local experts in birds, marine life, plants, ecology, nature photography, and art will lead nature walks and creative activities in the forested upper part of the park. Bring your binoculars, sketchbooks, pencils, etc. Special activities will be available for children. The four-hour window for participating will be 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, with walks and workshops beginning at 11:00, noon, and 1:00. All activities will start in the south part of the park. Signs and volunteers will direct visitors to activities.
For both parts of Celebrate Lincoln Park, everything is free.
Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes this time around. First up, a “dog” stolen from a porch along 59th SW across from Alki Playfield:
That’s local guitar teacher Richie Jenkin and “Fire,” the big stuffed dog who has long been a fixture on his porch – till now:
I was out of town and upon my return I saw that my “dog” Fire, who sits on my porch 24/7 bringing moments of amusement and pleasure to many folks as they walk to and from the beach, had disappeared. I hope whoever took Fire is enjoying, yet I would somehow love to have Fire back if they care to return, no questions asked.
On the flip side, a suspected stolen item that’s been found – by Ted:
Folks should contact me – ted.ellis@gmail.com – for a Baby Trends stroller that appears was dumped in front of my house after a potential garage break in or something? Seems like whomever left it was using it to carry stuff they may had taken and decided to dump it. Any break-ins in Arbor heights or Shorewood – would probably have been where it came from.
Ted’s note came in earlier this weekend – so it wouldn’t be related to this, but we did want to note that police responded to at least one Arbor Heights burglary today: 3200 block of SW 100th, reported around 1 pm. No other details.
And from a WSB reader who didn’t want to be identified, a car-prowl report:
Just wanted to alert readers of West Seattle Blog that my car was broken into last night, near the corner of Murray Ave SW and Lincoln Park Way SW, just north of Lincoln Park. They pried my window open, rummaged through the glove-box and the other compartments of my car. Fortunately, I had nothing of value inside and so nothing was taken. I was half-expecting them to leave me $5 out of pity.
Another reminder that the next crime-prevention meeting is Tuesday night, all welcome at the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting, 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct – details on the WSBWCN website.
Lots of time left to get to Ola Salon in Luna Park for Furry Faces Foundation‘s first-ever “Heels for Hounds” – not just a silent auction of some cute shoes (casual as well as fancy, as shown in the photo above), but also wine tasting, appetizers, and live music, all to benefit animal advocacy:
Ola’s at 2942 SW Avalon Way.
Sometimes despite all the searching, your lost pet just can’t be found. The WSB Pets page archives include still-open reports that may never be closed. And then there’s the tale of Lisa and Elliott. Posting as “Elle,” Lisa reported her cat Diesel missing four months ago. That’s Lisa in the photo, but not Diesel – well, not ENTIRELY Diesel. Marianne from Friends of the Animals Foundation explains:
Elliott is the cat living under the porch of a Alaska Junction business on the Pets page earlier in the week. Lisa thought he might be her beloved cat Diesel and went on a search for Elliott.
She managed to trap the cat with the help of Kathleen, a WS cat rescuer. I run Friends of the Animals Foundation and had room for Elliott in our cages at Next to Nature. Lisa did some research with the help of Elliott’s microchip and found out his sad story. He was adopted from the Humane Society in January and quickly jumped off of the porch of his new home and disappeared. He was apparently on his own for the past four months. When Lisa contacted his owner, she decided that she didn’t want him.
Lisa fell in love with Elliott and with the help of Joy Turner, pet communicator, found out that Diesel’s soul is in Elliott. Elliot even climbed into Diesel’s old shirt. Elliott’s new full name is Elliott Yi Talarico (named after the businesses in the alley).
Marianne points out that Elliott did not have to spend months living in the alley – if someone had taken him to a vet sooner to check for a chip, he would have had a new home sooner. Be sure to get a found animal checked for a chip – she points out that all clinics will do that for free, and will help you connect with the Seattle Animal Shelter. Marianne also says big thanks go to Emma, who called attention to Elliott’s plight.
45 local food-and-beverage businesses are signed up to be part of this year’s Taste of West Seattle, the West Seattle Helpline fundraiser that’s now just under a month away (May 16th, The Hall at Fauntleroy) – the poster at right (click it for a full-size PDF) just went up around the area, and the full list of participants can be seen on page 2 of this PDF. Helpline executive director Tara Luckie told us at this past week’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting that tickets are still available – $45 general (cheaper than the door price IF they don’t sell out, which they did last year), $90 for VIP (early admission, special seating, special raffle). “Not only are the food and drinks amazing,” Tara says, “but it’s a community effort of local establishments and West Seattle residents coming together to raise funds for families in need in West Seattle.” Tickets are available online here (note it’s a 21+ event).
Thanks to David Schneider for sharing the photo, taken today off Beach Drive. He writes, “Looks like they were practicing today. Saw what looks like Coast Guard helicopter hovering just 50+ feet off the water, then dropping line to a boat below…” No incidents reported that we’ve heard of, so training is the likely explanation.
SIDE NOTE: The Coast Guard website spotlights USCG response in the aftermath of the bombings in Boston – noting that Boston is “uniquely a maritime city” (which certainly could be said of Seattle as well).
(Video and photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Never seen a Major League Ultimate (disc) game before? Neither had we. So we put a bit of last night’s Seattle Rainmakers vs. Vancouver Nighthawks game on video. As reported here earlier this month, the Rainmakers are playing their home games at Southwest Athletic Complex this spring, and last night was the home opener. Hundreds of fans were there:
The crowd included Nighthawks fans who drove down from Vancouver, judging by the British Columbia license plates we noted in the parking lot. And for the Rainmakers’ side, there was superfan Karlito:
From right across SW Thistle Street, Chief Sealth International High School Band musicians came to play:
Back to the game:
By the way, Seattle’s in white:
The Rainmakers won 14-12, as noted on the team’s official Twitter feed, which was full of play-by-play as well as photos. Next Saturday (April 27), the Rainmakers host the Portland Stags, 7 pm at SWAC – here’s the full schedule, which also features two West Seattle games in May and two in June. If you can’t make it to the stadium, check for a free live stream, here. Last but not least, if you want to learn about the game – MLU’s rules are still evolving, but the latest set is here.
(North Delridge flowers photographed by Flickr member “old desolate,” shared via WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – some of your options in the hours ahead:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Under way now, continuing till 2 pm, if you haven’t gone already! In addition to your market shopping, say hi to the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, scheduled to be back at the market today after a winter break. (44th/Alaska)
EARTH DAY STORIES: Tomorrow is the official Earth Day but celebrations and commemorations have been under way all weekend; today you can listen to Native storytelling at the Duwamish Longhouse, 2-4 pm, details here. (4505 West Marginal Way)
LIVE MUSIC THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING: Check the calendar for multiple listings starting at 1 pm – afternoon and evening performances!
HEELS FOR HOUNDS: Music, wine, appetizers, and … shoes! The silent-auction event benefiting Furry Faces Foundation‘s animal-advocacy work is 3-6 pm at Ola Salon in Luna Park. (2942 SW Avalon Way)
‘CHARLIE BROWN’ FINALE: 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, last chance to see Twelfth Night Productions present “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” (4408 Delridge Way SW)
HIGHLINE PREMIER FC FAMILY INFO NIGHT: In Burien, but this Highline FC advanced-development programs serve players in West Seattle and vicinity too, 6-8 pm at Burien Community Center. (14700 6th SW, Burien)
Coast to coast tomorrow night, runners are showing solidarity while paying tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, and one of those runs is planned here. Lori and Tim McConnell of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), who led an impromptu run hours after last Monday’s attack, invite anyone interested to join them at 6 pm tomorrow (Monday). Their store is on the northwest corner of California/Charlestown. RSVP by joining the Facebook event page.
Story by Tracy Record, West Seattle Blog editor
Kids-at-play photos by Nick Adams, WSB contributing photojournalist
Stage/podium photos/video by Patrick Sand, WSB co-publisher
Today’s celebration at Roxhill Park, formally opening its renovated play area and brand-new skatepark, was a blossom that’s been budding for five long years, though that’s all ancient history to those who couldn’t wait to get their hands (and feet) on it today:
In June 2008 – before the Parks and Green Spaces Levy even went to Seattle voters – we noted that its West Seattle proposals included money to improve the Roxhill Park playground, which now includes a climbing dome as well as a castle:
But as city leaders noted in paying tribute to the community effort that followed, it became so much more than what was originally envisioned: A splendid new community-built “castle” to replace the beloved-but-deteriorating one that another group of neighbors had put up in the ’90s; a skatepark for the south end of West Seattle, to complement the year-and-a-half-old predecessor in North Delridge – a skatepark that today drew 5-year-old Merek Jackson, who’s been skating for a year and a half, according to his dad:
Merek was a toddler when this all started to take shape through community discussions – starting with an August 2011 meeting to talk about both the skatepark and playground, including some angst about losing the old castle, continuing afterward with separate meetings.
By the end of 2011, the concept of a new castle, community-built as specified by Leathers and Associates – which also created the old one – had taken shape; community advocate Mat McBride spoke in a comment here about the person-power that would be needed. Today, he stood at the podium and recounted with pride how the new castle became reality.
The community build required a massive amount of planning and repeated calls for volunteer help. The old castle started coming down in September; its successor started going up in November.
The process – the hard work, the fun, the accomplishment, the donations, the volunteers – was part of what was recounted at today’s ceremony; here it is in its entirety, 24 minutes ending with the ribboncutting:
Also praised today, the special touch that evolved after the castle construction began: The ceramic turret art by Mike Henderson. “Nothing like that in the city,” as praised during today’s event. Henderson spoke with pride about most of the tiles having been salvaged from “a Dumpster.”
And did we mention the extra grant from the Department of Neighborhoods, and the synergy with the West Seattle Tool Library, whose red mobile unit was visible at the site throughout, and which benefited from grant-bought tools afterward? “The spirit of sustainability” was how City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, who chairs the Parks and Neighborhoods Committee, phrased it. She also declared, “There is nothing (in the city) like this Castle Park you have built.” Like the old castle, it has many facets to be discovered – including a tube slide:
Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams gushed warm words too, including reminiscing about Roxhill Park visits during his senior year at blocks-away Chief Sealth. He mentioned Parks’ commitment to taking care of the new features, noting a rapid response to a recent round of graffiti/tagging vandalism at the park’s comfort station, just south of the play area. And those features are many:
“What else would you like in West Seattle?” asked Councilmember Bagshaw, pointing out that the Parks and Green Spaces levy expires this year.
She and others are putting together a potential replacement – though she also reiterated what’s already been said, that this one will make more than a gesture toward funding park maintenance, currently sorely underfunded, so that existing parks can stay open for future super-users like 21-month-old Hershel Robinson:
As the Roxhill team – volunteers and Parks project managers (Kelly Goold succeeded Kelly Davidson) showed the rest of the city, you might as well dream big – but be ready to put your skin in the game, too. That’s what made it possible for a whole new generation of West Seattle kids to enjoy Roxhill …
… and, like Angie Hardy‘s 5-year-old son Elliott, generate a whole new generation of smiles.
Roxhill Skatepark and Playground face 29th SW, just south of SW Barton, across from the southwest edge of Westwood Village.
(9-year-old Brooklyn Arnold, upside down)
Among the many events in this morning’s West Seattle Saturday roundup of calendar highlights, a work party at Dakota Place Park. Thanks to Meredith for sharing this photo of two young volunteers – Addie and Grayson, students from nearby Tilden School.
190 sales ready to go so far for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Saturday, May 11th, 9 am-3 pm … and no matter where you are, you will probably find yourself within walking distance of at least a few sales! Just sifted through the registrations we have so far, and it’s another spectacular lineup – 20 schools, organizations, and businesses already, including the two group sites at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsors). Neighborhoods with sales so far include Admiral, Alki, Arbor Heights, the Arroyos, Beach Drive, Belvidere, Fairmount, Fairmount Springs, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Genesee, Harbor Drive, Highland Park, High Point, the Junction, Luna Park, Marine View Drive, Morgan Junction, North Admiral, North Delridge, Puget Ridge, Seaview, South Admiral, Sunrise Heights, the Triangle, Westwood … If you’re planning on a sale, you have until this Wednesday to register, here. And watch for updates here, on the official WSCGSD site, and on the WSCGSD Facebook page.
The West Seattle Thriftway silver-anniversary shopping-spree raffle became a double gift to the West Seattle Food Bank. Not only did the store donate the $2,200 in ticket sales, the man whose ticket was drawn for the spree donated most of his take, too. Rob Dent managed to load up with $425 worth of Western Family products during his 4-minute spree this morning – here’s a bit of video as he went after the frozen food:
Before his four-minute spree, Rob got to go through the store with assistant manager Steve Kamphaus:
Rob sought out some specific items the Food Bank needed, after conferring with them to see what was most in demand – those items included bags of sugar; note them on the checkout counter here:
Of the few things he kept … one was a new stuffed friend for his daughter Sofia, who was guarding it closely while in the arms of mom Naomi:
P.S. In addition to food and money donations like today’s double gift – which counts extra since the Feinstein Challenge is still on till month’s end – Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts (in the group photo, helping hold the check, along with board members and Thriftway team members) tells us they need VOLUNTEER HELP! Here’s how (and when) you can get involved.
More than 40 of your friendly neighborhood Junction merchants have smiles and deals for you today – the West Seattle Junction Association‘s annual 10-percent-off “Tax-Free Day.” For example – in the mood for flowers, or indoor-garden items? Go see proprietor Sam and assistant Devon at Fleurt (4536 California SW; WSB sponsor). As mentioned here on Friday, Fleurt is celebrating Earth Day this weekend too; bring in a planter or vase to recycle and you’ll get a mini-plant in exchange. Across the street, we stopped by Jan’s Beauty Supply:
Alissa, Sheri, and Melanie are there to help you have a beautiful Tax-Free Day – Jan’s merchandise includes jewelry and other items beyond their many lines of personal-care products. Head for The Junction, look for red balloons outside participants’ storefronts (they’re listed here too), and have fun while supporting your local independent businesses (including some food/drink establishments with deals, too).
Coast to coast, it’s Record Store Day. Above, we found Seamus Dolan at West Seattle’s Easy Street Records, explaining that while its Queen Anne sister store is gone, it’s not forgotten – he is making and selling record crates made from its old fixtures (as explained on the official ESR Record Store Day preview). Inside Easy Street, lots of music fans:
While we were there, people weren’t just lined up for the only-on-RSD specials, they also were lined up for autographs during a one-hour Mad Season signing session this morning with Mike McCready and Barrett Martin:
Find more of what’s happening now – and has happened already today – on Easy Street’s Twitter feed.
More than half a million classrooms around the country are reading about West Seattle’s seal pups and young Seal Sitters 
volunteers who help watch out for them. They’re the cover story of the Earth Day edition of Scholastic News, as Seal Sitters‘ Robin Lindsey reports on Blubberblog. As she points out, Seal Sitters is “one of the few marine-mammal stranding networks that encourage children to join …”; a third-grader volunteer named Noemi is shown in the Scholastic News story. Robin tells WSB, “Noemi and our kid Seal Sitters inspire us all!” (To find out how to volunteer – and how to reach Seal Sitters if you spot a marine mammal on a local beach – go here.)
(Photo by Val, from Roxhill playground’s “soft open” Tuesday)
Another day/night with lots of options – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar include these (and follow that link to the calendar for even more):
DAKOTA PLACE PARK CLEANUP: Rain or shine, 9 am-noon, California/Dakota. What should you bring? Details here.
BAKE SALE FOR PUGET SOUNDKEEPER ALLIANCE: Shanti Salon and Spa (2138 California SW; WSB sponsor) opens at 9 am, and it’s the second of three days for its benefit bake sale to assist Puget Soundkeeper Alliance – here’s our preview.
JUNCTION TAX-FREE DAY: Support your friendly neighborhood independent local businesses – more than 40 places to find a discount and/or deal starting at 10 am today – look for merchants sporting one or more red balloons outside! Or – check the list here on the West Seattle Junction Association website, to see who’s picking up the tax bill with a 10 percent discount and who’s offering specials (including food and drink).
RECORD-STORE DAY: It’s the national day to celebrate independent record stores – and West Seattle is home to the legendary Easy Street Records, which has deals and sales planned throughout the day – check them out here.
DUWAMISH ALIVE! Work parties from Pigeon Point Park to Tukwila, 10 am-2 pm, as part of the twice-yearly event to care for the Duwamish River and its watershed. Here’s the map:
Events include a noon program at Herring’s House Park/T-107 in West Seattle, with speakers to include Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen.
LINCOLN PARK BEACH CLEANUP: Puget Sound’s shore needs some TLC too, and this work party is planned to help with that, 10 am-12:30 pm – details here.
SHOPPING-SPREE WINNER GOES FOR IT: Be at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan; WSB sponsor) at 10 am to cheer for Rob Dent, who won the big prize Thriftway gave away as part of its 25th anniversary celebration raffle to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank, a four-minute, up-to-$500 Western Family shopping spree. More info in our preview.
ROXHILL CASTLE, SKATEPARK DEDICATION: 11 am-2 pm, join the party at Roxhill Park (29th/Barton), as the newly renovated playground and newly built skatepark are both dedicated and formally opened. Ceremony at 12:30 pm, but lots of other fun before and after, as explained by Seattle Parks and Rec here.
YOUTH CELEBRATION: For teens and tweens, at Southwest Teen Life Center, noon-4 pm – details here.
TRIVIA CRAWL: Starting at 3 pm, in The Admiral District – details here (including how to sign up).
ART EHRMANN CANCER BENEFIT @ EAGLES: 4th annual fundraising event, with dinner, music, and an auction, and the public is welcome to come help raise money to fight cancer, 5:30 pm at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ in The Junction – details on this flyer, via Facebook.
SEATTLE RAINMAKERS’ DEBUT: West Seattle is now home to the Seattle Rainmakers professional Ultimate (Frisbee) team, with the season’s first home game tonight at 7 at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – details here.
‘CHARLIE BROWN’: Second-to-last show for Twelfth Night Productions‘ “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 7:30 tonight:
Tickets are available online.
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