West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
Yet more highlights from today’s West Seattle Grand Parade. Big cheers for the first-time appearance by a group for whom the parade route was like a walk in the park – Team Tracy, the breast-cancer-fighting 3-Day Walk team led by survivor and superstar fundraiser Tracy Dart. Some walkers sported bras they had decorated at a parade-prep party earlier in the week; the group was accompanied by a motorcycle:
Elsewhere on 2 wheels, Sustainable West Seattle and West Seattle Bike Connections were among the sustainable-transportation advocates who rallied young bicyclists for the first “Kidical Mass” parade ride:
1-wheelers represented, too- the Pathfinder K-8 unicyclists:
Back on 4 wheels, the West Seattle Lions Club had a multiple-vehicle presence, with the lead vehicle, if you look closely, sporting a sign noting that parade day was recently retired service-station proprietor Dick Barnecut‘s birthday (87!):
Some of the most-memorable people were cheering on the sidelines:
At California/Alaska, current West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty cheered past royalty who are competing in the Miss Seafair program this year – Kayli Schulz, representing Hi-Yu, and Victoria Ferrulli, representing the Admiral Neighborhood Association:
Speaking of competing – there were of course politicians – in alphabetical order, we start with King County Executive Dow Constantine, running for re-election but with no opponent actually campaigning:
Running for Seattle mayor, four candidates were in or at the parade – here’s City Councilmember Bruce Harrell:
Incumbent Mayor Mike McGinn wasn’t “in” the parade but was sighted on the sidelines – we didn’t see him but his Twitter account included photos:
State Senator Ed Murray started out marching with the 34th District Democrats and had broken out by the parade’s final section:
And former City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck campaigned his way down California (we heard him asking spectators “Are you undecided?”):
We should also note that current Councilmembers Richard Conlin and Sally Bagshaw, running for re-election, were here too, as were local legislators accompanying with the 34th.
Our other Grand Parade coverage for this year, and past years, is archived here.
(Sea holly and bee, photographed for WSB by Nick Adams during 2012 WS Garden Tour)
One of tomorrow’s big events is less than 14 hours away – and you have all day to enjoy it, even interspersed with other Sunday fun: The West Seattle Garden Tour runs from 9 am until 5 pm tomorrow, and your ticket book gets you the locations of, and admission to, the nine featured gardens, plus the noon presentation by Debra Prinzing, “A Year in Flowers” (at The Kenney [WSB sponsor], 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW). In addition to a day of self-guided garden touring and learning, the WSGT also is a fundraiser; net proceeds go to local nonprofits chosen each year, and this year’s half-dozen beneficiaries are listed here. If you don’t already have a ticket book, you’ll need to buy one tomorrow; ticket outlets are listed here – we’re told West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon) is a good bet, since it’s open at 9 am, which is when the tour gardens open, too.
(WSB photos by Katie Meyer)
Every year before the West Seattle Grand Parade, kids get a parade of their own courtesy of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, the Rotary Kiddie Parade. Above, the Junior All-City Band (which trailed the rest of the paraders by a bit today); below, Charlotte led the main group:
Some paraded in costume:
Some in mini-vehicles, too:
Rotarians provided balloons for kids who signed up:
And the Kiddie Parade even drew “royalty”:
This parade travels a shorter route than the Grand Parade – down California from the north end of The Junction (SW Genesee) to the south end (SW Edmunds).
(EDITOR’S NOTE: More Grand Parade reports to be published Saturday night-Sunday morning)
(Thanks to Frank for that photo of part of the Luna Park Café entry, #1 in Commercial)
The list is just in from West Seattle Grand Parade coordinators and judges:
Overall Grand Prize Winners
1st – Marysville Strawberry Festival Float
2nd - Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band
3rd – Calgary Round-Up Band
CLOWNS(From the Seafair Clowns, West Seattle’s own “Officer Lumpy”)
1st – Seattle Seafair Clowns
2nd - Lake City Western Vigilantes
3rd – Keystone Kops
PERFORMING ACTS1st - Seafair Pirates
(Photo by Rachel Chaimson)
2nd – Joyas Mestizas – Mexican Folk Dance
3rd – Pathfinder K-8 School Unicycle Team
COMMERCIAL
1st – Luna Park Café (see top photo)
2nd – Hotwire Coffee
3rd – Seattle Public Utilities
CARS
1st – Last Resort Fire Department
2nd – Hope Lutheran School
3rd – 1942 LaFrance Fire Truck
DRILL TEAMS – JUNIOR
1st - Electronette Butterflies2nd - The Princesses of Elegance
3rd – Anointed to Praise Drill Team
DRILL TEAMS – SENIOR
1st – Electronette High Steppers & Drum Corp2nd – Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team
3rd – The Ladies of Elegance Drill Team (see them with Princesses of Elegance in clip above)
COMMUNITY1st – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School
2nd – Cub Scout Pack 793
3rd – WestSide Baby – Stuff the Bus (see video here)
FLOATS
1st – Marysville Strawberry Festival (see video earlier in this story)
BANDS1st – Seattle Police Pipe and Drum Corp
2nd - Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band
We’ll continue adding photos and video to this over the course of the weekend, since we have video and/or photos of everyone in the parade! Meantime, our other Grand Parade coverage – from today and from previous years – is archived here.
(Photo by Keri DeTore)
Parade’s over but – as shown in our West Seattle Saturday lineup – other big events are on, including the first day of the Alki Art Fair! Above, a mother-and-daughter team you’ll find among the more than 60 artists/vendors at the fair – Holli (from Holli With An I Photography) and Iris Clementine. We have a crew at the beach right now and will be adding photos a bit later. Quick links:
*Artist list here
*Today’s music lineup for the main stages here (PDF)
*Silent-auction items inside Alki Bathhouse
And remember you can take a shuttle from the West Seattle High School parking lot (3000 California SW) if you’re not biking, bus-riding, walking, skateboarding, etc., to get to the fair, which is along the boardwalk, paralleling Alki Avenue from about 60th SW westward. Artist booths are open until 6 pm today and again 10-6 on Sunday, with music continuing tonight until 9.
ADDED: More scenes from Saturday – all photos below are by WSB’s Katie Meyer. Beautiful afternoon for a fair:
Music filled the air all day long and into the evening – this is MoonGirl:
So much to see, hear, and do, whatever your age:
The art being shown and sold is sometimes dazzling:
Sometimes fun:
And you’ll find it in a variety of media:
Or – if you’re of a certain age – create your own; Young At Art is there for projects with little ones.
Also look for Seal Sitters, whose art and essay contest for kids is under way (read all about it here), with a chance for them to enter at the fair:
Remember – it’s the “Year of the Seal“!
Sunday hours are again 10 am-6 pm, with music continuing until 8.
(Find all our parade coverage in this archive – newest to oldest)
12:49 PM: After almost two hours, the West Seattle Grand Parade is over in the Admiral District, where it begins, and the north part of California SW has reopened to traffic as of a few minutes ago. Final entry is Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), with a live band, The Afterthoughts, on board a flatbed tow truck. Lots of great moments before that, too, and we’ll be rolling out highlights for hours to come. (P.S. Hotwire is alongside the courtyard where we hope to see you tonight for the first West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of the season!)
1:30 PM: Our crew on the south end of the route reports that the parade has concluded there too.
Meantime, in advance of later reports focusing on parade angles such as the trophy winners, we’re expanding this one to include not only the end of the parade but a few sights from the start!
Above, the West Seattle Hi-Yu float in action (you can also see it in tomorrow afternoon’s White Center Jubilee Days parade and the Seafair Torchlight Parade a week from tonight). Below, a quick maneuver by the Vancouver, B.C., Police Motorcycle Drill Team – in the only Seattle-area parade in which they participate!
10:16 AM: In its second year, the West Seattle Float Dodger 5K is an unquestionable hit – West Seattle Runner (Float Dodger and WSB sponsor) told us that as of earlier this week, registration already had eclipsed the first year’s total turnout, and having just watched the entire crowd pass here at California/Lander, we can verify a bigger crowd.
Our video (top of this story) includes some of the runners around the middle of the pack; we had a crew at the starting line too, and will add much more later – but for now, we’re getting close to West Seattle Grand Parade time!
ADDED 1:49 PM: The results are now available online. Brett Winegar, #720, finished in 16:11, followed by Jeffrey Bigham, #698, in 16:35. First female finisher was Caitlin Latimer, #690, in 19:19; second was Katherine Urbanski, #668, in 20:30. The official results show almost 300 runners!
We’ll be checking with organizers for other winners – best costume, etc.
ADDED 7:51 PM: A very special aspect of today’s Float Dodger 5K was the dedication. As explained on the official website:
This year’s race is dedicated to Andrea Boag, a dear friend of Tim and Lori, owners of West Seattle Runner. On June 10th, she passed away, ending a long battle with cancer. Andrea lives forever in our hearts and this race is in honor of her.
Below, with a poster honoring Andrea, are from left, West Seattle Runner co-proprietor Lori McConnell, Andrea’s sister Sara, her nephew Ethan, and her mom Kristin:
The race’s emcee – leading a moment of silence and the countdown – was KIRO TV’s Michelle Millman, herself a cancer survivor:
Here’s that countdown, and the start of the race:
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a major beneficiary of the Float Dodger 5K, and Tim and Lori also invite donations in honor of Andrea – go here.
8:48 AM: The hundreds of people who’ll be part of the 70-plus entries in today’s West Seattle Grand Parade are getting ready – including West Seattle Hi-Yu volunteers accompanying this year’s float, themed “Alki Deep,” photographed a few minutes ago in the staging area. More parade-prep coverage to come; the parade starts at 11 am, heading south on California from Lander to Edmunds (see the route here; see traffic/bus changes here).
9:22 AM: At the Float Dodger 5K starting line (9:45 am, California/Charlestown), signs of the times:
Note that we’ll be sharing photos via Instagram before, during, and after – see our feed here. Another one – back at the parade’s starting line, co-coordinator Jim Edwards:
A bit of drizzle amid the fog a few minutes ago – but that seems to have stopped (no, wait, there it is again). Think sun – but bring a jacket to start off with!
ADDED 5:35 PM: A few more pre-parade scenes – featuring the Seafair Pirates, who once again came to Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) for breakfast:
This year’s Captain Kidd – West Seattleite Rusty Harper – shared a table with Hi-Yu royalty:
But before the parade – Moby Duck needed a fill-up, and they went over to Admiral (formerly Barnecut’s) Shell:
Our parade coverage, from today and earlier, is all archived here.
(8:30 am photo: Seafair Pirates already have landed in the Admiral District, pre-parade!)
Biggest day of West Seattle’s season of summer fun! And this is just SOME of it – even more is on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CSWS RUMMAGE SALE: 8 am-8 pm, one of our area’s biggest annual rummage sales, with a bake sale too! (9450 22nd SW)
FLOAT DODGER 5K: 9:45 am, the second annual edition of this fun pre-parade race – see the route here. Run in costume! Win prizes (see the list here)! Receive cheers from people waiting for the parade! You can still sign up pre-race starting at 8 am. (Starts at California/Charlestown)
ROTARY KIDDIE PARADE: 10 am, check-in starts at California/Genesee; 11 am, kids are invited to walk, roll, skip, pedal in the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s annual mini-parade, which also features the Junior All-City Band (see our Friday night preview).
ALKI ART FAIR: 10 am-6 pm for artists, music until 9 pm, on the promenade at the beach. See the artist/food vendor list in our Thursday preview; see today’s music lineup for the two main stages here (PDF). Free shuttle if you park at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW)
COMMUNITY GARDEN TOUR: Village Green Perennial Nursery has organized a free self-guided West Seattle/White Center tour spotlighting rain gardens, urban farming, beekeeping, and other sustainability practices, 10 am-4 pm today, – see the map and more info here.
FRIENDS OF MORGAN JUNCTION PARKS CLEANUP: 10 am-noon, lots of help needed to continue beautifying Morgan Junction Park! Details in the calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: 11 am, more than 70 entries from motorcycles to marching bands to unicycles to drill teams to community groups (and more!), heading south on California from Lander to Edmunds. The parade is presented by West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160. Here’s the official website; here’s our coverage archive, with multiple previews (as well as coverage of past years).
BARBECUE LUNCH FOR WESTSIDE BABY: Today’s 11 am-~4 pm benefit barbecue at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) raises money for WestSide Baby on the weekend of its biggest annual diaper drive – more on that a few entries down! (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
MEDITERRANEAN FANTASY FESTIVAL: Belly dancing, vendors, food and more, in the park at Hiawatha Community Center. The dancer lineup for today – outdoors and indoors, 11 am-7 pm – is here; other details are in printed programs on site. (2700 California SW)
BYE, BYE BERTHA: 11:30 am, not in West Seattle, but Highway 99 affects us in a big way, so the official sendoff for the tunnel-boring machine might be of interest. It starts with speeches and a ceremony at 11:30, and continues until 3 pm with launch-pit tours. Full details here.
KIWANIS BENEFIT MOTORCYCLE/SCOOTER RALLY/POKER RUN: The Bridge is the start and finish spot for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s 5th annual Charity Motorcycle and Scooter Rally (Poker Run), from registration at noon till the conclusion of the afterparty around 7 – full details in our calendar listing. (4439 35th SW, and beyond!)
BACKPACK GIVEAWAY AND BARBECUE: Eastridge Church presents a family festival including a barbecue lunch and backpack giveaway, 1-3 pm at Delridge Community Center; full details in the calendar listing.
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY PLAYDATES: Meet your future schoolmates long before the new school year starts! 1-3 pm on the Gatewood playground – details here.
FUNDRAISER FOR JAN: Longtime WSB’er Jan Seeley is recovering from a long-needed kidney transplant, and well enough now that friends are throwing a party starting at 2 pm today. It’s a multi-part party, explained in this Facebook event.
EARLY ‘STUFF THE BUS’ DONATIONS: The big diaper drive for WestSide Baby is Sunday – but today, you can drop off diapers early, 4-7 pm, with WS Baby volunteers tabling at:
*West Seattle QFC on SW Alaska St & 42nd Ave SW (Alaska Junction)
*West Seattle Safeway on SW Admiral Way & California Ave SW (Admiral Junction)
*West Seattle Safeway on SW Alaska St & 42nd Ave SW (Jefferson Square)
*White Center Safeway on SW Roxbury St & 28th Ave SW
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: At dusk tonight in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), this year’s Outdoor Movies series (co-sponsored by WSB) begins with the 1964 James Bond classic “Goldfinger.” Free, but come early to stake out your spot (BYO chair/blanket), and bring $ for concessions and raffle prizes. Preceded by a short from the web series “Rocketmen.” And more surprises! (4410 California SW)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Greenstage presents “Merry Wives of Windsor” at High Point Commons Park, 7 pm (map and details on the calendar).
FIREWORKS OFF BEACH DRIVE: At about 10 pm tonight, from a barge off the 4500 block of Beach Drive, a privately arranged (but publicly visible) fireworks show is scheduled. Here’s our original report, and another reminder that cleanup volunteers are welcome tomorrow morning.
Once again this weekend, summer fun brings road closures and bus changes, so we’re starting the morning with a reminder about those. For today’s Float Dodger 5K and West Seattle Grand Parade, California SW will be closed from just south of Admiral Way to Edmunds in The Junction by the time the race starts at 9:45 am; the north part closes earliest for parade staging, and some side streets are affected too, with parking restrictions kicking in shortly wherever you see a “No Parking” sign.
Here are the official Metro Transit reroutes (each link goes to the PDF posted on Metro’s site for that specific route), expected to be in effect approximately 8 am-2 pm:
*RapidRide C Line
*Route 22 (only southbound affected)
*Route 50
*Route 128
*Route 773 (Water Taxi Shuttle)
If you are going to the Alki Art Fair (3000 California SW), which starts its first of two days at 10 am today, you can park at West Seattle High School and take a free shuttle to and from the beach. Note that the WSHS/Hiawatha area will be extra-busy not just because of that and parade staging, but also because the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival starts today at 11 am.
CITYWIDE TRAFFIC ALERTS: Here’s the SDOT-provided weekend roundup.
Quick Crime Watch note – Greg is hoping someone has seen his stolen three-wheel bike, a blue Schwinn beach cruiser taken from the corner of California/Othello in Gatewood this past Wednesday. He’s filed a police report (13-256244). Seen it? Call him at 206-334-3436.
Less than 12 hours to go until the West Seattle Grand Parade, presented by American Legion Post 160, and the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Kiddie Parade. (Both follow the Float Dodger 5K, starting at 9:45 am at California/Charlestown, which we previewed last night.) Here are a few more preview notes:
JUNIOR ALL-CITY BAND IN KIDDIE PARADE: Don’t miss the Junior All-City Band in the Kiddie Parade! First we got this reminder from Jeff Clark, principal of Denny International Middle School, which has many ties to Junior ACB:
One of the beautiful things about our school and campus is the creation of cross-age learning opportunities — when kids of different ages have shared experiences, benefitting from cross-age mentoring. Mr. Pimpleton, Band Director for Denny International Middle School, Chief Sealth International High School, and the Seattle Public Schools All-City Band, continues to provide fantastic musical learning opportunities through-out the summer. The Junior All-City Band consists of students from all of our feeder elementary schools and current Denny students performing together — with mentoring from high school and college-age musicians. Thank you to Mr. Pimpleton and all of the volunteers who make Jr. All-City Band possible. I look forward to celebrating their success at upcoming parades! Go current and future Dolphins!
Then, from Marcus Pimpleton himself:
I would really like to highlight the work that John Aguilar has been doing. John is an alumnus of both Denny and Sealth and has participated as a volunteer in all of our Spring and Summer camps. This year he has more or less been running the Junior All-City program and deserves the lion share of the credit for what the students have accomplished this week. He has been assisted by a great group of high school students from a number of different high schools. It has been great kind of taking a back seat and watching these kids work and show what they have learned after all of these years of participating in these programs.
That’s John Aguilar in the photo above. Cheer him and the young musicians on, during the parade!
TEAM TRACY IN GRAND PARADE: Every year they walk for three days to fight breast cancer; in the West Seattle Grand Parade, West Seattleite Tracy Dart and her team will be on their feet for a few hours to encourage you to join the fight.
STUFF THE BUS: WestSide Baby‘s big contingent will be back to remind you that Sunday is the annual mega-diaper drive – although they’ll be doing some advance collecting Saturday afternoon, too, at West Seattle, White Center, and Burien supermarkets – watch our Saturday morning preview for details on that.
HOTWIRE ON THE ROUTE AND IN THE PARADE: Lora Swift from Hotline Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) says, “We are in the parade too – using a GT towing truck for an ‘all American rock n’ roll band’ – The After Thoughts. They will be on the parade route playing on the flatbed of the truck then will loop around and play in the courtyard for a set. We’ll be handing out coupons at Hotwire plus free (while supplies last) organic juice pops for the kids.”
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD HONOR GUARD: Parade coordinators told us they’re especially glad to have this honor guard back to lead the parade, since with the “sequester” removing so many military groups from community appearances (think Blue Angels and Navy Seafair Fleet), they weren’t sure whether it would affect this too.
DELRIDGE GROCERY: Organizers and volunteers from the store that’s gearing up to open next year in the under-construction DESC building will be walking in the parade.
POLITICIANS: At least two candidates for mayor will be in the parade, as of this past Monday, when we sat in on part of the parade lineup meeting. In all, as of that meeting, there were five political entries.
And many more (including faves like the cannon-firing Seafair Pirates). Review our previous preview coverage, and previous years, by scrolling through this WSB archive. Better yet, just line the parade route at 11 am and cheer for your neighbors and friends.
On the day that Paul McCartney‘s concert tour stopped in Seattle, some Beatles homage from local kids-music star Caspar Babypants. He’ll soon release an album of Beatles songs, and is selling advance copies at shows like today’s concert at Hiawatha Fun Fest – where he had the little ones hopping and bopping to a cut from the “Baby Beatles” collection, “Here Comes the Sun“:
With Caspar at Hiawatha, his CD cover artist and wife, illustrator and collage creator Kate Endle:
And after the concert, it was time for the hundreds of kids at Fun Fest to play carnival games:
They also got to check out the Kid Picks truck visiting from PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor):
And though this year’s Fun Fest was missing the traditional West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court coronation, royalty was there anyway:
That’s Senior Court Queen April, who you’ll see with the Hi-Yu float “Alki Deep” in tomorrow’s West Seattle Grand Parade, and her mom. (More big events ahead at Hiawatha this summer – including the start of the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series at 6:30 pm next Thursday (July 25)!
We highly recommend avoiding the Lincoln Park area right now. Besides a major ferry-line backup for several reasons, there’s also a police response. Multiple WSB’ers had texted us about SPD cars heading somewhere in a hurry, and Bill solves the mystery:
Noticed a police car blocking Fauntleroy at Monroe a few minutes ago. Several more came up soon after. Walked down the street to get a look… total of 8 squad cars. 1 guy in cuffs on the sidewalk in front of Lincoln Park, another (apparently the victim or a witness) talking to police. Asked an officer what happened and he said the guy pulled a knife on someone. Police confiscated a bike and backpack too.
Working to find out more. But if you saw a TV helicopter earlier and/or TV truck at the park – this is NOT what they’re covering – they headed over for the wading-pool-closure story.
Seattle Parks has just announced that the Lincoln Park wading pool is closed for the rest of the day and undergoing “extensive cleaning” after a report of kids getting sick after using the pool (which also was discussed in the WSB Forums). Here’s the announcement:
Seattle Parks and Recreation has closed Lincoln Park wading pool today for extensive cleaning after a notification from Public Health – Seattle & King County that a group of children who attend day camp in the park became sick after playing in the pool.
Public Health suspects the children may have contracted norovirus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting. Norovirus is highly contagious, and is spread by getting the vomit or stool of someone who is infected in your mouth. This can happen by swimming in contaminated waters, eating foods that are contaminated, touching surfaces with the norovirus on it, or by having contact with someone who is infected.
Seattle Parks and Recreation received the call from Public Health around 11 a.m. on Friday, July 19 – after the wading pool had opened for the day.
“We immediately closed the pool,” said Aquatics Manager Kathy Whitman, “and began a thorough cleaning process with high concentrations of chlorine. We are disinfecting every possible surface.”
All of Seattle Parks and Recreation’s wading pools are chlorinated, and chemical levels are checked hourly by a trained wading pool attendant. The chemical levels in the pool on Tuesday, July 16 – the day children are suspected to have contracted the virus – were within standards set by the State Health Code.
Seattle Parks and Recreation also cleaned all the play area near the wading pool, as well as picnic tables, garbage cans and bathrooms in the area as an extra precaution. Public Health – Seattle & King County has reviewed and approved Seattle Parks and Recreation’s clean-up plan.
“We are extremely cautious when it comes to water safety,” Whitman said. “If we are aware that a wading pool has become contaminated with stool or vomit, we close the pool, clean it and re-fill it. We had no indication on Tuesday that the wading pool at Lincoln Park had any possible contamination.”
Because of the resilience of the norovirus, Seattle Parks and Recreation will keep the Lincoln Park wading pool closed today so that a thorough cleaning can take place, and will re-open it tomorrow, Saturday, July 20.
Lincoln Park is the only West Seattle-area wading pool that is open seven days a week, weather permitting. Two other wading pools in our area remain open today, EC Hughes (till 7 pm) and Delridge (till 6:45); Highland Park Spraypark is open until 8 pm. Here’s the citywide schedule.
(3:35 PM TOPLINE: After a 2-hour hearing, the judge said she has a lot to review so she will issue a written ruling at a later date)
1:34 PM: It’s been six months since we reported on a West Seattle neighborhood’s challenge to a developer’s proposal to split one lot into three (that’s the city map above, the southeast corner of 55th/Manning [Google map here]). The neighborhood, known as Benchview, took the fight against the “lot boundary adjustment” (LBA) to court – and we are here at King County Superior Court, where Judge Mariane Spearman is hearing their case. We’ll report as it happens, since this case has drawn a fair amount of attention – there’s even a TV crew here to cover it.
It’s beginning with a discussion of whether the neighborhood, represented by lawyer Cynthia Kennedy, can submit additional material, though Patrick Downs, lawyer for the city – which had given its approval to the lot split in January, without the neighborhood getting immediate notification – has pointed out there was a deadline almost two weeks ago for such submissions. Also at the table with the city and neighborhood’s lawyers is Benchview resident Dave Allen and a lawyer for the property owner/developers, Melody McCutcheon.
1:40 PM: Kennedy is speaking, making their contention that the lot should only be for two homes – anything more is “starkly out of character.” The neighborhood contends that the Lot Boundary Adjustment has granted “unique development rights (to the new owner) not shared by the rest of the neighborhood. … This is wrong.” She also notes that the decision “was issued (by the city) in haste … many of the interpretations, methodologies, and calculations … were not written down and were not accessible to the (residents’) association … This process denied residents a meaningful opportunity to raise their concerns at a point in time when it would have mattered.” Kennedy has a black-and-white aerial photography of the neighborhood on an easel as an exhibit she is using to show the judge some of the key points. “This is a neighborhood where other neighbors and developments have played by the same set of rules regarding development … but this LBA does not.” She’s now showing the view from which the neighborhood takes its name, out to Puget Sound, and then the massing of the expected future development, as shown in our January story:
And she’s showing the configuration of the boundary adjustment the city approved – including one plot in an “L” shape. Here’s a version to which Benchview resident Allen had added color, also from our original January story:
**OUR AS-IT-HAPPENED COURTROOM COVERAGE CONTINUES BELOW**
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Another eye-catching visitor to West Seattle waters – Susan shared that photo (thanks!) of the Hugo Boss-sponsored racing yacht in Elliott Bay today. It’s a 60-foot racing yacht which with skipper Alex Thomson is touring the West Coast for the first time right now – here after a visit to Vancouver, and headed next to San Diego, according to this online report. Seattle Magazine’s Ali Brownrigg reports here that it’ll be at Bell Harbor downtown until Sunday.
Meantime, after a high-profile stay in Elliott Bay yesterday, the USNS Montford Point has moved on – but we have one more photo to share, an aerial view from West Seattle photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen:
The brand-new Mobile Landing Platform vessel is now in Everett, preparing for upcoming inspections.
(April 2013 WSB photo by Nick Adams)
West Seattle’s ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery confirms that artistic director Christopher Zinovitch is out. He had served in that role since December 2011, and had joined the organization a decade before that. ArtsWest has just issued this statement:
After thirteen years at ArtsWest, most recently serving as the Artistic Director, ArtsWest is announcing the departure of Christopher Zinovitch.
Mr. Zinovitch has given us his expertise, his guidance and his outstanding efforts. He has brought wonderful art to our stages as an actor, director and artistic leader. Under his leadership, ArtsWest has experienced box office and critical successes – History Boys, Evil Dead: The Musical, and the recent 33 Variations, to name just a few. He has brought passion and immense talent to every project he has undertaken. ArtsWest’s education program has grown under his tutelage, providing hundreds of young people the opportunity to explore theater and supplying a steppingstone in the career of many professional actors currently working in Seattle and around the country. He was also instrumental in securing ArtsWest the American Theatre Wing’s 2012 National Theatre Company Award, an honor bestowed to only ten theatres nationwide for articulating a distinctive mission, cultivating an audience, and nurturing a community of artist in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity and dynamism of American theater. The decision to part ways with Mr. Zinovitch was very, very difficult and it is with deep gratitude that we wish him well with future pursuits.
ArtsWest remains fully committed to our upcoming season. We are looking forward to a wonderful summer for our education program, followed by our mainstage season featuring a rolling world premiere, a beloved family holiday classic, two contemporary plays, and a tribute to the anniversary of the summer of love.
ArtsWest had already been seeking a new managing director, since – as reported here in March – Line Sandsmark left after less than a year; she had succeeded Alan Harrison, the 5 1/2-year managing director who left two years ago. We’re following up with a few questions and will add to this story with any additional information we get.
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
That’s one of at least three Steller’s Jays who have been very busy outside WSB HQ lately. Speaking of busy, we’ve been previewing some of this weekend’s MANY big events, and will continue to do so throughout the day/night – but right now, a few things to note in the hours to come, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIAWATHA FUN FEST REMINDER: Noon-3 pm, starting off with a Caspar Babypants concert (free), carnival games (tickets/pass available) and more on the east side of Hiawatha Community Center/Park. (Lander/Walnut)
SMILE, YOU’RE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED FROM AFAR: An unusual photograph of Earth, from space, is happening between 2:27 and 2:42 pm today, and you’re encouraged by “The Day The Earth Smiled“ to be outside when that happens. This was passed along by our Skies Over West Seattle correspondent, Alice Enevoldsen.
FLOAT DODGER 5K PACKET PICKUP/REGISTRATION: As noted in our update early today – you can still get discount registration for tomorrow’s pre-parade West Seattle Float Dodger 5K by going to West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) today; if you’ve already signed up, it’s packet-pickup time 3-8 pm. (California/Charlestown)
MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: Go see the Muppets onscreen, free, at Highland Park Improvement Club – doors open at 6:30, movie at 7; details in our calendar listing. (12th/Holden)
OUR STORIES, OUR VOICES: The monthly Trusted Advocates storytelling program starts with a light meal at 6, followed by storytelling at 6:30 pm, this month featuring White Center Community Development Association leader Sili Savusa – details in our calendar listing. It’s at the White Center Cultural Center in South Delridge. (9421 18th SW)
An unusual and very specialized volunteer request is just in from Anna at Twelfth Night Productions:
Twelfth Night Productions, a local West Seattle community theater troupe, is looking to the community for assistance with their summer musical.
Our summer musical this year is “Guys & Dolls,” a quirky romantic comedy set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City. Although we have a fantastic cast and crew, we’re asking the community for assistance in helping us present a flawless performance. Specifically, we need help building our sets at West Seattle High School this Monday, July 22nd through Friday, July 26th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Although we have an enthusiastic and dedicated crew, more hands are always needed. No experience is required- we welcome all willing helpers and will provide the tools needed. If you’re interested in assisting with our “build week,” or in any other way (including being an usher or helping sell concessions), please e-mail volunteer@twelfthnightproductions.org with your information. Thanks in advance, and we look forward to entertaining you!
WSB shares volunteer requests depending on how things are going in the news stream; e-mail info to editor@westseattleblog.com. We also encourage posting in the WSB Forums.
After a huge day of fun tomorrow – there’s one place you can sit down and have a low-impact good time: Opening night for the 2013 West Seattle Outdoor Movies series, for which WSB is proud to again serve as a co-sponsor. Kicking off the lineup announced last month: The 1964 James Bond classic “Goldfinger.” The movie starts at dusk in the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor), but you’ll want to come early and make sure you get a spot (bring your own chair/blanket) – many people get takeout from nearby Junction restaurants and make a picnic out of it. No admission charge; concessions are available as nonprofit fundraisers. See you Saturday night!
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! BIG weekend ahead. The main traffic and transit alerts for West Seattle involve tomorrow’s Float Dodger 5K and American Legion Post 160-presented Grand Parade. Parking-restriction signs are up already; the routes are part of the citywide weekend traffic alert. And if you will be riding Metro tomorrow, note the 5K/parade-related reroutes, listed here. Other big events for the weekend include the Alki Art Fair, which is again offering a free shuttle from the West Seattle High School parking lot on Saturday and Sunday.
(July 2012 WSB photo from first-ever Float Dodger 5K)
Before tomorrow’s 80th annual West Seattle Grand Parade – it’s the 2nd annual Float Dodger 5K along part of the parade route! Three updates this morning:
PACKET PICKUP TODAY AND LAST CHANCE TO SAVE ON REGISTRATION: Online registration has closed but you can sign up at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor and Float Dodger presenter) today for $30 – otherwise, it’s $35 on race day. Beneficiaries are the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s community-service programs. If you’ve already registered, you can pick up your packet today and avoid the race-day lines – 3 to 8 pm. (WS Runner is on the 2nd floor of Charlestown Center, northwest corner oF California/Charlestown.)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ON RACE DAY: Race director Ilana Balint from Run For Good Racing Company says volunteers are still needed – can you help? Go here and enter your e-mail address to see what they need help with and, if you’re interested, sign up on the spot.
PRIZES! This isn’t just a “hey, you won, you have bragging rights” 5K. There’s a variety of prizes for costumes, age groups, even for coming in last. Tim McConnell from WS Runner shared the latest list with us:
See you at the race – 9:45 am Saturday, California/Charlestown.
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