West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
Three weeks from tonight, the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) will fill with people, lawn chairs, and blankets, awaiting the kickoff of this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series (co-sponsored by WSB). The movies are free and run on volunteer power – so this year we’re asking if you can help. There’s also a call out for pre-show musicians.
First, for volunteers, here are the prerequisites:
*Ideally available at least three of the six movie nights (consecutive Saturdays, 7/20-8/24); would need to be at the courtyard by 6:30 and stay until 11:30 or so
*Should have rudimentary knowledge of how to hook up professional audio equipment; you’ll need to help with some lifting and moving of the equipment
*Previous movie-theater experience? Big plus! But not required
*Training will be provided as the series begins
MUSICIANS:
*Need to have your own equipment and be ready to play an hour-long pre-show set.
Whether you can volunteer, or are an interested musician, or both – e-mail lora@hotwirecoffee.com to find out more.
While the West Seattle Hi-Yu float is in Port Orchard tonight for the Fathoms O’Fun parade, Hi-Yu leaders have had to make another tough decision: They say the traditional Junior Court Coronation will NOT be happening during this year’s Hiawatha Fun Fest on July 19:
The 2013 Board has decided that we are not able to select a Junior Court for 2014 during this year’s Summer Festival. We have been unable to line up enough nominees for the 2014 Board. Without adequate leadership for the Hi-Yu Summer Festival, we can’t assure a great experience for Junior Court members in 2014. If we are able to fill the open 2014 Board positions, then the Junior Court Coronation will be rescheduled (likely in the Fall). … We are sorry for the girls that have been looking forward to the event and the possibility of serving on the Junior Court. If you would like information about open positions on the Board and their responsibilities, please contact us at info@westseattlehiyu.com.
You can also find out more about being part of Hi-Yu by going to the general meeting this Monday (July 1st), 6:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Hanford).
At West Seattle Stadium, 200 people are in the early hours of an all-night annual tradition raising money to fight cancer – Relay for Life of West Seattle. It’s running a different schedule this year, but one thing didn’t change – the survivors’ lap (above) to start it off. One of the two-dozen-plus survivors there today was the highlighted speaker for the kickoff, Angela Hurst (in purple, below). It’s been a year since she was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 37 and 16 weeks of pregnancy … a baby she lost from side effects of as she was about to begin chemotherapy that she was assured would be OK:
(added) Here’s video of Angela telling her story:
The stories are everywhere at Relay for Life, without even having to be told aloud:
And while the event itself runs about 18 hours, the fundraising began weeks and months ago. You might remember this mother-daughter team:
We reported on Lauri and Gerry Cunningham‘s take-out spaghetti-dinner fundraiser a week ago. They told us proudly today that they brought in $800!
WHAT’S NEXT: This morning’s daily preview on WSB includes the schedule for this evening, with events open to the public including Bubbleman‘s performance right now and the popular kids-music band Recess Monkey at 6:30, and then the luminaria ceremony at 10 pm, as participants and visitors remember those they’ve lost as well as paying tribute to those who are fighting. The stadium gates will lock at 11, but people will remain on the track all night, with closing ceremonies planned at 7:30 tomorrow morning. If you want to donate, you can do so while visiting the stadium or online, here.
Big weekend for baseball! Thanks to Teresa for sharing the news that West Seattle Little League is an All-Star Tournament host for District 7, with 9/10 and 11/12 teams representing communities from South King County to North Seattle starting play today at Alki’s Bar-S Playfield, continuing till next Saturday. First-round games today included WSLL’s 11/12 this morning, and 9/10 coming up at 4 pm – when we stopped by Bar-S about an hour ago, Renton and Rainier were on the field. It’s a bustling scene off the field too:
You’re invited to stop by and watch; the schedules, and brackets, are linked from the WSLL home page.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Katelyn Tyson)
Four weeks ago today, we talked with the 13th Coast Guard District‘s then-commander Rear Adm. Keith Taylor about his impending retirement. After Friday ceremonies at Seattle’s USCG station, he’s enjoying his first full day of retirement, and District 13 has a new commander, a role that usually includes residence on the grounds of the Alki Point Lighthouse. The new commander is Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich – he’s on the left in the photo above, with Rear Adm. (ret.) Taylor at right, and Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Forces West, between them. Before coming to Seattle to lead the 13th District, Rear Adm. Gromlich, a Pennsylvania native, served as the Coast Guard’s first director of operational logistics, overseeing 13 bases and one base detachment (here’s his full bio). Read more about the change of command and Friday’s ceremony on the USCG website.
(May 2012 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Last year, we reported on a house fire in the 8400 block of 20th SW. But in the days afterward, the story moved far beyond the fire itself, to become a story of neighbors helping neighbors. Today, we received a note from the home’s owners, Martha and Brian Mallett, who say they are finally back home, and wanted to share words of thanks:
We, Brian and Martha Mallett, victims of a house fire May 1, 2012, have returned home after being away for eleven months. We were cared for two days by the Red Cross, had a two-month stay in the West Seattle Motel (wonderful hospitality) and nine months in a big house on Orchard Street in Highland Park. Our home is brand new, some furniture is still missing but we have the essentials.
The community, our friends, and our family have given us so much to be grateful for. There have been phone calls, notes, cards with words of encouragement and gifts. There were so many good samaritans, we cannot name them all. Speaking of family, they have worked really hard to reach our intended goal. All these folks have given from the heart and we plan to pay forward. We credit Lisa and Randy Leininger and their followers, the Seattle Fire Department, and the Highland Park Improvement Club for contributing in a big way to our well-being. We love West Seattle and the people in it.
Lisa and Randy were the neighbors who organized a fundraiser days after the fire. They posed with Martha that day, and shared the photo with us:
Thanks to Martha and Brian for sharing the followup!
Karen is hoping you can help her find her stolen car:
My black 2005 ford Mustang was stolen last night (6/28) around 11pm. It was parked outside my home on the street (in the 1700 block of) Alki Ave SW. The license plate is AGX1087. If you have seen anything suspicious or were taking photos in the area, please e-mail Karen at kkapsca@yahoo.com.
And to let police know, they request a call to 911.
(Photo by Mark/Sagebrush Photography via the WSB Flickr Group)
With warm weather expected again today, we’ve split the highlights into two sections, starting with one directly related to staying cool:
IN THE WATER
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Day two! Hours 11 am-8 pm. (11th SW/SW Cloverdale)
TODAY’S WADING POOL SCHEDULE: Delridge, Hiawatha, and Lincoln Park wading pools are open – see the hours here.
COLMAN POOL CLOSED … for a swim meet. But:
… SOUTHWEST POOL OPEN: Here’s the schedule. (2801 SW Thistle)
ALSO HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT
PICKUP SOCCER GAME: West Seattle Sunday Soccer continues also having Saturday morning pickup games, 8 am at Delridge Playfield (Delridge/26th/Alaska)
MEET THE AUTHOR: West Seattle writer Molly Ringle is introducing and signing her new book “Persephone’s Orchard” at Bird on a Wire Espresso (WSB sponsor) this morning, 9 am-11 am. (SW Henderson just west of 35th SW)
SHOW SCHMITZ PARK SOME LOVE: Join the Friends of Schmitz Park Preserve work party; meet at 9 am. (Admiral Way/Stevens)
GRAND OPENING: 9 am-3 pm, West Seattle Vision‘s official grand opening in Morgan Junction. (6505 California SW)
CAR WASH: 10 am-4 pm, the West Seattle High School Cheer Squad is ready to wash your vehicle at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) – they’re coming up against a fundraising deadline and would love your support. (35th/Webster)
STEM SUMMER PLAYDATE: New or returning West Seattle STEM student(s) in the family? Join the playdate today, 10 am-noon at the Lincoln Park zipline playground. (North of the south parking lot)
SEATTLE WORLD CRUISER CHRISTENING: As previewed here earlier in the week (our story explains the West Seattle link), the public christening event is at 10 am, Museum of Flight. (9404 E. Marginal Way S.)
STORYTIME AT BARNES & NOBLE: At the Westwood Village bookstore, Melissa says, today’s 11 am plan is as follows: “In honor of our first heat wave of the summer, we’re going to stay cool with some watery stories. We’ll be reading ‘Clark the Shark’ and ‘Splish, Splash, Splat!’ We’ll also have some cool treats and a summery craft.”
THE ‘HOOD HUNT: Free, map-based scavenger hunt, in West Seattle this time – noon start at Junction Plaza Park; details here. (42nd/Alaska)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Take a free tour, 1-4 pm. (Alki Ave/Beach Drive)
RELAY FOR LIFE OF WEST SEATTLE: 2 pm today is the kickoff for this cancer-fighting fundraiser at West Seattle Stadium, with the event continuing overnight and into midday Sunday. It’s a different schedule this year, with entertainment that’s open to the public too – here’s the schedule for the first eight hours:
2 pm: Opening Ceremony
2:15 pm: Survivor Lap (we will have a lounge with snacks for our survivors!) followed by Teams Lap
3-3:45 pm: ACS Cancer Action Network presentation
4-4:45 pm: Hair Donations
5-8 pm: Contigo Food Truck will be onsite
5-6 pm: Bubble Man
6:30-7:30 pm: Recess Monkey concert for the kids!
7-10 pm: Massages by M3 Bodyworks
7:30 pm: Squirt Gun Game
10 pm: Luminaria Ceremony
The stadium’s off 35th SW, just south of SW Avalon Way.
‘DEADLIEST CATCH’ CAPTAIN: Captain Keith Coburn of the Wizard is at the Junction QFC today, 3-4:30 pm, details here. (42nd/Alaska)
DUWAMISH TRIBE GALA: Seventh annual fundraising dinner and auction, 4:30 pm, Duwamish Longhouse; details here. (4505 W. Marginal Way SW)
SALSA DANCING ON ALKI: Starts with free Zumba at 4:45 pm, Statue of Liberty Plaza; Facebook event page here. (61st/Alki)
‘CLUTCH’ PREMIERE: Local filmmaker Jay Rowlands‘ long-running project – featured in this WSB story – premieres tonight at 7 at The Admiral Theater. (2343 California SW)
apertureSTOP! Spoken word and photography at Twilight in The Junction, 8-10 pm. (4306 SW Alaska)
More on the calendar!
Today (Saturday), stop by Bird on a Wire Espresso (WSB sponsor) from 9-11 am 
to meet local author Molly Ringle and celebrate the release of her fifth book, Persephone’s Orchard. Along with the print edition of her book coming out, for the next two weeks, you can also get the ebook at any major online bookstore for a $0.99 discount. You can even read the prologue and first two chapters for free here.
Ringle says her new novel is a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades, set in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s more from the press release:
“The ancient myths usually tend to agree that Hades kidnapped Persephone, completely against her will, traumatizing her and breaking her mother Demeter’s heart,” says Ringle, who grew up in Corvallis OR. “But ever since I was a teenager I wanted to see a version where Persephone loved Hades, and he loved her too. But in rewriting the myth that way, it became clear that if Hades wasn’t the villain in the triangle, someone else would have to be—or nearly so.”
You might remember that in 2010, Ringle won the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, a national contest for intentionally bad writing, and she’s also the author of several other novels. You can find out more about Ringle and her books at her website.
(Photo by Jason Ayres Gift Enevoldsen – click image for larger view)
11:30 PM: Just got word from Alice Enevoldsen, our Skies Over West Seattle correspondent, that aurora – aka “Northern Lights” – activity is happening out there right now. Alice’s advice: Look north. Let us know if you see it! Her recommended info source: softservenews.com.
12:35 AM: It faded fast, says Alice. We couldn’t see anything by the time we got to Alki to look. (But note that Alice says it’s possible again Saturday night.)
(Photo courtesy Duwamish Rowing Club)
Another way to get out on the water! The Duwamish Rowing Club has an announcement for all ages:
Duwamish Rowing Club is pleased to announce that their summer rowing programs start this Saturday! The first program starts on this Saturday June 29th and runs for a full month, until the 31st of July, every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4-6 pm. We are looking for kids, ages 12-18, to come out and row on the beautiful Duwamish River with us! Our second program is also every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday but we are looking for Masters rowers to come out and join us! No experience is required to become a Master; you must just be 21+! The Masters program runs with a flexible schedule so sign up even if you can’t make every single practice. Both programs will cost $80 and have the opportunity to compete at the Summer Rowing Extravaganza hosted by Greenlake Crew. If you wish to join, or have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email John Andersen at johnandersen185@gmail.com
(PHOTO UPDATED 6:32 pm – early evening, day 1)
4:49 PM: We finally made it over to Highland Park Spraypark, on its first day of operations, and found out it’s hit a bit of trouble – the water quit working about half an hour ago. So if you were planning on going over this evening – be forewarned. We’ll be checking back in a bit to see if it’s been fixed, since we’re told Seattle Parks has already been notified.
5:09 PM UPDATE: Joelle Hammerstad from Parks confirms staff is on the way to try to fix it.
5:35 PM UPDATE: It’s working! And open till 8, at 11th/Cloverdale.
2:50 PM: We just passed the backup while we were heading westbound on the bridge – eastbound is backed up all the way to Nucor, because of a crash on the ramp to the remaining Alaskan Way Viaduct. Take alternate routes – low bridge, 1st Avenue South Bridge – for a while (until you see the camera view above, looking toward the eastbound bridge, clear up).
4:59 PM: All’s well so far for the pm commute.
2:37 PM: Early this morning, some High Point residents thought they heard gunfire. Police checked it out – nothing and no one found. Then, about 10 hours later, someone turned up at a hospital many miles away, claiming they’d been shot in West Seattle. >SPD Blotter has details.
ADDED 3:03 PM: SPD Blotter has published another West Seattle story today as well – involving suspects caught in connection with break-ins at Highland Park and Sanislo Elementaries.
We’ve confirmed that both local Merrill Gardens (WSB sponsor) senior-living communities – West Seattle and Admiral Heights – are among the 38 MG locations that are being taken over by Emeritus Senior Living. Here’s their announcement:
Seattle-based Emeritus Senior Living is assuming operations of 38 senior living communities from Merrill Gardens, also headquartered in Seattle. These communities are located in eight states across the country, with the majority operating in California (16) and Washington (14). The transaction will add over 4,400 apartments to the Emeritus portfolio. Emeritus intends to retain Merrill Gardens’ community employees in the transaction, which is anticipated to close in the next few months.
The move will build Emeritus’ continuum of care; for Merrill Gardens, it provides greater nimbleness of operations for future innovation and development.
Emeritus is the nation’s largest assisted living and memory care provider, with a workforce of more than 30,000 and the ability to serve nearly 50,000 residents in 45 states. Completion of the Merrill Gardens transaction will increase the number of senior living communities Emeritus operates nationally to more than 500.
Merrill Gardens will then have 26 operating and development communities in six states in their portfolio. The company plans to continue to develop four to five communities per year in select markets. Final closing of this transaction is subject to customary closing conditions for acquisitions of this nature, including regulatory approvals.
A Merrill Gardens spokesperson tells us the transaction is expected to close in 60 days. The names at all 38 communities will eventually change, we’re told by both companies, to reflect the Emeritus branding.
SDOT has just sent an announcement confirming what we mentioned in Thursday’s daily traffic tracker – the Delridge repaving project is a week away from its next phase:
Work on Delridge Way SW Paving Phase 4, between SW Holden and SW Orchard streets, begins July 8. This segment of work will not require a detour as the roadway is wide enough to maintain one lane of traffic each way. Meanwhile, as weather permits, crews will stripe the roadway between SW Thistle and SW Holden streets the week of July 8. Southbound traffic will remain detoured as follows for up to 4 days.
West on SW Holden Street
South on 35th Avenue SW
East on SW Thistle Street
South on Delridge Way SWAs Phase 4 construction progresses and moves from one side of Delridge Way to the other, drivers will encounter traffic lane shifts. Local access to businesses and residences will be maintained.
This is a five-phase project. Upon completion of Phase 4 work, construction activity will move south between SW Roxbury and SW Henderson streets.
Been wondering who would get the money approved by the City Council this week to help move out Nickelsville residents so the encampment can be closed by September 1st? Union Gospel Mission just announced they’re working with the city:
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (“the Mission”) is developing a contract with the City of Seattle’s (“the City”) Human Services Department to help Nickelsville residents transition to permanent housing and get back on their feet. This comes as a result of the $500,000 appropriated by the City this week to assist the residents of Nickelsville to secure housing, shelter and services over the next several months.
“The Mission looks forward to walking beside the 160 individuals and families who desire a pathway out of homelessness. Mission staff will develop relationships with individuals and families wanting assistance, assessing their needs, finding appropriate housing options, and meeting with them on a weekly basis for up to a year with the goal of each person becoming fully self-reliant,” said Jeff Lilley, the Mission’s president.
The Mission will offer:
1. Relocation assistance to permanent housing for all Nickelsville residents – though all are free to seek their own alternatives.
2. Assisted and case-managed housing, up to one year – with the goal to have residents fully self-reliant at the end of that year.
3. Case management to help residents develop self-sustainable skills, utilizing existing resources as needed, including the Mission’s legal services, dental clinic, community job sources, etc.
4. Evaluation and referral services to those residents requesting entrance into recovery programs – guaranteeing a treatment bed in the Mission’s programs if they so choose (or a referral to other program).
5. Emergency shelter beds at Mission facilities during this transition period as needed.
“The Mission will not manage Nickelsville during this time, just assist in the relocation process. The project has many challenges as well as opportunities, and the Mission, with funding from the City, will begin work right away, ” said Lilley.
This weekend is the annual Relay for Life of West Seattle, a 2-day, 1-night event raising money to fight cancer. That overall mission is the same as ever, and the location is the same – West Seattle Stadium – but otherwise, there are big changes, including entertainment to which you’re invited to bring the family, and a timeframe change too. It starts at 2 pm Saturday (tomorrow, June 29th), continuing till midday Sunday, and here are the lineup highlights:
2 pm: Opening Ceremony
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