West Seattle, Washington
12 Saturday
We’ve seen a lot in the past of Lincoln Park’s owls – tonight, two of Fauntleroy Park’s owls:
Thanks to Gary Pro and Luli Weatherwax, who live by Fauntleroy Park, for sharing that photo of a baby owl, spotted sitting on their backyard bench this morning.
Meantime, Fauntleroy Park steward Steven Hodson forwarded this photo:
It’s by Kristian Nilssen, who’s not only a photographer and park volunteer, but also goalkeeper on this year’s high-achieving Chief Sealth International High School soccer team.
(1st three photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
One event that did NOT get rained out today – the Alki Bathhouse celebration of the 10th anniversary of Springer the orca’s family reunion, hosted by West Seattle-headquartered The Whale Trail. Above, a Springer likeness at the kids’ activities table; attendees of all ages listened to memories of what it took to get Springer safely home to her family in Canada, after she was found hundreds of miles away in Puget Sound:
As recounted on The Whale Trail’s website, “Two governments and hundreds of people worked together to get the little whale home. But the final step was up to the orcas – Would her family recognize her? Would they accept her back?” They did – and that is why the achievement, and Springer’s ongoing life with her family, is cause to celebrate:
Springer is a northern resident orca, belonging to a group separate from her Puget Sound cousins, southern resident orcas. The northern residents are believed to number more than 200, more than twice the size of the southern residents, which are officially listed as endangered. Groups like The Whale Trail are working to educate people about how to help them survive; that’s why, as part of today’s event, TWT dedicated new signage you’ll find in West Seattle – placed along the shore, where you can watch whales in a way that impacts them the least:
The Whale Trail provided that photo, noting that, “George Taylor, sons and members of the Le-La-La First Nations dance company performed a killer whale mask dance and other traditional ‘Kwakwakakw dances. Members of the group from a canoe in Dong Chong Bay greeted Springer with the same mask when she returned home 10 years ago.”
ADDED 11:55 PM: Thanks to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for this view of the mask as the dancers performed inside the bathhouse:
P.S. If you weren’t here and/or don’t remember the coverage of the rescue and reunion – there’s some archive video in this recent story by Canada’s CTV that’s viewable via YouTube.
Update on the Kits Cameras closure at Jefferson Square (first reported here yesterday) – we got a note from Kalani Gamble, a Kits employee, who says:
We are here packing and cleaning. Please let everyone know that they can pick up their orders from us in WS until Tuesday. … Thank you WSB, and we thank West Seattle for their loyal business over the years, we’ll miss being here!
(TOPLINE: Festival started in filtered sun, then came hours of rain/wind, and it ended early)
(Plushies are at Pink Gorilla booth; in the background, plants @ Furry Faces Foundation)
ORIGINAL 11:36 AM REPORT: “Filtered sunshine,” dry weather, warm-ish temperature! Turned out to be start off as a fine day for a festival here in Morgan Junction. We’re behind Feedback Lounge/Zeeks Pizza with about 20 other booths – and that’s just part of the festival; there’s live music in Morgan Junction Park just steps away, north of Beveridge Place Pub, and kids’ activities across California SW alongside Washington Federal – featuring Young at Art:
Key festival info:
*The entertainment schedule (mostly live music, but including The Bubbleman at 11:30)
*“Bark of Morgan” dog parade and contests, starting at 2 pm
*Here’s the festival site map – the Metro RapidRide bus is here all day; Seattle Fire Engine 37 is due here at 12:30 pm
And we have an update on the “Bite of Morgan.” Five local food/beverage places are offering free samples (stop by the Morgan Community Association booth in the park for your guide) – north to south, it’s Little Prague Bakery with kolach and strudel, Kokoras Greek Grill with stuffed grape leaves, the Feedback with pan-seared barbecue pork chops, Zeeks Pizza with cheese or pepperoni pizza, and Domino’s with mini parmesan bites. You can also visit the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) barbecue tent outside the store for a $7 lunch, proceeds benefiting the festival (which is an all-volunteer production).
12:09 PM UPDATE: Showers, off and on. The festival continues. The Bubbleman (who is now a West Seattle resident, by the way!) just performed – video:
12:29 PM UPDATE: Serious rain. Some intrepid festivalgoers are still here in jackets and umbrellas. Here’s hoping it’ll dry out later (about to check the radar).
1:21 PM UPDATE: Some booths are folding up – the rain was one thing, but the chilly wind kicked up too, and that seems to have pushed some over the edge. We’re checking with organizers for the official word.
1:40 PM UPDATE: The rain’s lightening a bit but the booths are down to about half a dozen – organizers gave vendors the option to fold up – our neighbors, selling jewelry, say they don’t mind the weather, but since nobody’s coming to visit, there’s no point. We’re continuing to hang out. The band schedule is going moment-to-moment, depending on the electronics and the weather. The dog parade for 2 pm is still on – depending on who shows! SFD and SPD are here too:
2 PM: Furry Faces Foundation hasn’t folded up its plant sale:
But if you want to buy a plant, you’ll have to go find Teri inside the Feedback.
2:25 PM: Speaking of “furry faces”… yes, there was a dog parade!
(added – two more photos – note that this dog didn’t want to look at the camera when posing with its people but did then have something to say to Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker!)
And even though NOW the rain and wind are lifting … the vendors are almost all gone.
3:10 PM UPDATE: The festival has officially come to an early end. Bands cut short, all festival zones being cleaned up/folded up. Thanks to everybody who came out, even in the downpour! We’re among the last to fold up but we’ll be gone shortly since the Feedback/Zeeks back parking lot has reopened to traffic.
Block Watch Captains take on a big responsibility for their neighborhood – but don’t get paid, and don’t always get appreciated. Last night, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network‘s first-ever BW Captains Appreciation Party was an attempt at remedying that – inviting captains and their guests to a free catered dinner, with music, and dancing. And words of gratitude, from Mayor Mike McGinn – who thanked the captains, saying, “You answered the call for your community” – and police (for whom the mayor had appreciative words too, as he went on to discuss the May 30th shootings):
Among those in our clip (unintroduced, since they were hosting!) were WSBWCN’s leaders, two women who are captains themselves, Karen Berge and Deb Greer:
They made last night’s party happen, too, along with a committee of other volunteers lining up grants and sponsors (WSB joined in, which is why our banner’s in the background of this next photo).
Speaking of banners, WSBWCN has a new one too, shown off at the party (which was at the VFW Hall in The Triangle):
No Block Watch in your area? Here’s how to form one. To get involved with WSBWCN, keep an eye on their website for meeting info – (updated) next one is Tuesday, June 26, 6:30 pm, at the precinct (Delridge/Webster).
(See this RapidRide bus up close and personal @ Morgan Junction Festival today)
Lots going on, no matter what the weather does! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
TRAFFIC REMINDER: Yet another reminder, the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is closed for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon (till 3:30 pm) and that’s just one of a multitude of closures, as well as bus detours, so if you’re leaving the peninsula … expect the unexpected.
LOOKING FOR YARD SALES? HAVING ONE? Check out the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section – posting is free. (Be sure to include the date/s in the subject line.)
WEST SEATTLE KIWANIS POKER RUN: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is raising money for Children’s Hospital, with its annual Motorcycle Poker Run, Classic Car Show, and barbecue. Check-in 8:30-9:30 am at 40th/Edmunds (and if you didn’t pre-register, no worries, you and your bike can just show up!), then they’re off! Details here.
HELP CLEAN UP AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: As previewed here earlier this week, volunteer help is appreciated today at West Seattle’s only museum – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum – 9 am to noon. Just show up (61st/Stevens)!
SANISLO WETLAND WORK PARTY: Factoid from Steve Richmond: “Did you know a mature cedar tree can intercept more than 400 gallons of rainfall per year, reducing polluted stormwater runoff that will otherwise foul Puget Sound? Evergreen trees intercept twice the rainfall as deciduous trees, particularly during winter.” 10 am-1 pm today, you can help take care of native plants at the Sanislo School Wetland, 1812 SW Myrtle. Help appreciated even if you have as little as an hour to spare. Meet in front of the school. Bring gloves, hand pruners if you have them (write your name on yours), =and wear sturdy shoes/boots and long sleeves/pants. Snacks and water provided (bring a bottle).
MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Clouds and showers won’t stop the free fun – 10:30 am-7 pm, live music/performances (The Bubbleman at 11:30 am is a fave with the kids), the “Bark of Morgan” dog parade/contests at 2 pm, ongoing “Bite of Morgan” food sampling, dozens of booths with community organizations and businesses (we’ll be reporting live; come say hi!) – details, map, schedule here.
CELEBRATE SPRINGER ON ALKI: Native dancers, kids’ activities, stories about the amazing work a decade ago that reunited Springer the “orphan orca” with her family … it’s all part of the celebration that The Whale Trail is hosting today (including unveiling their new signs), 11 am-3 pm at Alki Bathhouse. Details on TWT’s website.
HAM RADIO FIELD DAY: Go learn about amateur radio and say hi to local “hams,” during their round-the-clock marathon in the field on the southeast side of the South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW), 11 am today till 11 pm tomorrow. They’re not just hobbyists – they’re a vital link in the local emergency-preparedness ecosystem, too – and they invite you to come check out what’s going on. More info here.
WALK FOR THE BABIES: As previewed here earlier this week – a 5K walk around the track at West Seattle Stadium 3-5 pm today to raise money for a one-of-a-kind facility that helps newborns, between hospital and home, recover from prenatal drug exposure. You’re welcome to join in and/or pledge.
BOWLING FOR BOOBS: Fight breast cancer with a charity bowl-a-thon at West Seattle Bowl (39th/Oregon), starting at 6 pm, benefiting two nonprofits. Details here.
SALSA ON ALKI – WEATHER PERMITTING: If the weather isn’t too wet, it’s the second edition of this summer’s salsa-dancing sessions on Alki (near the bathhouse). Organizers advise checking the Facebook event page around noon to see if it’s on. If it is, it starts around 6 pm.
BLUEGRASS AT KENYON HALL: The Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band (appropriate name for a day like this) plays Kenyon Hall at 7:30 pm.
AFTER THE FESTIVAL – DJ @ THE FEEDBACK: Tonight at 8 pm, segue from the Morgan Junction Community Festival into the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) for DJ SheZaHipChick.
Just a reminder if you are headed out of West Seattle today – the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is closed because of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, and scheduled to remain closed till 3:30 pm. (Here’s the full list of race-related closures.)
This weekend, King County Wastewater Treatment Division will send staffers to Sunrise Heights and Westwood for 29 separate block meetings over the course of two days to discuss details of the plan for “green stormwater infrastructure” to reduce combined-sewer overflows (CSO) downhill – officially known as the Barton CSO Control Project. The schedule and locations are shown here, on a flyer distributed to residents recently to get the word out about the meetings, and listed in this news release. The county says the bioswale project will divert enough rainwater out of the combined-sewer system to reduce the number of overflows into Puget Sound from the Barton Pump Station in Fauntleroy – a reduction required by the state and federal governments.
Meantime, one group of skeptical Sunrise Heights neighbors has launched a website to spotlight their questions and concerns about how the bioswales will affect their neighborhood. We reported their story in March (our report details their concerns about the bioswales); last month, they met with county staffers downtown, at which time they were told these block meetings were in the works. Their new website is westseattleraingardens.com. Its front page exhorts neighbors, “If you have questions or concerns about the Barton CSO project, please don’t remain silent. Silence implies acceptance. Please attend the Open Houses, ask the hard questions and carefully note how your questions are answered – or not.” The site includes a “Take Action” page which links to an online petition asking King County Executive Dow Constantine to stop the project, currently scheduled to start construction next year.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:
*Beware of scammers and the “Pigeon Drop” scheme. If someone approaches you, claims to have inherited money in a foreign country, but needs your help in donating it to a good cause, just say no. On the 7th, a woman was approached at a Westwood Village coffee shop and before the day was done she had driven (with the suspects) to her bank and handed them $20,000 worth of cash and jewelry. Both suspects were described as black females, one with her hair in a “greasy” curly perm who carried a green satchel with three zippers. The other wore purple-framed glasses, a gray leather coat, lots of silver-colored rings and carried a black purse with a circle design.
*In the evening on Saturday the 9th, an alcohol and marijuana-impaired Montana resident was booked into King County Jail for investigation of assault after he yelled profanities at children in a High Point park. When an older child told him to leave them alone, he began yelling at her, screaming nonsense, claiming she was his girlfriend. As the children left the area, the suspect followed them until he was confronted by a parent. He punched the parent in the shoulder. In return, the parent punched him in the face, knocked him down, and called 911.
Six more summaries ahead:Read More
During this morning’s end-of-year awards assembly, the Lafayette Elementary community said goodbye to Joyce Kuespert, who attended Lafayette in her childhood and then went on to teach there for more than 31 of her 40 years as a teacher. She will be gone but not forgotten – every year, the school’s best first-grade reader will receive an award named after her. The plaque was displayed during the assembly:
As of this afternoon, school’s out for summer for students at Lafayette and the rest of Seattle Public Schools!
The sun hasn’t emerged in tomorrow’s forecast YET but we hope you’ll come visit the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB) no matter what kind of weather we wind up with. Cindi Barker from the Morgan Community Association says they have tents for the band stages if necessary, and people with booths at the festival are usually under tents anyway (we’ve got ours ready to go). Prep work is continuing at the site – which includes Morgan Junction Park, the lot behind Zeeks/Feedback (just walk southwest of the park to get there), and Washington Federal across California. Here’s what you need to know:
*The entertainment schedule (mostly live music, but including The Bubbleman at 11:30)
*“Bark of Morgan” dog parade and contests, starting at 2 pm
*Here’s the festival site map – note a Metro RapidRide bus and Seattle Fire truck are both expected. Visit the MoCA info booth in the park (marked on the map) for Bite of Morgan food-sample information/location list/tickets (free but first-come, first-served).
*Festival hours are 10:30 am-7 pm; vendors/exhibitors will likely be closing around 6 pm, so the final hour is mostly just music and unwinding. Stick around Morgan Junction and enjoy the local businesses, many of which are sponsoring the festival – have dinner, and/or drinks, lots of after-partying awaits! P.S. One lunchtime idea – there’ll be a barbecue outside nearby West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), with proceeds benefiting the volunteer-produced, nonprofit festival.
WSDOT has just announced next week’s Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closures:
Tuesday, June 26 – the morning of Friday, June 29 – The southbound SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct will close between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Freeway from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. The on-ramps from Elliott Avenue and Columbia Street to southbound SR 99 also will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.
Friday, June 29 – morning of Sunday, July 1 – The southbound SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct will close between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Freeway from 11 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Sunday.
As we’ve been doing, we’ll meld these with the Spokane Street Viaduct closures for next week (announced by SDOT yesterday) to create one ongoing list we can permalink from the sidebar here – we’ll add that all-in-one, day-by-day/night-by-night link here when it’s ready.
The Kits Cameras store at Jefferson Square has gone out of business. After a texted tip (thanks!) we went over to investigate and found a sign on the door, saying yesterday was its last day in operation.
Court documents available online indicate that its parent company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (We’ve sent an inquiry to corporate PR, but haven’t heard back.) As the door sign says, if you have photo prints or camera repairs you were expecting to pick up at this shop, you should instead contact Cameras West downtown, 206-628-0066.
If you follow the WSB Facebook page and/or the Seattle Police Department Facebook page, you’ve probably seen the photo of those 2 Bichon Frises already today, but in case you don’t, we’re sharing it here too. SPD put it on FB in honor of Take Your Dog To Work Day; we shared it on the WSB FB page, without having any clue at the time that the dogs – as we were informed a while later – are West Seattleites! We’ve also heard the photo was shown on NBC’s Today show this morning and is expected to reappear in an NBC News Take Your Dog To Work Day photo feature.
Next Thursday night, the Southwest Design Review Board considers a three-story, 30-unit apartment building proposed for 3829 California SW (map), currently home to one-story multiplexes (as shown in our original report from June 5). The proposal’s graphics/background “packet” is now available via the city website. Since this is an Early Design Guidance meeting, the image above, taken from the packet, is NOT a final design proposal, but rather roughed out for “massing” – size/shape. Here’s how the packet describes the project:
The proposed development will create an urban infill apartment building with partially underground parking under the structure. Basement level provide parking for 20 cars and garbage and bike storage.
The ground level of the preferred scheme consists of a residential lobby and eight residential units with a variety of studio, one, and two bedroom units. The apartment service and utility area is located on this level.
The second and third floors house 11 residences each, with a mix of studios and one bedroom units.
The roof of the building will be accessible and act as an amenity space for tenants with opportunities for entertaining, community gardening and relaxation.
Parking is required for this project, as it does not fall within a frequent transit corridor nor an urban village overlay. One space is provided per unit via underground and surface parking, both accessed from the alley.
The Design Review meeting is scheduled for 6:30 next Thursday (June 28) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon in The Junction). As always, the meeting’s open to all and includes a public-comment period – as long as the comments focus on design issues – after the architects have made their presentation and been quizzed by the board members.
Down the driveway from the fence in our photo’s foreground, Cove Park north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock is now closed for about two years of construction work, as King County starts major work on the $24 million Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project. That includes site preparation – removing Cove Park’s artwork “for safe storage,” relocating the beach driftwood, and putting up a safety fence. (The park is to be restored after the project, following extensive talks with the Fauntleroy Community Association.) The county says work hours generally will run 7 am-5:30 pm. But they are NOT anticipating ferry-lane closures during this initial phase. Once the project is done, the pump station’s capacity will be 50 percent more than it is now, with all-new equipment, including an emergency generator.
In the photo with Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board (WSB sponsor), you might recognize Cal Prinster and dad Gordon Prinster, who stopped by ABB Thursday to pick up “the last couple things” for their next adventure. Last summer, they shared the news here as they wrapped up a 1,732-mile bike trip to the Mexican border, raising money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Tomorrow, Cal and dad head out on another bicycle odyssey – this time, aiming to reach New York City by summer’s end! Here’s a one-minute preview produced by Cal (who’s going into 7th grade at Madison Middle School next year), showing their planned route:
We asked Gordon if they’re having any kind of sendoff. He says no – “We’ll just quietly roll out into the rain Saturday.”
TO DONATE: Go to this page on the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation site – and be sure to enter “Cal Prinster” as the “honoree” so PBTF will know he inspired you!
(Baby eagle in the Duwamish Head Greenbelt, photographed this week by Kathy Weitz)
We know many independent-school students in West Seattle are already out – but today is the long-awaited final day for Seattle Public Schools students, so we wish them and their families “happy summer!” Here are other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY: That’s what AmericanWest Bank in The Junction is celebrating today, with free refreshments 11 am-2 pm at their branch (41st/Alaska) and a food truck on site if you’re interested in buying lunch there (Raney Brothers BBQ).
WORLD HARMONY RUN AT THE MOUNT: At 2 pm, the World Harmony Run Torch visits Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW).
LIVE MUSIC: Pat Smith at 3 pm at Bridge Park (3204 SW Morgan), RSVP requested … “Bobcat Bob” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 6-8 pm (5612 California SW) … Jazz singer Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW), 8-10 pm … Sightseer, Lush Tones, and More of Anything at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm … Jason Sees at the Heartland Café‘s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm … The Dolly Rottens and Death’s Three Daughters at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW) at 9:30 pm …
SATIRICAL SONGS: That’s what you can expect at “Live from the Starving Ear” with Roy Zimmerman tonight at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm.
SUNSET NATURE WALK: Naturalist Stewart Wechsler leads a Lincoln Park walk to commemorate the “latest sunset of the year,” meet at 8:45 pm; details on his website.
FYI – BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS’ PARTY: If you see police around the VFW Hall in The Triangle, don’t worry, it’s actually a happy occasion – they might be stopping in to say hello to the Block Watch captains of West Seattle, whose first-ever Appreciation Party, organized by the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network (with co-sponsors including WSB), is happening there tonight, including dinner and dancing.
FYI – ROTARY INSTALLATION BANQUET: That’s the big event at The Hall at Fauntleroy tonight, 6-9 pm, as the Rotarians celebrate outgoing president Sue Lindblom and incoming president Andy Horner.
Students, teachers, and school staffers aren’t the only ones marking farewells as this week comes to an end. Thursday afternoon at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), a reception honored departing CEO Kevin McFeely, who’s leaving after 9 years to run The Hearthstone in Green Lake (as reported here a month ago). Among those offering tributes at the celebration, marketing director Karmen Hudson:
His replacement has not yet been named. The Kenney is north of Lincoln Park, with history going back more than a century.
(WSB photo from June 2010 volunteer cleanup @ the museum)
Inspired by recent stories of community cleanups, both spontaneous and planned? Here’s one you can join in. Just received from Marcy Johnsen at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:
Calling Volunteers! Your community museum needs you!
This Saturday, June 23rd, come help clean up at the Log House Museum. 3003 61st Avenue SW – corner of 61st and Stevens.
All sorts of chores to be done so no talent will go unneeded! Come ready to pitch in 9 am to 12 noon. No prior experience needed.
That would still leave plenty of time to check out Saturday’s big events, including the Morgan Junction Community Festival (10:30 am-7 pm) and “Celebrate Springer“ at the Alki Bathhouse (11 am-3 pm, not far from the Log House Museum).
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports to share – one, the odd tale of a front-yard flower thief; the other, stolen groceries – read on for both, plus a quick roundup of notable incidents on the crime map from the past 24 hours or so:Read More
Shakura Kanye‘s dad passed away recently; she says he was “a very active member in the West Seattle community and I would like to spread the word about his funeral service.”
Honoring Mark Christopher Adams
When: Saturday, June 23, 2012 @ 11 a.m.
Where: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury)Please join family and friends at Freedom Church in West Seattle at 11 am for a funeral service honoring Mark Adams- a loving brother, father, husband, uncle, and friend. He will be missed dearly.
Just in from SDOT – what you can expect for the next week-plus in terms of Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project closures. Right now, no bridge closures after tonight, but there are several surface closures of note, including a three-day shutdown of two blocks of eastbound surface Spokane Street. Details ahead:Read More
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