West Seattle, Washington
22 Sunday
The city’s new Walk/Bike/Ride campaign has issued a challenge: Spend five days commuting without cars. West Seattle resident Councilmember Tom Rasmussen plans to do it this week, and has an invitation for you:
This week several City Councilmembers and I will be participating in the “Walk Bike Ride Challenge” of Mayor McGinn. The goal is to convert two car trips per week to walking, biking or riding to shop, work or play. This is a great idea and sounds pretty easy to me.
If you would like to join me on my commute to work next week, meet me at Weather Watch Park at 4035 Beach Drive SW [map] at 7:00 a.m. [photo above shows the park & the councilmember’s bike] I will be riding my bike from that location each morning for the next five days unless something requires me to take the #37 bus instead.
I will be updating (my) blog (rasmussen.seattle.gov) with experiences from my commute trips. You can let me know by commenting (on that site) how you are participating by taking the challenge yourself. Here is where you can sign up and get more information:
Councilmember Rasmussen’s plan is particularly notable, given that he chairs the council’s Transportation Committee.
Last year, then-Seattle Lutheran High School senior Emily Meyer organized the “Remember This Benefit“ to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s – which killed her mom Betsy Meyer (shown with Emily at left, in a photo shared with us last year) way too early (the journey was chronicled by our partners at the Seattle Times). This week, Emily has another fundraiser in the works, to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of her mom, gone now for a year and a half: Tuesday night at Comedy Underground (109 S. Washington), hosted by Emily’s brother Alex Meyer. Here’s the lineup:
Dartanion London
Cory Michaelis
JR Berard
Jen Seaman
Andy Palmer
Barbara Holm
The show starts at 8:30 pm Tuesday (July 20), and tickets are just $10.
Not only was the centennial-celebrating courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) wall-to-wall with West Seattle Outdoor Movies-goers by the time the preshow fun began, Hotwire’s Lora Lewis says a few dozen people had seats staked out by 5:30 (about three hours early). Covering the series extensively, and participating as a sponsor, for the past few years, we can declare the turnout for “Mamma Mia!” the biggest opening-night crowd ever, if not the biggest crowd ever. Raffle-ticket sales raised more than $250 for WestSide Baby – donated prizes included cards for beverages/food at Hotwire, Elliott Bay Brewery, and Pagliacci Pizza, as well as a Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) T-shirt. And then it was time to dance:
Therese from The Body Bar, one of the movie’s sponsors, isn’t in the shot, but she led the “dance party,” in the spirit of the night’s movie (a musical, if you’ve never seen it). The preshow shorts included a WC Fields classic:
The main feature started around dusk, 9 pm last night, but obviously that’ll get a bit earlier each of the next five weeks as the series continues, so our best advice is, come early (4400 California SW) and stake out a spot (BYO chairs/blankets). Next Saturday night, the movie is the ’80s classic “WarGames” – here’s the trailer:
That’ll be an ’80s-themed event (with a geek subtext, pocket protectors and all!) with sponsors including WSB, Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), and Nicholson Kovalchick Architects. (You’ll likely see our favorite geeklet, aka Junior Member of the Team, assisting again with raffle-ticket-selling and raffle emceeing, though he prefers ties and vests rather than pocket protectors.) To review the full list of what’s ahead the next five Saturday nights – free! – go to the official WS Outdoor Movies site.
Just out of the WSB inbox from “JAR,” our first door-to-door alert in a while – read on:Read More
(The all-night moving operation ended at 6:25; below, our coverage as it unfolded from midnight on)
(ADDED 3:19 AM: Video of the 2nd half of the 14-minute process to roll the home off its lot)
ORIGINAL 12:20 AM REPORT: We’re here along 42nd SW, about half a block north of the Junction QFC, where workers are in the early stage of the delicate process of moving an old house – broken down over the past few weeks of work, so that it’s more or less a roofless one-story box – from its original site in The Junction, part of a future development site, to a new location in the Admiral District. Background and photos here. We’ll be posting periodic updates. There’s a dozen-plus spectators out here. Tough photography conditions but we’ll be rolling video when actual action ensues, and photos are likely to be easier once the house is closer to the street lights. The crew’s having a meeting right now, which we can hear from across the street – getting safety reminders from their boss, hearing that traffic controls will be in place at both ends of this block of 42nd as they get started soon.
12:59 AM: The block is now closed from Oregon to Alaska. The crews are placing long wood strips to create ramps for the house, which has been jacked up on wheels, to roll onto the flatbed that’s also standing by.
1:24 AM: The house is rolling down the ramp momentarily.
1:51 AM: “This seems pretty improbable!” the house’s new owner, Jacques White, laughed nervously in the midst of the first phase of the move – getting the house off the lot and onto the street. That phase is now complete. We rolled video (up later) – it took about 15 minutes, once the tow truck started to pull it down a wide temporary ramp. We’ve been told they won’t start rolling it down the route to its new site until 3:30 am. It’s in the middle of 42nd SW on its trailer now, engines off, while the crew does some cleanup on its now-empty original site. Once it was fully onto the level street, the dozen-plus spectators hooted and cheered. White says the contractor tells him it will take about six months to make the house ready to live in; he and his wife currently live in a house on the same lot, on which they once had hoped to build a new home – that didn’t work out, but the idea of finding a great old home and moving it did. Here he is, in a pullover with the contractor’s logo:
3:15 AM: Heading back to the site after a quick break, since the house should be rolling down the route to its new home shortly. Night owls can watch our Twitter feed for photos along the way, till the next update here. (added later) Here’s video of the house making the turn onto westbound Charlestown from northbound California:
5:15 AM: The house is just yards from its new home. The actual on-the-streets move has taken two full hours, with delicate maneuvering around signs, hydrants, trees.
Owner Jacques says getting it onto the lot will be tricky too.
5:41 AM: They are getting ready to slide it onto the new site.
7:09 AM: Just got back to HQ. As of 6:25 am, the moving operation is over; the house’s owners, Jacques and Beth, popped a bottle of champagne (and were giving another one to Alex Schenkar, their contractor, who hollered up at the end of the move, “We’re within an eighth of an inch – is that good enough?”).
(That’s part of the house behind him, by the way, formerly over the front door, removed for the move, but to be put back into place.) The last few inches were heart-stoppers, as the house, still jacked up on a wheeled trailer, was pushed onto a platform elevated over the hole that will be turned into its foundation over the next few weeks before work on the house itself resumes. The Seattle Times (WSB partner) was the only other media organization covering it from start to finish, though a few others parachuted in and out, so keep an eye out for the Times story and video too. Meantime, we’ll be adding a few more visuals – photos and video – to this narrative over the next hour or so.
One last reminder – we’ll mention it again in the morning but that might be too late to make your plans for the day, so we’re giving another shoutout tonight – WSB is thrilled to be among this year’s sponsors for the West Seattle Garden Tour, and TOMORROW is the big day, 9 am-5 pm. Your $15 ticket (12/under kids are free) gets you a booklet for admission to the eight fabulous gardens on display this year (previewed here). Just got sneak preview shots from WSGT’s Clay Swidler!
Also among the WSGT gardens tomorrow – the South Seattle Community College Arboretum, which is also where your ticket gets you in to see the presentation by featured speaker Willi Galloway at noon. Willi, a West Seattleite, writes and publishes DigginFood.com – which is about one of the hottest topics around, food gardening – with a dose of backyard chicken-raising. Right after her presentation, the amazing culinary team from SSCC has a spread of treats for West Seattle Garden Tour ticketholders – the chance to taste chocolate, cheese, pastries, and (21+ of course) wine, before you get back out to continue touring the gardens. Online ticket sales are closed BUT you can buy same-day tickets tomorrow at West Seattle Nursery and
(UPDATE – 7:11 pm, just substituted this new photo for previous “file” pic – courtyard’s starting to fill up!)
(WSB photo from July 18, 2009, last year’s first Outdoor Movies night)
ORIGINAL 6:15 PM REPORT: Two Saturday night reminders: First, if you haven’t gathered up your chairs and blankets yet – just a couple of hours till the first West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of the year, “Mamma Mia” – preceded by two shorts and even a dance party. Full details in our Friday preview. We’ve been asked “what time does everything start” – that’s always tricky since it’s a matter of “when’s dusk” and backtiming from there, and also the “first come, first served” nature of seating space. We’d advise erring on the early side. Meantime, for our fellow night-owls – tonight’s the night for an unusual overnight journey that will wind up here:
Lots of activity this morning at the Admiral site (2758 46th SW) where a house will be moved in the wee hours from its current spot at 4516 42nd SW in The Junction. We’ve reported on this a couple times before – our second story has the most details and photos, including some of the interior touches that led a local couple to buy it so they could have it moved and renovated. There’s “no parking” signage along some of the route that will be used between midnight at 6, so if you’re parked in the area along the route (mapped here by our partners at the Seattle Times), make sure you’ve moved your vehicle in time! We’ll be covering this as-it-happens overnight, so if you’re up, check in for updates.
Highland Park’s Dina Lydia Johnson – “The Costume Goddess” – is wearing many hats (and veils), including vendor and photographer, at this weekend’s Mediterranean Fantasy Festival at Hiawatha Community Center, and already having a blast when we saw her less than an hour into Day 1. You might call it a belly-dancing convention – performances by, and merchandise for, practitioners of the Mediterranean dancing arts. It’s grown to two stages, inside the community center…
… as well as out on the east lawn (here’s the full schedule of performances):
And even if you’re not in the market for exotic adornments and apparel, the booths are nonetheless a feast for the eyes (scroll down this page for the map and list of vendors):
Performances continue till 9 pm tonight, and are scheduled between 11 am and 6 pm tomorrow (here again is the schedule). Admission’s free.
History and art are mingling today and tomorrow during the first-ever “Painted Garden” art event at the Log House Museum on Alki. While at the beach to check out today’s Alki Car Show (WSB coverage here), we detoured a block inland to have a look at this first-ever event. You can’t miss the signs – balloons and chalked-on-sidewalk arrows will point you there. Artists selling their wares are arranged outside the museum, up on its porch and down on the patio:
That’s Virginia M. Wulf, with jewelry creations; across from her on the patio, Marilyn Van Cleave Ullin:
And while you’re on the back patio, peek into the Carriage House to see the old Alki Statue of Liberty:
There are even whimsical creations hanging over the Log House Museum’s railings:
If you miss them today, the artists will be back at the LHM tomorrow (Sunday), 10 am-4 pm. (Then next weekend on the beach, in case you were wondering, it’s the always-big Alki Art Fair.)
Seems everybody has a story at the Alki Classic Car Show, happening along the waterfront boardwalk, stretching west from the Alki Bathhouse, till 4 pm today. Cars from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s sparked a lot of memories, overheard as we walked by, and discussed with some as we all admired the displays. A few of the cars go back decades further:
That’s a 1929 1/2 Ford, owned by Bob Murray. With many cars, it’s the details – like the fins on this 1958 Dodge Custom Royal, owned by Jane Holtzclaw:
Another memorable rear view, in a photo shared by Clifton:
That one brought back memories of our best friend’s mom’s car (San Diego, mid-’60s). And Kathy Ryerson‘s 1955 T-Bird reminded us of the white, portholed ’56 once owned by an aunt (wonder where that car is now) …
If you’re at the beach at 3 pm, that’s when they’re scheduled to announce the winners – here’s what’s in store for the best of the best:
Again, the show’s scheduled to run till 4, and it’s free. Good appetite-whetter for the big West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB), coming up on September 19th (if you want to enter, don’t wait much longer – here’s our latest update).
That’s Melanie Wells, proprietor of Pet Elements (6701 California SW) in Morgan Junction, who invites you to come on over and celebrate with hot dogs and birthday cake – her store is marking its 5th anniversary. And to celebrate, they’re encouraging you to reach out and help if you can – if you’re interested in adopting a cat or kitten, visit Kitty Harbor (on Harbor Ave. just north of The Bridge) today or tomorrow; if you adopt one, you’ll get a special adoption flyer to bring to Pet Elements for a free trial bag of cat food, plus a 10 percent discount on anything you buy for your new friend – if you spend $30 or more, you get another $5 off the bill. West Seattle-based Furry Faces Foundation often partners with Pet Elements and has info at the store about its two community programs, “It’s Hip to be Snipped” and “Oliver’s Fund.” Pet Elements is open till 6 tonight.
Last night, a low-key celebration included arts and crafts for kids – one year after they got a brand-new playground at Delridge Community Center. The actual anniversary is today – July 17th, 2009, will be marked in Delridge history as the day hundreds of volunteers joined with KaBOOM! to make the playground dream come true.
(WSB photo from July 17, 2009)
Happy birthday!
Just announced:
1ST Annual Luna Park Block Party
Ola Salon, Located in the Luna Park neighborhood of West Seattle, is hosting the first ever Block Party in Luna Park.
West Seattle, WA. 07/29/2010 5 to 9 pm.
Ola Salon, in conjunction with Luna Park Café, Java Bean Espresso, Avalon Glassworks, Café Revo and West Seattle produce will be hosting this event intended to breathe new life into this historic neighborhood in West Seattle. (Named after an amusement park that was open) from 1907 to 1913, the neighborhood now boasts an eclectic collection of independent small businesses and strives to make a footprint in the Seattle area!
The event will start at Ola Salon, located at 2942 SW Avalon Way, and end at Avalon Glassworks located at 2914 SW Avalon Way. Festivities include:
~Food provided by Luna Park Café (FRENCH FRY AND MILKSHAKES), ELVIS COVER BAND
~Ola Salon
~Beer and Wine from OLA Salon
~Live Music- Acoustic Sets by Sid Law and Nathan Adams
~Tarot Readings
~Chair Massage by healing roots
~Complimentary services and products furnished by OLA Salon
~Java Bean will be offering coffee samples
~West Seattle Produce will have organic fruit and veggie samples
~Avalon glassworks will be doing a glassblowing demonstration and offering discountsFor more information about the event or participating sponsors, please feel free to visit our websites:
olasalon.com, lunaparkcafe.com, avalonglassworks.com, javabeancoffee.com, westseattleproduce.com
At Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (39th/Thistle; map), the big “tag sale” is today, 9 am-4 pm. Above, the crew working to put it together when we stopped by Friday morning. In addition to a variety of items on sale, they’re also having a bake sale, with earnings to “benefit neighbors in need and multiply with matching grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.”
Also happening 9 am-4 pm, a big benefit sale for La Leche League of West Seattle, whose volunteers help local families with coaching and advice for breastfeeding moms. Its local leaders need to raise money for advanced training, according to Betsy’s post about the sale in the WSB Forums, where you’ll find many more details. 5281 45th SW (map).
For other sales this weekend, check the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Forums, where you’re always welcome to post your own yard/rummage sale – benefit or not – free.
Thanks to Fairmount Community Association‘s Sharonn Meeks for the heads-up: The date’s set for the first community meeting about the driving range scheduled to be built at the West Seattle Golf Course. Though a media announcement hasn’t gone out about it yet, postal-mail alerts have, and it’s confirmed on the project webpage: The meeting is set for 7 pm August 4th at the golf course. The $3.4 million driving range is an element of the city’s Golf Master Plan, with design under way now and construction set to start next year.
From Thursday night’s Alki Community Council meeting: At left, that’s animal-control officer Brandi Homeier from Seattle Animal Shelter, invited to discuss concerns about offleash dogs on the beach. Instead of a prepared presentation, she opted for Q&A. Homeier reminded those in attendance that dogs aren’t supposed to be on Alki Beach, whether on or off leashes. Offenders, she said, are cited immediately – no “first warning.” So what if you see a dog on the beach? she was asked. Answer: Don’t confront the owner – call the SAS. Or even 911 in an emergency if you can’t reach SAS; animal-control officers respond to all calls, she said, but emergencies take priority – such as injured animals, or reports of dogs left in hot cars. And, she explained, there are relatively few officers available citywide – 7 days a week, somebody’s on duty, but there’s a lot of territory to cover. Also at Thursday’s meeting, the ACC got a crime update from Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James – read on for his toplines:Read More
(WSLL Juniors: Izac Bauer, Alex Coats, Sam Cook, Michael Danilchick, Jack Irwin, Spencer Keating, Joe Mitchell, John Roach, Vinnie Sposari, Joey Werlech, Corey Wukelic, Geoffrey Wukelic – Manager: Vinnie Sposari, Coaches: John Coats and Harvey Bauer)
Two West Seattle Little League teams are in state tournaments this weekend, Cami MacNamara reports – while also sharing the WSLL Juniors’ photo, and these updates:
Over the 4th of July weekend, the West Seattle Little League Juniors competed in the District 7 All-Star Tournament. After finishing their regular season 20-2, this team was ready to compete. On July 3rd they lost their first game to Renton Little League All-Stars 3-2. That pushed them into the losers bracket where they faced having to win 3 games straight to make it to the semi finals. After winning all 3 games in a row they faced Rainier District Little League who was undefeated so far in the tournament. After getting down 7-6 in the second inning our boys came from behind to win that game 16-11. They faced off again the next night (7/9) in the Championship game and WSLL beat RDLL 9-4!
Now the WSLL Juniors are headed to the state tournament in Medical Lake, WA beginning on Saturday, July 17-25. Best of luck boys!!!!
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The WSLL Little League 10-11 team is also heading to State in Selah, WA this weekend. To see updates and scores for both teams, go to http://www.westseattlelittleleague.com.
Thanks to Dina Johnson for sharing that photo from last year’s Mediterranean Fantasy Fest, with dancers Lisa Yasmine (a West Seattleite) and Katia Sahar. Tomorrow and Sunday, 11 am-7 pm, MedFest takes over Hiawatha once more, inside and out, with more than 275 dancers from all over the West Coast – more info here. (11:10 pm note, a commenter points out a discrepancy between these hours, which we received as a submitted events-calendar announcement, and what’s on the MedFest website – we’d go with the latter – here’s the schedule of performances.) It’s one of tomorrow’s headlines that we’re previewing tonight – plus, a lot is going on at the beach:
(2008 Alki Car Show photo by David Hutchinson)
8 am-4 pm, the annual Alki Classic Car Show will line the boardwalk …here are the details from an earlier preview. You should be able to enter a car same-day if you’re not already signed up. Also on Alki:
(Photo by Joe Mabel, from Wikimedia)
At Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) it’s a first-ever event – the Painted Garden Art Festival, tomorrow and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. Artists from a multitude of mediums will be at the historic museum, some of them working while they display! Admission free – and if you drop by at 2 or 4 pm, a 30-minute Alki history tour will be available.
Earlier, we previewed West Seattle Outdoor Movies‘ debut tomorrow night; later, we’ve got a few more events to preview! In the meantime, see the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for more of what’s happening – including Sunday’s marquee event, the West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored by WSB).
Two wildlife notes this Friday evening. First from Sue:
Just a FYI, I saw a coyote this morning (7/16) 4 am at 35th and Manning [map].
And from WSB’er “Buddsmom“:
Coyotes aren’t the only wildlife that pet owners need to look out for. Last night at approx. 5:45 PM in the 108th block of Arbor Heights, our dog was bitten by a mama raccoon in our fenced back yard. Apparently, mama and babies were making their way across the yard when spotted by the dog and a chase ensued. Fortunately for both sides ,the raccoons got away and our dog suffered only superficial puncture wounds.
We often share the coexisting with coyotes link; here’s similar information regarding raccoons.
From left, Princess Riley Fredricks, Queen Taylor Nichols, and Princess Kaitlin Lindell – your new West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court, coronated this afternoon during the Fun Fest at Hiawatha Community Center (which continues till 3 pm, by the way – pix of that, later). The new queen is the daughter of Angela Nichols, who runs Funky Jane’s in The Junction:
(With proud mom Angela, that’s Junior Court organizer Diane Szender at left, official Hi-Yu photographer Joanne Murray at right.) Queen Taylor and Princess Kaitlin are both 10-year-old Holy Rosary School students; Princess Riley is 11 and going into Madison Middle School. Today’s event included, as is traditional, greetings from the previous Junior Court – Princess Kaitlin Morgan, Queen Kailin Jo Alexander Spencer, and Princess Isabella Carufel – in the next photo with all eight of today’s candidates (the other contenders were Issabella Brown, Sadie Botuchis, Katie Taisey, Alina Guyon, and Madison Milojevich):
The 2009-2010 Junior Court also performed a short dance routine to the Hall & Oates oldie “You Make My Dreams Come True,” apropos to this year’s Hi-Yu theme, “Dreams Do Come True.” Three of this year’s Senior Court candidates appeared as well – from left, Victoria Ferrulli, Rosemarie Unite and Kelsey Porter:
And from the current Senior Court, from left, Princess Veronica Pupava and Queen Georgia Mitchell:
Afterward, photo op for everyone – today’s emcees, past Hi-Yu royalty, joined them – at left, Veronica Szender; at right, Danica Tongol:
The Senior Court coronation, an evening event, is coming up a week from Monday – 7 pm July 26 at West Seattle High School Theater. But before then, you’ll get to see the Hi-Yu contingent in the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade (which many still call the Hi-Yu Parade), which rolls down California SW from SW Lander (Lafayette/Safeway) to Edmunds (south end of the main Junction business district) starting at 11 am Saturday, July 24, just one week from tomorrow – more about the parade in the next few days (we’re excited to be in it again this year too).
Just got word from SDOT that the next segment of repaving on 16th SW, from Brandon to Dawson (map), is set to start on July 26th. SDOT’s Marybeth Turner says that detour information will be available next week, but it’ll be “similar to (last year’s project).” (Here’s the infopage on the SDOT website.)
Thanks to Brenda and to John Moore of Northwest Insurance Group (WSB sponsor) for sending in the tip after seeing the broken glass – Someone smashed The Swinery‘s front window overnight and made off with its cash register. We talked to The Swinery’s Garrett Doherty, who said there appeared to be a scattered trail of small change leading southbound. We’ve also checked with Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James, who says the thief/thieves didn’t actually go into the shop – they managed to grab the register through the broken window. Though sometimes commercial burglaries come in waves, he says there hasn’t been an unusual number lately. (Last night he told the Alki Community Council that crime overall has been quieter in West Seattle lately; our report on the ACC meeting’s coming up later.) No arrest in this, yet.
It’s the West Seattle mantra on those beautiful sunny (but not too hot) summer days – “This is why we live here.” And on six usually-clear-and-pleasant summer nights, something else that makes West Seattle special: Free Outdoor Movies on the wall next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Tomorrow (Saturday) night’s season opener is extra-special for a variety of reasons. The photo above hints at one: It’s the 100th anniversary of the screening site – the buildings where Hotwire and neighboring Drs. Wolff/Horwitz are housed was built in 1910 as the home of Seattle Lighting Company (later Seattle Gas Company), later a WPA office, then West Home funeral home till 2001. You can read all about the site’s history in this document shared by Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis. Now back to the movies:
“Mamma Mia” is the main feature. In honor of the site’s centennial, the W.C. Fields short “Trip to the Dentist” will also be shown, along with the famous YouTube clip “David After the Dentist.” And before the screen fires up at dusk, there’ll be a dance party led by Therese from the nearby Body Bar, one of the night’s sponsors. You might want to join in to work off calories from free cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream (not a regular feature – special for the big anniversary!) – there also will be fundraiser concessions sold by West Seattle Christian Church (candy and soda) as well as Coffee to a Tea cupcakes, and hot dogs. Come early to ensure your spot in the courtyard – bring your own chair(s)/blanket(s), and money for fundraising raffles. The entire season slate is on the official West Seattle Outdoor Movies website – a week from tomorrow, WSB co-sponsors what’s shaping up to be an ’80s night of sorts, with “War Games” as the main feature!
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