11:25 AM: It’s not a done deal yet, but the periodic multiple-food-truck extravaganza Mobile Chowdown is looking to come to the West Seattle Junction this fall. First word came from Lumpia World, which mentioned this on its Facebook page last night; then we found a listing on the city’s Special Events Calendar for “Mobile Chowdown” October 2nd – a Sunday – saying that from 11 am to 6 pm, “California Ave SW will be closed to vehicle traffic between SW Alaska St and SW Edmunds St for a mobile food truck event. Event includes a beer garden and amplified music.” And finally, we’ve just talked with Susan Melrose at the West Seattle Junction Association, who says they’re excited about the possibility and have had meetings with organizers, but haven’t received final word yet. The official Mobile Chowdown site says only that the next one is coming in October. We have a request out for comment from the PR agency that co-sponsors the Mobile Chowdowns, Suzuki + Chou Communimedia, and we’ll let you know when we hear back from them. Past sites have included Safeco Field and Seattle Center.

12:27 PM UPDATE: Michi Suzuki from Suzuki + Chou says the plan for the next Chowdown won’t be final till mid-August but, “We always look for new and cool venues and because it’s MOBILE Chowdown, we can take it anywhere. We really liked the “neighborhood” feel of doing it along the main corridor of the Junction. We’re looking at 22-25 trucks.” She also says they’re proposing it for two blocks of California, Oregon to Edmunds.

Preview proposed design for Nova before Thursday’s review

July 25, 2011 11:25 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

The second “packet” for this Thursday’s Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader is now available – the design proposal for Nova, Harbor Properties‘ 62-apartment project at 36th/Snoqualmie in The Triangle, north of The Grove/West Seattle Inn motel. See the full “packet” of graphics and info here. Nova is the second of two projects on the Thursday night schedule, with discussion expected to start around 8 pm (its first SWDRB review was in March); the meeting begins at 6:30 pm with the “early design guidance” review for the 117-apartment 3247 Avalon Way project (its “packet” was available last week, as reported here). Both discussions will happen upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

Delridge homeless-housing proposal now in city online system

July 25, 2011 10:05 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Delridge | DESC Delridge project | Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

If you’re keeping track of the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) proposal for a 75-unit apartment building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW, to provide permanent housing for homeless people dealing with mental illness/substance abuse, here’s an update: When we first reported on the proposal in mid-June, nothing was in the city Department of Planning and Development online system yet. Now, it is. There are two project numbers to track: This one is for the land-use permit application; this one is for the construction permit. Both are filed for the address 5444 Delridge Way. The page for the land-use application notes “Tree preservation and additional commercial space to be considered”; the latter came up at the first informational meeting for the project, a standing-room-only June 27th gathering at Delridge Library from which some were turned away. We are checking with DESC about future meeting plans.

Lost or loot? Medals, jewelry found in West Seattle

July 25, 2011 9:36 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

If you have lost or found something that’s not a pet (they have their own page), we usually point you to the WSB Forums to report it. But this is an especially unusual find: Amber discovered a bag of wrestling medals and jewelry “thrown in the bushes in front of my apartment building. I found the items after two people that had been loitering around left. … The medals are labeled and I thought their owner might be missing them.” Her building is south of The Junction, and, yes, she’s reporting it to the police. If you have an idea whose they are, e-mail Amber via comm-9cvhw-2512029556@craigslist.org – click ahead for two more photos:Read More

West Seattle Monday: Last $20-for-Metro comment chance

July 25, 2011 6:34 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bald eagle looking to be in a Monday mood, though WSB’s Patrick Sand photographed it last Tuesday)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

COUNTY COUNCIL TAKES UP $20-FOR-METRO: The “congestion reduction charge,” aka “$20/year for car tabs to stave off Metro Transit cuts,” is on the King County Council agenda today. They’ll take one last round of public comment, starting around 3 pm in the council chambers at the County Courthouse downtown. You can sign up starting at 1 pm in the park just south of the courthouse, and you’ll get a card; the process is explained here.

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: This week’s theme is Condiments: Chutneys, Salsas, Relish, Dipping Sauces, Aioli …. whatever folks create. Meeting is at 2 pm at Beveridge Place Pub.

‘SNAKES: FRIEND OR FOE?’ 3 pm, free program at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond Street).

DUWAMISH TRIBE HOSTS HISTORIC SEATTLE:At Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), 5:30 – 7 pm, A short quarterly business meeting of Historic Seattle precedes program about learning from historic sites (free/donation).

NIGHTLIFE: Trivia with Tom Hutyler at Christo’s on Alki, 7 pm … Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.

(updated) TODAY’S FORECAST: Mostly cloudy, chance of showers/thundershowers, high in low- to-mid-70s.

Guilty plea in last September’s Roxhill Park murder case

July 24, 2011 11:21 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

(Memorial in Roxhill Park paying tribute to murder victim Bernard Martin, September 2010)
The 22-year-old man jailed for beating another man to death in Roxhill Park last September has pleaded guilty. We discovered this on a routine check of court records this weekend. Chatri Thip was charged with killing 40-year-old Bernard Martin by jumping onto him and smashing a shopping cart against him. This past week in King County Superior Court, Thip pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, the original charge against him. His written statement blames an “aggression-laden environment” at the park the night it happened, starting, he claimed, after a group upset he had gotten his girlfriend pregnant – including her half-brothers – attacked him. The murder victim was not part of that attack, Thip wrote. The original charging documents had said Thip had six beers that night – stolen from the nearby Safeway – and told police he experiences rage when he drinks, and lashed out when Martin came up to him in the park and asked for a beer. Court documents indicate prosecutors will recommend the lower end of the standard sentencing range, 11 years and 2 months in prison (the high end is just under 20 years). Thip is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Susan Craighead at 1 pm September 23rd.

Red Cross helping apartment-fire victims at West Seattle church

July 24, 2011 9:49 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(ADDED MONDAY MORNING: South Park donation dropoff spot to help fire victims)

If you’re among those wondering how to help the victims of this afternoon’s huge apartment fire in unincorporated South King County southeast of South Park, here’s the first answer: Donate to the local American Red Cross. We just found out they are setting up an emergency shelter for fire victims at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood. Volunteers are setting it all up right now with the help of Amanda Rudd from the Red Cross; she told us outside the church that the latest count indicates 41 people are without a home tonight, from the 19 units gutted by the fire. They’re planning to shelter and feed about a dozen of them at Peace Lutheran. The Red Cross stresses that it cannot accept donated items, though, just money to fund operations like this; you can donate here – and we’ll let you know about any donation drives we find out about. (Thanks to Anne-Marie for the tip, e-mailing us after spotting the Red Cross vehicles at the church.)

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: From the South Park Yahoo! e-mail group, another way to help fire victims:

Providence Regina House and the South Park Neighborhood Center will be the drop off for donations to support the families who were burned out of their homes yesterday, many with only the clothing on their backs.

Here is what they need the most:

Men’s clothing (WE HAVE VERY LITTLE OF MEN’S CLOTHING AND SHOES HERE)
Full size toiletry items
Furniture for smaller apartments
Gift cards for food and stores such as Target and Fred Meyer
Non-perishable food
Bath linens
Bed linens (twin & full)
Mattresses & box springs (twin, full, queen)
Housewares of all sorts
Shoes for men, women, and children

WE HAVE LOTS OF NON PERISHABLE FOOD and women’s clothing, and some hygiene items, but could use the other things!! WE ALSO COULD REALLY USE lunch/snack friendly foods, such as applesauce cups, snacky foods, etc…so these hungry/stressed folks can snack, too.

I’m here now (address below) and will be here all day….and tomorrow….and until there is no more need!!

Paige Collins, Manager
Providence Regina House
8201 10th Ave. South, Seattle,WA 98108
206-763-9204
www.providencereginahouse.org

West Seattle Grand Parade, report #6: The vehicles

July 24, 2011 9:06 pm

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| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

(All WSB coverage of the West Seattle Grand Parade is archived here, newest to oldest)

From motorcycles at the start to DeLoreans at the end – a last-minute entry by the Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club (which won an award!) – Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade showcased a wide variety of vehicles. Though we published plenty of parade coverage yesterday, before/during/after, we still have a few roundups in the works, and this is one of them – click ahead for some of the vehicular highlights!Read More

West Seattle Crime Watch: Door-kick burglary alert

July 24, 2011 7:45 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox today, from Jason:

Our house near 36th and Barton was burglarized during the day on 7/21. The front door was kicked in and several items were stolen. Please let others know so they can keep an eye out for suspicious activity In their neighborhoods.

Police say door-kicking is a common method of break-in; here’s their advice on burglary prevention.

Update: Des Moines Memorial Drive apartment fire, visible from West Seattle

July 24, 2011 3:25 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

3:25 PM: We’ve been getting calls and text messages asking about the column of black smoke that’s been visible for about an hour. The smoke is from a two-story structure fire in the unincorporated area about a mile south of South Park. The Seattle Fire Department has sent a ladder truck and an engine to assist. Our pictures were taken from as close as we could get to the scene. KING5.com has the details here on what turned out to be a three-alarm apartment-building fire.

5:51 PM: Our partners at the Seattle Times say SFD was one of eight fire departments that responded to help fight the fire. At least two people were hurt, but no major injuries are reported.

West Seattle wildlife: Longfellow Creek coyote’s breakfast

July 24, 2011 3:10 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Jen Izutsu shared the photo of a coyote spotted near Longfellow Creek this morning – having a snake for breakfast. Snakes are part of the long list of potential food sources listed for coyotes on the state’s “Living With Wildlife: Coexisting With Coyotes” page, though we tend to hear more often about cats. And we’ll remind you that experts urge you to startle and scare coyotes when you are near them – to ensure we can keep our mutual distance, which they say is better for all concerned.

Video: WestSide Baby meets & beats ‘Stuff the Bus’ diaper goal

July 24, 2011 10:40 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

(Scroll down for updates – including the jubilation, on video, when the 50,000-diaper goal was hit)

10:40 AM: Just before 10:10, WestSide Baby volunteers welcomed their first official drive-up/walk-up diaper donation of the day for the 2011 edition of “Stuff the Bus.” You don’t even have to get out of your car if you don’t want to – just enter the Viking Bank parking lot from SW Alaska between 40th and 41st SW:

…and volunteers will be glad to receive your donation and add it to this stack (which at 10 am included 2,266 diapers just dropped off by Laurie Paul from Bright Horizons West Seattle, who told us they were donated by the new child-care center’s families).

Or, if you’re with a child who would like to honk the school-bus horn, you can get out and do that while dropping off diapers! We’ll be back to check on the drive’s progress later. “Stuff the Bus” continues till 2 pm, and WS Baby hopes to amass 50,000 diapers to qualify for a double-matching donation from Huggies.

10:59 AM UPDATE: Via e-mail from WS Baby:

A donation of 6,591 diapers just arrived from a surprise private donation!! They certainly turned heads loading up carts at Target yesterday. At 10:30, we have loaded over 14,000 diapers already. More than the total of the entire day in 2010!!! Keep ’em coming!!!

12:52 PM UPDATE: We stopped by around 12:30, and they were up to 32,000 diapers – then suddenly Valerie O’Mara arrived with almost 5,100 more that she had collected by hosting a diaper drive:

WestSide Baby encouraged people to sign up as diaper-drive hosts this time around – to collect in the days leading up to today’s big “Stuff the Bus” event. Oh, wondering how stuffed the bus was, as of 12:30 pm?

Still room for more! P.S. WSB is proud to be among the Stuff the Bus co-sponsors again this year.

1:56 PM UPDATE: Goal met! More than 50,200 diapers as of quarter till 2! (added) WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland announced it jubilantly to her crew:

The final tally: 51,266. Celebratory group shot:

And of course, WS Baby is happy to have donations – diapers, other items, money, volunteer help – any time. You can check their website to see what’s needed the most when you’re next able to give.

The WSBeat: Teller’s hunch leads police to big haul, and more

July 24, 2011 9:38 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:

*On Monday just before 6 pm, a drive-thru teller was able to stall for time when a customer tried to cash a $5,000 check with a suspicious signature. She called the man who had supposedly written the check, and when he denied having done so, other bank employees called 911. An officer arrived and pulled in behind the suspect’s car. The suspect was ordered to turn off the ignition and drop the car keys to the ground. He did so, but while the officer was running a computer check, the engine started up and the car squealed out of the bank lot, nearly hitting a pedestrian. Continuing eastbound, the driver swerved into oncoming traffic and ran a red light, just missing additional pedestrians. Because a chase would have posed additional dangers, the officers opted to not pursue the fleeing car. But citizens later noticed a suspicious car in front of an abandoned house in the 5600 block of 31st SW. Officers identified it as the suspect’s vehicle. Behind the residence? A pile that included ID cards for more than 15 victims, stolen checks, washed checks, cell phone chip cards, a laptop computer, and a loaded Springfield Arms 9mm handgun stolen in a car prowl in north Seattle earlier in the month. The car and all of the property was placed into the evidence room. The suspects remain at large.

8 more summaries after the jump, including two cases of bullet casings found in local streets, and two updates on crimes previously covered on WSB:Read More

West Seattle Sunday: Stuff the Bus, Alki Art Fair, Farmers’ Market, more….

July 24, 2011 8:28 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

It’s a WestSide Baby tradition – reminding people about the “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive by entering a big cheerful contingent in the West Seattle Grand Parade, including the bus itself. As is the case most years, “Stuff the Bus” is the day after the parade – that’s TODAY – but there’s one BIG difference: The location has changed. Bring diaper donations to the Viking Bank parking lot at 40th/Alaska (map) – lots more room to maneuver – between 10 am and 2 pm; help WestSide Baby qualify for a huge double-matching donation (50,000 donated diapers will qualify them for 100,000 from Huggies).

Also today – back to the beach for art and music:

Day 2 of the 2011 Alki Art Fair gets going at 10 am, including another day of continuous live music (till about 5:45 pm), silent auction in the Bathhouse (11 am-4 pm), kids’ muralmaking, and more.

And at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska in The Junction, here’s what manager Catherine Burke says you’ll find today:

Music: Tommy Dean Acoustic
…Apples – FRESH, first of season – Lodi (green, tart, great for crisps)
Apriums
Beans
Berries
New Varieties of Cherries
CORN
Melons
Nectarines
Peaches
Plums
Pluots

Also in The Junction – Friends of the Animals Foundation will have volunteers on site at Next to Nature from 11 am – 3 pm to help you find the perfect rescued feline companion. Visits can also be scheduled at your convenience. Call 206.719.4864 or online

At Pet Elements in Morgan Junction (6701 California SW), 10 am-2 pm, a Dog Treat Bake Sale to help Stephanie Allis raise money for the Seattle Humane Society.

One more event today: Chinese Martial Arts in the Seattle Chinese Garden. Watch exciting martial arts training sessions by students preparing for local, national, and international events in a traditional garden setting. Noon to 1 pm today, Seattle Wushu Center is featured. The garden’s at 6000 16th Avenue SW, via the north entrance to South Seattle Community College. Information: www.seattlechinesegarden.org

West Seattle Grand Parade, report #5: Rotary Kiddie Parade

July 24, 2011 12:10 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

If you watched Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade from north of Genesee, you missed out on the freeform fun of the WS Rotary Kiddie Parade, which invites any and all local kids to travel the three blocks south of Edmunds, between the motorcycle drill teams and the rest of the parade. Kids walk, bike, ride in wagons and strollers, and even perform – the Denny International Middle School Marching Band is part of it – here’s our video of the Kiddie Parade in its entirety, recorded at California/Alaska:

Leading the parade and carrying the flag was Sue Lindblom, West Seattle Rotary president and owner of longtime WSB sponsor Illusions Hair Design.

West Seattle Grand Parade 2011, report #4: Hi-Yu represents!

July 23, 2011 11:11 pm

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| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

(All WSB parade coverage is archived here, newest to oldest.)

While it’s not the “Hi-Yu Parade” any more, it wouldn’t be the West Seattle Grand Parade without the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float and volunteers. West Seattle is the last neighborhood in the city with a community float, and every year, Hi-Yu chooses a new theme for its float and button (always open to public suggestions, so watch for the announcement here and on the Hi-Yu Facebook page in wintertime!). This year, it’s “Sparkling Seattle.” The current Junior and Senior Courts rode on the float in today’s parade, while the newly coronated Junior Court whose reign starts this fall carried another Hi-Yu banner in the West Seattle Rotary Kiddie Parade:

(From left, the incoming Junior Court’s Princess Elena, Queen Thea, and Princess Amanda.) Along the parade sidelines, HI-Yu volunteers sold buttons as a fundraiser as usual, and Hi-Yu president Tim Winston wanted to share these words of appreciation:

Hi-Yu is very appreciative of all the people who bought Hi-Yu buttons and pins today along the parade route and, for that matter, all the people who purchased buttons and pins earlier in the month at Pirates Landing, Summer Fest, Concert in the Park, etc.. We thank all for their support! Proceeds help both the Scholarship and Float Programs. The Festival does not happen without the support of our community. Thank you so much!

Video: West Seattle Outdoor Movies’ opening night (with Matt Baker!)

July 23, 2011 7:44 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

7:44 PM: About 80 people were already settling into spots in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard as of half an hour ago, according to Lora Swift (who shared the photo), on the one-week-delayed opening night of this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series. “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” is the movie, at dusk; comic/juggler Matt Baker, a West Seattleite who’s been on national TV and tours, is scheduled to provide pre-show entertainment (after performing earlier tonight at the Admiral Theater *added, a photo of Matt and Lora*).

Free, except for a raffle and concessions benefiting local nonprofits. Hotwire’s at 4410 California SW – bring your own blanket/chair and grab a spot! Movies are scheduled every Saturday night through August 27th (concluding that night with the movie rescheduled from last week, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”; next week, it’s the classic “Airplane!”).

ADDED SUNDAY: Our video of Matt Baker juggling:

(Lora says he’s a Hotwire regular.)

Police investigate stabbing in Highland Park, 1 victim

July 23, 2011 6:14 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:14 PM: Police are investigating a stabbing at 14th and Henderson in Highland Park. The victim is male and being rushed to the hospital now. More as we get it.

6:34 PM UPDATE: This happened at an apartment building; while we wait to talk to the lieutenant who’s on scene, scanner communication describes it as a domestic-violence incident, with the suspect(s) possibly in a brown Ford Bronco with tinted windows and spinner-style rims, headed north. While few crime scenes are “calm,” this one seems particularly tense, with more than a few of the people outside the building expressing themselves loudly and emotionally.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
7:15 PM UPDATE: At the scene, Lt. Ron Smith tells us it’s still too soon to say exactly what happened, as different people are telling them different stories. One person who he says may or may not be a suspect has voluntarily turned himself in. They have found what may be the weapons that is used, but they’re still searching, to be sure.

West Seattle Grand Parade 2011 report #3: The winners!

July 23, 2011 3:59 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

(NOTE: We’re continuing to add video/photos to this story through Sunday evening)

West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade organizers have just sent the list of winning entries from the nearly 80 in this year’s parade – including, in its parade debut, the Sustainable West Seattle solar/human-powered Trikeceratops winning the “Community” category! Parade organizers also are thanking sponsors West Seattle Christian Church and West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) and other donors (listed here, including WSB). Co-coordinator Dave Vague says, “It appeared we had one of the most well-attended parades in years.” And the winners are:

Overall Winners

1st – Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band (video above, as they entered the parade route)
2nd – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School
3rd – Marysville Strawberry Festival Float

Floats

Legion Trophy – Marysville Strawberry Festival, MaryFest, Inc. “Berrywood” (video above)

Alki Trophy – Sequim Irrigation Festival (video above)
Judges Trophy – Puyallup Daffodil Festival “Spirit of Adventure”
Festival Trophy – Port Orchard “Fathoms of Fun”

Community

1st – Sustainable West Seattle (see top photo)

2nd – Hope Lutheran Gospel Outreach (photo above)

3rd -Cub Scout Troops of West Seattle (video above)

Performing Acts

(Pirate photo courtesy of Byron, principal of Textura Design & publisher of Bike Hugger)
1st – Seattle Seafair Pirates
2nd – Lake City Vigilantes
3rd – Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy

Clowns/Comics

1st – Seattle Seafair Clowns
2nd – Keystone Kops
3rd – West Seattle Shrine Club Clowns

Marching Bands

1st – Calgary Round-Up Band (video above)
2nd – Kennedy Catholic High School Band
3rd – Pacific Northwest Drum Line

Commercial

1st – Luna Park Café
2nd – Seattle Public Utilities
3rd – Hadlock Towing

Cars & Antique Cars

1st – Last Resort Fire Department
2nd – Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club
3rd – Seattle Lutheran Schools

Drill Teams – Jr

1st – Baby Dangerettes Drill Team
2nd – “Jr. Electronetts” Babynetts Drill Team
3rd – Emerald City Divas Drill Team

Drill Teams – Sr

1st – Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team (video above)
2nd – Sweet Mahogany Drill Team
3rd – Electronetts Drill Team & Drum Squad

We’ll be adding more images to this – and we have more post-parade reports to come – including spontaneous sights along the way.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car’s owner shares advice

July 23, 2011 3:39 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

From Jason, via Facebook:

Our Honda Accord (white – yr 96) was stolen last night from the corner of 18th & Kenyon. Police came by to make a report and said there has been a rash of Honda thefts in the area…kids taking them for joyrides and then dumping the cars up north or else where. Police recommended, especially if you have a Honda, to get a club for the steering wheel !……

Here’s other police advice for how to try to prevent car theft.

Happening now: Alki Art Fair 2011, day 1

July 23, 2011 2:36 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Alki is buzzing with more than sunbathers today – it’s day 1 of the all-weekend Alki Art Fair, with art being shown and sold, plus continuous live music (two stages! schedule’s linked from the official website) and more. If you get a minute, stop to thank the volunteers who are making it happen – this year, as we reported months ago, there was a real chance it wouldn’t happen, since city budget cuts affected Parks staffers who helped with it in the past. In the main booth right now, Ron and Anna:

An artist we remember from last year is back, Brandon from Strange Child, with his octopus T-shirts (among others):

And it wouldn’t be an Alki event without Seal Sitters volunteers – we found Nina with her seal puppet “Storm”:

Music continues till 8:30 tonight; the booths are scheduled to be open at least until 5.

West Seattle Grand Parade 2011, report #2: It’s under way!

July 23, 2011 10:47 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

10:47 AM: The West Seattle Grand Parade has just officially begun with the motorcycle drill teams – Seattle Police first, followed by Vancouver (BC). Just so you know – it’s on – hundreds of people volunteering their time to put on a rolling show! California/Lander to California/Edmunds (with the Rotary Kiddies Parade leaving California/Genesee ahead of the motorcyclists’ arrival – photo added below, Rotary president Sue Lindblom leading the Kiddies’ Parade):

11:23 AM: And the rest of the parade has now begun.

(First Seafair Pirates cannon shot of the parade!)
12:44 PM: It ended a few minutes ago at the north end of the route – with the Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club!

The parade is still continuing, of course, down toward The Junction. This end is about to reopen to traffic, police are announcing via loudspeaker, but avoid California for a while on the south end of the parade route, to SW Dawson, since that’s where floats and other entries are breaking down and regrouping. Miss the parade? Check our Twitter feed for as-it-happened photos (we’re adding a few to this) – and we’ll have other reports later with highlights, video, and more. (We’ll also be heading off to the Alki Art Fair!)

West Seattle Grand Parade 2011, report #1: Pre-parade setup

July 23, 2011 9:31 am

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| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

9:31 AM: We’re in the heart of the West Seattle Grand Parade staging zone on California by Lafayette Elementary – and as a Seafair Commodore noted, it’s very different this year, without the old Safeway lots for staging. The big floats are here already – that’s the sparkling purple Sequim Irrigation Festival float. Not far away, the Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) parade entry:

Watch its front end in the parade – it includes a plug for their Facebook page! The Hi-Yu “Sparkling Seattle” float is of course here too:

Meantime, we checked the scene along the route, as we headed north:

Chairs are out in many places, especially The Junction. California is closed from Hanford to Admiral; the rest of the stretch will be closed shortly. We spotted parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards on a quick motorcycle run to inspect the route (looks like most were heeding the NO PARKING signs – remember, this is the first year American Legion Post 160, which puts on the parade, had to foot the bill itself, and luckily some community sponsors came forward – look for the banners in their honor during the parade).

Back here at the north end of the route, it’s time for some to rehearse, like All-City Band members on the field by Hiawatha:

And we spotted parade Grand Marshals Art and Gloria Peters arriving:

ADDED 10 AM: More photos as the staging zone really starts to fill up – here’s Art with Lts. Pierre Davis and Ron Smith from the Southwest Precinct:

Courtesy of Our Lady of Guadalupe – you’ll be seeing stars!

On the side streets: Here’s how you get a tow truck ready to bring up the rear in the parade:

And here’s an entry that won’t need towing – solar- and human-powered, from Sustainable West Seattle:

Again, the parade runs along California from Lander (Lafayette/Admiral Safeway/Hiawatha) to Edmunds (south end of The Junction – Terrible Beauty/7-11), officially starting at 11 (but the motorcycle drill teams will get going a bit earlier) – get your seat if you want to see it in person!

ADDED 10:39 AM: One last round of preview photos before the parade starts shortly – first, Orville Rummel Trophy winner Cindi Barker with her mate Ron Zuber, who’s riding in a separate convertible as the new Commander of the West Seattle VFW Post:

And leading off the parade as always will be the two motorcycle drill teams – here are the visitors from Vancouver, for whom this is their only local parade appearance:

We’ll post a separate update when the parade starts – just in case you’re waiting, or else wondering when it’s under way because you need to get around town – then complete coverage, with video, afterward.