West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Less than a week after West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) moved into its new campus at 11215 15th SW (map) – complete with that spacious playground – they’re inviting you to an open house that’s under way right now. Treats too – free hot dogs, and cake:
We stopped by within the past hour for a quick preview; it’s a great night to be outside but they’re also leading tours inside their new 2-story building:
WSMS moved from the location where they’d been for decades in West Seattle’s Triangle area after the land they’d leased was sold for development. They offer preschool through 8th grade; the 4th through 8th grades are now known as West Seattle Academy (that’s the WSA you see on the cake in the middle photo) – the lower grades have always been popular but they say middle-school interest is taking off too. You’ll find them online at westseattlemontessori.com; tonight’s open house continues till 7:30.
Lashanna sent that photo just as “Crank It Up” was about to get going in South Park’s Cesar Chavez Park (7th So. and So. Cloverdale; map). She’s there doing facepainting – as she’s done at lots of West Seattle events too! “Crank It Up” continues till 6 pm and is just a short hop from West Seattle – here’s the list of what’s happening, starting with a bike ride that’s under way now and then moving on to live music starting at 3 with The Not-Its (who played the Alki community picnic recently) – There’s Full Tilt Ice Cream at “Crank It Up” too! UPDATE: Another photo from Lashanna – Ambulance is one of the bands that played – she says they’re all middle- and high-school students from Ballard:
If you venture into a certain North Admiral neighborhood this afternoon, you’ll find those guys on a street-food test run, according to Sherri Chun, who just sent the photo and this explanation of who and what you’ll find at 2215 47th SW (map):
I thought I’d put a plug in for some young entrepreneurs on our block – Mark and Kyle Howell and their new business, Howie’s Hot Dogs. Mark and Kyle are West Seattle natives, and will soon be taking their business on the road. They’re doing a trial run in their front yard today. We wanted to spread the word – beef, polish, and Italian hot dogs with all the fixins, plus chips, drinks, and Dessert dogs, too! Please spread the word, and come support these guys with their new business venture!
Sherri’s checking on how long they’ll be there today; she says their future location is TBD. (Added 3:06 pm – Answer, as long as they have food and as long as people keep showing up!) Also with eats on the street right now, Marination Mobile, which has been coming to High Point for two months now (after its Fourth of July debut).
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, added 3:06 pm)
Thanks to JayDee for the reminder that MM is there right now, set up on the northeast corner of 35th/Graham (map) 11 am-2 pm every Saturday TFN – here’s more about what they serve. (They’re on Twitter too, as are all the street-food stars – @curb_cuisine – not to mention fixed-location eateries too, including WSB sponsors Cafe Revo at @caferevo and Endolyne Joe’s at @chowfoods.)
ADDED 3:06 PM: Speaking of Twitter (where we are @westseattleblog for human-powered news, @westseattlenews for automated links to all our stories), one more “street food” (beverage, in this case) note – got a Twitpic from @mjtwit from their ongoing yard sale (till 4) at 5613 44th ave SW (map) – 25-cent lemonade! Here’s the photo.
That’s how this sunny Saturday started at Seacrest, as photographed by Christopher Boffoli … 
and it just keeps getting better. At right, a little pic sent by West Seattle High School assistant volleyball coach Jim Hardy, who says they’re washing cars an extra half-hour, till 2:30 pm, and says they’re thankful for everybody supporting Westside volleyball: “This is both a major fundraiser for the program to help offset some budget reductions from the School District, and part of a Team Building weekend. Supporters are asked to make donations. It is going to be an exciting year for the team which features some good young players who should continue to improve through the season.” They’re in the WSHS parking lot. Meantime, remember everything going on today is in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup (to jump directly to the Saturday section, click here – and if you know of something NOT on the list, please add a mention in comments!).
(Photo courtesy Seal Sitters)
By Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s the season for lots of recreational fishing along West Seattle’s shores. And it’s also the season for lots of harbor seal pups.
That was evident last Saturday night at Lincoln Park, when a fisherman unexpectedly found a harbor seal pup at the end of his line. The drama was resolved quickly; with help from two onlookers, the hook was quickly removed and the pup set free.
Events unfolded too fast last for anyone to make a call, but when a marine mammal is in distress or a seal is spotted, these are the important numbers to know:
To report a seal on the beach in West Seattle: 206-905-SEAL (7325)
For all other reports, the NOAA Stranding Hotline: 800-853-1964 (monitored 24 hours)
If a marine mammal is being harassed or harmed, the NOAA Enforcement Hotline: 800-853-1964
If there is imminent danger, call 911
After the pup was released, conversation onshore continued — what exactly is the best thing to do in that situation?
Accordions doing ABBA? That video is from a California performance last fall by Those Darn Accordions, who are at Admiral Theater tonight, 2343 California SW (map), 8 pm. But first – what to do today? In the shopping mood? Fauntleroy Church‘s Second-Time Sale:
9 am-3 pm, bountiful bargains, 9140 California SW (map). From there, head north to get your car washed for a good cause; you can support the West Seattle High School volleyball team by taking your wheels to their wash in the WSHS parking lot (3000 California SW; map) 10 am-2 pm. Once your car’s clean — how about bringing home a new furry friend?
We saw those cute little guys at a Southwest Community Center foster cat Adopt-A-Thon last fall; today, another group of home-seeking kitties will be at SWCC, noon-3 pm. Then you can do even more to help reduce cat overpopulation by going to a benefit tonight for FCAT, which traps and sterilizes feral cats; Dong Khanh Cafe (9655 16th SW; map) is where you’ll find the fun, food and music, starting at 5 pm. One more event for tonight: West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) wants to show off its brand-new campus and invites you to an open house tonight for tours, free food and fun – 5:30-7:30 pm, 11215 15th SW (map).
More events in the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
Just a couple pretty pictures as we look ahead to what could be another record-high-temperature day … yesterday set a record at Sea-Tac by hitting 87, but today’s record is 88, and the forecast doesn’t look THAT hot. Anyway, the top photo is from Max, looking toward downtown during Friday night’s moonrise; below, an Alki sunset scene that Greg Wright photographed earlier in the week, focusing on the water instead of the sky:
Both of tonight’s games are over: At Memorial Stadium downtown, West Seattle High School (now 2-0) beat Franklin, 28-13; at Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle, Chief Sealth High School (0-2) lost to Rainier Beach, 39-0. Seattle Lutheran High School plays North Beach in Ocean Shores tomorrow afternoon. ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: A little more about the WSHS game – which started late and ran long, so our correspondent didn’t get to see much of the Sealth game (we can tell you all the scoring happened in the first half): At Memorial Stadium, Franklin and WSHS played a lackluster first half that was marred by an array of penalties. After the half, WSHS seemed to find their foot and got off to a fast start, scoring on their first series in the second half. In that series alone, sophomore Nikko Emm had two carries for 33 yards. On the night, Emm managed to gain 187 yards. After the game, Coach Davis Lura talked with us about Emm and the change in momentum in the second half:
You can also see game stats at seattletimes.com (WSB partner); and another account of the game is on this site written by WSHS assistant principal Jenni MacDonald. Side note: Former WSHS football standout Aaron Grymes is back in Seattle today (Saturday). Grymes is currently playing for the University of Idaho, so he’ll be at Husky Stadium for the Vandals’ game against the UW.
Shared by Alki photographer David Hutchinson, who explains:
My wife and I took a walk down by the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza this evening. I took the photo on the left on September 13, 2001 and the one on the right this evening almost 8 years later. The differences in the photos make for some interesting contrasts on a number of different levels.
If you weren’t here in 2001 – the Alki statue became a touchstone for mourners, a place for memorials, after 9/11. And on this date two years ago, the recast statue was dedicated/celebrated on its old pedestal, which was replaced by the new one less than a year later. Now, those who helped make that happen are looking ahead to one more big event a week from tomorrow.
We’ve covered more than a few fundraisers in the past few months – and now, the big event is here: Tonight, the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers have concluded Day 1. Among the West Seattleites on the 60-mile route this time, Tracy Dart – breast-cancer survivor and namesake of Team Tracy – who has posted updates online (with photos!). You can follow along in other ways – we’re seeing some updates from 3-Day walkers on Twitter (here’s the search for updates marked #3day). If you’d like to go cheer the walkers, there are two “cheering stations” in Everett tomorrow – listed here along with one on Capitol Hill, and the closing ceremony downtown, on Sunday. (Photo from twitpic.com via @snelson)
The final public meeting about Junction Plaza Park (mentioned in our coverage of Tuesday’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting) is now officially scheduled: 6:30 pm October 5 at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Topics will include what the Parks Department announcement describes as “plant selection and minor design elements.”
The neon sign beneath which you see West 5’s bartender Jo-Ann Clutcher and proprietor Dave Montoure came from West Seattle’s legendary Admiral Benbow Inn. Jo-Ann worked at the Benbow for 35 years, and was the first hire at West 5 when it opened six years ago, and today, we and her fans are wishing her “Happy 70th Birthday!” Jo-Ann tells us she started out at the Benbow as a waitress, but after only two weeks, the manager told her she needed to handle vacation relief for a bartender – and she wound up sticking with that job till the Benbow closed in 2002: “I just watched how the other bartenders did things and pretty soon I knew how to do the job.” Her secret after three-plus decades of bartending: “You have to love your work.” She works Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and says she loves meeting people, noting that any conversation starting with the question “Where are you from?” always turns out to be a good one. She’s served customers from as far away as Australia, including celebrities – she recalls serving Randy “Big Unit” Johnson a drink when he was still with the Mariners. Biggest change in the overall biz over the years? People drink more responsibly now, she says. Retirement any time soon? Nope.
Whether or not you got to do volunteer work on this Day of Service – or among the thousands whose volunteer work truly keeps West Seattle running, growing, thriving day in, day out – there are two more events tomorrow we wanted to spotlight, since full details came in after we’d published the West Seattle Weekend Lineup (though both are now added, and you’ll find several other work parties listed there too) – they’re work parties at two of West Seattle’s precious natural treasures. First, thanks to Donn for forwarding details of the Roxhill work party:
Roxhill Park Wetland Restoration Work Party
WHEN Saturday, September 12, 2009, 9 am – 1 pm
WHERE Roxhill Park
2850 SW Roxbury St
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION Friends of Roxhill Park
CONTACT Scott Blackstock
CONTACT PHONE 206-938-2144
NOTE We are restoring the headwaters of Longfellow Creek. More than 300,000 native plants have been planted there in the last seven years. There is a parking lot on SW Barton & 29th Ave. SW. [map] We will meet behind the restrooms.
And Philip sent more details on tomorrow’s Alki Beach Volleyball cleanup at Alki (photo at top of this story is an AVA photo from last year’s cleanup):
The AVA (Alki Volleyball Association) is having another beach cleanup on Alki Beach Saturday Sept 12th. Every year the AVA has two volunteer beach cleanups to help keep Alki beach clean. Local residents appreciate the cleanups and volunteer the day off, helping to pick-up cigarette butts, bottle caps, Glass, Charcoal and other things that make Alki beach unsightly. There will be refreshments and juice from (Columbia Gorge Organic) and prizes! Free T-Shirts to volunteers. Look for the white tent and blue AVA banner close to the Bathhouse side of Alki beach [map] on Saturday morning Sept. 12th between 9 am and 1 pm. More about the AVA on their website: www.alkivolleyball.com
For either event – and the other work parties on the Weekend Lineup (and listed way in advance at greenseattle.org) you’re welcome to just show up and pitch in.
More than FIFTY events on the list this week – including: Sunday’s the big 20th birthday party at PCC Natural Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor), kicking off at 11 am with free food, cooking demos, samples, more (details here). All weekend long, looks like the weather will keep the summer spirit alive – other Sunday highlights include the Zucchini 500 at West Seattle Farmers’ Market and free Sunday yoga at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor), North Delridge Neighborhood Council‘s S’mores in the Park … but first, Saturday’s busy too, with the West Seattle HS Volleyball Team fundraising car wash, Cat Adopt-A-Thon at Southwest Community Center; cats also get a boost from the FCAT fundraiser in White Center Saturday night, which you can check out before Admiral Theater showcases Those Darn Accordions .. Now, the FULL WSB West Seattle Weekend Lineup:Read More
All over the country, volunteers are working this Friday on projects that are part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance proclaimed for September 11th. Among them – Microsoft workers sprucing up various spots around Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (map) including the playground and the greenery surrounding the grounds, even along the north-side street:
Thanks to Kim Sheridan at Fauntleroy Children’s Center for mentioning the Day of Service project when we spoke yesterday about schoolhouse-purchase news (here’s our story on that, if you haven’t seen it already). Where else in West Seattle got some Day of Service love? Let us know!
Carrie Ann encountered someone she describes as “questionable” by her West Seattle home this morning, and wondered if he were legit – read on:Read More
ORIGINAL 11:14 AM REPORT: West Seattle’s only city-run indoor pool, Southwest Pool, has been closed for three weeks while its drain system is upgraded to meet new federally mandated safety standards, and was scheduled to reopen Monday; we just checked with the Parks Department to see if that’s still the plan – and spokesperson Karen O’Connor tells us there’s in fact a new reopening date: September 21st, a week from Monday:
Currently, they are finishing up the work and will run tests on Monday, September 14th. We will have a better idea if the opening on the 21st is firm following the tests on Monday the 14th.
In the meantime, since outdoor Colman Pool is now closed till next year, your swimming options in West Seattle are limited to private pools; the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor) is one of them, and does sell day passes.
2:42 PM UPDATE: Got additional information from SW Pool’s assistant coordinator Matt Richardson, as well as this photo (his explanation is below it):
I thought I would provided a bit of insight into why the closure is running longer than expected.
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) closures have been a challenge for our maintenance personnel. Every site has had its unique elements. Southwest is no different.
Prior to the closure, our engineer and lead pool operator submitted plans and construction drawings to the health department for approval. The permits were issued based on the original construction blueprints. The plan was to use the existing drain sump and attach the new VGBA compliant covers. When the pool shell was opened up, the drain sumps did not match the original blueprints. This required our engineer to design new poured in place concrete sumps and re-submit the drawings to the health department.
The new permit came through in the afternoon of Tuesday, September 8th. Our plumbers have been working feverishly this week. The cement crews should be starting on Monday with pouring new sumps and plastering. The cement requires a couple of days cure time. It takes about 5 days to fill and heat the pool up to our usual 85 degrees F. That puts us opening on Monday September 21st.
A quick note for all of our current lesson participants. The lesson session that was scheduled to begin on September 16th is delayed. We plan on starting lessons on Wednesday September 23rd. All of the currently enrolled participants will have the fees for the missed classes credited onto their accounts.
Our estimate of re-opening on September 21st is based on everything going on as planned. We will update the latest information regarding the opening date on our voicemail and our pool schedule page at
http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/aquatics/Pools/southwest/schedule.htmThank you for understanding as we work to comply with the new federally mandated codes that resulted from the VGBA.
Sincerely,
Matthew Richardson, Assistant Coordinator
Seattle Parks – Southwest Pool
That room full of stuff is almost ready for you to browse and buy at the Fauntleroy Church Second Time Sale, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow. Volunteers have been busy all week pricing everything in those mounds of merchandise. It’s one of the church’s biggest fundraisers of the year; they’re at 9140 California SW (map). Also at Fauntleroy Church this weekend – nationally renowned singer/songwriter Susan Werner in concert Sunday night, 7 pm (ticket info on the church website). And if you’re looking for more sales this weekend – several are listed in the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section (where you can list freebies, deals, sales for free).
West Seattle High School (1-0) is at Memorial Stadium (at Seattle Center) tonight, 5 pm, to face Franklin (0-1); Chief Sealth High School (0-1) is at Southwest Athletic Complex (next to Southwest Community Center) vs. Rainier Beach (1-0) at 7 pm tonight; Seattle Lutheran High School (0-1) goes to Ocean Shores to play North Beach (0-1) at 2 pm tomorrow. Good luck, Wildcats, Seahawks and Saints!
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
You wouldn’t know unless you were told that the art on the walls of Shoofly Pie Co. (4444 California SW) are by an eight-year-old. The linoleum block prints by Schmitz Park Elementary third-grader Romy Ehrsam are surprisingly accomplished. But once you meet Romy, you’re not as surprised — the artist is quite self-possessed.
“I’m being interviewed!” she says proudly to a friend walking by, and then strikes a perfect pose for a photo with her work.
The truth is, Romy’s already an old hand at this.
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The High Point Neighborhood Association (HNPA) held its quarterly meeting tonight at the High Point Commons Park Amphitheater under clear skies and with a higher-than-usual turnout – including young attendee Elena, who rode her new bike to the meeting, with dad Jeff (above photo).
Andrew Mead (left), immediate past president of the HNPA (who will be stepping into the role of Vice President) introduced new Board Trustees and the new executive members of the Board. New Trustees are: Eleanor Hall, Chris Smithco and Ayan Jama. The new executive committee is: Jennifer Cobb, President; Andrew Mead, Vice President; Miranda Taylor, Secretary; and Chris Smithco, Treasurer. Trustees are representatives elected by their neighbors in one of four “voting groups” that High Point is divided into. These Trustees serve two-year terms.
First of two reports from the September West Seattle Art Walk, which – unlike last month’s thundering, torrential-downpour night — was graced with clear skies: We walked into a full house at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), where artists included Bayou and Kelly showing off their bag creations (online at Rat City Rags). Moving north to The Junction, the featured artist at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor) was Gatewood’s Pam Mandel:
We know Pam best for her travel writing at Nerd’s Eye View, but she revealed she was creating art, including the collages she showed tonight, long before she wandered into technology and writing. More collage was on display at Twilight Artist Collective, where there’s always a party on Art Walk night – here’s work from Shaw Osha, part of Twilight’s featured The Ontology of the Image show, curated by Chris Crites:
And the night’s boldest show involved art that hadn’t even been created yet when tonight’s Art Walk began: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) hosted the Paint Ball, giving four artists each a blank canvas and the mandate to transform it. We dropped in around two-thirds of the way through the evening:
That’s Chani Murac – here’s Jeremy DeCory:
Also participating, Steve Klinkel and V. Blast (who did the Feedback’s ornate metalwork); the pieces were to be silent-auctioned – we’ll check on their status tomorrow. For October’s Art Walk, Feedback proprietor Jeff Gilbert tells us, it’ll be another demonstration of art in the making – punk-rock pumpkins – stand by for more on that! And we’ve got a second report on tonight’s event; the Art Walk is way too big for just one news-gathering duo to cover, so we asked WSB contributing reporter Mary Sheely to hit the street too – her coverage, still to come.
EAT LOCAL NOW: This event celebrating locally grown food, with sponsors including Sustainable West Seattle and CoolMom.org, is now just a month away, and tickets are on sale: 5 pm October 11th at the Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction. Read more about it here; buy tickets here.
SPEAKING OF FOOD: Just this morning, we noted The Swinery (taking over 3207 California SW) was chronicling its push toward an expected opening next week. Tonight WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli has learned from Swinery proprietor Gabriel Claycamp that last-minute renovation challenges have pushed that date back to September 21st.
JUNCTION TRICK-OR-TREATING: Jennifer e-mailed tonight to ask whether this megapopular annual event will be on Halloween itself, since it’s a Saturday this year, or the week before. The West Seattle Junction Association has scheduled it for 1-3 pm Saturday, October 31st, so go ahead and mark your calendars. We’re also asking Admiral merchants what they’re planning to do and will share that information when we get it.
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