West Seattle, Washington
26 Saturday
It’s the eastern border for much of West Seattle, the front porch for South Park, a lifeline for everything from salmon to industry, and it has some of the worst pollution in the U.S. What’s in the Duwamish River‘s future? Sustainable West Seattle has just announced an all-star lineup for its next Community Forum, coming up 7 pm Monday night at Camp Long – read on for the official announcement:Read More
(WSB video of the Hi-Yu volunteers and float in the July 2009 Seafair Torchlight Parade downtown)
Another award-winning parade season ended recently for West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival leaders, volunteers, and royalty, with their trip to the Issaquah Salmon Days Parade. But the end of summer never means the end of their work – it’s time to start looking ahead to next year – and renewing community support. Here’s one way you can be part of it:
West Seattle Hi-Yu is starting off the Fall season with a fundraiser through PartyLite. Hi-Yu will receive 50% of sales to go toward the expenses of the Summer Festival, including building/transporting/upkeep of the float, and scholarships for young women in our community.
There are 3 products to choose from, which you can view at smithwicks.net. Just click on “fundraisers” and then “fundraiser products.” (However, items need to be ordered through Carol Winston.) There are a variety of wonderful holiday scents and the items make perfect hostess gifts for parties coming up, teacher gifts and all-occasion gifts. Many in the community are already familiar with these candles and know the benefit of non-lead wicks (no black soot), long burn time, and no leftover wax.
Please help support our community festival! Items can be ordered through Carol Winston. Please send an email to winstonfamily@yahoo.com to communicate your interest. Questions about the product can be directed to Cecile Smith 206-730-1202. There is sales tax of 9.5%, but no shipping costs. Orders must be received by October 17th.
That’s this Sunday – the same day as the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, where you can get one more look at the much-honored 2010 Hi-Yu float, “Dreams Do Come True” (full festival schedule here).
(Delridge rooster, by Danny McMillin)
Two neighborhood-council meetings tonight – Fauntleroy Community Association, 7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), agenda includes final details for Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival, an update on RapidRide at the ferry terminal, and the two area Combined Sewer Overflow reduction proposals; also at 7 pm, Admiral Neighborhood Association, with the agenda including officer nominations for next year, the upcoming Admiral Treats and Treasures, and a presentation by Stu Hennessey from Sustainable West Seattle … It’s rehearsal night for the West Seattle Community Orchestras, and there’s room for more musicians, depending on what you play – check out this recent WSB Forums post by founder Toni Reineke for details … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
In our daily/nightly election update, with three weeks till E-Day, and just days till voting starts, a grab bag of links: The county issued its official reminder of impending ballots … President Obama is coming back to Seattle Oct. 21 to campaign for Sen. Patty Murray (remember what happened last time) … The City Council endorses both ballot measures involving $ for schools (or projects in/at them) … “Social media” watch: Only 1 candidate of the 4 in our area’s Big Two races posted a social-media campaign-page/account update on Monday – King County Council District 8 candidate Diana Toledo posted a “ballot’s on the way” reminder on Facebook … Event watch: Next candidate forum in West Seattle is Wednesday, with 34th District State House Position 2 hopefuls Joe Fitzgibbon and Mike Heavey at the West Seattle Kiwanis luncheon (full details here).
From tonight’s meeting of the citywide Skate Park Advisory Committee downtown: No resolution yet to the question of “who’ll build Delridge Skatepark?” – but a little more light was shone on the concerns regarding bidder qualifications.Read More
The West Seattle Wing Dome officially opens in The Junction at 11 am tomorrow, but you may have noticed people dining there tonight – or maybe you were among them. We dropped in for photos during the Wing Dome’s by-invitation Opening Day Eve preview – early enough in the evening that we could catch the whole team for the top photo. Note the local high-school sports decor that’s part of the display over the tables on the north side of the restaurant in the next pic:
The menu’s online here; the official address is 4523 California SW, between CAPERS and the forthcoming Tuscan Tea Room/Romanza Floral (which is tentatively planning to open November 1st). This is the fourth Wing Dome – the other three are in Greenwood, Kent and Kirkland – and, as we learned during a sneak-preview tour a few weeks ago, the first one that Seattle-headquartered owners Consolidated Restaurants have built and open since they bought the local mini-chain.
Two Make that three coyote reports in one day, from different parts of the peninsula – read on for details (including the third, sent after we first published this):Read More
West Seattle volunteers including writer Lori Hinton – known for work including “West Seattle 101” – have just returned from Gambia, where hundreds of kids have new Kona Africabikes thanks to a unique program. Lori’s finishing up a story that we plan to publish here this week, with photos – but first, she’s sharing the video clip above as a preview of sorts – a reminder this afternoon that volunteer work and donations truly make the world go ’round. Watch for the full story soon!
Shared by Janis’s sister Jackie Duty:
Janis (Wilmot) Ahrenius
Surrounded by her loving family, Jani passed away peacefully on 10/10/10 after a long battle with cancer. She always had a smile on her face and a real caring for others. Jani was born January 28, 1956, to Robert and Phyllis Wilmot. She attended West Seattle HS, where she met her soulmate and future husband, John. She became a beloved mother to her children, Nick & Adrienne, and was an honorary member of The Kindergarten Club. Recently preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Brian, Jani is survived by her husband and children, brothers Robert (Lynn) Wilmot, Gary (Sue) Wilmot, Pat (Shaun) Wilmot, sisters Jean (Don) Lester and Jackie (Dave) Duty, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are Saturday, October 16, 1 pm, at Hope Lutheran Church on 42nd Ave SW / SW Oregon . Viewing will be 9-5 on Friday, October 15, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Seattle.
(If you want to share news of a passing, please send the info, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Compare: Fauntleroy Way as it looks now, through The Triangle …
… and Fauntleroy Way as it might look, in a concept proposed as part of the ongoing West Seattle Triangle planning discussions:
Almost two years after a touchstone meeting that “started (the) conversation” about The Triangle’s future (2008 WSB coverage here), concepts like that one are progressing as part of an official city-involved process. It’s part of the presentation (see it here) given to the Seattle Design Commission last Thursday by architect David Hewitt, a consultant working with the city Department of Planning and Development and a citizens’ advisory group, as they try to envision how The Triangle could evolve with purpose as more development moves in among the existing businesses, large and small, in the next decade-plus. The Design Commission gave unanimous approval to this first round of concepts, which hasn’t yet been formally presented to the Advisory Group, whose next meeting has just been set for 5:30 pm October 27. Read on to see a few more concepts from the presentation, and how they were initially received:Read More
Just in from the Seattle City Council – the official announcement of their vote today in favor of an “opt-out registry” you can join to stop delivery of unwanted phone books. This has been in the works since early summer (here’s our original June report). Read on for the full details (ADDED 5 PM: council news release followed by statement just e-mailed to us by the Yellow Pages Association):Read More
Two car-theft stories in this afternoon’s West Seattle Crime Watch update: First, if you didn’t catch it playing out in the comment section, Lee confirms that his stolen “beater” Acura – first reported here – is indeed the car that Kath spotted. (He also provided an update on its post-theft condition.) The site where it was found is less than a mile from where it was stolen. Meantime, we have a new car-theft (and prowl) report from a few miles south – click ahead:Read More
Got plans for dinner this Wednesday? Here’s a chance to dine at the newly renovated Chief Sealth International High School while helping its athletics program:
This Wednesday, October 13th, the Football, Boys’ Basketball, and Volleyball programs at Sealth will host a dinner benefit to support these programs. It will be a spaghetti dinner event with short presentations from each sport. The dinner will begin at 7:00 pm; tickets are $12, with the proceeds going toward the Football, Boys Basketball and Volleyball programs, and Sealth Athletics. Purchasing a dinner ticket will also give you free admission to the first Sealth home basketball game in the new gym when the Boys’ Basketball team takes on Brisbane, Australia, on November 30th, 2010 at 7:00pm. You can purchase dinner tickets at the door this Wednesday night starting at 6:30 pm. The event will be held in the brand new Galleria at Chief Sealth.
If you haven’t been there yet (or lately) – 2600 SW Thistle (map). P.S. It’s homecoming week at Chief Sealth (the football game is this Friday night across the street at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm, vs. Nathan Hale).
(One of the more than 60 people who gathered last year to call Fauntleroy Creek’s salmon home)
It’s a West Seattle tradition – gathering to drum, chant, and sing to call coho spawners to Fauntleroy Creek. Judy Pickens just sent word that this year’s event is set for 5 pm Sunday, October 24th, with the singing and drumming to be led by Bron Edwards-Cryer and Kevin Finney, at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW, across and up the embankment from the ferry dock – here’s a map). Judy adds, “Old Man Rattlesnake will be a special guest! Bring a drum of any kind, or just yourself.” All ages welcome. (Find out more about Fauntleroy Creek here.)
Another construction project is under way in West Seattle right now, in addition to the various commercial and park projects we’ve been updating – but you might not have heard much about it unless you are affiliated with West Seattle Little League or a frequent visitor to Bar-S Playfield on Alki Point. New construction and storage buildings are about to go up at the field, according to WSLL president Mark Terao, who e-mailed to share news of a new website that’s tracking the project, as it gets under way in a big way (at left, that’s WSLL Board Member/Majors Manager Mark O’Neil, photographed during work about a week ago to clear out the old snack shack before it’s taken down):
The site has been prepared for the build. The old container has been relocated to make space for the new storage building. Everything has been cleared out of the old snack shack and our contractor has shot the grade and staked the location of the new buildings. We will be removing the old shack this week and pouring the foundation. … We are shooting for a completion date of January 15th 2011. Currently the project is estimated to cost $150,000. To date, we are still in need of roughly $30,000 to complete the project. Through the generous support of local businesses and residents, this number is shrinking, but it is still a big nut and we are still asking the community for help.
Mark says, “For a minimum donation of $100 you can have your family’s (or) business/organization’s name placed on the permanent “Thank You” plaque that will be affixed to the building.” You can find a donation form on the West Seattle Little League’s main website here. Meantime, Mark says they will continue to update progress, with photos and info, on the project website.
Sometimes when a business moves, its old location is empty a while. Not the case with the longtime Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) spot at 7501 35th SW (map). As first noted here in late July, a tenant was lined up long before Swedish moved to its newly built headquarters a few blocks south. Above, the proprietors you’ll now find at 35th/Webster – Todd Ainsworth and Chris Christensen (above), who are now up and running with West Seattle AutoWorks. They went public with details a month ago, as Swedish prepared to move, and today marks the start of their first full week in business. Chris and Todd are both West Seattleites and have worked locally for a long time too; they do repair/maintenance on everything but the cars Swedish handles to the south. They’re online, too – on Facebook here, on the Web here – open Mondays-Fridays, 8 am-5:30 pm.
(From Run USA 2010 online gallery, used with permission – see many more here)
That’s West Seattle runner John Wallace III – wearing a T-shirt from West Seattle Runner! – as he got ready to run east from Los Angeles on Sunday morning, starting his hoping-to-set-a-cross-country-record odyssey (previewed here). Today, he’s starting day 2 of Run USA 2010. You can follow along through the many links from his main website (including Facebook). … Also looking ahead to today/tonight: Two neighborhood councils meet tonight – North Delridge at 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon); Pigeon Point at 7 pm, Pathfinder K-8 (Cooper) School, 1901 SW Genesee. … And Delridge Skatepark is on the agenda (with the bid situation undoubtedly to be discussed) at the citywide Skate Park Advisory Committee‘s meeting tonight, 7 pm at Parks HQ downtown … Did you know Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) has Munchie Mondays ($1 items 3-7 pm)? … More on the calendar.
In our daily/nightly countdown to the November 2nd general election, a reminder that your ballot likely will show up in the mail before the week’s over. You have till November 2nd to get it postmarked/mailed, or dropped off, but in case you’re an early-bird type: For the former, just remember, you need 1 first-class stamp. For the latter, while the county added more drop boxes for this election – after cutting way back for the primary, to only two, there are now 11 for the general election (listed here). None in West Seattle or White Center, however (before the cutbacks earlier this year, there had been one at Delridge Neighborhood Service Center and one at White Center Library); we asked the county why our area doesn’t merit one, and to date have not received a clear answer, just an explanation of the criteria in general:
– Voter use at previous location
– Population densities and distribution (existing and future)
– Proximity to transit services
– Access and safety
– Public facility available to host box
– Designated urban center per adopted regional land use and transportation plan
Without one in WS or WC, the nearest ones will be at the King County Administration Building downtown and county Elections HQ on East Marginal in Tukwila (here’s the map with all drop-box locations – they’re all scheduled to be open 24/7 until 8 pm November 2nd).
That’s Jett, a Gatewood Elementary School student you might have seen in this story on the Seattle Times (WSB sponsor) website. The medal he’s holding is the one he got from Sounders FC forward Nate Jaqua after the Seattle club won the U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night – explained at the start of an earlier Times story. Jett’s mom Stephanie e-mailed tonight with more on the story and how Jett’s handling his prize:
When he is not carrying it around, it is hanging from the wall with a picture of Nate Jaqua next to it. He was so excited. The kids were standing there getting autographs and my daughter was holding a replica trophy that we made. He asked Nate for his medal and I said, laughing, no, Jett, you can’t have his medal, he just earned that. But then he finished his autographs and took it off his neck and handed it to Jett. Jett just keeps saying, I can’t believe it. Nate Jaqua is such a good guy to do that. I brought the replica trophy and real medal to Gatewood the next day for Jett to show his 1st-grade class and Jordan to show her 3rd-grade class. I am so happy for him.
Here’s Jett’s sister Jordan with the aforementioned replica trophy:
They are quite the sports fans – we thought we recalled a photo here sometime back, involving a different team, and indeed, here’s one from the WSB archives, almost 3 years ago!
The request comes from Karin, who shared photos of some of her fellow volunteers at today’s 350.org tree-planting party at Schmitz Park – adding new growth to the existing old growth:
I had a great time with this group, and we planted mega amount of trees. The trees all have bright ribbons to mark them, and we ask the community to be watchful where you walk along that area by the stream to ensure survival of the plants. Thanks to Dylan, who was our organizer and leader.
This was one of many work parties for this year’s “10/10/10 Global Work Party” – here’s our coverage from the “350 Day of Action” last year. P.S. The significance of “350” is explained here.
Two months after CityDog Magazine‘s latest “cover dog search” photo session in West Seattle (here’s our August report), CityDog has announced all five finalists from this year’s five search sessions around the city – and the voting has begun. This year’s West Seattle winner is Spencer, and you can cast your vote (for any of the five) by clicking on your favorite finalist’s photo on this CityDog webpage – that’ll open an e-mail window; just type the name of your fave into the subject line, and send your vote. The West Seattle finalists won the last two years – you have till October 31st to vote and see if it’ll be three in a row. (Thanks to Amanda for the tip. We’re contacting CityDog to see if we can get permission to use Spencer’s photo here.) MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: Thanks to Spencer’s person Bob for sharing the photo at left this morning. He explains that Spencer is a 3-year-old Italian Spinone and “would be honored to represent West Seattle in this fiercely competitive contest as the New Cover Dog of CityDog Mag.” (He promises a few more biographical details later.)
(Photo courtesy Laura Bermes)
If you just happened into Roxbury Lanes Friday night – it might have looked like another busy night bowling – but something special was going on: Pins for Pennies, a fundraiser for West Seattle-based Family Promise of Seattle, the area’s only shelter program helping homeless families, on hiatus right now (as first reported here in August) while trying to raise enough money to reopen. Laura Bermes from the Family Promise of Seattle board reports last night’s event raised more than 200,000 pennies!
Over 50 people bowled and even more showed up to support bowlers. A great time was had by all. Thanks to Roxbury Lanes for their support and to Full Tilt Ice Cream as well! We raised over $2,000 and still have pledged donations coming in! We have another fundraiser planned for November – West Seattle’s first ever Comfort Food Throw Down. The community will have a chance to eat delicious food, purchase homemade items, and will get to vote for the first-ever Comfort Food Champion of Seattle!
More details to come. You can also donate to Family Promise of Seattle any time, by going here.
With Halloween just three weeks away, we’ve got two more big event announcements: First, Skeleton Theatre (an animatronic, narrated, sound-effect-enhanced production in a South Admiral front yard) will be back October 31st-November 1st, this time with an all-new show after two years of the pirate-themed presentation. It’s rock ‘n’ roll this time – make no bones about it. There’s some info about the new show at skeletontheatre.com. Also in Admiral – the first big doggie-costume contest we’ve heard about so far:
That’s from the flyer (see the full version here) just shared by Muttley Crew Cuts for this year’s Muttster Mash, a chance for people to party along with their pooches – beer and wine too – 7 pm-11 pm on October 30th. To see more of what’s in store as Halloween approaches (and other local events/meetings/workshops/etc.), check out the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
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