West Seattle, Washington
30 Tuesday
The Viaduct’s back open today, but citywide, some big events are on tap – here’s that roundup – but as usual, there’s a stellar slate here in West Seattle – from the WSB Events calendar:
NORTHWEST PADDLING FESTIVAL, DAY 2: Pay the admission fee for instruction (including quiet corners like the one we photographed above) and on-the-water demos, or wander around the vendor booths and see the just-opened Jack Block Park shoreline (plus its amazing overlooks). 9 am-5 pm, full festival-events schedule here.
RADIO COMPETITION: If you haven’t seen the ham-radio operators in the southeast field at South Seattle Community College – their round-the-clock competition (details here) wraps up at noon.
WADING POOL! The Lincoln Park wading pool should open for the season since the weather is forecast for 70+ degrees (wading pool schedule here).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Market management sent word last night that they’re expecting live music by Farm Report,, Panzanella (bread salad), and freshness on sale including strawberries, cherries, artichokes, fava beans, fresh salmon, morel & porcini mushrooms, and “almost…apricots!” 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska in The Junction.
BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER YARD SALE: Check the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section for yard sales today; one that we know of is at 2644 Walnut SW, 9 am-4 pm, raising money for a local team going to the Susan G. Komen 3Day.
FOOTBALL AND CHEER SIGNUPS: SWAC Cougars (WSB sponsor) have another signup event today, 11 am-2 pm at Roxbury Safeway.
TWO TO VISIT ON ALKI: If you go to the beach, there’s more to do than laze on the sand. Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) is open noon-4 pm; Alki Point Lighthouse is open 1 pm-4 pm.
ATHLETES IN ACTION: Pacific Northwest Track and Field Junior Olympics at Southwest Athletic Complex (details on the organization’s website)
BOOK SIGNING: Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor)’s 40th anniversary celebration continues with a 4-6 pm book signing at the Admiral store today, Amy Pennington with her cookbook “Urban Pantry.”
The journey to 50,000 diapers begins with a single donation (to paraphrase the maxim). The “price” of admission for Saturday’s Recess Monkey show at WestSide Baby‘s White Center donation headquarters was, not surprisingly, diapers, since it was the kickoff to this summer’s “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive. WestSide Baby’s executive director Nancy Woodland talked about it while introducing the band:
As you heard Nancy say, there are two big differences this year: One is that the actual “Stuff the Bus” day, Sunday, July 24th – four weeks from today – will be at Viking Bank (4022 SW Alaska) instead of the old location alongside the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. (But don’t worry, we’re told kids still get to honk the school-bus horn!) Another – the push to have lots of individual diaper drives feeding into the one big day (contact WestSide Baby if you’d like to host one). As explained on the WS Baby site, if they get 50,000 diapers, Huggies will match with 100,000 more. And don’t worry, volunteers are standing by to handle them:
Every package of diapers helps – as the number of kids helped by WestSide Baby continues to grow. WSB is proud to be co-sponsoring “Stuff the Bus” again this year, and we’ll look forward to seeing you in the Viking Bank parking lot 10 am-2 pm on July 24th, diaper donations in tow.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*On Atlas Place, a customer received a delivery of groceries in the early hours of the morning on Thursday. But a security camera shows that an hour later a man stopped by the front porch and walked off with the groceries. Images of the thief have been turned over to police.
Five more summaries ahead:Read More
(Photos and video by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
The upcoming opening of the new Admiral Safeway loomed large at today’s work party for Lafayette Elementary‘s “Play It Forward” playground project, and not just because the store is across the street from the school. Safeway employees (including those above) joined the work party. Among them, the new store’s manager, going public for the first time in that role, though he is someone you might already know – more ahead:Read More
Don’t let your young musician fall out of practice over the summer. Toni Reineke sends word there’s still room in this program (she shared the photo, too):
It’s still not too late to sign up for Summer Music at West Seattle High School! We are nearing our capacity of 60 students, but still have room for a few more.
In its 58th year, it’s taught by Seattle Public Schools music teachers and is for students who just finished 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grades (other grades by permission).
Designed for students grades 4-8 (student must have completed at least one year of instrumental instruction)
Students who attend Seattle Public Schools as well as private schools are welcome!
Band, strings, jazz band, solos, ensembles, improvisation — and more!
Daily field recesses!
Concerts every Friday at 11:00 a.m.
Weekdays, June 27 – July 15 (except July Fourth), 9:00 to noon.For more info, please call the Fine and Performing Arts Department at 206-252-0051 or 252-0050, or contact Toni Reineke, Head Teacher, at 206-243-6955 or tonireineke@comcast.net
(Our earlier festival coverage is here.)
We’re starting a new story for the last few “sunny, finally!” hours of today’s Morgan Junction Community Festival. Above, that’s the 2nd vendor/exhibitor area added this year, next to Washington Federal Savings on the northeast corner of California/Fauntleroy. Among those you’ll find there – Eric Thomas and West Seattle-based Solar Epiphany:
On the west side of California, there’s great music live in the park and alongside Beveridge Place Pub, free, all ages, all the way up till 7 pm. We hear many of the “Bite of Morgan” free food sample participants have run out, and festival organizers hope the participating restaurants will see you here for breakfast/lunch/dinner sometime soon – part of the point of today’s free festival is to showcase Morgan Junction, one of West Seattle’s fun little neighborhoods (not just someplace to drive through on the way to or from the ferry dock). Community groups and businesses (including us) are tabling behind Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor)/Zeeks Pizza and alongside Washington Federal Savings across the street, so come listen to music, meet new friends …
5:04 PM: Speaking of music – one of the midafternoon acts, Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity:
Performing now – Tongan musicians and dancers from nearby Seaview Methodist Church:
5:58 PM: The music continues for another hour – but the vendors have the green light to pack up, since the wandering crowds have dwindled. We’ll be here another 15 minutes or so. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi – great to meet so many people, as well as to see all the community advocates and others who spent their day tabling here. Just two weeks till West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction (July 8-10) – we are looking forward to seeing you there too!
The water and newly opened beach at Jack Block Park are alive with activity as the first day of the first-ever Northwest Paddling Festival continues. Both veteran paddlers and beginners are taking the chance for a closeup look at what’s new:
And if you’re just curious – not sure if you’re ready to try it out – you can wander the booths on the boardwalk:
KING 5 was live at the festival during their newscast this morning, with Alki Kayak Tours/Mountain to Sound Outfitters‘ Greg Whittaker (and others) – here’s one of their reports:
Today’s events continue till 6 pm – and then 9 am to 5 pm again tomorrow; the full schedule is here.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
Saturday is a traditional time for people around the community to do volunteer work to help make the community a better place – and the group above was busy doing exactly that this morning in the Recovery Garden at Cottage Grove Park in North Delridge. It’s one of those places where you need to stop and take a closer look – which will be easier because of some of the work done today;
Tasha Mosher showed WSB’s Christopher Boffoli how volunteers were removing weeds that are obscuring some of the messages written on the stones that line the paths. The Recovery Garden began as a demonstration program to “de-stigmatize recovery” – explained on the city page for Cottage Grove Park.
Not a surprise, given the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure (and other traffic effects of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon) – but in case you were hoping for better – sorry! Just got that photo via Twitter from @206sportsfan. The Viaduct is supposed to be fully open again by 4 this afternoon.
The sun’s not here just yet but the people are. C’mon down to Fauntleroy/California for the 2011 edition of the Morgan Junction Community Festival. We’re with the booths behind Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor)/Zeeks Pizza on the northwest corner; we’ll be updating with photos and video Music and performances are under way in the park just north of neighboring Beveridge Place Pub – with The Bubbleman coming up at 11:15. His trademark purple van is already here:
The park is also where to get your “Bite of Morgan” tickets – free but there’s a limited quantity of booklets, first-come, first-served. Look for the info booth with the whiteboard:
Festival’s on till 7 pm.
12:06 PM: The sun is appearing intermittently. It was out for Bubbleman’s tour de force in the park:
Be sure to wander south of the park toward Feedback Lounge – not just because we’re hanging out in the vendor area behind it, along with cool people like Steve Louie and Ed Pottharst, two of this area’s coordinators from the Department of Neighborhoods:
… but also so you can buy raffle tickets to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank – Shannon‘s at the booth right now:
And on the north side of the Feedback, you’ll find a booth with Full Tilt Ice Cream:
(Sorry, they’re not part of the free “bites” – so bring a few dollars. And West Seattle Thriftway across the street is selling barbecue lunch with all proceeds benefiting the festival!) The music/entertainment lineup is here.
2:01 PM: The free live music is at centerstage – literally – as the afternoon goes on (see the lineup link above). There are performances in the park and at a stage alongside Beveridge Place Pub. Steady stream of visitors overall – people are here with their dogs, too, lots of families with kids, and thanks to everyone who has stopped by to say hi! We’ll launch a second report within the hour with some of what else is going on – including the vendors on the other side of the street.
Big day on the peninsula, and we should see some sun! From the WSB West Seattle Events page, the highlights:
MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: One day, big fun! Morgan Community Association presents this popular free festival, 10:30 am-7 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) – here’s our most recent update including the final entertainment lineup (Bubbleman at 11:15!). “Bite of Morgan” free-food-sample booklets (participants here) are first come, first served, at the fair-info booth at the park.
NORTHWEST PADDLING FESTIVAL: First of two days for the first-ever edition of this celebration on the water and on the shore (newly opened as of last night!) at Jack Block Park off Harbor Avenue SW. Today’s full schedule is here, including two races in the early afternoon. For workshops and demos, there’s an admission fee; to walk around and look at vendors, free.
RECOVERY GARDEN CLEANUP PARTY: Volunteer help is welcome at Brandon and 26th Ave SW, 10 am – noon. This small park within North Delridge’s Cottage Grove Park honors those on the path of healing from substance abuse. Join a unique partnership with a Seattle treatment center to restore one of Delridge’s great corners.
SHREDDING AND E-CYCLING: Windermere Fauntleroy (6505 California SW) is not only part of the Morgan Junction Community Festival, it’s also holding a shredding/electronics recycling event in its back parking lot (south of Morgan Junction Starbucks), 10 am-1 pm. (They’re also Bite of Morgan participants if you get a coupon book at the festival – Otter Pops.)
HAM RADIO ENTHUSIASTS IN ACTION: In the southeast field at South Seattle Community College, Seattle ham-radio operators will show off everything from new tech to historic Morse code as they compete in a contest; full details here.
ALKI BIKE TOUR:4th annual Historic Alki Bike Tour, presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Meet at the Log House Museum, 61st and Stevens. $7 for non-members, $5 for museum members. Facebook event page here.
ON THE RUN: Pacific Northwest Track and Field Junior Olympics at Southwest Athletic Complex (details on the organization’s website) – remember that the Denny International Middle School move is under way, so street parking west of the stadium is limited.
REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: By most accounts, things are looking up. Join an expert seminar hosted by Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) at 11 am, including projections on the local real-estate market. Complimentary lunch after the seminar; call (206) 932-5480 to see if there’s room.
HANDS ACROSS THE SAND: 2nd annual demonstration of environmental concern at Alki Beach, noon, east of Bathhouse.
STUFF THE BUS DIAPER DRIVE KICKOFF – WITH RECESS MONKEY: Concert by Recess Monkey at WestSide Baby‘s 14th SW donation facility, 1 pm, bring diapers! It’s the official kickoff to WestSide Baby’s annual Stuff the Bus summertime diaper drive; details here.
DANCE ON THE SAND: If the weather doesn’t go south, there’s Salsa on Alki Beach, 6 – 10 pm.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is just getting under way, and one of the related road closures is a biggie – the Alaskan Way Viaduct, both ways. Here’s the update we published a few days ago, including a clickable map with all the marathon-related closures; the state says the Viaduct will be fully open again by 4 pm. As for other events affecting traffic around the city – here’s the weekly bulletin SDOT sent out on Thursday.
A memorial service is planned this Monday in White Center for longtime area resident Robert (Bob) Edward Erdmann Sr. From his family:
Bob was born to parents August Jr. and Rosa Lena Erdmann on August 29, 1926, in
Brainerd, MN. He followed his stepbrother out to Seattle when he was a teenager. And that is where he fell in love and married his wife of 61 years, Catherine (Kay) Ann Erdmann. Together they had 5 kids: Bobby Jr. (Susan), Larry (Nancy), Tom (Sissy), RoseAnn, and Jeannie (Mike). They were grandparents to 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family at the family’s recreational property in Shelton.Bob owned his own company, Bob’s Saw Shop, for 40 years while also working for Highline School District, from which he retired in 1988. After suffering a massive stroke in January of this year, he ended his journey here on Earth and went to be with his late parents and his wife on June 17. He will be forever loved and missed!
Services will be on Monday, June 27, 2011 at Yarington’s Funeral Home. Viewing is from 9 am-1 pm, and the funeral service starts at 1:00. Reception to follow.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available/desired, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(Photos and video by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
11:55 PM: We’re on our way to the 6400 block of 48th SW (map), where fire crews have just arrived at the scene of a “heavy rescue” call and are reporting a car has flipped.
12:09 AM: One person was pulled out of the car, a woman described on the scanner as alert and conscious.
12:19 AM: Tow truck just arrived at the scene, so 48th should be clear before too long. The driver was taken by Medic 32 to Harborview Medical Center. The Saturn sedan she was driving had flipped right in front of the bus stop on the west side of 48th, just at the top of the hill down toward Lowman Beach. A lieutenant at the scene tells WSB’s Christopher Boffoli that the driver’s injuries are not life-threatening. Police also say they suspect alcohol might have been involved.
12:44 AM: 48th SW has reopened to traffic.
2:07 AM: Added Christopher’s video of the car being turned right-side-up by the tow crew.
Admiral’s new wood-fired Pizzeria 22 had a full house tonight – but don’t worry, you didn’t miss opening night. This was an invitation-only preview party, with owner Cary Kemp getting the chance to give the oven a workout:
Since we don’t dine on the job, sorry, no review (if you were there, do leave yours as a comment!), but we CAN say it smelled wonderful – and looked good even before it went into the oven:
Also looking good – though we stopped by too early in the evening for a good photo – the new blue neon sign out front, stacked letters reading simply “PIZZERIA.” As reported here earlier this week, Pizzeria 22 officially opens on Monday; lots of menu info and other details can be found online.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A long-closed West Seattle beach is open tonight, awash in colorful paddling boats and gear, and exhibitors’ tents, ready for the first-ever Northwest Paddling Festival this weekend. On the festival’s eve, the Port of Seattle‘s official opening of the once-industrial-pollution-tainted Jack Block Park shoreline was celebrated with, not a ribbon-cutting, but a ribbon-untying:
Among those participating, West Seattle paddlesports advocate Greg Whittaker at left, proprietor of Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters and a driving force behind the festival, with Port of Seattle Commissioner Gael Tarleton to his left – with others including the park’s namesake, longtime commissioner Jack Block (Sr.), who was also one of the speakers before the dedication:
Block, who served on the commission 1974-2001, noted that it was a “20-year project” and that he had said a while back, “I hope I live long enough to see this project dedicated.” So tonight, he said triumphantly, “I made it!”
Friday night brings another list of what the Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team has been up to – three West Seattle spots listed this time in the report on SPD Blotter:
West Marginal Way SW – 40 mph zone
1 at 83 mph (with an open container of alcohol)
1 at 58 mph
1 at 57 mph
1 at 56 mph
2 at 55 mph
1 at 54 mph
3 at 51 mph
4 No Proof of Insurance3100 block SW Admiral Way – 30 mph zone
1 at 49 mph
2 at 47 mph
1 at 46 mph
2 at 45 mph
1 at 44 mph
1 Cell Phone
1 Stop SignHighland Park Way SW – 30 mph
1 at 49mph
1 Texting While Driving
If you missed it, your editor here had a “ridealong” with an ADRT officer recently – here’s the story, with video, published here last weekend.
The big move is on for Denny International Middle School. Those truck trailers we showed you the other night – when they were parked at Boren – are now busy helping move boxes, furniture, and more out of the old Denny and into destinations including the new. More photos after the jump:Read More
This afternoon, we welcome The West Seattle Fabric Company in the Admiral District as a new WSB sponsor. As per WSB tradition, new sponsors get to share information about what they do: The West Seattle Fabric Company is a shop with a fresh approach to sewing. We see ourselves as a creative sewing center where people of all skill levels and interests can find inspiration for any project. We carry cheerful, vibrant fabrics that are sometimes hard to find. Because we are a fabric boutique, we are constantly bringing in new fabrics, so there is always a reason to pop in and see us. Since opening the store 6 months ago, we have already expanded our space and significantly increased our inventory to better serve our community. We’ve created classes that help teach pattern reading, sewing projects, and we’ve just launched our first quilting series for beginners. 
Looking to the future, we want to bring in rotating craft supplies and projects for all ages and offer children’s sewing parties that would be perfect for birthday celebrations.
The West Seattle Fabric Company‘s Monica and Greg Skov were both raised in Spokane, but met in West Seattle where they now live with their daughter Olivia. In addition to being part of the community as business owners, they have become actively involved in melanoma and skin-cancer awareness. Greg and his twin brother Chris coordinate the annual Steve Casey Memorial Golf Tournament every August to raise money for melanoma awareness and research. In the future, Greg and Monica hope to establish the program “Casey’s Quilts,” which would donate quilts to people fighting melanoma in the Seattle area.
The West Seattle Fabric Company is at 2210 California SW, phone (206) 257-1083, online at westseattlefabriccompany.com and on Facebook here.
We thank The West Seattle Fabric Company for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Just in from the Morgan Community Association, the final stage lineup for tomorrow’s Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB), 10:30 am-7 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW):
Along with the performances, there’s the walking “Bite of Morgan” (latest on that here), plus dozens of vendors/organizations (including WSB) with booths/tables in lots on both sides of California – Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor)/Zeeks Pizza on the west side, and Washington Federal Savings on the east side. Hope to see you there!
One year after Fairmount Park got a playground makeover with $170,000 from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy, more levy money may be in the pipeline to renovate its restrooms and playground fencing. That is, if the levy Oversight Committee wins final approval for its idea to channel $10 million of the levy’s $13 million “inflation” padding into maintenance projects that have gone unaddressed because of the city budget woes.
West Seattle’s Pete Spalding chairs the committee, which has a public hearing next Monday (Jefferson Community Center, Beacon Hill, 7 pm) on its proposal. He wrote this open letter explaining that while the inflation pad was built into the levy, it hasn’t been needed, since the economic climate has brought many projects in not just within budget, but often under budget. The full list of projects the committee is suggesting for this $10 million fund is in his letter. The Fairmount Park comfort station and fencing, totaling $325,000, are the only West Seattle items on the list. If you’re interested in commenting, be at the hearing, or send e-mail (there’s a contact address on the committee’s page).
(Remember the June 7th morning traffic backup? WSB photo from 35th south of Avalon)
If you stepped up and replied with a comment when we asked in April, on behalf of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, “what’s West Seattle’s biggest transportation problem?” – your answer is about to get a wider audience. The City Council Transportation Committee’s meeting next Tuesday will include a briefing on “West Seattle Transportation Priorities,” with presenters including the Chamber’s board chair Dave Montoure and CEO Patti Mullen.
We called Mullen this morning to ask about it; she says it’s a direct result of the process in which WSB’ers participated, as well as a Chamber-facilitated advisory group: “We sent the results of the survey to the co-chairs for (the city’s Citizens Transportation Advisory Council III) and we also sent it to (Councilmember) Tom Rasmussen’s office and to the mayor and (SDOT director) Peter Hahn. Rasmussen’s office was pleased that a community had actually gone through a thoughtful screening and prioritized what the neighborhood considered to be important, so they wanted to know how we did that.” (He chairs the committee.) The #1 priority area they’ll be discussing: 35th SW – as well as areas including stretches of California SW, Delridge Way, and the five-way intersection at the west end of the “low bridge.” The meeting’s at City Hall at 9:30 am Tuesday; it’ll also be live on cable and Web via Seattle Channel.
(WSB photo of Danny Vernon’s Illusion of Elvis at The Mount, summer 2010)
Tons of tunes in the works for West Seattle outdoor-concert fans. West Seattle Summer Fest is up first (haven’t seen the lineup yet? here it is) – then there’s the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park with the West Seattle Big Band on July 19 – the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha start July 28th – and today we have the lineup for this year’s outdoor-concert series at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW):
August 5th-The Haggis Brothers “Rockin’, swingin’ fiddle driven string band”
August 12th-The Illusion of Elvis by Danny Vernon. Classic car show this night, too!
August 19th-Cheryl Serio “Vintage jazz, pop and cabaret”
August 26th-Selam Band “World music”(Each event runs) 5:00 to 7:30 pm – Live music from 6:00 to 7:30 pm
The music is free, as are snow cones and popcorn, and special kids’ activities; bring your own blanket/chair; dinner and beverages (beer/wine available) can be purchased. The Mount has a special-events hotline for questions – (206) 937-3701, ext. 28652.
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