West Seattle, Washington
24 Friday
That video will give you a taste of what “Woodstick Big Beat” is all about. It’s happening on the Eastside – but it’s the brainchild of a West Seattle musician, Donn Bennett of Fauntleroy, and he says, “We need all the drummers we can get” in hopes of setting a record. This is the 8th annual Woodstick, Donn explains, saying, “Every year we attempt to set a new world record for drummers playing drumsets simultaneously. Our largest even ever had 533 drummers at Qwest Field in 2005. In 2008, a group in England broke our record with 588. We will attempt to break that record on November 7th.” This year’s event is at the Juanita Field House in Kirkland – but it’s linked simultaneously to 15 other cities in North America, all playing under one director who’s here in this area. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, Donn adds, “One of the featured drummers is Steve Moore. He became an Internet sensation when his Crazy Drummer video went viral on YouTube with more than 7 million hits.” Drumming is Donn’s business, by the way – with Donn Bennett Drum Studio in Bellevue. You can sign up through his website, by going here; proceeds benefit two charities, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and Camp Korey, as explained here. (By the way, even if this isn’t something you can play in, you’ll be welcome to come watch, 2-4 pm on November 7th, with doors opening at 10 am – Donn says there’s a band onstage with the hundreds of drummers playing in synch – this year, the band is Spike and the Impalers from the recently canceled Bob Rivers Show.)
36-year-old Nikki Mackey hopes you will watch that video of her recent haircut at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor). Five weeks ago, Nikki was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. She explains why watching the video can make a difference:
Knowing that I will lose my hair to chemo, I decided to donate it to Locks of Love (my hair was very long and very pretty….)
I went last Wednesday to Illusions Salon in West Seattle and had them cut the hair for the donation – one of the stylists videotaped it for me since I have been trying to fully document this new and painful journey. I put the video up on YouTube to share with my friends and family (I’m from the East Coast so many of them are not here physically but want to share this experience with me in any way they can…)
The video generated a great many views very quickly and I received a notice from YouTube regarding ad-revenue sharing. Illusions gave their permission for me to
apply for the ad-revenue sharing and I contacted Locks of Love to let them know that I want all proceeds earned from the video to go to them. I just really want to get the video out there so we can perhaps earn some money to help this fantastic organization. Immediately following my surgery, one of the surgical attendants came to see me to make sure I was doing OK. She told me she had worked at St. Jude’s and was present when one of the Locks of Love wigs was presented to a 15 year old girl. She told me she never forgot how happy the girl was and how emotional it was to see this child get a wig which would allow her to feel like a normal 15 year old – at least as normal as she could possibly feel under the circumstances.… I want to raise awareness for this awesome organization, as well as for breast cancer awareness. As I said, I’m 36 years old – I have no family history of this disease – I exercise regularly and eat organically, yet here I am. I just want to get the word out that body awareness is the key to survival. It certainly was for me.
Locks of Love participation is one of the ways Illusions gives back to the community – as explained toward the bottom of the “Giving Back” page on their website. You can also find out more about Locks of Love, including other ways to help the organization, by going here.
The official Election Day – with vote-by-mail, it’s more like Voting-Ends Day – is two weeks from tomorrow. You should have received your ballot by now; if you have already mailed it back in or dropped it off, King County’s online ballot tracker will start reporting today on whether it’s been received (here’s where to check). And if you’re still researching who and what to vote for – remember there are two voter guides this year – online, you can find the King County guide here (or a custom version by entering your info on the right side of this page), while the state guide is here. Your ballot has to be either in a dropbox by 8 pm Tuesday, Nov. 2, or postmarked by that date (we’ll check when it gets closer, but last election there was one post office in the city that was postmarking up till midnight). One more voting note: For those with disabilities, the county’s accessible voting center at Elections HQ in Tukwila is now open, weekdays through Election Day – full details, hours, and location here.
The city has proclaimed this the Week Without Violence, and Seattle Parks and Recreation has announced a lineup of events including this one in the West Seattle/White Center area:
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, teens can enjoy “Bowling for Peace” at Roxbury Lanes, 2823 SW Roxbury, from 4 – 6 p.m. Participating teens will have the opportunity to compete in several special prize-winning bowling frames, contribute to a non-violence art project, and meet new teen communities from other centers. Teens who need a ride should contact Matthew Roberson at
matthew.roberson@seattle.gov or call him at (206) 684-7451.
The week’s full citywide lineup of events is here.
… is this Thursday. Bordeaux, Bites, and Boogie is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, which advocates for the health of our peninsula’s economy, while connecting local businesspeople with each other, and also making sure that key concerns such as sustainability are addressed as part of economic growth. The Chamber has a lot of big projects in the year ahead, and has had a busy year, but this one night is a time to celebrate and mingle, and you’re invited. The event is at Sodo Park, the events venue in SODO that’s owned by West Seattle-founded Herban Feast (which is also the parent of Fresh Bistro). It starts at 5 pm this Thursday night, and as the title suggests, there’s food, drink, and dancing, among other parts of the festivities – plus a raffle. You can get tickets online through Brown Paper Tickets (here’s the direct link), $50/person. (Disclosure note: WSB, like many local businesses, is a Chamber member and is honored to be its current Business of the Year.)
Some speed bumps lately for a few West Seattle park projects – as reported last week, Delridge Skatepark now won’t be built till after rebidding next year, and grading/utility challenges are pushing Myrtle Reservoir Park into next month – but this one is really on the home stretch: We just checked in with Fairmount Playground project manager Kelly Davidson, after noting that the hoped-for reopening date of October 15th had come and gone (our photo was taken last night). Here’s her update: “I just scheduled our punch-list inspection for Wednesday afternoon, 10/20. The contractor installing rubber surfacing took a bit longer than expected. The fence should come down after this inspection.” The project, designed with two community meetings last winter, is funded by about $170,000 in Parks and Green Spaces Levy money.
Just under two weeks till Halloween, but the celebrations are already beginning – so we’ve pulled the information about everything even remotely related (including “fall festival” events) onto one WSB page again this year, grouped by type of activity, and added it to the lineup of tabs atop every WSB page. Some of what you’ll find: The official Admiral Treats and Treasures (one of 4 local business-district trick-or-treating events) map is linked to its listing; The Sanctuary at Admiral is offering a new event, a silent movie with live organist; local Toastmasters will tell spooky tales at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) tomorrow night, and that’s the earliest event on the list. See it all here – and let us know if something’s missing, so it can be added – thanks! (Jack-o-lanterns photo from Heidi & Daniel, Halloween 2007)
(August 2008 photo by John LaSpina)
What do you need to know, and what can you do, about the state of the Duwamish River, the West Seattle-bordering waterway on which so much depends, from wildlife to industry? Tonight – Sustainable West Seattle convenes a Community Forum with leaders representing many facets of the complex situation, from the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition to the Duwamish Tribe to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. You’re invited to listen, learn, question, and discuss (just as a key document on cleanup alternatives is going public) 7 pm @ Camp Long Lodge (here’s our original preview; the SWS website has an updated list of panelists). 5200 35th SW … Also tonight: Family Story Time at High Point Library, 7 pm … This afternoon, flu shots are offered at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 4611 35th SW, 1-3 pm, followed by free Mega-Bingo; call 206-932-5480 for an appointment … Monday night also means weekly bingo at Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds), doors open 5:30, first game at 6:30 … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
Starting today, King County Water Taxi riders can use credit/debit cards to pay their fare – by buying tickets from the machines now installed at Seacrest, Pier 50 downtown, and Vashon. The one in West Seattle, shown in our photo, is alongside the southeast side of the main building at the pier, close to where shuttle riders get on/off buses. The machines sell one-way tickets; more info here. Meantime, if you drive along Fauntleroy or 35th SW to get to the West Seattle Bridge, as of about 6 am this morning, the electronic signs along those routes are supposed to start showing travel times, as announced by the city on Friday. If you just want to check online before you leave home, this map is supposed to show times for even more areas.
Yes, PIHA – Paranormal Investigations of Historical America, shiny black van and all – really did pay West Seattle’s Log House Museum a visit on Friday night (as previewed here Thursday). They didn’t stay as long as they were expecting to (1 am) – they were packing up when we arrived around 11:30 pm – but we did get to chat a bit.
They heard a lot, the investigators informed us, but they won’t be able to interpret what, or who, it was, till getting back to headquarters and analyzing it all. Somebody certainly sensed a presence, we were told, and they dealt with it by asking questions, which they believe were answered by something/someone “friendly.” The “dish” in the photo above is one of the main listening devices. They also recorded their visit in more conventional ways that, museum director Andrea Mercado told us, will result in a video documenting it all; SWSHS has a few photos online too. And the topic of otherworldly presence at the Log House Museum will certainly be on the menu at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s fundraising Halloween brunch at Salty’s on Alki, 11:30 am October 30th (ticket info here). SWSHS has another event coming up:
This new book was created with help from WSB’ers who answered the call we published back in February, after hearing Andrea talk about the project at a meeting of the Southwest District Council. A book-release party is set for 6:30 pm November 2nd at Zeeks Pizza in Morgan Junction; if you pre-order the book through the Log House Museum, you get 10 percent off (20% if you’re a SWSHS member).
Thanks to Craig Young for sharing the photos and report from the marina that’s just south of West Seattle’s bridges:
(Friday) morning at the Jim Clark Marina, a new 24 inch diameter by 80 foot long steel piling replaced 3 wood pilings that rotted and broke last spring. This piling helps hold the boat houses in place.
Manson Construction Co. set the piling and vibrated it in place. After it was in place, Ted Planta, president of the Duwamish Waterway Association, inspected it and gave it a thumbs up.
The association operates Jim Clark Marina, which is privately owned and has almost 100 slips where the west and east Duwamish Waterways converge into one river (here’s a map).
SPEAKING OF THE DUWAMISH RIVER: As first reported here a week ago, the state of the river – plus its past and future – is the subject of this month’s Sustainable West Seattle Community Forum. It’s happening at Camp Long Lodge tomorrow night, 7 pm, and the list of prominent participants has grown since our first report – get the latest at the SWS website.
Two more area schools have issued invitations for vendors at their upcoming holiday bazaars. Schmitz Park Elementary started lining up its vendors last month – here’s our previous story – 
and tonight we have invites from both Highland Park Elementary and Shorewood Elementary. Highland Park (1012 SW Trenton) is having its bazaar 10 am-3 pm on December 4th – in addition to the bazaar itself, they’re having a raffle, with donations from vendors and local businesses, linked to a food drive for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks (bring a nonperishable food item, get a free raffle ticket). If you’re intererested in being a vendor, e-mail highlandparkpta@hotmail.com. Meantime, Shorewood (2725 SW 116th) is looking for craft vendors for its bazaar, 10 am-4 pm on November 13th; e-mail shorewoodbazaar@gmail.com to find out more. (P.S. If your school or organization has a bazaar coming up, please share the info! editor@westseattleblog.com – if you’re looking for vendors, we can share the news; if you’re not, we want to be sure it’s at least on the WSB Events calendar.)
Two photos from the WSB inbox (thanks!): First, Amanda shared that shot of a sign that’s turned up on the fence by Delridge Playfield – if you’ve passed the in-progress renovations lately, the joke makes perfect sense; if not, take a close look at what’s in the background, and imagine dozens of those mini-hills on one field. (We’ll be checking with Seattle Parks on the project’s status this week.) Meantime, a view from inside The Bohemian:
As Ryan put it in the note accompanying the picture, “Everyone (was) enjoying the sun today.” Another place to enjoy it was the South Seattle Community College Arboretum on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge:
WSB contributor Keri DeTore shared that with a few other fall-colors photos from a walk through the Arboretum this afternoon – you’ll see another one atop tomorrow’s morning-preview lineup.
(More photos, video added since this was first published in mid-afternoon)
ORIGINAL 3:12 PM REPORT: They’re standing tall in Fauntleroy this afternoon – even without the stilts on which that roaming performer is perched. Under the clear blue sky, the annual Fauntleroy Fall Festival continues at two sites across the street from each other, Fauntleroy Church and co-located Fauntleroy YMCA plus the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, till 5:30 pm. Many free activities for all ages – including, of course, autumn art, and at this table, birdhouse-making:
And tasty treats (bring some $ for those), including creations cooked up by new WSB sponsors Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Events and Catering, which is headquartered at the Hall at Fauntleroy in the historic schoolhouse, though the crew’s mostly outdoors today:
We’re going back over to check in again shortly – music, dance, and more are on the schedule (see it here). Not sure where the church/Y/schoolhouse are? 9131/9140 California SW, but don’t try to head straight down California from points north, because this part doesn’t connect – here’s a map.
7:01 PM NOTE: Huge turnout this afternoon; we have more photos and video to publish later. ADDED 9:58 PM: Chief Sealth International High School‘s Jazz Ensemble 2 – described as a “non-auditioned group” that had only been playing together a few weeks; could have fooled us! – performing “Shake and Bake” in the Fauntleroy Church sanctuary:
Also performing, bands including Let’s Get Lost – whose keyboardist had a four-footed assistant:
Then there was a festival visit from this walking-upright “dog” – there to promote picking up after your canine companions:
Lots of other critters on view – and check out the line for the petting zoo – the nearby pony rides were popular too:
Another pic or two yet to come.
We mentioned Avalon Glassworks‘ pumpkin-making event earlier – seems there’s another patch of glass pumpkins in West Seattle today: WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen happened onto this show/sale that Tacoma Glassblowing Studio is presenting till 4 pm at Alki Bathhouse. Above, that’s studio co-owner Jeannine Sigafoos; part of today’s proceeds are going toward an orphanage in Romania and a Puget Sound charity (explained here, along with other venues that’ll be hosting the event in the weeks ahead).
Just got word from WSDOT that the Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection/maintenance closure is over, and it reopened about half an hour ago, more than five hours ahead of schedule. Their announcement says this is what they did this time around:
In addition to structural inspections, WSDOT and the City of Seattle coordinated maintenance and preservation work during this closure. Work this weekend included:
*Surveying the structure to check for settlement.
*Repairing expansion joints and damaged bridge rails.
*Applying a protective covering to exposed rebar.
*Servicing drainage and lighting systems and traffic cameras.
*Washing the walls of the Battery Street Tunnel and inspecting its lighting and ventilation systems.
“Preliminary inspection results” will be made public by Friday.
Saturday night’s 10th anniversary celebration for West Seattle-based Killer Whale Tales was in an unusual – but thoroughly appropriate – setting: The Seattle Aquarium, after-hours. Killer Whale Tales is an educational program led by West Seattleite Jeff Hogan – who often sends first word of local orca sightings to share with WSB’ers. He presented a slideshow to last night’s partygoers:
WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen reports that the slideshow’s focus was on educating kids, to ensure the future of the whales. Jeff explained what he does in the classroom with the kids – not just interactive talks, but also having kids take pledge sheets home and fill them out and then send them back to KWT. They pledge to use less water, learn how to properly dispose of toxic waste, how to use less electricity, etc. They are also encouraged to get adults to pledge the same. In addition to Jeff’s presentation, the party included a fundraising auction, with items including a Killer Whale Tales San Juan Islands Orca Expedition. And there was more exhibit viewing – otter-feeding! Particularly a hit with young eventgoers.
There was also the chance to meet more volunteers working to educate people about local marine life, like another West Seattleite, Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail:
Last night, we also learned more details about upcoming events, including one on which Donna and Jeff are collaborating (we’d heard a bit while out whale-spotting last week): On November 7th at Alki Bathhouse, you’re invited to a “Welcome the Whales” Environmental Fair. Jeff is scheduled to give a talk as part of it; Donna will be talking about the Neighborhood Matching Fund grant that The Whale Trail has won to install local whale-viewing signs and to start an orca-steward training program. More on that, and the event, soon. (KWT, by the way, is a nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible – here’s how to help, any time.)
Robotics is one of the hottest team “sports” for kids – some get involved through school, but there are other ways too, like the team that Brian Conte e-mailed WSB about:
I am forming a West Seattle team to enter the FIRST robot building competition. FIRST is an organization that helps kids 9-14 learn about teamwork, research, and of course robotics. We are starting Monday, and we currently have 7 out of the maximum 10 kids – so still have a few open slots left.
More details are available online here, including how to contact Brian (ASAP!) to let him know about a potential team member.
(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Three nights after White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump was at the microphone in South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, telling the City Council Budget Committee about his agency’s new mobile service, its truck was at the same spot – on display for the food bank’s annual Harvest Dinner and Auction. With it above are volunteers Brittany McIntyre, Lena Guevara, and Johnny Huynh. It took to the streets for the first time on Tuesday, serving WC Food Bank clients at Arrowhead Gardens (WSB sponsor). Of course, the food bank’s leader himself was at last night’s event too, all smiles over the big turnout:
The Harvest Dinner program noted, “This year we’ve faced tremendous challenges as we coped with the realities of an economic downturn and the sharp rise in need in our community. Thanks to your support and partnership, we’ve more than met the basic needs of the families we serve to ensure nutritious meals are available to those who need them most.” Also on the program, quite the entertainment lineup, including Rainier Dance Group, photographed as they prepared to go onstage:
Also performing: Fusion Dance Crew, plus a harpist and jazz pianist. The night included live and silent auctions, a dessert dash (with all money going to buy holiday pies for WC Food Bank clients), and a 50/50 raffle. If you weren’t there, your chance to help out the White Center Food Bank – which is responsible for southern West Seattle too (Myrtle is the south boundary of the West Seattle Food Bank‘s service area) – is year-round, online – just go here.
Reminder that the Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed again today for one of its regular inspections, scheduled to reopen at 6 pm (we’ll update if it happens sooner) … No need to leave the peninsula – as previewed last night, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is 2-5:30 pm at the church/Y/schoolhouse (map) – the full schedule is here, from pony rides to art creation to environmental activities and tons more … Got a fall project? The new hours at the West Seattle Tool Library, as of this weekend, include 1-5 pm Sundays, north side of South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th SW … Today’s the day Avalon Glassworks is making customer-designed glass pumpkins – check if they still have spots available (2914 SW Avalon Way) … The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is open 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska in The Junction … Also from the “every Sunday” department, it’s all-ages live-music night at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 3803 Delridge Way, schedule here.
12:20 AM: From King County Department of Transportation:
The King County Water Taxi West Seattle/Downtown Seattle route is expected to return to normal operation Sunday, Oct. 17, pending the U.S. Coast Guard’s inspection and approval of repairs made to the vessel Melissa Ann. Service was cancelled Saturday because of a mechanical problem.
Here’s our earlier coverage. Meantime, on the same webpage that’s been tracking this, you’ll find word that there are ticket machines at the Seacrest and Pier 50 docks (Vashon too, for that route) that will start operating on Monday, taking credit/debit cards.
8:52 AM UPDATE: The county confirms the Water Taxi is running again – and the live marine-traffic map confirms this.
Fire trucks have rushed back to the 17th SW house that burned this morning. More to come. 12:03 AM UPDATE: At the scene. Flareup out. Most trucks dismissed. House doesn’t look much worse than the gutted condition in which this morning’s fire left it. 12:33 AM UPDATE: Per the scanner, an engine will be staying there TFN on “fire watch.”
First thing this morning, volunteers were at work in the Fauntleroy Church parking lot, one of the venues for the annual Fauntleroy Fall Festival tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. So far, the forecast looks perfect – brisk fall sunshine. The festival happens at multiple spots around the church/co-located YMCA (WSB sponsor) and the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse across the street, 2 pm-5:30 pm, with a long list of activities – we published the full schedule a week ago (you can see it here). There’s environmental learning for kids and adults, music and dancing, food (bring $) from purveyors including Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering and Events (WSB sponsor), tours of the renovated church, pony rides for the youngest kids, a climbing wall for the older ones – even a chance to see the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival 2010 float up close and personal. Again, the list’s here; the addresses are 9131 and 9140 California SW – here’s a map – but at this point, California is more like a bend in SW Barton, headed downhill from 35th SW toward the Endolyne business district, and the ferry dock.
| 4 COMMENTS