West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Parade

    WS GRAND PARADE: Just two days away!

  • Teacher

    STAR HONORS TEACHER: WSHS educator’s big win

  • RTCC

    REAL-TIME CRIME CENTER: WS use?

BIZNOTE: Owners of Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Café, Launchpad announce they’ll close in late September
August 13, 2023 9:45 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Autumn Lovewell and Monica Colgan have brought a lot to Morgan Junction, with many community-building events and initiatives, while running their three small independent businesses here. And soon, they’re going to leave a void when they close all three. They announced today that they’re closing their three businesses – Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café, and Launchpad – at 6030-6032 California SW on September 30th. Thanks to everyone who forwarded the announcements sent to the Youngstown and HeartBeet email lists – from the former (which you can read in its entirety here):

… While there are a handful of reasons we’re closing permanently, ultimately fate has decided for us with the sale of our 100-year-old building and the closure of our sister businesses HeartBeet Cafe and Launchpad Co-Working space (all closing on Sept 30th).

Monica, myself, our kids, and our amazing staff will exit with our heads held high, proud of the magic we made in our tiny corner of West Seattle called Morgan Junction. With your support we’ve built a beautiful community and have accomplished so much together in these short but long 3+ years. From our Pride marches, to fundraisers, and supporting local marginalized businesses at our markets, we’ve all made an impact together. We’re so proud of you and all of us.

We’re asking you continue to support the incredible small businesses in Morgan Junction. Supporting small is so vital to the health of our people! …

From the letter to customers of HeartBeet, whose Queen Anne location will close too:

… The list of reasons for our closure is long and mostly financial-related, but we are proud of our accomplishment of making it nearly 15 years in Seattle, while all odds are against small businesses. During that time, we’ve sold well over 100,000 dishes of our very popular Buddha Bowl, we served roughly 1.1 million customer meals (wow!), and tens of thousands of hacked coconuts. Together we’ve made it so far with the events affecting HeartBeet: a flood, a major light rail construction project, snowpocalypses, heat domes, multiple burglaries, and even a global pandemic!

The ultimate last straw prompting closure is the loss of our main production facility in West Seattle, due to the pending sale of our 100-year old building. Were we in a better financial position, were financial institutions more supportive of small restaurant businesses, were the delivery service fees through UberEats and DoorDash (which comprise a large volume of our sales), not 30%, and were it not getting so hard to hire staff, things might be different….

In West Seattle, Autumn and Monica took over Youngstown Coffee three years ago; HeartBeet was founded elsewhere in the city but then opened a Junction pop-up before the Morgan location. They converted the north side of the California SW storefronts to an event space that then became Launchpad. Before Autumn and Monica’s businesses, the spaces held others including Harry’s Chicken Joint (closed in 2019) and Jade West Café (closed in 2010). Again, they don’t plan to close until September 30th, but as the HeartBeet letter notes, that may be a challenge if the coffee shop and café staff find new jobs sooner (and the Youngstown message says, “If you have any leads for them, please email us at hello@youngstowncoffeeseattle.com).

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COUNTDOWN: 3 street festivals in the next 2 weekends
August 13, 2023 8:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

This was one of those rare summer weekends without any major events. The next two weekends are a different story, so here’s a reminder:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20: Alki Beach Pride is one week from today, and this year part of the celebration will be in the street as well as on the beach. It’s happening noon-7 pm next Sunday and Alki Avenue SW will be closed between Marine and 60th. Here’s the official community notice, including setup and breakdown times. Watch the ABP website for the schedule of events.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26: Both ends of the peninsula will be partying in the street on this date:

Admiral Funktion – California SW will be closed between Admiral Way and College for the second annual festival presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Festivities start at 11 am that day and continue until 10 pm. (WSB is a community co-sponsor.)

(WCN photo from 2022 White Center Block Party)

White Center Block Party – Also starting at 11 am that day and continuing into the night, the annual WC Block Party takes over 16th SW from Roxbury to 100th. Highlights are in this announcement published on our partner site White Center Now.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, northbound
August 13, 2023 6:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Added: Photo by John Skerratt)

Thanks for the texted tip. Six weeks after the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) got home from deployment, it’s headed out again. MarineTraffic.com shows it currently west of Alki Point, midchannel.

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WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Arbor Heights sighting
August 13, 2023 5:51 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo is from Abigail G., who spotted two coyotes – including that one – around 1:30 am today. She first saw them at 34th and 102nd and “followed them for a block before I could get a good photo. They were both in the middle of the road when I turned the corner and one took off down 102nd and the other one went into a yard.” This continues the recent resurgence in sightings (you can scroll through our archives here). So it’s a good time to learn about coexistence – including encouraging them to keep their distance by not providing food (from pet food to unaccompanied pets) – they can live just find by foraging for everything from fruit to rodents.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Heat alert upgraded – and shortened
August 13, 2023 4:05 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Now that the heat is here – mid-80s at mid-afternoon – the National Weather Service has upgraded its alert to an Excessive Heat Warning. But it’s also shortened the duration; instead of stretching into Thursday, the NWS is currently expecting the alert to expire late Wednesday night. The alert warns of: “Dangerously hot conditions with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 90s and lows in the 60s expected. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.” Keep yourself hydrated (and if you have a bird bath, keep that full too).

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About those historic-aircraft flyovers
August 13, 2023 2:21 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

We’ve also had questions this weekend about aircraft flyovers beyond usual patterns. Here in south West Seattle, we were just seeing general-aviation aircraft, but further north, a far more memorable sight. Commenter Jeff solved the mystery (and this morning, Kathleen sent a photo): Historic aircraft flying out of the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, from the Commemorative Air Force. Scheduled rides (aboard a B-17 or B-25 bomber) ended at 1 pm but ground tours continue until 6 pm – info here.

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Wildfire smoke returning to West Seattle
August 13, 2023 12:35 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

While out on errands, we started getting messages from people wondering about a smoky smell in the air and noting there are no local fires on the Real-Time 911 log. Yes, it’s apparently wildfire smoke again – take a look at not only the view from Don Armeni Boat Ramp a short time ago (the Cascades aren’t visible), but also the air quality readings. The Washington Smoke Information website also foresaw smoke from the Sourdough fire heading to the west side of the Cascades, with wind out of the north/northeast (which is how it’s blowing right now).

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BACK TO SCHOOL: One West Seattle school starts this week
August 13, 2023 10:46 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Around this time every summer, we start checking online calendars to compile a list of school-year start dates, since it’s a matter of interest beyond school communities – neighbors, businesses, drivers, etc. So far we’ve found that for at least one school, this is the last weekend of summer – the first day at school for Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school at 35th/Roxbury in Arbor Heights, is this Wednesday, August 16th. (Yes, they do get out earlier – June 7th is the last scheduled day of the 2023-2024 school year.)

Side note: According to the Washington Charter School Commission website, Summit Atlas is up for authorization renewal this year; public comment will be accepted through early October. The school opened in 2017. Renewal materials say the school has almost 500 students enrolled.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 18 notes!
August 13, 2023 6:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photographer Jerry Simmons says this squirrel was ‘just hanging out’)

Welcome to Sunday! Here’s what’s on our highlight list:

WEATHER ALERT: Temps will be going up starting tonight, warns the National Weather Service.

WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT: The second wave of 50 floats were hidden by Saturday morning, so searching continues today. (Here’s where NOT to look.)

HELP FOR MAUI: Here’s our updated list, including a few today-only opportunities.

BABY DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY AND Q/A: 9 am at Alki Beach – details in our calendar listing.

SILENT BOOK CLUB AT THE BEACH: Also at Alki, 10 am-noon, the popular “read your book and talk about it, or don’t” event goes to Alki! Details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering summer fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.

SUMMER SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: 10 am-4 pm behind Carmilia’s (4528 California SW): “Vintage, Art, Music, and Street Tacos” – new weekly event in August. Vendor info in our calendar listing.

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day, shine or rain. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

CHERRY CONSIGNMENT CELEBRATES 14 YEARS: All weekend, Cherry Consignment on the north edge of The Junction is celebrating 14 years in business – 14 percent off and special treats (Shug’s sorbet today) – the shop is open noon-5. (4142 California SW)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Free weekly tours resume today, 1-4 pm, last tour starts at 3:45. Only three more chances this summer after today! (3201 Alki SW)

BENEFIT BEER: 1-11 pm, Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW) is donating 10 percent to Access Walk, which supports people’s travel expenses to access reproductive health care.

POP-UP TREATS: 2 pm-5 pm, Lovely & Dapper Desserts will be at Ounces with their famous mini-cakes. (3809 Delridge Way SW).

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: At C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), live music with Steve Itterly, 3-5 pm.

SUNSET GONG BATH & MEDITATION: 7 pm at Lowman Beach (7017 Beach Drive SW) – details in our calendar listing. $25 suggested donation.

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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HELP FOR MAUI: Updated local list of ways to help
August 12, 2023 11:02 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

As of tonight, the confirmed death toll in Maui is at 89 people, with hundreds still missing. Local businesses and organizations are continuing to offer ways to help, so we’ve updated our list:

MUSUBI FOR MAUI: Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW) and its sibling restaurants will sell Spam musubi again Sunday for $4.50, with all proceeds going to Maui relief. (If they run out before day’s end, they’ll donate a portion of other food sales.)

OPAL’S DONATION DRIVE: Opal Nail Studio at 4155 California SW is collecting items for shipment to Maui. They amended the list (update) tonight via email:

Just wanted to give an updated list of items we are asking for at the Maui Fire Relief Donation Drop-Off. I will be at Opal for people to drop things off from 11AM – 4PM

Updated item list:

• Clear, undamaged storage bins with lids
•Portable Power Banks/phone chargers
• Flashlights
• Headlamps
• Camping Lanterns
• Batteries
• Solar chargers
** Request that all are new or in like-new condition**

• NEW and never opened air mattresses
• NEW pillow cases and sheets
• NEW towels or towels in good condition
• NEW Washcloths or Washcloths in good condition

• Tarps
• Pop-Up Camping Cots

• Baby Formula
• Squeeze pouches of baby food

• NEW packs of women’s underwear **all sizes**
• NEW packs of men’s underwear **all sizes**
• NEW packs of children’s underwear **all sizes**

We are no longer accepting clothing donations, bottled water, large blankets, or sleeping bags.

Opal is open 11 am-4 pm Sunday.

CAMP WEST: Again on Sunday, the restaurant/bar at 4539 California SW in The Junction will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from food sales to the Maui Food Bank.

PATRICK’S CAFE & BAKERY: On Sunday, when this popular eatery at 10003 15th SW in White Center is open 8 am-3 pm, they’ll be donating proceeds from shave ice.

CROSSFIT WEST SEATTLE: Through 11 am Sunday, they’re accepting items at 4220 SW Admiral Way. The updated list, developed with a friend from Maui, is here, and a request for how to package items for shipment ease is here.

GRILLBIRD: The teriyaki restaurant (35th/Morgan) is inviting customers to “round up” their tabs so the extra can be donated to Maui relief – through the end of August. They’re open noon-9 pm Sunday.

ALAIR/DYLAN: The South Admiral shop (3270 California SW) will send you a 10 percent discount code if you message them with word you’ve donated to Maui fire relief.

(added) ARTIST FUNDRAISER: West Seattle artist Eileen Jiminez is donating proceeds from sales at MaeseArt “to mutual aid efforts in Maui and to directly impacted native Hawaiians.”

ROTARY DONATION FUND: There are many options for donating money rather than goods. Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Brian Waid sent this announcement of how to help Rotarians assisting with relief in Hawai’i:

To get money directly into the hands of the people on the ground quickly, consider the Hawaiian Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund managed by Rotarians in Hawaii at www.rotaryd5000.org; (The number 5000 refers to the District within Rotary International that Hawaii comprises).

The Rotarians do not charge anything for administering the funds and do not siphon off a percentage for a national organization. Having been heavily involved with Hurricane Katrina relief, I can assure you that the needs on the ground frequently do not correspond to what we might anticipate from far away. By making cash contributions to those on the ground, we allow the flexibility to address needs specific to this disaster as they become apparent.

OTHER MONETARY DONATION OPTIONS: The State of Hawai’i has an official information page about the fire aftermath, and it includes these two links:

Maui Strong Fund
Hawai’i Red Cross

Any other local (West Seattle/White Center) ways to help, please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two stolen GMCs – green Yukon (update: found), white Sierra
August 12, 2023 8:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two stolen vehicles to watch for, as stolen vehicles have turned up in many different neighborhoods lately:

STOLEN GREEN YUKON: Michael sent this report:

I’m reporting my neighbor Linda‘s stolen vehicle. It’s a 2002 GMC YukonXL K1500. WA plate BPB8585. Dark green. Stolen last night at 11:07 PM from Dawson Street between California and Erskine. Police report # 23-231236.

8/18 UPDATE – Per comment, this was found in Burien.

STOLEN WHITE SIERRA: This report was sent by Ashley:

My niece lives in Port Orchard with her family, but her husband goes to South Seattle College. Their family truck was stolen out of the parking lot. The case number is 23-219742. Their truck is a 1994 GMC Sierra. Diesel. Automatic. Cloth seats, pink & blue lines that fade into droplets going down the sides. WA plate number B54865S.

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YOU CAN HELP: Got unwanted newspapers?
August 12, 2023 7:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

If you read one or more hard-copy newspapers, and have some old ones stacked up awaiting recycling (or kindling, or …), those puppies need it! Jennifer emailed us with that photo and this request:

I work with Smidget Dog Rescue and we have 16 puppies right now! We are desperate for newspaper and as many people don’t get the paper anymore it’s been hard to find. I will collect people’s collections. The pups in the pic were born in rescue just last Saturday! We use newspaper, not puppy pads, because the puppies just tear the pads up. Any help spreading the word appreciated! People with paper stashes can text Jennifer at 206-261-3342 and I’ll come pick it up!!!

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UTILITIES: Brown water on Genesee Hill
August 12, 2023 6:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to the texter who reported brown water on Genesee Hill this afternoon, near 46th/Genesee. As always, if it happens to you, be sure to advise Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800. It’s often the result of sediment in the lines stirred up by jydrat testing, but not always – sometimes it’s first word of a pipe problem in the area. (We did see firefighters opening a hydrant on the Gatewood side of SW Thistle today, not far from our HQ, but our water’s been OK.)

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UPDATE: Eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to 99 blocked
August 12, 2023 4:58 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:58 PM: Thanks for the texted tip: The ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to northbound Highway 99 is blocked. Neither WSDOT nor SDOT had anything in their traffic alerts but we flagged them on Twitter/X and now the live camera has swung around to show something involving two buses:

5:14 PM: SDOT’s traffic center has spun the camera away without any explanation of this incident so far, so we won’t know when it ends, but just know if you’re heading east you MIGHT need extra time.

6:07 PM: A commenter says a friend made it through just fine, so apparently the incident is over.

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New Special Olympics program on the way to West Seattle
August 12, 2023 3:28 pm
|    Comments Off on New Special Olympics program on the way to West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

In case you haven’t seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar: Special Olympics has a new West Seattle program on the way, and there’s a kickoff event this Thursday for everyone interested. It’s happening at Lincoln Park picnic tables 53/54 [map], 5-7 pm Wednesday (August 16th). You can register an athlete at specialolympicswashington.org/athlete-registration and/or contact westseattleso@gmail.com with questions.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: ‘Excessive Heat Watch’ alert
August 12, 2023 1:32 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

1:32 PM: You’ve probably heard the forecast for a heat wave next week. The National Weather Service has formalized it with an “Excessive Heat Watch” alert for Monday morning (August 14th) through Thursday evening (August 17th). The alert warns of:

.A multi-day stretch of dangerously hot conditions with daytime temperatures in the 80s and 90s and lows in the 60s. This will pose Moderate to Major Heat Risk levels and risk of heat-related illness.

As the map at right shows, the alert covers much of Western Washington,

4:13 PM: The alert’s been updated to kick in earlier – “late Sunday night.”

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BIZNOTE: Happy 14th, Cherry Consignment!
August 12, 2023 11:11 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As noted in our daily highlight lists the past few days, Cherry Consignment (4142 California SW) on the north edge of The Junction is celebrating 14 years in business. (Here’s our report from when Cherry opened in August 2009.) We stopped by to chat with proprietor Nyla Bittermann.

She’s busy – while we were there, she was telling a caller that the next available appointment for would-be consigners was in October! However, if you have just a few items, she’s opening Monday for a special opportunity: “We are opening on Monday, 8/14, for you to drop off 10-12 pristine items that we’ll go through as needed. No appointment necessary for this one!” In the meantime, if you just want to shop, the shop is well-stocked:

We asked Nyla how the business has changed since she began. “So many more people are moving to West Seattle, so many new consigners!” Many have come from the new residential developments that line nearby Junction streets such as 42nd SW. Though the pandemic and economic challenges have affected her business like others, Nyla says consignment/resale is close to “foolproof” – it’s a popular way of shopping whether or not people are flush with cash. But one big thing has changed in the past few years – “we’ve stopped getting business attire!” The work-at-home revolution has dramatically reduced the need for that, though Nyla notes that she’s sold more than a few “Zoom tops” as a result.

For her personally, she marvels that so much time has gone by – her youngest child was 8 months old when Cherry opened in 2009, and now she’s in high school! So it’s time to celebrate. All weekend, Cherry Consignment is having a 14%-off sale, plus extras – treats (there was a tray of Dough Joy donut holes when we stopped by, and Sunday she’s scooping Shug’s sorbet) and, today, an art pop-up with Lamb Design Goods, noon-2 pm. The shop is open noon-5 pm today and tomorrow (and that bonus day on Monday).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Broken-window car prowls
August 12, 2023 10:15 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Sent this morning by Seth:

We woke up this morning to find our car had been broken into and rifled through. Nothing of value was in there, so more just a pain to replace a window (and the general offense of someone messing with your stuff). It appears the prowlers hit multiple cars parked along the same side of the street – 34th Ave SW, between Holly and Willow. This is along the fence of West Seattle Elementary, so not directly in front of homes. The school site is still under construction so maintains a security guard there overnight, but I couldn’t find them to ask if they saw anything. I filed an online police report just to add it to their stats. Just sending as a heads-up since ours wasn’t the only car hit.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 21 notes!
August 12, 2023 6:16 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday sunset, photographed at Cove Park by Tom Trulin)

Welcome to the weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

MAUI BENEFITS: We’ve updated our list of businesses either fundraising or collecting items for Maui fire survivors; see it here. If you have someplace local to add, please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

YARD/GARAGE SALES: A few for today are listed in the WSB Community Forums.

GLASS FLOAT HUNT CONTINUES: Update from organizers:

49 have been found, and we’ve hidden 50 more! Cheers to the second week of the float hunt!

The territory remains the same: Alki to Roxbury, the Sound to the Duwamish.

No locations will be repeated from the 1st week.

They’re indoors and outdoors. If they’re outside, they’re on public property.

(Backstory here.)

TLC FOR SHORELINE STREET END: 9 am-noon, volunteer work party at Shoreline Street End #7, just south of Constellation Park. Info’s in the preview we published earlier this week.

FREE OPERA IN THE PARK: The youth-geared “Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World” has an encore performance during a 10 am-noon event at Highland Park (1100 SW Cloverdale).

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-2 pm, the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center will be open, with a sizable selection of student-grown plants. (6000 16th SW, north end of campus)

SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is happening every week, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, prioritizing vendors of color and presented by African Community Housing & Development.

TLC FOR WEBSTER POND: 10 am-1 pm, volunteers needed:

Meet at the green space across the street from Delridge Home Depot [map]. Seattle Tree Stewards and Dirt Corps are hosting volunteer opportunities at Webster Pond! We’ll be focusing on invasive-plant removal and trash clean-up, and all are welcome to join in beautifying this wonderful greenspace in the heart of Delridge! No tools or experience needed! Volunteers should bring sun protection, water, and comfortable clothing. Register to join us!

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SPRAYPARK OPEN: Highland Park Spraypark is open daily, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

CHERRY CONSIGNMENT CELEBRATES 14 YEARS: All weekend, Cherry Consignment on the north edge of The Junction is celebrating 14 years in business – 14 percent off, special treats, and an art pop-up today (12-2 pm) – the shop is open noon-5. (4142 California SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: The public is welcome at the city-run outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), open noon-7 pm (session schedule here).

2 WADING POOLS OPEN: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 12-7 pm, in the upper park near the north play area; Hiawatha (2700 California SW), 12-5:30 pm, in the park, northeast of the community center.

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.

VISCON CELLARS: 1-6 pm, visit the tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – offering wine by the glass or bottle. Learn about Viscon wines here! (5910 California SW)

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

SALSA & BACHATA ON ALKI: Dance the night away at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki), 4:30 pm-9:30 pm. Wristbands sold on site.

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, free live, all-ages in-store show by The Zack Static Sect, celebrating their record release. (4559 California SW)

LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: 7 pm-9 pm, Guitar Gil performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages.

Planning a show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? Get it on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Gatewood sighting
August 11, 2023 11:20 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Continuing to chronicle the resurgence of coyotes in our area, we received this report from Yma in Gatewood: “Big, healthy-looking coyote trotting up the sidewalk tonight – about 10:20. Gatewood: Portland St between California & 41st.” Remember that you can best support a keep-our/their-distance coexistence by not providing food – from pet food to unaccompanied pets.

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VIDEO: Here’s what happened at Seattle Public Schools’ local meeting to move toward ‘well-resourced’ – and likely fewer – schools
August 11, 2023 8:16 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos/video)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“If you’re organizing and you have your shirts all ready to go to protect your school, it’s a little bit premature.”

Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones was trying to be humorous when he said that last night, reiterating to a crowd at Madison Middle School that he has no list – yet – of schools to be closed/consolidated to help pull SPS off the edge of a $100+ million budget abyss.

But his remark couldn’t help but carry echoes of the often-bitterly fought school-closure process of the late ’00s, when indeed, some school communities came to meetings in custom T-shirts and with signs. That potential phase of this process is at least a few months away. First, the district is having a series of community meetings, held regionally but identical in format. Last night’s “southwest region” meeting, as previewed at the Tuesday “central region” meeting, was meant to collect general thoughts, “to share ideas, re-imagine our school system … (so SPS can) get stronger, be more equitable, be better … evaluate how to create and pay for a school system that puts every student on the path to success,” as district chief of staff Bev Redmond outlined in her opening remarks.

In addition to the goal of defining “well-resourced schools” – which ostensibly would be the result of consolidations/closures – Redmond noted the district is also starting levy planning. Regarding the timeline, she reiterated no school consolidations/closures for this school year – but there’ll be a survey toward the start of the school year, and then the input will go to Dr. Jones for a plan to be announced in November.

Here’s our video of what Redmond, Jones, and associate superintendent Dr. Rocky Torres said to open the meeting, before it moved to small-group discussions:

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BIZNOTE: Here’s why Elliott Bay Brewing in The Junction is temporarily closed
August 11, 2023 6:12 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thanks to Eddie for the initial tip on this: Elliott Bay Brewing‘s flagship West Seattle Junction location is closed because of a sewer-pipe problem. We went there a little while ago to find out more and talked with EBB proprietor Todd Carden. He said it’s been a stubborn pipe problem to fix – as soon as plumbers found the initial break, the pipe collapsed in another spot, and then another. So the repairs might not be complete until next week; EBB is closed in West Seattle until the line’s fixed. (They also have locations in Burien and Lake City.)

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HELP FOR MAUI: More West Seattle businesses with ways to help fire survivors
August 11, 2023 3:54 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news

On Thursday, we mentioned that Marination would sell musubi all weekend to assist survivors of the Maui fires that have killed dozens, with hundreds missing. Today, more West Seattle businesses have announced plans to help:

CAMP WEST: Through Sunday, the restaurant/bar at 4539 California SW in The Junction will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from food sales to the Maui Food Bank.

OPAL STUDIO: Opal Nail Studio at 4155 California SW is collecting items for shipment to Maui:


They’re open until 7 pm tonight and 11 am-4 pm both days this weekend,

GRILLBIRD: Two readers have pointed out that the teriyaki restaurant (35th/Morgan) is asking customers to “round up” their tabs so the extra can be donated to Maui relief – through the end of August.

ALAIR/DYLAN: The South Admiral shop (3270 California SW) will send you a 10 percent discount code if you message them with word you’ve donated to Maui fire relief.

Know of anyone else? Please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – so we can add!

ADDED: Update on Musubi for Maui, from Marination:

We are so excited to say the first 1,250 musubi sold (Saturday) will be matched thanks to the generosity of our West Seattle neighbor, Geoff Arakawa. This will increase our donation significantly and strengthen all of our efforts to help Maui recovery efforts.

The team is working so hard to make sure we’re prepared for you all tomorrow and we are giving you the biggest MAHALO ahead of time for showing our staff patience. If we happen to run through musubi before you get here we’ll be donating a portion of food sales …

PATRICK’S CAFE & BAKERY: On Sunday, when this popular eatery at 10003 15th SW in White Center is open 8 am-3 pm, they’ll be donating proceeds from shave ice.

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