West Seattle, Washington
30 Friday
(WSB photo from 2017 Hall at Fauntleroy Thanksgiving dinner)
A few people have asked about this, so in case you’re wondering too, we now have confirmation: For the 21st year, The Hall at Fauntleroy will host a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone and everyone interested in attending. Some go because they can’t afford a full holiday meal otherwise; some go because they crave the community camaraderie; all are welcome. Dinner will be served noon-3 pm on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 28th), at the venue, which is on the south side of historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). Whether you’re going or not, dessert donations are appreciated – you can drop them off at The Hall by noon on Thanksgiving.
(WSB photos)
Call it the first weekend of the holiday season. If you’re ready to look for gifts, the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show is ready for you.
(On the Fellowship Hall stage, hats by Millinery Artisan Guild Pacific Northwest)
This curated show/sale has 18 participants, set up in the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW) with wares from wall art to hand-crafted hats, jewelry to garden art, and more (here’s the list).
(Battleworks 451 booth, artist Christopher Allen)
The show’s open until 8 tonight, 10 am-4 pm Saturday, and 11 am-2 pm Sunday. No admission charge.
(Photo by Judy Pickens)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Salmon Watch 2019 on Fauntleroy Creek closed Monday with a total of 19 coho spawners. A fish found October 17 amongst beach logs died at the creek mouth. The first live fish made its way into the spawning reach on October 21 – a day after the annual drumming to call them in.
Later that week, volunteer watchers spotted 30 robust fish schooling near the creek mouth, due south of the ferry pier in Fauntleroy Cove. At the same time, creek neighbor Mike Dey spotted sea grass choking the reach-to-the-beach channel and asked State Fish and Wildlife to assess the potential barrier. The agency secured the property owner’s permission for the Fauntleroy Watershed Council to remove it and the council called on Garden Cycles to do the job.
(Photo by Kersti Muul)
Prompted by the dead fish trapped by logs on his section of beach, Chuck Sawyer shifted them so they would no longer be a barrier for incoming spawners.
The 3-6 lb. fish came in daily until the last arrived on October 27. Only one pair are thought to have spawned and volunteers will monitor that location in mid winter to see if “home hatch” fry emerge from the gravel. The tally of 19 is one more than last year.
Visitors during this “silver anniversary” of spawning on the creek included 27 students from Taproot School, 67 people of all ages during an October 25 “open creek,” and another 31 area residents on other days.
“In my opinion, everyone who saw these spawners have a remarkable emergency effort to thank,” said long-time watcher Dennis Hinton. “From the watcher who saw spawners in distress to the team from Garden Cycles who dropped what they were doing to weed the channel and to the donors that made paying the bill possible from our stewardship fund, it came together like clockwork.”
Next up will be January delivery of eyed coho eggs from the Soos Creek Hatchery to West Seattle schools in the Salmon in the Schools program, for release as fry in May.
2:53 PM: We’ve been talking for more than a week about Fauntleroy Creek salmon. This afternoon, you can celebrate them by making a salmon hat at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Or if you’re more interested in birds – don’t miss the raptors behind The Hall at Fauntleroy!
Also a petting zoo:
And pony rides:
Maybe you’d rather sit and listen to music. That’s happening indoors as well as outdoors:
Indoor tunes as well as outdoor @ Fauntleroy Fall Festival (9100 block California until 5 pm) pic.twitter.com/zmXopOkn7W
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 27, 2019
(That’s the Hilltop Jazz Project.) From Seattle Fire and Police, Engine 37 and the Mobile Precinct are visiting:
They’re in the church parking lot, as are opportunities to bounce and climb:
Inside the church/Y building, other attractions – cakes!
The decorated-cake contest judging is concluding, while the cakewalk is about to begin. The West Seattle Community Orchestras “instrument petting zoo” is inside Fauntleroy Church too:
This festival’s on until 5 pm – here’s info, including a map. More photos later.
ADDED 7:52 PM: More of what made the festival educational as well as fun – you could talk with Fauntleroy Watershed Council members:
Or learn about preparedness:
We almost forgot to talk about the food – from Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering squash soup to the famous Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) sliders:
The festival is presented by a coalition of Fauntleroy organizations and businesses.
In the week since the annual gathering by Fauntleroy Creek to call the coho home, 13 have responded. You might see one or more of them at the “open creek” happening until 3 pm today. We stopped by and saw one.
Volunteer creek-watchers report one pair has spawned so far in this season of celebrating 25 years since “Harry and Louise,” the creek’s first modern-day spawners following a major restoration project. For today’s open creek, follow the driveway along SW Director just east of upper Fauntleroy [map], and look for the sign pointing you to the stairway down. Whether you get there or not, you can talk with Fauntleroy Watershed Council volunteers during tomorrow’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival (9100 block of California SW), 2-5 pm.
(Winning cake from 2017 festival)
Love cake? Especially if you love to bake and/or decorate cakes, part of Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival is for you – a cakewalk (with donated cakes as prizes) and decorated-cake contest. You are welcome to bring one or more cakes in for either one; this year the cake events are in the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). If you have an entry for the decorating contest, bring it 1-2 pm – if you’re donating a cake, 1-2:30 pm. The cakewalk starts at 3 pm. (See the full festival schedule here.)
The photo and announcement are from Taproot School:
To raise money and support Immigrant Families Together, students and parents from the Taproot School will be in costumes, selling Hot Cider (by donation) to ferry travelers and park goers from 4-5:30 pm tomorrow, Friday October 25th, in front of the southern Lincoln Park parking lot, with mobile sellers to catch those in line. All proceeds will go to Immigrant Families Together and all supplies have been donated or created by the students and families.
Earlier this year (Aug 9th), the Taproot school sold lemonade for the cause, raising $1,000 from generous West Seattle/Vashon/Southworth travelers. We are hoping the warm fall cider and excited kids in Halloween costumes will raise spirits and funds once again and encourage people to turn out to support the school’s efforts.
Immigrant Families Together is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization working to keep families together by providing bond money for parents, legal services, safe housing, clothing, food, cellphones among other vital services to help families have the best possible chance at receiving asylum. For more information about how to help immigrant families stay together or to donate directly, please go (here).
(Joey Baumgartner, photographed by Steve Richmond)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
After watchers spotted coho spawners struggling to enter Fauntleroy Creek from the beach, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council called on State Fish and Wildlife to assess conditions there and get permission from the reach-to-the-beach property owner for emergency clearing of vegetation choking the channel.
(Spawner in Fauntleroy Creek)
Spawners were hampered by logs on the beach and a thicket of vegetation that was almost impenetrable. Restoration of this reach happened a decade ago but reed canary grass and nightshade soon got a toehold and began spreading. Spurred on by Tuesday’s sighting of 30 robust spawners schooling near the mouth, neighbors, volunteers, and Steve Richmond and Joey Baumgartner with Garden Cycles set to work.
(Steve Richmond, photographed by Dennis Hinton)
“In my opinion, Steve and Joey really saved this spawning season on Fauntleroy Creek,” said council member Dennis Hinton. “Within four hours, they had adjusted logs, cleared vegetation in the channel, and anchored erosion-control fabric where banks needed support. By the end of the day, another dozen spawners were poised to enter the reach and head to spawning habitat.” This work was the first to draw on the Fauntleroy Watershed Stewardship Fund established in 2018 to accept private donations.
You will have a chance to see spawners during an “open creek” on Saturday, noon to 3 pm. Come to the fish-ladder viewpoint at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way to catch the eye of a salmon watcher below or come directly down the driveway at 4539 SW Director Place. Dogs must be tightly controlled.
Can’t make the “open creek”? Watershed Council members will be at Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival (2-5 pm in the church/Y/schoolhouse triangle, 9100 block of California SW) to talk salmon during this “Silver Anniversary” year honoring the first spawners in 1994.
Another of the big weekend events we’re looking ahead to: The Fauntleroy Fall Festival, 2-5 pm on Sunday (October 27th), at the schoolhouse/church/Y in the 9100 block of California SW. Tonight we have the schedules – both the activity list (above) and the performance/event schedule (below).
One activity requiring advance preparation – the cake contest. More on that tomorrow.
Early warning that the Washington State Ferries “Triangle Route” will be down a boat next week:
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will operate on its two-boat alternate schedule for one week this Monday, October 28, through Friday, November 1. M/V Sealth will leave the route for necessary maintenance and its annual U.S. Coast Guard-mandated inspection, leaving only the M/V Kitsap and M/V Issaquah.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and should expect delays. We understand this service disruption will affect customers’ travel plans, and we will work to return the vessel back service as soon as possible.
Salmon sightings to report:
FAUNTLEROY CREEK: One day after the annual gathering to call the coho home, the first one has made it to the creek’s spawning reach, reports Judy Pickens on behalf of the volunteers watching the creek. It did not want to pose for a clear photo, so the one above is the best available for now. Three others have turned up – one dead, two alive – by the creek’s mouth. Now that the salmon have shown up, watch for word of “open creek” time this Saturday when you can go try your luck at spotting one!
LONGFELLOW CREEK: Jacquelyn sent this sighting from Longfellow Creek by Dragonfly Park:
Here’s info on Longfellow salmon-seeking.
The first returning salmon of the season has been spotted at Fauntleroy Creek. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it far before dying. But her appearance gives hope that others will show up during favorable high tides starting this week. With that as context, creek advocate Judy Pickens and musician Jamie Shilling led drumming and singing this evening to call the coho home.
It’s an annual tradition, with all ages welcome.
The short gathering is always whimsical as well as reverential – including “Habitat,” to the tune of long-ago hit “Lollipop”:
This year, something extra – it’s the 25th anniversary of the revived creek’s first modern-day spawners, Harry and Louise. The 30+ people who participated tonight were invited to sign a commemorative card.
You can do the same at next weekend’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival (at the church, Y, and schoolhouse, 2-5 pm Sunday, October 27th). Pickens told the backstory:
Meantime, volunteers have begun monitoring the creek for signs of more potential spawners. Once there’s a sighting, an “open creek” visitation opportunity will be announced.
(WSB photo, August 2019)
Two months ago, kid-rock superstar Caspar Babypants closed out the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series with another lawn-filling performance; next Sunday, he opens Kindiependent‘s new Sunday family concert series at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). This show is at 1 pm, right before the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, but the other nine shows in the twice-monthly series will be on Sunday mornings, 10:30 am. Tickets are required for everybody over 6 months old – series passes are on sale here; tickets for the Caspar Babypants show are on sale here. (Second show: The Not-Its, 10:30 am November 10th.)
Fall isn’t just rainy season, it’s salmon-spawning season. Notes from two West Seattle creeks:
LONGFELLOW CREEK: Thanks to Tom for that photo from earlier this week. He reports, “I saw this lone salmon in Dragonfly Park about halfway up the stream to the Salmon bridge (Monday). The fun has begun.” Here’s info on looking for salmon along the creek, which runs through east West Seattle.
FAUNTLEROY CREEK: As spawning season begins here, you’re invited to the ceremonial start tomorrow:
(WSB photo from past drumming event)
Rain or shine, gather to drum and sing to welcome the coho home to the creek, 5 pm Sunday (Fauntleroy/Director). This is a special year – the silver anniversary of the first two spawners to return to Fauntleroy Creek in modern times, as explained in our preview. All ages!
The Fauntleroy Fall Festival is fast approaching and more volunteers are essential to make it happen on Sunday, October 27, 2-5 pm in the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA/Schoolhouse triangle. Available assignments include managing lines, helping kids paint pumpkins and build birdhouses, and checking in volunteers. Enjoy the festival from a new perspective! Find an assignment and time that work for you at tinyurl.com/2019FallFestivalVolunteers.
(WSB photo, earlier this month)
As reported here last week, the Washington State Patrol is taking over providing traffic-control/law-enforcement officers at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, a role previously filled by off-duty Seattle Police. Though the changeover was supposed to happen last week, ferry commuters weren’t seeing troopers. Washington State Ferries explains:
In July, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) notified WSF that, as of Oct. 6, they would no longer be providing off-duty officers to help with traffic control at Fauntleroy and Seattle’s Colman Dock so they could focus on supporting city events.
As this law enforcement assistance is vital for getting vehicles on and off the dock at Fauntleroy, addressing line cutters, and making the challenging terminal work as smoothly as possible, we have been working on an agreement to have Washington State Patrol take over traffic control for both Fauntleroy and Colman Dock.
We expect WSP to begin working at Fauntleroy this week. Our terminal staff will be working with the new WSP officers to help train them on how to successfully manage the traffic at Fauntleroy.
The agreement is for troopers to be at Fauntleroy 10 hours each weekday during the fall/winter – 6-10 am and 1-7 pm – plus Saturday middays during the summer schedule. The agreement, provided by WSF, can be seen here (PDF), with the last page spelling out expectations of what the troopers will do.
(“Harry & Louise,” 1994, photo courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)
Not too soon to make your plan for what to do after the NEXT Seahawks game. Take the family to be part of the first event in a special salmon-return season at Fauntleroy Creek: The silver anniversary of “Harry and Louise,” the nicknames given to the first spawners in modern history to return to the creek, spotted in October 1994. Fauntleroy Creek advocate Judy Pickens explains how you can be part of the celebration this season, next Sunday and beyond:
October is spawning season on Fauntleroy Creek and you have four opportunities to get in on the action, starting next weekend.
Drum in spawners. The annual drumming (Sunday, Oct. 20, 5 pm), will entice spawners into the creek and begin a year-long “Silver Anniversary” for Harry and Louise, the first spawning pair in modern history, who arrived in October 1994. Bring a drum of any kind or just yourself to this free rain-or-shine event. Drumming will guide you to the creek level at 4539 SW Director Place (near SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW).
Become a salmon watcher. Starting Oct. 20, volunteers will work in half-hour shifts to document activity in the spawning reach near the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal during the five hours after high tide. Email judy_pickens@msn.com for details and to get on the list.
Come to a creek open house. The West Seattle Blog will announce this free weekend event, depending on when spawners arrive.
Come to the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Volunteers will be on hand near the salmon-hat booth in the church parking lot (Sunday, Oct. 27, 2-5 pm) to answer questions and invite you to sign a “Silver Anniversary” poster honoring Harry and Louise.
Fauntleroy Creek is one of just a few salmon creeks remaining in the city limits.
(WSB photos)
West Seattle Helpline executive director Erin Dury Moore and board member Rev. Ron Marshall are smiling at tonight’s show of support for the organization’s mission to keep people out of homelessness. It’s the Helpline’s 10th annual “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” dinner and auction at The Hall at Fauntleroy. WSB is the media sponsor and we stopped by in the early going for some photos:
Dinner hadn’t started yet but among the items on display were the treats awaiting bidders in the “Dessert Dash”:
A variety of silent and live auction items are up for grabs, from vacation packages to a wine-tasting party (donated by WSB sponsor Viscon Cellars):
Among Helpline supporters in attendance, City Council candidate Phil Tavel:
As the Helpline website explains, “The West Seattle Helpline stops homelessness before it starts. We provide financial assistance in the form of rent and utility payments, clothing, bus tickets, and referrals to help our neighbors in West Seattle and White Center regain stability after facing hardship.” They’ve helped more than 6,000 people so far this year. If you couldn’t get to tonight’s event, here’s how to help any time.
Two ferry-dock issues are atop our toplines from tonight’s Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting.
DOCK POLICING CHANGE: Law enforcement at the Fauntleroy dock is transitioning from a contract with Seattle Police back to the Washington State Patrol. This came up in discussion with Southwest Precinct operations commander Lt. Steve Strand. We had heard about it from Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who was inquiring with SPD on behalf of a constituent concerned about ferry-line-rage incidents like this one. SPD’s executive director of strategic initiatives Dr. Christopher Fisher told her, “SPD is turning the contract we hold with WSDOT back to Washington State Patrol for providing sworn officers at the terminal. With the current staffing challenges we have, and since it is a state system, it no longer made sense for SPD to contract for that workload.” At tonight’s FCA meeting, concern was voiced that WSP had in the past used cadets for those positions. Lt. Strand said he’d talked to the dock manager after the recent incident but didn’t have anything further about the transition. Dr. Fisher’s response to Councilmember Herbold had also noted, “Seattle Police Officers will still be responsible for behavior on the city roads/property leading up to the terminal, but the officers who are stationed at the terminal will transition to State Troopers.”
TERMINAL’S FUTURE: This remains a major point of concern for FCA; the board’s ferry subcommittee is hoping to hear more about the terminal project when WSF meets with stakeholders in the next few months. FCA’s WSF point person Frank Immel said he talked with a WSF rep recently and was told that talks with an engineering firm about the potential scope of the project are running behind. Those talks should have concluded by now, but haven’t. Also awaited, results of a UW study about the docks, including Fauntleroy, that WSF wants to upgrade.
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: FCA doesn’t organize the festival but supports it; the festival is now less than 3 weeks away, 2-5 pm Sunday, October 27th, at the venues in the 9100 block of California SW.
The Fauntleroy Community Association‘s business meetings are on secnnd Tuesdays, 7 pm at the schoolhouse, all welcome; watch fauntleroy.net for updates.
(WSB file photo, Fauntleroy ferry dock)
If you travel via Washington State Ferries, three big changes are about to kick in. One, the fall schedule change starts tomorrow (Sunday, September 29th). With the change in schedule comes one vessel downsizing on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route:
Because the 124-vehicle Kittitas that is typically assigned to the Triangle route will be undergoing maintenance at this time, the 90-vehicle Sealth will substitute on the route for approximately the first month of the Fall schedule.
WSF adds, “Drivers and passengers should note there are fewer sailings on weekends compared to the Summer schedule.” The third change is a fare increase as of Tuesday (October 1st), as approved back in August, 2.5 percent more for vehicles and 2 percent more for passengers. See the new fares here (PDF).
Fauntleroy Church‘s twice-yearly Recycle Roundup is a rain-or-shine event, so don’t let the weather stop you from bringing in your recyclables! 1 Green Planet is at the lot (9140 California SW) to accept a long list of items – see it here (PDF) – until 3 pm, but don’t wait until the last minute; the earlier you go, the faster it’ll be. It’s free but organizers always appreciate donations if you’re able:
Volunteers are also offering info on how/where to recycle items that are not accepted at the Roundup.
(WSB file photo)
Are you ready? Sunday (September 22nd) brings the next Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. This twice-yearly event usually brings in tons of recyclables. No charge – just drive up/ride up/walk up and drop off recyclables with 1 Green Planet, 9 am-3 pm. See the latest list of what they will/won’t accept this by going here (PDF). Fauntleroy Church is at 9140 California SW (map).
(“Live” image, webcam at Fauntleroy dock)
Sent by Washington State Ferries, a two-part update on the Triangle Route (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth):
The Fall 2019 sailing schedule begins on Sunday, Sept. 29. Because the 124-vehicle KITTITAS that is typically assigned to the Triangle route will be undergoing maintenance at this time, the 90-vehicle SEALTH will substitute on the route for approximately the first month of the Fall schedule.
In addition, the SEALTH is required to undergo a U.S. Coast Guard-mandated inspection by Nov. 2, which means the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will operate on a 2-boat schedule during the last week of October.
As always, there are many factors involved in WSF’s decisions around vessel assignments and service impacts. With only 22 boats in the fleet and one designated service relief vessel, vessel assignments and maintenance periods are subject to change. WSF’s Customer Service team will send out alerts with the latest information and will provide customers with updates as needed. …
Future Triangle Route community engagement opportunities
The new triangle route schedule that began in March is working well. We’re able to more fully fill vessels leaving Fauntleroy in the afternoon and over the past months our on-time-performance has steadily improved. Now that the first busy summer season with the new schedule is coming to an end, we will be looking at performance and sharing more information this fall about how it’s working.
Also in the next few months, WSF will begin planning and the environmental process for the replacement of the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal. This project will include robust community outreach and many opportunities to provide input. Currently, construction of the new terminal is programmed to begin in 2025-2027. Stay tuned for information on public meetings as we kick off this project.
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