West Seattle, Washington
20 Saturday
(2016 Mini-STP group; photo courtesy Don Brubeck)
Once again this year, West Seattle Bike Connections is leading the Mini-STP bicycle ride on Summer Fest Sunday (July 14th), and you’re welcome to join. The family-friendly ride rolls at 9:30 am (arrive at 9:15) from SW Seattle St. in North Admiral, heads to SW Portland St. in Gatewood, and then back north to end in The Junction at West Seattle Summer Fest. You can pre-register here, or just show up. See more details in our calendar listing!
(WSB photo from past Summer Fest Eve – when you can wander in the streets, enjoy music, and more)
By this time Thursday night, the Junction streets where you’ll find West Seattle Summer Fest Friday-Sunday will be closed to vehicles and open for fun. What’s become known as Summer Fest Eve is a reason all its own to come hang out in, and wander around, The Junction as festival setup begins. You’ll find:
*Sidewalk cafés for dinner, drinks, snacks starting around 6:30
*Entertainment:
Bubbleman, 6:30 pm
Pop-up fashion show “flash mob” with VAIN (WSB sponsor) and Lika Love, 7 pm
Dance “flash mob” with Dance Powered at California/Alaska, 7 pm
Yada Yada Blues Band (outside West 5), 7 pm
*West Seattle Art Walk: First summer-quarter art walk! Here’s the map and venue list:
As always, note that Art Walk venues include food/drink specials as well as art! Preview some of them on the Art Walk website. See you in the street starting tomorrow night!
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
2:19 PM: From the treacherous waters of Elliott Bay, the Seafair Pirates have arrived at Alki – landing shortly after 1 pm, aboard the trusty Prudhoe Bay (once again commandeered from West Seattle’s own Global Diving and Salvage, who surely know where to find Davy Jones’s Locker). This might be the only port o’ call where people run (wade) toward pirates instead of running from them:
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand from here down, unless credited otherwise)
Even if you missed the landing, the beach festival with vendors, kids’ rides, and treats continues until 5 pm:
ADDED 4:23 PM: More photos!
The tide was low, so the required wading was a little shallower than usual. On shore, a change – no roped-off area, so pirates and fans moved about at will:
Though they were of course wielding swords, we observed more smiles than shrieks:
The traditional welcome ceremony ensued:
The welcoming party included King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seafair royalty:
(Texted photo)
From left with the KCE are this year’s King Neptune, Rich Gray; Queen Alcyone, Kim Holcomb; and Miss Seafair, Andrea Diaz. (Read more about them here.) Meantime, we’re told the Pirates have left the Bathhouse in their landlubbing “vessel,” Moby Duck:
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
Two weeks from today, they will be back to “sail” down California Avenue SW in Moby Duck during the West Seattle Grand Parade (which starts at California/Lander at 11 am and heads southbound to The Junction).
(2016 photo by David Hutchinson)
One more warning – tomorrow’s the day to “keep a weather eye on the horizon” as the Seafair Pirates are expected to storm the shore at Alki Beach in early afternoon. Come early/stay late for general revelry including kids’ activities, vendors around the Bathhouse, and music. Seafair estimates the pirates will arrive between 1 and 2 pm, but the time can vary – last year it was around 1:40 pm. Current forecast, partly sunny. No road closures associated with the event but be ready for crowds, and if you will need to park, get there early.
(WSB file photo)
Start your holiday with West Seattle’s only Independence Day parade – the 25th annual 4th of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral! Gather at 44th and Sunset (or as close as you can get) by 10 am – the route is on the parade website (you can sit on the curb and be a spectator if you want). Led by SPD, SFD, and the “neighborhood blue truck” as organizers call it, the parade features all the families who show up – often with decorated bikes, trikes, wagons, strollers, and scooters. After a few words from organizers Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb, and the national anthem by Leilani Nitkey, it’s a low-key meander along a few blocks, ultimately ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for sack races and craft activities (presented by some of the parade’s community co-sponsors). Food and treat trucks will be there too, as well as the SPD and SFD vehicles that participate. We’re proud to be among this year’s co-sponsors – see you at the parade!
(WSB photo from 2018 PAWrade)
So much still to come as we head toward the heart of summer! One of the biggest days is now less than 3 weeks away. Saturday, July 20th, starts with the return of the Float Dodger 5K, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at 9:30 am (register here!), then continues with the second annual PAWrade at 10 am (you and your dog are invited to be part of it!), and then the West Seattle Grand Parade at 11 am. Just wanted to make sure those are on your radar! More specifics as we get closer.
(WSB photo from August 2018)
Before the day gets busier, one more reminder/preview … we are now three weeks away from the start of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series. For a decade, the Admiral Neighborhood Association has presented this series of six free Thursday night outdoor concert, on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (off Walnut south of Lander). This year’s lineup was rolled out in phases, starting at March’s ANA meeting (WSB coverage here). In its entirety:
July 18 – SWAY WILD featuring Mandy Fer & Dave McGraw
July 25 – THE NOT-ITS
August 1st – ALEC SHAW
August 8th – RANGER AND THE REARRANGERS
August 15th – THE HIGHSTEPPERS
August 22nd – CASPAR BABYPANTS
(For more info on the performers, see the ANA website.) All concerts start at 6:30 and run till about 8 pm. Bring your own chair/blanket for seating. In case of rain, the concert will usually just move into the Hiawatha gym, but check here for updates. (WSB has been a series co-sponsor since the start.)
(WSB photo from July 4, 2018)
If you haven’t participated in the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade previously – be aware it’s more than a parade! Kids and their families travel along the parade route (see it here) and end up at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for games and art/craft activities – sack races (above) are part of it! This year marks the 25th for the community-organized, volunteer-led tradition, and this year’s coordinators Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb have sent out this schedule:
10:00 am at 44th and Sunset: National Anthem sung by Leilani Nitkey (School of Rock student), parade coordinators lead countdown
10:20 am: Parade Begins:
o SPD Motorcycles
o SFD Fire Truck
o Neighborhood Blue Truck
o Community Families10:40 am: Parade arrives at Hamilton Viewpoint Park
10:55am: Gunny Sack Races, State Senator Joe Nguyen emceeing
o 3-4 year olds
o 4-5 year olds
o 5-6 year olds
o 6-7 year olds
o 7-8 year oldsOne last call for anyone who missed their age group!
· Fire truck, Police Vehicles, Lil J’s Super Dawgs Food Truck, All City Ice Cream (two trucks) Mini The Dough-Nut Food Truck, all in Hamilton Viewpoint parking lot
This all starts wrapping up around noon so you can move on with the rest of your holiday. Decorate your bike, trike, stroller, wagon, self … and be part of it!
P.S. As with so many things, the parade is in part powered by community co-sponsors … this year, that includes us at WSB.
Hurry! You have until 7 pm to celebrate a Summer Solstice Happy Hour with Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) proprietors John Smersh and Frances Smersh, and their friend, cookbook author Kim O’Donnel:
They’re serving up chocolate beet bundt cake, rhubarb salsa, sangria, and more.
It’s also – as explained here – a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association, a special cause for Click! because Frances is living with young-onset Alzheimer’s. She is an accomplished artist and at tonight’s happy hour, a donation of $25 or more gets you one of these “little pictures” she has created:
Whether you can or can’t get to tonight’s event, here’s how to donate.
Continuing our countdowns to big summer events – we are now just one week away from this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour. It’s a self-guided tour and you have all day next Sunday (June 23rd), 9 am-5 pm, to visit any/all of the nine gardens at your own pace. They’re all previewed on the WSGT website – but to enjoy them in person, you’ll need to buy a ticket book. You can get your ticket book at HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon), or Junction True Value (44th/Edmunds), or order online and pick it up on tour day at Metropolitan Market (41st/Admiral; WSB sponsor). Proceeds benefit other local nonprofits; see the list of this year’s beneficiaries here.
That was the scene just before the start of the obstacle-course race that began today’s third annual Loop the ‘Lupe at Walt Hundley Playfield. Here’s what happened next:
The obstacle course was the first of four ways to Loop the ‘Lupe and support the Walmesley Center‘s social-outreach work. It’s a unique West Seattle event, with challenges including climbing:
And mud:
Here are the results. Local coach/educator Jeff Ursino designed the course.
For those who preferred something a little simpler, the obstacle course was followed by a 5K run-walk:
Loop the ‘Lupe also offers a Senior Saunter:
Serenading the event – youth musicians from the West Seattle School of Rock:
And we spotted two local elected officials – State Rep. Eileen Cody:
And City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:
Community sponsors for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe are shown here – including us at WSB as well as three local businesses that are also WSB sponsors: Wyatt’s Jewelers, Project 968, and West Seattle Runner.
As featured in today’s highlight list, packet pickup/semi-last-minute registration for Saturday’s Loop the ‘Lupe continues until 7 at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – that’s where we photographed Veronica and Brian. But even if you can’t get there before then and you’re not already registered, it’s still not too late – you can sign up before the event tomorrow, starting at 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), which is just east of the Walmesley Center, whose social-outreach work the event supports. Saturday’s schedule:
11:00 AM – Loop The ‘Lupe! Obstacle Course Challenge
11:45 AM – 5K Family Fun Run/Walk
12:15 PM – Senior Saunter
1:00 PM – Youth Dash
The events are explained here. “All-day afterparty,” too! Community co-sponsors include us (WSB is this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe media sponsor) – see you there!
(WSB photo from 2018)
This time of year, it’s fun to look ahead to the next weekend as soon as the last one’s over! Just five days till this one-of-a-kind obstacle-course-and-more event:
Mud pit-crawlers, wall-climbers, runners, and walkers will be taking over Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) in West Seattle on Saturday, June 8th, for the 3rd annual Loop the ‘Lupe Obstacle Course 5K.
The event, a benefit for the Walmesley Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe, offers an obstacle course, a Youth Dash, a no-obstacle 5K run/walk, and a 100% flat, no obstacle “Senior Saunter” for walkers age 65+. There’s also live music from West Seattle School of Rock, food & drinks for purchase, and a beer garden sponsored by The Beer Junction!
Register at www.loopthelupe.com and check in for early packet pickup on Friday, June 7th from 4-7 p.m. at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW). Get in the Loop!
WSB is this year’s media sponsor. See you there!
(WSB photo: One Love)
In three spots around the heart of downtown South Park, you can enjoy bold, brassy bands until 9 pm during the first night of HONK! Fest West, which moves to White Center tomorrow and Columbia City on Sunday. We’re just back from a quick trip to South Park to check out the early going:
(WSB photo: Filthy FemCorps)
This is HONK! Fest’s SP debut; tomorrow’s WC slate (1-6 pm) will be an encore from last year. Maps to the informal “stages” are in the festival guide (PDF); schedules are here.
(WSB photo, June 2018)
Of the many options you have in West Seattle this weekend, this is one of the earliest, so we’re publishing a reminder today! Saturday morning, 8 am-11 am, the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club offers kids/youth up to 14 years old the chance to try catching trout stocked in a temporary “pond” set up on the dock at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW). They provide the gear – and about 250 fish, which arrive tomorrow afternoon – all free, an annual tradition.
That downtown baseball team breaking your heart? The Highline Bears (WSB sponsor) are ready to win you over.
(Photo courtesy Highline Bears)
The summer collegiate-baseball team has 24 home games at Mel Olson Stadium in nearby Steve Cox Memorial Park this season, starting Saturday night, and they’re hoping to open the season with their first-ever sellout. From the team’s announcement:
The Bears aren’t just your normal baseball game; they make sure that every person who enters the ballpark has a night they will never forget. From the music over the PA system, between-inning contests, give-aways, games, and races, the Bears take a baseball game and turn it into a circus. The first batter of the Bears season will actually be a fan (18 or older) who is chosen at random through a raffle before the game. The Bears will have a fan batter of the night two times a month during non- league games.
Don’t forget to save your appetite for the ballpark as the Bears concession stand provides some of the best value you’ll find at a baseball game. With affordable prices, the concession stand offers all beef 1⁄4 lb hot dogs, Seattle Dogs, Ivar’s Clam Chowder, loaded baked potatoes, pulled-pork sandwiches, loaded nachos, and even a pulled-pork sundae.
The Highline Bears are giving-a-way magnet schedules to the first 250 fans through the gates just like the Mariners do. The unofficial Mayor of White Center will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and Shorewood Elementary choir will be singing the national anthem.
Adult tickets are $8 or $5, youth/seniors $5, kids 8 and under free with a paying adult. You can get yours in advance of your trip to the ballpark (1321 SW 102nd) for Saturday’s 7:10 pm game vs. the Laces – the highest ticket price at $8 for adults, youth and seniors are $5 and kids 8 and under are always free with a paying adult. Just go here!
(WSB file photo from Float Dodger 5K)
Wondering about upcoming run/walk events now that the 2019 West Seattle 5K (WSB coverage here) is over? We are exactly two months away from the return of the Float Dodger 5K, on the West Seattle Grand Parade route right before the parade July 20th! West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) presents the Float Dodger 5K and put it on hiatus last year, but this year it’s back, with proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Helpline. Discount registration is available now online, or fee-free at WSR (2743 California SW). The Float Dodger 5K is accompanied by prizes, a post-race beer garden, and even a costume contest!
It’s the only fun(draiser) of its kind in West Seattle, and you have just a few more days to register at the earlybird discount rate! The photo and announcement are from the organizers of Loop the ‘Lupe:
Loop the ‘Lupe Obstacle Course 5K is in full swing for its third year, with some new additions and plenty of fun for the entire family! The early registration discount is done after May 10 (prices for the obstacle course and 5K run/walk go from $28 to $35), so please sign up soon at loopthelupe.com.
“The Loop” — a benefit for the social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish — is happening on June 8 at Walt Hundley Playfield, with the obstacle course event starting at 11 a.m. (a similar schedule to last year). There are four events families can take part in: the obstacle course 5K, the no-obstacle 5K run/walk, the 1K Youth Dash for kids under 8 (parental involvement recommended), and the no-obstacle, 100% flat “Senior Saunter,” for walkers (and those in wheelchairs!) aged 65+.
This year’s event will again feature BBQ for purchase from OLG’s Knights of Columbus, and a beer garden provided by The Beer Junction. This year’s entertainment is West Seattle’s beloved School of Rock band, and we’re improving our reception area to make this a fun party the whole afternoon long. We’re also making improvements on our obstacles to make the action faster, wetter, and better than before!
The 2019 Loop is also part of a fond farewell for Fr. Jack Walmesley, who’s retiring after more than 40 years of priesthood, 17 of them at OLG. The Walmesley Center that the race’s proceeds will go to is named after him, and we’re honored to have him participate in one last Loop as our pastor!
We’re expecting more than 500 participants this year, so get your registration in and GET IN THE LOOP! Watch for fun pre-race events at West Seattle Runner and Ounces Taproom in the weeks to come!
Happening until 1 pm at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor), everybody’s on the moo-ve at this year’s Healthy Kids’ Day. Other creature sightings:
Though the shark was sighted on land, there’s also water involved at HKD:
And a bit of rodeo-style riding:
It’s all free, membership not required (though you can sign up today with no joining fee) – activities and entertainment inside the main Y as well as outside.
(WSB photo from Healthy Kids Day 2017)
Free fun – no membership required – this Saturday at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), for the annual Healthy Kids Day, 10 am-1 pm! As announced by the Y, the event “features activities such as hands-only CPR lessons, free helmets and helmet fittings, games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home throughout the summer months.” Performances include a dance team at 11:30, martial arts at noon, and Baby Shark at 12:30 pm; Y executive director Shalimar Gonzales says a fire truck is expected on site 11 am to noon, plus: “Helmet fittings, games, CPR training, and all other activities will occur through the day.” (Outdoors and indoors.) And smoothies from nearby Chaco Canyon Café! One more bonus: If you’re not a Y member and would like to be, no joining fee! The Y is at 3622 SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle.
Pizza, bowling, and birthdays! They go together so well that West Seattle Helpline is combining them in an event to which you are warmly invited:
Join us for our 30th birthday celebration with our neighbors and help strike out homelessness!
It will be a fun night of food, drinks, activities, and celebration. Our birthday party will be at West Seattle Bowl on April 26th from 6-8 pm. Enjoy two hours of bowling (including shoe rental), pizza, a drink ticket, and cake for just $20/person!
Tickets for the birthday party are on sale and available at wshelpline.org/birthday.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Not sure what the Helpline is all about? Go here!
(Photo courtesy West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails)
Ready to get out and walk in the city’s largest stretch of forest – which happens to be in West Seattle? The first hike of the season is this Saturday! Judy Bentley sends the invitation:
Hiking season is beginning in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Hike with the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group (www.wdgtrails.com) on guided walks to find birds, bugs, mushrooms, native plants, geology, and history. Meet the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m., usually at the trailhead at 14th Ave. SW and SW Holly Street, but starting places may vary; watch postings for individual hikes. We hike mostly on constructed and maintained gravel trails, suitable for family outings.
The West Duwamish Greenbelt is the largest contiguous forest in Seattle, spreading over 550 acres in West Seattle from the tip of Pigeon Point to Westcrest Park. Urban forests are important community spaces that increase our city’s natural beauty, contribute to our health, and make the natural world accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s the schedule for the 2019 season. All hikes start at 10:00 a.m.
April 6 – Bird-watching hike with Scott Markowitz, an international birder, member of the board of directors at Tahoma Audubon. Meet at the Puget Park trailhead at 4418 21st Ave. SW.
May 4 – Insect hike with a bug club member.
June 1 – “Walking Native Land” on National Trails Day with Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribe. Walk from the Chinese Garden at South Seattle College to the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center on West Marginal Way and back. Two miles, 200 feet elevation gain, some unimproved trails.
July 6 – Native plant identification with Steve Richmond of GardenCycles
August 3 – Geology and land use history with Paul West and Craig Rankin
September 7 – History of the greenbelt with Matt Groshong, Randy Nelson, and Craig Rankin
October 5 – Mushrooms with Kim Traverse of the Puget Sound Myco Society
Got little one(s)? Classes set to make a comeback at Hiawatha this month might be perfect for them – so signups are happening now! The announcement:
Toddler dance is back at Hiawatha Community Center! Join us for a weekly 40-minute dance class that uses movement and music to stimulate brain reflexes, teaches social-emotional learning skills, and encourages joy and self-expression. Taught by our certified dance instructor, Marika, your little one is bound to have a blast exploring creative movement in this safe and positive environment.
Wednesdays, April 24 – June 12
Parent and Me: Creative Movement Class (Ages 2-4) -11:30-12:10 pm
Creative Movement Class (Ages 3-6) – 12:15-12:55 pmOur spring 8-week session begins on April 24 and we’ll need a minimum number of enrollments to run the class, so please sign up early so we know the class will go. You can register online at seattle.gov/parks by clicking on Sign Up For Activities, or calling Hiawatha Community Center at 206.684.7441. (Parent and Me: Creative Movement: Activity #21109, Creative Movement: Activity #21110)
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