West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
“Egg hunt on aisle 7” – you can almost imagine the overhead announcement. That’s just one of the scenes from inside West Seattle Thriftway, where the traditional crowd waited excitedly outside just before the 9 am egg hunt:
High stakes there – prizes in this egg hunt included a Wii and Mariners’ tickets! And if that wasn’t fun enough – an Easter Bunny sighting (our video camera followed his/her entourage):
(Added later: Thriftway now has its photos up online at westseattlethriftway.com – if your family’s in one of the photos, you can e-mail info@westseattlethriftway.com to request a copy!) Then at 10 am, community centers all over West Seattle had egg hunts too – by then the rain had stopped and the sun was even trying to come out. On the field at High Point Community Center, we spotted the REAL Easter Bunny – this gentleman who was out scattering the eggs and treats:
That section of the field was stormed shortly thereafter by the oldest kids:
Check out our video from just after they got the “go” signal:
Younger groups had their own egg hunts, one on the tennis court, one in the playfield corner at 34th/Myrtle:
If you missed today’s egg hunts, note that a few West Seattle churches are planning their own, right after Easter services tomorrow morning; see our West Seattle Easter services list for the locations.
That’s our video from last year’s egg hunt at Delridge Community Center – which, along with every other West Seattle community center, is planning one at 10 am today. First, there’s the 9 am egg hunt at West Seattle Thriftway and the 11 am Eastridge Christian event at Lincoln Park, all listed here along with church services today and tomorrow (and more).
It’s just one night — but its ripple effects will make a difference in thousands of lives over the ensuing year. The West Seattle Food Bank‘s “Instruments of Change” fundraiser is coming up, and this Thursday is the deadline to RSVP for tickets. The event May 1st at The Hall at Fauntleroy not only features KIRO Radio’s Gregg Hersholt as emcee, but also includes former mayor Norm Rice as a special guest speaker, plus live music and a Dessert Dash. Go here for full details, including how to get tickets.
WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli took that photo of the newly completed staircase through Orchard Street Ravine in Gatewood, site of a work party tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow’s also prime time for egg hunts; though we have a special page with Easter (and Friday/Saturday) services here, and an overall Easter page (including Saturday/Sunday egg hunts) here, those events are just part of what’s in this West Seattle Weekend Lineup – with other highlights including West Seattle Nursery‘s spring open house, and lots more going on this weekend, more than three dozen events ahead on our list brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Reminder: Discount early registration is still under way for the first-ever West Seattle 5K – benefiting local schools. It’s happening along Alki on May 31st, same day that Alki Ave will close (roughly from Seacrest to Cactus) for Car-Free Day-Turned-Celebrate-Seattle-Summer-Streets. Not only can you sign up online, you can also designate donations for the participating schools – start here.
Click that image for a full-size, printable version of the map/venue list for tomorrow night’s West Seattle Art Walk (6-9 pm, every second Thursday of the month). 40 venues are participating this time, from Alki to Delridge to Fauntleroy and many points inbetween, including Admiral, where Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) – will offer art, real estate, and shopping deals:
With a common appreciation for modern architecture and design, it’s a perfect match. During the West Seattle Art Walk, the real estate professionals of 360 Modern will have a festive meet and greet hosted by Click! Design That Fits in the Admiral District of West Seattle.
Guests can talk shop with fellow modern design fans, perhaps laying the groundwork for a future move with help from the local modern authorized agents of 360. Also during the event, all Click! purchases are 15% off! and the beautiful encaustic and oil paintings of Kate Fluckinger
adorn the walls. (Sorry, discount does not apply to the artwork.)
Meantime, “food can be art” is part of the message behind a photography display at C and P Coffee that you’ll see as part of the Art Walk; “What Feeds Us” photographers Sally Shintaffer and Poppy Barach are also known for writing the website Mixed Greens (featured on the WSB Blogs page, too). One more preview:
That’s art by Karl Addison from partybots.org, and you’ll see it at Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction during the Art Walk. Wine and cupcakes are promised too; here’s the official description of what he’s showing:
Karl Addison has been exploring the idea of over-population, saturation, and the dynamics between individual identity versus the selfhood gained and lost when one becomes part of a union. For this show, Karl will impregnate the back gallery of twilight with a superplethora of mustachio boxes. The mustachio boxes, each having individual personalities, that when viewed together in this overpopulation become something all together different.
An ardent naturalist, Karl Addison uses earth-friendly products in all his endeavors.
(Other photos of his installation are on this Flickr page.) More information about tomorrow night’s artists can be found on the official Art Walk site — along with detail on some of the places you’ll find treats (like champagne and chocolates at Clementine!).
Fourth day of registration for the 5th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day — one day, many sales big and small all over West Seattle, mapped and marketed by WSB — and three dozen are on the list already, including group and block sales. We extended this year’s registration period to 3 weeks instead of 2 so you’ve got more time to think about it, and hear about it. Today’s other updates: If you haven’t already seen this on the official Community Garage Sale Day site at westseattlegaragesale.com, we have two locations so far offering space to those who can’t or don’t want to have their own standalone sales — Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and C & P Coffee. Space is limited at both so if you’re interested contact Hotwire proprietor Lora or C & P proprietor Cameron ASAP. Also – in addition to offering online signup/payment (go here) and the link to download a form you can mail in (here), preprinted forms are available for pickup at locations around West Seattle (let us know if your business 
is interested in having some forms on hand and we’ll drop ’em by): four WSB sponsors — Hotwire, Illusions Hair Design, Stor-More Self-Storage, and Brunette Mix — and two Seattle Public Library branches, West Seattle (Admiral) and Southwest (35th/Henderson). We’ll have contests again this year – including “Best Sign,” for which Val (photo right) was one of last year’s winners. By the way, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is the ONLY major communitywide sale day this spring — the “granddaddy of ’em all” in Greenwood moved to fall this year (at least one person told us they signed up for WSCGSD because of that – they’re looking forward to spring cleaning!) — and we’ll again be getting the word out regionally. Maps will be available earlier this year too – we’re planning to have them ready in time to start handing them out at the Sustainable West Seattle Festival on May 3 (the Sunday before WSCGSD).
We just couldn’t wait till tomorrow morning — went to the downtown waterfront tonight to get photos of the new trim and new logo on the newly rebranded King County Water Taxi. Tomorrow, of course, you can see it in person …
… free rides all day, and while the big party at Seacrest Pier (map) is noon-2 pm (with the fireboat Leschi scheduled for a spray show around 12:45), the Water Taxi sails its full schedule on day 1, which means you should see its first arrival at Seacrest around 8:45 am. P.S. If you’re trying to remember what the Water Taxi USED to look like, here’s a WSB photo from last fall:
Talking with King County Council Chair Dow Constantine at the Gathering of Neighbors today, we’re pretty sure he mentioned a new look for the shuttle buses too, so we’ll be watching out for that tomorrow morning as well. ADDED 11:07 PM: Well, we don’t even have to wait till tomorrow for THAT – turns out the King County Ferry District has a Flickr stream with an entire sequence of photos of the shuttle-bus rewrapping — see it here (as well as more pix of the Water Taxi’s new look).
Just received the official final list from Phillippia at DNDA, which is presenting the Gathering of Neighbors/Biz Expo with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. To see the full list, click here – we’ll be there along with more than 70 other local businesses and organizations, including — just to name a few — WSB sponsors Budget Blinds, Eagle Electric, Stor-More, Ventana Construction, and the West Seattle Family YMCA, plus lots of other folks you’re going to want to meet, including the West Seattle Emergency Communications Hubs volunteers, the community orchestra Westside Symphonette, WestSide Baby, experts to answer your questions about what’s up with the Alaskan Way Viaduct, we could go on all night. Just come by and say hi, 11 am-3 pm tomorrow, Chief Sealth HS at Boren (5950 Delridge; here’s a map), and remember that if you’re thinking about joining in this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (May 9), sign up at our table tomorrow — the first day of registration — and get a one-day-only discount on the signup fees (which pay for mapmaking, posters, other fun stuff that gets WSCGSD on the regional radar). See you tomorrow!
, Better late than never, we present the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, with the return of the Water Taxi on Sunday, the Gathering of Neighbors tomorrow, the second and final weekend of “The Underpants” (all three events are WSB sponsors), and the final performances of ArtsWest‘s “History Boys.” Slower weekend than usual, what with Spring Break, but still more than 30 events in this edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup:Read More
Very belatedly finishing the West Seattle Weekend Lineup – if you see this before 8 pm, it’s not too late to catch night one of the West Seattle Lions‘ annual Plant Sale, happening at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), tonight till 8. It continues tomorrow 9 am – 3 pm. Dahlias, rhodies, scented geraniums, tomatoes, and much more. West Seattle Master Gardeners on hand to answer your questions. Cash/check only. Proceeds benefit Lions philanthropic work (including eyeglasses and hearing aids for low-income WS residents, and scholarships for college-bound WS teens).
The King County Water Taxi is aboard the good ship WSB Sponsorship as of this week, and we’re now just three days away from the start of its 2009 season. A news release just came in with a few more details about this Sunday’s noon-2 pm kickoff celebration, including giveaway and music details – read on!Read More
First, from Matt Schlede at the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor):
The West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA are now registering for youth t-ball/baseball, ages 4-10 year olds. Registration ends April 9th. One practice during the week, and one game one Saturdays at EC Hughes Park. Season starts April 27th. Financial assistance available. Register online at westseattleymca.org or in person at either YMCA; questions to mschlede@seattleymca.org
Second:
This announcement’s from Darin Smith:
The Hiawatha Tae Kwon Do Club is looking for new members for its ongoing classes at the Hiawatha Community Center in West Seattle. Adults (18 and older) can sign up to learn Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art known for its fast sparring techniques, dynamic forms, and strong kicks. The classes involve an International Tae Kwon Do (ITF) based style with emphasis on proper technique, physical fitness, and mental discipline. The club is focused on self-improvement in a non-competitive atmosphere that promotes unity, respect, and indomitable spirit. Classes cost $30/month and meet Mondays & Thursdays 7-8:30pm and Saturdays 11:15am-1:15pm. Beginners are definitely welcome and preferred; new students can join at any time! Please call (206) 684-7441 for questions or registration information.
We’re welcoming a new sponsor that happens to also be an event in which we’ll be participating: the Gathering of Neighbors, coming up one week from today, Saturday, April 4, at Chief Sealth High School (@ Boren). Here’s the reminder announcement from organizers:
Gathering of Neighbors takes place on April 4th!
Joining neighbors and businesses in 2009.Come be a part of the Gathering of Neighbors: Businesses and community organizations from across the West Seattle Peninsula, all together, one day, one place, as “one community.”
More than 75 businesses, resource, and community information groups have registered to participate, so that attendees can experience, in one place and time, the tremendous wealth of services and goods available to them in their own neighborhoods right here in West Seattle.
Sponsored by the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association (DNDA) and the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the combination of both community and businesses participants promises to have Chief Sealth High School (at Boren) bursting at the seams with booths full of information.
Entertainment and refreshments will also be part of the celebration.
This is the first Gathering of Neighbors in more than two years – a little context, if you are new to the area: It was created by Megawatt, a community-connection nonprofit; when Megawatt disbanded, it looked for organizations to take over its two signature events — DNDA stepped forward to handle Gathering of Neighbors, and we here at WSB took on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. In fact, as we mentioned a few days ago, we are going to open registration for this year’s Community Garage Sale Day on Gathering of Neighbors day, and we’re offering special one-day-only in-person discounts if you come to G-o-N and register your sale at our G-o-N table. Even if you’re not planning to participate in WSCGSD, or if you’re not sure yet, we hope to see you there – as do the 70-plus other businesses and organizations that are participating — that’s 11 am-3 pm next Saturday, April 4; here’s a map to the location (and a Google Street View clickable image below):
Throughout the coming week, we’ll count down to the event with more specifics on who you’ll see when you go.
Those are the Derby Brats – young skaters, based in West Seattle, who compete in junior roller derby (two age groups, 6-10 and 11-18) – and tonight, as noted in recent weeks in the WSB Forums, they’re raising money with a spaghetti feed at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church next to West Seattle High School, 5 pm. You can find out more about them at their MySpace site. Tonight’s other dinner fundraisers include the Fauntleroy Children’s Center fundraising dinner and silent auction at 5:30 pm at the Hall at Fauntleroy, with emcees including Mayor Nickels; more info here.
the WSHS Baseball/Softball dinner and auction, 5:30 pm, and the Denny Middle School jazz dinner/auction, 6 pm, both at their respective schools.
So much, in fact, that we simply want to direct you to this link that’ll take you right to the Saturday section of the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup, with myriad events from the Delridge Produce Cooperative Potluck to Somanda Bodyworks‘ (WSB sponsor) free demo to a psychic fair to school fundraisers. Have fun!
54 hours remain in the weekend as we publish this – Earth Hour is one of them, Saturday night at 8:30 – after Saturday events including the Delridge Produce Cooperative community potluck celebration, a free SOMA Bodywork demonstration by WSB sponsor Amanda Coleman, the groundbreaking for ARK Park in Arbor Heights, and tonight’s full of fun too – including “The Underpants” (WSB sponsor) and world music/dance at Kenyon Hall — all among 40-plus events in this edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup (sponsored by Skylark Cafe and Club):Read More
Maybe you could use a little comic relief after this week (or after any week, really). Toward that end, we welcome a new sponsor, Twelfth Night Productions‘ latest play, “The Underpants,” opening tonight at Youngstown Arts Center. Here’s the official news release announcing the show:
Never underestimate the power of a glimpse of lingerie. Twelfth Night Productions (TNP) is proud to announce its next offering, “The Underpants.”
Adapted by Steve Martin from Carl Sternheim‘s 1910 comedy 
Die Hose,” this hilarious comedy dives into issues of sex, feminism and politics. The story begins when young housewife Louise has a mishap with her underpants – they fall to her ankles, resting there for a few moments in public. The sight of her underpants unearths passion in those who witnessed it and concern from her boring, government-employed husband. “The Underpants” is a witty and hilarious look at marriage, gender roles, celebrity and class. This production is for mature audiences only.
TNP is a non-profit performing arts organization located at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. This production features several artists from the West Seattle community as well as the greater Seattle area.
“The Underpants” runs in a special limited engagement at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the former historic Cooper School, in West Seattle. Show times are: March 27th and 28th, April 3rd and 4th at 7:30PM, with matinees at 3 PM on March 29th and April 5th. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students & seniors, and are available through Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com), and at the Youngstown Theater on performance days. “The Underpants” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Twelfth Night Productions (www.twelfthnightproductions.org) is a non-profit arts organization and anchor tenant at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (www.youngstownarts.org). Established by educators in West Seattle over twenty years ago, Twelfth Night has been active in charitable and neighborhood improvement projects such as The Compass Center and Delridge Neighborhood Development Association. The organization has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities, and offers theater training and mentorship to all members of the community, free of charge. Recent productions have included Once Upon a Mattress, True West, Fiddler on the Roof, The Dining Room, The Foreigner, Oklahoma!, DeathTrap, Crazy for You, and Bullshot Crummond.
Thanks to Twelfth Night Productions’ “The Underpants” for sponsoring local news, information, and discussion here on WSB; our current sponsor team is listed here.
The sidewalk stencils in front of Easy Street Records‘ front door in The Junction mark the spot where the party started at nine; the music — four new editions of Pearl Jam’s “Ten” — goes on sale at midnight. Inside, quite the crowd for a Monday night:
According to Easy Street’s party preview, free pizza and soda were part of the fare — and sale prices when the four new editions of “Ten” become officially available at midnight. If you are new to West Seattle, this location is particularly significant because (a) Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder is a West Seattleite and (b) one of the band’s other famous releases is from a 2005 show at the store.
ADDED 5 AM: At midnight, the counter was mobbed:
Here’s video from a few minutes before midnight – that’s Easy Street owner Matt Vaughan saying “God bless West Seattle”:
Of course, someone asked if Vedder was there; Vaughan said no.
(Saturday evening photo by David Hutchinson, taken near Don Armeni)
VIADUCT REMINDER: The second of the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s two 12-hour inspection shutdowns is scheduled 6 am-6 pm (note that they often end “early” on the 2nd day) today, while the Battery Street Tunnel is to remain closed till 5 am tomorrow; go behind the scenes during shutdown day 1 in this WSB report.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Daffodils and goat-meat sausage are among the items on today’s “fresh list” for the market (see the complete list here), 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, 44th/Alaska – while you’re there, look for the Junction Plaza Park volunteers, who continue to gather pledges of volunteer help to get the park done.
WEST SEATTLE EDIBLE GARDEN FAIR PLANNING MEETING: 1:30 pm, Duwamish Cohousing – join the group that’s getting ready for an event to show the whole peninsula how to get involved in growing food. (More info in this preview we published Friday.)
Also today – World Water Day at Alki, a free concert at Hope Lutheran, the Hi-Yu Spring Tea, and more – full list in the Sunday section of our West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
We dropped by the beautiful Duwamish Longhouse this afternoon in the middle of the Fry Bread for Justice fundraiser – unfortunately, they were between batches of fry bread during our visit, but Pam at Nerd’s Eye View tells a great yarn from her visit. (They’re planning more Fry Bread for Justice events – keep an eye on the tribe’s website.) And tonight, the finale of the Winter Movies on the Wall series – “Napoleon Dynamite,” preceded by a tater-tot-eating contest – just a bit of which was caught on video:
Nine entrants – not bad! The tater tots – and the $25 gift-certificate prize – were donated by Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor). Keep an eye out for more news soon about the popular Summer Movies on the Wall series, which will start in mid-July – outdoor movies every Saturday night for six weeks, beginning July 18th.
Reminder – The Viaduct is closed till 6 pm for the first day of its semiannual inspection; the Battery Street Tunnel is closed around the clock till early Monday morning. But why leave West Seattle? Highlights from the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup include:
SCOUTING FOR FOOD – You may have received a door hanger about this; we reported on it two weeks ago. Local Boy Scouts will go door to door to collect food donations to help fight hunger; if they’re not in your neighborhood, you can still take donations to the West Seattle Food Bank (map) 10 am-2 pm.
FRY BREAD FOR JUSTICE – 10 am-5 pm at the new Duwamish Longhouse (map) – $20 donation, food and entertainment to help the tribe raise money to keep fighting for federal recognition.
CASUAL INDUSTREES SALE – This sassy West Seattle clothing business doesn’t have a regular storefront but it’s opening the doors for a big sale this weekend – 6205 SW Admiral (map), 10 am-6 pm today.
FREE MOVIE – “Napoleon Dynamite” is the grand finale of the first-ever Winter Indoor Movies on the Wall series presented in The Junction by local businesses (including WSB!) – free (but bring money for concessions and nonprofit-benefiting raffle), 7 pm, the new West Seattle Christian Church activity center (map), bring your own chair(s), doors open at 5:30 pm.
“ECLECTIC” MUSIC – That’s how guitarist Andre Feriante described the show he and others will present in the Admiral Theater‘s Listening Room series at 9 tonight ($12).
Much, more more in the WSWL.
Two words: Chocolate fountain.
That alone may have been enough to recommend the annual West Side MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) Spa Day today at West Side Presbyterian Church. Any and all of the group’s 65 members were welcome to come indulge in free pleasures donated by local businesses – from that chocolate fountain and other treats, to chair massages …
… and hair help …
… and lots more. As event coordinator Leah Barham put it, if you have little kids (she has a 3-year-old and a first-grader) you don’t tend to take time to take care of yourself, so Spa Day gives MOPS moms a chance for a relaxing break. Without the kids – they were in another area of the WSPC building. That’s also how MOPS runs its meetings, 1st and 3rd Fridays, October through May – while the moms get together, the kids are having a good time in the MOPPETS program. Lots more about MOPS at the group’s website; meantime, read on for a list of the businesses that supported today’s event (Leah says they’re grateful for so much generosity even with the challenging economy):Read More
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