Spring is almost here! With longer days comes the promise of the warmer, sunnier days ahead. Our Junction businesses are saying farewell to winter and celebrating this new season with some great spring treats:

At Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, the peeps are back and they’ve brought a bad bunny too! Stop by Hotwire through the end of March to sample their fun spring drinks made all the sweeter by adding a peep marshmallow treat to the top. We suggest ordering yourself one of their delicious mochas. Fair warning though, choosing between their Honey,Chocolate & Lavender Mocha, their Raspberry and Mexican Chocolate Mocha, and the oh so cute Peepermint Mocha is nearly impossible! Better bring a friend… You can also enjoy their Bad Bunny Blend coffee through the end of March. Bad Bunny is a blend of Sumatran and Ethiopian beans. Look for notes of cedar and chocolate in this flavor profile, finished with blueberry and jasmine. Delicious!

Cupcake Royale is bringing the “Luck O’the Irish” to The Junction. Today, enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day themed cupcake like their Irish Car Bomb – a chocolate cake baked with Jive Espresso Stout from 2Beers Brewery, filled with Jameson Whiskey buttercream, topped with whipped Bailey’s Irish Cream frosting.  Or maybe you’re more in the mood for their Grasshopper Cupcake – moist chocolate cake topped with a refreshing Seely’s peppermint buttercream frosting and dunked in warm house-made chocolate. Also available in Gluten Free! Cupcake Royale also has St. Patrick’s Day babycakes for a festive three-bite treat that everyone can enjoy. Come in soon though! The Irish Car Bomb is only available through the end of today, and the Grasshopper through the end of March.

Are you planning a spring party or having a family get-together for Easter? Make sure to stock up on treats and breads at Bakery Nouveau for a truly memorable event. They have brioche rolls, hot cross buns, and of course, a range of confections for kids of any age like traditional chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs.

Spring Treats in The Junction

Various Locations through March

In The Junction:

Basin Pacific Insurance & Benefits – Seattle : Works by Faith Montgomery
4210 SW Oregon St

Capers : Stephanie Hargrave- Encaustic Painter and Marie Tornow- Ceramicist
4525 California Ave SW

Click! Design That Fits :
4540 California Ave SW

Hotwire Online Coffeehouse : Works by Sarah Ghanooni
4410 California Ave SW

Junction True Value
4747 44th Ave SW

Shadowland
4458 California Ave SW

Twilight Gallery : Jordan Christianson – S/ HEROS: Side A 
4306 SW Alaska St

Wallflower Custom Framing : Works by Michelle Salazar
4735 42nd Ave SW

Windermere Real Estate Hosted by Kim Tingley
4526 California Ave SW

In Greater West Seattle:

Locöl Barley & Vine
7902 35th Ave SW

Parliament Tavern : Photographic Works by Dawndra Budd
4210 SW Admiral Way

South Seattle College Art Gallery : The Art of Music Exhibition
6000 16th Avenue SW

Viscon Cellars : Works by Jesse Link
5910 California Ave SW

West Seattle Cellars : Works by Blake Liliane Hellman
6026 California Ave SW
Check out our walking map here for the complete list of businesses and their locations. Also find information about this Quarter’s featured artist, Susan Cole.

March Art Walk

Thursday, March 10th / 6-9pm / The Junction & Greater West Seattle

Join Junction True Value for their Spring Vendor Event on Saturday, March 12th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors will be in the store demonstrating their products, so this is the perfect chance to learn from the experts and have your questions answered. They will also have free popcorn and a chance to enter-to-win a $100 Gift Certificate to Junction True Value.

Participating Vendors include:

HB101 – Fertilizers

Stihl – Power Equipment

Dr Earth – Fertilizers

Milwaukee Tools – Power Tools

Hendrikus – Fertilizers

Seed Factory – Grass Seed and Bird Food

Cedar Grove – Compost and Potting Soil

Satco – Light Bulbs

System Three – Paint Sundries Products

Mad Dog – Paint Primers

Spring Vendor Event at Junction True Value

Saturday, March 12th / 10 a.m. to 3 p.m / 4747 44th Ave SW

What makes The Junction special? This is a question that was recently explored by a comprehensive historical survey that examines West Seattle’s historic business district for landmark potential. The survey includes the views and opinions of Junction building owners as well as members of the community. This is the first time that the historical character of the West Seattle Junction has been documented in a professional survey.

The survey was sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, with support from the Southwest District Council and West Seattle Junction Association. It was also supported by the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO) and ArtsWest. The final report covers three areas:

• Survey of the 58 buildings in The Junction that are at least 40 years old. This survey was conducted by architectural historian Mimi Sheridan of the Sheridan Consulting Group and was supported by a $10,000 grant from 4Culture. This part provides a historical overview of The Junction and evaluates whether buildings appear eligible for designation as Seattle landmarks. Two buildings were identified as possibly eligible, including the Campbell Building (1918) and Hamm Building (1926). Six others were also identified, pending further research, including the Hotwire/dental complex (1910), the Courtesy Accounting building (1947), the J.F. Henry building (1908), the former J.C. Penney building (1926), the Curious Kidstuff building (1928), and the Technical Analysis building (1961).
• Summaries of interviews with nine Junction building owners: ArtsWest, Steve Athan, Jack Calvo, Leon Capelouto, Jerry Costacos, Tom Henry, John and Lisa Kennan-Meyer, Jack Menashe and Jack Miller. The owners address the history of their buildings, what they love about their buildings, what makes The Junction special and what about The Junction should be preserved.
• Summary of a public survey conducted during the summer of 2015. More than 260 people identified their favorite Junction buildings, what they think makes The Junction special and what about The Junction should be preserved.

The complete survey report is available in a limited number of printed copies as well as online at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society website, loghousemuseum.info. In an introduction to the report, the survey team states, “We trust that the information and insights in this report will be useful for a variety of audiences for many years to come.”

This report will hopefully add to an important conversation about how West Seattle’s main business district should move forward into the future and what pieces of our history we should preserve.

The Junction Historical Survey Unveiled

More information can be found here: www.loghousemuseum.info/blog/junction

Have you stopped by The Junction event calendar recently? It’s a great resource for finding fun activities and events right here in our neighborhood. We update it frequently with event information from our local businesses, organizations, and nonprofits. Whether you want to plan an evening out, find a fun family activity, or find out how you can meet and connect with other people in our neighborhood, the event calendar has the details.

You can access the calendar by clicking on the navigation box to the left under the “EVENTS” tab. Each month we will be updating and adding more event details so make sure to check back often to get the latest info. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming up next in March:

• Sierra Nevada at The Beer Junction – Thursday, March 3rd, from 5-8pm
• West Seattle Farmers Market – Every Sunday, from 10am to 2pm
• Dance Time at the Senior Center – March 9th (Every 2nd Wednesday of the month), from 6-8pm
• West Seattle Art Walk – March 10th, (Every 2nd Thursday of the month), from 6-9pm
• LGBTQ Senior Night at the Senior Center – March 10th, (Every 2nd Thursday of the month), 6pm
• Belgian & Sour Beer Week at The Beer Junction – March 26th through April 3

The Beer Junction has some great tasting events coming up. Tonight, meet Scott Persson from Bellingham’s Kulshan Brewing! Scott will be showcasing the following for the tasting event: Bastard Kat IPA, Red Cap Irish Red, English Bitter, Sunnyland IPA, and Transporter Porter. As a bonus, also on tap (but not part of the tasting event), will be their very limited Whiskey Aged Shuksan Russian Imperial Stout!

Here’s some history about Kulshan:

“Founded in 2012 by Bellingham native David Vitt, we are one of the fastest-growing breweries in Whatcom County, highly regarded for making delicious and well-balanced ales and lagers. Just one year after opening, we doubled the size of our brewhouse to 15 barrels in order to keep up with demand. In 2015 we opened a second brewery, affectionately named “K2”, in Bellingham with a 30-barrel brewhouse. We have a strong following for our extensive line of award-winning beers, including Bastard Kat IPA, Red Cap Irish Red Ale, Transporter Porter, Good Ol’ Boy Pale Ale and much more, plus a host of seasonal, specialty and limited-release beers. Our mission is to sustainably produce great beer, to maintain a fun and fulfilling work environment for our staff, and to give back to the local community.”

And here’s the tasting lineup for tonight:
1. English Bitter
2. Red Cap Irish Red
3. Sunnyland IPA
4. Bastard Kat IPA
5. Transporter Porter

7 Seas Brewing at The Beer Junction

The Beer Junction / Thursday, February 25th from 5-8PM

Hotwire Online Coffeehouse likes to keep things fresh. That’s why they rack their creative minds to bring us fun, new drinks and treats for all our favorite holidays and seasons. They’re good like that. They also know that we’ve been jonesing for spring weather (like that first sip of coffee in the morning), so they’re rolling out a new season of beverages on their hotsheet. They’re calling the new list “Spring’ish has Sprung’ish”, and it has the perfect fix for grey clouds and rainy days. These drinks are pretty much sunshine and flowers in a cup. Check out a few of our favorite offerings that they’re serving up now:

• MARIGOLD MOCHA Honey, orange peel and Nutella. Yeah, we went there.
• MATCHA TEA LATTE Full of antioxidants, we whisk ours with orange peel and honey.
• BLACKBERRY & CARAMEL LATTE Tart blackberry is balanced with our pure butter caramel.
• BLUEBERRY MEXICAN MOCHA Fruitiness of blueberries and our house-made super secret Mexican chocolate. Ole!
• CARAMEL AND CINNAMON AMERICANO The bold Americano is sweetened by the butter caramel and a cinnamon kick.
• CHOCOLATE CHAI Try yours with sweet or spicy chai pared with our dark chocolate.

You can also always choose the BARISTA’S MYSTERY. Are you daring? Their highly-creative baristas will whip up a drink of their choice. Be prepared to be astounded by the taste.

New Spring’ish Drinks at Hotwire

Hotwire Online Coffeehouse / 4410 California Ave SW

Valentine’s Day weekend is nearly here! As you get ready to celebrate, consider treating your special valentine to the best The Junction has to offer. Our local businesses, restaurants, and Farmers Market have some great ideas that will not only show how much you care, but also how creative and unique you are when it comes to expressing your love. Don’t resort to blah gifts and predictable experiences  – take the imaginative approach and share a one-of-a-kind gift, meal, and/or experience with your sweetie. Wondering where to start? Start here!

Fleurt – Truly, Madly, Deeply

“We are gearing up for Valentine’s Day and created this mega gorgeous arrangement called “Truly, Madly, Deeply”. Stop by Fleurt or order online. We have more stunning flowers than ever before. And don’t forget gifts. Lotions, perfume, candles, jewelry. We like to think of Fleurt as your one stop shop for all things LOVE. Drop ins, pick ups and deliveries available.”

206.937.1103 / Instagram – @fleurtseattle / 4536 California Ave SW

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Capers – Share the LOCAL Love

“-Featuring LOCAL artists, Jimmy Gersen & Marie Tornow at Artwalk Reception 2/11 from 6-9p.m.
-LOCAL jewelry & handmade truffles for Sweetheart gifting.
-LEE Industries//Share the LOCAL Love// Special Order Event through 2/14. Save 30% on all special order furnishings.”

February 11 from 6-9pm / 4525 California Ave SW

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Hotwire Online Coffeehouse – Hello GORGEOUS Valentine Pet Selfies

“Who do you love on Valentine’s Day? If it’s your trusty pet, show your love at our hello GORGEOUS pet selfie event. We’ll be rolling out our 6ft Hotwire heart for you and your pet for an epic pet selfie. Enter to win a $20 coffee card that day too, just as our way to show you some serious coffee love. Free event too! Just bring your fave furry friend (cat’s, hamsters, birds, you name it).”

February 14 from 10am – 4pm / 4410 California Ave SW

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West Seattle Farmers Market – Valentine’s Day at the West Seattle Farmers Market

“What better way to kick off Valentine’s Day than a stroll through a lovely neighborhood farmers market?  Meet up with your sweetie, or anyone in your life whom you love, and enjoy the connection to earth, seasons, community and love of good food.  You’ll find plenty of ingredients for delicious, romantic feasts and treats, including local, wild-caught salmon, organic and grass-fed meats and poultry, fresh eggs, winter greens and vegetables, ciders, confections, breads and baked goods.  AND: beautiful LOCAL TULIPS in eye-popping hues – a truly local treat!

To help spread the love, we’ll have the Master of Love Poems, the Bard himself, live and in person at the market to help you write romantic rhymes guaranteed to make anyone swoon!”

February 14 from 10am – 2pm / SW Alaska St

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Pizzeria Credo – Valentine’s Day dinner!

“-Begin with a glass of Prosecco to toast your true love.
-Enjoy a Credo Salad ~ Local Organic Greens, Walnuts, sliced Apples, Fontina Cheese and Apple Vinaigrette dressing.
-And then be the first to taste Credo’s new menu of pasta, served as a Trittico ~ three classic pasta on one plate.
-Paired with a glass of Chianti or Pinot Grigio.
-And finally, what would Valentine’s Day be without a decadent Credo Chocolate Tart!

Valentine’s Day 2016 in The Junction

Sunday, February 14 / Various locations

Please join us for February Art Walk, tomorrow night from 6 – 9pm! Spend the evening strolling and exploring West Seattle while enjoying paintings, prints, photography, and more. This free art event is hosted by our local businesses, both in The Junction and in greater West Seattle. Many businesses will also be inviting their featured artist(s) to meet the public and answer questions. Complimentary nibbles and drinks will be on hand at many venues for all to enjoy. The following businesses and artists will be participating:

In The Junction:

Basin Pacific Insurance & Benefits – Seattle : Works Breanna Welsh & Alex Van Der Stuyf
4210 SW Oregon St

Capers : Works by Jimmy Gersen + Marie Tornow
4525 California Ave SW

Click! Design That Fits : Solo show featuring George Perrou
4540 California Ave SW

Hotwire Online Coffeehouse : Kelly Reynolds “Art is Love”
4410 California Ave SW

Junction True Value
4747 44th Ave SW

Shadowland
4458 California Ave SW

Twilight Gallery : Artist In Residence Natasha Marin presents: READ & BLEED
4306 SW Alaska St

Wallflower Custom Framing : Works by local artist Mari Jalbing
4735 42nd Ave SW

Windermere Real Estate Hosted by Kim Tingley
4526 California Ave SW

In Greater West Seattle:

Dubsea Coffee : Stories of Refugees and Immigrants 
9910 8th Ave SW

Locöl Barley & Vine
7902 35th Ave SW

Parliament Tavern : Works by Cherylin Andre
4210 SW Admiral Way

Viscon Cellars : Works by Jesse Link
5910 California Ave SW

West Seattle Cellars : Photography by Jan & Ian Martindale
6026 California Ave SW

Check out our walking map here for the complete list of businesses and their locations. Also find information about this Quarter’s featured artist, Susan Cole.

February Art Walk

Thursday, February 11th / 6-9pm / The Junction & Greater West Seattle

Junction Plaza Park was dedicated in 2010. Its development resulted from a tremendous community effort that transformed an old gas station site into a park and plaza. The original park design called for the installation of an art piece, but at the time of construction, funds did not allow.

Now funding ($50,000) has been allocated for the creation of a significant piece of public art to be installed at the north/central border of the park. Through an international “call for artists” and formal selection process, West Seattle artist Troy Pillow was selected as the sculptor.

The Junction Plaza Park Public Art Selection Committee reviewed many applications and selected Troy based on his work alone. It is exciting though that he also happens to be a local artist and that such a significant piece of public art will be made for Junction Plaza Park by a West Seattle resident.

This public art initiative, and the committee created to shepherd it, is a collaboration between the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA), the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO), and Seattle Parks and Recreation. At this time we are inviting the broader community and Junction neighborhood to give us feedback on the direction of the artwork. We hope you can attend!

The meeting will be held at Cupcake Royale (on the corner of California and Alaska in The Junction) from 6-8pm on Thursday, February 11th, during West Seattle Art Walk. Troy will be on hand to present the designs he has been working on for the park. Representatives of WSJA and JuNO will also be attending and will be available to answer questions. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, we will be posting the proposed designs and a link to a short survey to gather public feedback online. This will all be available at 6:00pm on February 11th and will be open for one week (until February 18th).

Please join us at this important meeting and lend your voice to help shape the public art that will become a key feature in our neighborhood park!

Junction Plaza Park Public Art Open House

Cupcake Royale / 6-8pm / 4556 California Ave SW