MISSING: Have you seen Meg?

Meg is a West Seattle resident who is missing, Andrew reports via email:

She hasn’t been heard from in about 36 hours and has disappeared from all methods of communication (phone, text, email, FB).

A police report has been filed with the Seattle PD with case number 23-156167.

She’s 5’2″ with a heavy build. She drives a black Tesla Model 3 (license plate unknown). I think she was last seen in the Kent area.

If you have any information, call 911 and refer to the case number noted above.

Council candidates, P-Patch story time, low-low tide, more for your West Seattle Tuesdau

(Low-low tide photo from Monday by Al)

Here’s what’s happening in West Seattle in the hours ahead:

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Weekly meetup for long-distance political advocacy and local networking, 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company – drop in to join in. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open daily, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 11 am-3 pm – the tide is out to -3.7 feet at 1:13 pm.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm this afternoon, it’s the full council’s weekly meeting, online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda – which includes whether to bring city law in line with the new state law about drug possession – here; the meeting is viewable via Seattle Channel.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

CANDIDATE FORUM & COMMUNITY INFO FAIR: As previewed here – tonight at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (7000 35th SW) – 6 pm community info fair, 6:45 pm Seattle City Council District 1 candidates’ forum, presented by WSB and the District 1 Community Network. (Questions will be asked by moderators from suggestions sent to us in advance but were NOT provided in advance to the candidates.)

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer starting tonight. (5078 25th SW)

PARKS PLAN: Seattle Parks and Recreation is revising its long-range plan and wants to hear from you. A regional event happens tonight, 6-7:30 pm, at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW).

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

WORK ON YOUR PUBLIC-SPEAKING SKILLS: That’s part of what you can do with Toastmasters 832 – start by checking out tonight’s 6:30 pm online meeting.

MORE TRIVIA: Three places where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Ride1Up ebike

From Conrad:

My Ride1Up 700 Series ebike was stolen next to Morgan Junction Park around 7am today. Police report number is 23-156523. The medium-set white male in a pink shirt rode south on California Ave SW before turning right. This has also been reported to the local Bike Index.

Here’s a stock photo of what Conrad’s bike looks like.

HELPING: Eastern Stars of West Seattle @ Refuse to Abuse 5K

The photo and report are from Martin Monk:

I am a member of the local Eastern Star Group called Amethyst Chapter, that meets at the Alki Masonic Center. Several members, including myself, participated on Sunday, June 4th, in the 12th annual Refuse to Abuse 5K at T-Mobile Park. We called ourselves The Eastern Stars of West Seattle and ended up ranking 13th out of 78 teams in fundraising.

Refuse To Abuse® is a 27-year partnership between the Seattle Mariners and the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV). With spokespeople that included Kyle Seager, Justus Sheffield, and Scott Servais, Refuse To Abuse® has reached millions of Mariners fans over the past 27 years with messages that promote healthy, respectful relationships.

This event has always been a time “to celebrate the resilience of survivors and the power of community.” We were proud to represent the West Seattle community.

If you or someone you know needs help, here are ways to get it. You can donate to support the work here.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday info

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, June 6th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, breezy, high in the mid-70s. Also: Special Weather Statement warns of “elevated fire-weather conditions.” Sunrise was at 5:13 am; sunset will be at 9:03 pm.

(Monday sunset scene @ Lincoln Park – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

SCHOOL

This is the last week of school for Summit Atlas middle/high school in Arbor Heights (35th/Roxbury). Other local schools’ last days are between June 13th and June 30th.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time.

Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Arborist’s blue Chevy pickup truck stolen

The report and photo were sent by local arborist Michael Oxman:

Sad to report my pickup was stolen last nite from Delridge/Findlay St. sometime between 10 PM Sunday nite-10 AM Monday morning. Blue 1997 Chevy 3/4 ton with camper shell. Chainsaws, weedeater, blower were inside. SPD Incident # 23-155797. License plate TREEDR

TUESDAY: 8 candidates. 1 job. 1 stage. First forum for Seattle City Council District 1 candidates

Now less than 24 hours remain until your first chance to see the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates side by side. WSB and the District 1 Community Network are presenting an in-person Q&A candidate forum tomorrow night (Tuesday, Jun 6), 6:45 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle), following a 6 pm community-info fair. Questions have been submitted in advance by D1CN member organizations and WSB readers (thank you!). If you can’t be there in person, we’re planning to have video by night’s end. All 8 candidates (here’s the list on the King County Elections website) have RSVP’d; ballots will be mailed in just five weeks, so if you don’t already have a favorite, we hope this will help.

FOLLOWUP: Murder, assault, gun charges filed in Roxy’s Casino shootings; previous West Seattle gunfire cases linked

(WSB photo, May 27)

Last week we reported on the arrest of 21-year-old Omar Upham, Jr., in the shootings that killed one person and seriously wounded two others at Roxy’s Casino. Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Upham with first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree unlawful firearm possession. As we reported last week, Upham is a convicted felon, having served time for a 2019 holdup at a West Seattle mini-mart.

The charging documents tell much the same story we reported last week, that Upham went to the casino with the intent to kill security guard John Leota, a former friend and ex-accomplice in another 2019 robbery case. The charging documents reveal this may have been the third time since Upham got out of prison last October that he went after Leota – the other two were West Seattle gunfire incidents covered here. Also new in the charging documents, the casino patron who was killed is identified as Hung Q. Nguyen. Upham is alleged to have walked into the casino at about quarter till 11 Saturday night, May 27th, and shot at Leota, who started running, as Upham continued shooting at him. Also shot and seriously wounded was casino employee Chheng “CJ” Oung. In the casino, police found what the charging papers describe as “four .40 caliber casings and two bullet projectiles.” Subsequent investigation, prosecutors write, revealed this:

During the on-scene investigation, the manager of Roxbury Lanes … stated Leota was hired as a security guard less than a month ago (and he) noted Leota told him he had recently been released from prison, and there were rumors that people were after Leota for being a “snitch.” (At the hospital, Leota’s girlfriend) told (a Detective) that there are a lot of people that have problems with Leota and people call him a “snitch.” … Leota’s brother … also advised several months ago, an unknown suspect shot up Leota’s mother’s house, and in a separate incident, Leota’s vehicle was also shot up. Andrew believed those shootings were related and that Leota was being targeted. Those incidents were confirmed through Seattle PD crime reports, Seattle PD 2022-298318, and 2023-080520. The shooting at the vehicle (2022-298318) occurred on November 5, 2022; a bullet projectile was recovered and four shell casings were recovered from that scene. The shooting at the house (2023-080520), located (in the 6400 block of) 29 Av SW in Seattle, occurred on March 24, 2023. Five 9mm shell casings, a live 9mm round, and a bullet projectile were recovered from that scene.

We had reported on both the incidents mentioned in the documents – November 5 here, March 24 here. The court documents say Leota’s mother no longer lives there. They also mention a warrant search of Upham’s residence, which the arrest form says is in Renton; there, police report finding items including an AR-15 rifle, a 9mm extended magazine, and, in the trunk of Upham’s car, “a stolen .40 caliber Ruger P94 handgun and a .45 caliber Glock-type handgun with an extended loaded magazine.” Both were test-fired by police; subsequent testing revealed a “presumptive match” between the .40 caliber gun and casings found at the casino shooting scene. Upham remains held without bail and will answer the charges at arraignment later this month.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Student attacked; Myers Way assaults; burglary thwarted by neighbor

Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

STUDENT ATTACKED: From B, parent of a Denny International Middle School student:

My child is a 7th grade student @ Denny and was walking home after school today on 24th Ave SW (between Thistle & Trenton) when a car pulled over and someone jumped out and physically attacked them.

It was an older car (couldn’t get make – possibly early 2000’s), dark colored, 4-door. The attacker was Caucasian, blond hair. Driver was of Asian descent, hair in a bun, purple hoody. All possibly in their late teens/early 20’s. The attacker swung on my child app. 5 times to the head before getting back in the car and taking off. Something of note – one of the people in the car threw a sandal/slipper out of the car while driving away too.

I’ve reported this to (non-emergency) SPD, Incident # 23-155932.

B says their child is shaken up but otherwise OK.

TWO ATTACKED ON MYERS WAY: A police summary says this happened around 9:20 pm last night at or near the encampment on the east side of Myers Way: “Officers responded to a report of an assault call which involved a large number of motorcycle riders. Two assault victims were located with significant, non-life-threatening injuries and transported to HMC.” Around the same time, we received a report of what looked like a memorial gathering at the scene, where 35-year-old Reginald Moore was shot to death last Tuesday; we don’t know if that was related to the attack.

BURGLARY THWARTED: Last night a suspect was taken into custody after a reported home burglary in the 5600 block of SW Admiral Way. We obtained the report narrative. It says a neighbor called police after seeing an intruder in the house. They saw the intruder filling a backpack and carrying items to a nearby bus stop. Police arrived and found a suspect matching a description given by both the neighbor and the homeowner, who saw him on security video. The items they found included a wallet, speaker, iPhone, camera, glasses, clothes, and guitar. Police say they tried to get him into a parked car but he resisted and eventually an ambulance was called. He eventually was taken to Harborview.

LAPS WITH LOU: Big change for Lou Cutler’s Make-A-Wish walkathon this year

(WSB photo from 2018 Laps With Lou)

It’s one of June’s most joyful events – for 20 years now, Lou Cutler has led a daylong walk/run-a-thon at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point, raising awareness and money for Make-A-Wish. Lou taught PE at Pathfinder until retiring, but has continued to return each year for one day of leading students and community members in the number of laps equal to the years he’s celebrating with his next birthday later in the month – this year, that’s 72. Laps With Lou has historically been on a school day, but this year it’s happening on a Saturday. While that means no all-school laps – a highlight of years past – it means more community members can stop by and join Lou for a lap (or all 72).

It’s happening on Saturday, June 17th; Lou expects to start his first lap around 8 am, with students and alumni expected to show up around 9, and then a break at 11 am, when Lou plans to speak to everyone about Make-A-Wish, which will have volunteers and staff on hand. Plus, Lou adds, “We are going to have a former Make A Wish kid of mine, Jacob, D-DoubleJ, has volunteered to be the DJ and Teacher Andy will once again man the megaphone!” He’s also working to organize a potluck reunion of Pathfinder families past and present after the laps, 2:30-5 pm ish.

You can lend your support just by showing up on Saturday, June 17th, and/or you can donate online to support Make-A-Wish work – here’s Lou’s page.

FOLLOWUP: Rolf, restored

(Photos courtesy Rose Feliciano)

Back on Saturday night, we reported on the plight that had befallen the unofficial tribute to Rolf Neslund – “patron saint of the broken bridge” (explained here) – along the bike/foot path by the West Seattle Bridge. Today, the sculpture mysteriously installed three years ago is standing again, thanks to this trio:

That’s Rose Feliciano in the foreground, local preservationists John Bennett and Mike Shaughnessy with the statue. Mike is one of the people who reached out after we noted we hadn’t been able to reach the installation’s original creator(s); Rose is the first person who emailed us to report Rolf had taken a tumble; she then took him into protective custody for fear of theft (it has happened before). After Rose reported the restoration, Mike added, “Special thanks to Sandy Brown for the free concrete pedestal pieces. And of course the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.” (And thanks to the others who offered to help.)

BIZNOTE: Lake Washington Physical Therapy celebrates 2nd West Seattle anniversary, plans rooftop fitness classes, Art Walk reception

That’s the team at Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), which just celebrated its second anniversary at 1309 Harbor Avenue SW. Co-proprietor Mark Bouma tells WSB, “Last week was our patient appreciation week, which marked 2 years of being in business. We celebrated our wonderful community, patients, and business partners that have allowed us to thrive. There were plenty of raffles, balloons, roses for patients, and LWPT spirit all week!” Here are two big reasons to visit LWPT in the weeks ahead:

This week – West Seattle Art Walk:

We are once again participating in the West Seattle Art Walk this Summer. Barbara Fugate is our curator and has just transformed our clinic with new art from many local West Seattle artists. Here is a video produced by one of the artists which highlights the process of selecting and hanging the paintings while showcasing some of the new artists in our exhibit. We hope to see everyone at the Art Walk on Thursday, June 8th at 6:30 pm.

After that, you have four opportunities to enjoy a workout with a view during Summer Rooftop Classes:

We are bringing back our summer rooftop classes this summer!


(The view from LWPT building’s rooftop deck)

We love to support and spread the good word about other local health and wellness businesses so more of the community can experience them. All of these classes raise money to benefit local West Seattle charities, such as WestSide Baby. After each class, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and have some time to meet the instructors, learn about our businesses, and chat with neighbors in the community!

Here is the summer rooftop class lineup:
Saturday June 17th at 9 am: StarCycle Rooftop Spin Class with live DJ
Saturday, July 8th at 9 am: StarCycle Rooftop Spin Class with live DJ
(Purchase a StarCycle credit here; reserve a StarCycle bike here)
Sunday, August 6th: HIIT Lab Rooftop Bodyweight Bootcamp
Saturday, August 26th: Fit4Mom Rooftop Class

From beach exploration to meditation, here’s your West Seattle Monday list

(Sunday photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s ahead for the rest of your Monday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Out to -3.7 feet at 12:26 pm; Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) 10:30 am-2:30 pm.

MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “Blue Skies” (1946). Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.

CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic continues at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.

D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

ALKI MEDITATION: Free twice-monthly Dharma Community meditation, 7-8:30 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

PLAY TRIVIA! Two options tonight for playing trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Celebration of Life planned July 1 for Leticia Martinez, 1965-2023

Seven weeks after the news of Leticia Martinez‘s death, her family is sharing this remembrance with word of her Celebration of Life on July 1st:

Leticia Martinez, loving mother and beloved daughter died tragically on April 1st, 2023, after attending a Mariners game in Seattle at the age of 58.

Leticia is survived by her son Patrick Cosman, her parents Guadalupe and Lino Martinez, sisters Maria Arvizu, Elizabeth DeGeare and Laura Martinez-Dicus, brothers Rafael Martinez and Ricardo Martinez, nieces Maria Arvizu-Gonzalez and Lina Dicus, nephews Brian Nateras and Finley Dicus.

Leticia was born in San Diego California on March 26th, 1965. She graduated from San Dieguito High School in 1984 and moved to Seattle in 1996. In 1998, she welcomed her son Patrick into the world. In 2005, Leticia opened Café Rozella, which was a vital part of the White Center community for over ten years. Many multi-cultural and diverse events were held at the Café including musical performances, community support groups, and dancing, all showcasing Leticia’s love for her community. In 2007, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels named her “a force of change.”

Leticia loved spending time with her family, taking walks on Alki Beach, cooking, and had a love for fashion. She was a devoted mother and made many lasting friendships. She was actively involved in her Buddhist community, where she found peace and happiness. She touched many people with her kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. Her unselfish nature and trust in others also led to her being taken from us too soon.

Leticia will be deeply missed by friends and family and those who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Leticia on Saturday, July 1st, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave. SW, Seattle.

If I should go tomorrow
It would never be good-bye
For I have left my heart with you
So don’t you ever cry
The love that’s deep within me
Shall reach you from the stars
You’ll feel it from the heavens
And it will heal all scars

Donations can be made to her GoFundMe page “Justice for Leticia,” which will help support Leticia’s son, legal costs, and memorial expenses.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday info

6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, June 5th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, breezy, high near 70. Sunrise was at 5:14 am; sunset will be at 9:03 pm.

SCHOOL

This is the last week of school for Summit Atlas middle/high school in Arbor Heights (35th/Roxbury). Other local schools’ last days are between June 13th and June 30th.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time.

Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Tony’s Market burglarized; 9th & Hennepin van stolen (update: found)

Two more small local businesses hit by crime:

TONY’S MARKET BURGLARIZED: We just heard from Tony’s Market proprietor Joey Genzale about this by phone. Overnight, someone broke into his business at 35th/Barton and got away with thousands of dollars in produce. Nothing else stolen, he told us – only the produce. The display boxes were left in disarray. He’s hoping somebody saw something – maybe a vehicle there late last night (he left around 9 pm) or early today? We’ll be following up on this tomorrow.

BUSINESS VAN STOLEN: This 1995 Ford Econoline van belonging to the proprietor of 9th & Hennepin Donuts was taken while he was at the commissary kitchen, a friend tells us on his behalf:

My friend Justin Newstrum is the owner of beloved 9th and Hennepin Donuts. His van, which is outfitted as a camper, was stolen while he was working at 5604 Delridge Way SW today. He’s currently making a police report.

Plate # is C14296S. (added) Police report # is 23-154959. Here’s an interior photo:

TUESDAY UPDATE: Thanks to a tip, the van’s been found.

LOW-LOW TIDE: West Seattle Sunday sights

7:13 PM: The remains of old pilings are part of what comes into view when low-low tides arrive on local shores. The photo above is from Theresa Arbow-O’Connor. Today’s low-low tide was out to 3.3 feet; Brandy DeWeese also sent photos, showing some of the sealife revealed by the receded tide under and near the Fauntleroy ferry dock:

The low-low tide will be out even further the next two days – -3.7 feet both days, at 12:26 pm Monday, and at 1:13 pm Tuesday. Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out both days too – 10:30 am-2:30 pm Monday, 11 am-3 pm Tuesday, at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) both days.

ADDED 9:22 PM: Curry Gibson sent this pic of kelp crabs:

ADDED 11:45 PM: Thanks to SF for this montage:

INTERNSHIP: Aspiring teachers/writers sought to help kids ‘Write YOUR Story’

Summertime is internship time! West Seattle writer/educator Julia Douthwaite Viglione has an opportunity to share:

This summer a new course will be offered for kids at the South Park Community Center and you can help!

It’s called Write YOUR Story.

Opportunity for two unpaid internships, for 18- to 24-year-old people who seek to learn some aspects of teaching writing and working with children.

Help plan and co-teach “Write YOUR Story” at the South Park Comm. Center on Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 pm, from late June to early September, during summer session 2023 with local writer / professor, founder of WYS.

Volunteer; unpaid but rich in possibilities…

Prerequisites for application: High School juniors or graduates, detail-oriented. Applicants will submit a cover letter and a one-paragraph writing sample to juliawsea@gmail.com by June 6, 2023.

That’s Tuesday – so apply fast if interested!

ORCAS: Visible from West Seattle

4:21 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the report: Transient killer whales are northbound, headed through the Southworth ferry lane at last report, visible from West Seattle (through whitecaps, since it’s a breezy afternoon).

4:55 PM: Now visible north of Blake Island, Kersti reports in comments.

COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks until Morgan Junction Community Festival 2023

The banners are up for this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, now exactly two weeks away! The Morgan Community Association will present the festival 1-4 pm Sunday, June 18, at Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW). Yes, that’s Father’s Day – MoCA says it’s a great place for Dad and the kid(s) to go together. Here’s the festival overview from MoCA’s Michael Brunner – starting with the three performers:

Mikey the Rad Scientist has been teaching and singing nature songs for over ten years and makes science fun by using stories, songs, props and movement to reinforce student’s learning.

The Potholes are a five piece funk-pop fusion band that performs covers as well as songs from their just released EP “Public Transportation.” The Potholes are all West Seattleites, and students at West Seattle High School. They were featured at last year’s West Seattle Summer Fest and Harvest Fest.

Gary Benson is a Seattle-based singer and acoustic guitarist who plays in the style of the iconic musical figures that he grew up listening to, including James Taylor, CSNY, the Beatles, Allison Krauss, and Shawn Colvin. His folk-based acoustic style has been very popular in the open-mic scene in Seattle, where he plays regularly, along with summer festivals and farmers’ markets. He has performed at the Morgan Junction Festival for many years.

This year we will also host non-profit booths and tables. Participants will include 34th District Democrats, Seattle Be Prepared, Southwest Historical Society, The Whale Trail, and Westside Healthy Empowered Youth. Each will offer important information updates to the community, and several will feature fun children activities as well.

Community business co-sponsors of the festival include WSB.

YOU CAN HELP: Get involved with Watershed Woof! – starting with West Seattle event this afternoon

Speaking of clean water … if you share your life with a dog, there’s easy action you can take. A local student is teaming up with West Seattle-based Poogooder for a new initiative that includes a community event today. Just out of the WSB inbox:

Watershed Woof! is a local community engagement initiative to help raise awareness of stormwater pollution and simple ways we can all help keep our waters cleaner and healthier, such as reducing the amount of wayward dog poo left on the ground. It’s a collaboration between Lori Kothe from Poogooder and Mac Callahan, a West Seattle resident and Maritime High School student who is focusing his freshman end-of-year project on preventing dog-poo pollution in our Duwamish River Watershed. Includes an informative web page with videos by Mac and others (watershedwoof.com), a fun event today (June 4) from 3-6 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), and a Poogooder prize drawing with goodies from Poogooder, Pawsitively Kleen, and Good Dog Daycare (enter on the website by June 5). We ask everyone to visit the Watershed Woof! page and share what they learn with others for a happier, healthier community and planet.

Today’s brown-water reports: Highland Park, Arbor Heights

Two more areas are reporting brown water today – Highland Park (18th/Cloverdale) and Arbor Heights. Lately it’s usually been because of hydrant testing stirring up “sediment” (mostly rust) in the lines, but if it happens to you, please report to Seattle Public Utilities, as it’s also sometimes first word of a line break. 206-386-1800 is their 24/7 hotline. And while the utility says the discoloration is not toxic, you definitely don’t want to do laundry until it’s cleared.

Remembering Michael R. Butler, 1935-2023

Family and friends are remembering Michael R. Butler and sharing this with the community:

Michael Richard Butler of Seattle died on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. He was born on August 19, 1935, and lived to be 87 years old. He was the youngest child of Mayo Philbrick Butler and Jeannette Florence (Hainsworth) Butler.

He is survived by his wife Betty M. (Kidder) Butler and three sons, Michael P. Butler (Puyallup), Todd K. Butler (Ketchikan, Alaska), and Brett H. Butler (West Seattle). Mike was the grandfather of Natasha M. (Butler) Whipple, Jason R. Butler, Melissa B. Butler, and Tanner K. Butler. He was the great-grandfather to seven great-grandchildren.

After graduating from West Seattle High School in 1953, he attended the University of Washington, where he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation he served six months active duty in the Army and 9½ years in the Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged in 1968 as a Captain in the Army Corps of Engineers. After active duty, he began working for the family business, Butler Construction & Engineering Company. They built many highways, bridges, and buildings in the Pacific Northwest.

He was a lifelong member of the Seattle Yacht Club. He joined in 1954 as a junior member to participate in the yacht club’s junior sailboat racing program. Soon after, in 1955, Mike’s father also joined and had the family cruiser “Paramour” built. One of Mike’s greatest pleasures was cruising in the Paramour throughout Southeast Alaska and the British Columbia coast with family and friends.

He enjoyed learning family history and was always involved in a history project. His family were early residents of West Seattle, in the Admiral district, and helped develop the area. He assisted his niece Barbara Pope with stories and photos when she wrote “A History of Butler Construction Company, 1908-1992.” He was a member of the Southwest Historical Society and the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum and contributed some early family photos to the history book of West Seattle, “West Side Story.”

Remembrances can be sent to Southwest Seattle Historical Society or the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)