(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
One week ago, we shared Larry Nitkey‘s photo of the 86-year-old house at 4516 42nd SW (map), one of four eventually slated to make way for a mixed-use development at 42nd/Oregon, and his report it would be moved. For WSB, Christopher Boffoli subsequently went to the site to get a closer look and speak with the contractors, who had told us by phone that we were welcome to come find out more, and take more photos.
As the official after-holiday comes to a close, that photo was just sent in by MDS, who says he took it from the Admiral Way viewpoint. WSB was among the businesses contributing to make the show happen after it almost didn’t – yes, we’d rather see Elliott Bay fireworks, but that wasn’t an option, so. as opposed to no fireworks, we chipped in. (As did two WSB sponsors, Ventana Construction and Merrill Gardens – see the full donor list here.) And the event producers are already starting the donor drive for next year.
That’s the West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars getting a hearty cheer from the crowd, and handshakes from their victorious opponents, as they finished with 2nd place in the district Saturday afternoon at Bar-S on Alki Point. Meantime, the WSLL 10-11 All-Stars won the district championship last week (WSB coverage here) and have now moved on to the tournament, where they won at PacWest in SeaTac on Sunday and will play again at 5:30 pm tomorrow.
The next photo and update, about the PONY League All-Stars, are from Lisa:
West Seattle was well represented in the Fourth of July Blast tournament in Tacoma, with the Southwest Pony League’s West Seattle All Stars (11 year olds) taking third place. Congratulations to the team and coaches!
Other playoffs are under way for West Seattle Pee Wee, part of PONY Baseball; their 8U All-Stars recently took 1st place at Regionals (photo here). Their 9U team starts regional play Friday in Enumclaw, while the league is hosting 12 All-Star and Select 10U teams this Friday through Sunday at the Mustang Tune-Up. Then the WS Pee Wee 10U team starts sanctioned tournament play July 16-18 with the Mustang North Sectional in North Seattle.
Finally, a belated youth basketball note. We were at Chief Sealth International High School/Boren last Thursday as the first week of Basketball and Life Skills campers played their championship games (the “NCAA” – younger campers – ended with “Texas” beating “UCLA” 14-12, while the older “NBA” campers ended with “LA” 36, “Boston” 33). Here’s Coach Colin Slingsby with the announcements and congratulations:
Here’s more about the Sealth camp, from our visit on day 1 last week. The second session got under way today, but there are still three more weeklong sessions, for entering 2nd-9th-grade girls and boys, later this summer – here’s the brochure.
Just four days till West Seattle’s biggest event of the summer – West Seattle Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB), three days of celebration, music, shopping, art, food, family activities, and more in the heart of The Junction, this Friday through Sunday. Quick note tonight from a Junction business with a message to famiiles with babies – Donna Ryan Photography (4218 SW Alaska, just east of Cupcake Royale [WSB sponsor]) will be hosting Summer Fest’s only “Parents’ Rest Stop” in her expansive studio space. She says it’s a place for breastfeeding moms to come nurse, and overall, “I welcome parents of babies who need a few minutes of privacy / quiet to drop in during festival hours.” What else is happening at Summer Fest, you ask? There’s tons of info on the official website – live music performances listed here, other live performances and activities listed here, vendors and exhibitors listed here …
(updated) Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share – starting with a burglary that included a van theft, and a request that you be on the lookout for the van. Read on:Read More
We will open today, Monday July 5th (12-3pm) for a special volunteer opportunity for adults or children over age 8 (with adult along). Have the day off and want to do something worthwhile? WestSide Baby has been fortunate to receive many of your donations of clothing items. Now we need a little help sorting through the donations to prepare them for distribution. If you can read the size tags, look for dirt and holes and inspect clothes for holes, we’d love your help to attack the pile of clothes in this picture taken this morning. We have empty shelves of many sizes but we know those gems are actually hidden in this pile.
If you can call or e-mail to let us know you are coming that would be great! If not, just show up at we’ll welcome you and give you instructions on how to make a difference TODAY.
(Fireworks photo by Candy)
Since Independence Day fell on a Sunday, the official observance is today – banks and most government offices (including Seattle Parks-operated community centers) are closed, Metro’s on a Sunday schedule, there’s no mail delivery. However, since libraries were closed yesterday, they’re open today. And the West Seattle-downtown water taxi is on its regular schedule.
As first reported here in our coverage of last month’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting, HP residents were particularly concerned about fireworks damage to the HP Elementary campus, and hoping to dissuade people from showing up to blow things up there. Illegal fireworks proliferated anyway, according to HP resident Deanie, who provided the brief video clip above – with the sights of illegal fireworks and the sound of what she describes as “an M-80 blowing up in a trash can” – and multiple explosions of that type “under the school building.” Meantime, so far, at least, no major problems (fires etc.) reported anywhere in West Seattle (here’s the archived 911 log from Sunday night, and here’s the in-progress Monday log) – though we’re not quite sure how to take this note from one local couple:
As WS residents and spectators to tonight’s local fireworks, I’d like to thank those responsible for the great fireworks over the west part of Alki and the North part of beach drive. We enjoyed the shows – BRAVO ! It made it another “Glorious Independence Day.” Could we make it an official thing ? We’ll be happy to kick in a few bucks.
ADDED 11:07 AM: Followup photos from Deanie. First, some of the trash/debris from the illegal fireworks in Highland Park. Second – Ellis Tingstad, cleanup hero, whom she says has been out sweeping up after the field-trashers:
And the pendulum swings, big time. Tonight 
Just four days till West Seattle’s biggest event of the summer – 
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