West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
Congratulations to head coach Keffrey Fazio and the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team on a second consecutive season with postseason play. Their final report is just in:
The West Seattle High School boys basketball season came to an end on Saturday night, falling to Seattle Prep 63-59 in an overtime thriller.
The WSHS boys were one game from making the 3A Regional playoffs, which consists of the top 16 teams in the state.
The Wildcats have now gone to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, and this year made it to the district tournament.
This season was a true journey for the team as they battled through adversity and achieved great things on and off the court.
The future is bright for the Wildcat boys, as the youth in the program has great potential and will be training hard in the off season to get back to the post season.
Lots of postseason sports updates this weekend – see them all in our sports-coverage archives here (reverse chronological order).
The big unannounced weekend project at California/Fauntleroy (reported here at midday Saturday after we got a tip) is done – new signals, signage, and other equipment installed and working – our photo from southbound California was taken just a few minutes ago. So the crews are gone and the intersection is free-flowing again. We’ll be checking in with SDOT once offices reopen post-holiday weekend to find out if there are any new unseen features you’d want to know about.
Thanks to Tanya in North Delridge for the photo of a storm-related close call – a tree limb as big as an entire tree, at least 50 feet long, came off a neighbor’s tree in the Saturday wind and rain, landing in her yard and theirs. She says it “landed perfectly to miss our house and our beloved maple trees.” They’re putting together a neighborhood work party in hopes of clearing it away this afternoon. This might not be the last weather-related tree trouble in the area, since the National Weather Service has a new Wind Advisory in effect (see it here) until midnight tonight, warning of strong winds out of the south, with gusts up to 55 mph.
ADDED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT: The wind advisory expired at midnight as scheduled. And we have an update from Tanya:
Wow. With the help of 6 neighbors, we had the whole cedar limb cleared in 1.5 hours. We filled 7 yard waste bins, gave a neighbor a ton of firewood, and had fun doing it. It was an amazing effort! Without our neighbors, we faced a daunting task. But with their help, we remained light-hearted about the whole incident, and were left feeling deeply supported.
One more update on local student athletes in this weekend’s postseason high-school-sports events – a swimming update from Trisha Montemayor:
Chief Sealth participated in the Boys 3A Sea-King District 2 Swim Championships this weekend. Preliminaries were held (Friday) and finals (Saturday). Chief Sealth had two relays participate in finals, finishing 11th in both and dropping 5 seconds of time in each relay. Boys in the relays were Carlos Montemayor, John Woefel, Eliot Nichols and Michael Stewart. Michael Stewart also swam finals in the 50 free and 100 free, qualifying for state in the 100 free with a time of 49:18 and finishing 8th overall. Carlos Montemayor swam the 100 back final, finishing 2nd in a time of 52.84. He will swim both the 100 fly and 100 back at State. Boys 3A State championships are Friday, February 21 at 6:15 at King County Aquatic Center for preliminaries and Saturday, February 22 at 6:30 for finals.
The aquatic center is in Federal Way.
Thanks for sharing rainbow photos! Above, Mark Dale‘s view of a state ferry (rather than the rumored pot of gold) at the “end of the rainbow”; next, Joe Szilagyi photographed almost the entirety of the rainbow’s arc, seen from Alki:
And Greg caught it between Fauntleroy and Vashon, with two state ferries in view:
Next up for the weather – a new Wind Advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect through midnight (more on that shortly.)
ADDED 4:46 PM: Thanks to Creighton (welcome back!) for sharing a northeast view:
What a day!
More high-school-sports postseason news: Thanks to Lynn Ogdon-Perrine for sharing the photo and update after four Chief Sealth International High School wrestlers who won in the Metro League tournament last week competed regionally on Saturday. From left, freshman Nathan Perrine, sophomore Daron Comacho, junior Greg Tauti, and sophomore Orlando Lopez. At regionals, Daron placed second at 195 pounds and Greg placed fourth at 285, so they will represent Sealth in statewide competition at the Tacoma Dome next Friday and Saturday.
Thanks to Craig Towle for sharing Saturday morning’s sunrise, photographed from Don Armeni Boat Ramp. Not far from there, in the Jack Block Park vicinity, Karen Richter spotted what might be the season’s first Canada goslings:
Now, before today’s calendar highlights – traffic reminders:
CALIFORNIA/FAUNTLEROY INTERSECTION WORK: The major traffic-signal project we reported here on Saturday is scheduled to continue today, so if you’re headed that way, we’d advise side routes.
I-5 LANE CLOSURES: Once again, a reminder about lane closures on southbound I-5 all weekend long, just north of I-90. The view:
A few non-traffic notes:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round – 10 am-2 pm today. (44th/Alaska)
JAMTIME, LIVE: Music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)
ARTSWEST MATINEE: Final performance today for “The Little Dog Laughed,” current production at ArtsWest in The Junction, 3 pm. (4711 California SW)
ALL-AGES LIVE MUSIC: Pouch, Canals of Venice, and Hoax Foot perform at 7 pm at Skylark Café and Club, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
(EDITOR’S NOTE: See our Tuesday followup here)
(Photo courtesy Jason)
6:52 AM: Police and fire have responded to a crash at Olson/Roxbury (map), with a sizable “heavy rescue” dispatch. According to radio communications, three people are being taken to the hospital. More to come.
7:19 AM: Thanks to Jason for sending the top photo taken during the rescue. We are just back from the scene, where the wrecked Lexus is about to be pulled the rest of the way out of the off-the-road spot where it crashed among trees; police told us they expect to have the road reopened soon, but for now the Olson/1st hill down to/up from Highway 509 is blocked.
(This photo & next by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
This crash comes less than a week after SDOT officially launched the SW Roxbury safety project with a meeting a few blocks to the east.
7:29 AM: Police just announced “all lanes are open.” We don’t know the victims’ conditions but the crash did not trigger the type of major investigation that would usually follow if anyone had life-threatening injuries.
Also victorious in Saturday postseason basketball: The Seattle Lutheran High School boys-varsity team, with an 86-55 win over, and at, Orcas in their first playoff game of the year; here’s the scoring breakdown published at SeattleTimes.com (WSB partner). Next game is at Auburn Adventist on Wednesday night (February 19th). Thanks to Seana for the photo!
11:23 PM SUNDAY: Just in from the 1500 block of California SW (map), a texted report about a black Acura stolen by a man driving a white “unmarked” tow truck. The car’s owner is talking to police right now, we’re told. The neighbor reporting it on the victim’s behalf says it headed southbound on California and that the victim says there’s no chance it was towed as a repo attempt. Apparently the alarm was going off as the car was taken away around 10:35 pm. More details when we get them.
12:09 PM SUNDAY: Added a e-mailed photo; no view of the driver but he is described as “a white male, largish build, wearing a red sweatshirt.”
(UPDATED 11:59 PM with full story – lead paragraph was original, brief 8:34 pm report)
(Final seconds of the game – WSB Instagram video)
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
Lights flickered in the gym but stayed on and so did the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team, pulling out a nailbiter postseason win 34-33 over visiting Eastside Catholic.
The Wildcats’ #12 Lydia Giomi scored West Seattle’s first two points while singlehandedly racking up almost half the team’s total, finishing with 15 points before fouling out with about seven seconds left in the game.
If you like planning ahead – note that the next full-weekend Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closure is on the schedule, though not formally announced yet: According to the Construction Lookahead page jointly published by SDOT and WSDOT, it’s two weeks away – late Friday night February 28th, through early Monday morning March 3rd. Again, this is the regular twice-yearly inspection closure, not related to the tunnel construction.
Maybe you’ve heard of “Genius Hour,” inspired by Google, with the company legendarily giving employees time to work on projects that interested them, rather than the assignments they were given. For the past six weeks, two classes at Alki Elementary got that chance – one hour per week during which third- and fourth-graders “were given free range to investigate and study a topic of their choice,” as teacher Anna Coghill put it. On Friday, students in her class and Kelli Soccorsy‘s class showed off those projects, and invited us to come have a look along with some other visitors (including the parents who gave us permission to feature their kids). Top photo, Charlotte‘s project was recycling art; next, Julian put together a tutorial on the history of perhaps the most famous superhero ever, Superman:
And in our final photo, with Alki’s first-year principal Shannon Stanton, is Owen, whose “Genius Hour” project involved engineering a catapult:
While Google is believed to have moved away from the “Genius Hour” type of time allotment, it’s a thriving idea in schools, with projects like the one the Alki students and teachers have just completed.
1:03 PM: A new Special Weather Statement is up for our area – this time, warning of two rounds of wind on the way, possibly with gusts up to 50 mph. First one is expected tonight; second one, Sunday afternoon. Keep everything charged!
6:29 PM: The alert has been upgraded to a wind advisory through 4 am Sunday. Same basic points – winds could gust up to 50 mph. Sounds like they’re kicking up right now.
Don’t let the rain stop you – it’s not stopping Mary Ellen and Lucas (and Libby, who was off on an errand when we stopped by) from collecting essential items for women at the City of Joy, until 2 pm today on the south side of the parking lot at 44th/Alaska (best known as the Farmers’ Market lot). Here again is our preview explaining what this is all about; here again is the list of what’s needed:
* The preference is for new items (definitely make-up, toiletries and skin care products.) Gently used items are also greatly appreciated.
Necessities
Solar-powered flashlights
Solar-powered radios
Umbrellas
Reading glassesSkills
Garden/work gloves
Garden trowels
Small garden shovels
Sewing supplies – thread, buttons, needles, scissors, embroidery thread
Muslin fabric
YarnWomen’s Clothing
Skirts, tops, & light pants (all sizes) NOTE: It is hot & humid in Congo. We need clothes in bright colors and light fabrics. NOT Seattle clothes! ☺
Durable flip-flops
Sneakers (size 7-10)
Socks (bright colors to fit shoe size 7-10)
Underwear & bras (all sizes)
Scarves
PursesToiletries & Personal Care
Towels – bath, hand and wash cloths (bright colors)
Makeup
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Traumeel
Moisturizing lotion
Anything you can spare, one item or dozens, will help fill the truck!
(WSB photo – looking west on Fauntleroy from California)
11:30 AM: Once in a while, projects with a big short-term effect show up without big advance warnings. Here’s one of them. Thanks so much to the person who called to flag us to the major work happening right now at Fauntleroy/California – involving traffic-signal replacement and police directing traffic (since the signals aren’t working while they’re in the process of being replaced). Lane reductions on all sides. Businesses are open, but you’ll want to find alternate ways of accessing them. The crew on the scene tells us this is scheduled to continue through tomorrow (we’ll update if it ends earlier).
7:23 PM UPDATE: While the work isn’t continuing into the night, the signals are out because of it and there is an officer on-site directing traffic, with temporary portable lights illuminating the intersection.
SUNDAY, 4:31 PM: As SeaChanty51 noted in comments an hour-plus ago, the new signals are in and working! We just drove through to confirm.
An Admiral District site that’s had its ups and downs in recent years has just been listed for sale as a potential development lot. 
2310 California SW (WSB September 2013 photo at left) was known most recently as the site of restaurants including Brickyard BBQ. In 2006-2008, the site went through Design Review for a mixed-use project that never got to the construction phase (not unusual back in recession times). Now it’s being marketed as a “highly desirable NC2-40 lot,” asking price $1,050,000.
(Thanks to James Bratsanos for this morning’s misty view across the Sound)
You can get the jump on what’s up today, tomorrow, next week, by checking the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar any time. Most days, we also publish a list of highlights, like this – but first, two traffic/transit notes (which, if a weekday, would be handled in our separate daily traffic watch):
I-5 SOUTHBOUND REMINDER: Until Tuesday morning, if you’re taking I-5 this way through downtown, be ready for delays north of I-90, because of lane closures for expansion-joint (earthquake safety) work. Here’s the latest “live” view from the area:
METRO SERVICE CHANGE TODAY: Just a few changes for West Seattle routes, including one added trip each way on the C Line. System-wide details are here.
Now, to what’s up today/tonight:
CITY OF JOY DONATION DRIVE: 10 am-2 pm, bring your donated items to help West Seattleites stuff a truck for City of Joy, a unique project helping women on the other side of the globe. What’s needed, and why, is in our original report. The truck’s at 44th/Alaska (aka the Farmers’ Market lot).
SHREDDING, AND EXERCISING, FOR A CAUSE: 2-component fundraiser for a team participating in the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society‘s The Big Climb next month, with shredding 10 am-2 pm and a workout at 12:30 pm, in the West Seattle High School parking lot; details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)
MASS WITH THE ARCHBISHOP: World Day of the Sick is marked with a visit from Archbishop J. Peter Sartain at Providence Mount St. Vincent. Public welcome at Mass, 10:30 am, with reception following. (4831 35th SW)
KITTY HARBOR ADOPTION EVENT: The cat-adoption center just north of the West Seattle Bridge will be open this weekend for an offseason adoption event, noon-6 today (and tomorrow), per this WSB Forums post.
NATURE WALK AT LINCOLN PARK: “Owls and Other Organisms” with West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler. 6:30 pm; details in the listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW, OPENING CELEBRATION: At the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north side of the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus, 7 pm, celebrate the opening of a juried show of photos taken at the garden – then at 8 pm, weather permitting, a procession. Details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
MOONGIRL IN CONCERT: Tonight at Hiawatha Community Center, 7 pm.
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: 7 pm tonight at West Seattle High School, the WSHS girls-varsity team plays its next postseason game, vs. Eastside Catholic. Come out and cheer! (3000 California SW)
‘PRIVATE EYES’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ “comedy of suspicion and intrigue” continues at 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – find out more (including ticket info/purchase) here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
‘THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED‘: The newest production at ArtsWest continues tonight, 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)
Just announced:
Come to the West Seattle High School Big Band Dinner Dance, enjoy fabulous big band music and support West Seattle High School’s music program!
Friday Feb 28 2014 at West Seattle High School. Dinner served 6-7, Swing Dancing Music provided by WSHS Jazz Band and the West Seattle Big Band from 7-9.
Tickets purchased in advance are $15 each, or $17 at the door.
Special deal for students only – $8 ticket purchased at the door for dancing only (no dinner).
Swing dance instruction, door prizes, beverages, dinner & desserts all included!
This event is a fundraiser and West Seattle High School band, orchestra and jazz band students are raising money to pay for their performance and competition trips this spring.
Check out our Facebook page. For more info or to purchase tickets online- please e-mail WestSeattleHSMusic@gmail.com
(Photo by Chris Wells)
Give Pathfinder K-8‘s playground project a boost – if you use the playground there now, or expect to in the years ahead, answer a quick survey. Here’s the backstory and the link:
Pathfinder K-8 is pleased to announce that we won a Neighborhood Matching Fund Small and Simple Grant to rebuild our playground! With $25,000 we can get started by hiring a designer, and recruiting volunteers to match the funds through donated time. Our plan includes hosting 3 public meetings to develop the playground in a way that best serves you, the school and community. A huge thank you to Seattle Department of Neighborhoods for helping our community work together to build a better playground.
Want to help us get started? We need your input! Anyone who uses the playground is encouraged to participate. Please tell us what matters to you at the Pathfinder K8 Playground by filling out our short online survey.
Thank you,
Holli Margell and Toni Wells
Outreach Co-Chairs
Thanks to Tracey for sharing the heartwarming photo and report:
While my husband and I (and four others) were waiting for Circa to open its doors tonight, a young boy walked by with his mom and started handing out these valentines. It was such a sweet gesture and nice surprise! We don’t know his name, but wanted everyone in West Seattle to know how thoughtful he is and that his random act of kindness was appreciated. Oh, and our dinner was DELICIOUS! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight: First, a hit-run that Shannon hopes you can help solve:
(Photo added Saturday – click it to see a larger view, rotated so coding is readable)
We were the victims of a hit and run today. Sometime this afternoon between approximately 3:30 pm and 4:20 pm someone sideswiped our silver 2005 Dodge Neon, which was parked facing north on 48th Avenue SW between Juneau and Findlay. There are scratches and body damage starting from the rear driver’s side door continuing up to the front driver’s side tire area, including scratches on the windows and smudges, scratches, and denting on the driver’s door and the driver’s side mirror and casing were smashed. Whoever hit it was going pretty fast and sustained damage to their vehicle as well. I found parts of their smashed passenger side window and casing, along with other car parts as far as 30 feet in front of my car. Enough pieces were found to determine that the person who hit our car was driving a silver Volkswagen – either a 1999-2005 Golf Mk4, 1999-2005 Jetta Mk4, 1998-2001 Passat B5, or a 2001-2005 Passat B5.5. If you know of anyone with a vehicle matching this description that has passenger side damage or is missing a passenger side mirror, or if you saw this happen, please contact me at mitts1212@yahoo.com.
Karen‘s home was burglarized on Thursday:
Our house, located across from Lincoln Park, was broken in through the window of our basement. Camera and about $20 change were taken. House is in a bit of disarray, but doesn’t seem to be missing anything else. They had shoved our dog in a room while rifling through our house.
And one of this week’s stolen cars has been found – Stephanie first reported in this comment Wednesday that her green ’97 two-door Honda Civic had been stolen Monday afternoon from outside her home on Pigeon Point. She didn’t expect to ever see it again. But police found it less than two miles away, she says, at 23rd and Findlay.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TUESDAY: Come hear from West Seattle’s new precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske, find out about the city’s Mental Health Court, and share neighborhood concerns, 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).
He was about to go on trial – but instead, 23-year-old Donald Plute pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from a morning-long rampage six months ago, in which he stole a truck on Alki, then rammed it into two vehicles before ditching it in Gatewood and running from police. The first vehicle he rammed had two men inside, one of whom was the owner of the truck Plute had stolen; after that crash in Upper Alki, Plute was spotted by police in Morgan Junction, where one officer thought he had him pulled over – until Plute put the truck into reverse and crashed it into this SPD car before taking off again:
Today, he pleaded guilty to the four charges filed against him in that August case – robbery, two counts of assault, and a charge of attempting to elude. The plea-agreement documents we just downloaded say prosecutors will recommend concurrent sentences equal to a little over 10 and a half years, minus the five-plus months he’s already served. Plute’s record included seven previous felony convictions between 2005 and 2010, including burglary, theft, possession of stolen cars, and another attempt to elude; the earliest crime on the list was committed when he was 14 years old. Plute is scheduled for sentencing on March 14th.
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