West Seattle, Washington

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month : 06/2014 296 results

West Seattle Baseball: 2 Pee Wee championship games today
June 7, 2014 1:23 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Beautiful day for baseball! At Riverview, four Pee Wee teams from West Seattle Baseball took the field for their championship games this morning. Before the games in the Pinto and Mustang divisions, the pomp, circumstance, and photos. We don’t know the results yet, but the contenders in the Mustang (9-10) division were, above, the West Seattle Design Build team and, below, the Menashe and Sons Jewelers team (both businesses are also WSB sponsors):

In the Pinto (7-8 division), it was Alki Lumber and another Menashe-sponsored team:

Warmups and introductions, of course:

And a ceremonial first pitch for the Pinto game by King County Councilmember Joe McDermott:

CM McDermott had skin in the game, so to speak – his brother-in-law Nathan Thomas is a Pinto coach, and explained, “The kids have been playing since March and these 4 teams have come from a field of 20 in a double elimination tournament over the past 2 weeks.” We hope to get the scores later so we can add them here. In the meantime, congrats to all four teams; you can find out more about the organization at westseattlebaseball.com.

2:40 PM: Thanks for the reports in the comment section below, and congratulations to the championship-winning Alki Lumber and West Seattle Design Build teams!

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Congratulations! Denny scholars’ science-fair honors
June 7, 2014 12:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Rob for sharing the photo and report on those two Denny International Middle School scholars’ achievement (congratulations!):

Thursday night, Seattle Public Schools held its annual Middle School Science Fair at the Museum of Flight. Two students from Denny Middle School, Emma Bruce (left) and Rachel Potratz, were awarded the “Best Overall” prize for the 8th grade level. Congrats also to their science teacher at Denny, Mr. William Nelson, who works hard to show his students the beauty of science.

ADDED 3:46 PM: We asked Rob the followup question a couple commenters also asked – what did Emma and Rachel’s project examine? Reply: “Their project tests the current theory that eye color (in humans) affects vision in low-light situations.”

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West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade is on for 2014!
June 7, 2014 11:07 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade is on for 2014!
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2012 parade)
Just under four weeks until the Fourth of July; if you were wondering – a few have asked – yes, the Kids’ Parade in Admiral is on! That’s the word from Jackie Clough, who took over parade coordination last year along with Allyson Schreck. They’re organizing it again this year and will have more details soon. It’s also on the agenda for next Tuesday night’s monthly meeting of the Admiral Neighborhood Association (7 pm June 10th at The Sanctuary), whose parade support each year including selling treats during the post-parade games at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. If you’re new to the area, this is West Seattle’s only 4th of July parade, and it’s a low-key, no-floats stroll through North Admiral neighborhoods, with kids, pets, bikes, scooters, strollers, wagons, decorations, costumes – here’s our coverage from last year (including video). So again, whether you want to be a participant or spectator, go ahead and mark your calendar for Friday, July 4th, 10 am start, 44th/Sunset.

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Happening now: Kids fishing with West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club
June 7, 2014 10:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

About another hour left – unless supplies run out sooner – at the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club kids’ fishing pond on the dock at Seacrest.

It’s free for kids under 14 – pole and bait provided – under the tent on the dock.

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West Seattle Saturday: Fishing, running, baseball, track, carnival, art, theater, more …
June 7, 2014 6:12 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The Highway 99 camera relates to the traffic/transit alerts that we start with today:

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT NOTES: First, road work – Southbound Highway 99 is scheduled to be closed all weekend; lane closures are happening on northbound I-5 by the offramp from the West Seattle Bridge; the 520 bridge across Lake Washington is closed, so everybody’s using I-90. Second, buses – It’s the first day of Metro‘s June service change; the only direct West Seattle effect is the afternoon schedule for Route 21, which has some changes. And to our south, the sixth and final RapidRide line, the F Line, launches today.

Now, event highlights from our calendar:

KIDS’ FISHING POND: The West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club‘s annual tradition – a temporary fishing pond stocked with trout for kids under 14 to try their luck, cane poles and bait provided, first-come first-served, first 100 kids or until supplies run out, 8 am-11 am at Seacrest. (1660 Harbor SW)

TRACK MEET: ‘Friendly competition’ open to everyone 19 and up at this track meet at West Seattle Stadium, 8:30 am (registration) and 9 am-5 pm competition, details here. (4432 35th SW)

BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Two divisions of West Seattle Baseball have championship games today, 11 am:

The Pinto game will feature Alki Lumber versus Menashe. The Mustang game has West Seattle Design Build facing Menashe. The Championship Games will be preceded by introduction of the players, followed by the National Anthem. Then the Ceremonial First Pitches will be thrown by Jack Miller of Husky Deli and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott. Pinto is for boys and girls who turn 7 before August 31 and who turn 8 after April 30 of the current year. Mustang is for kids who turn 9 before August 31 and turn 10 after April 30 of the current year.

(7226 12th SW)

GREEN RIVER MARATHON, FINISHING ON ALKI: The annual, low-key Green River Marathon starts from 8:30 a.m. in the Kent area and continues on to West Seattle, finishing in the 2600 block of Alki SW. First finishers last year made the 26.2 miles in about three hours. Info here.

FREE SHREDDING: Bring up to four boxes of shreddable paper to the PB&J Textiles open house in White Center, 9 am-1 pm, as previewed here, along with other event highlights. (10728 16th SW)

HELP TIDY UP MORGAN JUNCTION PARK: Join Friends of Morgan Junction Parks at 11 am today – our calendar listing explains how you can help.

SEE THE TOTEM POLE AND EXHIBITS! Log House Museum‘s regular hours today, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

TOUR ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Second weekend of the season for free tours with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Alki Point Lighthouse, 1-4 pm. (3200 Point Place)

ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY CARNIVAL: 3-6 pm, last carnival before the new school construction begins – come have fun with games, food, face-painting, more. Wristbands and individual tickets, as explained here. (3701 SW 104th)

‘THE BUILDING’ ARTIST OPENING: The second annual art event at artist-studios headquarters The Building in Gatewood, 4-9 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4316 SW Othello)

FINAL NIGHT FOR ‘HAIR’: Last performance of the musical’s run at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor). 7:30 pm curtain time. (4711 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE AND EVEN MORE … on the calendar!

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Car goes sideways east of High Point, no injuries
June 7, 2014 12:54 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

12:54 AM: Sylvan Way is blocked east of High Point while police investigate a car-on-its-side crash. Just one vehicle, and nobody had to go to the hospital, police told us at the scene; it was originally dispatched as a “heavy rescue,” but that was pulled back quickly.

1:19 AM UPDATE: Westbound Sylvan Way is open again, according to scanner traffic.

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More Log House Museum totem-pole celebration photos: The people who were there to write a new chapter in its history
June 6, 2014 10:30 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Our first report on this morning’s ceremony is here)

(Photo by David Hutchinson)
This morning’s celebration of the former Admiral Way totem pole’s new home at the Log House Museum wasn’t really about the pole – it was about the people. Not just the dignitaries:

(This and subsequent photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)

It was especially about the kids – most of whom arrived with the dignitaries – County Executive Dow Constantine walking from his alma mater, Schmitz Park Elementary, through the park:

Mayor Ed Murray, who attended Alki Elementary, walked with its students, and talked with kids even once he was in place:

At Murray’s left is Marcy Johnsen from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, a childhood playmate of his, from her time living in what’s now the museum. The young attendees made the event especially memorable:

Some helped keep their fellow students safe, as they guarded intersections on the walk to the museum – following a quick run to get ahead:

Also there with safety in mind – SPD:

(Photo by Liesbet T.)
Considering the Schmitz Park, Alki, and Lafayette students on hand helped the crowd total pass 900, it was amazingly calm. Finally, the big moment came, and student representatives joined dignitaries in pulling streamers to unveil the totem pole:

Here’s video of what happened from there:

(More of the ceremony is in the archived Livestream video in our first report.) A Native American blessing was bestowed by Blake Shelafoe:

The energetic voice that guided everyone through today’s event, that of Historical Society executive director Clay Eals, who emceed:

Some of the people who were there today represented both past and present – the Schmitz family, for example, represented by family members including Dietrich Schmitz and Vicki Schmitz Block:

The pole was carved in 1966 from a log that came from a tree in the Schmitz Park forest.

(Photo by Liesbet T.)
And now you can make your own memories – visit the pole on 61st south of Stevens any time, and learn about West Seattle history inside the Log House Museum during its regular hours Thursdays-Sundays, noon-4 pm. (You might even want to become a volunteer – the next orientation is tomorrow morning, 11 am Saturday!)

P.S. If you missed our earlier reports including more about the pole’s history – see this page on the museum website.

ADDED 4:17 PM: Time-lapse of the event by SWSHS volunteer Brad Chrisman, starting with preparations, then the gathering of the immense crowd, and beyond:

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West Seattle scene: WSHS Marching Band birthday show!
June 6, 2014 9:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

You never know what you’ll get to bid on at a school auction – and what you’ll win. Steve W. shares the story (and photo/video) of how his bid led to a marching-band surprise for a family member:

Last fall at the WSHS Auction, we were the winning bidders of a “Personal Marching Band Performance” at a date to be named. We chose to use this for my father-in-law’s birthday. He was quite surprised to see a marching band coming up the street with a banner that read “Happy Birthday Bud” on it. The band, directed by Ethan Thomas, played 10 or so songs, much to the delight of my neighbors.

If any of the WSB readers would like their own “Personal Marching Band Performance” they can bid on it at this fall’s WSHS Benefit Auction, which will be held on Friday, November 21st. They might have to bring deep pockets, however – as “Bud” may be wanting a repeat performance.

This happened last Sunday – so if you heard mysterious marching-band music echoing around Gatewood/south Morgan Junction/Fauntleroy, this probably explains it!

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West Seattle traffic alert: Crash in The Junction
June 6, 2014 7:55 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to Doug B for this photo from 42nd/Alaska, with a damaged vehicle blocking the westbound side. Seattle Fire has since cleared the initial “motor vehicle accident” call, so apparently there were no serious injuries.

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Happening now: Went to West Seattle High School, any year(s)? This reunion’s for you
June 6, 2014 6:12 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Went to West Seattle High School, any year(s)? This reunion’s for you
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

It’s All-School Reunion night at West Seattle High School – this year’s spotlighted 50th-anniversary class is the Class of 1964, gathering in the Commons, while other years gather in rooms around the school. Also there, Marcy Johnsen from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, just hours after their big totem-pole ceremony, showing off the SWSHS tote bags ($20):

And Janet Jones with the Steps at Stevens project, which has another design meeting coming up June 23rd. If you have some ties to WSHS, drop by in the hours ahead!

8:14 PM: Also seen during our brief stop – Gail Stevens Anderson, WSHS ’63, with the West Seattle Garden Tour book for this year:

The tour’s coming up July 20th; WSB is again among the co-sponsors. And from the class of ’63 and ’64 respectively, Mike Munson and Marsha Munson:

Along with socializing and reminiscing, the All-School Reunion also includes scholarship presentations.

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Followup: How to help South Delridge fire survivors
June 6, 2014 4:37 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Monday’s fire)
After Monday’s deadly fire in South Delridge – taking the lives of one resident of the house and four puppies – people asked if there was any way to help the survivors. Now there is. Friends have set up an online fundraising page for Stefan and Stephanie, who lost not only their friend Lester and four puppies, but also most of what they owned. Stefan, says the gofundme.com page, is the drummer for the band Smashie Smashie (whose Facebook page includes a tribute to Lester), and lost “a lot” of equipment in the fire, which was ruled accidental and started in the kitchen. A benefit show is in the works, friends say, but in the meantime, anyone who wants to make a donation can do it by going here.

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Seen from West Seattle: P-51s’ D-Day anniversary flyover
June 6, 2014 2:53 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle history | West Seattle news


Thanks to Gary Jones for sharing photos from the P-51 Mustang flyover previewed here last night – scheduled to wrap up right about now at the Snohomish County home of the Historic Flight Foundation, which coordinated it in honor of the 70th anniversary of D-Day today. The warplanes flew over downtown around noontime:

Click the top photo to open a similar view at twice the size. (And thanks again to Bob, who gave us the heads-up about this!)

ADDED 5:48 PM: A view from Jim Clark:

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West Seattle food updates: Burger Boss, Tat’s Truck open this weekend; Thai-U-Up thai’s the knot
June 6, 2014 2:30 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two quick notes looking ahead to this weekend:

BURGER BOSS ‘SOFT OPEN’ SATURDAY: When we first reported on Burger Boss (20th/Barton in South Delridge) back in April, they mentioned a plan to soft-open in early June. They’re achieving it, co-proprietor Brian Azzano tells WSB, tomorrow, starting at 4 pm, “for dinner and beyond.”

TAT’S TRUCK LAUNCHES SUNDAY: Last week we mentioned that West Seattleites are launching a truck spinning off from the popular Tat’s Deli in Pioneer Square, and that they expected to launch it in WS. Thanks to James for keeping an eye on the Tat’s Truck website and pointing out that they’ve announced they’ll debut at Hans VW (35th/Graham) 11 am-2 pm this Sunday. (Also thanks to SeattleFoodTruck.com for calling our attention to that too.)

SPEAKING OF TRUCKS … one of this area’s regulars is off the street until next week, and it’s for happy news: the proprietors of Thai-U-Up, a dinnertime fixture at the 30th/Roxbury gas station, announced via Facebook that they’re closed through June 10th (reopening next Wednesday) because they’re getting married. Congratulations!

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Fire Station 36’s seismic/safety upgrade almost done
June 6, 2014 12:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Fire Station 36’s seismic/safety upgrade almost done
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

For about a year, West Seattle’s bridgeside Fire Station 36 has been in temporary quarters off Harbor Avenue while seismic/safety upgrade work has been under way. SFD says the job’s almost done and they’re planning a community open house to celebrate, 11 am-1 pm on Saturday, July 12th – mark the calendar! Other fire-station upgrade projects are on the way in our area, the biggest being a brand-new Station 32 on the site of the existing one.

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1st report: Log House Museum hosts hundreds to celebrate Admiral Way totem pole’s new home and public display
June 6, 2014 10:25 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle live | West Seattle news

(Added – our photo from immediately after the unveiling)
10:25 AM: We’re testing live streaming today with the Log House Museum totem-pole unveiling – here’s the link to the page on Livestream.com where you’ll see live video/audio, if it’s working.

11:10 AM: Awesome event! Lots of coverage to come.

(Including County Executive Dow Constantine and Dietrich Schmitz leading Schmitz Park Elementary students on a walk down to the museum – where they joined Alki and Lafayette students as well as other attendees.)

(Crowd & media, with Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen at center, in hat)
11:25 AM: Adding a photo or two here pending full coverage later. And here’s the archive of the second half of our live stream, which includes the unveiling – our second report later will have our main clip, but check this out for starters:

Thanks to those who checked out the live stream – it was done via handheld iPhone, and there are steadier ways to do it, but you have to start somewhere. P.S. The Log House Museum is open until 4 pm today (noon-4 Thursdays-Sundays), and the totem-pole exhibit we mentioned yesterday is now open to visitors too.

4:49 PM: It’ll be mid-evening before our mega-roundup is done – we’re off to cover a few early-evening stories. Two photos we wanted to add here in the meantime – both from Alki photographer David Hutchinson. First, Mayor Murray walking from Alki Elementary:

And a splendid view of the totem pole:

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West Seattle Friday: Totem-pole unveiling; D-Day anniversary flyover; WSHS All-School Reunion; more
June 6, 2014 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Totem-pole unveiling; D-Day anniversary flyover; WSHS All-School Reunion; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo: Marine traffic off Alki earlier this week)
Happy Friday! Busy day/night ahead – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

CITY YEAR RALLY AT SANISLO: As announced by Sanislo Elementary:

Sanislo Elementary was fortunate enough to receive the Family and Education Levy Grant for the 2014-15 school year. As part of the grant, Sanislo will be partnering with City Year, an agency that will support the academic, social-emotional and attendance needs of students in collaboration with school staff. On Friday morning at 9:30 a.m., in anticipation of next school year, City Year will be at Sanislo to cheer on and greet students as they enter the building tomorrow morning. The Sanislo Community is extremely excited as we move into this fabulous partnership.

(1812 SW Myrtle)

TOTEM POLE UNVEILING: At 10:30 am (but get there early!), you’re invited to join West Seattle-rooted dignitaries, schoolchildren, longtime community leaders, and others at the Log House Museum for the unveiling of the renovated totem pole that overlooked the Admiral Way viewpoint 1966-2006. The intersection outside the LHM will be closed for the occasion. Here’s our newest preview. (61st/Stevens)

D-DAY ANNIVERSARY FLYOVER: As previewed here yesterday, three P-51 Mustangs are flying over the region to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and you’ll likely see/hear them from here during the afternoon – starting with their downtown Seattle flyover at noon, after which they head to Boeing Field and points south, including Vashon just after 1:30. Our Thursday story includes the schedule. (Various locations)

WEST SEATTLE HS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION: The annual tradition starts with classic cars on SW Stevens outside the school at 4:30, and then events inside after the doors open at 5 pm, as detailed on the WSHS Alumni Association website. Whichever year/s you were at WSHS, you’re invited. (3000 California SW)

BENEFIT CARNIVAL: 5-7 pm, Mount View Elementary‘s carnival fundraiser not only benefits programs at the school but also has a goal of raising money to help with the education of kids in Honduras, where your schooling stops after elementary years if you don’t have tuition $. Read our preview here. (10811 12th SW)

BRENDA PETERSON @ WORDS, WRITERS, & WEST SEATTLE: New time for the monthly author-reading/signing series at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village – 5 to 7 pm, starting with this month’s featured West Seattle writer, Brenda Peterson, as previewed here. (2600 SW Barton)

CORNER BAR: The Highland Park Improvement Club‘s pop-up bar goes Jamaican tonight, starting at 6 pm – details in our calendar listing. All ages until 9 pm. (12th/Holden)

WINE TASTING: Summer sips and light appetizers plus a silent auction to benefit the scholarship fund at Center Studio (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (9611 16th SW)

THAT’S JUST THE START … lots more on our calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday alerts; weekend previews
June 6, 2014 6:12 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday alerts; weekend previews
 |   West Seattle news

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
We start the morning with two alerts for today, both in the Alki area: 61st/Stevens will be closed for a while this morning because of the totem-pole ceremony outside the Log House Museum, with hundreds of people expected to fill the street. The event is planned for 10:30-11 am, but you’d want to avoid the area for at least a half-hour either side of that, maybe a bit more. … The other Alki alert is for paving work on Alki Avenue SW continuing today between Bonair and 53rd SW.

Then starting late tonight (around 10 pm), southbound Highway 99 will close for the weekend between the Battery Street Tunnel and us. PLUS – two lanes of northbound 5 will close all weekend right by the bridge for expansion-joint work, AND the 520 bridge is closing too – it’s all detailed here. And the traditional “what ELSE is going on around the area this weekend?” preview is here.

Finally – the June “service change” for Metro starts Saturday and is explained here (major West Seattle effect – some p.m. changes on Route 21).

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Friday evening, bring your family to have fun while helping local kids reach out to help others
June 5, 2014 10:36 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

If you want to close out the night on a hopeful note – and/or to hear about an easy way to do some good in the world – listen to this: 5-7 pm tomorrow, in White Center, you can help hundreds of schoolchildren reach out across the miles to help other kids. The helpers are not necessarily so well-off themselves, but one of their teachers explains that when they learned how much better they have it than some others, they had to do something. The event has been in our calendar a while but we didn’t have all the details Shoshanna Cohen shares:

I’m a 2nd grade teacher at Mount View Elementary, next to White Center, and I’m planning our school’s carnival this year. … It is not any regular carnival. Our school has a 87% free and reduced population, yet my 6th-grade carnival leadership team has learned about children in Honduras who are not as fortunate as us. For instance, education is only free until 6th grade in Honduras. From 7th grade on, you have to pay $500 tuition to attend school. The vast majority of the rural Honduran population does not have that kind of money. As part of our WE Day participation, we are raising $1000 to send to the non-profit Light of Esperanza, to help two deserving students in Vega Redonda, Honduras, attend 7th grade. The rest of the money raised will go to our PTA so that the school can afford field trips, special events, and sports for the 2014-2015 school year.

Again, this is happening 5-7 pm tomorrow (Friday, June 6th) at Mount View Elementary, 10811 12th Ave SW (map). The official invitation: “Come and celebrate the end of the school year with us with food, fun, bouncy houses, games, and GREAT prizes! Learn about our sister school in Vega Redonda, Honduras and how we are helping other children around the world! There will be free face painting and art projects too! This event is free to get in.”

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Log House Museum totem-pole dedication tomorrow: Sign, exhibit work today
June 5, 2014 6:41 pm
|    Comments Off on Log House Museum totem-pole dedication tomorrow: Sign, exhibit work today
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

At 10:30 tomorrow morning, the intersection of 61st and Stevens outside the Log House Museum – home of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – will be closed to vehicles and full of people: Hundreds of students from Alki and Schmitz Park Elementaries, dozens of VIPs including County Executive Dow Constantine, Mayor Ed Murray, Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and former Mayor Greg Nickels, and as many other spectators as care to show up. The occasion: A ceremony unveiling the former Admiral Way totem pole, fixed up and shined up and placed (as we showed you Tuesday) in its new home outside the museum. Inside the museum, a new “mini-exhibit” will open in honor of the occasion, and it’s being worked on right now. We stopped by earlier this afternoon to check in with museum manager/exhibit curator Sarah Baylinson (below) and SWSHS executive director Clay Eals.

In the exhibit, you will see a collection of items from three mini-totem poles on loan from Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (with Baylinson, above) to totem-themed memorabilia:

The Shoppe’s original owner JE “Daddy” Standley brought the totem pole’s predecessor to West Seattle in 1939, 38 years after it was carved by First Nations members in coastal British Columbia. That pole is featured in the 1952 Hi-Yu program cover, shared with us by the museum:

That’s Diane Qualls, Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu 1952. The pole that will be unveiled tomorrow morning was carved in 1966 and stood for 40 years at the northeast-facing viewpoint on Admiral Way, until a newer pole replaced it, at which time it was given to SWSHS with the expectation it would be renovated and displayed. It was taken away in 2012 for work at Artech in Renton, and brought back Tuesday.

(WSB photo from Tuesday)
This afternoon, Eals and volunteers put its interpretive sign into place as one of the finishing touches before tomorrow morning:

The pole’s history, and that of its predecessor, are shown in this slide deck put together by SWSHS. Again, all are welcome at tomorrow morning’s ceremony, which is to include a group photo – but don’t show up at the last minute, because the intersection will be closed and hundreds will be on hand!

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West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at 36th and Avalon
June 5, 2014 6:16 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at 36th and Avalon
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

The emergency response at 36th/Avalon is reported as a vehicle crash, but it’s a single-unit response so we don’t believe any serious injuries are involved. However, a tipster tells us that “one bridge-bound lane” is blocked, and shares the photo you see above (thank you!).

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Not in West Seattle, but you should know: Multiple shooting victims at Seattle Pacific University, suspect in custody
June 5, 2014 4:03 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

4:03 PM: A situation in lower north Queen Anne/west of Fremont is affecting emergency resources citywide, so we want to mention it here just to make sure you know – especially in case that’s an area of town you were planning to head to or from any time soon – Multiple people have been shot at Seattle Pacific University. Reports so far have put the number of victims as high as 7 (at least one with life-threatening injuries), and conflicting reports of one or two shooters – with at least one suspect in custody. The only thing clear is that, as just described on emergency radio, it’s a “chaotic” scene and you will want to stay far from that area for hours to come. Our partners at The Seattle Times are covering it here (and every other regional source is on it too).

4:10 PM: From SPD: “The suspect is in custody. There are no outstanding suspects being sought.”

4:30 PM: And one more police update: “1 man, 1 woman with life-threatening injuries; 1 man, 1 woman in stable condition.”

5:10 PM: One of the victims has died. SPU has canceled classes this evening.

11:30 PM: Since discussion is still going on in comments here, we’ll add a few links before the night’s out:

*Seattle Times on Jon Meis, the student hailed as a hero for stopping the gunman
*SPD confirms 26-year-old suspect’s identity (via Twitter)

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Next round in minimum-wage fight: Charter amendment proposed for $12.50 by 2020
June 5, 2014 3:10 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two days after Mayor Murray signed the City Council-passed minimum-wage increase into law, a business group is trying to get an alternative onto the ballot via city charter amendment. The group calling itself Forward Seattle says it’s a coalition of independent businesses, with a counterproposal laying out 40-cent incremental increases resulting in a $12.50 minimum wage by 2020. It briefed citywide media this morning but hasn’t yet released the text of its proposal, nor does it have a public list of members/supporters. In addition to that, Publicola reports that Tim Eyman is now pursuing an initiative that would make it illegal for any entity but the state to mandate wage levels.

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D-Day’s 70th anniversary: Flyover plan; veteran’s perspective
June 5, 2014 12:15 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(1944 photo of four P-51 Mustangs in flight – not the same ones you might see tomorrow, but similar)
Tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the beginning of the end of World War II. Two local notes: First, thanks to Bob for noticing and pointing out a special airborne tribute that you might see in the sky over West Seattle (and/or elsewhere) tomorrow. From the Historic Flight Foundation, which is based at Paine Field in Snohomish County:

To mark this important day, HFF has organized a very rare formation of P-51 Mustangs to visit cities and towns throughout Western Washington on June 6th, the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Led by HFF’s D-Day veteran (four sorties over the beaches of Normandy), P-51B “Impatient Virgin,” the formation will launch from HFF at 9 a.m. and conclude operations at approximately 3 p.m. with a noon-hour tour of downtown Seattle. Special visits include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Gray Army Airfield. Operations will extend as far north as Bellingham, as far south as Olympia.

Our friends at Lynnwood Today have schedule details.

For more on D-Day – a West Seattle veteran tells some of the context, perspective, and backstory in a video published on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s website.

ADDED 9:19 PM: From the HFF website, as pointed out in comments, the expected viewing times/places tomorrow – the afternoon route is the one closest to us, in spots:

Paine Field 11:50
Lake Forest Park 11:56
Seattle Waterfront 12:00
Seattle 12:05
Boeing Field 12:15
Newcastle 12:20
Bellevue 12:23
Woodinville 12:30
Issaquah 12:40
McChord 12:50
Gray AAF 13:00
DuPont 13:05
Lacey 13:10
Olympia 13:15
Tumwater 13:18
Tacoma Narrows 13:22
Tacoma 13:25
Gig Harbor 13:32
Vashon Island 13:37
Belfair 13:40
Bainbridge Island 13:44
Poulsbo 13:50
Kingston 13:55
Paine Field 14:10

Also in the comment section, there was word of a possible sighting today. The Times, in fact, has photos from a practice, including the one in this tweet:

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