West Seattle, Washington

16 Saturday

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month : 10/2014 318 results

Congratulations! Emergency Communication Hubs honored with King County Executive’s Community Preparedness Award
October 2, 2014 2:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

Because of its pioneering Emergency Communication Hubs, West Seattle is a regional leader in neighborhood-based emergency preparedness – and that was affirmed by an award presentation this afternoon at Fauntleroy Church. On behalf of the Community Hubs citywide, Cindi Barker from West Seattle Be Prepared accepted the King County Executive’s Award for Community Preparedness, presented by KCE Dow Constantine. Those on hand got a demonstration of scenarios that the all-volunteer Hubs are meant to handle, and the kinds of information and resources they would coordinate:

The award honors the Hubs for “going beyond the basics, to promote disaster survivability and build community resiliency.” Also there, a city rep with whom they have worked closely, Debbie Goetz:

And we can’t talk about the hubs without again showing you the map of where West Seattle has them:


View West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs in a larger map

They’re explained here – locations chosen by neighborhood groups, designed to be set up in case of catastrophe that interrupts regular ways to communicate. You need to know the closest one to your neighborhood, so that you know where to go for information and help in case of disaster. If there’s not one anywhere near you – that’s because no one has stepped up to get it organized – contact WSBP if you’re interested in making one happen!

P.S. We’ll add video of today’s award presentation once it’s uploaded back at HQ. (Added – here it is:)

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Golden Ticket time! Buy yours at Log House Museum
October 2, 2014 1:44 pm
|    Comments Off on Golden Ticket time! Buy yours at Log House Museum
 |   How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

As part of its fall fundraising, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is now selling Golden Tickets in its drawing for an Alaskan cruise. One hundred tickets are on sale, at $100 each, for that grand prize – described as:

… a cruise for two with an ocean-view cabin aboard the ms Westerdam of the Holland America Line, sailing from Seattle on Sept. 19, 2015, to Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, B.C., returning on Sept. 26, 2015. Programs on Pacific Northwest totem poles will be featured. (The prize does not include government or port taxes, shore excursions or airfare.)

The drawing will happen during the SWSHS Champagne Gala Brunch, 11 am Saturday, November 8th at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). You don’t have to be at the brunch to win – but you do have to buy your Golden Ticket in person at the Log House Museum (or AT the brunch), which is open Thursdays-Sundays, noon-4 pm, 61st/Stevens. Questions about the Golden Ticket drawing? If you have questions about the Golden Ticket drawing, please call the museum at 206-938-5293 or contact SWSHS executive director Clay Eals at 206-484-8008 or clay.eals@loghousemuseum.info.

P.S. The discounted Early Bird ticket rate for the brunch has less than a week to go – more on that here.

P.P.S. The next edition of the SWSHS-presented “Words, Writers, West Seattle” series is tomorrow, 5-7 pm at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village, featuring Susan Rich.

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Tower crane coming down at Spruce after 16 months
October 2, 2014 11:52 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

By midmorning, the tower crane at Madison Development‘s Spruce project (3922 SW Alaska, once known as “The Hole”) was a shadow of its former self. Sixteen months after it went up, it’s coming down, as previewed here on Wednesday. This has been arguably the most-visible tower crane in West Seattle this year, not just because of the sharper angle at which its jib has been raised, but because the holiday lights installed last year have stayed up, a prominent feature on West Seattle’s nighttime skyline. Now, though, the apartments-and-health-club project is a few months from completion, and it’s time for the crane to go.

Thanks again to Steve for the tip about the alert notice distributed to nearby residents, which suggested this will be a two-day job. Once this is gone, West Seattle will have two working tower cranes for now – at California/Alaska/42nd and 40th/Edmunds – but the one for 4435 35th SW is likely not far away. (If you’re interested – here’s an explanation of how tower cranes work.)

ADDED THURSDAY EVENING: Thanks to David for sharing this photo taken as he passed the crane-removal operation late in the day:

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Show off your art! And other suggestions for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
October 2, 2014 10:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Instead of real birds, today, our featured photo shows papier-mache birds, courtesy of Southwest Branch Library, which invites you to register for a three-session art class starting this Saturday (2-4 pm) – contact the library to sign up. AND, whether you’re taking a class or not, you’re invited to bring work to the SW branch for its annual Community Artist Showcase, starting now! That leads off our calendar highlights:

DROP OFF YOUR ART! From Jane Gibson:

People can drop off up to 3 pieces of art for inclusion [in the Community Artist Showcase], Thursday, October 2nd from
10 am-8 pm, Friday, October 3rd, from 10 am-6 pm, and Saturday, October 4th, from 10 am-6 pm.

The library is at 35th/Henderson.

ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL EVENING … with the weekly work party/tour, 5-7 pm, at Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

CURRICULUM NIGHT AT WSHS: West Seattle High School families get to find out more about what’ll be happening with their students this year. 6:30 pm. (3000 Caifornia SW)

DO YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND? First Lutheran Church of West Seattle pastor Rev. Ron Marshall launches another of his four-week “Read the Koran in Four Weeks” sessions tonight, explained in our calendar listing, which has info on how to pre-register. Classes at 7 pm Thursdays. (4105 California SW)

FINAL DAYS OF ‘THE MOUNTAINTOP’: Just a few more chances to see “The Mountaintop,” the acclaimed play now onstage at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor). Curtaintime tonight: 7:30. (4711 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE … Listings include live music at Salty’s, The Cask, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsors), and the Benbow Room, plus karaoke at OutWest and Yen Wor. See the listings here!

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Of height, parking, bus stops, and FAR: Day 2 of 3078 SW Avalon appeal hearing
October 2, 2014 8:50 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Aerial showing 3078 Avalon project site, from project materials distributed in fall 2013)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Hearings often yield information beyond their immediate subjects.

During day two of the Neighbors Encouraging Reasonable Development (NERD) appeal hearing regarding a planned ~100-apartment building at 3078 SW Avalon, we learned about a lawsuit involving the project site. We also learned about a lawsuit involving the site next door that once was slated for a “twin” building. Neither is directly related to this appeal, yet both are relevant, in looking at the big picture of development in that area.

And we heard a lot more about how the city’s Design Review process works, and doesn’t. We also heard Hearing Examiner Sue Tanner, who is presiding over the hearing and will rule on the appeal, say that her office hasn’t traditionally had “broad jurisdiction” over the process.

The Design Review approval of the project is one of two city decisions that NERD, based in the single-family-home neighborhood north of the west stretch of Avalon, is appealing. The other is the Department of Planning and Development‘s “determination of non-significance” (DNS) saying the project did not require a full environmental-impact report.

It’s an uphill fight, with the hearing examiner required to give the most weight to the city’s decision unless the appellant proves it was in error and should be overturned.

Today is the third and final day scheduled for the hearing, though some testimony already has been scheduled for a spillover date in two weeks. We have been at the hearing examiner’s Municipal Tower hearing room for both days so far and are expecting to be back again today. Here is our report from day 1; below, the toplines from Day 2:

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates and road reminders
October 2, 2014 6:36 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
None of the trouble spots so far this morning are in our area. So while we keep watch on the commute ahead, here’s what else you should know:

SCHOOL-ZONE CAMERAS START TICKETING: After a month of issuing “warning” citations, the two new speed cameras on Roxbury start issuing “real” tickets today. Here’s our report from Monday.

OVERNIGHT HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE: With the rain past, WSDOT is back on track with its overnight partial Highway 99 closures for road-surface work. Tonight, it’s scheduled to close northbound 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the stadium zone, 10 pm-5 am, which means bus reroutes, as well as the closure of the exit from the eastbound bridge.

JUNCTION/TRIANGLE NOTE: As mentioned here Wednesday, the tower crane for Spruce (the former “Hole” site at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th) is coming down today, which might have some effects – if only the lookie-loo factor – at that busy intersection.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Our partners at The Seattle Times take a closer look at the new monorail proposal you’ll see on the November ballot.

8:41 AM: Headed downtown again, for Day 3 of the development-appeal hearing we’ve been covering. (Our report on Day 2 goes live in a few minutes.) Two traffic notes as we head north: There’s a broken-down semi-truck on W. Marginal Way S. just before the exit to the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge. Could get dicey. Also, the low-hanging cables over Trenton at 25th – just east of Westwood Village – are still a hazard:

Neighbors say this was reported last night; police came out and put the streamers on, but the cable is still dangerously low. We’re going to try to find out if repairs are planned; this would seem like the kind of hazard that could and should be reported via 206-684-ROAD.

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Get ready! Water woes inspire advice from West Seattle Be Prepared
October 1, 2014 10:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

October is Disaster Preparedness Month in our state, and how timely; regional water woes – this morning’s Delridge pipe break, and the recent Mercer Island scare – are a reminder that you need to have an emergency supply of water on hand. From West Seattle Be Prepared:

The recent challenges to our normal water supply reflect the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Sometimes an emergency can be small, like a day where the water is shut off, or bigger in scale, with complete disruption or like the recent “boil water” notice on Mercer Island. Stores in Mercer Island quickly sold out of bottled water and residents were dragging out pots to boil water. This would have been a perfect time for those residents to dig into their 3-day (or more) stash of water set aside for emergencies, as part of their emergency preparedness kit. Using that water, while waiting for normal service to return, would have prevented panicked searches for bottled water supplies at the stores or the inconvenience of boiling water for multiple days. The additional benefit is that once you used your supply up, in the Mercer Island case, the stores would have received new shipments AND you can replace your stored water with a fresh supply, and your emergency-kit water is now good to go for another 6 months before normal cycling.

So what should you do to secure that water stash? We covered that during our special preparedness reports last year – check it out here.

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Couch Fest Films invites you to be a film-fest host – at home, or…
October 1, 2014 9:34 pm
|    Comments Off on Couch Fest Films invites you to be a film-fest host – at home, or…
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Couch Fest Films is recruiting for hosts! Organizers of this self-described “scrappy film festival” are hoping some West Seattleites will want to be part of it – the festival isn’t until December 6th, but they are only taking signups until next Tuesday, October 7th.

Erin Knobler, a community organizer for Couch Fest Films and resident of High Point, asked us to share the invite. She says Couch Fest started in Seattle in 2008 and “is a cozy shorts film fest hosted in people’s houses and community spaces all over the world, all on the same day. The shorts come from some of the top festivals around the world, and we even highlight local artists as well as some virtually unknowns. … We typically have themed houses, such as ‘Comedy,’ ‘Animation,’ ‘Documentary,’ ‘Inappropriately Awesome’ and more!” You don’t even have to have a couch: “You can host at home, at work, with a community org, at school, on a pirate boat, in a tree house, at your local theater, in a cave, or wherever!” Curiosity piqued? Here’s how to apply.

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Chief Sealth student(s) in the family? New ways to get info
October 1, 2014 8:56 pm
|    Comments Off on Chief Sealth student(s) in the family? New ways to get info
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you have a Chief Sealth International High School student in the family, the school’s staff wants to make sure you’re connected with new ways to get information. Librarian Katie Hubert forwarded this:

Chief Sealth International High School has implemented a new communications plan to better keep our community informed about the many happenings at our school.

1. Weekly newsletters (the Seahawk Weekly News) are attached to

2. a weekly phone call update from Principal Fraser-Hammer, both of which are sent on Sunday evenings.

3. The third element of our new communication plan is the CSI Monthly Reader, a compilation of the many events, programs, services, and achievements that take place each month at Sealth.

Parents/families who have not received the phone calls or news publications should call or email the school to update their contact information.

Phone: 206.252.8550 email: kahubert@seattleschools.org

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Overflow tank excavation work at Lowman Beach extended to Saturdays
October 1, 2014 5:01 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(UPDATE: The county announced Friday that this won’t start until October 11)

(WSB photo looking into excavation site from Lincoln Park Way, taken today)
If you live near Lowman Beach, and/or along the routes that are being used by trucks to haul away dirt from the excavation for a million-gallon sewer-overflow tank, here’s an alert: Starting this Saturday, crews will be working on Saturday as well as weekdays, at least for this month. Here’s the announcement:

To keep the project on schedule and avoid digging during heavy rains, King County’s contractor will work Saturdays in October. Saturday work will begin at 9 a.m. and finish at 6 p.m. The County contractor expects to finish digging out the tank area by early November, before the largest winter storms usually arrive. Digging during storms takes longer and increases the chance of mud from the site getting on to streets and storm drains.

What to expect on Saturdays:

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Reminder: 1-day closure next Wednesday for local libraries
October 1, 2014 3:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Reminder: 1-day closure next Wednesday for local libraries
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Your friendly neighborhood local librarians want to remind you that, one week from today, all five southwest-area Seattle Public Library branches are closed, for an in-service day for the people who work there. That’s Wednesday, October 8th; the “closed” sign will be up that day at Admiral (West Seattle), Delridge, High Point, South Park, and Southwest Branch Libraries. Book drops will still be open. Other libraries in the city will remain open – this year they’re staggering the “in-service day” regionally rather than doing it citywide all at once.

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‘Red Light Revolution 2.0’: Benefit Saturday @ Youngstown
October 1, 2014 2:45 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Just found out about this benefit Saturday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, for the fight against sex trafficking:

“The Seattle-Tacoma sex industry’s growth is notable… because it more than doubled in four years (March 2014).” -The Seattle Times

After two years, we present to you…. RED LIGHT REVOLUTION 2.0., a benefit show showcasing local hip hop dance teams, singers, spoken word, & rap artists coming together to:

EXPRESS freedom in arts, and INSPIRE others to join the movement to advocate for victims of sex trafficking. MAKE NOISE & let it be known through the arts and our voices that OUR CITY is anti-trafficking.

RLR in partnership with local non-profits and groups: REST, Seattle Against Slavery, World Concern, Youthcare, New Horizons, Friday Night Hip Hop, and Youngstown Cultural Center.

Mark your calendars for October 4, 2014. Red Light Revolution 2.0 hosting the best Northwest hip-hop crews, singers & spoken word artists in the Northwest! A great cause by a great group @withliving. Come help unite the community around the tragic effects of human trafficking in the Seattle area. Only $8 online and $12 at the door. Limited seating so buy early!

Doors open 5 pm Saturday, show at 5:30 pm. Here’s the Facebook event page.

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Celebration of Life on Saturday for Kristine Lenning, 1952-2014
October 1, 2014 1:34 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A Celebration of Life is planned this Saturday for Kristine Lenning, who died last week at 62. Here’s the remembrance we were asked to share:

Kristine M. Lenning
July 13, 1952 – September 26, 2014

Kris passed away at her home in West Seattle, surrounded by friends and family. Kris was preceded in death by her husband Donald G. Lenning and is survived by her daughter Alexa Victoria Lenning, brothers Bernard, Kenneth, and Steven Larson, and sister Kathy Hodges.

Kris recently retired from Century Link after 44 years of service. She fought a long and courageous battle against cancer, never losing her zest for life, her sense of humor, and loving concern for others. Kris was a gifted artist who loved sharing her talents with friends, and especially children. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice and her family of co-workers that helped care for her. There will be a Celebration of Life for Kris on Saturday, October 4th, 2014, at West Seattle Golf Course from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Remembrances to the Cancer Society in lieu of flowers, please.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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What’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday
October 1, 2014 11:57 am
|    Comments Off on What’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo credit correction: Photo by Jack Miller, *sent* by Cori Miller)

As we move toward the middle of the day, here’s a look ahead to the afternoon/evening, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FOOD DRIVE: For the third year, Sound Physical Therapy challenges other PT clinics to a food drive during the entire month of October. Even if you’re not a client, visit one and contribute! Details here. (3823 Delridge Way SW)

COSTUME SWAP: Kids’ costume(s) you don’t need, now that Halloween is just four weeks away? Bring to My Three Little Birds 1-5 pm today and swap! Details in our preview. (6959 California SW)

FALAFEL SALAM’S RETURN: The Middle Eastern-food truck is trying West Seattle again, starting 4-9 pm Wednesdays at the California/Charlestown 7/11.

‘MELT METHOD’ WORKSHOP: Injury prevention (and more) for runners, taught at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), with workshop series starting 6 pm tonight. Details in our calendar listing. (California/Charlestown)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, with City Councilmember Sally Clark, the West Seattle Green Space Coalition, and a discussion of the transit-funding Prop 1 on Seattle’s November 4th ballot. All welcome. (Oregon/California)

NIGHTLIFE: Music, theater, open microphone, trivia, karaoke – see the listings here.

One more note …

IF YOU’RE DOWNTOWN: The CityClub/Crosscut/Seattle Channel series of “Civic Cocktail” conversations starts a new season tonight, and your editor here will be on the journalist panel as the show is recorded at Palace Ballroom downtown, 6 pm. Other West Seattleites we know will be on hand include County Executive Dow Constantine, who will be interviewed by host Joni Balter, and former Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis, when the talk turns to “levy fatigue.” (We asked WSB Forum members for their thoughts, in preparation.) There is an admission charge – you can register here if interested. (And/or check out Seattle Channel in the days ahead, once the program is available online)

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Update: Delridge water-main break repairs under way
October 1, 2014 10:32 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Melissa for the tip: About 100 Delridge-area residences are without water while Seattle Public Utilities crews work on an 8-inch-pipe break. While the trucks we photographed are right by the Boren Building, home to two schools, SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin tells WSB that the building DOES have water. She adds that “the water has been throttled down. … Once the pipe is exposed, we’ll have a better idea about how long the repair will take. If it is a horizontal break, it could take all day (until 5 pm) to fix.” We’ll update this report when that information’s available.

2:32 PM: Update from Goodwin: “Water is back on for all customers and crews should have things wrapped up and be out of the street by 4 pm today. The cause of the break will be investigated by SPU.”

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West Seattle development: Another crane coming down
October 1, 2014 9:28 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Almost 16 months after it went up, the tower crane at Spruce (3922 SW Alaska) is about to come down. Neighbors have been notified (thanks to Steve for the tip!) that the removal is scheduled to start early tomorrow morning. Unless you’re a recent arrival, you might still know the site best as “The Hole,” so nicknamed because it was excavated in 2008 and then sat idle until a new owner started construction last year. Spruce will have more than 200 apartments and one commercial tenant, LA Fitness.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates
October 1, 2014 7:02 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The commute is on – nothing out of the ordinary on routes through/from West Seattle so far.

DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT REMINDER: Seawall work resumes today and that means changes along the downtown waterfront, some involving transportation. Here’s the SDOT reminder.

8:42 AM: We’re commuting downtown again today (second day of the 3078 Avalon appeal hearing – here’s our report on day 1) and while the bridge was OK, 4th Avenue is more sluggish than we’ve experienced before, including several light cycles to get off the overpass and onto 4th.

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West Seattle development: 3078 SW Avalon appeal hearing begins
October 1, 2014 6:52 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two years ago, a crowd of neighbors from the neighborhood just north of Avalon filled the room for the first Southwest Design Review Board meeting about 3078 Avalon, proposed for ~100 apartments and 60 parking spaces:

(WSB photo, September 2012)
A lot has happened south of their neighborhood since then – a twin proposal for 3062 Avalon has come and gone; a microhousing building has opened a block west, with two more in the works; two more apartment buildings have opened on the south side of Avalon, just east of 35th.

3078 Avalon has continued to work its way through the system, finishing Design Review in January, though its permits don’t have final approval yet. Forming a group called NERD – Neighbors Encouraging Reasonable Development – some of the neighbors have followed it with concerns and critiques.

After the city finalized the Design Review recommendations and issued a Determination of Non-Significance saying the project would have no significant environmental impacts, they got a lawyer and filed an appeal in May. The hearing for that appeal is now under way before city Hearing Examiner Sue Tanner, at the Municipal Tower downtown. We were there for testimony all day Tuesday and expect to return as it continues today.

While the case is just about one development, the issues are much bigger.

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High-school sports: West Seattle HS soccer hosts Bainbridge
October 1, 2014 5:35 am
|    Comments Off on High-school sports: West Seattle HS soccer hosts Bainbridge
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The division-leading Bainbridge High School girls-soccer team crossed the Sound to play West Seattle High School on Tuesday afternoon.

Tough match for the Wildcats, but their loyal cheering section was on hand at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point.

The Spartans went back to Bainbridge with a 6-1 win. After they scored the first goal, WSHS answered with one of their own, by Kate Veenhuizen, but they were shut out after that.

Next game for WSHS is tomorrow (Thursday, October 2nd), again at Walt Hundley (34th/Myrtle), 3:30 pm vs. Roosevelt.

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