10:44 PM: Thanks for the tips – the Guardian One helicopter is in West Seattle now, in the High Point area, over Graham/Lanham. Not sure yet what it’s about – they seem to be focused on a vehicle – we’ll add what we find out.

10:55 PM: Officers are searching on the ground, too – one tells us this involves “stolen property.”

(Police at the Calugas Apartments in High Point)
11:01 PM: Guardian One appears to have moved on. We’ve heard on the scanner multiple times that this involves law enforcement from Mercer Island as well as SPD. Not sure how much more we’ll find out tonight.

11:06 PM: Guardian One’s Twitter account confirms:

Assisted Mercer island pd on search for burglary suspect in west Seattle. Seattle PD also assisting. @SeattlePD

— KCSOAirsupport (@KCSOAirsupport) February 15, 2015

11:32 PM: Photos added.

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High-school basketball postseason: End of the line for WSHS boys

February 14, 2015 9:24 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
9:24 PM SATURDAY: We’re at Eastside Catholic, where the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball season just ended with a 79-56 loss in a loser-out district playoff game. Photos and summary later.

ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: For one, sophomore star Nate Pryor (#1, above) took a while to get up to speed:

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another suspect arrested in student robberies

February 14, 2015 7:07 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Police have arrested another suspect in connection with some of the recent robberies and attacks on local students, according to an update sent to community-group leaders today by Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske. He wrote that the arrest was “from the two robberies that occurred on 02-04-15.” Our archives don’t show any incidents reported that day, so we followed up; he described the case as “2 student victims who were walking home through High Point” and provided an incident number. No report comes up online except in Tweets by Beat, which indicates the incident was reported at school (Sealth’s address, 2600 block of SW Thistle, is listed). We’ll see what we can do to track down the report and more information about the suspect.

Meantime, Capt. Wilske’s update adds, “We are continuing to work on the others. We are also working closely with the followup unit on the incidents involving the female students, and I will be continuing the morning emphasis patrols to increase early morning staffing as that investigation progresses.” Those incidents were the ones we reported here last Wednesday, along with information about the increased patrols. The arrest reported by the captain today is the second one in connection with the string of robberies dating back to mid-January; the first one was reported January 23rd, related to a California/Lander robbery attempt three days earlier.

P.S. Next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is coming up this Tuesday (February 17th), 7 pm – come hear from precinct leadership about the latest crime trends, and bring your questions. The precinct meeting room is off the parking lot, Webster just west of Delridge.

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West Seattle schools: UW soccer players visit Roxhill

February 14, 2015 5:04 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
School’s out until Wednesday for Seattle Public Schools, and dozens of students at Roxhill Elementary went home with fun memories from their last PE class before the break. PE teacher Chellie LaFayette brought in University of Washington soccer players to meet and work with her afternoon classes.

The visitors, left to right with Roxhill’s “Buddy Bench” (made famous by another distinguished visitor) and Ms. Lafayette below, were Amanda, Kate, Kat, Paige, and Madi:

You can find out more about them on the UW’s roster page. They talked with students about what it takes to get into college as well as about playing sports.

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West Seattle schools: Denny teacher shares Black History Month lesson

February 14, 2015 4:27 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Alan Blackman, who’s at right with guests James and Michael Dixon)
February is Black History Month. Denny International Middle School‘s 7th grade US History teacher Alan Blackman brought guests to his 4th-period class on Thursday, and wanted to share the story with you:

Here at Denny, we strive to prepare scholars to become responsible, informed citizens by utilizing multiple perspectives in their educational journey. In my American History class, we have dissected such events as the Columbian exchange and the American Revolution by examining the varying experiences of all groups involved.

(On Thursday), we were extremely fortunate to be joined by Michael Dixon, a former Black Panther, and his son James, who volunteered at Denny during the 2013-14 school year with the City Year program. Mr. Dixon was not only a member of the Seattle Panthers – his brother Aaron founded the city’s chapter in 1968. Mr. Dixon spoke to students about the events of the 1960s and the aims of the Black Panther Party. Students were very eager to ask Mr. Dixon about the origins of the Black Panthers, and his thoughts in hindsight of that time. It was a great opportunity for students to interact with and learn from an individual who experienced and participated in such a tumultuous, powerful, and significant period of American history.

Mr. Dixon emphasized the role of community service in his words to scholars, recalling the community programs that the Seattle Panthers organized, such as the free breakfast program in Madrona. He encouraged students to recognize the impact each of them could have on their community, using his own activism as an example. Students definitely left class feeling encouraged and empowered.

The UW’s website has an extensive archive about this chapter in the city’s history; it starts here. More-recent background on Aaron Dixon, who ran for US Senate in 2006 and authored a memoir in 2012, is here.

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Fire Station 37 now temporary home to Medic 32 as well as permanent home to Engine 37

February 14, 2015 1:41 pm

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| Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news

Bonus for Fire Station 37 visitors during today’s Neighbor Appreciation Day open house – they got to see a medic unit as well as a fire engine.

Medic 32 is now temporarily housed at Station 37 (at 35th and Holden) because its permanent base, Station 32 in The Triangle, is soon to be demolished and rebuilt. The other crews from Station 32 should be at its interim location (4731 40th SW, future city park site) by now (we’ll be checking). Back to 37’s open house today:

visitors of all ages enjoyed learning what Seattle Fire crews do – even the engine and truck crews go out to more medical calls than actual fires.

Most years, Neighbor Appreciation Day has more than one fire-station open house per area, but 37 was the only one today because of work under way or about to get under way at 32, 29 (in Admiral), and 11 (in Highland Park). Station 37 is West Seattle’s newest fire station, opened in 2010; the city closed and sold off its previous location at 35th and Othello (now a private residence).

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West Seattle Saturday: Valentine’s Day (and night); Neighbor Appreciation Day; more!

February 14, 2015 8:23 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Valentine’s Day (and night); Neighbor Appreciation Day; more!

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Northern Flicker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Whole lotta love out there … in honor of Valentine’s Day and the city-coordinated Neighbor Appreciation Day … part of our calendar highlights:

VALENTINE’S PIC WITH YOUR PET: At Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), pet-and-people selfies are on the menu all day long, 8 am-5 pm on the covered patio, with a giant heart!

**Photo of Marty and Brit-Simone added Saturday afternoon – you don’t HAVE to bring a pet to get a pic!** (4410 California SW)

HAVE PANCAKES FOR BREAKFAST: 9 am-noon, it’s a Neighbor Appreciation Day pancake breakfast at Delridge Community Center – free for 2/under but otherwise, $6/person for 13-64, $10/couple, $4/3-12 and 65+. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

VISIT A FIRE STATION: 11 am-1 pm, Fire Station 37 is having an open house as part of Neighbor Appreciation Day – only fire station this year, because of the construction/renovation projects at the others. (7700 35th SW)

VALENTINE’S WINE: Noon-5 pm at Northwest Wine Academy on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, a special tasting-and-more event including a treat for those 62+, while it lasts – get there early! (6000 16th SW)

SWIM FOR FREE: Also part of Neighbor Appreciation Day, Southwest Pool invites you to a free public swim, 1-2 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)

LOVE AND LITERACY … with Reading Partners, free event 1-3 pm at Westwood Village Barnes & Noble. Including a ventriloquist performance! More info here. (2800 SW Barton)

‘CAUSE THE WAVE: HEAL EB’: Special fundraiser with kid-friendly programming, starting at 1:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church. Songs, stories, bake sale, raffle, more, raising money for research into and awareness of Epidermolysis Bullosa. Details here. (9140 California SW)

CHEER FOR THE SLHS GIRLS: Postseason basketball – the Seattle Lutheran High School girls play at Shoreline Christian, 3 pm, more info here. (2400 NE 147th)

OLA’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY: 6 pm, celebrate Rachel Karlin‘s 10 years of owning Ola, and raise money for its neighbor Transitional Resources. “Magical night of beauty and style,” plus DJ and appetizers. Details here. (2942 SW Avalon Way)

(added) PAL-ENTINE’S NIGHT AT THE BRIDGE: Jenny at The Bridge sends word of an event starting at 6 pm, “spearheaded by local sweetheart celebrity Tracy Dart: Spend Valentines Day with your Pals…open to singles, couples, friends, and LGBTQ. We are a party for ALL!!! Is your significant other working? Deployed? Are you just not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day? Come join us for some love and fun amongst friends new and old. We will be taking donations for the American Heart Association and SFD Medic One. So bring a couple extra bucks to throw in the jar. Wear red and get festive. Eat, drink, be merry with your PALS!!!” (California/Graham)

GET ADVENTUROUS ON VALENTINE’S NIGHT: The “urban adventure race” Cupid 5K is back in West Seattle this year, and again it’s two races in one, one for Valentine lovers, one for Valentine haters. Last-minute signups at 6, the 5K starts at 7, taking off from Alki Beach. (61st/Alki)

WHATEVERLY BROTHERS: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

TRIBUTE TO BILLIE HOLIDAY: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, Stacie Calkins sings, David Duvall accompanies – details in our listing. (7904 35th SW)

CHEER FOR THE WSHS BOYS: 8 pm, the West Seattle High School boys’ next playoff game is at and against Eastside Catholic in Sammamish. (232 228th Ave. SE)

VALENTINE’S NIGHT MUSIC: 9 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), TüN is playing live, no cover. Blues, rock, funk. (6451 California SW)

VALENTINE’S KARAOKE CONTEST: Signups at 8, singing at 10, at Yen Wor Village in The Admiral District – details in our listing. Prizes! (California/College)

YES, THERE’S MORE … browse the calendar right now or any time.

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Update: Police search after hit-run driver damages cars on Delridge

February 14, 2015 6:20 am

| 18 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photo: Delridge north of Juneau. Most seriously damaged car at right, pushed up onto planting strip)
6:20 AM: Thanks for the tips about a police search under way in the 5900 block of Delridge Way and vicinity, including a K-9 team. They’re looking for a driver reported to have fled after a hit-run crash that damaged several cars. No description so far.

6:41 AM: A suspect has reportedly been found and is getting medical treatment.

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Report #2, tale of the triumph: How West Seattle HS won the Metro League title

February 14, 2015 5:58 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(REPORT #1 with postgame-celebration video is here)

(League MVP Lydia Giomi)

Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

It was the kind of game that left spectators as breathless as the players whose battle they had just witnessed.

The Metro League girls-basketball title game won by West Seattle High School over Cleveland was as close throughout as the 49-48 final score implied.

Playing at the Seattle Pacific University gym in north Queen Anne, Cleveland led for much of the game but never threatened to run away with it. WSHS opened its biggest lead toward the game’s end but Cleveland – last year’s state champion – fought back to within one and had the ball when time ran out. The defense was intense from start to finish, and that led to more than a few foul shots for both sides – 13 of the Wildcats’ 49 points came from the free-throw line.

West Seattle’s first scoring came on a 3-pointer by senior Annalisa Ursino about a third of the way through the first quarter, and that tied the score 3-3. Cleveland answered with one of its own to restore its three-point lead. And so it went. WSHS’s first lead came with just over 2 minutes to go in the first quarter, 9-8 after a basket by senior Emily Fiso (above), the Wildcats’ #2 scorer of the night with 12 points in all.

That was the only time WSHS led during the first half.

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