day : 13/05/2016 12 results

CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle High School wins Metro League softball championship for the first time

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

And WSHS wins Metro League softball championship 5-2 over Ballard at SW Athletic Complex pic.twitter.com/u9DixEx3E3

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 14, 2016

9:02 PM: The West Seattle High School Wildcats, coached by WSHS athletic director Trevor Leopold, have just won the Metro League softball championship for the first time ever, beating Ballard 5-2.

They were behind 2-1 going into the top of the sixth, when winning pitcher Gabby Wenn hit a leadoff homer to tie it up, and her teammates added three more runs.

ADDED 11:55 PM: Wenn’s performance seemed inevitable, as she was honored before the game as Metro League MVP.

But for a while, it wasn’t clear that this rematch of last year’s Metro title game would end with a Westside win (last year, the Beavers won, 3-1).

Things started well: West Seattle’s #4, Lucy Mead, hit a leadoff triple off Ballard pitcher Lauren King.

#9, Sofia Sallas, sacrificed to bring her in, and it was quickly 1-0 Wildcats.

But that’s all the scoring WSHS did until the sixth.

Ballard, meantime, got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the first, with Hannah Schubert hitting for both RBI’s, and that was it for the Beavers’ scoring for the entire game.

The second inning was three up, three down for both sides. The third also went relatively quickly except for a WSHS single by Sallas.

Moving on to the fourth, the game was intense but not tense. The between-innings tune was Neil Diamond’s 196x classic “Sweet Caroline,” and the WSHS girls sang along boisterously. Leadoff batter #13, Brynn Snodgrass, made it to second base on a Ballard bobble. She wasn’t easy to keep there:

But Ballard’s subsequent fielding eventually left Snodgrass stranded. The Beavers also got one runner on in the bottom of the fourth and left her stranded too.

The pattern repeated in the fifth – each team getting one player on base, but leaving her there; the Wildcats’ Mead hit a solid single to right field; Ballard’s Elizabeth Breckow bunted to get on base. But by the end of five, it was still Ballard 2, West Seattle 1.

That’s when everything changed, starting with Wenn’s leadoff homer off King. Snodgrass then hit a single to left field; #1, Berit Syltebo, sacrificed to get Snodgrass to second; then #16, Emma Atkinson, smacked a triple to center field, bringing Snodgrass in and giving WSHS the lead, 3-2.

Ballard changed pitchers, to #10, Megan Quigley-McAlister, but that didn’t stop WSHS.

Next up was #2, Rosa Grossi, who battled Quigley-McAlister in a big way before finally getting to first and bringing Atkinson in. Grossi in turn scored on Mead’s hit to center field, advancing the score to what became the final an inning and a half later, 5-2.

Now it’s on to the district tournament for the Wildcats, with their first game at 6 pm Tuesday (vs. either Seattle Prep or Bainbridge) at the Southeast Athletic Complex.

ALL-LEAGUE HONORS: Along with Wenn’s selection as league MVP, Coach Leopold shared this list of other WSHS honorees:

Emma Atkinson, 1B, Senior, 1st Team All-Conference
Lucy Mead, SS, Sophomore, 1st Team All-Conference

Sam Hemmert, C, Senior, 1st Team All-Division
Brynn Snodgrass, OF, Junior, 1st Team All-Division

Krista John, OF, Senior, Honorable Mention
Sofia Sallas, 3B, Sophomore, Honorable Mention
Carynia Smith, OF, Senior, Honorable Mention
Berit Syltebo, UT, Sophomore, Honorable Mention

(Head Coach Trevor Leopold)

-Photos by Patrick Sand; story by Tracy Record

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BIZNOTES: Tony’s opens Saturday; Capitol Loans closes; Junction Fitness

May 13, 2016 7:48 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle biznotes tonight:

TONY’S MARKET OPENS TOMORROW: After weeks of questions about when Tony’s Market at 35/Barton would open, we reported two weeks ago that people we found working at the site expected it would be within about a week and a half away. OK, the wait was a little longer, but now it’s almost over. Thanks to Cheri for the tip – she told us this afternoon that market proprietor Joey Genzale told her tomorrow is opening day; we subsequently stopped by to confirm it. From Saturday on, Tony’s will be open daily, 9 am-7 pm.

CAPITOL LOANS IS CLOSED: Thanks to the texter who tipped us to this one:

We went over and found signs posted in every window saying that loans can “be redeemed at the new location in Preston” (in east King County) and new loans are being handled at the company’s Capitol Hill store until the Preston location is ready to do that. The now-closed West Seattle location is on land at 4754 Fauntleroy Way SW for which a mixed-use development is planned, as first reported here in December and updated last month when the apartment count (now 133) and parking-space count (now 134) both went up. The project will have to go through Design Review, but there’s no date yet for the first meeting.

JUNCTION FITNESS: What had been Snap Fitness on the 42nd SW side of outer Jefferson Square since 2008 is now Junction Fitness. Donald Ward is the new owner of the 24/7 gym, now an independently owned gym. He says his journey started there as a member under the previous ownership; then he became manager, and now is the owner. As a West Seattle resident, his bio says, he “knew that West Seattle was the area to open his) very own gym, and help the community reach their fitness goals. A strong believer in providing the best customer service to the community, and a strong supporter of locally owned businesses. If you don’t catch Donald training his clients, you can catch him working the front desk, mopping/cleaning, or getting a workout himself… he is for sure a ‘hands-on’ owner that will bend over backward to keep his members happy.” Junction Fitness is at 4714 42nd SW.

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Good thing The Viaduct’s open again: Filming next week

May 13, 2016 4:08 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

In a week or so, you might see something unusual on the Alaskan Way Viaduct that has nothing to do with tunneling: The city announced this afternoon that “a major film production” will shoot in Seattle for six days between May 19th and 26th, including filming that will lead to “rolling slowdowns” on the Viaduct. The announcement explains, “Traffic is never completely stopped, but there will be brief periods where it will be slowed to follow the production as it moves along the Viaduct. Production will take place intermittently outside of peak driving hours, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on May 19, 2016 – May 26, 2016.” Scenes also will be filmed in Pioneer Square. The city’s announcement doesn’t identify the film; Office of Film and Music spokesperson Joe Mirabella says, “The City’s longstanding policy is to keep the name of the project confidential until after filming is complete.” (We’ve looked around a bit but haven’t found an obvious match yet.)

P.S. Our archives show a mention of similar filming back in 2010.

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FOLLOWUP: Gray whale seen off West Seattle two weeks ago has died

May 13, 2016 3:09 pm

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| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(April 30th photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)

The gray whale first seen off West Seattle two weeks ago, moving slowly and seeming sick, didn’t survive, we’ve just learned. You’ll recall that our local Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Seal Sitters, reported that researchers had assessed it and would provide an update – none followed, though, until this word that the whale was found dead and towed north for a necropsy. We received this news release from NOAA Fisheries:

A team from Cascadia Research Collective completed a necropsy Thursday afternoon on a juvenile gray whale that had been swimming injured through Puget Sound for about two weeks before dying over the weekend. Results and photos of the necropsy are available on the Cascadia website.

You can jump to that here – the photos are not gory; the cause of death isn’t known yet but Cascadia says the whale was a juvenile female, in a “highly unusual condition” when first found before it died.

Ahead, the NOAA news release continues: Read More

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Signs of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2016, hours away!

May 13, 2016 2:52 pm

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| Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

While out on an errand a little while ago, had our first sighting of a sign for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day:

#27 is on the benefit-sale list, by the way, raising money for a Kiwanis camp that serves people with disabilities. Another sale promotion we just noticed – #20 started its own Twitter account:

If you start one, be sure to tag us – @westseattleblog – so we can follow you!

The big day is now about 18 hours away – 9 am-3 pm Saturday, with more than 320 sales on the map (which we set up as WSCGSD’s official coordinators since the 4th annual event in 2008), usable in two ways – the clickable version is here (click any line on the list, or any marker on the map, to open a bubble with its address and description) – and the downloadable/printable 19-page-PDF version is here.

Many sellers repeat year after year and tell us they most enjoy meeting and talking with neighbors during their sales – so even if you just walk or bike around a bit, enjoy the chance to mingle. And don’t miss the two mega-multi-seller sites, Hotwire/Ginomai (#193 and #194, 4410 California SW and 4200 42nd SW) and C & P Coffee (#28 at 5612 California SW). We will be covering WSCGSD “live” as it unfolds, so keep watching for updates.

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UPDATE: 108-home West Seattle power outage over in Arroyos after 24 hours

May 13, 2016 2:04 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

2:04 PM: Just checked after a tip, and the Seattle City Light outage map confirms 108 customers (homes) are without electricity in The Arroyos (and part of south Arbor Heights), as of about 20 minutes ago. We’re checking – more to come.

3:17 PM: SCL says the cause of the outage is “equipment failure.” Their current guesstimate for restoration is just before 6 pm – but please remember that it’s only a guess; might happen later, or sooner.

11:26 PM: After almost 10 hours, the outage continues, and the restoration guesstimate is now 4:40 am.

2:50 PM SATURDAY: After 24 hours, the outage ended a short time ago, per a tweet from Kate.

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VIDEO: Myers Parcels tour with Councilmember Lisa Herbold, as key decisions near

May 13, 2016 12:05 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| Environment | Myers Way | West Seattle news

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

The future of the Myers Way Parcels – 30+ acres of city-owned land on the southeastern edge of West Seattle – may be decided by the end of the year.

Updates on the timetable and process were part of the discussion as a group organized by City Councilmember Lisa Herbold toured the site on Thursday. Among them, two staffers from the city Finance and Administrative Services department, which is responsible for city-owned real estate like this, a site that’s been considered for many things, even, in 2008, the municipal jail that ultimately never got built.

The city didn’t even want most of this land when it was purchased back in the early 2000s, FAS’s Hillary Hamilton and Michael Ashbrook explained – just 10 acres for the nearby Joint Training Facility, which is in plain view next door to the north:

Then-owner Nintendo of America would only sell the entire 50-acre parcel, so that’s what the city bought.

Now it is stuck in a multi-faceted tug-of-war:

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BIZNOTE: Thunder Road Guitars closed this weekend

May 13, 2016 11:05 am

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Got guitar needs? Get to Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) in The Junction before 4 pm today. From TRG proprietor Frank Gross:

Thunder Road Guitars will be closed this weekend as we are attending the Tacoma Guitar Festival at the Tacoma Dome. We will close early Friday (today) at 4 pm and be closed Saturday and Sunday. We will resume normal hours next week and hopefully have a bunch of new inventory from the show.

TRG is at 4736 California SW.

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West Seattle Friday: Softball championship; ‘Wizard of Oz’; music; more…

May 13, 2016 9:54 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo copyright Araya Casey Photography)

Since we feature bird photos most days – today’s featured photo is the West Seattle Turkey, now in its second week of sightings (thanks to everyone who’s been sending word of where it’s been seen). On Wednesday, Tonya shared that photo by her daughter Araya, when the turkey turned up near the Alki promenade. That’ll be a busy spot today, turkey or no turkey, with temperatures headed into the 80s. Our official calendar highlights for tonight, meantime, are elsewhere on the peninsula:

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: “Flights of Fire” is the theme for tonight’s 6:30 pm concert by WSCO’s Intermediate Orchestra and Wind Symphony, at the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium. Admission free; donations appreciated. (2600 SW Thistle)

MADISON PERFORMS ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’: Madison Middle School Drama presents two performances of “The Wizard of Oz,” and the community is invited! Tonight at 7 pm and Saturday morning at 10 am, both at the West Seattle High School Theater. Tickets are $10 in advance, or at the door, $10 students/$15 adults; e-mail jhpietsch@yahoo.com for reservations. (3000 California SW)

METRO LEAGUE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: It’s West Seattle High School vs. Ballard HS at 7 pm tonight, Southwest Athletic Complex, for the league title! (2801 SW Thistle)

GARY BENSON, LIVE: Performing at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

THE WASHBOARD CUTUPS: Come to Kenyon Hall to hear The Washboard Cutups perform “blues, stomps, and rags” tonight, 7:30 pm. Reservation/ticket info is in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

‘PARTY ROCK’ … with Box Punch, 9 pm tonight at Parliament Tavern. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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West Seattle Veterans Service Center to reopen Monday

May 13, 2016 9:13 am

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| Triangle | West Seattle news

Just in from Keith Hughes, commander of American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle:

The West Seattle Veterans Service Center, an outreach of the American Legion Post 160, at 3618 SW Alaska Street, will reopen on Monday May 16. The Service Center will have two Veteran Service Officers on duty from 9 AM until 5 PM Monday through Friday, to offer information and assistance to all Veterans and their families, regardless of branch or time of service.

We still have some remodeling going on, and the exterior needs paint, but we just couldn’t wait any longer to get back in the business of Vets Helping Vets whenever and however we can.

Please feel free to stop by and say Hi to Bob and Mike, get a cup of coffee, and let us know what we can do to help. If it is something we can’t do directly, we have a very large network of Service Groups, and we will help you get to the right place and the right people, whatever the need is.

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West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade: Your chance to chip in so it can continue on!

May 13, 2016 8:41 am

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| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2015 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)

West Seattle’s only 4th of July parade – the Kids’ Parade through North Admiral streets – is a joyful way to start the holiday for hundreds of local families and the increasing numbers of spectators who watch along the way. It’s been a community-organized tradition for more than 20 years. While it’s free to participate and observe, it’s not free to stage, with costs including permits and insurance. This year, organizers are asking you to help cover the costs, via crowdfunding. The parade’s new coordinator, Emily Williams, has set up an IndieGogo page for contributions, with this year’s parade coming up fast. Every little bit will help.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates, and reminders

May 13, 2016 6:33 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:33 AM: Good morning. We have emergency responses right now at 28th/Roxbury and in the 8100 block of Delridge. No details nor info on whether they’re affecting traffic, but just so you know.

Weekend traffic notes:

*Tomorrow is the 12th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, 9 am-3 pm. The 320+ registered sales – mapped here – are all over the peninsula, so there’s no particular traffic chokepoint, but just be aware our community will have more visitors in many neighborhoods.

*Mariners are home vs. the Angels 7:10 tonight, 6:10 Saturday night, 1:10 Sunday.

And looking ahead to Monday, the Fauntleroy Expressway work begins on and under the west end of the bridge.

7:09 AM: Both of the incidents mentioned above have “closed” on the SFD log. No current incidents here or on the outbound routes.

8:57 AM: A quiet commute is wrapping up. One more weekend note, this time a Saturday morning reminder from WSDOT: Heading into downtown Seattle via SR 99 Aurora Bridge tomorrow? 2 right lanes closed 5 am-noon for maintenance work.”

10:07 AM: Crash on the SFD log at California/Mills in south Morgan Junction.

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