West Seattle, Washington
30 Saturday
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports so far this weekend:
HIT-AND-RUN ON VIDEO: Multiple angles of surveillance video sent by a reader show a pickup truck sideswiping at least one vehicle at 16th/Henderson around 3:10 pm. (The last angle shows it most clearly.) If you have any information, the SPD incident number, as shown at the start of the video, is 2016-188993.
MAILBOX VANDALISM: A texter sent three photos of multiple-unit mailboxes hit by tagging vandalism in the 5900 block of California SW. All three were different styles, sizes, words, and colors. As we replied, police suggest photographing tagging/graffiti vandalism and uploading the photos with an online report – as explained here – or you can use the Find It Fix It app.
(King County Assessor photos for 6537 35th SW & 6541 35th SW)
Checking the city files to see what came in just before the holiday weekend, we’ve found new early-stage site plans for two parcels just south of the Upper Morgan business district on the west side of 35th SW. They are filed for 6537 35th SW and 6541 35th SW, to replace two 90+-year-old houses. Both lots are zoned NC2-40, as is that entire block, all the way to the next street south, SW Holly. The files show almost-identical site plans for the two lots, each with two live-work units fronting on 35th, four townhouses behind them, and five parking spaces on the alley behind that. Documents also indicate these sites will go through the “streamlined design review” process, which means no public meetings, but there will be a chance for public comment, once the official notices go out – watch for the sites to show up here.
With this year’s commencement ceremony just a few weeks away, we’ve been asked to share a donation request to ensure that all West Seattle High School seniors can participate in this year’s ceremony. Volunteer coordinator Amy Doll has asked the WSHS community if any of last year’s graduates would consider donating the robes they wore in the commencement ceremony: “I have several students that aren’t walking because of the cost of the robes. The PTSA has a budget to help students but I would like to be able to let kids keep their Hat, Stole, and Tassel. I can do that if I have donated robes.” If you can donate one, please drop it off in the school office, which is open weekdays until 3 pm (though not tomorrow, because of the holiday).
P.S. One parent tells us they’re also welcoming used prom dresses. If you have a question about these donation requests, please e-mail asdoll@seattleschools.org. (Prom is next Friday, June 4th; graduation is June 21st.)
Two Alki photographers have noticed the local raptors clashing, and shared photos. First, from David Hutchinson:
David writes:
On arriving at Jack Block Park … Eilene & I noticed a few crows dive-bombing the area above the elevated viewing platform. We thought that this behavior might indicate the presence of an eagle, so decided to walk out on the dock to check things out. About half way there, a bald eagle flew out from behind the trees and headed toward Salty’s. We thought we’d missed our chance, but when we got out on the dock, there was still one eagle sitting up at the top of the structure. He/she didn’t seem that much bothered by the crows and engaged in grooming periodically.
When an osprey arrived overhead the eagle became much more agitated and soon flew off to the top of one of the more distant, tall light standards in Terminal 5, followed by the osprey. There they engaged in a brief battle before the osprey moved on toward the nesting area south of the high bridge.
During their confrontation the osprey would dive bomb from above while the eagle would throw itself upward and turn upside down so its extended talons were pointed toward the oncoming osprey.
Second, from Gary Jones, frequent observer of these big birds’ Alki Point hangout:
If you can’t tell on your screen – the osprey in Gary’s photo has a fish in its beak. Find out more about them, and hear them, via this BirdWeb link; here’s the corresponding link for bald eagles.
A free, first-of-its-kind event is one week away, and you’re invited: The Baby Orca Birthday Bash, next Sunday (June 5th) at the Alki Bathhouse, 2-5 pm. It’s the kickoff to Orca Month as well as a celebration of all the orca calves born to Puget Sound’s Southern Resident Killer Whales in the past year and a half. The plans include:
*Orca storytelling by West Seattle-based Killer Whale Tales
*Orca bingo with prizes by West Seattle-based The Whale Trail
*Orca birthday cakes that you get to judge, with cakes donated by bakers including West Seattle’s Stuffed Cakes and BAKED
*Live music
*Face painting
*Orca hat and fin making
*Sammy the Salmon and Mike the Inflatable Orca
*Photo booth
*Free tote bags for the first 100 people to arrive
This promises to be both fun and educational, presented by the Orca Salmon Alliance, which highlights the fact that not only are our local orcas endangered, so are the fish they need to survive – and the more we learn about how to help them, the better their chances of survival.
(Click image to see as full-size PDF)
At this month’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting, Connie Wolf, vice president of the HP Elementary PTA, gave the group a quick update on progress toward the school’s new playground. It now has a design, with help from students, but also has a long road to reality. Your help is needed – and your enthusiasm for helping them get a place to play! An upcoming open house was mentioned; we asked for more information and design images, and received this update from Elyse Clemens on the playground committee:
Over the course of this school year, the community at Highland Park Elementary School worked together with Pomegranate Center to design a playground for our school. Using input from the students, families, teachers, and community members, the new playground design is full of natural elements for students to play and explore on. There are hill slides, boulder steps, log scrambles, a net climber, and rain and sensory gardens. We are also looking forward to a welcoming entry way on 11th Ave SW that will invite the entire community to enjoy the new space:
(Click image to see as full-size PDF)This Fall we will be working with Pomegranate Center to develop construction drawings for the design. And throughout the 2016-2017 school year we will be holding community events to raise funds, both direct monetary contributions and community participation matching through Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund. We hope to have enough money to start the first phase of construction in Summer 2017.
We will be holding an Open House on Thursday June 16th from 6-7 pm at the current playground. This is an opportunity to meet the Pomegranate Center design team and get excited about the future playground. They will map out the design with sidewalk chalk on the blacktop and answer questions. All are welcome to join in the celebration!
We hear there’ll be ice cream! Get it on your calendar – it’ll be on ours. HP Elementary is at 1012 SW Trenton.
Good morning! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, here’s what you need to know:
REMINDER – NO BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: Because of the holiday, the next closure of the west end of the West Seattle Bridge for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project is not scheduled until Tuesday night.
LAST DAY TO VOTE ON SPENDING $700,000 … Between 11 and 25? Know someone who is? This is the voting deadline in the city’s Participatory Budgeting experiment. Vote online here.
POPPIES TO HELP VETERANS: 8 am-4 pm, American Legion Post 160 will be at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) again today, offering poppies both to benefit veterans and to remind people what the holiday is about.
In our photo from Saturday are Post 160’s Commander Keith Hughes and Ron Wright. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Strawberries and asparagus are abundant this time of year, and WSFM promises cherries this week too. 10 am-2 pm in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK, DAY 2: Will today be any warmer? 11 am-8 pm, the spraypark is ready to go, rain or shine. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL, DAY 2: The water’s warm, so the air doesn’t have to be. Noon-7 pm, three swim sessons, as listed on the schedule for the outdoor pool in Lincoln Park. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS, DAY 2: 1 pm-4 pm, with the last group allowed onto the grounds at 3:40 pm. Go see the historic lighthouse and an awesome view, free! (Alki SW/Beach Drive SW)
AT C & P THIS AFTERNOON: Jazz, blues, and bossa nova blended by Mezze, at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
AT KENYON HALL TONIGHT: The Girsky Quartet performs music by Beethoven and Shostakovich. 7:30 pm. (7904 35th SW)
WHAT ELSE IS UP? Check our complete calendar.
By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog & White Center Now
The semi-pro Highline Bears baseball team launched its second season at Steve Cox Memorial Park in grand fashion Saturday night, downing the Langley Blaze 10-0 to give manager Rich Lindros a big win in his debut.
Starting pitcher Al Miller needed just seven innings to collect his complete-game shutout, thanks to the efficient Bears offense which used just three hits to generate enough runs to trigger an early end to the game via the “mercy rule.” Miller also surrendered only three hits on the evening, striking out two.
After Blaze starter Brandon Marklund loaded the bases in the fourth inning by hitting three Bears batters, second baseman Connor Jones delivered a two-out single to score Cameron Slader (a West Seattle High School alum) and Colton Kelly.
Marklund’s control struggles continued in the fifth inning, when he again loaded the bases without giving up a hit, this time walking first baseman Angel Valencia before hitting the next two batters. The Bears would pounce on the opportunity, plating six runs in the frame despite a Parker Coffey single being the only hit the home team would produce.
The Bears finished things in the seventh, again taking advantage of Langley pitching issues. After Ben Fitzhugh and Connor Jones each drew walks, third baseman Drew Larea doubled down the right-field line to make it 9-0. Myles Wesner grounded to second, but Ben Foerster’s throw to the plate could not prevent Jones from scoring a game-ending run.
Following the game, children in attendance were invited to run around the bases while Bears players lined the infield offering high-fives to their young fans, who then proceeded to collect autographs from their heroes in blue.
The two teams will meet again today (Sunday) at Steve Cox (1321 SW 102nd) for a doubleheader beginning at noon. Tickets are $5, with kids under 12 admitted free.
| 6 COMMENTS