West Seattle, Washington
02 Wednesday
(WSB photos and video by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
~60 people sang, prayed, and pondered in a candlelight circle tonight outside Fauntleroy Church, during an emotional vigil that went beyond mourning the 59 lives lost in the Las Vegas massacre.
Leading them, above, were West Seattle’s three United Church of Christ pastors, from left, Rev. Diane Darling of Alki UCC, Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski of Fauntleroy UCC, and Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom of Admiral UCC. Their voices rang clear in the night with grief and anger – and even a prayer of confession, that “I confess I believed things would get better on their own, and I confess that I was wrong.”
There were questions – including those raised in Bob Dylan‘s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” the first song led by Bronwyn Edwards and Leann Conley-Holcom, with readings between the verses:
As the names of those who died in the massacre were read – “so many lost” – there were a few words about each. Someone celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary. Someone celebrating their 28th birthday. A father there with his four grown children. Off-duty law enforcers. The mother of a 6-week-old baby. A 67-year-old woman. And when Seattle resident Carrie Parsons‘ name was read, Rev. Atkinson Bilinski noted that Ms. Parsons was the “close friend of the granddaughter of a Fauntleroy Church parishioner.”
A chime sounded after each name and description … and the last name read was that of the killer, noting that he left behind his family, as well as a nation “confused and heartbroken.” And it was noted that the massacre took the spotlight from others around the world who are in pain and suffering, from hurricane and earthquake victims to those in our country experiencing racism and other social injustice daily. Gun-violence statistics were read, including the fact that “most gun deaths are suicides.”
Ultimately, however, the vigil’s message was that of hope, with the candles representing “the light of love” – hope that with action, with collaboration, change can be made. In that spirit, the final song was “Somewhere to Begin” by T.R. Ritchie:
As the vigil ended, participants were invited to continue lighting candles and to write notes of appreciation to local first responders.
We are told the notes will be taken to a local fire station on Sunday.
9:07 PM: That’s Lynn‘s car – and it’s been stolen in Arbor Heights. It’s a 1993 blue Honda del Sol with license ADX 9023. Call 911 if you see it – and refer to SPD incident number 17-373378.
UPDATED SUNDAY MORNING: Lynn updates via text that Seattle Police called to say they found her car in South Park, “stripped.”
(WSB photo from September 29th)
More than a week after the fire at the Green Acres apartment complex north of Morgan Junction, Jilyan at nearby C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) has continued coordinating efforts to help those who were affected, and says one person still needs help in two ways – urgently:
Urgent help needed!!! Please bring packing supplies (boxes, tape, bubble wrap etc) to C & P Coffee between now and Sunday night.
Some of you may have seen the fundraising that’s been organized for Green Acres. Everyone seems to have the help they need with the exception of one resident. I have been meeting with her, and the apartment manager to try to figure out how best to help her.
Joanie is still living in her apartment, with no electricity, because she has nowhere to go (and is not able to tackle this task on her own). Seattle Housing Authority will pay her rent and utilities once she finds a place but offers no assistance with moving or the cost to move/store belongings (understandable).
On Monday, a group of amazing C&P community members will be moving her belongings out and setting up a storage unit for her. This is how the money raised from GoFundMe and cash donations will be used.
We need boxes, Rubbermaid tubs you’re willing to part with, anything to pack up an apartment. If you are available Monday to help us move stuff with a truck, please contact me as soon as possible. If you know of an apartment Joanie can rent (section 8), please contact me. jilyanmp@gmail.com
West Seattle, you’re amazing! I know this community can help one of our own that is so unexpectedly displaced.
C & P is at 5612 California SW and is open until 9 tonight, and 7 am-7 pm on Sunday.
From WSDOT:
Inspectors for the Washington State Department of Transportation completed their work early and reopened southbound State Route 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle for the remainder of the weekend.
Drivers, please note: Northbound SR 99 remains closed between South Spokane Street and the Battery Street Tunnel for work related to the future SR 99 tunnel.
Northbound SR 99 and the viaduct will reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9.
That video clip from California tells the story of the Threshold Choir, which is expanding into West Seattle. The announcement is from Susan Moskwa:
Are you a woman who loves to sing? Are you drawn to offering your voice as an instrument of kindness to those who are seriously ill or dying? Are you interested in joining a supportive community of women who gather regularly to rehearse and sing at the bedside?
If your answers are yes, yes, and yes, then you are invited to attend a Threshold Choir introductory meeting in West Seattle.
Threshold Choir is an international choir with chapters in over 150 communities throughout the United States and in seven other countries. Our mission is singing for individuals at the thresholds of their lives. Our Seattle chapter is called Seattle Threshold Singers.
This fall the Seattle Threshold Singers will begin rehearsing in West Seattle. We are holding two introductory meetings to provide information about our plans: Saturday, October 21st from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and Wednesday, November 8th from 10:00 a.m. – noon.
We will meet and greet, sing songs, and answer questions about the international Threshold Choir organization as well as our local chapter.
This is an all-volunteer group. We honor all spiritual paths and have no religious affiliation. There are no auditions but we do ask that you can carry a tune and have time to attend two rehearsals a month.
Rehearsals will be the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10 to noon in West Seattle. If you are interested but cannot make this particular rehearsal time, let us know. At this time, you can either come to rehearsals in Seattle’s north end or wait to see if evening rehearsals will be offered in the south end.
Find out more about the Threshold Choir on its website; if you are interested in joining and/or have questions, you can e-mail west.seattle.threshold.choir@gmail.com.
(WSB photos: Signs at ‘A Grand Affair’)
Speaking of the West Seattle Food Bank … one week after its “A Grand Affair” cocktail-party fundraiser (WSB coverage here), we have word that its results were even grander than last year. From WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino:
The West Seattle Food Bank would like to graciously thank our sponsors, Board of Directors, donors, guests, and our dedicated and hardworking volunteers for making the 2nd annual A Grand Affair cocktail benefit at Westland Distillery on Friday, September 29th, such a big success. We raised more than $48,500 – 16% over last year – to continue the programs needed to help those in our community in need of food and other services.
Guests were winning millions at the casino-style gaming tables; tasting Westland Distillery’s delicious whisky, Peel & Press’s Aviation Cocktail, The Bridge’s Lavender Drop, or Husky Deli’s Beer Float, generously bidding on unique auction items, or raising their bid cards for the thousands in our community in need of a little help.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
We’d like to thank the sponsors who generously supported A Grand Affair: The Muckleshoot Tribe, HomeStreet Bank, Quail Park Memory Care Residence of West Seattle; BECU, Ventana Construction, FASTSIGNS, West Seattle Blog, & Westside Seattle. Thank you so much for your continued support. Thank you so much to all of the businesses and individuals of West Seattle! All proceeds from A Grand Affair will ensure that the thousands of children, seniors, and adults served by the West Seattle Food Bank will have access to quality, healthy food and other needed services.
Couldn’t be there? Lots of ways to help WSFB – money, food, volunteering, more – any time.
Going grocery shopping? And/or, have some non-perishable food already on hand that you can donate? Until 2:30 pm, you can help the West Seattle Food Bank at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) during the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (also a WSB sponsor) “Give a Day Away” food drive. In our photo above are Debbie Kerns and Michael Mallagh, two of the BHHS NW agents who are outside the store volunteering – pick up the WSFB needs list on your way in!
(WSB photos. Above, Dazor and Sophie)
No matter how dirty your car gets, you’re probably not going to find someone cheering when you wash it – unless it happens to be a car wash by and for cheerleaders. That’s exactly what’s happening right now at West Seattle Autoworks (35th SW/SW Webster; WSB sponsor), where Seattle Lutheran High School cheerleaders are raising money by washing cars:
Stop by before 3 pm. No set price – whatever you can donate.
Northbound 99 is closed between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel (that’s why the right lane’s blocked off in the “live” webcam image above), and scheduled to remain closed all weekend; southbound 99 is closed until 6 pm tonight and scheduled for a 5 am-6 pm closure again tomorrow. So here are highlights of what you can do without heading east! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):
SWIMMING WITH BRICKS: Along the Alki promenade this morning:
A West Seattle man will attempt to swim one mile in Puget Sound with a brick in each hand. The swim will commence from the Bathhouse at Alki Beach at approximately 8:30 am. The swimmer is Sam Day, 53, an artist and wedding painter, who swims regularly at Alki Beach with the Notorious Alki Swimmers throughout the year. The idea for swimming with bricks came from his Danish great-great grandfather, who, according to family lore, swam around a tall ship with a brick in each hand.
You’re welcome to cheer him on. (60th SW/Alki SW)
DRAGONFLY PARK GARDEN PARTY: 9 am to noon, Friends of Dragonfly Park would love your help as they provide TLC to this special spot in West Seattle. Tools provided. More info in our preview. Even if you can only help for part of that time, just go show up! (28th SW south of SW Yancy)
‘ART INTERRUPTIONS’ WALK: Also in North Delridge – 10 am-noon, join a guided walk in North Delridge along the temporary art installations we first showed you two months ago. Here’s the newest map:
Meet at Cottage Grove Park for the 1.8-mile walk. As shown on the map, there’s a shorter “family-friendly” loop too. (5206 26th SW)
BEAUTIFY STEVE COX MEMORIAL PARK: This White Center park used by so many from WC, West Seattle, and beyond, needs TLC too. Be there 10 am-noon today to help out. (1321 SW 102nd)
SEATTLE LUTHERAN CHEERLEADERS’ CAR WASH: Need your vehicle washed? 10 am-3 pm, stop by West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) and the Seattle Lutheran High School Cheerleaders will handle it! By donations – no set price. (35th SW/SW Webster)
SEE ART, MAKE ART: At Southwest Library, as part of the monthlong celebration of art that also features the Community Art Showcase, you’re invited to make “felted monsters” with Lene Sangster, 1-3 pm. Free. (9010 35th SW).
OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: 2-10 pm at Ounces in North Delridge, you’ll find biers, brats, Bavarian music, costume contest, more. All ages. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
‘SCREENAGERS’: Worried your kids are spending too much time with screens? This is the film to see – with them. Free screening at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), 3:30 pm – presented by West Seattle Cooperative Preschools, with a short facilitated discussion afterward. (6000 16th SW)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: This month it’s “What the Health” – info here. Doors open 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
VIGIL FOR LAS VEGAS: 7:30 pm in the Fauntleroy Church parking lot – inside the sanctuary if it’s raining. (9140 California SW)
THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: New choral music, 8 pm at Holy Rosary. Ticket and program info here. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Down 21-0 two-thirds of the way through the first quarter of Friday night’s homecoming game, West Seattle High School‘s varsity football team refused to give up.
Led by quarterback Anthony Coats (#8, above), who threw and threw and threw – and ran, too – the WSHS players battled back to a 21-all tie with visiting Nathan Hale before the second quarter was half over.
(#3, Leland Gropper)
After that, though, Hale managed to pile up another 20 unanswered points before halftime – and it was 41-21 at the half.
(WSHS head coach Marcis Fennell)
Neither team added points in the third quarter. In the fourth, the Wildcats got into comeback mode again, and made up half the gap with a field goal and TD – but that’s as far as they got, and the final score was 41-31.
Also at Southwest Athletic Complex: At halftime, the WSHS Marching Band put on a show:
'Sweet Caroline' from the West Seattle HS band at halftime. pic.twitter.com/cHF9UF40EE
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 7, 2017
Besides the full band, directed by Ethan Thomas, the drumline entertained, too:
Lots of pink on the field, because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
And though the weather was the worst it had been for a game night so far this year – windy and drizzly – the fans kept the energy level up too:
This was also the last home game of the year for the Wildcats, who are 0-6 so far the season. Next Friday (October 13th), they play in Renton, at Liberty High School, 7 pm.
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