West Seattle, Washington

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year : 2018 3707 results

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates
February 5, 2018 6:49 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:49 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in West Seattle or on the outbound routes.

Updates:

SCHOOL BUS STRIKE: First Student drivers who transport Seattle Public Schools students are striking for a third day.

FAUNTLEROY/WILDWOOD CLOSURE: First scheduled day of a two-week project closing this intersection just south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock and rerouting the C Line and Route 116. We’re headed downhill in a minute to verify.

7:20 AM: As of a few minutes ago, the intersection is still open. But preparations are under way (for example, a car in the “no parking” zone on 45th SW just north of Wildwood was being towed). And the buses ARE rerouting – we were behind a RapidRide C Line going eastbound on SW Trenton. Once on 45th, it’s slow going for the C Line while negotiating a traffic circle that, as a commenter pointed out, has been extended with asphalt for the buses. We’ll check back next hour to see if the closure’s set up yet.

11:38 AM: We did finally get back to the area after 10 am, and yes, the closure is now in effect. Note that 45th SW north of Wildwood is a lot busier than usual because of the detours.

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CAMP SECOND CHANCE UPDATES: Operator wants city to provide a daily meal; neighbors worry about the woods; and more
February 4, 2018 11:45 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Quiet month at Camp Second Chance – the city-sanctioned/funded encampment at 9701 Myers Way S. – but not so quiet in the pockets of unauthorized camping across the road.

Complaints about camping in the woods on the other side of Myers Way resurfaced toward the end of this month’s meeting of the Community Advisory Committee for Camp Second Chance, held Sunday afternoon at nearby Arrowhead Gardens.

Also during the meeting, one of the reps from the camp’s operator, the Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI), suggested the committee and other community members put pressure on the city to provide a daily meal for the campers. Other updates ranged from budgeting to trash pickup.

Read More

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UPDATE: Officer stabbed in the hand after detaining tagging suspect at Delridge/Henderson, police say
February 4, 2018 7:38 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(First 2 photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

7:38 PM: You’ll want to avoid the Delridge/Henderson area, which is reported to be blocked right now for a police investigation, including westward to 20th SW [map]. An “assault with weapons” SFD dispatch is on the way too, for a Seattle Police officer reported to have a knife wound to the hand. More to come.

7:50 PM: We just talked with police at the scene. They tell us the officer who is hurt had just detained a suspected tagger allegedly caught in the act. The suspect, they say, became uncooperative and stabbed the officer in the hand. Not life-threatening – the officer is being taken to the hospital now. Delridge is open but Henderson is blocked just to the west. The suspect is in custody.

(Photo by Tim Durkan)

10:10 PM: We just went over to verify that investigators have cleared the scene and reopened the road, which they have. We hope to find out more tomorrow about the officer’s condition and the suspect’s status.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT REMINDER: Fauntleroy/Wildwood closure set to start Monday
February 4, 2018 6:34 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts


Another reminder that tomorrow is the scheduled start of the SDOT project that will close the intersection of Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Wildwood [map], just south of the ferry terminal, for up to two weeks, for replacement of concrete road panels and construction of a curb ramp. That means a traffic detour, bus reroutes, and parking restrictions nearby, including along the temporary bus route, which includes SW Trenton.

-The original SDOT announcement with detour info is here
-The detailed Metro reroute announcement for RapidRide C Line and Route 116 is here

SDOT says the closure starts at 7 am Monday; Metro says the reroutes begin at the “start of service” for the affected routes. We will be checking the area for our regular weekday traffic/transit coverage. You can check traffic cameras in the vicinity via this page on the Washington State Ferries website.

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‘Heart-bombing’ planned for C & P Coffee Company, day before Valentine’s Day
February 4, 2018 4:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photo provided by Historic Seattle, from Bungalow Magazine, September 1913, via Seattle Public Library)

Embedded below is a slideshow provided by Historic Seattle, showing its past “heart-bombing” events – shared as they plan one for West Seattle’s C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):

The fate of C & P’s site at 5612 California SW remains undetermined, four weeks after its owners put it on the market, with C & P subsequently crowdfunding and working to muster a counter-offer. (Nothing to announce when we last checked in with them.)

If you’re a C & P fan, you’re invited to join in what Historic Seattle has planned. The organization’s announcement explains that heart-bombing is …

… a form of advocacy, a fun and creative way to bring people together and raise awareness about what’s cherished in a community — places both safe and threatened– with homemade valentines that serve as a sort of love letter to places that matter. This February, groups and individuals across the country will be heart-bombing the places that matter to them. To join in, you craft up a valentine and then go out and show some love for the places that matter to you. Next you take a picture, and share on social media using #heartbombSEA and #IHeartSavingPlaces to be a part of the local and nationwide love fest.

On February 8 from 4-6 pm, we are hosting a heart-bomb valentine craftmaking “party” at our headquarters on First Hill. Following that, on February 13 from noon-1 PM, Historic Seattle staff and other advocates will be gathering to heart-bomb C & P Coffee (and take a group photo).

This isn’t a surprise party – C & P already knows. You’re welcome to be there on the 13th whether or not you make it to the craft party five days earlier (Historic Seattle, by the way, is at 1117 Minor Ave.) – or, if you can’t be there in person, you can drop off your Valentine at C & P before then.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gold Honda Accord
February 4, 2018 2:40 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox, from Beetle:

My car was stolen this morning around 2 am- 3 am around 18th Ave SW and Elmgrove. My CCTV footage showed 2 possible males drive by in a minivan; one got out as a lookout and the other got into my car and they both drove off.

It was a gold ’95 Honda Accord lX with minor body damage to driver’s-side front panel and rear. WA license plate AYU4885. Not a fancy car but it was a reliable way to work an hour away from here. Any info if seen around the neighborhood would help greatly. I have already reported it stolen and this is the second time it’s happened … same car and location.

Call 911 if you see it.

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YOU’RE INVITED! Students’ Page to Stage poetry performance Thursday @ Chief Sealth International High School
February 4, 2018 11:39 am
|    Comments Off on YOU’RE INVITED! Students’ Page to Stage poetry performance Thursday @ Chief Sealth International High School
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Heather Griffin from the Chief Sealth International High School faculty for sharing the rehearsal photo and invitation:

Ninth-grade students at Chief Sealth International High School are participating in the 17th annual Page to Stage drama-based instruction conducted by Book-It Repertory Theatre. Students have been studying poetry in their Language Arts classes, and have used that work to create a final performance for you to see on Thursday, February 8th, at 7 p.m. We welcome the community to join us in this dynamic interpretation of student-written poems at the Chief Sealth International auditorium.

The auditorium is on the west side of the campus at 2600 SW Thistle. Last year we recorded and published video of 11 of the 23 performed poems – but nothing compares to being there and seeing and hearing for yourself (performers always appreciate an audience, too).

Would you post this on the blog for us?

Thanks,

Heather Griffin

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West Seattle Sunday: Not just Game Day! Movie, museum, market, music, more…
February 4, 2018 6:34 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Ankit Saxena, who photographed the colors from Alki after a mid-January rainstorm)

The Game isn’t all that’s happening this Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction. And market management informs us that today is National Homemade Soup Day, which you can celebrate by purchasing many locally grown ingredients at the market. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Didn’t get to last night’s reception for the new exhibit Navigating to Alki? See it at the museum today, regular hours noon-4 pm. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

‘FRANK VS. GOD’: 1 pm at Kol HaNeshamah – instead of a talk, it’s a movie matinée for this edition of the FRED series, and you’ll meet the West Seattleite who’s one of the producers of “Frank vs. God.” More info in our calendar listing. (6115 SW Hinds)

CAMP 2ND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Monthly meeting is at 2 pm, Arrowhead Gardens community room. Our preview published Friday night includes info addressing two frequently mentioned issues – the camp operator’s contract with the city, and the process for renewing the camp’s permit for a second sanctioned year. The meeting is as always open to the public. (9200 2nd SW)

OPERA PREVIEW: Seattle Opera previews “Beatrice and Benedict,” 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. Free! (2306 42nd SW)

THE BIG GAME: You have many options for watching The Bowl. Two Bowls, if you go to The Westy (WSB sponsor) – they promise a screen in the corner will be showing the Puppy Bowl, though the main event otherwise is of course the Super Bowl. Wing specials, too. You’re advised to get there early! Eagles vs. Patriots kickoff is at 3:30 pm our time, but the fun starts a lot sooner. (7908 35th SW)

MARY FLOWER: Making this Sunday even more super is evening music at Kenyon Hall – picker, singer, songwriter Mary Flower is back, 7:30 pm. Our calendar listing has ticket info. (7904 35th SW)

SOUND BATH: Find yourself in need of unwinding after The Big Game? 7:30 pm at Bikram Yoga West Seattle, Serene Sound Sessions offers a Crystal Sound Bath. (4747 California SW)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via our complete calendar!

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THINK SUMMER! 2018 Seafair Pirates Landing vendor application time
February 3, 2018 9:22 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

This dim time of year, we’ll take any excuse to show a sunny summertime photo. Above, that’s part of the Alki Beach seawall crowd that awaited the Seafair Pirates’ Landing last July. The date is set for this year, and applications are open for vendors. From event producers:

Seattle Seafair Pirates Landing – Saturday, July 7, 2018

The Seattle Seafair Pirates Landing is seeking the following:

• Vendors with pirate/nautical/maritime themed art, crafts, and products who would like to vend at the landing
• Face painters, psychics, henna artists, etc. who would like to provide services to event attendees
• Food trucks to feed the hungry pirate masses
• Commercial/merchant sponsors who want to show their support for our Seafair Pirate community
• Nonprofits interested in providing a pirate/nautical/maritime-themed kids activity in exchange for complimentary booth or tabling space

If any of that interests you – here’s where to go. (And in case you missed it last month … it’s application time for West Seattle Summer Fest, too.)

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West Seattle weekend scene: SR3 volunteer training
February 3, 2018 7:23 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

We’ve reported before on SR3 – Sealife Response, Rehabilitation & Research — the organization working toward the Pacific Northwest’s first marine-wildlife hospital/rehab/science center. Today, Leslie Dierauf tells us, SR3 was at Alki UCC to train about 20 volunteers.

Leslie also sent the photos; she’s a member of the SR3 board. Want to get involved with SR3? Here’s how.

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NEW EXHIBIT: ‘Navigating to Alki’ opening reception @ Log House Museum
February 3, 2018 6:12 pm
|    Comments Off on NEW EXHIBIT: ‘Navigating to Alki’ opening reception @ Log House Museum
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Good crowd at the Log House Museum for the opening of its new exhibit, “Navigating to Alki,” with tonight’s reception continuing until 7 pm.

The focus is on maps of our area – dating back to the Native traditions of keeping “mental maps,” continuing through the earliest printed maps of the area in the 1700s, and on to the early 1900s, including this map showing former cities (including West Seattle) annexed to Seattle during that time:

The exhibit also includes a sound backdrop – the sea! – and some items you’re invited to touch.

Amy Gorton is the museum’s manager:

The museum is in the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s historic log-house headquarters, 61st and Stevens, half a block inland from Alki Beach. If you miss this – go see “Navigating to Alki” during the museum’s regular hours, noon-4 pm Thursdays-Sundays – it’s scheduled to be on display until September.

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REUNION! West Seattle High School Class of ’68 sets celebration date for 50th
February 3, 2018 4:01 pm
|    Comments Off on REUNION! West Seattle High School Class of ’68 sets celebration date for 50th
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Continuing our series of reunion announcements arriving in the WSB inbox, the half-century milestone for West Seattle High School’s Class of 1968 is approaching:

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1968 50TH REUNION

We have set a date! Our 50 th reunion will be on Saturday June 2, 2018. We chose this date so that folks coming from out of town could attend the All School Reunion held at West Seattle High School prior to our get-together.

So here are the details so far.

Location of the 50th reunion will be the Brockey Center at South Seattle College. Address is
6000 16th Ave. SW.

Social Hour 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dinner at 7:00 PM

We decided to use the Brockey Center again (this is the location that we had our 40 th reunion)
for a few reasons the best reason is we felt we could get more bang for our dollar at this venue.

This venue allows us to bring our own beverages of choice (BYOB). The Brockey Center will
provide glasses, ice and mixers.

We do not have a cost or price yet but should have all of that information in early spring along
with the invite emails.

We are trying to get the word out early for the best possible attendance of classmates!

If you want to be a member of the planning committee you can contact John Herron at
johnshelleyherron@gmail.com

We will post more detailed information after the 50th reunion committee has completed the planning process.

See you all on June 2, 2018 at the Brockey Center!

Reunion coming up? We’d be happy to announce yours too – e-mail the info to editor@westseattleblog.com -thank you!

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CONGRATULATIONS! 20th anniversary celebration at SoundYoga
February 3, 2018 2:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo – from left, Shelly, Virginia, Cheryl, Chris, Maria, Jule F., Julie J., Karie)

Tired of staring out the window at the rain? Go wish SoundYoga (WSB sponsor) a happy 20th anniversary! Until 4 pm, the celebration is on at SoundYoga’s 5639 California SW [map] studio. Long before yoga became trendy, Chris Dormaier founded SoundYoga; she is also a Certified Teacher Trainer in the tradition of Krishnamacharya – the tradition in which all SoundYoga teachers are certified. They’re celebrating this afternoon with demonstrations, raffles, and free SoundYoga license-plate holders. Chris tells us that SoundYoga was West Seattle’s first yoga studio and that when she was getting started, they ended up buying the property because no one would rent to her – they thought a yoga business wouldn’t last! Not only has it lasted … there are new features, like the “total relaxation” setup:

You can see the current SoundYoga class schedule here.

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FOLLOWUP: After open houses for new West Seattle Junction park, you can now vote online for your favorite design
February 3, 2018 12:28 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Whether or not you made it to one of Thursday’s open houses for the new West Seattle Junction park (4700 block of 40th SW), you might be interested in the next step – the online survey you can use to see and choose which of the three designs you like best. Just got word from Seattle Parks‘ Karimah Edwards that the survey is now available online. The survey page also gives you a closeup of each design option, and has links to the “virtual tours” – Option 1 is here, Option 2 is here, Option 3 is here. The park will be on two-thirds of an acre that the city bought five years ago and “landbanked” until now; $1.9 million from Park District levy proceeds is budgeted to develop it, with construction expected next year.

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Ways to spend your West Seattle Saturday
February 3, 2018 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lowman Beach driftwood, photographed Friday by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

Welcome to the weekend! Saturday highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

OPEN HOUSE: Shorewood Christian School, preschool through 8th grade, invites you to stop by between 10 am and 2 pm. (10300 28th SW)

BASEBALL REGISTRATION: Southwest Little League is registering players 11 am-2 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park. (1321 SW 102nd)

WINE & CHOCOLATE: Valentine’s Day is coming, and Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) is again pairing three of its award-winning wines with three chocolate truffles from Seattle’s own Intrigue Chocolate – this time with truffle bars, mini-truffle sets, and assorted chocolate bars. You can get in on this at the Viscon Cellars tasting room today and Friday/Saturday of next week too. The tasting room is open 5-9 pm Fridays and 2-7 pm Saturdays. (5910 California SW)

2ND MEMOIR-WRITING CLASS, VENUE CHANGE: The second of Martin Piccoli‘s memoir-writing classes has changed venues – 4 to 5:20 pm at Delridge Library. More info in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION: While the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum is usually open noon-4 pm, you have the chance to visit this evening during the opening reception for “Navigating to Alki,” the brand-new exhibit. 5-7 pm. All welcome. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

FUND THE FUTURE: Highland Park Elementary‘s first-ever auction fundraiser is tonight at Highland Park Improvement Club, 6 pm. Details in our calendar listing; 21+. (1116 SW Holden)

WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: Hate-Free Delridge joins WSMM this month to present “Harvest of Empire.” 6:30 mingling, 7 pm film that “reveals the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America, and immigration today.” Discussion afterward, with Spanish interpretation; the film is subtitled. At Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

ADMIRAL BIRD ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Celebrate 4 years of Admiral Bird – but don’t go to the coffee shop for the party – it’s happening at South Park Hall, the new venue operated by its co-proprietors. 7 pm-11 pm. Free! All ages. (1253 S. Cloverdale)

THE DEBUTONES: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – “It’s a pleasure to welcome back The Debutones, and the light hidden gems of acoustic roots-based songs they perform so well.” Ticket info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

THERE’S MORE! See our complete calendar here.

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BASKETBALL: Crosstown competitors’ clash, report #2 – Chief Sealth vs. West Seattle boys
February 3, 2018 3:27 am
|    Comments Off on BASKETBALL: Crosstown competitors’ clash, report #2 – Chief Sealth vs. West Seattle boys
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(UPDATED SATURDAY NIGHT with playoff info)

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Unlike the girls’ game that preceded it, last night’s Chief Sealth @ West Seattle boys-varsity game was relatively suspenseful – though the Wildcats won, 58-52, there were longer stretches in which you felt it could have gone either way. And the fans that filled both sides of the gym seemed to be hanging on every play like a dunking player who won’t let go of the rim.

Sealth #14 Sadique Calloway led scoring with 18 points. He and his teammates roared out to a 6-0 lead before West Seattle got on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter.

Despite a flurry of three-pointers, the first quarter ended with the relatively low score of 13-10, in the Seahawks’ favor. They kept the edge well into the second quarter, until an intense round of turnovers ended with a basket by #23 Anthony Giomi, who was West Seattle’s top scorer with 15.

Next for WSHS with 13 points was #1 Marcus Collins, followed by #5 Abdullahi Mohamed with 11, same tally as Sealth #22 Elijah Jackson. The Wildcats tied the Seahawks at 23-all with less than two minutes to go in the half – and the scoreboard went dark for a long moment. Shortly after it came back, West Seattle took the lead, and took it into the locker room at halftime, 26-24.

WSHS head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s team held the lead most of the way from there, though CSIHS head coach Colin Slingsby and team never let them run away with it. The Seahawks kept aggressively angling for steals and achieved some. The third quarter wrapped with WSHS ahead 42-36.

Then it was time to settle things. Here’s a short clip of fourth-quarter action:

The fans stayed dug into the action, as Sealth kept trying to knock away at West Seattle’s lead, which was up to 8 with less than a minute and a half left, and starting to look permanent. But it got a little closer in the final minute, and Sealth seemed to have an outside chance – until the unavoidable fouling to pry away the ball resulted in foul shots and added points. And the buzzer sounded with WSHS six points ahead.

Senior Night acknowledgments preceded the boys-varsity game:

The varsity team is losing six seniors – #2 Elijah Nnanabu, #3 Kendall Green,, #11 Jackson Golgart, #15 Cass Elliott, #23 Anthony Giomi, and #24 Simon Harris. But first, the postseason awaits, and as with the girls, the boys will find out soon what’s next.

ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: According to the Metro League website, the WSHS boys are scheduled to play O’Dea at 7 pm Monday (February 5th) at that school’s First Hill campus (802 Terry Ave.; map).

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BASKETBALL: Crosstown competitors’ clash, report #1 – West Seattle vs. Chief Sealth girls
February 3, 2018 1:56 am
|    Comments Off on BASKETBALL: Crosstown competitors’ clash, report #1 – West Seattle vs. Chief Sealth girls
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(UPDATED SATURDAY NIGHT with playoff info)

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

The high-school basketball regular season closed in raucous style Friday night at the jampacked West Seattle High School gym, as the Wildcats were visited by the crosstown competition, the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks. The girls’ varsity game started unusually – West Seattle reserves played most of the first quarter, which began with each team getting a technical foul for what we’re told were numbering problems. By the time the first quarter ticked down to two minutes, the players on the floor were mostly varsity.

Sealth’s #3 Celia LaGuardia led all scorers with 24 points. For West Seattle, #20 Grace Sarver was tops with 20.

She came into the game with about three minutes to go in the first, and that’s when WSHS started chipping away at Sealth’s early lead. #32 Meghan Fiso tied it up at 11-11 with less than :20 to go in the quarter – she was the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer on the night with 14 points.

#2 Jasmine Smith had 13 for Sealth:

The Seahawks kept close for much of the second quarter. Baskets were answered, and they didn’t give West Seattle much of a chance to pull away – until the last few minutes of the half, when the Wildcats piled on 12 unanswered points, and went into the locker room with a 37-23 lead.

They held Sealth scoreless for the first three-plus minutes of the second half, until a foul shot that put the score at WSHS 46, Sealth 24. The gap continued to widen, with the third quarter ending WSHS 56, Sealth 30, and nothing much changed in the fourth quarter – though the big crowd, packed on both sides of the gym, kept the energy high, all the way to the final buzzer, with the Wildcats winning 76-51.

P.S. This was senior night for West Seattle – just one varsity player is graduating this year, #5 Rilcy Newsome:

The JV team has three seniors – Kathryn Anawalt, Hanan Yassin, and Rosa Grossi – we were a bit late to the pregame recognition and didn’t catch everyone on camera:

Senior cheerleaders Sophia Grupp and Kat Morigi were celebrated too!

We’ll find out within a few days who’s playing where in the postseason.

ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: According to the Metro League website, the WSHS girls will play their first Metro League tournament game at 7 pm Wednesday (February 7th) at Seattle Pacific University (3307 3rd Ave. W.; map), vs. Cleveland or Ballard (whichever wins their Monday night game).

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CRIME WATCH: Families notified of former Seattle Public Schools employee’s arrest
February 2, 2018 10:03 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Seattle Public Schools confirms this letter – shared with us by a Denny International Middle School parent – was sent to the school’s families tonight:

Dear Denny Middle School families:

This letter is being sent home to our families to share important information about a serious allegation and our commitment to student safety.

You are receiving this letter because the allegation is against an employee who worked or substituted at your child’s school between 2014-15 and 2017-18 school years. We have no information that anything happened in our school, but we want you to be aware.

This week, we were notified that a student at John Muir Elementary had allegedly been sexually assaulted last year by an instructional assistant. While the alleged assaults took place at John Muir Elementary, where the instructional assistant worked full time last year, the student did not tell their parents about it until last Friday. Thankfully, the family immediately contacted law enforcement.

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) began its investigation over the weekend. When the District received the information on Monday, it took swift action against the alleged perpetrator, Mr. Albert Virachismith, to prevent him from being in contact with students and restricted his access to any district property until the SPD criminal investigation is complete. He is not currently working in any Seattle schools. The District also started its own administrative investigation and is coordinating its efforts with the SPD. Last night, the SPD notified us that Mr. Albert Virachismith was placed under arrest and is in custody.

The SPD advised the District that detectives may need to talk to students as they continue to investigate. SPD Detective Anthony Belgarde has been assigned to this case, and I understand he will contact families directly before interviewing any students.

This is difficult news, and we understand you will want to talk to your child about this case. We want to do everything possible to help the police conduct a thorough investigation. The SPD asks parents to avoid asking leading questions that could interfere with the police investigation. If your student indicates on their own that he or she may have been touched inappropriately, contact Detective Belgarde at anthony.belgarde@seattle.gov.

The district is preparing additional information for our school for how to talk with your children about personal safety. Other resources you can access are the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center at 888-998-6423 and Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress for information and help at 206-744-1600. If you have questions or concerns, please share your contact information with our school’s front office.

According to the King County Jail Register, Albert Virachismith, who is 40 years old, was booked earlier today and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, set at a probable-cause hearing earlier today, for investigation of child rape. We don’t have court documents from the hearing so we don’t yet know anything more about the case, aside from this district statement provided by spokesperson Kim Schmanke when we asked her about this tonight:

“Right now, our families are our priority. We are working to notify the families and staff where this individual has worked. These are disturbing allegations, and we are working closely with the Seattle Police Department. As soon as we were notified about the allegations, we barred Mr. Virachismith from taking any district jobs or being on school grounds. We are doing all we can to support a thorough SPD investigation.”

The suspect is due back in court next Tuesday, by which time a decision on charges will likely have been made.

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SPORTS: Congratulations to Kennedy HS swimmers/divers in Saturday’s district championships
February 2, 2018 9:56 pm
|    Comments Off on SPORTS: Congratulations to Kennedy HS swimmers/divers in Saturday’s district championships
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Big day for high-school swimmers/divers tomorrow. Tonight we have an update from Brent Lindblom about Kennedy High School swimmers, including West Seattleites, headed into the district championships:

West Central District III Swim and Dive Champs

Though Kennedy Catholic High School is technically located in Burien, West Seattle has a growing number of students attending the school.

The Kennedy Boys swim and dive team is headed to WCD III 4A Swimming and Diving Championships being held at Curtis Aquatic Center (8805 40th St W, University Place). Congratulations to the Lancer boys moving on to Division championships:

Jack Fenster (50 Free)
Ty Lindblom (100 Back)
Ben Kinerk (50 Free & 100 Free)
Luke Dorsett (200 Free & 100 Free)
Brendan Stoll (50 Free)

Alternates:
Trey Hunt (Alt) – Lucas Richardson (Alt) – JJ Hartog (Alt) – Riley Duvall (Alt) – Ryan Klem (Swim Alt)

Date and Times for Swim Finals:
Saturday, February 3: Swimming Finals (Top 16 from Friday) – 3:30 Warmup – 4:30 Start

Except for participating athletes, all other students and parents must pay. Athletes will sit on the pool deck and spectators will sit upstairs. Admission is cash only – Adults: $8, Students w/ASB $5, Students without ASB $5, Under 12 $4, Senior Citizens $5

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CAMP SECOND CHANCE: Looking ahead to Sunday’s Community Advisory Committee meeting – the contract, and the second-year process
February 2, 2018 8:35 pm
|    Comments Off on CAMP SECOND CHANCE: Looking ahead to Sunday’s Community Advisory Committee meeting – the contract, and the second-year process
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle news

Above (or here in PDF) you can read the city’s contract with LIHI for its first four months of operating Camp Second Chance, the city-sanctioned encampment at 9701 Myers Way S., on the southeast edge of West Seattle. We obtained the contract from the city Human Services Department while looking ahead to Sunday’s monthly meeting of the Community Advisory Committee for the encampment (2 pm, Arrowhead Gardens, 9200 2nd SW).

At the past few meetings, someone has asked about getting a copy of the contract, and it’s been promised, but it hasn’t turned up on the city’s website, so we decided to ask in advance this time. It was for $75,000 to cover LIHI’s costs through the end of last year; HSD tells WSB that the contract for this year has not been finalized yet, but that’s expected to happen this month. Besides specifying the dollar amount, the 2017 contract – signed on November 21st – says that LIHI agrees to operate and provide case-management services for the encampment. It also spells out expectations on the duration of stay, and includes the explanation that the camp is self-managed, though campers do not have veto power over LIHI decisions. It also notes that campers provide security services, with at least one on duty at the gate at all times, and it notes that no one under 18 is allowed to stay at the camp.

One other issue that’s come up at Community Advisory Committee meetings – renewing the camp at the Myers Way Parcels site for a second year. Technically the camp’s already been there for a year and a half, but it didn’t become city-sanctioned until February of last year. We asked HSD spokesperson Meg Olberding about the status of a second year. Her reply in full:

Since opening the first city-funded managed encampment in November 2015, we’ve seen that they are an important part of the continuum to address unsheltered homelessness. Every night, nearly 300 people have a safer place to stay because of our six managed encampments. HSD received direction from the City Council during the budget season to expand the program to all districts in Seattle. We are balancing that policy direction with the commitment we’ve made to both encampment residents and housed neighbors to provide healthy and safe living conditions. As discussed in the Camp Second Chance CAC meeting in early January, HSD is working on a re-permitting process for the City’s managed encampments that acknowledges the commitment made to community members and the importance of these safer spaces for unsheltered people.

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SCHOOL-BUS STRIKE: Union says it will continue Monday
February 2, 2018 6:31 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Friday morning photo courtesy of Al)

Monday is expected to be the third day of the First Student school-bus drivers’ strike in Seattle, according to their union, Teamsters Local 174, which posted this afternoon that “Since First Student still has not reached out to return to the negotiating table, the strike will be continuing on Monday.” The post also mentioned that West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold visited picketers this afternoon (they have lines up outside First Student bus yards in South Park and Lake City). The district said yesterday that the company expected to provide some service during the strike but did not publicly announce where, saying that affected families would be notified directly. The union says health-care benefits for workers’ families are a major point of contention.

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FOLLOWUP: One week until MOD Pizza opens in West Seattle
February 2, 2018 5:40 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Three weeks ago, we reported that the new MOD Pizza in The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) planned to open in “early February.” The official grand opening is now set for one week from today – noon on Friday, February 9th. The Seattle-based chain also has picked the nonprofit to which it’ll donate opening day’s pizza proceeds: FareStart. If you haven’t been to MOD, its angle on pizza is that you get to choose your toppings, none or one or many, same price.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Reader spots stolen boots
February 2, 2018 2:29 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Reader spots stolen boots
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another case in which a West Seattle Crime Watch reader report led to a theft victim being reunited with at least some of their stolen property. You might recall the car-break-in report from Emily, who was hopeful someone might spot her stolen ski boots. And someone did – we got a message yesterday from a reader who found them, and some of the other stolen items, less than a mile away, in the underground parking garage by Bartell Drugs in Admiral. Emily now has them back and adds, “I really appreciate the effort made by the person who found the items to reunite them with me.” We hope you don’t ever have a crime to report, but if you do, once you’ve filed a police report, let us know so we can include it here – at least as a warning to your neighbors peninsula-wide, and if it was a theft, a WSB reader just might spot some or all of your stuff.

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