West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
(February photo: L-R, team members Khaim Vasser-Fontenot, Clarissa Perez, Nassir Sayda, Logan Webster; coach Matt Baudhuin)
One month ago, we reported on the Chief Sealth International High School Ethics Bowl team’s historic state championship – not just the first time CSIHS had won, but the first time a public high school had won. They’re hoping to travel to North Carolina for the national competition next month, and it will take community contributions to make that happen. So a crowdfunding campaign is under way and is halfway to the goal – if you can help send them to state, just go here.
This hasn’t been circulated widely by SDOT yet, but a postcard has landed in some mailboxes with the date for the promised open house before work starts on the next big road project in West Seattle — repaving and rechannelization of SW Avalon Way, plus repaving of three blocks of 35th SW and one block of SW Alaska. The postcard reiterates what SDOT announced a little over a month ago, that construction might start as soon as April. The open house is scheduled for 5:30-7 pm Thursday, March 14th, at American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle (3618 SW Alaska). If you’ve missed previous updates, these maps show exactly how the project will change channelization and parking; these maps show what kind of repaving will be done and where; project toplines were also featured in our January 30th update.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Area residents gathered Wednesday night to hear details about a $1 million settlement requiring Seattle Iron & Metals to make changes in response to long-standing concerns with water/air pollution and safety.
The community briefing, held on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Georgetown campus, focused on the details of the January settlement between SIM and Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, in cooperation with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition.
Last August, we covered a similar DRCC briefing following the barge fire at Seattle Iron and Metals that prompted a great deal of community concern. Safety concerns stemming from that incident were part of the Wednesday night discussion, which included representation from numerous area entities, including SIM itself.
(WSB photos)
In the heart of The Junction, just south of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, about 20 people of all ages gathered at midday today, for a quiet demonstration billed by organizers as a “community circle.”
The demonstration was simple – signs, chalk art, face painting. Organizers told us about it via a social-media event page in which they said they want to counter “uncovered hate” via a “physical circle of humans representing community, love, and our protecting of our LGBTQIA family.”
So far five people have registered campaigns for the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) Seattle City Council seat in the August primary, and we’ve received the first announcement of a candidates’ forum at which you can see them side by side. SpeakOutSeattle says it’s presenting the forum 7-8:30 pm Thursday, March 21st, at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska):
SpeakOutSeattle (SOS) is holding its first forum to hear from the candidates for Seattle District Council Position 1 for candidates to answer questions relating to public safety, homelessness and addiction/mental illness issues facing Seattle.
The event will be moderated by an independent moderator, Juan Cotto, and the candidates will stay after the event to talk to constituents and accept donations and/or vouchers.
Refreshments will be served for free. We hope to have a good turnout. This is a great opportunity to ask questions of candidates and see who is most responsive to the needs of our community.
Organizers say all five candidates who have registered campaigns so far have accepted the invitation:
Jesse Greene
Lisa Herbold
Brendan Kolding
Phil Tavel
Isaiah Willoughby
The formal filing period is in May, so the primary field won’t be finalized until then.
After hours of delays on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run of Washington State Ferries, both ferries are still running up to half an hour late, according to WSF. And another problem in the system has led to a decision to run a two-boat schedule tomorrow (Monday, March 4th). Here’s the WSF announcement:
Because of an unexpected mechanical problem with the M/V Wenatchee and a lack of available standby vessels, the Fauntleroy/Vashon Island/Southworth route must operate on a two-boat schedule with the 124-vehicle capacity Cathlamet in the number 1 position, and the 90-vehicle capacity Sealth in the number 2 position. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and consider giving themselves extra time.
We’re told today’s delays, attributed by WSF in part to an “earlier drill,” indeed involved a rescue-boat drill early this morning, with engine trouble for the drill boat resulting to a need for a second rescue boat to be launched to help out.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Reignwolf, the blues-rock brainchild of Canadian-turned-Seattleite Jordan Cook, played a rowdy in-store performance at Easy Street Records on Thursday night.
This week the band released their first full-length album, “Hear Me Out,” and played the show and album-signing at Easy Street before playing a sold-out show on Friday at the Sunset Tavern.
Reignwolf has played big shows around the world since 2012, opening for bands like Black Sabbath and playing Sasquatch and Bumbershoot, but hasn’t had an album until now. (See this profile from the Seattle Times).
At Easy Street on Thursday night, Cook said it was special for him to play at the store because “without (owner) Matt Vaughan, there would be no Reignwolf.” Vaughan was an early champion of the band, even letting Cook play music on the roof of the Easy Street van at Sasquatch in 2012.
At one point during the show, Cook literally climbed the walls at Easy Street and played songs while his band accompanied him from the stage (with flashlight/spotlight provided by Vaughan, at lower left):
Toward the end of the show, the staff at Easy Street opened the east-facing door/window as the band played on:
Fans could attend the performance by pre-ordering a copy of the new album:
Videos of the performance are below. Here’s the band on the main stage, as seen from the upper balcony:
Here’s Cook playing from up high (with Matt Vaughan wielding the flashlight/spotlight at lower-left):
And here is the end of the band’s set, as seen from just outside on California Avenue:
Upcoming ESR in-store shows are listed on the shop’s website.
He was known – affectionately – as “Rotten Ralph,” and now his family is sharing this remembrance of Ralph R. Kennicott with the community:
“Rotten” Ralph Ruel Kennicott passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 21st, 2019 at the age of 82.
Ralph was born in Hagerman, Idaho on January 16th, 1937. While he was young, his family moved to Washington and settled in West Seattle.
He proudly joined the Navy Reserves before graduating from West Seattle High School in 1955. He raised his family in West Seattle and was the first of 3 generations to graduate from WSHS. During his early life, Ralph enjoyed bird hunting and fishing with his buddies. He was known for his quick wit and humor, earning him the affectionate nickname of “Rotten Ralph.”
In 1983, Ralph married Tanya, the love of his life. After his retirement, they moved to Belfair, WA (2002). There he enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their beach house, “Casa de Crab,” continuing to fish and catch crab and clams. The oysters, however, were safe from his pursuits.
Ralph is survived by his wife Tanya; children Robin (Mark) Olson, Michael (Michele) Kennicott, Alison Newquist, Lisa (Tom) Tomlinson, Emily (Michael) Duckum, and Shawn (Carrie) Kennicott; 20 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial will be held in Belfair on March 23rd, 2019. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice, 360-493-7981.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Another local student served as a legislative page in Olympia this week. The photo and announcement arrivd in the WSB inbox:
Lachlan Swanson, a student at Madison Middle School, served as a page this week in the Washington State House of Representatives. Sponsored by State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle), Lachlan is the son of Emily and Keith Swanson of Seattle.
Pages assume a wide variety of responsibilities, from presenting the flags to distributing amendments on the House floor. Pages support the efficient operation of the Legislature while also receiving daily civics instruction, drafting their own bills, and participating in mock committee hearings.
Find out more about the House Page Program by going here.
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
Happy first Sunday of March! Highlights:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Winter’s end is in sight and newness abounds. Last week, for example, this bagel maker debuted – and sold out. See what’s new today, 10 am-2 pm in the street, in the heart of The Junction. (California between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: While you’re in The Junction, you’ll spot cookie booths – elsewhere in West Seattle, too, pretty much all day and into the night. Check locations and times here.
LOOKING FOR A HOME? WSB sponsor Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate West Seattle is spotlighting this open house near Lincoln Park, 2-4 pm today. (4431 SW Kenyon Place)
CAMP 2ND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: All are welcome at the monthly meeting of the community advisory committee for the city-authorized encampment in southeast West Seattle, 2 pm at Arrowhead Gardens. (9200 2nd SW)
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: RandomPlay featuring Andrea Lynne, 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
SEATTLE SWING DANCE CLUB: Starting at 4 pm at the Masonic Center, lessons and dancing – more info in our calendar listing. (4746 40th SW)
RIPPIN CHICKEN: Soulful night at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE THE REST OF WHAT’S UP TODAY, TONIGHT, BEYOND … via our complete calendar!
| Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: How to help Chief Sealth IHS’s Ethics Bowl team keep making history