West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Sponsorship for youth sports is a fairly common thing. But you’re probably used to hearing about it in the context of businesses sponsoring teams.
Tonight, meet an individual athlete seeking sponsorship. She’s a West Seattle 9-year-old who’s in the early stage of a promising gymnastics career, already training long hours every day, and piling up state championships. She’s Finley Young, aka “Finley the Fearless” (that’s her Instagram handle). Finley’s mom Jennifer explains, “Our daughter is desperate to continue with her elite gymnastics career. She is seeking a local sponsor to help her with expenses.” She lists Finley’s achievements on this flyer:
Here’s Finley in action, at a recent meet:
Jennifer explains that the costs of competing at the elite level of gymnastics can be up to $10,000 a year. Travel is the greatest cost; Junior Olympic-level coaching and competition fees are next. Gym fees, regulation leotards, summer training camp – it all adds up. So Finley is seeking sponsorship. She incidentally has a role model in the family – older sister Tessa also has won state and regional championships.
However, their mom says, Tessa isn’t interested in long-term training at the elite level; Finley is.
So what’s in it for a sponsor? For one, it’s tax-deductible, through a booster club. And as with other kinds of youth-sports sponsorship, there’s exposure, and gratitude. Contact info is on Finley’s flyer, above or here (PDF).
The candy-cane-striped tree is one of the highlights of this year’s Menashe Family Lights display. Several people have messaged us to ask how long the display stays up for viewing, so we checked with the family today. Answer: Through January 6th. (The display, which has been on since the day after Thanksgiving, is at 5605 Beach Drive SW.)
The video and report are from Ken:
We live in the 4000 block of 45th Ave SW. We have been having our kitchen renovated and the contractor had a lockbox on our back door with a key to our house inside. At 5:45 am an unidentified male cut the lockbox off the door with bolt cutters and left.
10 minutes later he returned, along with an unidentified female, and entered our home using the key. He was in the house less approx 30 seconds, running out when he heard us awake and coming downstairs. Everything was captured by our doorbell camera (which he put his hand over when he was using the key but did not when he was cutting off the lock box!). SPD did respond timely but the two burglars were gone.
The SPD incident # is 19-477540.
So it goes in the social-media sphere sometimes – we found out about that YouTube stream via an Instagram post: North Delridge’s Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) noted that its Mode Music and Performing Arts space next door is hosting the 3rd annual 24-hour livestream-a-thon by General Mojo’s. We remember the group from its 2018 Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show. General Mojo’s and special guests are performing to raise money for NAMI Seattle, explaining that it’s “the only organization in the Seattle area working specifically to fill the gaps in our local mental health system through peer-led education, referrals, and support.” Go to the event’s YouTube page for a donation list and specific instructions on how to be sure your donation is linked to the fundraiser.
(Bald Eagles photographed at Alki by Mark Wangerin)
You and your mate/pals/family looking for something to do tonight? Here are four possibilities, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
UEHARA-BINGEN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FINALE: Last scheduled show for this display! Be there at 6:15 pm for the 6:30 pm show. Free. (1736 Alki SW)
HALCYON THE MERMAID: “Celtic harp as a mermaid,” live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
YUKI AOKI QUINTET: Live jazz at Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 8 pm. Cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)
JESSICA LURIE QUARTET: At Parliament Tavern, Jessica Lurie with Joe Doria, Bill Horist, and Heather Thomas. 9 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Full list is in our calendar. Got something that’s not listed there? Send it! Listings are free.
(WSB photo)
Earlier this month, Seattle Parks told us the renovated E.C. Hughes Playground (2805 SW Holden) would be open by month’s end – and that’s indeed happened (as noted earlier this week by commenter Leah). Today’s announcement:
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce the new play area at E.C. Hughes Playground is open. Small areas around the play area are fenced off and will be seeded in the spring when the temperatures will allow for grass establishment.
The play area renovation project provides nature-themed play structures accessible to children of all abilities, ages 2-5 and 5-12. The play area features slides, climbing structures, new swings, a large netted merry-go-round and climbing balls. Improvements to the site also include new bike racks, relocation of the kiosk, a new accessible drinking fountain, and an accessible transfer platform for the sand pit. Through this project, safety has been improved and play area accessibility has been brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Funding for this park project is provided by the Seattle Park District. Approved by Seattle voters in 2014, the Seattle Park District provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding to Seattle Parks and Recreation for maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.
The old play equipment had to be replaced because of termite damage found more than two years ago after similar damage shut down Lincoln Park South Play Area, where renovations are supposed to finally start next year.
4:50 PM: SPD has confirmed that the missing teen was found safe.
ORIGINAL 10:44 AM POST:Read More
If you have a young reader in the family who’s reading – or has read – the Louisa May Alcott classic “Little Women” (now the subject of a new movie), here’s a chance to talk about it. Next Thursday (January 2nd), local educator Julia Douthwaite Viglione, Ph.D., is leading a “‘Little Women’ Book Discussion Club” for ages 8+ at Paper Boat Booksellers. It’s free; Dr. Viglione explains, “We will engage in spirited and well-focused discussion of “Little Women” … You will read the book before coming, and you will write down your favorite quotes to share during the discussion.” It’s happening 11 am-12:30 pm next Thursday; Paper Boat is at 6040 California SW.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts reported in our area so far.
1:06 AM: In case you wondered about the sirens: A Seattle Fire response that started small at Springline (3220 California SW) was briefly upgraded to a “full response,” but moments after the extra units arrived – per the incident log – it was downgraded again and most were dismissed. We’ll follow up later this morning.
9:54 AM: SFD spokesperson Hilton Almond tells WSB it was a kitchen fire, “quickly extinguished.”
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