West Seattle, Washington
10 Saturday
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
10:11 PM: We’re at Ingraham High School, where the West Seattle HS boys’ district-playoff game against top-seeded Garfield just ended with a 71-58 loss that doesn’t reflect how most of the game went – the Wildcats were ahead at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters. They have at least one more game – Friday night vs. Bellevue at Bellevue College, 6:30 pm. Photos, video, and details when we get back to HQ.
12:37 AM: That exhilarating 3-pointer by WSHS #13 Vlad Salaridze is what ended the third quarter on a high note, putting the Wildcats ahead 43-40 after they clawed back from a nine-point halftime deficit, 32-23.
Though they fell behind in the second quarter, the first was a thriller, with #24, freshman Chase Clifton, nabbing six of the first nine WSHS points, punctuated by Salaridze’s first 3-pointer. Adding in strong rebounding and defense, the Wildcats led 17-10 when the first quarter ended.
Cold shooting hurt them in the second quarter. What hurt more in the fourth was that the Bulldogs simply seemed to decide to intensify, mowing through and leaping over their opponents in ways they didn’t deploy much in the first three quarters. While the end result was a disappointment, that couldn’t erase West Seattle’s overall strong performances. After Salaridze’s 19 points, #12, sophomore Isaiah Watts, had 16:
And #3, senior Sage Nelson, totaled 12:
Head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats must win Friday’s game to stay alive in the postseason.
Bellevue is 11-13 for the season while WSHS is 13-11.
We could only stay for the first half-hour of tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting because we had to move on to the basketball playoffs – here’s what we heard:
Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis reiterated that auto theft is up as the year begins – that and shoplifting are two big issues the local police are working to address, Auto theft is “29 or 30 incidents up over this time last year.” No especially hard-hit area – thefts are literally all over the map. But they’re making arrests, like the one we reported Monday afternoon.
A tactic in both categories: Capt. Davis says they’re “bird-dogging … prolific offenders.” The precinct gave away Club anti-theft devices recently, and they’re hoping to order more for another giveaway. Regarding shoplifting, they’re working with various stores’ corporate headquarters as part of a multipronged attack on the problem.
As always, there was an opportunity for Q&A and community concerns, but there were none. One reminder – Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner reminded everyone that another Women’s Personal Safety Class – actually open to everyone, not just women, and recommended for ages 14 and up. It’s a “mental” class, not a “physical” class, as Danner explained it. 6 pm March 3rd, free – our calendar listing has more info and the RSVP link.
Join hundreds of neighbors in supporting thousands of local kids and their families – WestSide Baby’s Community in Bloom brunch is approaching, and this is prime time for tickets:
We are about one month away from WestSide Baby’s signature fundraising event with a new, fresh twist – BRUNCH!
Community in Bloom – A Brunch to Benefit WestSide Baby!
Table of 10: $750
Single tickets: $75Sunday, March 22, 2020 – Sheraton Grand Seattle
Social Hour begins at 12:15 pm with Program and brunch served at 1:00 pm
We are inviting our community to gather around tables with a common goal – ensuring children have their most basic needs met! These tables can be hosted by YOU and will be filled with delicious food, refreshing beverages and inspiring connections. Plus, enjoy a VIP experience for all with mimosas, tea, coffee and delicious brunch fare to celebrate and support WestSide Baby.
Get your tickets here.
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‘Rehire! Rehire!’ That’s one of the chants heard at this afternoon’s student-led rally at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, four days after the school community was roiled by the announcement of two gay teachers’ sudden “voluntary resignation.” West Seattle families with kennedy students called our attention to the controversy over the weekend, and it has drawn national as well as regional attention.
Even before students walked out at 1 pm (video above) in support of teachers Paul Danforth and Michelle Beattie, South 140th Street in front of the school was filled with hundreds of people of all ages, many hoisting signs of support and rainbow flags.
The rally began with the Lord’s Prayer. From there, students took turns at the microphone, voicing both their support for the teachers, displeasure with school leadership and the Archdiocese of Seattle – believed to have masterminded the move – and their calls for change.
One adult took the microphone to huge cheers – Danforth’s fiancé Sean Nyberg.
He also spoke to reporters before the rally (video added).:
He said Danforth misses the students. And Nyberg said he wanted to be there to stress love and support for LGBTQ teens. Also present in support but not speaking, Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta and Councilmember Cydney Moore.
Multiple student speakers both demanded and promised change.”This wasn’t the first time (something like this has happened), but it will be the last,” said one. Another, describing herself as “heartbroken (and) disgusted,” asked, “Why can’t the Catholic Church get on the train? Change has been happening for thousands of years.” Students standing in support included soccer players – Beattie was their coach:
Another promised the rally was “just the beginning.” There was a demand for an all-school meeting so that the situation can be fully aired. One speaker said “the silence (of school leadership) is deafening.”
Though there were rumors of a counterprotest, none was seen, A King County Sheriff’s Office deputy told us about 10 people showed up but quickly departed. KCSO – with which Burien contracts for police services – had bicycle officers there, but the rally remained peaceful.
As 2 pm approached, the crowd started to dwindle; students told us they would remain outside the school until the official end of the day around 2:30, and continued sporadic chants, such as “We want change,” “I believe that love will win,” and “Gay rights are human rights.” Even the school’s namesake got a shout-out:
The school’s current enrollment is 851, according to a KCHS webpage that also notes, one FAQ later, that “Inclusiveness is a priority at Kennedy Catholic.”
-Report by Tracy Record, images by Patrick Sand, WSB co-publishers
Just announced by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has appointed a new Executive Director, Michael King.
Michael comes to the Historical Society from the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett, where he managed the museum’s education and volunteer programs. Prior to working at FHCAM, he worked at the Nordic Museum in Seattle, serving in both the programs and development departments, during which time he built on the experience he gained at several heritage and cultural organizations including the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
He earned a Ph.D. in History and Culture from Drew University and holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in history from Lehigh University.
Originally from Tacoma, Michael is a dedicated advocate of local history and is eager to serve new and established audiences across the Duwamish Peninsula and beyond while leading the Historical Society’s programmatic, advocacy, and preservation efforts. The Board looks forward to working with Michael and is deeply appreciative of his enthusiasm for our mission.
It’s been more than a year since the previous SWSHS executive director, Jeff McCord, departed. The SWSHS is headquartered at the historic Log House Museum on Alki, which you can visit noon-4 pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
With the new downtown routing for most West Seattle buses launching Saturday, city/county/state officials are planning a media event tomorrow. So if you have lingering questions in advance of buses switching to the Columbia Street Transit Pathway, let us know and we’ll do ou best to get answers. (westseattleblog@gmail.com if you don’t want to post in the comment section – thanks!)
(Photos via King County Assessor’s Office)
Three months ago, we reported on an early-stage proposal to replace those houses at 3010 and 3014 SW Avalon Way wth an 8-story, 87-unit apartment building. Now the plan has a date set for an Early Community Outreach for Design Review meeting: 11 am Saturday, February 29th, at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW). If you can’t be there, AvalonWayProject@earlydroutreach.com is the email address for comments/questions.
Thanks to Jonathan for sharing the photo of The West Seattle Turkey so we could proclaim this another #TurkeyTuesday; several readers worried aloud about lack of turkey sightings, so here’s your reasssurance that, going into Month 11, The Turkey’s still here. Meantime, highlights for the rest of today/tonight:
STATE OF THE CITY LIVESTREAM: Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s third State of the City address is coming up at 11:30 am; you can watch it live here.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC HS RALLY: For those following the controversy over two gay teachers’ sudden departure from Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, which has a significant number of West Seattleite students, a 1 pm rally is planned outside the school. (140 S. 140th)
GIRL SCOUT INFO NIGHT: 6 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. “Come and learn more about different ways to volunteer, what girls do at Girl Scouts, schedules, cost and how to sign up the girl in your life!” More info here. (2306 42nd SW)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at Southwest Precinct, your chance to hear from and talk with local police, plus a special guest from the SPD Victim Support Team. (2300 SW Webster)
UNPLUGGED – A MUSICAL GATHERING! 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). All types of acoustic instrumentalists/musicians welcome. (5612 California SW)
BASKETBALL: 8:30 pm, the West Seattle High School boys have a district playoff game against Garfield HS, at Ingraham HS in North Seattle. (1819 N. 135th(
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! Remember, Seattle Public Schools are out all week.
Looking ahead:
NEW TRANSIT PATHWAY OPENS SATURDAY: New pathway into downtown for most West Seattle bus routes starting Saturday – here’s the original announcement.
1ST AVENUE S. BRIDGE CLOSURES: Friday and Saturday nights, the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge is scheduled to be closed, 9 pm-8 am Friday into Saturday and Saturday into Sunday.
Youngstown Coffee Company proprietor Zoe Kritzer says she’s closing her original shop, the one at 5214 Delridge Way SW, at month’s end. Here’s how she’s announcing it to customers this morning:
It is with a heavy heart and an overwhelming amount of gratitude for your support that I must share this deeply saddening news.
Youngstown Coffee Company on Delridge will officially close on Saturday, February 29th. It has been the greatest privilege to have met so many extraordinary humans and dogs over the last 14 months. I can’t thank you enough for welcoming us into the neighborhood with open arms and daily transformative and inspiring conversations.
If you or anyone you know is interested in making this magical shop yours and continuing the dream of a shop built on community, coffee, and connection, please email: wonderwallseattle@gmail.com
Five months after opening the Delridge shop, Zoe expanded to 6032 California SW in Morgan Junction. That shop, and its “kitchen” next door, will remain open.
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