West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
Even the coin toss had a backstory when Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School played a crosstown-competition soccer match this afternoon at Walt Hundley Playfield. Barry J. White tells it:
Captains Asael Garcia and Jerome Schroeder of Chief Sealth (L) met West Seattle captain Charlie Dyer (R) for the coin toss. For Schroeder and Dyer, it was was the final meeting of a long and successful youth career. Both players started in the West Seattle Soccer Club and played at Madison Middle School and regional Select and Premier clubs before becoming among the most accomplished goalkeepers each high school program has produced.
(This photo and next by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
As for the game – Barry has that story too:
Chief Sealth scraped out a 2-1 win over West Seattle in an entertaining and hard-fought edition of their annual rivalry. The Wildcats went ahead midway through the first half when Oscar Callahan got on the end of a lofted ball into the box to poke it home. An active Wildcat defense largely denied the Seahawks good looks at goal until coughing up a penalty near the stroke of halftime. But Dyer comfortably saved the spot kick and the score remained 1-0 at the break.
Waves of Seahawk pressure in the second half finally broke the Wildcat defense. Nico Americo rounded his man midway through the half and beat Dyer at his near post. Moments later Dani Cabrera bundled home a loose ball off a corner kick and Chief Sealth had their first lead. The Wildcats applied late pressure but couldn’t conjure the equalizer.
A West Seattle team in transition came into the game already out of playoff contention and will play a consolation game Friday. Chief Sealth enjoyed a stellar 11-1-3 (W/L/D) season, finishing third in the Metro League and ranked #9 in the state. Metro League playoffs begin Friday.
Congratulations to Sounders FC and their fans – the team won the Concacaf Champions League championship tonight, first Major League Soccer team to win that title. The 74 in lights on the Russell Investments Building downtown – seen in a photo sent by a reader who wondered about it – is a tribute to the team’s original founding in 1974. Above the numbers are the words “born in,” as also seen in the photo we published back in November 2017,
Those photos are from charging documents filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office against 34-year-old Jessica Mae Beach. She’s charged with attempted first-degree robbery and second-degree theft after what started as a shoplift attempt in the T-Mobile store in South Delridge on April 25th. The documents say she tried to steal a display phone, using wire cutters, and that employees confronted her, at which time she “lifted her shirt, revealing what appeared to be a black handgun tucked in her waistband, and told (an employee) to get back.” She gave up on trying to cut the phone loose and left – but came back 10 minutes later to steal a phone and smart watches, even as a different employee and a customer (who provided the images shown above) recorded video. The charges say Beach left in what turned out to be a stolen car, eventually stopped by King County Sheriff’s Deputies in Burien after she backed into one of their marked vehicles. The car was searched three days later; in it, police found a realistic-looking BB pistol as well as the clothing and purse Beach was wearing in the video from inside the store. She also is under investigation for a Burien phone-store robbery shortly before the West Seattle incident. Prosecutors say Beach’s record includes theft and trespassing convictions, plus warrants are out for her in theft cases in Kent and Lakewood – those are among more than 20 “failure to appear” warrants issued for her since 2018. She remains in jail with bail set at $150,000.
7:47 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip! Transient orcas are heading southbound past West Seattle right now, passing Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW). Kersti says the notch-finned whale nicknamed “Chainsaw” is with them.
8:08 PM: Kersti reports the orcas are now passing Lowman Beach, “and they’re close.”
The Hall at Fauntleroy, in the historic schoolhouse, is open for events again, and that meant the Fauntleroy Community Association could host its first in-person annual meeting since pre-pandemic. Last night’s gathering included the election of board members:
From left above are board members Bruce Butterfield, Mike Dey, David Haggerty, Marty Westerman, Susan Lantz-Dey, Catherine Bailey, Alexis Zolner, and Frank Immel. (Board members who couldn’t be there are Sydney Hammerquist, Nils von Veh, Bill Wellington, Kris Ilgenfritz, and Alan Grainger.) The event also is known as the Food Fest, because local businesses provide bites for meeting-goers – among them, Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) in nearby Westwood:
There from Daystar were Corrine Camerota and Jason Kitchel, with a salmon-pate bite. Jack Miller from Husky Deli was there too, with sandwich samples:
Community organizations tabled, too, among them, the Emergency Communication Hubs, represented by Cindi Barker and Michael Brunner:
Whichever part of the peninsula you’re on, find your nearest hub – a place to go in case of catastrophe – on this map. And set your calendar for one more Fauntleroy event, a June 7th dine-out fundraiser at Endolyne Joe’s to support the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (which is looking for more volunteers, too, as reported here). You are also welcome at the FCA’s board meetings, held second Tuesdays at 7 pm – watch fauntleroy.net for updates.
P.S. Also coming up – a May 24th FCA-organized meeting about the Fauntleroy ferry dock-replacement project; details to come.
In the mood to shop? Buy something a local business donated to help a school! Bidding is on right now to benefit Gatewood Elementary – here’s the announcement:
Bid Now on the Gatewood Online Silent Auction!
The Gatewood Elementary Online Silent Auction is on now, and anyone can bid! The theme, Gatewood Literary Society, celebrates our students through the lens of magical books, well-loved stories, and never-ending imagination. On top of sporting events, great gift packages by local businesses, excellent wines, award-winning beers (like this rare find you can’t get in Washington State) and cabin rentals – we have an array of imaginative books to encourage your child’s love of reading.
All proceeds go to the Gatewood PTA and supports our West Seattle Community. You can start bidding here: gatewood2022.ggo.bid
Bidding continues through Friday (May 6th).
137 fry, raised by The Cove School‘s preschoolers (with grownup help), were released into Fauntleroy Creek this morning, on the second day of this year’s Salmon in the Schools releases.
Fauntleroy Watershed Council volunteer Dennis Hinton talked with the students about this phase of the salmon’s lives, and then they took turns releasing the fry into the creek:
Over a span of a little more than three weeks, a dozen schools and a Brownie troop are releasing fry into the creek. They’ve been tending to the salmon since volunteers Judy Pickens and Phil Sweetland led distribution of eggs back in December. The fry are released into upper Fauntleroy Creek, as the lower-creek habitat is reserved for the results of last fall’s big spawning season (244 spawners).
1:38 PM: Thanks to Desiree for the report: “In north lane as you head up, west on Highland Park. Metro bus and 2 other trucks. Appears via was rear-ended by truck who (was) rear-ended by another truck.” SDOT camera shows this blocking the outside uphill lane; SFD cleared quickly so apparently no serious injuries. (added) Police are just arriving on scene, dispatched at one driver’s request.
2:13 PM: The camera shows the scene has cleared.
Need concrete work? Portal LLC is in West Seattle, here to help! As we welcome Portal to the WSB sponsor team, here’s what proprietor Chris Hildebrand wants you to know:
We are unique in that we live in and exclusively service the community of West Seattle. We’ve called West Seattle home for over 20 years and we are deeply connected to these neighborhoods and the families who live here. Staying in one place means we can be responsive to our clients when they need us, and it also means accountability – we are your neighbor, we are easy to find, and we can only be successful if we take great care of every single West Seattle resident we are fortunate enough to work with.
Clients tell us they like working with Portal because of our professionalism, our clear communication, and our focus on Customer Satisfaction. Our online reviews tell the story from our client’s perspective and we hope people check those out. Here is a text I recently received which is typical of the feedback we receive: “Chris, I just wanted to tell you that in all the days of rain lately, our basement has remained dry. We are thrilled. Thanks again for the work with the drains and the new pavement at the back of our house. It was money well spent!”
We have been involved in volunteer grassroots efforts in and around the West Seattle DIY skateboard community for over two decades and don’t have any plans to quit. If anyone has a concrete skate spot they need help with, I invite them to hit us up!
In that photo is a recent project in West Seattle. Our client hired us to build stairs and a wall, and halfway through the project asked if we could add “skateboard-able” elements to the design. This was the concept we ended up coming up with together. We love building stuff like this and dream of pouring concrete skate structures all throughout West Seattle!
Envisioning a project? Reach Portal at chris@buildwithportal.com and 206-419-3880 (text or voice).
We thank Portal LLC for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Three quick notes about what’s next for the West Seattle (and beyond) Sound Transit light-rail project – scheduled to launch service in 2032 – after last Thursday’s end to the three-month comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement:
HOW MANY COMMENTS? We asked ST about the final tally. More than 5,000, according to spokesperson Rachelle Cunningham. ST now has to respond to them in the final EIS, expected next year.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW? While ST had been saying the board was likely to decide in June what to send into the final EIS studies, its email update today says the board “is expected to confirm or modify the preferred alternative and station locations in July.” If that’s at the regular board meeting (usually the fourth Thursday of the month), the date would be July 28th.
ONE MORE MEETING: The Community Advisory Groups for the project have one more meeting scheduled. The group for the West Seattle/Duwamish segment will meet online at 5 pm next Tuesday (May 10th) – you’ll be able to watch here. (Here’s our coverage of the CAG’s previous meeting, at which ST said possible cost-saving measures could include dropping the Avalon station.)
(Spotted Towhee, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Reminders for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SPORTS: Two softball games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – first at 3:30 pm, Chief Sealth IHS hosts Holy Names, and then at 4 pm, West Seattle HS hosts Auburn .. At 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS meet for a soccer match … at 7 pm at NCSWAC, Chief Sealth hosts Roosevelt for a baseball game
SCHOOL SCHEDULE CHANGES? The proposal to go back to a three-tiered schedule at Seattle Public Schools (previously reported here) was on the School Board’s agenda for introduction at today’s meeting, which starts at 4:15 pm, but we just noticed that it’s been removed. We’re following up with the district, but in the meantime, the public-comment period includes some speakers planning to address it. Here’s the agenda; here’s how to watch (or be there in person at SPS HQ, 3rd/Lander in SODO).
FAUNTLEROY DOCK-REPLACEMENT PROJECT: The Community Advisory Group for the Fauntleroy dock/terminal replacement project meets online at 6 pm. No public-comment period, but all are welcome to watch/listen – register here.
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: This coalition of West Seattle/South Park community advocates meets online at 7 pm. All are welcome; the agenda has information on how to attend.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW) (See comment below)
TRIVIA x 2: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
Have something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The Madison Middle School WEB program (Where Everybody Belongs) is partnering again this year with Dream Dinners West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – “the original meal-kit company” – and you can help by ordering for one of the special pickup days! Co-coordinator Mike Kreiger explains WEB as “about 90 eighth-grade leaders who help make the school a more inclusive place. We plan and run the 6th grade orientation, give tours to new students, and make relationships by tutoring new-to-Madison students. We meet during advisory and lunch and plan fun ‘get to know you’ activities with the 6th graders to make them feel connected to Madison.” They’re facing budget uncertainties next year but this fundraiser can help. The announcement continues:
By helping WEB and a local small business, your money has a DOUBLE positive impact in our community. For $50 you can get three 3-serving meals (9 servings total), and $10 of that will go straight to Madison’s WEB program for next year. You can pay online up to 36 hours before the pick-up time, and then just pick up during your window and you have 3 pre-made meals that are ready to cook!
Here are the dates (and links) where Dream Dinners West Seattle will donate a portion of their sales to Madison WEB. Deadline to order is May 12th – Spaces fill quickly:
• Saturday, May 14th 10:30 am dreamdinners.com/session/926623
• Monday, May 16th 10:30 am dreamdinners.com/session/926624
• Thursday, May 19th 6 pm dreamdinners.com/session/926625
• Friday, May 20th 11 am dreamdinners.com/session/926626
If you are not interested in Dream Dinners at this time, we are asking for donations of $10 (or more) to keep WEB going strong. If you can help, here is the donation link and there is a QR code attached. All funds will be will be used for WEB curriculum (from the Boomerang Project in California), supplies for orientation, ice breaker and energizer supplies, WEB trainings, WEB retreats, and other WEB related supplies. Any amount supports this program to its full capacity and is greatly appreciated!
Here’s the flyer. (Dream Dinners West Seattle is on the outer east side of Jefferson Square, at 4701 41st SW.)
6:03 AM: Good morning and welcome to Wednesday, May 4th.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts a mostly cloudy day, slightly warmer – high in the 60s.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – including later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ferries: WSF continues using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
772nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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