West Seattle, Washington
19 Tuesday
West Seattle High School‘s baseball team had only one loss all season before tonight, when they lost in the state 3A semifinals, 3-1, to Mercer Island. Playing in Pasco, Wildcats ace Miles Gosztola held MI scoreless through five but had maxed out on pitches by then; Maddox Brent followed him on the mound, and MI eked out two runs in the sixth, subsequently keeping WSHS from a comeback. West Seattle, which made it to regional/state competition for the first time in eight years, will play Mt. Spokane tomorrow at 12:45 pm for third place.
We noticed that Seattle Police car at Alki Beach around 6:30 pm, a few hours before officers are supposed to start helping Parks personnel close the park for the night. This is the first night of a second summer for the 10 pm closing time at Alki (and Golden Gardens); we first reported in March that the city planned to do it again this year. The beach wasn’t too busy when we went through, but the below-60 temperature is likely more responsible for that than anticipation of early park closure. Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera told the Alki Community Council last week that Parks is supposed to cover the cost of two officers assisting at closing time. One more change ahead at Alki: The beach fire rings are supposed to officially open starting tomorrow; fires are supposed to be out by 9:30 pm.
8:03 PM: Up for sunset whale-watching? Kersti Muul sends word that transient orcas are passing West Seattle, northbound in the ferry lanes off Fauntleroy right now.
8:10 PM: Update from Kersti – they’re now passing Lowman Beach.
Students across the country continued demonstrations today to plead for an end to gun violence, three days after the massacre in Uvalde, Texas. Among today’s protests was a walkout this morning organized by the Student Council at Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School. Participating students left their classrooms at 9 am to demonstrate outside the school at 20th and Roxbury.
They began with a prayer, followed by a student-written poem:
Walker Mae read the poem, “How Many More?” (the author wished to be anonymous), after Rianna led the prayer. Then the students stood in silence for 10 minutes.
Rianna is the Student Council president and invited us to cover the demonstration, explaining, “We are demonstrating that we are against school shootings, gun violence, and to show support to all the lives lost due to this tragedy.”
If you play tennis at the Solstice Park courts (near the north end of Lincoln Park), you know they’ve been hit repeatedly by vandalism, particularly tagging. Chris just sent the photo and report of one person’s way of fighting back. Chris says the artist, James Egan, is a local attorney who told him he paints “to relieve stress.”
Thanks to Ann Marie for the photo, taken at 46th/Stevens. Usually indicates crows are nesting nearby; the state Fish and Wildlife one-sheet about crows includes a special section toward the end that’s devoted to the dive-bombing phenomenon.
(This photo and next one by Tom Trulin. Above, Fauntleroy Children’s Center students)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Salmon-release season for schools on Fauntleroy Creek ended Thursday when children from A Child Becomes Preschool put their coho fry in the water.
All but one of the 15 school releases coordinated by the Fauntleroy Watershed Council resembled field trips before the pandemic. Sizable groups of (masked) students and adults explored the park’s natural habitat while releasing their fish. Some groups also visited the lower creek.
(Holy Rosary students)
All told, 460 children released 1,460 fry reared through the Salmon in the Schools program. Many of the 167 adults who chaperoned also put fish in the water. Members of the all-volunteer release team were Dennis Hinton, Pete Draughon, Shannon Ninburg, and Tom Trulin.
(Photo by Deb Robbins. Above, volunteers Dennis Hinton, Tom Trulin, and Pete Draughon, who will host the June 5 community release)
Most schools did very well this year rearing their salmon from eyed eggs; as a result, about 200 of the “just in case” fish reared by volunteer Jack Lawless can now be used for a community release. All are invited to drop by the big bridge in Fauntleroy Park (map) on Sunday, June 5, 1-3:00 pm to put them in the water.
Also in late May, volunteers wrapped up the annual count of smolts leaving the park and lower creek for their two years in saltwater. The count was considerably lower than last year (11 compared with 49), likely because the pandemic reduced the number of schools that brought fry in 2021. Monitors also counted upward of 400 live fry in the lower smolt trap, most being “home hatch” from last fall’s robust spawning.
The next season of volunteer monitoring will start in mid-October, when salmon watchers will document spawners and spawning activity in the lower creek.
Today we’re welcoming our newest WSB sponsor, Mountain to Sound Outfitters, which has a sale this holiday weekend! New sponsors get the opportunity to let you know what they’re all about, so here’s their story:
Mountain to Sound Outfitters is West Seattle’s local independently owned outdoor store specializing in Snowsports, Paddlesports, Vehicle Racks, and Skates. Greg Whittaker began Mountain to Sound Outfitters in 2009 as several winter-sports specialty shops in the region went out of business, including Olympic Sports and Mt. Pilchuck Ski and Sports. Having operated Alki Kayak Tours since 2005, it was a natural growth option to develop a retail storefront in the Triangle area of West Seattle, catering to local and regional adventurers. Our business philosophy is based on a strong foundation of community spirit and customer service. We’re passionate about expanding the outdoor culture and helping people enjoy all that the Northwest has to offer.
The distinctive green building, located between the American Legion Howitzer and Rotary Park Totem Pole on Alaska and 36th Ave SW, was chosen because of the nature of the business. Large unruly items such as Skis, Snowboards, Kayaks, and Stand Up Paddleboards just wouldn’t have melded into the tight commercial area of The Junction, and it enables customers to park right in front to drop off their skis and snowboards for a tune-up, or get a new Thule cargo box installed on your vehicle.
“The pandemic has been an interesting time for us all and M2S is no exception,” says Whittaker. “People started craving the outdoors and tapped into their inner desire to be on the water. We had all kinds of inquiries about SUPs and kayaks but we couldn’t get much in the way of product. The supply chain has caught up and we are now stocked with a good supply of kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards, skates and racks. Customers come for our summer product lines from all over the state as well as Alaska. Our brands are top notch and the team has the expertise to help guide you into what will work best for the goals you have out exploring Puget Sound and our many waterways.”
This Memorial Day Weekend, Mountain to Sound Outfitters is holding a Sale, offering discounts on Kayaks and SUPs as well as the accessories needed to safely explore our waterways and slopes. Winter clearance Snowboards and Skis are also still available. Stop by and say hi to the crew at 3602 SW Alaska St, and check out the selection when you are driving by and need some gear, or just some eye protection for that rarely seen sun (our selection of sunglasses is one of the best in West Seattle). Open 11 am-6 pm today (Friday, May 27th), 11 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday, and 11 am-6 pm on Memorial Day.
We thank Mountain to Sound Outfitters 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.
(Youth-On-Age Plant, photographed by Rosalie Miller at Schmitz Park)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening along the way to the start of the holiday weekend:
TALK WITH YOUR CITY COUNCILMEMBER: Monthly “office hours” with City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, 2-6 pm online – our calendar listing explains how to get an appointment.
TASTING: 4-6 pm at West Seattle Liquor and Wine (4714 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), they’ll be “pouring award-winning Barrell and Stellar Bourbon” for the weekly tasting event.
AFTER-SCHOOL MAGIC LEAGUE: 4-6 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), open to all 12+ interested in Magic: The Gathering.
SPORTS: Tonight in Pasco, West Seattle High School plays Mercer Island HS in the state 3A championship semifinals, 7:15 pm. WSHS tells us the GameChanger app is expected to have a stream. The state bracket page (click on this game) also has a link to a subscription-only streaming service.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Tonight brings the return of solo acoustic performer Siggie The Vintage Man at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm. All ages, no cover.
MUSIC AND SCOOTERS: 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), “The Kings and The Earthlings get the party started for the Meant to Offend 2022 Scooter Rally.”
Have an event for our calendar/daily lists? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Got an Ultimate Frisbee player in the household? If they’re not already signed up for the first Delridge Disc-O Hat Tournament, here’s the invitation:
DELRIDGE DISC-O
Ultimate Frisbee Hat Tournament
Sunday, June 5, 2022
Middle School Division 11:30-3 pm
High School Division 3:30-7 pm
Delridge Playfield SouthJoin us for this one day Mixed Hat Tournament. We will have separate Middle School and High School divisions. All levels of ultimate players are welcome, from West Seattle as well as anyone willing to drive to our “island.” This is a great opportunity to meet other players and pick up some skills as you see them on the field.
A Hat Tournament is where players will be “randomly” placed on teams, and the team plays several games against the other teams at the tournament. Teams will be constructed so that there will be roughly even skills and gender ratios.
The fee is variable and will be donated to the DiscNW Youth Development fund. Tiers are $20/$10/Free.
Register at discnw.org/e/2022-delridge-disco-youth-hat-tournament
Please email questions to wshsfrisbee@gmail.com or check out our website westsideultimate.org for any FAQs.
6:01 AM: Good morning; welcome to Friday, May 27th.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy, breezy, cooler, with a high around 60.
ROAD WORK THIS WEEKEND
*Saturday and Sunday, repaving is planned at the eastbound entrance to the low bridge, as previewed here.
*Also on Saturday, as announced by SDOT:
We will be updating the flashing beacon on 17th Ave SW and SW Henderson St. Rapid flashing beacons increase safety at crossings by using amber light to alert drivers of people crossing. We anticipate this work to begin at 8 AM and conclude by 5:00 PM. We will be primarily working from the side street/parking lane; however, please expect minor disruptions in the area.
(And in South Park), as early as 7 AM – 11 AM, we will be working on 14th Ave S and S Cloverdale St to install reflective bands around the signal heads in the area. Traffic impacts include the closure of one lane at a time as we work on the installations. Please anticipate minor delays in the area.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations. Memorial Day will have Sunday service.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. It’ll run a special schedule on Memorial Day.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. No extra boat for the holiday weekend; Memorial Day will be on the Sunday schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
795th 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 (one of four new cameras!):
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan – might still be experiencing difficulty):
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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