day : 31/05/2022 9 results

Summer is reunion season, and we’ve received a few announcements for West Seattle High School alums.

NO WSHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION, BUT THERE’S STILL AN AFTER-PARTY: The WSHS Alumni Association has to cancel the All-School Reunion again this year, explaining in its announcement that “the Seattle Public Schools district is not allowing external use of school grounds during COVID.” However, next Saturday there’ll be an “after-party” at Whisky West (6451 California SW), starting at 6 pm, with live music from The Nitemates and other special guests. Then on the following day – Sunday, June 5th – all alums are invited to join the Class of 2002’s gathering on the Lincoln Park shore, second fire pit/picnic area from the south entrance, 9 am-2 pm, BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything). Questions about the beach gathering? Email Heather at stampedhah (at) gmail.com.

WSHS CLASS OF 1957: Also happening this weekend, the Class of ’57’s 65th reunion! Above is what the yearbook looked like that year. The classes of ’55 and ’56 are invited too. It’s happening 2-6 pm Sunday (June 5th) at Glen Acres Country Club (1000 S. 112th in North Highline). $50/person, “hearty appetizers” and a no-host bar. Email Beverly chochosan29 (at) hotmail.com or Gwen gfraser49 (at) msn.com ASAP to RSVP and get the address for sending your check.

WSHS CLASS OF 1970: The 50th reunion had to be postponed for the pandemic, but this class now declares it’s “never too late to party!” So this year, they’re having a reunion under the banner “West Seattle Class of ’70 turns 70.” It’s set for 4 pm-10 pm Saturday, August 27th, also at Glen Acres. RSVP required by August 5th. $65/person includes a buffet dinner and birthday cake, “and hopefully a few surprises.” For RSVPing info, email pjkloster52 (at) gmail.com.

Got a reunion coming up? We can mention yours too – email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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UPDATE: ‘Rescue extrication’ response for car-on-side crash on Avalon Way

May 31, 2022 8:36 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

8:36 PM: Police and fire are responding to what’s reported to be a flipped-car crash in the 3000 block of SW Avalon Way. It was reported as an ~~SUV~~ car that flipped after hitting a parked car. Updates to come.

8:41 PM: SFD describes it as a vehicle on its side with one person trapped. Avalon is closed at the scene.

9:08 PM: Thanks to Sarah for the photo above. The person in the vehicle is out and being taken to hospital via AMR ambulance.

9:33 PM: We noted on arrival that the vehicle that went on its side is a commercial vehicle, marked for Signal Security. We’re following up with SFD regarding the victim’s condition.

9:56 PM: SFD says the 19-year-old driver was in stable condition when transported. Metro has sent an advisory saying bus service on Avalon is back to normal, which indicates the street has reopened.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Reopening celebration’s winning design

May 31, 2022 6:45 pm

| 44 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

As of tonight, the West Seattle Bridge has been closed for 800 days. Next week, SDOT promises an update on the timeline for reopening it. And once there’s a date for that, the community coalition planning a reopening celebration will know when it can happen. In the meantime, the design contest has a winner:

The artist is Susie Perry. Full details are yet to come, but the party planners expected to use the logo on a variety of swag/merchandise, including T-shirts. The community-planned-and-funded celebration is likely to include a run/walk on the bridge plus a food festival. Plans are likely to solidify afterthe aforementioned timeline update is presented at the June 9th meeting of the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force

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BIZNOTE: New restaurant for Westwood Village

May 31, 2022 3:59 pm

| 81 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | Westwood

More than three years after Payless Shoe Source closed its store on the south side of Westwood Village, its sign finally came down recently. Now we know why: A new tenant is listed for the space. the burgers-and-fries chain Five Guys. (Yes, right next to McDonald’s.) This is revealed via an update to the map and directory maintained by the center’s new ownership/management firm, Shopcore Properties (although the logo version used on the site map may not be the one they intended). Shopcore has also used the map/directory to announce other on-the-way-to-Westwood businesses including Pet Supplies Plus and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. This would be Five Guys’ 14th location in the greater Seattle metro area. According to a company factsheet, Five Guys started with a Washington, D.C.-area burger joint in the ’80s and started expanding nationwide in the early 2000s. We have an inquiry out to the company asking about the timeline for opening here.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Van-theft suspect charged; gunfire-related arrest

May 31, 2022 1:36 pm

| 30 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch today:

VAN-THEFT SUSPECT CHARGED: Last week, we published Stefan‘s report about a stolen work van, and updated it with news that it had been found. What we didn’t know at the time was that police arrested a suspect when they found the van. And today, we have word that the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed a felony charge, possession of a stolen vehicle, against the 27-year-old suspect, Lee D. Watkins, who was already awaiting trial in three other auto-theft-related cases. According to the charging documents, officers found the van in the parking lot of the West Seattle Health Club at 10:45 pm last Tuesday, just under 17 hours after it was stolen in The Junction. As officers approached the van, the documents say they “observed a male get out of the driver seat of the vehicle. (Police) immediately recognized the male as Lee Watkins from previous contacts. (Police are) familiar with Watkins and know him as a prolific auto thief who has been arrested multiple times by SPD and KCSO.” Watkins, the documents say, claimed he had been loaned the van by an acquaintance who just “showed up at his apartment” with it and told him to drop it off at the health-club lot. Asked how he had started it, Watkins showed officers a screwdriver. They found it inside the van, and found “over 20 shaved keys” in his backpack. The van’s catalytic converter had been stolen, as discovered when the owner came to pick it up. Watkins was arrested and booked into jail, where he remains, with bail set at $10,000 – though prosecutors had requested $25,000.

GUNFIRE-RELATED ARREST: An arrest made by police Monday is linked to one of the three West Seattle gunfire incidents they confirmed last weekend. Around 9 am Monday, officers noticed a car at 18th/Barton believed to have been involved in the 9th SW gunfire incident early Sunday. According to archived police-radio audio, people were asleep in the car; they woke them up and ordered them out. According to a police-report summary, they claimed “they were shot at (Sunday) during the shooting.” The person “in possession of the vehicle” was a convicted felon, and police found ammunition in the car, so he was arrested for a firearms-law violation.

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Momentum Indoor Climbing SODO: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!

May 31, 2022 11:47 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor – Momentum Indoor Climbing SODO. Here’s their message for you:

MOMENTUM SODO is Seattle’s premier indoor-climbing gym. Hundreds of boulder problems and a robust cardio, weightlifting, and yoga space make Momentum SODO the best place to learn the exciting sport of climbing. This summer we are offering Five-Day Climbing Camps for kids age 6-12. These camps are the perfect place for your young ones to engage in active play while making lasting memories.

Each three-hour session will teach your kids new skills and self-confidence in an encouraging environment. Choose from morning (8-11 am) or afternoon (12-3 pm) sessions, each guided by a skilled instructor who will take the class to new heights.

MOMENTUM SODO is not only a place for your kids to learn and play, you can too. Bouldering is a great way to experience the thrill of climbing with minimal gear. The problem-solving physical fun of climbing is appealing for any age and MOMENTUM SODO is the perfect place to unwind with your friends. Visit us at 2759 1st Ave S. and get climbing today!

We thank Momentum Indoor Climbing SODO 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.

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Here’s what’s happening on your West Seattle Tuesday

May 31, 2022 10:21 am

| Comments Off on Here’s what’s happening on your West Seattle Tuesday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Monday night sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)

As everything revs back up post-holiday, here are today/tonight happenings from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Drop-in advocacy, Tuesdays at 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

MAYOR’S HOMELESSNESS PLAN: He’ll be announcing it at Green Lake at 12:30 pm, streamed live via Seattle Channel.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Online at 2 pm, with the agenda including new city regulations, including minimum pay, for “app-based workers.”

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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RETURNING: Laps With Lou for Make-A-Wish this Friday

May 31, 2022 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photo from 2018)

For almost two decades, Lou Cutler has raised money to help grant kids’ wishes via a unique birthday-celebration run at Pathfinder K-8, where he taught PE before retiring. Most years, it was a giant group run throughout the day, with students joining Lou as he took one lap around the school field for every year he was celebrating. Then came the pandemic; in 2020, schools were closed, so Lou did a “lap” around the peninsula instead; last year, students joined him in small groups over two days. This year, when Lou takes to the Pathfinder field on Friday (June 3rd) in celebration of his upcoming 71st birthday, it’ll be a little more like the events of years past. He explained to us via email:

This year, rather having me communicating with everyone with a megaphone on the field, I will address the school from the office at 9:00 and then grade bands will come out in staggered time frames every 15 minute or so and I will take pictures with each class before they go on the field. All classes will stay out until the entire school is on the field at the same time and I believe everyone will stay on the field for 15 minutes or so and from that point some classes may go in while those who want to see how many laps they can run, will stay out and run to their heart’s content.

Make-A-Wish alumni are invited to join in the festivities, as are MAW staff and volunteers and Pathfinder parents, so I hope we have a tremendous turnout for the day.

As for me, I will be 71 on June 25th, so this year I will walk and run, though mostly walk, 71 laps, 11.8 miles, and add on a bonus lap to make it a full 12 miles because I love round numbers.

Over the previous 18 years we have raised $86,000 for MAW and as always, my hope is that we can raise as much money as possible, as I have seen the power of a wish in the boosting of spirits and hopes for wish kids and families over my 26+ years as a MAW volunteer!

You can support Lou’s Make-A-Wish quest by donating here.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Post-holiday Tuesday watch

May 31, 2022 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning; welcome to Tuesday, May 31st.

WEATHER

Cloudy, but … the high could be around 70.

ROAD WORK AHEAD

*Seattle Public Utilities says that long-promised pavement-restoration work at California/Myrtle/Frontenac might finally start this week.

*The Highway 99 tunnel closes this Friday night for monthly maintenance.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

799th 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):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed (note – has been intermittently malfunctioning); 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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