West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(WSB photos)
Every graduation ceremony is a momentous occasion in the graduates’ personal histories. Last night’s Seattle Lutheran High School Class of 2022 graduation was also a historic occasion for the school – its 42nd graduation ceremony is its last. SLHS announced in April that the school – West Seattle’s only parochial high school – will close after this school year. Despite that, the ceremony was not a requiem; it was as celebratory as a graduation should be.
That’s Devin Christie, valedictorian and recipient of the Faculty Scholarship Award and Math Award. She observed in her speech that “our class has changed a lot, and the world has changed a lot.” Also speaking was salutatorian and Leadership Award winner Bella Nowicki, who sounded a humorous note in her speech, detailing how each of her 17 classmates might behave if faced with a zombie apocalypse.
She noted that the pandemic had posed challenges not unlike what that mythical event might bring. After speeches and awards, it was diploma time, with exuberance from some grads, including TaiAmari English:
As each of the 18 graduates was announced, their future plans were too. Most were going to college – one as far away as Hawaii – several as close as Western Washington University in Bellingham and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) here in West Seattle. Two are joining the U.S. Marine Corps.
One of those few allusions to the school’s impending closure came in the closing prayer from Oskar Schoening of the SLHS Student Council, giving thanks for 44 years:
West Seattle has two more graduation ceremonies ahead – Monday night, the commencement ceremonies for both Chief Sealth IHS (5 pm) and West Seattle HS (8 pm) are scheduled at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. (Our coverage of the Summit Atlas graduation is here.)
It’s parade season, and you’re invited to be part of one tomorrow – if you have a dog to bring along. The Kenney invites dogs and their people to bring joy to residents by parading around the senior-living complex’s grounds. Just be at the main entrance (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) by 3 pm Sunday; the parade is expected to last until about 3:45 pm.
6:20 PM: 16th SW was already blocked on the south side of Roxbury for the White Center Pride Street Festival, and now an emergency response is blocking the north side. So avoid the area. We are here trying to find out more.
6:31 PM: We are told a driver hit a pedestrian, who was taken to the hospital. The scene cleared quickly and all responders are gone now.
10:15 PM: SFD says the victim was a 32-year-old man, in stable condition when taken to the hospital.
Thanks to Michael Ostrogorsky for the photos of a humpback whale seen off Alki this afternoon.
Possibly the same one Kersti Muul says is in view off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW) right now. Let us know if you see it!
Big weekend of baseball at the West Seattle PeeWee fields (lower Riverview, 7226 12th SW) – it’s All-Star tournament season, and nine teams (all but one are 10U) are competing in this tournament: Two West Seattle Baseball teams (Red and Navy), FSP, Issaquah All-Stars, Shoreline Royals, two City Baseball teams (Gold and Navy), Rock Creek (9U), Driveline Academy. Spectators welcome!
You might say there’s a bonus All-Star on the sidelines – Uncle Paulie’s meatball sandwiches, with proceeds benefiting WS Baseball:
The players competing on the All-Star teams are guaranteed four games in this tournament before it ends tomorrow. Here are the brackets; note that today’s schedule slid by two hours so the fields could dry out.
Street-fair season has begun! First big one of the year is happening now on two blocks of 16th SW south of SW Roxbury in downtown White Center – the White Center Pride Street Festival.
Dozens of booths line the street, for local businesses large and small (like WSB sponsor Verity Credit Union above), as well as resource organizations. Entertainment too – DJ Baby Van Beezly was spinning while we were there (the full entertainment schedule is on the WC Pride website):
And we found something unexpected – a sneak peek inside the soon-to-open new location of the Lumber Yard Bar:
It’s right across 16th SW from the fire-ravaged original location. Proprietors Nathan and Michale say they’re aiming to open the bar side July 1st:
That’s the north side; the south half of the space will be the performance side. Back to the festival:
There’s plenty of room to roam, or to stop and savor (Moonshot Coffee has a beverage garden out front, for one). Vendors are open until 6, entertainment continues until 11.
(WSB photos)
It’s a summer full of comebacks for events that went on pandemic hiatus. This weekend’s big return: The West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual Rock and Gem Show at Alki Masonic Hall (which is in The Junction at 40th/Edmunds). You can look at and learn about rocks and minerals of many sizes, shapes, and colors:
You’ll see items made from rocks, too – like the clothespins above! Admission is free, but if you have a few quarters, you can try your luck here:
The show continues until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm on Sunday.
If you live near Jefferson Square, have a vehicle parked on the street, and haven’t used it yet today, Jake‘s report might be of interest:
At least six cars along the Jefferson Square block of 41st Ave SW had their tires slashed. Perpetrator(s) were not seen but a young man’s voice was heard. If you live in the area and parked on the street last night, check your tires.
That was Jake’s initial note this morning, with the time frame believed to be in the 9 pm hour, but then he sent this:
I’m hearing new reports from neighbors of seeing cars attempting to drive with flat tires on 41st Ave SW throughout the day yesterday. The slashing spree may have started earlier or gone on throughout the day.
If it happened to you, here’s where to file a report online.
(The Brothers, photographed Friday night by James Bratsanos)
Welcome to the weekend! Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and preview archives:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: SDOT has two for today:
Saturday afternoon between noon and 5 PM, we’ll be striping travel lanes at 17th and SW Henderson St. We’ll be extending two crosswalks, installing bike markings, and painting barriers in addition to sign work. Please anticipate short-term traffic delays as you navigate the area.
On Saturday (and Sunday), we’ll be working on a walkway extension on Sylvan Way SW between SW Holly St and Sylvan Heights Dr. This work is scheduled to begin as early as 7 AM through 5 PM on both days. Our trucks will be entering and exiting the roadway as we complete this work. Please anticipate slowdowns in the area.
BENEFIT PLANT SALE: 9 am-3 pm, lots of plants, raising money to fight lung cancer. (3703 SW 107th)
CELEBRATION FOR JAMES RASMUSSEN: The longtime local advocate is retiring and moving out of state; a farewell event is happening 10 am-1 pm at El Rio Events (836 S. Kenyon, South Park).
DISCOVERY SHOP’S BIG SALE: Nonprofit Junction shop benefiting the American Cancer Society has a 50 percent discount storewide sale continuing today. Open 10 am-4:30 pm today. (4535 California SW)
SHOREWOOD ON THE SOUND SALES: Another community garage sale day! 9 am-4 pm, dozens of sales in Shorewood on the Sound, a Burien neighborhood. The link for their map is in our preview.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the twice-monthly market is in session at Hope Academy (9421 18th SW).
WEST SEATTLE ROCK & GEM SHOW: 10 am-5 pm today (and tomorrow) at Alki Masonic Hall (4735 40th SW). One highlight: “The World’s Fossils and Minerals is delighted to participate in the West Seattle Rock Club’s Gem & Mineral show.”
MORNING MUSIC: Marco de Carvalho and Friends, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
BENEFIT BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: West Seattle 10U Pee-Wee All-Stars tournament all weekend, with games 11 am-3:30 pm today – see the schedule here. Plus: “We would like to invite everyone to come down and support us by purchasing a meatball sub from Uncle Polly’s meatball cart in which Uncle Polly will be donating the funds to the WS Pee Wee baseball league.” UPDATE: Play starts at 1:15 pm because of post-rain field preps. (7226 12th SW)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society has reopened its museum on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
WHITE CENTER PRIDE FESTIVAL The White Center Pride Street Festival is back! Vendor fair noon-6 pm. Entertainment until 11 pm – see the schedule here. Food and drink specials at participating WC establishments with a wristband – $15 in advance here, $20 at the festival.
WEST SEATTLE HS CAR SHOW: 1-4 pm in the school parking lot (3000 California SW), as previewed here. Non-competitive – just bring your car to show off!
FISH STICKS BASEBALL: See the DubSea Fish Sticks play the Redmond Dudes tonight at 6:05 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 107th), with advance tickets that you can buy here to benefit West Seattle Baseball.
EVENING MUSIC AT C & P: 7-9 pm, Roo Forrest and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
AT KENYON HALL: The Ray Skjelbred Trio performs at 7:30 pm at historic Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW):
The Ray Skjelbred Trio plays classic hot jazz, swing and blues inspired by music from Chicago in the 1920’s and 30’s. Each musician has many years’ experience and a strong historic sense of the music they set out to perform, as well as a sense of daring to explore new ideas in traditional forms.
Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors (55+) and students (6-18), kids 5 and under free. Email kenyon@kenyonhall.org to reserve ticket(s).
DRAG SHOW AT ADMIRAL PUB: Saturday’s the night for Dolly Madison‘s show at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 9 pm.
Something to add, for today/tonight or beyond? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| Comments Off on GRADUATION: Congratulations, Seattle Lutheran High School Class of 2022!