day : 05/02/2023 7 results

Newly created Westside Pickleball League turns Sundays and Mondays into fun days for more than 100 players

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It’s not just the official Washington state sport. It’s not just a hobby. Pickleball is an addiction.

That’s what we heard multiple times this afternoon while visiting the weekly Westside Pickleball League takeover at the Chief Sealth International High School gyms.

This league is only two months old, yet it’s a smashing success. 120 players get together at two locations every week to play indoors and socialize. They range in age from college students to late 70s.

88 of them play Sunday afternoons at Sealth, in two gyms, and another 32 at SeaTac Community Center on Mondays. Not only is it a win for the players, but also for the school – so far their $10/week fees have raised more than $9,000 to both support Sealth athletics and to grow a fund to support pickleball elsewhere in West Seattle.

Their sport is so hot, it’ll be the subject of a State Senate hearing in Olympia tomorrow (Monday, February 6), as legislators consider whether to authorize a custom license plate for pickleball via SB 5333. (We told you about the campaign last September.) One of the Westside Pickleball League’s three administrators, Amy, will be testifying in support of it. In the first year, sales of the plate could raise an estimated $50,000 to support pickleball around the state.

(Westside Pickleball League admins Nancy, Amy, Rosina)

Here in West Seattle, the league is self-sustaining. They use portable nets, stored at Sealth, and more than 30 people arrive early on Sunday afternoons to set up the net and tape off their courts on the gym floors, modifying badminton lines. Sandwiched between the setup and breakdown are two hours of playing time. Each player gets to play three games a week; it’s a “ladder” league, so people rotate who they play with.

Another of the admins, Rosina, says she just started playing a year and a half ago. “It doesn’t take long to get addicted.” (There’s that word again!) Amy too has been playing about that long. Since then: “It took over our lives!” She’s a board member and officer with the (corrected) Seattle Metro Pickleball Association as well as helping run the Westside league.

Besides a wide age range, the players span a wide motivation range too – some are there just to have fun and socialize, others, we’re told, are “super-competitive.” But whatever level they’re at, they’re just happy to have a place to play – and looking for more options. Along with lobbying for the pickleball license plates, the Westside Pickleball League is advocating for more places to play in West Seattle. They’re trying to get Seattle Public Schools approval for pickleball lines on the district-owned tennis courts west of Southwest Pool; the league would cover the cost, they just need permission.

Meantime, they’ll be registering players soon for the next sessions, which start in March and May. The current players don’t have automatic dibs, but if they fill up before you get in, they do have a waitlist and “sub list” – if someone can’t play on a certain date, they give their spot to a sub. Registration information will be here.

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BOOKS: West Seattle author Ari B. Cofer’s ‘Unfold’ arrives this week

February 5, 2023 7:20 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle books | West Seattle news

West Seattle author Ari B. Cofer is publishing a new collection of poetry and prose, “Unfold,” on Tuesday (February 7th). Her book is described as “a poetic, aching, and hopeful retelling of realizations made while on the journey to healing from both loss of love and loss of self. Through poetry and short essays, ‘Unfold’ shows that true growth comes from being unafraid to face what’s hidden inside, to be vulnerable, and to be unashamed of what we find when we finally open up.” Cofer shares more about it here. Her previous book, also a collection of poetry and prose, is last year’s “Paper Girl and the Knives That Made Her.” Her new book is available through Central Avenue Publishing, and you are also invited to the “Unfold” launch event – it’s happening next Friday (February 10th) at Elliott Bay Book Company on Capitol Hill, starting at 7 pm.

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Another summer event to get set for: Obstacle-course fun run Loop the ‘Lupe 2023

February 5, 2023 5:14 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | High Point | How to help | West Seattle news

For the second time today, we’re inviting you to look ahead to June – this time it’s because registration is open for Loop the ‘Lupe 2023, coming up June 3, with new features this year:

We’re BACK with Loop The ‘Lupe, Seattle’s best 5K obstacle course fun run! This event will take place at Walt Hundley Playfield in West Seattle on Saturday, June 3rd. Here’s what’s in store for 2023:

NEW!!! ELITE WAVE: We’ve heard from racers that they’re looking for an extra challenge, and we’ve got it for you! We’re starting the Loop the ‘Lupe this year with an “Elite Wave” for racers 16 years old and up to increase the level of competition. We’re also ADDING TWO OBSTACLES just for this wave, creating a total of nine obstacles per lap!

NEW!!! FAMILY WAVE: So, you’re ready for the ninja challenges (wall-climbing, mud-crawling, all your favorites), but not ready to run with the elites? The 7-obstacle Family Wave is all you! NEW OBSTACLE: We’ve replaced our balance beams with a NEW balancing obstacle and we’re ready to go!

YOUR FAVORITES ARE BACK: We’ll have the 5K run/walk, the Senior Saunter walk (100% flat, no obstacles), and the Youth Dash (a 1K loop with 7 obstacles & adult supervision).

YOU CAN SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE: This event is one of the major fundraisers for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church each year. As you may have seen in recent news coverage, the need for churches like OLG are great, and your registration and donations support important social outreach work — meals for shut-ins, homeless services, and help with migrant communities, too. So, join us for the Loop, and have some fun while raising much-needed funds for those in need!

VIRTUAL RACING: Not feeling up to a trip to the park? No problem! Register to get a race t-shirt, contact us at loopthelupe@gmail.com, and record a video of yourself on your own crazy home obstacle course, then post it to our on our Facebook page! Prizes for the top entrants!

ALL PARTICIPANTS: The Loop’s live music, food, and beer garden are back, too, this summer, with a new layout for post-race relaxation at the park!

There’s an advantage to signing up early – prices go up in a few weeks. Registration starts here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Subaru (update: found)

February 5, 2023 2:39 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Just received from Noah:

My 1991 Subaru Justy was stolen this morning at 7 am from 5624 California Ave SW. License plate BZR 7617.

The SPD incident # is 23-034332.

MONDAY EVENING UPDATE: The car’s been found – see comments below.

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CONGRATULATIONS! 2023 West Seattle Garden Tour’s winning artwork revealed

February 5, 2023 12:45 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Gardening | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

February showers bring thoughts of June flowers! Advance tickets are now available for this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour, and the WSGT has announced Brooke Borcherding‘s painting Magenta and Lemon as this year’s art contest winner:

Each year, West Seattle Garden Tour provides an opportunity for one talented artist to showcase her or his original artwork on tour marketing materials and to take home a $500 cash prize. We are pleased to announce Seattle artist Brooke Borcherding as the winner for our 2023 tour.

“Magenta and Lemon is inspired by everyday scenes. My work often illustrates a small slice of life in a unique way. This piece shows a variety of floral foliage against a wall depicted in my distinct style of energetic markmaking and bold color,” says Ms. Borcherding about this winning piece.

Magenta and Lemon (36”w x 36”h; acrylic) will be featured on the 2023 garden tour’s official poster and ticket book. Ms. Borcherding will also receive a $500 cash prize. West Seattle Garden Tour will conduct a silent auction of the artwork beginning at the May 2023 West Seattle Art Walk (at Capers Home store) and concluding on the day of the tour, Sunday, June 25, 2023. Bids will also be taken on tour day in one of the gardens from 9 am to 5 pm. Proceeds will benefit the year’s eight designated grant recipient non-profit organizations.

Magenta and Lemon, along with works by four West Seattle Garden Tour Art Competition finalists will be on view at Capers Home during the West Seattle Art Walk, 5-8 pm, May 11, 2023.

WSGT tickets are only on sale online for starters; in-person sales will be announced later.

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WHALES: Orcas return to our area

February 5, 2023 10:15 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

10:15 AM: Up for Sunday whale-watching? Kersti Muul reports orcas are passing Magnolia, southbound.

10:50 AM: Kersti says (also via comments) they’re in Elliott Bay, straight out from Duwamish Head.

(Added: Orcas photographed by David Hutchinson as they passed Alki Point)

2:18 PM: See comments – now they’re back out in the central Sound.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 15 possibilities

February 5, 2023 6:34 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Tom Trulin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are some possibilities for your Sunday:

ONLINE RELIGIOUS SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s lineup here.

COMMUNITY CLEANUP: Join Jess‘s monthly Alki cleanup at 10 am – meet at 2452 Alki SW. Details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market offers winter produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)

VACCINE CLINIC: 11 am-4 pm at Community School of West Seattle (9450 22nd SW), flu and COVID vaccinations available – appointments suggested but they expect to serve walk-ins too. Info in our calendar listing.

SEED STARTING FOR BEGINNERS: 1 pm class at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW), with community food-access advocate Jenn Dowell explaining “which vegetables, flowers, and herbs are best started indoors in winter to be transplanted outdoors later, and which crops can be directly sown into the garden outdoors later, when the soil has started to warm. She will discuss seed selection, timing, growing media, lighting, hardening off, seed-bed prep, watering, and fertilizing.”

CHINESE NEW YEAR LANTERN FESTIVAL: 1-4 pm activities and performances at the Seattle Chinese Garden (north end of SSC campus, 6000 16th SW) – more info in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 3-5 pm, Musicians for the West Seattle Food Bank perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

‘AN ENDLESS SHIFT’: Second matinee at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm performance of “An Endless Shift,” described as: “Created from verbatim accounts of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Seattle nurses who were there, ‘An Endless Shift’ is a tribute to the everyday heroes who were confronted with what would become the longest shift of their lives.” Get your ticket(s) here.

JEWISH STORY HOUR: 3 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), presented by TLC of West Seattle.

NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).

YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Presented by Inner Alchemy, 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

COMEDY AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm show in partnership with Jet City Improv. Our calendar listing includes the ticket link. (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor)

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

LATIN SUNDAY: Party to Latin American music with a DJ @ Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), starting at 9 pm.

SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Have an event to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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