day : 14/03/2023 11 results

THEATER: Chief Sealth International High School’s new Drama Company gets ready to present ‘She Kills Monsters’

It’s been a long time since Chief Sealth International High School presented a full-length theatrical play. And now, after intense work, the new Chief Sealth Drama Company is almost ready for its first production, “She Kills Monsters,” with performances this Friday and Saturday.

(Photo by Keni Cohen)

West Seattle-based Bayfest Youth Theatre, a 33-year-old nonprofit, has been working with the school for years to re-establish “a high-quality drama program that can offer productions to the school and community.”

The curtain will rise Friday night on the play “She Kills Monsters,” described in Bayfest’s announcement as “a high-octane dramatic comedy by acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen that offers a heart-pounding dive into the world of Dungeons and Dragons, homicidal fairies, cheerleaders, and the fight against evil. It pays homage to the geek and warrior within us all, and explores themes of loss, identity, and friendship, with original music, projected animations, and many exciting stage combat sequences – swords, battle axes and magical conflict!”

(L-R: AJ Bitseff, Addisen Whited, Satomi Giedeman, Claire Popelka, Larenzo Boney – photo by Gentle McGaughey)

Making this all happen are 23 cast members and more than 20 student designers, musicians, and set and prop builders, working with a team of professional directors, fight choreographers, and designers. They hope you will come see their first production. Here’s what to know:

(WSB photo)

*Public showtimes 7:30 pm Friday (March 17th), 2 and 7:30 pm Saturday (March 18th)
*Onstage in the auditorium at Chief Sealth IHS, 2600 SW Thistle
*Appropriate for ages 11 and up
*Advance tickets $5 students, $10 adults (buy online)
*At the door: $8 students, $14 adults
*Group discounts for 10 or more available – email bayfestyouththeatre@gmail.com

West Seattle Meaningful Movies digs into ‘Saving Native Plants to Save Ourselves’

This Thursday night, West Seattle Meaningful Movies (and a few of its counterparts elsewhere in the city) are taking on the topic Saving Native Plants to Save Ourselves.”

We are showing a couple of short videos on Zoom and hosting a discussion about how and why to ditch your grass and plant native plants.

Join us for a conversation about the movies INSECT APOCALYPSE and WHY LAWNS MUST DIE. You can choose to watch these two short videos on your own, in advance of our event, or you can watch them with us as a group at on March 16th. Join us on Zoom at 6 PM for a quick introduction and then we will watch the short videos together. Afterwards, at approximately 6:30, we will have community conversation about the films. We will be joined by climate activist and native plant hero Andrea O’Ferrall and native plant experts Marcia Smith, Chris Fuentes, and Bibi Powell. They will share tips on how to get rid of your grass, and suggestions for native, waterwise plant options. Afterwards, we will all have a discussion about what we can do to support a healthy environment in our neighborhoods and backyards.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: SW Holly search explained

(WSB photo – law-enforcement vehicles on standby during SW Holly search, March 7th)

One week after a police search in the 3100 block of SW Holly, we finally know what it was about. We reported March 7th on the search, described at the scene only as a warrant operation; police would not comment further the next day, saying only that it was related to an “open SPD case.” Then today we found the answer, reading through court documents related to a deadly shooting in Southeast Seattle. The residence that was searched on SW Holly is the home of the mother of the 27-year-old woman just charged with murder in that case, Jamila A. Abdi. The charges allege that she shot and killed a longtime friend, 29-year-old Fariya Yusuf, on March 4th in the 7100 block of 42nd Ave. S. The shooting was caught on security video and the charging documents say the search of Abdi’s mother’s home in West Seattle yielded potential evidence including pink gloves matching those seen on the shooter in video of the killing. Abdi also allegedly was driving her mother’s car the night of the shooting. The suspect was arrested on March 10th, three days after the search, and is charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Blood-donation pop-ups in West Seattle, with an extra purpose

March 14, 2023 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on Blood-donation pop-ups in West Seattle, with an extra purpose
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Bloodworks Northwest has a long list of springtime pop-up donation dates in West Seattle – and says there is a special reason those donations will matter more than ever: The blood bank is part of BERC (Blood Emergency Readiness Corps), 30 blood centers representing 37 states. BNW explaind. “BERC was formed to better prepare for mass transfusion needs when mass-injury emergencies strike. As part of the BERC partnership, Bloodworks commits to collecting extra units on a rotating ‘on call’ schedule to create an available supply for nationwide emergency needs.” It just wrapped up a week “on call” and is up again March 27 through April 2. Your donation “could be used to help patients locally or be sent anywhere in the US if there is a catastrophe in another part of our country.” So if you can donate blood, pick a date, time, and location by going here.

WHALES: Orcas off West Seattle

Just texted by Kersti Muul – the transient orcas seen in the area Sunday are off West Seattle again, this time northbound, just passing through the Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry lane. She says they’re toward the west side of the channel, though, so you’ll need binoculars.

FOLLOWUP: Initiative 135 passed. Want to help figure out what happens next?

One month after Seattle Initiative 135 won approval in the February special election – final count was 57 percent yes – the process of turning its provisions into reality has begun. Its provisions stipulate that the Seattle Renters Commission appoint a majority of the board for the new Seattle Social Housing Developer, for starters. So they’re looking for potential board members. Here’s the announcement:

The Seattle Renters’ Commission is seeking community members to serve on the board for the newly established Seattle Social Housing Developer, a Public Development Authority (PDA) responsible for developing, owning, and maintaining social housing in Seattle.

The Seattle Social Housing Developer was established with the passage of Initiative 135, a citizen-initiated measure approved by Seattle voters on February 14, 2023. Under this initiative, social housing will be publicly owned, publicly financed, mixed-income housing, removed from market forces and speculation, and built with the express aim of housing people equitably and affordably.

A new board of directors to oversee the Seattle Social Housing Developer will be formed in the coming weeks. Seven of the 13 board members will be initially appointed by the Seattle Renters’ Commission. Per the terms of the initiative, the board members appointed by the Seattle Renters’ Commission shall include at least one member who has experienced housing insecurity; at least one member who has experienced financial eviction; and at least one member who has been displaced. In addition, they shall represent a range of incomes, including three members living at 0-50% Area Median Income (AMI); two (2) members living at 50-80% AMI; and two members living at 80-100% AMI.

Full details on the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors can be found in the Charter for the Seattle Social Housing Developer PDA. Prospective board members can expect to spend up to 20 hours per month in their role.

Those interested in being considered for the board should complete the online application by Friday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m.

The Seattle Renters’ Commission will review applications on a rolling basis and reach out to applicants who advance in the application process to coordinate next steps.

The charter is also where you’ll find the explanation of the various entities who appoint the other six members.

CRIME WATCH: Another stolen black Hyundai

This time, a black Hyundai Tucson. Janay says it was stolen Monday afternoon from 24th SW/SW 98th. License # BDR5034. The theft location is just south of the city boundary, so it’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case – if you see it and call it in, refer to incident # C23008410.

Ready to make somebody laugh? Comedy open mic at SSC tomorrow

It could be argued that we need humor more than ever these days. If you’re ready to provide some – or enjoy some – here’s a new West Seattle opportunity: South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) invites you to a Comedy Open Mic tomorrow (Wednesday, March 15th). It’s happening at the Alki Café on campus (no relation to the one at the beach), 3-6 pm. If you’re interested in performing, email CafeAlki@seattlecolleges.edu. No need to RSVP if you just want to go get a few laughs. No admission but you’ll have the chance to enjoy some of Alki Café’s fare: “Available for purchase will be Alki Café’s usual offerings of specialty coffee drinks and pastries along with wood-fired pizza (made fresh by Culinary Arts Students) and NWWA Red created by Wine Studies students (for those 21 and older).” If you haven’t been to the café, it’s in the Culinary Arts Building, CAB toward the center of the campus map.

Legislators’ online town hall + three community-group meetings, benefit bookfair, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

(Mount Jupiter in the Olympics viewed from Alki Beach on Sunday morning – photographed by David Hutchinson)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: In-person sales continue – use this lookup to find cookie booths near you.

BENEFIT BOOKFAIR: All week, you can help Alki Co-op Preschool raise money by shopping with Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) – details are in our calendar listing.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials and chess for all levels of expertise. For more information, contact Conwell: conwell@conwelld.net.”

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm this afternoon, it’s the full council’s weekly meeting, online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda here; the meeting is viewable via Seattle Channel.

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.

PI DAY: Part of Community Week at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), 4-6 pm, with Girls Rock Math and Mathnasium. All welcome!

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6 pm online meeting for updates and questions about West Seattle’s only tiny-house village.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

LEGISLATORS’ ONLINE TOWN HALL: 6:30 pm online, 34th District legislators are holding a town hall, as previewed here, ehere you’ll find information about viewing as well as how to send advance questions.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm general meeting at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), in person, with a guest from Seattle PD as well as a discussion of the summer-concert plan in light of Hiawatha‘s continued closure.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm board meeting, community welcome, online or in-person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).

TRIVIA X 3: Three establishments where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz 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!

You can always look into the future via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Tuesday

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, March 14th.

WEATHER & TIME

The forecast for today: Partly sunny, chance of showers. High around 50. Sunrise 7:24 am, sunset 7:13 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water TaxiRegular schedule. (Meet two crew members in this feature on the Water Taxi website.)

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations remain possible, so check notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts. Saturday brings the service change – here are the West Seattle plans, including Route 120 becoming RapidRide H Line.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule, with added runs as of this week; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the camera at the top:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – looking east to west (unless SDOT turns the camera):

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.

CORONAVIRUS: Gatewood Elementary cases lead to masking recommendation

Thanks for the early-morning forward. As happened at West Seattle HS a month ago, Gatewood Elementary is recommending mask-wearing because of “multiple COVID cases.” Here’s the note Gatewood principal Kyna Hogg sent:

Dear Gatewood Elementary Families,

There have been multiple positive COVID-19 cases identified at Gatewood Elementary. At this time, the district is recommending that all students and teachers wear a mask for the next 10 calendar days starting today to help prevent further transmission of COVID-19.

Please talk with your child [Monday] evening about wearing a mask at school, and if you are able to, please send your child to school with a mask. We also have masks available at school for any child who needs one.

Our goal is to keep as many students learning in-person as possible while maintaining a safe environment. To help do that, we ask that you please monitor your child for COVID-19 symptoms and keep them home if they are sick.  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The district’s COVID dashboard is here.