Story by Judy Pickens
Photos by Tom Trulin
Special to West Seattle Blog

Installation of a new rabbi usually doesn’t include a salmon release – but it just made sense for Kol HaNeshamah, West Seattle’s progressive synagogue.

On Sunday morning (5/21), an estimated 35 people, from infants to elders, rendezvoused with Fauntleroy Watershed Council volunteers and a bucket of coho fry to release in upper Fauntleroy Creek.

“As a sacred community, we’re called to affirm life – and salmon have been central to Pacific Northwest communal life since time immemorial,” said Shannon Ninburg, KHN board of trustees member, seasonal naturalist, and creek volunteer. “We were thrilled to be able to include it as we welcomed Rabbi Sabine Meyer into our communal life.”

(Volunteer Dennis Hinton hands a cup of fish to Rabbi Sabine Meyer to start the release

She is the fifth rabbi to serve Kol HaNeshamah since its founding in 2003. After more than a decade as an educator for congregations in the Southwest, she was most recently rabbi for Tree of Life Congregation in Columbia, South Carolina.

By the last Fauntleroy Creek salmon release of the season on May 31, more than 900 students and adults will have stocked the upper creek with nearly 2,000 fry reared through the Salmon in the Schools program.

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WEEKEND SCENE: Chamber wins first-ever Battle for West Seattle

May 21, 2023 6:34 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Just last Tuesday, Claiborne Bell of Seattle Sorbets and Distinguished Foods Kitchen was at a podium accepting the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s Westsider of the Year award; today, he was on the field at Steve Cox Memorial Park, as the Chamber faced the West Seattle Junction Association in a softball game dubbed “The Battle for West Seattle.” We just dropped in for a few minutes before breaking news called us away. Among other starters, Phil Tavel was on the mound for WSJA:

And from the Chamber’s winning team, Mark Bouma of Lake Washington Physical Therapy – West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

(We previewed both rosters here.) As previously noted, the game was a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank; we’ll be checking on how that turned out. The numbers we do know (thanks to Karla from WSFB): The Chamber won in 10 innings, 13-11.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two assaulted by thwarted catalytic-converter thief

May 21, 2023 5:07 pm

| 49 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

5:07 PM: Matt reports this happened around 3 pm today:

During our CYO Pentathlon event at West Seattle Stadium, two parents were bear-maced when they encountered someone stealing catalytic converters in the parking lot. One car had one taken, one car partially damaged when the theft was interrupted.

911 called for paramedics and police. Parents are both as okay as they can be after being maced in the face. Police are off tracking the truck – they believe they saw it hanging around Alki earlier. Picture of the person and their truck attached.

We don’t have the report # yet but if you think you’ve seen the truck, call 911.

ADDED 5:46 PM: Report # is 23-139719.

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REMINDER: Two reasons why Monday is important in Alki Elementary rebuild plan

May 21, 2023 4:24 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Tomorrow – Monday, May 22nd – is a doubly important date in Seattle Public Schools‘ plan to rebuild Alki Elementary.

-Tomorrow at 5 pm is the deadline for filing appeals of the city’s decision to approve nine zoning exceptions (formally known as “departures”) for the project. Our story on the decision explains how.

-Tomorrow night at 7 pm, SPS plans a community meeting with information about the project, which seeks to expand the size and capacity of the school. The meeting will be held in person at the school (3010 59th SW) and online via a link to be posted on this page sometime tomorrow.

The district’s current timeline for the project is to start construction this summer and be ready in time for students and staff to move into the new building in fall 2025.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Short-lived standoff (updated Monday); another Morgan Junction business burglary

May 21, 2023 1:24 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch today:

SHORT-LIVED STANDOFF: Thanks for all the tips about a big police response at 35th and Barton. We heard via police radio that someone was holed up in an apartment, but not why. It was just wrapping up when we got there to find out more. Police say it started as a domestic-violence call – a man allegedly pulled a gun during a “heated argument.” A short standoff ensued; officers arrested him around noon. No injuries reported. MONDAY UPDATE: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:

At 1116 hours, officers responded to a DV disturbance involving a firearm. The suspect grabbed a handgun, made a threat, and pointed it at the two victims. The suspect eventually exited the apartment and was placed in custody. Officers obtained a warrant and recovered two handguns from inside the apartment.

BUSINESS BURGLARY: While out, we got a tip about this – another Morgan Junction business burglary, this time at Whisky West. So we went there to find out more.

That’s the boarded-up front door – two burglars broke the glass to get in around 3:30 am, WW told us. They subsequently sawed open the safe and stole cash. This security-camera image shows one of them leaving:

A neighbor who saw them break in and called 911 said the burglars got away in a silver Subaru Crosstrek.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: West Seattle 5K’s triumphant return

May 21, 2023 11:33 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

11:33 AM: By start time this morning, 1,172 people had registered to run and/or walk in the first West Seattle 5K since 2019. Here’s our video of all of them heading out from the start line at 61st/Alki:

(WSB photos and video from here)
Not only was the turnout heartening to the West Seattle PTSA, organizers Athena Frederick and Kelley O’Connor were proud of the other support that’s helping make this an important fundraiser to help WSHS and its students – such as the most local-business sponsorship support ever.

They explained that, for example, the proceeds help ensure “Saturday School” – extra support for students who need it – continues. Now, the top finishers – Matthew Lawrence, 15, was the first to cross the finish line, in 16:55:

Megan Heuer, 41, was the first female runner to finish (as she was in 2017), in 18:16:

All the results are here. Other participants ranged from preschoolers to seniors – race announcer Fred Northup (pictured below with daughter Zola, “a future WSHS student”) noted a 76-year-old woman running the WS5K today to celebrate her birthday.

A big focus for organizers this year was even more school involvement than the past. Even the WSHS Cheer Team was represented.

ADDED 2:37 PM: Here are acknowledgments from the race organizers, with more of our photos interspersed:

Wow, we did it! Bringing this race back post-Covid was a labor of love but thanks to all the organizers in years before us, it was doable! Thanks to all of you, today’s West Seattle 5k was a great success! A big “thank you” to all of our volunteers and sponsors, and the 1,172 runners and walkers who participated! We raised $34,000 for for the West Seattle High School PTSA and students and teachers and staff! The PTSA covers educational programming like Saturday School, Teachers Mini-grants and more!

Yours Truly, 2023 Race Co-Directors – Kelley O’Connor and Athena Frederick

Special shout out to volunteers:

Lori Sherick and Amy Huey for helping get the word out at all the schools and to help when we were overwhelmed and needed a quick errand made, or a document crafted!
Amy Doll for coordinating the supplies, kids, teachers and staff!
Erik Bell at Bell Fortina for countless hours coming up with our graphics and all the artwork for our shirt design, posters, banner, yard signs, clean up and so much more. And, then to come out and take pictures of runners and families. We so appreciate YOU and all you do for our community in capturing pictures of an events like this.
Dana Margolis @ The Little Gym for help securing sponsorships and prizes – you rock!
Renee Phelps and all the NHS students from West Seattle High School for putting out signage, stuffing bags and working the event!
WSHS PTSA Board members – especially Gina, Holly, Chau, and Heather!!
Lyndsay Aykens and Owen Reese for coordinating our Event Day Volunteers!
James Powell for your love of the sport!
Lori Sherick and Chris OClaire and their FUN Committee (WSHS 5k student led committee) – Bree, William, Esta, Sam, Lilly, Elliott,
Adult Course Monitors – thanks for stepping in this year to have our backs
Lyle at Get Me Registered for all the tech support!!
Alki businesses and residents – thanks for sharing this special beach for the morning so we could hold this fundaiser to make our local West Seattle High School the best it can be for our students and teachers!
Our 70+ volunteers!

We doubled our best sponsorship year, raising 20k in funds from our local businesses. That 20K covered the cost of putting on the race.

All our amazing Sponsors:

Portage Bay Cafe
School of Rock West Seattle
Sea Pines Physical Therapy
Dragonfly Pilates who warmed us up
West Seattle Realty
West Seattle Blog who got the word out about the event
Fred from Northup Fundraising for all his great emcee skills today!! Special thanks for reading every finisher’s name, nice touch!
Clif Bar for keeping us fueled on energy bars and bloks!
West Seattle Runner for hosting our packet pickup and top finishers all a new pair of running shoes!
BracePoint Law
Schoeb Chiropractic
We Sweat
Susi Musi Realtor
Dream Dinners
West Seattle Foot & Ankle
Alki Annie realtor
Club Pilates on Mercer Island
Swifty Printing
The Hill Team – Zack and Jody Realtors
Sports Medicine NW
Tram’s Salon
Hotwire Coffee
Ventana Construction
Niederberger Construction
WebCami for all our website needs and many rounds to bring the website back from 2019!!
Cometa Playschool
The Little Gym of West Seattle – yay Teacher Dana
The Fang Law Firm
PCC Community Market
Metropolitan Market
Carmilia’s Boutique
Mission Cantina
West Wings
West Side Music Academy
Alki Kayak Tours
Colburn Law

The first WS5K was on May 31, 2009 (here’s our coverage). P.S. The next community-benefit 5K in West Seattle is the Float Dodger 5K, which West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) will present again July 22nd – before the West Seattle Grand Parade – as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank; you can register here right now!

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West Seattle 5K, softball showdown, kittens & puppies, more for your Sunday

May 21, 2023 6:25 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle 5K, softball showdown, kittens & puppies, more for your Sunday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

We start with the event that will bring more than 1,000 participants – plus spectators, organizers, and volunteers – to Alki this morning:

WEST SEATTLE 5K RETURNS: The run/walk presented by and for the West Seattle High School PTSA is back for the first time since 2019, and organizers say more than 1,000 people have signed up to run/walk the waterfront route. They’ll head from 61st/Alki to Luna/Anchor Park and back, so Alki/Harbor Avenues will be closed starting around 8 am.

Last-minute registration and packet pickup starts at 8:30 am; pre-race warmups at 9:15 am; then the WS5K starts at 9:30 am. The streets reopen when the course clears, which should be by 11 am.

Another big benefit event today:

BATTLE FOR WEST SEATTLE: The first-ever softball showdown between the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and West Seattle Junction Association is a fundraiser for the West Seattle and White Center food banks. You can cheer for local businesses’ latest act of community giving by going to Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd, White Center) at noon. See the rosters here; ticket info’s here.

Other things to know:

MYERS WAY CLOSURE: SDOT expects to keep Myers between Olson and 2nd closed all day as the continuation of repaving work that started Saturday.

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

SOUL SPA: Inner Alchemy is hosting Soul Spas on Sundays at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) during Farmers’ Market hours, 10 am-2 pm: “a fun community experience of meeting our talented local healers, makers, and artists right alongside the Farmers’ Market. Mini-sessions, shopping, connecting, and Timmy cooking brunch!”

DONATION DRIVE: Men’s work clothing is a priority for today’s 11 am-3 pm donation drive at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds):

Most of the men we assist are in day labor through the Millionair Club, Casa Latina, Labor Ready, or pickup jobs. Help us help them support their families through your donations of clean, wearable, and seasonally appropriate work clothing: pants, hoodies, T-shirts, socks, boots, shorts, tanks, as well as new underwear, belts, hats, all kinds of shoes (except dress shoes!).

Donations of food, clothing and outdoor gear are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Good enough for beachwalking again today, -2.4 feet at 12:40 pm.

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Roo Forrest and Friends perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm.

WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 3 pm monthly gathering at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – see our calendar listing for this month’s topic.

PUPPIES VS. KITTENS: All-ages event at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) with adoptable fuzzballs and local rescuers as part of the beer garden’s slate of events during Seattle Beer Week.

THEATER: Matinee for “Zach” by Christian St. Croix, directed by Sara Porkalob, at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Tickets here.

END THE WEEKEND PEACEFULLY: Inner Alchemy offers Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Breath Work, and Gong Bath from 7-8:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). RSVP/fee info is in our calendar listing.

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

Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire, assault investigation

May 21, 2023 1:02 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

1:02 AM: SPD and SFD are headed to an apartment in the 7500 block of 24th SW for a report of a robbery and gunfire. Officers told dispatch the victim reported being pistol-whipped but responders aren’t sure yet if they also were shot. Updates to come.

1:08 AM: The victim apparently was not shot, but was assaulted, responders have determined. They’re calling in a K9 to help search, so people in the area may hear the obligatory PA warnings police use to let a suspect know a dog is after them.

1:26 AM: They’ve confirmed gunfire in the apartment, finding at least one shell casing so far.

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