West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
From Ben, in the Westwood area:
Some items were dumped on my property this afternoon.
If all or some of them are yours, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we will connect you with Ben.
6:20 PM: Various areas of West Seattle just lost power for a minute or two. You? (So far, no widespread outage reported, but it was more than a “flicker.”) … So far we’ve heard from North Admiral, South Admiral, The Triangle, Gatewood, Upper Fauntleroy (us). Also High Point, which reported “booms” around the same time, and South Delridge. No SFD calls so far, though.
7:06 PM: The booms seem to have been along SW Graham. LyndaB near 36th/Graham believes balloons might be the culprit. (Added: Texted photo)
Tomorrow morning, the City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee gets its latest periodic briefing on Seattle Police staffing. Here’s what we learned from the briefing presentation, which was posted today:
The Southwest Precinct (West Seattle and South Park) ended the first quarter with 54 officers and 10 sergeants. That’s up from 50 and 8 a year earlier, one fewer than the 56 and 9 from a year before that. (Those two charts were shown here.) Overall, the entire department ended the quarter with 1,029 fully trained officers, and 949 in service; SPD had projected it would make 31 hires during the first quarter and actually hired 26, while they projected 27 more officers would leave, and separations totaled 28. They’re now expecting the year will end with 33 officers fewer than they have budgeted for, and they expect that money will instead have to be spent on overtime, 80 percent of which SPD says goes toward meeting minimum staffing levels. Meantime, most of the $3.8 million budget for recruiting and retention has remained unspent; the meeting presentation attributes this mostly to the mayor’s office working on a “new marketing plan.”
Other numbers of interest in the presentation slide deck include response times. For the Southwest and West Precincts, they improved in all categories, though other precincts saw response times increase in some categories. For Southwest, the average response time for a “Priority 1” call is now 10 minutes, a full minute faster than a year earlier, though still well above the department’s 7-minute goal. Average response times for “Priority 2” calls in the SW Precinct fell from 44 to 41 minutes.
Tomorrow’s meeting is at 9:30 am, at City Hall and online; you can see the full agenda, and commenting info, here.
Another chance for community involvement before the holiday weekend. HPAC – the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – is meeting on the fourth Thursday this month instead of Wednesday, so that’s 7 pm this Thursday, May 25th. Also different: This meeting is happening in person, and at a first-time location, Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery in South Delridge. That’s especially appropriate because this meeting will focus on the South Delridge Action Plan, as HPAC leadership explains:
The meeting is open to all residents and business folks in the area. Learn what progress has been made on the City planning so far, and give thoughts on their efforts to work with the South Delridge Community.
What unique issues does this southernmost area of West Seattle face? What can we learn from successes and failures of growth plans elsewhere? How can we keep our homegrown spirit vibrant and healthy, providing food, housing, and community for all – while dealing with the wave of development speeding our way? What City services are lacking? How can the City work more closely with unincorporated White Center/ King County to better integrate community services currently provided?
Head to 9414 Delridge Way SW on Thursday night to discuss all that and more.
West Seattle’s ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) plans five productions – including Seattle premieres, a world premiere, and a Pulitzer winner – for 2023-2024, and has just raised the curtain to reveal the lineup. Here’s the announcement:
ArtsWest has announced its 2023-2024 season SOMETIMES I DREAM…, with five productions – all Seattle premieres – featuring the work of Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights, new collaborators, and the premiere of a brand-new holiday show specially built for Seattle. This is the third season programmed by a collective of ArtsWest Associate Artists in collaboration with ArtsWest Artistic Director Mathew Wright, with this year’s Associate Artist roles taken on entirely by ArtsWest staff.
Pithy and joyous quotes inspiring us to pursue our dreams have resounded across space and time – but it can be a difficult path, especially when the world seems to have other plans for you. Dreaming big takes courage, curiosity, and imagination – but it often takes support from the outside world as well. What would it take to create a world in which everyone is free to pursue a dream? In one of their boldest outings yet, ArtsWest explores the pursuit of dreams through five distinctly different lenses in a season of searing comedy, beloved music, and touching humanity, designed to subvert expectations at every turn.
SOMETIMES I DREAM…opens this fall with the Seattle premiere of MATT & BEN (September 7-October 1), award-winning writer and comedian Mindy Kaling‘s NYC Fringe hit about Hollywood’s most famous bromance – which originally starred Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers in the title roles – in a biting satire on the Hollywood dream machine.
Fresh for the holiday season, December will see the world premiere of SNOWED IN (November 30–December 23), created by Mathew Wright and Corinne Park-Buffelen, a holiday special reinvented for the 21st century and starring some of Seattle’s most-beloved musical theater talent.
In the new year, ArtsWest will present the Seattle premiere of Liz Duffy Adams‘ BORN WITH TEETH (February 1–February 25), a queer-punk-inflected encounter between Christopher Marlowe and the young upstart William Shakespeare in which they attempt to write a history play together before they either fall in love or kill each other.
April will see the Seattle premiere of this year’s Pulitzer Prize winner in Drama, ENGLISH by Sanaz Toossi (April 4–April 28). Co-produced by Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble, ENGLISH is a deeply moving and brilliantly funny meditation on language and identity in an Iranian TOEFL classroom.
Rounding out the season is two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage‘s latest Broadway triumph, CLYDE’S (June 6–June 30, 2024). Presented in partnership with The Hansberry Project and directed by Seattle luminary Valerie Curtis-Newton, CLYDE’S explores the dreams of the workers at a truck stop café – and the ways in which we can act as obstacles or aids to each other in the pursuit of those dreams.
More about next season’s ArtsWest plays is here. You can lock in your tickets by buying a subscription here. Meantime, ArtsWest’s current production “Zach” continues through this Sunday, and the season finale “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is onstage June 28-July 23; more on this season here.
We’ve received multiple reader reports this morning about discolored water in the West Seattle Junction area. No water breaks reported so far; a frequent cause is fire-hydrant testing, and as Seattle Public Utilities confirmed to us last week, a recent change in procedure may be stirring up more sediment (mostly rust) in the lines when that’s done. If it happens to you, be sure to report it to SPU at 206-386-1800.
(Post-rain photo sent by Al)
Here’s the list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: Noon-12:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “In Her Shoes.” Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.
ALKI ELEMENTARY PROJECT MEETING: Seattle Public Schools convenes a community meeting at 7 pm in the school lunch room (3010 59th SW) to talk, and answer questions, about the upcoming rebuild/expansion. Online-participation link is promised on this page sometime pre-meeting.
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
ALKI MEDITATION: Free twice-monthly Dharma Community meditation, 7-8:30 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
PLAY TRIVIA! Three options on Monday nights for playing trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
YOGA AND SOUND BATH: 7 pm at Sacred Growing Space (7358 35th SW), $35.
MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
With a little over one month left in the school year, fundraising season is winding down, but you still have opportunities to help local PTAs/PTSAs support their schools. Here’s the latest announcement we’ve received to share with you:
Alki Elementary PTA’s auction is online this year and is now LIVE – Click Here to begin bidding! Online bidding will close at 9:00 pm on Thursday, May 25th.
This year’s auction features artwork created by the K-5th grade classes, a 2-night/3-day stay at Suncadia, roundtrip tickets to Victoria B.C., dance & music classes, and so much more!
Your generosity will support vital programs and community-building events that enrich the lives of our students and make Alki Elementary the thriving community that it is! Funds will support purchasing library books, class field trips/supplies, all-school assemblies (guest speakers), ensuring all students have access to yearbooks, school supplies and recess equipment to name a few.
Thank You in advance for supporting Alki PTA’s largest fundraiser of the year!
Additional details can be found on the Alki PTA Auction website. Contact: Auction@alkipta.com
8:32 AM UPDATE: Via Twitter, Patrick reports trucks backed up on the westbound bridge.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, May 22nd, five workdays to go until Memorial Day weekend (unless yours starts earlier!).
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The weather pendulum has swung. Today’s forecast: Partly sunny, some drizzle, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:24 am; sunset will be at 8:49 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening.
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so 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 main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – 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). Thank you!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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!
(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!
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.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Grueling but ultimately thrilling day for the West Seattle High School baseball team. After winning their first two games in the state 3A tournament – both played today – they’re in the final four. As noted earlier, Matthew Henning pitched a no-hitter in the morning victory over Stadium High School from Tacoma, 4-0, and then Miles Gosztola (#13, below) allowed just one run for the win in the afternoon quarterfinal game vs. Edmonds-Woodway, 3-1.
Hitting stars for the second game were Bobby Trigg (#2, below) and Sabin Tomlinson, both going 2 for 3, plus Caden Fahy, who had 2 RBI while going 1 for 3.
Both of today’s games were at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where WSHS plays its home games. For the final rounds of the state tournament, head coach Dylan Mclauchlin and team head to Everett Memorial Stadium, playing Lincoln (also from Seattle Public Schools) at 10 am Friday (May 26th). The other two teams in the semifinals are Lake Washington and O’Dea. If they win Friday, the Wildcats will play for the championship at 4 pm Saturday. (Here’s the full tournament bracket.)
Were you among the estimated 4,000+ volunteers who pitched in for “One Seattle Day of Service“ today? We have pics from two West Seattle sites. First, Sally Heit tells us about the cleanup at the former Seattle Lutheran High School campus on the north edge of The Junction:
On the One Seattle Day of Service, a bunch of volunteers and I spent the morning really cleaning up the Landscaping around the former Seattle Lutheran High School campus and parking lot.
Craig Bowen, parishioner of Hope Church, provided a Cedar Grove Composting truck so we could take down some overgrown trees as well as other debris.
The truck holds 25 yards and we filled it! We still have more to do but hopefully we have made the area around the campus more open and friendly to the neighborhood and those who walk.
It was exciting to see the progress!!
In High Point, one of the “opening acts” for today’s West Seattle Bee Festival was a neighborhood cleanup with a swarm of volunteers. We saw a couple still on patrol during the heart of the festival:
And we noticed the results of volunteers’ work:
If you missed the chance to help today, there are many other opportunities throughout the year – we put them in our Event Calendar when we get word of them, and you can also connect with the prolific group A Cleaner Alki, for one.
(WSB photo)
Six weeks after 20-year-old Ka’Don Brown was found shot to death on the southwest end of the Chief Sealth International High School campus, his murder remains unsolved. His family and friends remain anxious for answers. Holding signs reading “Justice for Ka’Don” and “Who Killed Ka’Don?”, they walked to the SPD Southwest Precinct this afternoon for a streetcorner demonstration. The most recent update from police, as reported here, is that they were “waiting on search warrants” – but there have been no public updates in the week-plus since then. If you have any information, the SPD tip line is 206-233-5000.
(WSB photo)
Lucia, Shelyenne, and Lilly are helping with packet pickup for tomorrow’s West Seattle 5K – if you’ve registered, you have until 5 pm to go get yours at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) and avoid the pre-race crush tomorrow. Might be a record-setting turnout, according to Athena from the West Seattle High School PTSA, who sent this photo earlier:
(Photo sent by Athena)
The WSHS PTSA presents and benefits from the WS5K, which has more than 1,000 runners and walkers signed up so far. It starts at 61st/Alki at 9:30 am tomorrow; late registration/packet pickup is on site starting at 8:30 am. Alki/Harbor Avenues will be closed for the WS5K starting at 8 am, and that’s why “road closed” signs are already staged along side streets.
High Point Commons Park and Lanham Place to its west [map] are a hive of activity for this afternoon’s West Seattle Bee Festival. At the WS Bee Garden, north end of the park, Puget Sound Beekeepers are selling honey and answering lots of questions.
The entertainment is in keeping with the theme – Ella Bella Bee and the Pollinators performed in the first hour.
Not far from the Amphitheater, toward the south end of Lanham, we found Chance (below) and Blue, Seattle Police horses (based in West Seattle, on the southwest side of Westcrest Park):
Other city departments and services are there too – including the Seattle Public Library Bookmobile:
You can find out about local nonprofits, too – among those with booths/tables are the West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Cooperative Preschools, and Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (whose work includes lots of nature stewardship). The festival continues until 3 pm.
12:15 PM: The West Seattle High School baseball team will play its second state-tournament game later today after winning the first one. Matthew Henning threw a no-hitter as the Wildcats shut out Tacoma’s Stadium HS, 4-0 at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. That’s also where they’ll play game two against the winner of a 1 pm game between Edmonds-Woodway and Southridge. We’ll add the time/opponent when that info’s available (it should also appear here).
3:34 PM: The Wildcats will play Edmonds-Woodway, who just scored a come-from-behind win over Southridge (from the Tri-Cities) at NCSWAC. We don’t yet know the start time.
4:09 PM: That game is now under way, scoreless in top of the 2nd per the GameChanger app (we’ll be headed back to the stadium shortly). Miles Gosztola is starting on the mound for WSHS.
5:53 PM: WSHS won that game, 3-1, and heads to the state semifinals. Full story separately, later.
| Comments Off on READER REPORT: Dumped/likely stolen items. Are they yours?