day : 22/06/2023 13 results

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

A block party in Gatewood tonight made history. We told you last month about Michael Mattinger‘s plan to launch Seattle Pride Night Out, a new way to celebrate Pride – neighborhood gatherings. Tonight Michael and husband Bradley and their kids hosted theirs:

As Michael told us last month, ““My husband and I had this idea as it’s personally important for us to show our kids that our streets, neighborhood and NEIGHBORS are a safe place amidst the LGBTQ+ challenges facing our nation these days.” The party had kids’ activities, food and drink, and drag performances – while we were there, West Seattle’s Dolly Madison held court:

They inspired other Pride Night Out parties, including this one at Dragonfly Pavilion in North Delridge:

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: SSC’s Northwest Wine Academy burglarized

June 22, 2023 10:45 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

10:45 PM: Just before 9 pm, a 911 caller told police the Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus had just been broken into. We got a tip shortly thereafter and went over. Police said it was NOT a crash-grab – the burglar(s) broke the door glass some other way to get in.

Listening to the archived audio on this one, police described the burglar(s)’ vehicle as a silver Honda sedan and said it sounded similar to a “Subway burglary” also under investigation; checking the call log, we note a break-in reported a bit earlier in the evening in the 6700 block of West Marginal Way SW, where there is indeed a Subway. Meantime, no word on what might have been taken from the Wine Academy – we’ll follow up with SSC tomorrow.

9:40 AM: Here’s what we found out from SSC spokesperson Ty Swenson. The burglar was inside for about four minutes and “did not appear to have left with anything of value” – aside from possibly a few bottles of wine. The NWWA will be open today as is usual on Fridays, 1-6 pm (also note there’s an added day this week, 1-6 pm Sunday during the West Seattle Garden Tour).

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UPDATE: Hit-and-run outside Summit Atlas

June 22, 2023 9:49 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

9:49 PM: Thanks for the tip. A somewhat startling sight outside Summit Atlas at 35th/Roxbury this past hour – the driver of that car went up over the sidewalk and stopped just short of the building. Police were still sorting out what happened when we went over to look but told us that whoever was in the car ran from the scene – two people, according to nearby residents who say they saw it happen.

10:32 PM: Listening to archived dispatch audio – police believe the same vehicle was involved in an earlier hit-run at Delridge/Holden. Initial check of the car’s status did NOT show it to be stolen, according to dispatch.

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COUNTDOWN: 1 month until West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K

June 22, 2023 9:32 pm

| Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 1 month until West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Joyas Mestizas in 2022 West Seattle Grand Parade)

We don’t want to let the day slip by without mentioning the big summer-fun doubleheader that is now exactly one month away. On Saturday, July 22nd, the West Seattle Grand Parade returns, preceded by the Float Dodger 5K. Both travel along California Avenue SW from The Admiral District to The Junction. The Float Dodger 5K, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) and benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, will start the day at 9:30 am. Since Hiawatha Playfield will be closed for turf replacement, the race will start and end in the West Seattle High School parking lot (3000 California SW). After-party is across the street at WS Runner’s storefront (2743 California SW). You can register right now by going here! Then at 11 am on July 22nd, it’s parade time, starting at California/Lander and heading southbound to The Junction – marching bands, floats, performing groups, community organizations. (Applications to be in the parade are accepted through its website and postal mail.) Just choose a seat anywhere along the route – if you want to hear announcements of who you’re seeing, you’ll want to be near California/Charlestown or California/Alaska. More on what you’ll see on parade day when it gets closer!

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CONGRATULATIONS! 5 more West Seattle High School student athletes sign with colleges

June 22, 2023 7:18 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

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

Congratulations to the latest five West Seattle High School student athletes to sign college letters of intent. The photo and report are from WSHS athletic director Corey Sorenson:

We had our spring signing day this afternoon at West Seattle HS. This is our last group to sign their National Letters of Intent:

Maximus Holliman:
University Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Sport: Basketball
Major: Business Marketing

Ryder Mackay:
Pacific University
Sport: Basketball
Major: Kinesiology

Carmelo Kasim:
University Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Sport: Soccer
Major: International Business and Marketing

Jasmine Bachmeier-Emswiler:
Lindenwood University
Sport: Bowling
Major: Nursing

Brady Cooke
San Diego State University:
Sport: Cheerleading
Major: Finance

These 5 make it 12 total from our Senior Class to sign National Letters of Intent to compete collegiately next year joining:

Miles Gosztola: Gonzaga University, Baseball
Jake Lockwood: Everett Community College, Baseball
Owen Earls: Columbia Basin College, Baseball
Elijah Brady: University of Montana, Football
Mason Kallinger: Midland University, Football
Alli Bennett: Long Island University, Soccer
Lina Delgado: Missouri Western State University, Softball

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Jennifer Hall adds one more student athlete – Adam Mederos, soccer, University of Notre Dame.

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ROAD-WORK ALERT: ‘Deteriorated’ Delridge Way bus lane to be repaired soon

June 22, 2023 5:18 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Max sent that photo after spotting city workers today along Delridge between Dakota and Genesee, where multiple readers have noticed a section of southbound bus lane long blocked off. Will it finally be fixed? Yes, says SDOT, whose spokesperson Ethan Bergerson explained that what Max saw “was an SDOT crew meeting on location in preparation for upcoming repairs.” He added these details:

We expect to begin construction to repair the southbound bus lane of Delridge Way SW between SW Dakota St and SW Genesee within the next three weeks and complete the repairs by the end of August.

Vehicles will be rerouted to the eastern side of the street with at least one lane of travel in each direction when work is occurring. This detour will typically be in effect 24 hours a day from Thursdays through Sundays on the weeks when construction is occurring (there may be weeks when construction does not occur if crews are responding to other projects throughout the city). The sidewalks will remain open at all times.

This project will replace about 460 feet of concrete in the southbound bus lane and also repair a small number of damaged areas in the southbound general purpose lanes. Crews will demolish and remove the existing concrete panels, and repave them with full-depth concrete thick enough to withstand the anticipated bus traffic. This solution will last much longer than temporary asphalt patchwork, but also takes several weeks to complete.

We are also considering a small number of additional repairs in the northbound lanes. Any repairs in the northbound lanes would be completed sometime after the southbound repairs are completed (this has not been scheduled yet).

SDOT is partnering with King County Metro to fund this project. This block was not repaved as part of the recent RapidRide H project because at the time that project was being designed it was anticipated that Sound Transit would most likely rebuild this block as a part of their West Seattle light rail extension. However, we are performing these repairs now due to the deteriorated pavement conditions and because it now appears most likely that Sound Transit’s West Seattle light rail alignment would shift to another location.

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ANOTHER SKY SIGHTING: Air Force flyby, seen from West Seattle

June 22, 2023 4:18 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle news

4:18 PM: Thanks to everyone who mentioned this sighting around 3:30 pm – two Air Force C-17s passing West Seattle’s north shore, as seen in Nate Miller‘s video above (Nate says, “We’re celebrating the promotion of Lafayette’s 5th graders, and convinced the kiddos that the flyby was for them!”), and Stewart L.’s photo of one of them:

We can’t say with absolute certainty that these were from Joint Base Lewis McChord, but JBLM is home to 40 of these aircraft.

5:02 PM: One more view, from David Hutchinson at Alki:

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SUMMER: Last call for Mode Rock Band and MMPA Pay-What-You-Can summer camps!

June 22, 2023 2:56 pm

| Comments Off on SUMMER: Last call for Mode Rock Band and MMPA Pay-What-You-Can summer camps!

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos courtesy Mode)

If your family’s summer schedule isn’t fully booked, it’s not too late to get in on these music-making camp opportunities! From Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts:

Mode Rock Band camps are back and Mode Music and Performing Arts (MMPA), our nonprofit arm, is offering Pay-What-You-Can camps all summer long!

Mode’s Rock Band Camps are taught by our local, professional musicians and instructors and give your kid the opportunity to perform on The Skylark stage at the end of the week. We have missed these camps and are so excited to get back to it.

Rock bands are offered for ages 6-12 M-F from 9:00-12:00 with a performance at The Skylark on Saturday. Make it a full day by signing up for an MMPA camp in the afternoon! Afternoon options for students aged 13-18 are available upon request.

MMPA’s Pay-What-You-Can camps are running for a second consecutive summer, continuing to reach all of our community by removing financial barriers. Half-day and full-day music, theatre, and dance camps are available upon signup for kids ages 6-12 running M-F 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 all summer long.

All of our camps will be led by experienced and enthusiastic instructors who are passionate about music and arts education. Students will have the opportunity to learn new skills, develop their talents, and make new friends in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Get ready to rock and play with us this summer!

For more information on our Mode Rock Band camps, visit modemusicstudios.com/camps

For more on our MMPA Pay-What-You-Can camps, visit modemusicandperformingarts.org/camps

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SATURDAY: ‘Ham radio’s open house’ returns to West Seattle for Field Day 2023

June 22, 2023 1:06 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | Preparedness | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Field Day 2018)

For 24 hours this weekend, 11 am Saturday to 11 am Sunday, the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus will again become a ham-radio hub for the annual Field Day. And it’s all open to the public – you can stop by, observe, participate, and, as organizers explain, “learn more about emergency preparedness, community engagement and service through communication, and the wide world of ham radio!” This is an annual event known as “ham radio’s open house” – and it’s nationwide, as organizers explain:

Field Day is part show-and-tell, part preparedness exercise, and part nationwide contest, aimed at sharpening technical skills and growing the hobby of amateur radio generally. Members will join thousands of other stations set up in fields and remote locations across the country for a weekend of on-air operation. This event is meant to mimic operations in an emergency situation, like an earthquake, where power, internet and cellphone service might be interrupted.

Look for antennas, trailers, and tents in and around the SSC north parking lot and field (6000 16th SW). Field Day is organized locally by Puget Sound Repeater Group and West Seattle Amateur Radio Club. You can see the detailed schedule of events by going here.

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UPDATE: About the federal helicopter circling West Seattle and White Center

June 22, 2023 11:16 am

| 57 COMMENTS

| Helicopter | West Seattle news

11:16 AM: We’ve gotten a few questions about a helicopter heard over White Center and West Seattle this past hour or so. The screengrab above is from Flightradar24, which identifies it as a US Customs and Border Patrol helicopter and shows the many loops it’s taken. High up – 6,000 feet – so you might not have seen it. The tracker shows its flight starting in Tacoma. As for why it’s circling, we’re looking into it.

11:58 AM: So far, we’ve talked to a variety of people (haven’t heard back from CBP yet, though) and no additional information. The Tacoma Narrows Airport, from which the tracker showed the flight originating, told us the helicopter likely just stopped there to refuel, as there’s nothing of this type based there. A check of our archives, reminds us of a similar situation in January 2019 – a Customs helicopter circling south West Seattle – here’s what we wrote then.

12:37 PM: Still no further info (we’ll update here if and when any details turn up), but the helicopter’s left this area and is back over Pierce County.

1:36 PM: As noted in comments, federal Homeland Security officers are at Westwood Village. They wouldn’t comment to us on what they’re there for, but they said the helicopter wasn’t related.

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The Whale Trail, Pride Night Out, museum opening, pizza fundraiser, more for your West Seattle Thursday

June 22, 2023 10:08 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Sonya Westcott – Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily operations continue at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.

PIZZA TO SUPPORT STUDENTS: Friends of Roxhill Elementary will benefit from part of the proceeds at Zeeks Pizza White Center (9809 16th SW, this location only) 11 am-9 pm – be sure to mention that’s why you’re there/ordering!

TREE TALK: Learn about the trees of Lincoln Park at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayers@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Scooby Dogs will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!

PRIDE NIGHT OUT: As first reported here last month, this is the first year for a new way to celebrate Pride – neighborhood block parties. We don’t have a local list but if a side street is closed near you tonight starting around 5 pm, this is probably why.

QUESTIONS ABOUT RAPIDRIDE CONSTRUCTION? The H Line is launched but (as you know if you travel on Roxbury) the work isn’t all done yet. Got questions? Ask the construction team 5-6 pm tonight. This newsletter explains how.

PREVENTING YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE: Online event at 5:30 pm – details in our calendar listing.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

THE WHALE TRAIL: As previewed here, it’s the summer gathering, with info about the Southern Residents, the new law to “give them space” on the water, and more. 6:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Get your ticket(s) here.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM EXHIBIT OPENING: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, be among the first to see the Log House Museum‘s new Longfellow Creek exhibit during the opening reception, and learn how you can be part of it – more in our calendar listing.

AUTHOR EVENT: 6:30 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW), local author Kelly Brenner talks about her new book “The Naturalist At Home: Projects For Discovering The Hidden World Around Us.”

(added) LIVE IN-STORE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Tonight at 7 pm – “Smoke M2D6 with: AKA Quarantine Heart Throb. Album release with LIVE Performance. Free, all ages.” (4559 California SW)

There’s even more in our calendar!

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YOUTH SPORTS: Pathfinder K-8 team wins volleyball championship

June 22, 2023 9:22 am

| 4 COMMENTS

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

Another local youth-sports team has a big achievement to celebrate – the Pathfinder K-8 volleyball team has won the district championship! Matthew Clark sent the photos and report:

(The outgoing 8th graders:. From L to R Standing: Aliza Stier, Dylan Clark, Sasha Lee, Jewel Li. L-R on the floor: Marley Grantor, Alana Patton, Stella Springwalter & Aiden Jucutan-Barbon)

The Pathfinder K-8 Varsity Volleyball team won the Seattle Public Schools K-8 Championships on Saturday, June 17. The Pathfinder team came into the playoffs winning all but one of their games. They beat Catharine Blaine K-8 in the Semi-Finals two sets to one Saturday morning. Pathfinder then went on to win against TOPS K8 (The Option Program at Seward) in two straight sets in the afternoon match. The playoff games were hosted at Louisa Boren STEM K-8. During regular season play, Pathfinder had their single loss to TOPS.

This championship win for Pathfinder marks only the third post-season championship win in the history of the school. They won the SPS K-8 Championships in Boys Varsity basketball in 2016. And in 2017, the Varsity Volleyball Team took home the trophy with Coach Coco Williams, the current Pathfinder Volleyball coach, on the varsity team her 8th grade year.

Congratulations to the whole team including the JV squad for a great season. Thank you to Coach Williams and Pathfinder Athletic Director Leanna Heritage for their strong mentorship and support of our athletes.

(The entire Pathfinder squad including both Varsity and Junior Varsity athletes. From L to R – Standing: Eloise Edwards, Aliza Stier, Dylan Clark, Sasha Lee, Jo Russo, Jewel Li, Asher Frogget, Maia Lindell-Smith, Izzy Frogget, Coach Coco Williams. Sitting L to R: Abby Peloza, Annalise Barrlett, Aiden Jucutan-Barbon, Marley Grantor, Alana Patton, Stella Springwalter, Leila Li, Zia Vallandingham, Starr Walton. Not Pictured: Cozmoke Saskill)

The champs finished the season 8-1.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday begins

June 22, 2023 6:03 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday begins

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, June 22nd, first full day of summer.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high near 70=5. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm.

STILL IN SCHOOL

Seattle Public Schools classes through June 30th.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, with trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions possible.

Water Taxi – The West Seattle WT is on its regular schedule.

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 – alternate 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: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble 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!

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