West Seattle, Washington
23 Tuesday
(WSB photo, May 2021)
Room 12 at Lafayette Elementary has a request for you: Help them decide which charity should receive the $50 left in their classroom fund. Their teacher, Chelsea Gabzdyl, explained that she gave the students a writing project, to convince her who shold get the money, and, “One idea I had is for their writing pieces to be published on the West Seattle Blog so we can raise even more money and give to many different organizations.” She sent us 12 students’ pitches. If you can spare a few minutes, read them, comment with your thoughts on which case is the most compelling, maybe even consider donating yourself. Here are the students’ writeups, as sent by their teacher:
Zoe’s opinion:
I have Native Americans in my family so I love animals. Help the wildlife by donating money to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Help the animals that need help because of predators. People should not kill animals for fun. Help them please! Donate money to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Help the Wildlife Conservation Society. And more predators the more trees! How long does it take for a sloth to digest its food? One week!
Missy’s opinion:
I think we should do Saint Jude because it helps people like some people are paralyzed. That means: people can’t move a specific part in their body. That’s not good at all. Others have cancer and that’s not good ether because some kids die and we don’t want that to happen at all. If we give the money to Saint Jude because kids all over the world will know they are safe and happy.
Louise’s opinion:
Would you like to help people in need of food because I would and it makes me happy to see people help people. People should have food and water. People also shouldn’t suffer. People shouldn’t starve. I get mad when I see that people are not caring about people.
Jasper’s opinion:
Hi! Do you like animals? Then read on! In my opinion, the money should go to the Wildlife Conservation Society because I think animals should be healthy and safe. First of all they are good for the environment. Secondly, animals are nice! Lastly, they are adorable!!! That’s why I believe that the money should go to the wildlife conservation society!
Alaska’s opinion:
If you like animals then keep reading! I think the Wildlife Conservation Society should get the money because we will all have food, we can see cute animals, and the world will be beautiful.
Walter’s opinion:
We should give the money to the Ronald McDonald House because it can help families. Secondly, they can make money to help families. Last, families take care of babies and if you don’t take care of babies they won’t have a home.
Lucy’s opinion:
I think animals are very special and I want to have more experiences with animals. If you are an animal lover like me keep reading. Help wildlife by donating money to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Help the animals that need help! Mostly the animals that are hurt! Start loving them and stop hating them. People should not kill animals for fun because it is so rude! Would you want that? I wouldn’t. Help them please don’t kill! They don’t deserve it and you wouldn’t either. Animals should live in peace like we want to stop killing and start caring!
Ray’s opinion:
I think we need more animals because we can see new things. I think the Wildlife Conservation Society should get the money because more animals make more food. More animals make more fertilizer and more trees. More trees make more fresh air. Now you see why I feel that we need more animals.
Cora’s opinion:
I think we should give the money to all 10 charities because then all 10 of them get money and more things will be helped because of us. Secondly all 10 charities will be able to help things that otherwise would not. No one would be upset that the money went to the place they did not want because it would go to all 10 charities. That’s why I think we should give the money to all 10 charities.
Lilah’s opinion:
Do you love animals? In my opinion, the money should be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society for these reasons. The bees are animals they help trees and the trees help us breathe. If there are more animals there will be more food. We love animals and we can hunt if there are more animals to have a balance. When we help it makes us happy. We can do more science! Our Earth will grow! And to sum it up, I love animals.
Trafford’s opinion:
My name is Trafford and this is my opinion about helping people have food. In my opinion, Share Our Strength is a good choice. First of all, my mom had childhood hunger. It can happen in many ways. Kids are not as resilient as adults and are more vulnerable. That’s why I chose share our strength.
Aiden’s opinion:
I think that the money should go to KaBOOM! because they build the playgrounds. Now you can see why Kaboom should get the money.
(We don’t have the list of all 10 charities they’re considering but will add it if and when we get it.)
ADDED 9:30 AM THURSDAY: First, teacher Chelsea just sent two more students’ pitches:
Mikol’s opinion:
Do you like the Seattle Animal Shelter? Well I’m gonna make you like it even more! First of all, if you donate to the Seattle Animal Shelter your donation goes directly to helping staff and volunteers perform life-saving work. Also, if you donate it helps prevent animal homelessness. Lastly, if you donate it helps fix animal cruelty so that’s why we should spend our money on the Seattle Animal Shelter.
Charlee’s opinion (in support of Share Our Strength):
My opinion is to give anything people need especially homeless people. So we can Share Our Strength and we can make a better world when we come together we can help each other get more food and water and medicine. It makes me sad and mad when I see people in need but nobody is helping them.
Second, she says the students have added to the fund – $152 more from “what kids have saved up and brought in themselves!”
Those lane closures that were supposed to happen last night for West Seattle Bridge maintenance work didn’t happen after all, SDOT says, due to crew availability. So all the work is supposed to be done tonight. It’s scheduled to start as early as 9 pm and be completed no later than 5 am, with one lane open each way in the work zone
(Map of where SDOT was considering medians and a raised crossing)
Three weeks ago, we reported that SDOT was proposing landscaped medians in a stretch of West Marginal Way SW and asking for feedback. This afternoon, they say the idea of medians and a raised crossing has been “paused” as a result of what they heard. Here’s the announcement:
After gathering initial feedback on Phase 2 of the West Marginal Way SW Safety Corridor Improvements project, we have decided to pause on moving forward with the proposed median islands. We have decided to wait until after we have completed a post-project evaluation on Phase 1 of the project, which included installing a protected bike lane (PBL) and pavement markings and signs at the Duwamish Trail crossings, to determine what next steps are needed.
We have determined that is important to highlight the trail crossing across SW Front Street (near the Highland Park Way SW intersection) to increase visibility and safety, but we heard concerns about how a raised trail crossing may impact freight movement. Therefore, we are planning to look at other options, like pavement markings or green paint, to delineate the Duwamish Trail.
Next steps:
· Design a non-raised option for the Duwamish Trail crossing on West Marginal Way SW at SW Front St.
· Conduct a project evaluation of the PBL and Duwamish Trail crossing improvements with input from West Marginal Way SW stakeholders, including local businesses, trail and bike lane users, and the freight community.
· Collaborate with stakeholders to determine next steps based on the data findings.
We appreciate all the feedback we have received and will continue to seek input and share information along the way.
Latest report of brown water is from Aaron in Morgan Junction. As always, if this happens to you, call it in to Seattle Public Utilities, 206-386-1800, even if you think someone else in your area has reported it. The discoloration is usually sediment – mostly rust – stirred up in the pipes by unusual activity, from hydrant testing to firefighting to a line break. (No recent reports of the latter two in West Seattle, though sometimes brown water brings the first word of a break.)
3:58 PM: A reader suggested a reminder is in order that a swimming advisory is still in effect for the beach at Lincoln Park. We first reported last Friday that health authorities were warning of elevated bacteria levels and advising people to avoid contact with the water there. You can check its status via this map.
7:10 PM: As a commenter notes, Lincoln Park’s status has vanished from the state’s infomap in the hours since we published this. It has not been replaced by an “all clear” type of symbol, so we can’t assume that this means it’s OK now. We will check with state and county health/environmental authorities in the morning.
Thanks to Thomas for the tip and photo. He went to the Southwest Branch Library (9010 35th SW) last night, expecting it to be open until 8 pm as it has been on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but discovered new “summer hours” that have this branch open 10 am-6 pm seven days a week. We checked with the Seattle Public Library, which says the early closures for this and three other branches (outside West Seattle) are because the branches are not fully air-conditioned. The “summer hours” were announced on the library website earlier this month. The Southwest Branch is in line for more A/C, though; we’re checking on the latest plan for when it’ll be installed. (Update: SPL spokesperson Elisa Murray says it’s supposed to be complete “by the end of this year.”)
P.S. SPL also pointed out to us that the Southwest Branch has something new (and temporary) – a short-story dispenser!
Thanks to Dwight for the tip! The coffee/pastry shop that Pizzeria Credo proprietor Jacques Nawar has long had in the works next to Junction Plaza Park is open. Panterelli is all about choux pastry – cream puffs, for example.
This is not the proprietor’s first venture into sweetness – he also operated Naked Crepe for a few years in the northernmost commercial space demolished for the under-construction mixed-use building. The 4210 SW Alaska space where Panterelli is now open was previously Western Jewelry and Coin Exchange (known casually as “the watch shop”). Panterelli’s hours for starters are Wednesdays through Sundays, 8 am-3 pm.
(Squirrel with strawberry – photo sent by Erin)
One week into summer, here’s what’s on the West Seattle event list for the rest of today/tonight:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm,. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
DELRIDGE WADING POOL’S OPENING DAY: Second day of the season, noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
COMEDY: Readers Theatre presents an hour of laughs at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 3 pm. Donations welcome.
WANT TO TALK ABOUT AI? As previewed here, a West Seattleite is hosting a “civic conversation about AI” at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 5-7 pm.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – repair it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT OUNCES: 6:30 pm with Jared and The Wingtips. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
PIANO NIGHT: By request, with Bri Ashlee Little, at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
FYI – SOLD OUT: Tonight’s preview performance of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) is sold out – check here for another date.
KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
If you are planning an event – presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar, tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Kersti Muul sends word that orcas are headed this way. A group is milling, slowly southbound, off Bainbridge, just across and north of Alki. Let us know if you see them!
6:02 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, June 28th – six days until the Fourth of July!
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Another cloudy morning, then clearing, high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:14 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm.
(Tuesday sunset, photographed by Zach Wolpa)
STILL IN SCHOOL
Third-to-last day of the year for Seattle Public Schools.
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 – 2-boat schedule. 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!
As the sun set Tuesday night, the curtain rose on the next chapter of life for the 300+ Class of 2023 graduates from Chief Sealth International High School. Their compact commencement ceremony ended the night at Memorial Stadium downtown, with unique touches, like CSIHS musicians performing the “Pomp and Circumstance” entry music live, as well as a second song, Encanto, directed by Joey Roberts:
Student speaker Fatima Garnica Escamilla exulted, “We did it – we all accomplished one of the first major milestones of our lives.” She shared wisdom from her parents, that life is like a long train ride – “some people will get on and stay with you to the end … some will get off at an earlier stop and that’s OK.”
She also noted that many of the class members had immigrant parents and/or came from underrepresented communities. Many cultures got proud nods, on the field and in the stands:
Staff speaker Dijana Raco was among those who brought up the unprecedented disruption of COVID-19 – “it wasn’t easy to have your freshman year disrupted so suddenly by a global pandemic.” She urged the new grads to make big plans for themselves – “and be prepared for those plans to not happen”:
Chief Sealth principal Ray Morales offered advice too – express gratitude, “focus on what brings you joy,” stay humble, and make healthy decisions.
He presented the class to school-board director Leslie Harris, who was participating in her last local graduation, as she’s leaving office at year’s end. “Go, Hawks!” was her sendoff for them.
P.S. As noted in our coverage of the night’s first ceremony, for West Seattle High School, the district is recording all of this year’s graduations and publishing the video quickly, so here’s the link for the full multi-camera video of the CSIHS commencement.
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