VIDEO: ‘Don’t lose this Y, please.’ Fauntleroy YMCA fans express fondness and frustration at town-hall meeting

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB meeting video, beginning after introductions; public comments start 16 minutes in)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We’re not going to close the doors tomorrow, next week, next month …” promised Greater Seattle YMCA district executive Greg Lewis toward the end of Friday’s two-hour town hall on the Fauntleroy YMCA‘s future.

The meeting was announced earlier this month as the YMCA (WSB sponsor) moved to address rumors that it intended to close the Fauntleroy branch. The organization acknowledged financial challenges but asked members and other supporters to help figure it out.

Y leaders did not bring further financial specifics to the full-house meeting at Fauntleroy Church – long co-housed with the Y – and that was a source of frustration to many who spoke.

The meeting opened with introductory remarks from West Seattle/Fauntleroy branch executive Cleveland King. He had Y staff introduce themselves from around the room – there were a dozen regional and other-branch managers present. That’s not counting the six who were on stage with King – five West Seattle/Fauntleroy managers, and one more regional leader. Also introduced were three local advisory board members, as well as some staffers including instructors.

King said they wanted to “come up with solutions” and “hear what the community wants to tell us.” He also said they wanted to hear that in the format of comments, not questions – “things that you want to let us know – whatever it is, I want to know, I want to hear.”

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash blocking Sylvan Way

January 20, 2024 6:20 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SFD and SPD are at the scene of a crash blocking Sylvan Way both ways at Holly [map]. Two cars have been mentioned by dispatch; one person who texted us says it might be as many as four. No word yet on injuries.

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Cloudy water in Arbor Heights

January 20, 2024 6:01 pm

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| Arbor Heights | Utilities | West Seattle news

The report is from Beth. The Seattle Public Utilities map doesn’t show any current problems, but there have been several repairs in Arbor Heights in recent days. This too is a problem to report, if it happens to you, to SPU’s 24-hour line at 206-386-1800.

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GIVING: Holiday competition brings in half-ton of donations

January 20, 2024 3:56 pm

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| Fauntleroy | Holidays | West Seattle news

A bit of post-holiday news is still trickling in … including this report from Judy Pickens on how the Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees‘ food-drive competition turned out:

Last month’s Festival of Trees hosted by Fauntleroy Church is now history but “votes” for favorite trees put over 950 pounds of food and hygiene items on shelves at local food banks.

(This photo and next courtesy Fauntleroy Church)

Youth from the church sorted and counted more than 1,100 donations for the White Center and West Seattle food banks. Two trees garnered the most “votes” in the friendly competition: “Tree by the Sea” (crafted from driftwood by Alki UCC) and “Peace in Many Languages” (crafted from recycled components by the Petty-Johnson family).

The 13 trees in this second year of the festival included several deemed best of show, including “best celebration of diversity,” “most creative use of stuff,” and “most interactive.” Participation was open to any interested group or individual and anyone who viewed the trees could vote. The church hopes to offer this event to the community again during the 2024 Christmas season.

Festival visitors were invited to bring non-perishable food to the event and “vote” for their favorite by placing food items beneath the tree.

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SPORTS: West Seattle High School seeking coaches for two spring sports

January 20, 2024 1:16 pm

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

West Seattle High School athletic director Corey Sorenson is looking for two people to step up to the plate and fill out his coaching staff – here’s his announcement:

West Seattle has two coaching positions open for this Spring!

Girls Varsity Softball Head Coach
Boys Junior Varsity Head Baseball Coach

Interested applicants can apply via the link listed below. Thank you!

seattleschools.org/departments/athletics/opportunities

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UPDATE: Medical response at 10th/Roxbury

January 20, 2024 12:14 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:14 PM: Westbound Roxbury is blocked at 10th right now. A man was reported down in the street; responders have been told he was not hit – he fell and hit his head. So he’s getting medical attention right now. Avoid the area for a while.

1:16 PM: SFD has cleared the scene and closed the call.

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GRU! Seattle Kraken goalie visits kids at Salvation Army in South Delridge

January 20, 2024 11:51 am

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| Delridge | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

If you’ve watched a Seattle Kraken game, you might be familiar with fans’ appreciative call of GRUUUUU! when goalie Philipp Grubauer gets a save. Not recently – he’s been off the ice with an injury for more than a month. But he’s keeping busy, including in a role as Divisional Youth Ambassador for the Salvation Army, which hosted him at their South Delridge center on Friday.

Grubauer joined kids from the center’s After-School Program for a hockey-skills drill (with a ball, not a puck):

He was scheduled to hang out with the kids through dinnertime.

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ORCAS: In the area

January 20, 2024 9:34 am

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| West Seattle news | Whales

Orcas are passing West Seattle, per a text from Kersti Muul – NB in the Vashon ferry lanes.

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22 possibilities for your West Seattle Saturday!

January 20, 2024 6:12 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seals at sunset Friday off Fauntleroy – photo by Pia VanHanen)

Here are your options for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

FREE! GROUP RUN: Start your Saturday with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run! All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.

DAY SIT WITH PUGET SOUND ZEN CENTER: Daylong retreat at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 8:30 am-5:30 pm – details in our calendar listing.

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event but registration required.

BAGEL POP-UP: 10 am-1 pm at Peel & Press (6503 California SW) in Morgan Junction, Rachel’s Bagels is popping up.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Scheduled to be open today:

We are open 10 am-2 pm on Fridays and Saturdays! We have all your indoor plant needs, with pots, advice and more! Plus, any last-minute winter outside plants you might need. The Garden Center at South Seattle College provides Landscape Horticulture students the opportunity to increase their knowledge of plants while gaining real-world retail experience. Plants available for sale are selected, propagated, grown and presented by students. Additional plants are brought in from local growers. Proceeds benefit Landscape Horticulture Program projects.The selection includes perennials, ground covers, shrubs, some annual edibles and flowers, as well as indoor plants. The Garden Center is located in the North Parking Lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th Ave SW)

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

DOG MEET-AND-GREET: Catch Forgotten Dogs Rescue at Mud Bay in Admiral (2611 California SW), 11 am-2 pm.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

FREE POP-UP IRISH-DANCE CLASS: Noon for kids 5-12, 1 pm for teens/adults, at West Seattle Health Club (2629 SW Andover) – call 206-556-3280 to see if there’s room!

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is back open, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) has home games today – both vs. Cleveland – girls at 4:30 pm, boys at 6 pm.

INTIMATE CONCERT SERIES: Music at Alki Arts (6030 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6 pm – tonight, Levi Hilliard. $20 suggested donation (goes directly to musician).

LIVE AT EASY STREET: Acoustic set with Slaughter Beach, Dog, 6:30 pm. (4559 California SW)

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7 pm, Roo Forrest & Friends at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Folk-driven music with Wiseacre, Sheyenne Leonard at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm, $10.

BEATS: Saturday night DJ at Revelry Room – 9 pm, tonight it’s DJ Sessions. (4547 California SW, alley side)

OUT AT THE BOX: 9:30 pm drag show at Box Bar (5401 California SW), hosted by Jolene Granby; no cover, 21+.

KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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