That photo by Antoine Smith – taken from a distance – shows a harbor seal that marked a milestone for Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network: The first live seal that SSMMSN volunteers have tended this year, according to David Hutchinson. The seal came ashore at Lincoln Park, where, David tells us, “The First Responder on duty reported that this seal looked healthy and returned to the water around 3 pm due to the rising tide.” If you see a marine mammal on shore – or one in distress offshore – in West Seattle, notify the SSMMSN hotline at 206-905-SEAL.

VOLLEYBALL: UW hosting two tournaments on Alki Beach this spring

January 27, 2024 7:02 pm

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo, April 2016)

The first time the University of Washington beach-volleyball team came to Alki for a home match, in April 2016, the sun shone as if it were summer. Subsequent years have brought some sun, some rain. Whatever the weather brings, this year the UW will play at Alki on four days in April, according to the schedule announcement this week:

… The Huskies will host two consecutive home tournaments on Alki Beach. The first tournament is the “Pac-12 North Tournament” which takes place on [Friday-Saturday] April 5th and 6th and pits the Huskies against Stanford, Cal Oregon, and Arizona State. UW then welcomes Oregon again, Boise State, and Georgia State the following [Friday-Saturday] for the “Alki Beach Invitational.” …

The announcement notes that the Huskies are at the top of their game, so to speak, as they prepare to start the 2024 schedule on the road in Texas on February 23, “coming off their best season in program history, with a record number of wins, and finished ranked 15th, the first year-end ranking in school history.”

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SUNDAY: School open houses

January 27, 2024 5:29 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two schools with open houses tomorrow are sponsoring WSB this week to get the word out about these events:

HOLY FAMILY BILINGUAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Noon-3 pm Sunday, West Seattle’s only two-way English/Spanish immersion preschool/elementary/middle school invites prospective families to visit. See the flyer here. The school is on the southwest corner of 20th/Roxbury and has a parking lot on the south side of the campus.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL: 10 am-1 pm Sunday, OLG – also a pre-8 school, on the southwest corner of 34th/Myrtle – welcomes prospective families to come find out about “the strength of our academics as well as our students’ commitment to service.” More info here.

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YOU CAN HELP: 4 weeks until Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge fun(draiser) at Alki

January 27, 2024 3:01 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from February 2020 Polar Plunge at Alki)

Four weeks from today, Alki Beach will be the site of a daylong celebration raising money for Special Olympics Washington, and you’re invited. Here’s the latest information:

The Special Olympics Washington Polar Plunge, a Seattle tradition, will take place on Saturday, February 24. The annual Winter Beach Party unites supporters from the area to ‘Get Cold for a Cause’. This year’s event promises something for everyone, whether plunging into the cold waters or joining in the festivities to cheer on participants.

Attendees can expect a full-on beach party with DJs, beach games, a beer garden, food trucks, costume contests, and more! Individual and team registrants are encouraged to raise donations in support of Special Olympics Washington athletes. As they raise funds, they can also earn prizes including airline vouchers and pizza party gift cards for the top individual and team fundraisers.

Proceeds from the Polar Plunge support Special Olympics Washington’s Beyond Gold Initiatives, enabling life-changing and inclusive programs for thousands of Washington athletes while ensuring their participation comes at no cost to them.

Get an inside look into the lives of Special Olympians by exploring the story of Brook Ayers, a local athlete from the Seattle area. Brook is one of over 11,900 participants in Special Olympics Washington, directly supported by funds raised through the Polar Plunge. Her journey embodies the spirit of the games and highlights the significant impact of these donations. Discover her inspiring story here.

Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 24 at Alki Beach & Bathhouse. The costume contest will begin at 12:10 p.m., with winners awarded based on crowd response. Polar Plunging starts at 1:00 p.m., with soup and hot chocolate stations to warm up afterward. For more information, and to register, visit PolarPlungeWA.com.

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FOLLOWUP: Memorial, community messages of support after student’s death

January 27, 2024 11:02 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photo)

Four days after 15-year-old Mobarak Adam died of a gunshot wound at Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center, no further information has emerged about the circumstances. But messages of community support abound outside the center, and the PTSA at <strong>Chief Sealth International High School – where he was a student – has a message too:

(Photo courtesy CSIHS PTSA)

As you may have heard, our community suffered an unimaginable loss when a Chief Sealth student, who was also a former Denny student, tragically lost his life near campus. The school teachers and staff, students, and entire extended Chief Sealth and Denny community are still reeling from this event, and have deeply appreciated the support from West Seattle and beyond.

Some kind folks hung signs on the football field fence across from the school to share their love and encouragement, and it has made a real impact in helping us to feel both empathy for our grief and love for our student during this truly difficult time. Students, friends, and family have also started a memorial in front of the community center.

If additional members of the community are moved to do so, we’d like to invite you to hang signs, notes, or other remembrances on the fence across from the school. Every word and gesture helps our students, faculty, staff, and parents feel supported, and the fence is something we see every day.

On Friday, Chief Sealth Principal Morales sent an update to all Chief Sealth families emphasizing help being made available within the school and throughout the community. You can learn more here.

Thank you again to everyone who has reached out. Our hearts go out to our student’s family and friends as we all work together to grieve and heal. He was so loved, and will be forever missed.

– Chief Sealth International High School PTSA

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Kia theft attempt; (added) dumped Hyundai

January 27, 2024 9:48 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

9:48 AM: The photo is from Stephanie, whose son discovered early this morning “that the rear passenger window on our 2020 Kia Sportage was smashed. It was parked in our carport at the apartments on 24th and Holden in Delridge.” They subsequently found the steering column was broken, so someone had tried to steal the car. Not the first time: “This is the third incident with our Kia. It was stolen in October 2022 (recovered the next day with plenty of damage), the door lock was broken in May 2023.”

ADDED 11:33 AM: Just sent by Elena:

Found at 37th and Myrtle still running. Back window smashed and trunk pillaged. Still running.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 21 notes

January 27, 2024 6:16 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

Here’s our list of what’s up today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

MOON ROOM SHOP AND WELLNESS SALE: In person (5902 1/2 California SW) and online, two-day 15% sale all weekend at Moon Room Shop and Wellness (open 11 am-5 pm, and 24/7 online; WSB sponsor).

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.

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

MARATHON & HALF-MARATHON: You might see a few more runners on Alki than usual this morning – dozens will be participating in the Tukwila to Alki Half-Marathon/Marathon.

SCHOOL CLEANUP: 10 am, help clean up around Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton) – meet on the west side by the dumpsters.

ROSEFIT SELF-CARE WORKSHOP: Half-day workshop at Rosefit (4517 California SW), 10 am-2 pm – details in our calendar listing.

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.

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

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISER FT. DICK’S BURGER TRUCK: 11 am-2 pm, the Dick’s Drive-In truck is at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) as part of a Highland Park Elementary PTA fundraiser featuring special sodas, beer, and raffle items.

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 open to visitors, 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).

POTTERY WORKSHOP: 1-3 pm at The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), details in our calendar listing.

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

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

LIVE AT KENYON HALL: 7 pm, Caleb & Reeb, ft. Golden Shoals, at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), tickets here.

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

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: West Seattle’s drag extravaganza, West End Girls, at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), hosted by Cookie Couture, 8 pm, tickets here or at the door.

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

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

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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