West Seattle, Washington
09 Monday
Big turnout for a two-part Lunar New Year celebration at West Seattle High School tonight – coordinated by students, with performances and demonstrations in the WSHS Theater, followed by a cultural fair, with food, in the Commons. The theater performances included a dragon dance (the new year is the Year of the Dragon):
Also a lion dance:
Martial-arts demonstrations and poetry (read by poet Koon Woon, introduced by his nephew, instructional assistant Henry Deng) were featured too. The highlight was a student fashion show of “amazing cultural outfits,” as emcee Mika described them:
Althea Chow from the Madison MS PTSA – which co-sponsored the student-led event along with the WSHS PTSA – told us some of the outfits were from a collection of traditional outfits belonging to her designer mom, and others were from students’ families. Her Madison PTSA colleague Chau Pho Tung, meantime, was helping out in the post-show fair – serving up food including chow mein and egg rolls:
Student musicians played nearby:
And cultural displays ringed the room:
The students who coordinated the event are from the WSHS AAPI Club and Chinese Program.
P.S. Two more Lunar New Year events are on our calendar – previewed here.
9:38 PM: Police checking out multiple reports of suspected gunfire have just told dispatchers they’ve confirmed it – finding an SUV that was hit. It’s reported to be on 31st SW near SW Morgan. No report of any injuries.
9:51 PM: Officers also have reported finding “casings east of the intersection.”
Both of these West Seattle Sunday events are before The Big Game, so you can go to one or both and watch football too:
FAMILY DISCO PARTY: 10 am Sunday at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center (6000 16th SW), the West Seattle Cooperative Preschools present a community “Family Disco Party.” It’s a full hour of all-ages dancing with DJ Baby Van Beezly (and glow sticks!). Tickets are $10/person; all proceeds go to the Co-op Preschool Scholarship Fund and community parent-education programming. The campus café will be open special hours before and after the dance party for breakfast/brunch treats and coffee/beverages. Tickets are available online – go here.
FAT SUNDAY PARTY: Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) invites everyone to come celebrate the Sunday before Fat Tuesday with a New Orleans lunch and jazz concert – free! Lunch is at 11:30 am, music with Tobi Stone and friends is at 12:30 pm. On the menu: make-your-own muffaletta bar, red beans and rice (sausage optional), virgin hurricanes, and King Cake. No admission charge but do RSVP here.
After the January 23 shooting death of 15-year-old Mobarak Adam at Southwest Teen Life Center/Pool, it came to light that the security-camera system at the center had long been inoperable. Seattle Parks told us on January 29 – six days after the shooting – that the camera would be replaced. No timeline, though. Today in his latest weekly newsletter, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka says Parks Superintendent AP Diaz has told him the replacement will be up no later than mid-March. Meantime, no update from SPD on the investigation. Also – today was also the day that Mobarak’s sister Leyla Adam had said another protest would be held, this time, at City Hall, but we got no word of a final plan and didn’t receive a reply to our inquiries. She did speak emotionally to the Seattle Public Schools Board this past Wednesday (this link should take you to that part of the meeting video, 51 minutes in), asking for specific school-security improvements.
We’ve reported before on the impending launch of a new high-school girls’ water-polo team. The players fought for, and won, permission – but that doesn’t come with funding, since it’s a “club sport.” So they’ve planned a unique fundraiser for tomorrow – outside West Seattle, but you can support online. Also note they’re still recruiting players! Here’s the announcement:
Members of the newly formed girls’ West Seattle Water Polo Team are holding an event to raise funds for startup costs associated with their first season. The Tread-a-thon is this Saturday, February 10, from 3-5 pm at Medgar Evers Pool. Players will tread for 100 minutes without touching the sides or bottom of the pool and without using floatation devices. Sponsors are invited to pledge per minute or a flat amount. Members of the team invite the West Seattle community to help by donating to their cause!
The girls forming this team attended several of [former School Board director] Leslie Harris’s community meetings in an effort to gain permission to field a team in the local high school league. Permission was granted by the league, but no funds are being provided by the school or district for the team. Donations will fund scholarships, pay for pool-rental time, league fees, and equipment.
Girls from any high school are welcome to join the team. Head coach Truly Dorland is ready to quickly bring new players to proficiency. Practices will be 2 mornings per week before school with home games on Friday evening. Season starts February 26th and runs to mid-May.
For more information, email wshswaterpolo@gmail.com.
Donations can be made to WSBooster by putting “Water Polo” in the notes.
That’s the spot outside the West Seattle Junction Post Office where thieves stole the drive-up/ride-up/walk-up mailbox in late November. Still no replacement. USPS regional spokesperson Kim Frum told us in November that it would be replaced, but there was no timeline. We just checked in with her again – same thing: “The good news is the box is supposed to be replaced. Unfortunately, there is still no timeframe for when this will happen. We appreciate our customers’ understanding and patience. And hope to have the box replaced soon.” The mailbox that was stolen had been installed seven months earlier … described as a more-secure box than its larger predecessor. As for past replacement times … our archives note two occasions where the Westwood Village box was gone for almost four months (as well as another incident in which it was replaced within a week).
The photo is from All the Best Pet Care, announcing that their new West Seattle store is open (at Maris, 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW). We first reported last August that All the Best had permit filings for the space, and the company confirmed it in October, saying this is their 17th store around the region. In West Seattle, it’s the eighth pet-focused retail shop, joining Pet Elements, Addy’s, Next-to-Nature, Mud Bay, Pet Pros, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus. All the Best had a shop on Alki 2007-2009 (where Outer Space Seattle recently closed). Today’s announcement says, “West Seattle residents are invited to stop by and ask for a free Valentine’s treat for their dog or cat now through February 14. A grand-opening event is planned for March.” Hours and other info are here.
P.S. Also on the way to Maris, according to permit filings, is Club Pilates.
(Moss in North Admiral – photo by Rosalie Miller)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are highlights for the rest of your Friday:
FREE TODDLER GYM #1: Happening now – Fridays 10 am-11:30 am, little ones and their caregivers are invited to open gym time at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
FREE TODDLER GYM #2: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOD POP-UP: Lovely and Dapper Desserts sends word that they’re one of three vendors popping up tonight, 5-10 pm, at The Nook (2206 California SW).
MX MATCH AT KENYON HALL: A “Dating Game“-style edition of Kenyon Hall Cabaret drag this month, 7 pm, all ages, reservations here. (7904 35th SW)
BLACK HISTORY BINGO FOR TEENS: 7 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center‘s late-night program. (2801 SW Thistle)
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Tonight it’s the Songwriters’ Showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Billy and the Dreamboats, 7 pm. Free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Second weekend for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.
NEW MOON SOUND BATH: Presented by Inner Alchemy’s Maari Falsetto at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), 7:30 pm. $35, book here.
LOW-TIDE WALK: Just got word of this Seattle Aquarium-presented event, 8-10 pm:
Spend an evening exploring the beach at low tide! Our naturalists will be at Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint tonight, February 9, 8-10 pm to help you learn about our amazing intertidal neighbors, like moonglow anemones, under the moon light This is a free, drop-in program open to all ages. No registration required. We recommend bringing a bright flashlight or headlamp, layering up to stay warm, and wearing shoes that have a good grip and can get wet. For more information visit our website or call (206) 693-6281.
The viewpoint is also known as Constellation Park – corner. of 63rd and Beach Drive.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), MAD Cutaways, Starter Baby, Leo Leo. $10.
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight’s DJ is Lady Coco. (4547 California SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
We have news of statewide honors for two local students – and an opportunity for you to support them. The announcement is from Denny-Sealth Performing Arts:
Two Chief Sealth International High School students have received top honors by being selected by the Washington Music Educators Association to participate in prestigious WMEA High School All-State performing groups.
Please join us in celebrating senior Tyler Peace Jones (pictured on the right), who has been selected to play viola in the All-State Orchestra, and senior Dylan Sagahon Smith (pictured on the left), who was selected to play guitar in the All-State Jazz Band for the Jazz Choir.
Nearly 1,900 students applied for this opportunity. From those, the finest high school musicians will rehearse and perform in concert under the direction of world-renowned conductors. These WMEA All-State musicians were selected through auditions to participate in this outstanding event, which is sponsored by the Washington Music Educators Association.
Many professional musicians credit their All-State experience as crucial in their decision to choose music as a career. Thousands of others whose career paths took them in other directions have great memories of participating in this inspiring and motivating musical experience and claim that it was a life-changing experience for them.
Tyler plans to pursue a career in music as an orchestral conductor. Dylan plans on studying music along with entrepreneurial business and technology. We are so proud of their achievement and can’t wait to see how it launches them forward!
The WMEA High School All-State Honor Ensembles will meet in Yakima, February 15-17, 2024. But registration and the cost of making this trip are not covered by school funds. Help us celebrate Tyler and Dylan by contributing to the Denny Sealth Performing Arts Scholarship Fund to support their participation: PayPal “Denny Sealth Performing Arts” or Venmo @DennySealthPerforming Arts, and indicate “scholarship.”
Support Tyler and Dylan. Support the arts. Be a part of their journey!
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, February 9.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast is for clouds, high in the mid-to-upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:25 am, sunset at 5:22 pm. (For those relishing the ever-later sunsets, we’ll get to 5:30 on Wednesday; 7 am sunrise is ten days beyond that.)
(Thursday morning photo by James Bratsanos)
WEEKEND NOTE:
Southbound I-5 lane closures start not far south of the West Seattle Bridge and last all weekend, as noted here, so if you’re headed to points further south of the closure zone, you might consider an alternate route.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, 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:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
12:33 AM: Police are at Shree’s Truck Stop in southeast West Seattle (7801 Detroit SW) investigating an armed robbery. The holdup happened less than half an hour ago. According to exchanges between officers and dispatch, five people held up the store; the initial description of all five was: Black, male, 17-18 years old, masks, and dark clothing, at least one with a gun. Their getaway vehicle was described as a white Nissan Sentra that left heading north. SFD was called to provide medical attention for the clerk.
12:53 AM: Officers just updated dispatch, reporting that security video shows the getaway vehicle was actually a “white Kia, no plates.”
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