(WSB photos. Above, Wildcats’ postgame huddle)

Next stop for the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team is the state tournament, after their second-place finish tonight in the District 2 3A tournament. Eastside Catholic left the Bellevue College gym with the championship win, 87-65. The Wildcats had the biggest cheering section, hoping all game long for a comeback.

But the Crusaders were out to a 13-2 lead by the midpoint in the first quarter, and never gave up much ground. #4, junior Duncan Monnin, was first on the scoreboard for WSHS with a basket at 6:20, after Eastside Catholic opened with a three, and that’s the only time the Wildcats were close.

Top West Seattle scorer tonight was #0, junior Alex Pierce, with 14 points:

#23, senior Pawlose Aschalew, was next with 10 points:

#3, senior Bo Gionet, had 9:

Both sides played fairly ferocious defense, but Eastside Catholic’s hottest outside shooter, senior Kayden Greene, managed to be open time and again for passes that translated to threes; the Crusaders also had the upper hand on rebounds for most of the game. They held a 45-27 lead at halftime, 71-49 at the end of the third quarter; there was a spark of hope when #5, junior Brittin Joyner, and #14, junior Jake Kriley, opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back threes, but Eastside Catholic started running out the clock, inbetween some insurance baskets, and that was the game.

Head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats will find out tomorrow afternoon who they’re facing to open state play – and when/where – which starts Tuesday.

SUNDAY UPDATE: The bracket has been released, and so far we know that WSHS will play its must-win opening-round game at home, either Friday or Saturday, vs. the winner of Tuesday’s game between Lincoln or Lake Washington.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Further refinement of the bracket – WSHS will play at 2 pm next Saturday (February 24) and while they’ll be the “home” team, the game will be at Bellevue College.

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Talk with your city councilmember: District 1’s Rob Saka launching ‘office hours’

February 17, 2024 8:49 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photo, City Council chambers, last month)

When we talked with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka the day he was sworn in, he promised to open a district office. No word of the location for that yet, but he’s launching “office hours” next week – regular times where constituents can make appointments to talk with him in the district, rather than having to go downtown. According to Saka’s weekly newsletter, his first office-hours dates are February 23 and March 6, at the Southwest Customer Service Center (same building as the pool and Teen Life Center, 2801 SW Thistle). According to the signup form for the first date, hours will be 11 am-1 pm, at least for starters, and he’s booking 20-minute windows, either in person or via videoconferencing. He’s also planning South Park office hours, starting March 23 at the Duwamish River Community Hub.

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BIZNOTE: West Coast Willow now open in north Morgan Junction

February 17, 2024 7:23 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

West Coast Willow is now open at 5902 California SW. That’s the space vacated when Good Sister moved south to 6959 California, as reported here in December. West Coast Willow is right next to WSB sponsor Moon Room Shop and Wellness, and says that together they’re creating a “holistic corner” of the neighborhood, dubbing it the “Juneau Junction.” West Coast Willow explains, “We have a dreamy wall of bulk herbs (over 60 different herbs and spices), tea blends (which we will be blending on site for sipping and changing up weekly or more) and accessories, tinctures (made on site), candles, oils, smudge sticks and beautiful products from local makers such as flower essences, soaps, and roller balls. We also carry organic beauty products made on site by Nicole Leitner, our owner and local esthetician who has been working in the neighborhood for the last ten years.” They do facials and Reiki, and plan to offer classes and workshops. “Our goal is to inspire people to follow their intuition and feel confident in making their own herbal remedies and ritual practices.” Hours are 11 am-5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays, 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays and Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Wednesdays and Fridays, spa days (by appointment) Thursdays.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Sunrise spectacle, and a date to remember

February 17, 2024 5:15 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

No sunset colors tonight, so let’s admire the sunrise! Thanks to everyone who sent photos of today’s early-morning show. Above, that’s from Liz; below, from Jerry Simmons:

And a panoramic view from James Tilley:

Though winter still has a month remaining – spring equinox is March 19 – before it’s done, we’ll be in Daylight Saving Time, which returns three weeks from tonight – 2 am Sunday, March 10.

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YOU CAN HELP: Got warm outerwear? Donation drive Sunday

February 17, 2024 2:56 pm

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Got warm outerwear? Donation drive Sunday

| How to help | West Seattle news

On some Sundays, Alki UCC hosts a communitywide donation drive seeking specific items for people in need. Tomorrow’s the next one, with an emphasis on helping people stay warm – winter still has a month to go! Here’s the announcement:

Alki UCC Donation Drive this Sunday, February 18
6115 SW Hinds
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Front Courtyard

Outerwear is the priority. We have no warm coats for men, need all sizes.

Also welcome: vests, long underwear, heavy hoodies, sweatshirts, gloves, beanies and socks.

Your donations of food, clothing, and outdoor gear are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.

Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Crash-and-grab at a familiar location

February 17, 2024 12:43 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips and photo. That’s the aftermath of yet another crash-and-grab burglary (or attempt) at Global Smoke and Vape (35th/Roxbury), hit repeatedly in recent months. According to police audio, it happened just before 3:30 am; the 911 caller reported seeing two people get out of the vehicle that was used, and into a second one to get away. The vehicle left behind was radioed in as a 2015 Kia Optima that officers believed to have been an “unreported stolen” registered to someone in Auburn. We don’t know if burglars made it into the store to take anything or not. P.S. The Twitter/X call log shows police were also called to the strip mall around the same time Thursday for a suspected burglary, but we don’t have information on how that turned out.

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UPDATE: Brown water near Alki Point, High Point

February 17, 2024 12:10 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Utilities | West Seattle news

12:10 PM: Thanks for the texted tip: “Reporting brown water in Alki, near Admiral and 64th. There was a fire truck out earlier, but I wasn’t paying attention if they messed with the hydrant.” Nothing on the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map. Any time you notice discolored water at your residence, business, school, etc., report it to SPU at 206-386-1800 (and let us know too – thank you!). The discoloration is from “sediment” – usually rust – in the pipes getting stirred up by activity such as hydrant testing/use or pipe breaks.

2:19 PM: Also received this note from Karla: “All morning we’ve had brown water in High Point (5400 block of) 34th Ave SW.”

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Girl Scout Troop 41843’s Valentine gift

February 17, 2024 11:36 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

For many, Valentine’s Day is a chance to show your love to someone special. For West Seattle Girl Scout Troop 41843, their “someone special” was the entire community. Christine sent us this report on what they did for Valentine’s Day this past week:

Girl Scout Troop 41843 was out sharing some LOVE with our community. It was really sweet to see the smiles these scouts put on lots of faces with their Valentine’s. Several people told us that we made their day. The Troop started up at Dakota Place Park and walked down through the Junction passing out homemade cards, lollipops, smiles, and lots of love to those they passed on their way to The Great American Diner to end their mission with a delicious cup of hot cocoa.

P.S. In case you were wondering (we were, so we checked), this year’s cookie booths start in two weeks.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 26 notes!

February 17, 2024 6:21 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday afternoon clouds, photographed by Hilda Burton)

Welcome to the weekend! Here’s what our Event Calendar listings suggest for today/tonight:

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.

CARE FOR TREES ON LONGFELLOW CREEK: 10 am-1 pm volunteering event; meet at the Longfellow Creek Trail/Juneau.

PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND SALE: Continuing today at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), lots of snow sports gear on sale – as shown here. The shop is open today 10 am-6 pm.

(added) SWEET POP-UP: At Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW):

Lovely & Dapper Desserts + McCormick Jam Pop-Up @ HPCS

West Seattle’s own Lovely & Dapper Desserts will be at Highland Park Corner Store selling their delightful tin-can cakes. And they’re bringing friends and collaborators McCormick Jam Company with them – so swing by for some sweet treats!

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)

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

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).

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

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

SHE MADE THE MAP: Artist Sonya Reasor is at Inner Alchemy (3043 California SW) 1-3 pm, selling and signing her popular West Seattle map.

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.

MISSION’S FINAL NIGHT: As announced earlier this month, the Admiral restaurant/bar is closing permanently after tonight. You can dine/drink there one last time 4 pm-midnight. (2325 California SW)

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: The West Seattle High School boys play for the district title tonight, 6:30 pm vs. Eastside Catholic at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE). Get tickets here.

BEER AND CHEESE TASTING: 7 pm at The Beer Junction (4511 California SW) – $45; go here to see if any tickets are left!

FULL LIFE CRISIS: West Seattle band heads a 7 pm slate at Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th), $15 at the door.

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: James Nason at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, no cover.

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

‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Third weekend continues for the current play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.

COMEDY AT GREAT AMERICAN DINER & BAR: 8 pm, semifinals of “Washington’s Funniest Mammal,” check here for tickets. (4752 California SW)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: benefit at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm, $20 at the door, 21+.

BEATS: Saturday night DJ at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Go here to see who’s DJing tonight. (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, walk, run, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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