West Seattle, Washington
03 Tuesday
10:59 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rescue extrication” response arriving at The Mount (4831 35th SW) after a report of a vehicle over an embankment. First arriving unit reports “vehicle over a small wall.” Updates to come.
(Added: Photo by Kevin Freitas)
11:04 PM: Firefighters told dispatch they got the driver out safely. The response is being downsized.
ADDED SUNDAY: SFD confirms the driver, who they say was an “adult female,” was not hurt.
It’s International Women’s History Month, and the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle paid tribute today to two women with a major role in Vietnam’s history: The Trưng sisters (Hai Bà Trưng), Trưng Trac and Trưng Nhi, lived 2,000 years ago; born into a nation under Chinese rule, they organized an army to fight back and drive their oppressors out. The sisters are celebrated each year with a holiday. Today’s commemoration at the center included a procession by women bearing flowers:
Minh Thy told the story of the heroic sisters:
Participants sang a song in the sisters’ honor, “Trưng Nữ Vương và Cô Gái”:
This is one of the events held each year at the Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard).
Others are listed here, including next month’s memorial for the soldiers lost in the Vietnam War.
Six West Seattleites are back from one of the marathons that comprise what’s known as “the most prestigious distance running series in the world.” The achievement completed the series for two of them – including, for a second time, Joe Drake, who sent the report and photo:
Residents of West Seattle – from left in above photo, Des Lee, Sarang Shamshery, Patti Shuster, Joe Drake, Sokphal Tun, and Erik Nakich (not pictured) – trekked to Japan this month to run in the 2024 Tokyo Marathon. All of them are avid fans of our favorite running store, West Seattle Runner.
Tokyo is one of six cities that host the annual World Marathon Majors, the premier events for runners worldwide. Completing all six of them to earn the coveted Six-Star Medal is a bucket list item for many marathoners, a journey that often requires several years of planning and training to knock off. Patti Shuster earned her Six-Star Medal in Tokyo. She had been working toward it for the past two and a half years. Joe Drake took home a second one after picking up his first last year in Tokyo.
The others have some work to do to complete their missions. Erick Nakich has only London standing in his way. Sokphal Tun’s finale will be in New York City, someday, after she takes on Chicago later this year. Desmond Lee is halfway there and is strategizing as to which of his remaining cities – Berlin, London, or New York City – will make the best backdrop for his Six-Star Medal photo. (updated) Sarang Shamshery just began his journey with two majors (Chicago and Tokyo) and plans to enjoy the ride to collect the remaining stars as he and his wife are expecting a child in a couple of months and he will be a busy man. You may see him training with a stroller on Hiawatha track every Tuesday!
For more on the World Marathon Majors, see this link.
West Seattle musician Wicked Mouth has recorded their first album and asked us to help share it with potential listeners. Here’s their announcement and links:
Local North Delridge singer-songwriter Wicked Mouth has released their debut album, Wildfire. Listeners are describing the album as “poetic, quirky, deep, vintage, and hopeful.”
Wicked Mouth is the stage name of Joshua Goupil, a Washington native. Their songs have a classic and nostalgic feel, with moods that evoke several decades, genres, and atmospheres. Their poetic lyrics delve into topics such as queerness, coming out, intimacy, self-reflection, spirituality, and mental health, inviting listeners to join their journey of self-discovery and expression.
Wildfire is an album about breaking past cycles of trauma and challenging insidious lies that society tells people (especially queer-identifying people) about who they are and how they should live. After a wildfire clears an entire forest, new life finds a way to grow back more resilient than ever before.
Wildfire was recorded and produced by local performer and producer Jared Mitchell=”” at Sound Life Studios in West Seattle and was mastered by Stephen Van Etten in Nashville, TN.
You can stream the album, see the music video for the track “Wicked Mouth,” and connect with the artist here.
(Alki UCC photo from February)
That’s what generous donors gave during Alki UCC‘s monthly donation drive in February – and tomorrow (Sunday) is your next chance to help! Here’s the announcement:
Alki UCC Donation Drive this Sunday, March 17
6115 SW Hinds
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Front CourtyardMen’s work clothes donations are the priority need: jeans, khakis, hoodies, outerwear for cold weather, boots, socks, layering pieces.
Your donations of food, clothing and outdoor gear are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.
Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.
Eight weeks from today, right about now, we’ll be wrapping up this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024 – and registration starts soon. WSCGSD will be on Saturday, May 11, this year – always the second Saturday in May, with registration opening April 1. Watch WSB that day for the announcement and link. If you’re new, WSCGSD – coordinated by WSB since 2008, three years after it began – is one day with many sales of all sizes, all over the peninsula, in garages and yards and schools and courtyards and community rooms and parking lots and businesses and driveways and … (Here’s WSB coverage of last year’s WSCGSD, with a sample.) We provide a map/guide to all the sales, available a week before WSCGSD so shoppers can start planning. To recap those dates to remember – Monday, April 1, registration begins; Saturday, May 11, sale day! Official hours are 9 am-3 pm; some sellers start earlier and some wrap up later.
For the second day, orcas are in the area. Kersti Muul texted earlier this morning that they were southbound but already passing Arbor Heights; then another texter reported less than an hour ago they were northbound passing Vashon. Orca Network commenters are seeing them off west-facing West Seattle too. Let us know if you see them!
Per a text, discolored water is happening in the 6700 block of 41st SW. No incidents on the Seattle Public Utilities map so far, but if/when it happens to you, it’s always important to report it – SPU’s 24-hour number for this is 206-386-1800 – because your report might be first word of a problem. (Another common cause: Hydrant testing stirring up sediment, aka rust, in the pipes.)
Spirited student in the family? This announcement was sent by West Seattle High School head cheer coach Nadine Nguyen:
Are you ready to become a part of the State-Winning West Seattle High School Coed Cheer Team?
Now’s your chance. Tryouts will be held in person March 26th-March 29th from 4:30 pm-8:30 pm @ WSHS. To try out, you will need to fill out all online forms and provide a current Sports Physical.
*We will also be hosting Cheer Clinics on March 19th.
CHEER CLINICS – Learn the cheer basics to help prep you for tryouts!
*For those interested in trying out for our State Winning Competition Team, you are invited to attend our Stunt Clinics where you will learn basic stunt skills.
Stunt Clinics are on March 20th @ 4:30 pm-8:30 pm
To participate in tryouts on March 26th – March 29th, Stunt Clinics, and the Cheer clinics, please bring a printed and signed copy of the following items below to the first day of the clinics/tryouts.
-Student Athletic Registration Form
-Signed Parent Waver
-Up-to-date PhysicalThe Tryout application and required forms are available through the following link tree:
For tips and more information regarding tryouts, follow our Instagram @westseattlecheer
Good Luck and Go Wildcats!! For Questions email: nmnguyen@seattleschools.org
(Friday morning photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Cookies, beignets, music, massage, more … Welcome to the third weekend of March! Here’s what’s in our Event Calendar listings for today/tonight, right after a traffic note:
TRAFFIC ALERT IF YOU’RE GOING DOWNTOWN: Road closures are planned for the 12:30 pm St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 4th/James to Westlake. Further south, Sounders FC has a 12:30 pm match.
Now, the reasons to stay on the peninsula:
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 every Saturday but please register.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Final weekend of cookie booths at various locations. Search here for your nearest locations and times.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS: Show some love to the forest at Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW), 10 am-1 pm, details in our calendar listing.
JET CITY BEIGNET’S LAST WEEKEND: Today, your second-to-last chance to get beignets from Jet City Beignet, which will be popping up at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), 10 am-2 pm or until sold out.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Scheduled to be open 10 am-2 pm today: “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.” (6000 16th Ave SW, north lot)
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.
ALKI KAYAK TOURS: Open for tours and rentals, 11 am-7 pm, at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW).
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
POP-UP PLANT SALE: 11 am-7 pm, plants, holders, and more, at a big Puget Ridge pop-up. (6350 18th Ave SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER, WITH SPECIAL EVENT: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. Today you’re invited to the 1-3 pm event honoring the memory of the Trung sisters, historic heroes of Vietnam. (2236 SW Orchard)
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.
NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.
VIVA LA GALA: Support Holy Family Bilingual School by attending their gala dinner/auction at 5 pm tonight in the school hall (20th/Roxbury) and/or by bidding in the online auction. Our calendar listing has links for both.
DICK’S AT LARRY’S: 5-7 pm, Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has invited the Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes truck for Customer Appreciation Day.
(Friday evening photo by James Bratsanos)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: The Hasslers and School of Rock House Band at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm, all ages, $15 at door.
LIVE AT C & P: 7-9 pm, Roo Forrest and Friends at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages.
CAVORT AT KENYON HALL: 7 pm doors for this taste of Ireland in West Seattle. (7904 35th SW(
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
MUSIC FOR THE SOUL: That’s what the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (WSB sponsor) wants to give you during a concert tonight at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee), 8 pm, featuring a local composer’s world-premiere work as well as J.S. Bach, Brahms, and Schubert. Get your ticket(s) here.
BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Sessions. (4547 California SW, alley side)
OUT AT THE BOX: 9:30 pm drag show at Box Bar (5401 California SW), no cover, 21+.
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!
12:16 AM: 911 is reporting multiple calls about a car into the water off the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW [map]. Police are just arriving and SFD is on the way. A person is reported to be “standing atop the sinking vehicle.” Updates to come.
12:25 AM: So far responders on scene say it appears the driver was alone in the car and is indeed out. This is now said to be in the 1100 block of Alki. Police are blocking off the street both ways in that area.
12:31 AM: Firefighters have reported one person “extricated” and we’re not sure if that’s a reference to the driver or another person.
12:47 AM: Both SFD and SPD say just one person was rescued, the driver, who is reported to have only minor injuries. (Added: SFD says the driver is a man in his early 20s.)
12:52 AM: Police told dispatch they’re reopening Alki Avenue both ways.
ADDED 10:40 AM: Thanks to Janna for sending this video – the car is still submerged:
She says it’s a Nissan Versa. High tide was just over an hour ago; the next low tide is -0.2 at 4:41 pm.
12:06 PM: Charlotte Starck of the Alki Community Council reports city Park Rangers are at the scene.
(added) Another photo from Charlotte shows an apparent tire track, and a perspective of the scene, west of Luna/Anchor Park:
2:34 PM: Just heard over police radio … “The car … is now beached.” A texter sent this photo:
9:29 PM: Still there at sunset – Bob Spears sent this photo:
10:30 AM SUNDAY: Just pulled out – followup here.
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