(Added: Photos by Joe Christian for WSB)

9:34 PM: The West Seattle High School Wildcats are the state 3A baseball champions! The Wildcats roared out to a big lead over Mount Vernon HS early – six runs in the top of the 1st inning – and went on to victory, 9-3, playing in Pasco. This caps a sterling season in which WSHS also won the Metro League championship. Full story and photos to come!

ADDED 3:10 AM: The trophy-hoisting celebration on the field was three years in the making. In the team’s third consecutive year of reaching the state’s final four – every year Dylan Mclauchlin‘s been head coach – they finally made it all the way to the top. And from the opening moments of the game, it was never in doubt that it would end up that way.

Thr Wildcats were up 6-0 on four hits and five walks before the Bulldogs even came up to bat; among those with RBIs in the first inning was winning pitcher #17 Matthew Henning:

He struck out five and yielded only two runs and four hits over five and two-thirds innings. Meantime, West Seattle hitters were relentless, and piled up a 9-2 lead before Henning made way for #9 Sam Waskowitz in the sixth. He gave up one run in the seventh before closing out the biggest victory in West Seattle High School baseball history.

#2 Bobby Trigg had one of the hottest bats of the night, going 2 for 4 – both doubles – with 1 RBI, and scoring twice, including the ninth and final WSHS run in the third, on a single by #24 Lukas Cheha, who went 3 for 3.

#13 Parker Eley had 2 RBI on a second-inning double; seven other Wildcats had one each.

Now it’s time for the trip home with the trophy.

This was WSHS’s first appearance in the title game since May 25, 2013, exactly 11 years to the day before this win resulted in the school’s first-ever state baseball championship.

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NEXT SATURDAY: West Seattle High School’s 2024 All-School Reunion and afterparty

May 25, 2024 7:35 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo, 2019)

If you attended West Seattle High School, no matter which years, you’re invited to return to WSHS next Saturday for the annual All-School Reunion! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

The West Seattle High School All-School Reunion is taking place on Saturday, June 1st from 4-7 pm! Alumni from all classes are welcome to this free event. Reconnect with classmates, roam the hallowed halls, and check out the classic car show outside the main entrance! Not ready for the fun to end? Dance the night away at the unofficial afterparty with live music provided by West Seattle’s own Nitemates taking place at Whisky West starting at 7 pm!

Wondering where the Alumni Chinook newspaper is? The print version was delayed, but should be on its way to your mailbox next week. In the meantime, you can view the electronic version on the West Seattle High School Alumni Association website.

This issue of the Chinook notes the two alums joining the WSHS Hall of Fame this year are Tom Jensen (’66) and Dr. Susan Rutherford (’70).

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CONGRATULATIONS! Three new Eagle Scouts, with two making troop history

May 25, 2024 6:12 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Big news from West Seattle’s Troop 284, sent by Eric Linxweiler:

In 2025, Troop 284 will celebrate 110 storied years of helping boys and, since 2018, girls, grow to be strong and confident men and women! Over 109 years our troop had presented the prestigious Eagle award to 115 scouts. This past month, we have the honor of recognizing our newest Eagles, including our first female Eagle Scouts. Congratulations to Lauren, Owen, and Heidi!

Owen is pictured with Scoutmaster Dan Vornbrock, who also congratulates Heidi, along with Scoutmaster Laura Kincaid.

Lauren is also a member of Troop 678 on Mercer Island.

Special note: as 3rd-generation Eagle Scouts, both Lauren and Heidi were pinned with their grandfather’s Eagle Medals!

Troop 284 says those 109 years of history make it the oldest troop in Seattle! If you have membership questions, bsatroop284westseattle@gmail.com is their email address.

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YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Baseball’s Summer CRUSH signups open for softball, baseball, T-ball

May 25, 2024 3:51 pm

| Comments Off on YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Baseball’s Summer CRUSH signups open for softball, baseball, T-ball

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

West Seattle Baseball wants you to know that its Summer CRUSH signups are open until June 17. Here’s the announcement:

Summer CRUSH is West Seattle Baseball´s fun summer league that combines some of the organizational elements of the spring league with more of the fun, summery vibe from sandlot-style baseball with your friends. It is also an opportunity for players to take advantage of more reps, plus try new positions and new facets of the game in a fun, low-stress situation. There generally are no practices and the baseball feels more like sandlot games or scrimmages. Again our focus is on having fun and playing more baseball.

CRUSH is divided into three divisions, Pinto 8U, Mustang 10U, and Bronco 12U. 8U and 12U are scheduled to play Mondays and Wednesdays. 10U is scheduled to play Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Softball is back and expanded to two days per week! Softball will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays. The goal is to identify their knowledge and skill set to aptly teach and help gain confidence in their abilities. Division will probably be in the Pinto (8U), Mustang (10U) and Bronco (12U) range; however, this is subject to registration.

New to Summer CRUSH, we will be adding a Shetland/T-Ball instructional division one night per week. This division of T-Ball (6U) will be on Thursday nights 5-6 pm and continue to be a fun level of baseball to run around and play some ball.

Team rosters are built with summer vacations in mind. Larger rosters can sometimes mean that the batting order gets long, more often, however, it prevents teams being too short-handed to realistically play when multiple players are out of town on family trips. Again, games are scheduled only for weeknights, leaving weekends completely free.

Registration fee for CRUSH Baseball and Softball is $125; cost includes a ballcap and team jersey for each player. Registration fee for Shetland/T-Ball is $100. The CRUSH season will begin the week of July 8 and run for 6 weeks ending on August 18.

West Seattle Baseball’s Summer CRUSH registration is open through June 17th. For more information about Summer CRUSH, go here.

West Seattle Baseball is volunteer-run and nonprofit.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Historic former Coast Guard Cutter Comanche

May 25, 2024 2:02 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo! The historic former Coast Guard Cutter Comanche passed West Seattle today, northbound from its home in Tacoma, headed for South Lake Union, where it’s scheduled for an open house at Lake Union Park. It’s owned by a foundation that’s been raising money to restore it; the ship’s history is on this website – it’s 80 years old and served as a tug after its decommissioning in 1980.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Miso says closure is temporary

May 25, 2024 12:01 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

We still haven’t heard back from them directly but this morning, Miso – the eight-month-old Korean restaurant at 1513 SW Holden – has put up two messages saying their closure is temporary. First, while – as noted in our original report – the signage on the door was the same yesterday, we went by again a short time ago while in the area and found the new sign: “Sorry, we’re temporarily closed, but! still awesome.” The restaurant’s sporadically updated Instagram page also has changed since we last looked late last night, with the new message in the profile area, “We regret to inform you that we are temporarily closed for renovation. See you in few days again!” (It should be noted that a similar sign popped up a few days after what turned out to be the permanent closure of predecessor Wanna Burger and Teriyaki.)

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Remembering Frank T. Zuvela, 1922-2024

May 25, 2024 10:03 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Frank Zuvela, and sharing this with his community:

Frank Thomas Zuvela, a devoted man of faith, family, and community, lit up a room with his crystal blue eyes and radiant smile. Always energetic with eternal optimism, he could be counted on for a good story or joke.

An entrepreneur at heart, he was an illustrious businessman who spent time as a fisherman and built his own gillnet fishing boat. He was a builder, developer, real estate broker, and most of all a family man. Frank was an impressive dancer. He and his beloved wife, Sharon, whom he snuck into speakeasies when she was underage, would gracefully soar across any dance floor. They loved music, traveled the world, and enjoyed many facets of life together. It’s safe to say he left no stone unturned.

While growing up in West Seattle’s Riverside Croatian community during the Depression, Frank began selling fish he caught at Pike Place Market to help his father support the family after his mother passed. He was a proud graduate of West Seattle High School and commuted daily via the streetcar. He was an avid sports fan who supported the Huskies, Mariners, and Seahawks. He was also a US Navy veteran who served in World War II.

Frank’s passions included dancing, fishing, making his own lures, woodworking, family parties, and golf. He regularly played 18 holes into his 100th year. Later in life, he enjoyed many hobbies including cooking (he made a mean Bolognese), crossword puzzles, gardening, and reading. He loved sharing a meal and his stories with family and friends around the dinner table. Frank was a history buff and began leading tours with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, even helping to create a monument for the community. Always proud of his Croatian heritage, Frank regularly volunteered at Seattle’s annual CroatiaFest, where he enjoyed reconnecting with old friends.

Frank’s will to enjoy life was fierce and he was steadfast in his convictions. He was the definition of a great man who had a profound impact on everyone he met and loved. Pop was compassionate, witty, caring, and had a mischievous sense of humor. When asked what the key was to living to 101, he would say “I married the right woman” and in his humorous fashion would add, “just don’t die” or “keep having birthdays.” His love of Chinese food may also be a secret to longevity.

Frank Zuvela was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He is survived by his wife Sharon of seventy years, daughter Karen Santa, son Steven, grandchildren Karri, Tommy, and Nicholas Santa as well as countless other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Frank.

Pop will be sorely missed by all; may he rest in peace knowing the impact he had on the world was immense & forever lasting.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 26 options!

May 25, 2024 6:16 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday night’s rainbow as seen from Arbor Heights – photo by Kristin G)

Here’s what’s up for the first day of the three-day holiday weekend, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S FREE GROUP RUN: The store is where you and other runners will meet up for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)

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

(Photo courtesy Keith Hughes)

MEMORIAL DAY POPPIES: All weekend, look for the canopy outside American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), where you can get your poppy, by donation.

QUEER COMMUNITY – IN THE WOODS, ON THE BEACH: 10 am-2 pm gathering with Seattle Aquarium and GSBA at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) “intentionally designed for LGBTQIA+ and/or queer communities and their allies.” RSVP link is in our calendar listing.

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET, WEEK TWO: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more. (9421 18th SW)

SDOT AT THE MARKET: Also at the Delridge Farmers’ Market, one more chance to talk with SDOT reps about the Highland Park Way hill driving-lane-removal project, 10 am-2 pm.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

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.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

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

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: First day of the season – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

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

LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Second day of the season for volunteer Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists! The tide bottoms out at -2.7 feet just before 1 pm; they’ll be at Constellation Park (63rd SW/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, near Colman Pool) 11 am-2 pm.

COLMAN POOL: First day for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

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)

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

MAKE A VASE: Class at The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), 1-3 pm. Our calendar listing has signup info.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

SYNC SEATTLE MEMORIAL DAY PARTY: Beach party with networking group for Black-led nonprofits and businesses, 1-5 pm at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), tickets here.

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.

WSHS BASEBALL IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: West Seattle HS is in the state-championship game vs. Mount Vernon HS, 7:15 pm in Pasco. The NFHS Network is expected to stream it (paid subscription required).

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

DRAG AT THE SKYLARK: It’s the night for West End Girls, the monthly drag extravaganza at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, tickets here or at the door.

BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Lady Coco spins. (4547 California SW, alley side)

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

Planning a happening? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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