West Seattle, Washington
08 Thursday
Exactly two months from today, on July 20, a huge summer doubleheader takes over California Avenue SW between Admiral and The Junction from morning through early afternoon – the West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K. Both are looking for participants right now – here’s how to be part of either or both!
(WSB photo, 2023: Joyas Mestizas in West Seattle Grand Parade)
GRAND PARADE: This year, the Grand Parade celebrates its 90th anniversary! Your business, organization, school, etc., can inquire about parade participation by emailing WestSeattleParade@gmail.com to get an application. And the parade is seeking sponsors – the permits, no-parking signs, and other costs add up big time, and sponsorships help the all-volunteer parade organizers cover those costs – no sponsors, no parade! Read this to find out how to become a Grand Parade sponsor.
(WSB photo, 2023 Float Dodger 5K)
FLOAT DODGER 5K: Before the Grand Parade starts down California SW from Lander at 11 am on July 20, the Float Dodger 5K sends hundreds of runners and walkers onto the route (starting at Hiawatha Playfield) at 9:30 am, raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank. This is the 10th anniversary of the Float Dodger 5K, founded and coordinated by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). It’s preceded by a free Kids’ Dash at 9 am and followed by root-beer floats! Sponsors are welcome – email info@runforgoodracingcompany.com – and registration is open now – just go here!
Thanks to Robin for the photo! She and others mentioned the tall ship Lady Washington passing West Seattle this afternoon. The Aberdeen-homeported ship was heading to Tacoma, where it’ll be offering day sails and dockside tours for several weeks starting Thursday. The Lady Washington is a replica of an 18th-century ship of the same name, built in 1989 (here’s the history), and has been featured in movies including episodes of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Star Trek” series.
The City Council has begun its two-month review of the proposed eight-year, $1.45 billion transportation levy, led by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, and tomorrow (Tuesday, May 21) brings the first of two public hearings. Here’s our most-recent report on the levy proposal and its possible West Seattle projects. Tomorrow’s hearing is at 4:30 pm at City Hall downtown (500 4th), but you also can comment remotely – this page explains how to sign up for that. (The second and final hearing will be on June 4.)
3:54 PM: Avoid the South Park Bridge for a while – it’s at the heart of a rescue response after a report of a person jumping or falling into the water. Responders tell dispatch that they have found her and are trying to talk to her, apparently closer to the East Marginal Way end of the bridge than the South Park side. The original 911 call came from someone passing by who saw the person on the bridge just before they went into the water.
3:57 PM: Rescuers report the person is out of the water and on shore “about 100 yards upriver.”
(WSB file photo)
Once again calling it “a pilot,” Seattle Parks has just confirmed it’ll close Alki Beach (and Golden Gardens) nightly at 10:30 pm starting Friday (as the Alki Community Council had been told) and this year continuing for a few weeks beyond Labor Day. Beach-fire season will start Friday, too, with a later nightly end time. Here’s the announcement just sent by Parks (with a link you can use for feedback):
Seattle Parks and Recreation will enact a pilot shortening the hours at Golden Gardens and Alki Beach during the 2024 summer months from 4 A.M.-10:30 P.M. from May 24-September 22. And a return to 4 A.M. – 11:30 P.M after September 22.
The shortened hours will assist in addressing dangerous and/or illegal behavior typical of summer evening uses at these two parks in response to public input and nearby community complaints.
This program is a pilot and will be reviewed at a Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners meeting after the summer to help determine the best operating hours for the public. This review will be informed by public comments from the questionnaire below, public comment given at the Board meeting, and data collected throughout the pilot period.
During the Summer 2024 Season, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff, assisted by Seattle Police Department staff, will begin closing down these two beach locations starting at 10:00 P.M.
Public input can be provided here.
Additionally, designated fire pits will be available for beach fires this summer beginning Friday, May 24, 2024.
Beach Fire and Park Rules
Starting Friday, May 24, 2024, designated fire pits will be available for beach fires at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens seven days a week on a first come, first served basis. Bringing your own fire pit is not allowed, and no propane fire pits/rings are allowed.
-Fires must be extinguished by 10 p.m.
-Fires allowed 7 days a week starting Friday, May 24 through Sunday, September 22.
-Staff will be on-site to manage and assist with putting out fires at 10 p.m.
-Parking lot gates will be locked and the park will close at 10:30 p.m. for summer hours.
-Please only burn clean (natural, bare, dry cord-wood) wood and douse your fire completely before leaving.
-Light a fire ONLY in one of the installed fire containers
-Use only clean, dry firewood
-Please douse your fire with water, not sand
-Fires are not allowed during air pollution alerts; we will post sign
-Please don’t remove any materials from the park, beach or dunes
-Please dispose of trash and ashes in the containers provided for each. (SMC 18.12.260)
=Be considerate of others–please, no loud or amplified music! (SMC 18.12.170)Remember, no alcohol or smoking are allowed, and parks are drug-free zones. Beach fire rules are outlined in detail in the Seattle Municipal Code section 18.12.270 and in our Beach Fires Policy.
If you see an illegal fire, call 911. For current burn ban and air quality questions, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
Fire pits at Golden Gardens and Alki are unlocked between 4-5 p.m. starting May 24. Please extinguish all beach fires (using water, not sand) by 10 p.m. in order to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished in ample time before the park’s closure.
The fires-out time is half an hour later than last year, and the end dates are later too; last year, the early closing time and beach fires all ended right after Labor Day.
First “brown water” report of the week – from Scott, who’s a few blocks south of Hiawatha. No emergency responses on the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map, so it might well be hydrant testing, but always report it to SPU’s 24-hour line at 206-386-1800. (And hold off on laundry till your water’s clear – the “sediment” in the lines is mostly rust and it will stain light-colored clothing.)
(File photo, Forest Lawn on Memorial Day)
For the first time since 2019, Forest Lawn Cemetery is bringing back the traditional West Seattle Memorial Day ceremony this year. (Here’s our coverage of the last event, pre-pandemic.) All are invited to the remembrance event next Monday (May 27) on the green in the cemetery (6701 30th SW), 2 pm, for speakers, music, and refreshments.
(Possibly West Seattle’s most photographed birds along with the guinea fowl – this pic is from Steve Bender)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Reminder that expanded hours continue at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm Mondays-Thursdays.
BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
POP-UP CERAMICS: “Build and sip” class at 5:30 pm at Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) – registration link is in our calendar listing!
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). As always, all welcome, first-time players too.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Four places to play tonight – Music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) with host David, 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
COMEDY: Monthly “Routine Killers” show at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm, with Michael Harrison headlining – a few tickets remain as of this writing!
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcomed for free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community welcomes you at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Health/wellbeing questions? Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor) is launching a series of three free online “lunch and learn” sessions starting this Thursday. Here’s their announcement:
Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care is launching a free Lunch and Learn series that is open to the general public. Generally, these will be offered on Thursdays from 12:30 pm-1:00 pm and will include a variety of topics with time to ask the provider questions. Interested participants will need to pre-register with a provided Zoom link. We look forward to having you join!
Thursday, May 23rd 12:30-1:00: Healthy Skin Care: Navigating a World of Options with Brie Woodruff, ARNP, DNP
Have you ever stood in a store staring at the hundreds of lotions, creams, toners, moisturizers, face washes, exfoliants, sunscreens, and serums and wondered what you should actually be using? Do you wonder which products are effective, what you should use for your skin type, or what brands are ‘good’, safe, and non-toxic? Join Brie Woodruff, ARNP, DNP, to get your questions answered and discuss tips & tricks for keeping skin healthy. Reserve your spot here!
Thursday, June 6th 12:30-1:00: Easy At-Home Steps to Support Recovery from Long-COVID with Grace Downs, ND
Did you know that 1 in 10 who get COVID will go on to develop “Long-COVID”? And recent CDC reports indicate that number of people who are suffering from “Long-COVID” has continued to increase compared to previous years. There are many different options to treat the symptoms of “Long-COVID”, and some of the treatments that can have the most profound benefit are simple changes you can start to make at home now. Join Dr. Grace Downs, ND, as she explores the signs & symptoms of “Long-COVID” and what foundational steps you can take to begin recovering. Reserve your spot here!
Thursday, June 20th 12:30-1:00: SIBO or IBS: Finding the True Cause of your Gut Symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an incredibly common, but not often talked about, medical condition that affects 1 in 10 Americans. But did you know that IBS symptoms can actually be caused by an entirely separate condition called Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)? Based on some studies, up to 3/4 of IBS patients may actually have SIBO. Treating this bacterial overgrowth can lead to significant symptom improvement in many patients. Join Dr. Megan Taylor as she explores the signs and symptoms of SIBO, and how to know if you might have this condition! Registration link will be provided on the WSB calendar closer to the date.
Again, these are all online. Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care is based in West Seattle, with a clinic at 5410 California SW.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, May 20.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high in the mid-60s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:25 am; sunset will be at 8:47 pm. (We are now one month away from the summer solstice on June 20.)
ROAD-WORK ALERTS
*SDOT work at Highland Park Way/Holden – “Noisy” overnight work tonight, 6 pm-4 am, changing pavement markings – details here.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
*Sound Transit drilling in the east Junction could start today – here’s the alert info.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is. … Starting today, work at the Southworth terminal will close lanes there for about 3 weeks.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Open.
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
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 open for vessel traffic. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on that.)
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
If you aren’t steeped in soccer match-day traditions, this is a great time to learn, as West Seattle Junction FC starts its first-ever season. Above, our video shows supporters approaching Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex to conclude their March to the Match, which started about half a mile away at The Westy. Those arriving at the stadium found a banner emblazoned with West Seattle neighborhood names:
Inside the stadium, a chance to buy merch:
Community businesses there included WSB sponsor Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle:
On the field, the players walked onto the field with youth accompanying them:
But first, a huddle with head coach Erik Oman:
In the stands, even before the match, a sense of fun:
So what about the soccer? you ask. The match, against Capital FC from Salem, Oregon, ended in a draw, 2-2. The match was streamed, and archived on YouTube – watch the first half here, second half here. Junction FC’s two goals were by Jacen Stein and Mani Diop. Next home match: Friday (May 24), 7 pm, vs. Lane United FC (also from Oregon); tickets are available online.
We have word tonight of another team of local middle-schoolers who won a citywide championship this weekend. Lilyanna, a member of the Pathfinder K-8 Ultimate team, sent the report and photo:
I am an 8th grader at Pathfinder K-8, I am on the Ultimate Frisbee team and we won the championship on Saturday! We won 11-4 and our season ended 7-1. My team and I can’t believe that we made it that far. We went to Spring Reign and completed against so many amazing teams. We won 3/6 games we played. It was an amazing experience and we all had so much fun!
The reason for this email is I want our team to be recognized. I have one of the most amazing and talented teams that I’ve ever been on. As a 8th grader leaving Pathfinder and going off to High School, it makes me really happy that I got to experience this. I love Ultimate so much, but what I love most is the people on my team and at my school. We have amazing coaches! Coach Jonah and Coach John. They’ve taught not only me but our team how to work together and build the community that we have now. Thank you so much, Pathfinder, for the amazing opportunity to be a part of the team.
The leaving 8th graders on the team are
Anna
Willa
Taylor
Salem
Ronan
Elias
Milo
Ian
Will
Lilyanna says they beat Eckstein MS in the title game, played at Magnuson Park.
(WSB photos)
In the midday Sunday sunshine, Alki UCC offered visitors the chance to create art with a message – the message someone has tried to obliterate by damaging and/or stealing banners hanging over its entry five times. As noted in our first story about this, they also collaborated with an artist to design a new banner:
The banner will soon hang with what’s out front now at the building Alki UCC shares with Kol HaNeshamah:
The individual art pages created by visitors today were theirs to either take home or leave behind as contributions to another art work, possibly a collage.
(This and next photo sent by Michelle Edwards)
Thanks for the photos! First, we learned from Michelle Edwards and Jim Edwards (who you might know from the West Seattle Big Band and/or West Seattle Grand Parade) that the West Seattle High School (above) and Chief Sealth International High School (below) Marching Bands are in Victoria, B.C. today – performing outside the Parliament buildings as part of Victoria Day weekend festivities.
Shortly after receiving those photos, West Seattle photographer Holli Margell sent images of both bands in the Port Townsend Rhody Festival parade on Saturday:
(This and next photo sent by Holli Margell)
The trip’s not over yet – tomorrow brings the Victoria Day parade, also featuring other student bands from around the region (including the UW). Holli tells us the parade will be streamed on YouTube here, starting at 9 am Monday.
12:57 PM: Seattle Fire says the gas has been shut off at the scene of a leak in the 5200 block of 45th SW [vicinity map]. SFD describes it as a residential line and says the home and others nearby have been evacuated as a precaution. Many of the responding units have been cleared to leave.
1:12 PM: More SFD units are leaving, but the scene won’t fully clear until Puget Sound Energy (the gas utility for our area) arrives.
1:26 PM: All SFD units have left.
Two reader reports:
BURGLAR TAKES E-BIKE: From Ryan:
At around 12:30 pm (Saturday), a man in a black True Religion hoodie broke into our outdoor storage shed and stole my e-bike. He actually first spent about 15 minutes in a port-a-potty on our property, presumably waiting to see if we were home. After that he forced his way into our storage shed, knocking over nearly everything and making a ton of noise, grabbed my bike, and rode off.
The e-bike is a VanMoof S3 and is pretty distinctive [stock photo], and it’s possible it was making noises, setting off an alarm, or even locking itself after it was ridden away.
Any information is welcome, and in general we just want the community to keep an eye out for the guy. The temporary SPD case number is T00001564.
Ryan says this happened in the Alki area.
DUMPED, POSSIBLY STOLEN KIDS’ BIKE: Dylan found this bike near Roxbury Safeway:
If it’s yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.
(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)
9:35 AM: The race is on! More than 1,500 runners and walkers (plus a few dogs) are on Alki and Harbor Avenues right now for the 2024 West Seattle 5K, coordinated by and benefiting the West Seattle High School PTSA.
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
The streets will reopen to vehicles when the course is cleared. (Added) Here’s our traditional video of everyone leaving the starting line:
10:25 AM: Most of the participants have crossed the finish line.
(Photo by Lynn Hall)
Here are the top three male and female finishers, from a printout provided by race organizers:
Male Open Winners
Evan Williams, 37, bib 9142, 16:26
Mason Murison, 16, bib 818, 17:15
Victor Ordaz, 34, bib 5278, 17:28Female Open Winners
Beau Sitzmann, 11, bib 1114, 18:50
Kristi Williams, 40, bib 9145, 19:16
Ena Sparling, 12, bib 1139, 19:19
ADDED 5 PM: Lots of kids in the West Seattle 5K. Not just evident in results – but also sights like these:
Just before the start, the runners and walkers heard words of thanks from WSHS principal Brian Vance:
Then, the WSHS Cross Country Chant:
(Video courtesy West Seattle 5K)
WSHS Cheer Team members were there for support:
Along with lots of volunteer power, the event relies on sponsor support too. We’ve been the media sponsor every year since the start. We noticed some WSB sponsors there too – Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care:
The West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA:
Kevin Broveleit from West Seattle Realty was there to run:
And the true heroes of the day – the race organizers, who just sent this wrapup:
Thanks to all of you, today’s West Seattle 5k was a great success! A big “thank you” to all of our volunteers and sponsors, and the runners and walkers who participated! We had almost 1,200 participants last year and previous years averaged 850-1,000 so this is quite a jump.
We raised over $42,000 for the West Seattle High School PTSA, which funds much needed programs for students, teachers and staff! The PTSA covers educational programming like Saturday School, teacher mini-grants, and more!
With more participants comes some justifiable increases in expenses, but one cost that really jumped was with the City for parking enforcement officers to staff the intersections. This is a delicate balance. Last year adult volunteers staffed the intersections but this year, the permit called for PEO’s which equated to 3x the permit fee last year.
Fortunately our increase in participants makes that permit bill a lot easier to cover. But if were to ever go back to 1,000 runners or less the bill would be a significant obstacle. We feel this is important to mention as most of our costs have barely changed in the last 10+ years and wish to be transparent about the money we raise for the high school.
Yours Truly, 2024 Race Co-Directors – Kelley O’Connor, Amy Huey, and Athena Frederick
Volunteers to recognize:
Nicole Ott for help in securing sponsors and all the logistics that come with that.
Amy Doll for coordinating the supplies, kids, teachers and staff!
Erik Bell at Bell Fortina for all our graphics needs including shirt design, posters, banner, yard signs and event photography.
Brian Chung for stepping in as a new additional event photographer.
Renee Phelps and all the NHS students from West Seattle High School for putting out signage, stuffing bags and working the event!
WSHS PTSA Board members – especially Holly and Victoria!!
Owen Reese for coordinating our volunteers. And thank you to the 70+ volunteers who work the event!
Heather Hsu for taking on our Non-Profit Row. We so appreciate you tackling this much needed addition to the event
Lori Sherick and Chris O’Claire and the WSHS 5k student-led committee
Alki businesses and residents – thanks for sharing this special beach for the morning so we could hold this fundraiser to make our local West Seattle High School the best it can be for our students and teachers!
This was the second WS5K since the pandemic hiatus, and 15th anniversary of the first one in 2009.
Family and friends are remembering Bill Styrk and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Bill Styrk was born on September 23, 1934, on the family farm in Kearsarge, Michigan. The Styrk family later moved to Butte, Montana, where his father worked in the copper mines. Both Kearsarge and Butte were referred to as “Little Finn Towns” due to their high populations of Finnish people. The family finally settled in West Seattle, where Bill and his brother Wally learned to speak English. They attended Cooper Elementary and West Seattle High School. Bill recalled his childhood neighborhood as a tight-knit community where folks had little money, but an abundance of fun, and friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Post High School, Bill joined the Army and served in Germany. After completing his service he returned to West Seattle and became a longshoreman on the Seattle waterfront, often working side-by-side with his brother Wally and his father Karl.
Bill had lifelong fondness for animals. As a boy he routinely saved part of his dinner for the stray dogs in his neighborhood. As an adult Bill rescued a kitten who followed him everywhere for 17 years. He described his beloved St. Bernard dog as a beautiful and faithful companion. Bill was also captivated by Eagles, and collected wood carvings of these majestic birds.
Bill enjoyed retirement, and could often be found at Alki Beach enjoying the sun with a large group of friends. He traveled the US in his motorhome, and spent time in Mexico and Costa Rica. Bill was an avid collector of cars, his favorites being Mercedes and vintage trucks. Bill believed in treating every person he encountered with respect, and helped countless people on their journeys to sobriety.
Bill spent the last 20 years of his life in a beautiful home he built in Laughlin Nevada. He developed strong relationships with his outstanding neighbors. As a lifelong poker player, Bill spent many hours in the casinos of Laughlin and Las Vegas. For 20 years he had a daily routine of getting up at 2 AM and walking 5 miles to avoid the hot desert sun.
In his final weeks Bill experienced the value of good friends, as neighbors provided the help that made it possible for him to remain at home. He also spoke extensively on the importance of family. His brother Wally’s adult children, Pam Crim, Greg Styrk, Lynne Styrk-Crockett, Karen Williams and their families, are his closest relatives. Bill developed a strong bond with his great nieces Mariah and Hannah Crockett. Their visits to Laughlin were spent practicing the Finnish language, organizing the Styrk family genealogy,and putting a smile on Uncle Bill’s face. The VA of Nevada came to the home and had a touching ceremony for Bill, honoring his service to our country. Home Hospice provided outstanding medical care and fellowship.
In his final days Bill reiterated several times that he’d had a wonderful life. He had good friends, and had done everything he wanted to do. He shared many stories and memories. In person and with “Face Time,” Bill was able to see and speak with everyone he wished. During a visit with his nieces and nephew, Bill stopped and said: “In this VERY moment my life is absolutely perfect!”
At the age of 89, Bill died on May 2nd, 2024, just 4 months after the death of his brother Wally. Like Wally, he was surrounded by loving family. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Karl and Ellen Styrk and his brother Wally. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
No services are planned.
(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)
Biggest event of the day will temporarily take over Alki and Harbor Avenues this morning:
WEST SEATTLE 5K: Organizers say it’s bigger than ever this year – more than 1,300 people signed up – and if you’re not one of them, you can still register starting at 8:30 am near Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki). The course heads east/northeast from there, to Anchor/Luna Park and back, and Harbor/Alki Avenues will be closed to vehicle traffic approximately 8 am-11 am as a result. The WS5K is a fundraiser for the programs supported by the West Seattle High School PTSA, which coordinates the event too; community co-sponsors include WSB.
Here’s what else you should know about today/tonight, including highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIGH POINT LIBRARY CLOSED: The branch at 3411 SW Raymond is closed Sundays through at least early June as part of a schedule shuffle as the system deals with staffing shortages.
MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meets at 9 am Sundays at rotating locations – today it’s Highland Park Corner (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open today, 10 am-2 pm as usual, on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering spring vegetables, flowers, fruit, and plants, plus baked goods, cheese, fish, meat, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.
WHILE YOU’RE IN THE JUNCTION: Fashion pop-up by Jayma at Swan Dive (4537 California SW), 10 am-2 pm.
GRIEF WALK: Join Listening to Grief for this free walk at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) at 10 am – details in our calendar listing.
KINDIE WEST CONCERT SERIES: Next performance in this family-music series at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), 10:30 today, Paul Chiyokten Wagner – get tickets here.
COMMUNITY ART EVENT: As previewed and explained here, Alki UCC and Kol HaNeshamah invite community participation in an art event responding to repeated vandalism and theft of banners outside their building. All are welcome. If you’re going – or even if you aren’t – consider bringing donations for this month’s Alki UCC collection drive – this story mentions what’s most needed this month. (6115 SW Hinds)
POGGIE TAVERN TURNS 90: The dive bar at 4717 California SW plans festivities all weekend. Open noon-2 am.
JUNCTION FC’S DEBUT: All supporters are invited to join the 1 pm March to the Match from The Westy (7908 35th SW), for the new club’s debut in a 2 pm match vs. Capital FC at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Match tickets still available.
AUTHOR EVENT: Meet Jenny Gwinn McGlothern at Inner Alchemy (3043 California SW), 1-3 pm.
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Monthly gathering at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. This month: “Discussion of Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky, trans. Sandra Smith.”
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Your weekend can conclude with music by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Are you planning something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
More big school-sports news – two Madison Middle School teams won citywide championships today!
That’s the Madison volleyball team. Jennifer sent the photo with word that they won the Seattle Public Schools championship today to crown an undefeated season. The championship was against Robert Eagle Staff Middle School – and Madison won despite Eagle Staff having home-court advantage, since that’s where they played.
Eagle Staff is also the school that Madison’s boys soccer team beat for their championship win today:
The photo and update are from Amber; as she had mentioned in the preview we published last night, this match was played at Memorial Stadium downtown
(Photo courtesy Alki UCC)
Alki UCC members have been preparing materials like those for tomorrow’s community art event in response to vandalism and theft of banners outside the building they share with Kol HaNeshamah. The backstory is here, and all are invited to stop by and participate, 11:15 am to 12:30 pm at 6115 SW Hinds. Tomorrow is also the monthly community donation drive hosted by Alki UCC, with the opportunity to drop off items 11 am-3 pm in front of the church (which is where the community art event also is happening). This month, they say: “Men’s work clothes are a continued priority! Our donations drive serves many men participating in day labor who go through a lot of jeans, khakis, sweatshirts, hoodies, t-shirts, work boots, jackets … and lots of NEW socks to keep their feet healthy.”
7:04 PM: That’s how West Seattle High School‘s baseball team celebrated the win this evening that is sending them back to the state semifinals – third year in a row! We’ve been up at Edmonds-Woodway HS for the past six hours covering WSHS’s first two state tournament games – both one-run victories, 2-1 over Peninsula and 10-9 over Mountlake Terrace. Next they’ll head to Pasco, where the state 3A semifinal and final games will be played this year. We’ll add more about today’s games here later!
9:58 PM: Here are our highlights of the two games the Wildcats played today – both “loser out” games, so the stakes were high – starting with the game against Peninsula:
WSHS starter #12, senior Miles Chandler, had some control problems right out of the gate. He got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but gave up a run in the second. He was pulled in the fourth inning, and #6, senior John Langen, took over mound duties. Later that inning, WSHS got on the board after #2, senior Bobby Trigg, got a leadoff double and was brought in by #24. junior Lukas Cheha.
The Wildcats’ other run was in the 6th, when #11, senior TJ Buehring, got on base, made it to third after a double by #7, senior Caden Fahy, and then scored.
Time ran out for Peninsula, which didn’t manage to muster a late comeback.
That win sent head coach Dylan Mclauchlin and his team up against Mountlake Terrace, also a “loser out” game. This one had plenty of drama, as well as weather challenges (rain, mostly light). A dedicated crowd braved it all.
This time the Wildcats scored right off the top – Buehring drew a walk, Fahy hit another double, Cheha hit a sacrifice fly for an RBI, and WSHS had an early 1-0 lead. Starting pitcher #17, senior Matthew Henning, struck out two of the first three Terrace batters. In the second, he had two outs on two pitches. Things looked good … until the bottom of the third, when Terrace loaded the bases and turned that into two runs, followed by two more before the inning ended. West Seattle got one back shortly thereafter. It was three up, three down, for Henning in the bottom of the fourth, still 4-2 MLT. The Wildcats added another run in the 5th. So did the Hawks.
Then came the dramatic two-out comeback in the top of the 6th. Buehring and Fahy both got hits after two previous batters notched outs. Henning walked. Cheha got an RBI single.
#42, senior Sabin Tomlinson, came up to bat:
With that, WSHS took the lead, 6-5.
And the rally was’t over – one more run followed. Then in the bottom of the 6th, pitcher #9 Sam Waskowitz made 1-2-3 work of the Mountlake Terrace batters, and it was on to the 7th. The Wildcats added three insurance runs, with hits including yet another Fahy double. By inning’s end, they were ahead 10-5.
But as the saying goes, “it’s not over till it’s over.” Mountlake Terrace loaded the bases in the bottom of the 7th and cleared them with a grand slam, That five-run lead was down to one. Fahy concluded his heroics for the day by moving onto the mound and saving the victory.
So, for the third year in a row, the Wildcats have made it into the state tournament semifinals (see the full bracket here). Their next game is in Pasco, vs. Eastside Catholic (20-7), 7:15 pm Friday (May 24). The two teams met on April 3; the Wildcats (20-5) won, 5-4.
One last reminder that tomorrow (Sunday, May 19) brings more than 1,300 runners and walkers to Alki and Harbor Avenues for the West Seattle 5K. The no-parking signs are out (don’t defy them – you might get towed) and both streets will be closed to vehicle traffic between roughly 8 am and 11 am. It’s not too late to be part of it – you can still register online, or at the starting line – near the Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) – starting at 8:30 am Sunday. The West Seattle 5K is a fundraiser for programs supported by the West Seattle High School PTSA, which coordinates the event.
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