West Seattle, Washington
27 Thursday
Nine days after winning the state baseball championship in Pasco, West Seattle High School players and coaches basked in applause in their own gym tonight, with family, friends, and fans there to cheer them:
Tonight’s celebration included proclamations – one from one of WSHS’s best-known alums, King County Executive Dow Constantine (Class of 1980), saying “West Seattle couldn’t be more proud to call you their own”:
His proclamation declared today “West Seattle High School Baseball Day” in King County. The city had a proclamation too, brought by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka:
Saka and Mayor Bruce Harrell proclaimed this “West Seattle High School Baseball Championship Day,” and Saka urged the champs to show gratitude to everyone who’s helped them along the way. That’s exactly what player Caden Fahy did during his turn at the microphone, as well as marveling, “We did it!”
And more gratitude from player Matthew Henning, who declared, “This victory is as much yours as it is ours”:
And a mound of acknowledgments from head coach Dylan Mclauchlin, including warm words for those who had been mentoring his players all the way back in youth baseball:
This was the third consecutive year the Wildcats had reached the final four at the state 3A baseball tournament. As the coach noted, their road to the state championship was an eight-game winning streak, starting with their last regular-season game and continuing through the Metro League and state tournaments.
After 911 calls about suspected gunfire in South Delridge, police have found evidence of it. Officers told dispatch they’ve found “a scene” at 15th/Barton. Nobody reported injured, so far.
The blustery weather should be gone just in time for a big outdoor event Wednesday afternoon/evening (June 5) in West Seattle – a restoration celebration at Pigeon Point Park in honor of World Environment Day. Organizers are still looking for dozens of volunteers to participate – here’s what’s happening:
Enjoy World Environment Day with a community celebration hosted by the Society for Ecological Restoration Northwest Chapter, Green Seattle Partnership, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and the United Nations Environment Programme!
Join us at Pigeon Point Park for a fun afternoon of activities to celebrate Seattle as the only US Role Model City for the UN Decade of Restoration and to spotlight local young leaders working in our urban ecosystems.
The afternoon will include:
-Guided forest restoration, a bird walk, citizen science, a community mural, and more!
-Special presentations by local young stewards and community leaders!
-Gathering together for a community picnic!
-Free raffle from local businesses and partner organizations!Plus, several of our local partners will be tabling and participating in the event, so you can connect and learn about the many ways you can get involved in greening our urban landscape this summer season!
Registration is free and includes 5 raffle tickets to try your luck at winning some local swag and goodies! All ages are welcome and food will be provided for registered participants.
It all starts with a welcome at 3 pm, “guided activities” 3:30-5 pm, then speeches and picnic dinner. Go here to sign up. The park entrance is next to Pathfinder K-8 (1901 SW Genesee).
Thanks for the photos! More tree trouble in today’s wind. Above, SJ sent that photo showing a downed tree along 59th SW on the west side of Alki Playfield … while the one below, from Jeepney, shows a tree that has split and is blocking a stretch of sidewalk at 35th/Holden:
And Manuel just sent this photo from North Delridge:
“One sizable tree is blocking the trail at Longfellow Creek/Dragonfly just north of the fishbones bridge,” he explains. “The winds also left a few other little trees fallen and a bunch of branches on the ground.” The National Weather Service wind alert we mentioned earlier remains in effect until 11 am tomorrow, with gusts up to 40 mph possible. If you encounter weather-related trouble (or any other breaking news), we’re reachable 24/7 at (text or voice) 206-293-6302 – after you’ve reported it to authorities, of course (for trees or other road/sidewalk-blocking problems, SDOT’s after-hours number is 206-386-1218).
(Past and future Alki Elementary site, WSB photo from last week)
Our full recap won’t be ready until later, but for those following the situation, we want to let you know right now that the Alki Elementary rebuild appeal hearing has just wrapped up after a third day of testimony. All three days, two lawyers representing the district and one representing the appellant have made their cases before Deputy Hearing Examiner Susan Drummond in the Seattle Municipal Tower hearing room downtown, with a city Department of Construction and Inspections planner also at the table (she finally got a brief chance to speak today). The only issue to be decided is whether to uphold the city’s decision to grant a zoning exception to Seattle Public Schools for building the new, expanded Alki Elementary (capacity 500+, up from the current 370, 100 more than current enrollment) with fewer offstreet-parking spaces than the 48 required – the district originally proposed zero, the city said OK, nearby residents successfully appealed, the district drew up a new plan with 15 spaces, the city said OK again, and another group of residents appealed. It was agreed when testimony concluded a short time ago that both sides will present their closing statements in writing (20 pages max) by June 27, and Drummond expects to issue her ruling on July 1. Building permits can’t be issued until this is resolved; the old school was demolished shortly after last school year, and some other site-prep work has been allowed. Here’s our recap of the first day of testimony last Tuesday; here’s our recap of Day 2 last Thursday; our report on today’s testimony will be ready tonight or tomorrow.
SDOT has added another West Seattle community-meeting appearance at which reps will discuss the recently announced plan to replace a downhill driving lane on the Highland Park Way hill with a bike lane, a multi-use path, or both. If you want to hear about the plan and/or ask questions, be at the online meeting of the District 1 Community Network, 7 pm Wednesday (June 5). The Zoom link is in the agenda. Also note that the survey about the proposal remains open until June 15.
First the DubSea Fish Sticks … now the Seattle Samurai: Another locally based collegiate baseball team is about to debut. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
The Seattle Baseball Group, LLC announces a new collegiate summer baseball team based out of West Seattle. The Seattle Samurai has been accepted as an expansion team into the Pacific International League (PIL), where they will be competing in a limited schedule against other PIL teams including games against the popular DubSea Fish Sticks out of White Center. In addition to the current college players on the roster, there are many graduating seniors from our own Washington 3A State Champions West Seattle High School baseball team as they prepare to head off to their college baseball careers in the fall.
“The Seattle Samurai is a much needed organization to provide more opportunities for college baseball players to compete in the Seattle area through the Summer,” said Mark Terao, Seattle Baseball Group, LLC CEO. “Seattle has a large amount of college baseball players that are looking to keep their game fresh during the off-season and the Seattle Samurai will provide them with this opportunity and strive to provide them with a quality experience to help them improve their game.”
The Seattle Samurai roster will be comprised of current college players along with graduating high school seniors committed to play in college this coming fall. Many of the graduating high school players are from our own 2024 Washington 3A State Championship team from West Seattle High School. As an expansion team this first year, the Samurai will be playing a limited schedule but will attempt to get in 14-20 games this summer. The team will be led by experienced coaches starting with their Head Coach Jacob Terao, who just finished up his 2nd year coaching at Hendrix College in Arkansas, along with the assistant coaches Nate Santiago (Centenary College, Bellevue CC, Pierce CC and Edmonds CC) and Ryan Ramsower (Lower Columbia, Utah State [SB] and Maggie Gallagher Baseball for All).
The Seattle Samurai strives to provide a great competitive baseball environment for the Seattle community to come out and enjoy. By establishing itself in the Seattle area they will look for ways to support the local youth in the community. Go Time Athletics Indoor Baseball Facilities, located in Georgetown and West Seattle, will be the home for the Seattle Samurai baseball team. Go Time Athletics is also the home of Washington Baseball Academy with select baseball teams ages 8U-18U.
Seattle Samurai home games will be held at local Seattle baseball fields including Mel Olson Stadium in White Center and a game against the DubSea Fish Sticks at University of Washington Husky Baseball Stadium on July 21st at 5:00pm.
The first game of the season will be June 6th (this Thursday), game start 3:30 pm at Mel Olson Stadium in White Center against the Northwest Honkers.Seattle Samurai home games admission $5, kids 13 and under free. For our complete schedule visit us at www.seattlebaseballgroup.com
So far the schedule includes three games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle (2801 SW Thistle).
UPDATE: The game scheduled for Thursday in White Center has been postponed.
11:19 AM: Though the wind has been kicking up for a while, we haven’t had an official alert from the National Weather Service until now: The NWS has our area under a Wind Advisory alert until 11 am Tuesday. The alert says we can expect “south winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.” Keep everything charged!
2:30 PM: Thanks to Eve for the report that a tree has fallen on Delridge near Webster – we don’t have cleanup-status information so be wary of possible traffic effects in the area.
(WSB file photo from Loop the ‘Lupe)
Though it’s unseasonably cool and wet now, that’ll change in a few days, and by the time we get to Saturday, we’re expecting VERY summery weather. Perfect to get out and run, walk, maybe dodge a few obstacles … which you can do Saturday at this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe. This is your last call to register at a discount rate – you have until Thursday, but why wait? Loop the ‘Lupe is the only obstacle-course race in Seattle – and more, as organizers explain:
Loop the ‘Lupe’s Elite Wave (age 16+) features nine obstacles on a distance-certified 1K “loop,” including a wall climb, a mud pit, and more. New this year, the Elite event will be streamlined to get participants through the obstacles more quickly. Participants finish five loops for the full 5K race, and there are prizes from local restaurants and merchants for top finishers. The Family Wave features seven obstacles on the same loop and offers a challenge for athletes of all skill levels. Events begin with a staggered start at 11 a.m.
A one-loop Youth Dash with obstacles is available for kids 8 and under (with adult supervision), and there’s a no-obstacle 5K Run/Walk course for runners and walkers, too. For older participants (age 65+), Loop the ‘Lupe also features the Senior Saunter, a 100% flat, timed walk that is one of the most popular senior-focused races in Seattle.
Loop the ‘Lupe will also have live music provided by the students of West Seattle School of Rock. Plus, participants can enjoy food, drinks, and a beer garden (age 21+) for additional purchase. Proceeds raised from the event go toward the costs of social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which helps prisoners re-entering the community, coordinates voter registration and racial justice education, and much more. Through their partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, OLG supports food distribution and assistance for rent and utilities for low-income families.
Loop the ‘Lupe happens at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle). Register here by Thursday to beat the price increase! (Follow the link to find out about other discounts, too.) Then we’ll see you out on the Loop this Saturday (WSB is the media sponsor)!
(Blustery morning – photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s on the schedule today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
KNIFE SHARPENING: Kneighborhood Knives is back for a pop-up at Hotwire Coffee (4426 California SW), now until 3 pm today.
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.
CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION: 5 pm in the West Seattle High School gym, a celebration is planned for the state-championship-winning baseball team. (3000 California SW)
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.
‘READY FREDDY’ PREP PARTY: Just in Case Disaster Preparedness Services invites you to a free Ready Freddy Prep Party, 7 pm, as your first step toward being ready – just in case. RSVP required – go here. (8427 30th SW)
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)
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!
8:13 AM: Thanks for the tips. 248 homes in the Lowman Beach/Seaview area are without power this windy morning, as shown above in our screengrab from the Seattle City Light outage map. It’s a busy morning for the utility, with 16,000+ others also out on this breezy morning.
2 PM: That outage, which SCL’s map says started around 4:41 am, is not resolved yet. Nor has a 67-customer outage in the Pigeon Point vicinity that started at 5:50 am, 11 customers in Arbor Heights since 8:43 am, and one customer in South Delridge since 10:41 am.
3:21 PM: Thanks to the commenter who reported that the biggest outage, Lowman Beach/Seaview, is over, after more than 10 hours. We’ve had a message out to SCL for a while asking for the cause but haven’t heard back – they’re still dealing with thousands of others out around the city.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, June 3.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rainy, breezy, high in the upper 50s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:14 am; sunset will be at 9:01 pm.
ONGOING ROAD WORK
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
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, although there was some crewing doubt last night, so be sure to check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is. … Work at the Southworth terminal is SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Main view:
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. (The low bridge has been reconnected to the feed, too.)
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!
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