VIDEO: West Seattle Big Band fills High Point Commons Park with music and people
(WSB photos/video)
A first tonight for the West Seattle Big Band – a concert at High Point Commons Park. This was the return of the annual summer Concert in the Park for the first time since 2019, but the traditional venue – Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn – isn’t available this year, so that called for a new venue. WSBB director Jim Edwards admitted he didn’t know what to expect, or who, but by our informal count, at least 100 people showed up to enjoy the evening and the music. You can see the spectators as well as the band in our recording of the concert:
For an hour and a half, the Big Band enthralled the crowd with classics like “In the Mood,” “All of Me,” and “Fever” – some instrumental, some featuring vocalists Jenaige Lane and Jeff Carter:
The WSBB musicians spanned a wide age range tonight – including Henry, who’s also drum major for the West Seattle High School Band:
The brass included director Edwards trading in his baton for his trombone:
The Big Band also plays gigs for hire and donates the proceeds to help student musicians. So, as Edwards told the crowd, if you need a band for an event, contact them!
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Pregnant woman remains in hospital, 4 days after hit-run
(Friday night photo by Kersti Muul)
As discussed in comments following coverage of last Friday’s hit-run that killed a bicyclist, another West Seattle hit-run at almost the same time Friday night sent a pedestrian to the hospital – a woman pregnant with twins. Today we heard from the victim’s brother-in-law, Matt, who was there when it happened at 34th/Myrtle:
On Friday evening, between 7:15 and 7:30, myself, my wife, our baby, and my sister-in-law were going for a walk. My sister-in-law is 30 weeks pregnant with twins. We were walking up 34th Ave by Hundley park and were crossing the intersection of 34th and Myrtle street, where there is a roundabout. While we were in the crosswalk, we heard a car come speeding up 34th. The car cut the roundabout and made an illegal left. The car was going at least 50 mph or more would be my guess. My sister in law was just behind us as we were walking. My wife ran forward with our baby to avoid being hit, but the car ended up hitting my sister in law and she flipped over the hood and landed on the ground. Some of the passengers got out but then jumped back in and the car sped off. The ended up stealing her phone that had fallen on the ground. Emergency services quickly got there and took my sister-in-law to the hospital. She has sustained injuries. The twin babies seem to be okay for now.
It was a black car, smaller sedan … The windows were tinted extremely dark, so you could not see inside at all. The men that got out were all Black, late teens or early 20s. The license plate of the car is CDM3—. The police were given all the details, but I’m still waiting for a detective to be assigned to the case. The incident number is 2022-183326.
Matt says his sister-in-law is still in the hospital, transferred to OB care after initial trauma care at Harborview.
TUESDAY: West Seattle Big Band’s Concert in the Park, new location
(WSB photo, 2018 Concert in the Park)>
Another beautiful evening is forecast for Tuesday – clear and warm. Spend part of it outside enjoying live, lively music from the West Seattle Big Band, bringing back its annual Concert in the Park. New location this year – High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham) – since Hiawatha’s closure means it’s out of the mix as a concert venue this year, even for outdoor shows. This is an annual free concert that the WSBB performs for the community – you’ll see and hear about 20 musicians, directed by Jim Edwards, performing classic songs, both instrumental and vocal arrangements. (Never seen them? Check out video of past concerts.) The WSBB is celebrating its 25th anniversary, founded by West Seattle High School alumni in 1996 (here’s the backstory). They donate their time at other shows throughout the year to support local students – this one, however, is free, so bring a picnic dinner, blankets and/or chairs, and enjoy the Concert in the Park starting at 7 pm Tuesday.
UPDATE: Standoff ends at 34th/Morgan
6:48 PM: Thanks for the tips. The big police response at 34th/Morgan was because of a person in crisis outside the Stewart Manor. He was believed to have possibly had a knife. Police have just ended the standoff and taken him into custody after using a beanbag round. The scene should be clearing soon.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: The police-report summary says they first got a call at 3:06 pm:
Officers arrived and located the suspect in an agitated state holding a stick and claiming to want to fight the reporting party. The suspect was observed while the victim was contacted. The victim reported that the suspect had approached his apartment door brandishing a knife while making threats to kill the victim and causing damage to the door. Probable cause was established for felony harassment. The suspect was advised he was under arrest, but he retreated further into a contained rear fence area. The suspect produced a knife and waived it at officers while stating he wanted to fight and was planning suicide by cop. After verbal communications broke down, HNT was requested. A lengthy standoff ensued until the subject’s behavior escalated. After breaking a window with a large rock, the suspect removed his belt and held it as a whip in one hand while waiving the knife around in the other. The suspect began cutting himself with the knife causing multiple lacerations to his torso and arm. In an effort to take the suspect into custody, a less lethal launcher was used resulting in a type II Use of Force. The suspect became compliant shortly thereafter and was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was transported to HMC for medical treatment before being booked into KCJ.
(HNT = trained officer[s] from the Hostage Negotiation Team.)
Big response for High Point house fire
In the past hour and a half, firefighters have been working to extinguish a fire at a house near 32nd SW and SW Juneau in High Point. SFD says one person was home at the time and got out OK, but one firefighter suffered what are described as “minor injuries.” Some of the initial large response has been dismissed, but the incident log shows 10 units still on scene, including fire investigators working to find out how this started.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another gunfire investigation
7:20 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are investigating another case of car-to-car gunfire right now – they’ve found “rifle casings” at two scenes, both in High Point, one on SW Graham and one on SW Morgan (both at the intersections with Lanham). No victims reported so far. Police are blocking traffic on SW Graham at 34th and to the east of there. Updates to come.
7:29 PM: Now police are saying there’s only one scene with casings, Graham/Lanham. According to dispatch, differing descriptions of the cars involved. (added) They’re also checking Sylvan/Holly.
7:45 PM: Photos added of markers showing where casings were found. Our crew talked with some of the witnesses who say they saw gunfire from a white car, and that a red car might have been involved too.
ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Police say this incident and the earlier one in Sunrise Heights might be related. Their summary of this one says, “Witnesses advised that a red sedan was following a white sedan from behind, heading Westbound on SW Graham St. Witnesses said occupants from both vehicles were firing shots. Officers located evidence of a shooting from Lanham Pl Sw and SW Graham St. Officers also found evidence of a shooting at the west side of the intersection of 35 Ave Sw/SW Graham St. Officers continued to canvas the area and found property damage on an unoccupied vehicle.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 22-106623.
FOLLOWUP: ‘Driver report card’ signs, week 6
If SDOT sticks with the originally announced schedule, this could be the last update on the so-called “driver report card” signs in High Point, installed in hopes of raising awareness of the need to stop for pedestrians at intersections, whether they have marked crosswalks or not. Above, the 34th/Morgan marked crosswalk had a 26 percent stop rate in this week’s check, down 1 percent from last week. The unmarked crossing on Sylvan Way was up one percent:
We’ll be checking on Monday to see if the signs will indeed be moved elsewhere after this week. The original announcement suggested Rainier Beach would be next.
CLASS OPENINGS: Need language/job skills to find work?
From Neighborhood House, word that this class still has openings:
The Ready to Work ESOL and job skills program is still enrolling for spring quarter. Students must live in Seattle and be 18 or older. Class is in-person at Neighborhood House AND on Zoom. Computers and hotspots are provided. This class is for people who want to get a job in the next 6 months. Classes started this week. Reach out to Katie to ask questions or sign up: 206-335-6170 or katiel@nhwa.org.
FOLLOWUP: ‘Driver report card’ signs, week 4
Week 4 of what the city says is a six-week experiment – two signs in High Point displaying results from a weekly check of how many drivers stop for pedestrians. Above, the Sylvan Way count is up to 17 percent, for an unmarked crossing, from last week‘s 11 percent; below, the 34th/Morgan marked crosswalk takes a drop to 22 percent from last week’s 43 percent.
According to SDOT, the percentages are from a hand count done by student interns working with Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. After six weeks, the signs are supposed to be moved elsewhere in the city.
FOLLOWUP: ‘Driver report card’ signs, week 3
It’s the third week for what SDOT says is a six-week pilot program tallying whether drivers are stopping for pedestrians. The two signs in West Seattle are updated on Fridays with results of a count taken by student interns earlier in the week. Above, the sign at the 34th/Morgan marked crossing shows 43 percent this week, up from 28 percent a week earlier; below, 11 percent at the unmarked crossing on Sylvan Way near Sylvan Heights, up from 10 percent a week earlier:
After six weeks here, SDOT says the signs will be moved elsewhere in the city, as it gets rolling on a two-year safety campaign.
CORONAVIRUS: One more weekend for city’s vaccination clinic at Neighborhood House High Point
As announced earlier this month, the city-supported COVID vaccination clinic in West Seattle – at Neighborhood House High Point – is closing after its next Friday/Saturday sessions. NH, a regional nonprofit, sent this announcement to thank the community:
Next Saturday, February 26, 2022 is the last day of the West Seattle Vaccination Clinic run by the city at Neighborhood House High Point.
Neighborhood House is honored to be have been able to partner with the city to provide this clinic space in our High Point building to connect community members to the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Thank you to the West Seattle community – we were so proud to serve you! Since the clinic opened in late October 2021, the Seattle Fire Department along with inaugural health partners Pliable have administered tens of thousands of shots, to children as young as 5 and grandparents and great-grandparents of all ages.
The dates and hours of operation as well as appointments for the High Point clinic can be found at www.seattle.gov/covid-19/vaccinations.
For over 100 years, Neighborhood House has created opportunities for those facing cultural, language, and systemic barriers to live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Learn more about this work throughout King County and Seattle at nhwa.org.
The city-supported COVID testing site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex will remain open.
NEW YEAR: West Seattle Tae Kwon Do classes start Tuesday
The new year brings a new season for many West Seattle activities – including Tae Kwon Do. Here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club is offering in-person classes at High Point Community Center in January. Adults (18 and older) can sign up to learn Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art known for its fast sparring techniques, dynamic forms, and strong kicks. Classes cost only $40/month and meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:30 pm and Saturdays 9:30-11:30 am.
The first class for the new year is on Tuesday, January 4 from 6:00-7:30 pm. We will be wearing face masks and will be appropriately distanced for safety. New students can join at any time and beginners are definitely welcome!
Check out our website at westseattle.choitkd.org, email westseattletkd@gmail.com for questions, or call 206-684-7422 for registration information.
HPCC is at 6920 34th SW.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Happy (SW) Holly-days
As we continue featuring a West Seattle light display every night, tonight’s photos are from Lina in High Point, who tells us, “Our block is back in action this year! SW Holly between Sylvan and 31st Ave SW. Happy holidays!” (Here’s a map.)
Big thanks to everyone who’s sent tips and photos so far! Every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
VACCINATIONS: Here’s when NOT to show up at Neighborhood House High Point seeking them – plus, Sunday update
1:57 PM: From Neighborhood House High Point, a reminder that COVID-19 vaccine clinics are only open there on certain days of the week:
We have had many community members come to Neighborhood House seeking COVID vaccines on days when the clinic is not happening. So, for the sake of clarity and saving people an extra trip:
Seattle Fire Department is hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Neighborhood House on Fridays from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm through the end of December.
Pliable is hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Neighborhood House on Sundays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm through the end of December. Appointments are encouraged for Sundays.
So for now, do NOT show up at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) Mondays through Thursdays. Also note that until further notice, as previously reported here, the Friday-Saturday clinics are not serving pediatric patients, but the Sunday clinics are (by appointment). For other vaccination locations, check the Vaccine Locator website.
4:34 PM: Regarding the Sunday clinics, Pliable tells us now EVERYONE can show up on a walk-up basis – including pediatric patients – plus, the 16- and 17-year-olds now authorized for Pfizer boosters.
UPDATE: Helicopter over High Point
4:12 PM: Thanks for the texts. So far all we know is that Guardian One is helping search for a missing person.
4:23 PM: Search over. The missing person, a child, was found safe at home.
WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Why the UW flag is flying on the city’s highest flagpole
The photo is from Our Lady of Guadalupe School – near the city’s highest elevation at 35th/Myrtle – where the Huskies’ flag is flying this week. Here’s why:
Monday morning, Principal Anton Kramer raised the University of Washington flag above Our Lady of Guadalupe school. UW came out on top at last year’s Huskies v. Cougars spring-auction showdown, which means the highest point in Seattle will be flying Purple and Gold for this weekend’s Apple Cup.
At OLG’s 50th Golden Anniversary auction, in March of 2022, we will again be auctioning the honor of raising either the WSU or UW flag at OLG. Who will come out on top? Will Crimson and White be flying above OLG this time next year?
Want to attend to make sure that your school’s flag is raised? Or looking for a local sponsorship opportunity? Please reach out to olgprocurement@gmail.com we would love to chat with you.
P.S. The principal’s flag-raising assistants in the photo are Husky fans Stella and Gresham.
VACCINATIONS: City’s West Seattle clinic gets mayoral visit; plus, another Saturday pop-up for 5-to-11-year-olds
Two notes about local COVID-19 vaccination clinics:
(WSB photo, this afternoon)
ANOTHER MAYORAL VISIT: Less than a month after visiting Neighborhood House High Point to announce a vaccination clinic would open there, Mayor Jenny Durkan returned today to tout its success. While the visit was announced before the news that the feds are authorizing boosters for all adults, Durkan took the occasion to hail that too. The High Point clinic is operated Fridays and Saturdays (here’s the appointment link), with Pliable as the provider – those are Pliable’s founders Nicole Warner and Tara Biller, both West Seattleites, above with the mayor. We asked them if they’re planning to add days of operation now that so many people are eligible for boosters; they said that’s up to the city and they hadn’t heard of anything yet. (P.S. The mayor had another unrelated West Seattle stop after that – that story later- and if you missed our coverage of her education-themed visit yesterday, that story’s here)
SATURDAY EVENING POP-UP KID CLINIC: Also at Neighborhood House High Point, but operated separately, a pop-up clinic is planned 5 pm-6:30 pm Saturday for 5-to-11-year-olds, with a second-dose follow-up clinic in three weeks. Here’s the announcement from Public Health Seattle-King County:
West Seattle COVID-19 Pop-Up Clinic
PEDIATRICS ONLY
Ages 5 to <12 years old
only Pediatric Pfizer available for this clinic
FDA Pediatric Pfizer (5 to <12) Fact Sheet
Neighborhood House High Point
6400 Sylvan Way SW
DOSE 1
Saturday November 20th
5 PM-630 PM
SIGN UP HERE FOR DOSE 1: prepmod.doh.wa.gov//appointment/en/reg/4012174969
DOSE 2
Saturday, December 11th
5 PM-630 PM
AND…SIGN UP HERE for DOSE 2: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov//appointment/en/reg/7946704129
Again, the clinic for kids tomorrow night is separate from the daytime city-run clinic, so be sure to use the unique link above if you’re interested in that one.
We’ve mentioned that 
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