West Seattle, Washington
24 Monday
The Santa-and-dogs photos are courtesy of Camp Crockett dog-day-care-and-more (5611 Delridge Way SW; WSB sponsor), to go with a few Holiday Guide/Event Calendar highlights we wanted to share before we get any further into the afternoon:
SHOP LATE: Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) is open until 8 tonight. (4540 California SW) … Also open for late shopping (game-playing, etc.) is Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), open until 10 pm. (3727 California SW)
SANTA AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: He’s back! 4 pm-7 pm, and that’s also when you’ll find Keith Terhune playing holiday tunes in the store. (Fauntleroy/California/Morgan)
‘TYING TUESDAY’ CLASS: 7 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) – check ASAP to see if there’s a spot left! (42nd SW/SW Oregon)
SOUTH SOUND TUG AND BARGE: Holiday songs and more, live at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
BABY KETTEN KARAOKE: By no means your standard karaoke. See for yourself, 9 pm at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Thanks to Eddie for the tip – the two much-discussed Metro bus shelters on the west end of the south side of SW Alaska between California and 44th are gone, removed this morning. The removal comes one week after the final decision on their fate was announced, two months after the plan was first made public via posted notices that for some came out of the blue (Metro subsequently opened a public-comment period).
The plan dates back to an October 6th “problem-solving” meeting involving a variety of government-agency, business, and community reps. Issues at and near the corner included safety and sanitation; other steps taken, and planned, to address concerns include shrubbery clearing, lighting, increased public-safety patrols, and increased maintenance for the city-funded portable toilet near the corner.
When SDOT announced late yesterday that the long-planned 30 mph speed limit would finally take effect on Delridge Way today, they promised a fast signage switch – and it’s indeed happening.
The new sign (left) just went up on the northbound side of Delridge at Hudson – an hour after we noted the old sign (right) still up. And three trailers with radar speed displays are in place:
That one is on the southbound side of Delridge at Oregon; the other two are at Findlay (also on the SB side) and at Myrtle (on the northbound side).
Thanks to the texter who tipped us that crews were already out first thing this morning!
While out checking on the combination of gusty wind and 12+-foot high tide this past hour, we also saw this, from Constellation Park just south of Alki Point: The USNS Wally Schirra, headed northbound. We also showed it here when it was headed southbound back in October – later that month, it was out on exercises with Bremerton-based USS Nimitz. It’s a supply ship, part of the Military Sealift Command, but smaller than the USNS Bob Hope, which as reported here last week might berth next year at Terminal 5.
The latest reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
AUTO THEFT IN LA FITNESS/SPRUCE GARAGE: A parking garage frequently reported for car prowls has had a car theft. Vanessa reports “a black 2003 BMW 325i with light tan leather interior, license plate # ACN5667, was stolen between 11:30 am-12:30 pm on Monday (December 19th) from the WS LA Fitness parking lot” (in Spruce at 39th SW/Fauntleroy/Alaska). If you see it, call 911.
Next – more hit-runs in search of witnesses (and if you haven’t seen our 16th/Thistle followup, read it here):
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE HIT-RUN #1: This happened to Laura early Monday:
A soft-topped white Jeep Wrangler hit me head-on around midnight 12/19 on the West Seattle Bridge eastbound onramp (Spokane St). The driver fled the scene but had some damage to his car. My car is totalled. If anyone has seen this car, information would be greatly appreciated.
Contact SPD and refer to incident 16-454229.
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE HIT-RUN #2: And we learned via a comment this morning that the bridge crash covered in our Monday morning traffic reports was also hit-run. The driver of the car that wound up facing the wrong way writes:
Luckily, I’m ok, but I was aggressively rear ended by another car that fled the scene for reasons I am unaware. Unfortunately not one person that may have witnessed the crash stayed behind to provide any information on the car that hit me and took off. I find it very hard to believe that no one saw this incident happen. I didn’t get a good look at the car since it happened so fast, but it looked like a light-colored SUV or truck. From the damage it did to my back end I assume it was a larger vehicle.
If you know something, call SPD and refer to incident 16-454467.
CAR PROWL: From Dan:
My car got broken into at Edge Apartments last night, 30th and Genesee. Nothing of value inside the car but they emptied out the glove box and center console and smoked a bunch of cigarettes inside.
GRAFFITI VANDALISM: Yes, it’s worth reporting to police. That’s what Ann did, and she let us know too after she spotted new graffiti vandalism: “On December 18th, 4800 block of Delridge on garage and fence in the alley.” Painting it over ASAP is great if it’s on your property – but take a photo first so you can include that with the report.
Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – we hope crime will NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not — thank you.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:06 AM: As forecast, it’s windy. The Seattle City Light outage map shows only one small spot of power trouble in West Seattle so far – nine homes out in Upper Fauntleroy, blamed on “tree.”
No traffic/transit trouble spots reported in our area, so far.
7:55 AM: Reader reported a crash “in the 99 lane” on the bridge. Couldn’t tell from the live video feed so we flagged SDOT on Twitter and they’re zooming in for a look – so far nothing.
Overall, for the region, WSDOT – which monitors the major highways – says travel times are below normal.
8:18 AM: We published the SDOT announcement late yesterday that the two-years-in-the-making 30 mph speed limit for Delridge Way would take effect today. Just got a text (thanks!) that the promised mobile-radar sign has appeared at Delridge/Oregon and crews appear to be moving on to other signage. We’re en route to check.
9:15 AM: Tweeted by Sean:
@westseattleblog looks like there's a stalled semi on the I-5 NB on-ramp to the west seattle bridge. No police on-scene yet.
— Sean Prothero (@SeanProthero) December 20, 2016
10:12 AM: The truck situation has blocked the ramp, we’re told.
(WSB file photo: Portable bound for West Seattle Elementary in 2012)
School may be out for winter break, but that doesn’t necessarily mean an absence of activity at local campuses. West Seattle Elementary School is expecting a big delivery this week, for example: Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tom Redman tells WSB that a one-classroom portable is to be delivered to WSES this Wednesday (December 21st). He adds, “SDOT has determined the schedule for delivery to be during the day between the morning and afternoon rush-hour time frames.”
From the “just in case you were wondering” file: After hearing about a water problem in south Arbor Heights late today, we checked with Seattle Public Utilities. Spokesperson Andy Ryan tells WSB,”We had a 4-inch water main break this afternoon (in the 10800 block of) 37th Ave. SW. Water was back on at 5:15.” Just a reminder – if you have a water problem, the SPU number to call to report it is 206-386-1800. (And then let us know! Unlike electricity outages, water outages don’t have an online map.)
Tonight’s featured Christmas lights are in that video clip sent by Jonathan, who says, “My 9-year-old neighbor set up a whole impressive light setup to music, pretty much all by himself. It’s something to see, for sure. They don’t always have the music going, but when they do, it’s really cool.” You’ll find this house in the 3400 block of 41st Ave SW, between Hinds and (updated) Manning.
Let us know about your favorite lights! editor@westseattleblog.com – and see our archive here.
4:47 PM: This has long been in the works, and the official announcement is just in from SDOT:
On Tuesday, December 20, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will lower the speed limit on Delridge Way SW as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to enhance transportation safety and save lives. Reducing the posted speed limit improves safety for everyone; especially people walking and biking.
The speed limit will be changed to 30 mph for a 3.5-mile stretch of Delridge Way SW between SW Henderson Street and the West Seattle Bridge. The speed limit is currently 35 mph on this segment of Delridge despite mainly single family homes and the presence of parks and schools adjacent to the corridor. This change will create a consistent 30 mph speed limit for the entire Delridge corridor.
Data collected on this section of Delridge shows most drivers are currently driving slower than the existing 35 mph speed limit. In fact, the 85th percentile speed at SW Trenton Street has been measured at exactly 30 mph so this should not be a significant change for people that drive this roadway often. The speed limit change will help reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions. This is especially true for vulnerable users like pedestrians since lower speeds significantly increase the survivability of crashes.
“The Delridge speed limit adjustment will help enhance safety on this corridor where more than 300 crashes have occurred in the last three years resulting in 148 injuries, six serious injuries and one death,” said SDOT Director Scott Kubly. “These changes will significantly help people walking and biking to schools, parks, transit and other destinations.”
Travelers on Delridge Way SW can expect to see new speed limit signs installed this week. SDOT will also deploy the Speed Watch Trailer to the corridor to provide feedback to drivers about their speed and highlight the new speed limit.
ADDED 5:49 PM: Some background links – the original announcement (now linked in the introductory line at the start of this story) was in February 2015, and even in November 2015, SDOT was saying it still hoped to implement the reduction by the end of that year. Last time we checked was this past September, when SDOT’s Jim Curtin said it would happen by year’s end, and mentioned some other features: “… edge lines, flexible posts for the existing bike lanes in the vicinity of SW Orchard St, and enhancing the existing crosswalk at SW Juneau Street with rapid flashing beacons (the work at Juneau may not occur until early 2017 due to equipment supply issues).” We’ve seen the posts by Orchard, but will be checking in on the other two (and if you see crews installing signs later this week, please let us know – we’ll be looking, too).
Alina Guyon just received approval for her Girl Scout Gold Award, and is hoping you can help with the project:
I’m building a library in a refugee camp in Uganda. It’s a big undertaking and requires planning, organization and the coordination of a team of people. My goal is to collect 3,000 books and create a library that many refugees have access to.
So far, Fauntleroy UCC and Hope Lutheran School have kindly donated many books, which add up to over 2,300 collected for the library. But, I would love your help so I can reach my goal of 3,000 books!
How can you help? Please bring any books and educational supplies, that you would like to donate, to VAIN (4513 California Ave SW). VAIN is open from 10 am-6 pm on weekends, 12-8 pm on Monday, and 10-8 pm Tuesday – Friday. The box for donated books will be at VAIN until December 28th.
Why Refugees? There are currently 65 million refugees in the world – more than in any time in our history since World War II. These are people who are forcibly removed from their homes and flee for their safety; half are children under the age of 18, according to the United Nations (UNHCR http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html) The average time a person spends in a refugee camp is over seven years, and the children lose access to schools and education. Without education, the opportunity to improve their situation is minimal. Refugee children without access to reading and an education represent a lost generation.
Why Uganda? While Syrian refugees have received attention in the news, there is also a huge refugee crisis in Africa. Uganda has the fastest-growing refugee population in Africa, accepting over 100,000 new refugees in 2016 alone.
Their neighboring countries of South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are war-torn. While Uganda doesn’t have many resources, they are compassionate to the plight of their neighbors.
Uganda is home to many languages, but English is the common spoken language. So books in English are perfect! I am partnering with an organization in Uganda that serves refugees and has a small school. The organization is called Hope of Children and Women and they are very excited to receive the library.
Contact information: AGuyon19@holynames-sea.org
1:30 PM: New weather alert – the National Weather Service has a “High Wind Watch” set to kick in very late tonight. The NWS says, “West to Southwest winds are expected to increase to 20 to 35 mph, with local gusts to around 50 mph, early Tuesday morning and then continue through most of Tuesday.”
6:01 PM: The alert has been reduced to a “Wind Advisory” for 4 am-6 pm Tuesday. The potential wind speeds are the same as above.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
At 24, Levi Gryniewski had already been working hard for five years to build up his landscaping business in West Seattle.
Now a hit-and-run driver has left him in the hospital, seriously injured, in danger of losing everything he’s worked for, says his father Bruce.
The crash almost cost Levi even more … his life.
He is the driver who was hit – at high speed, witnesses say – around 1:30 pm last Wednesday (December 14th) at 16th SW and SW Thistle. As reported here that afternoon, firefighters had to cut him out of this crumpled car:
(12/14/2016 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Today Levi’s family is putting out a public call for anyone who saw anything that might lead police to the driver who ran from the scene after the crash.
That driver left the other car (2000 white 4-door Honda Accord) behind, and police impounded it. Detectives have not yet been able to trace him through the car, SPD tells us, because it had been reported as sold, and, according to Det. Mark Jamieson, “there’s no accurate record of who owns it.” Investigators are tracking down previous owners in hopes of finding a clue.
The only description police have of the driver seen fleeing is white, male, 20s, about 6 feet tall, wearing a purple shirt.
Levi, meantime, remains in intensive care. His dad says, “He suffered many traumatic injuries from the crime and his recovery will be long and painful.”
The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case – contact SPD and refer to 2016-448519, if you have any information.
ADDED TUESDAY: Levi’s family has set up this GoFundMe account, after suggestions from community members who wanted a way to help.
(Photo by Lynn Hall – another view of Alki’s “sea serpent” driftwood)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Special hours this week at your shop? Let us know ASAP so we can mention! Here are some places we know you can shop today/tonight:
My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor) in south Morgan Junction is open today, until 5 pm. (6959 California SW)
Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is open today, until 6 pm. (4736 California SW)
Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction is open until 6 pm. (6529 California SW)
Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village is open today, until 6 pm. (2600 SW Barton)
Atomic Boys in Admiral is open today, until 6 pm. (4311 SW Admiral Way)
Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is open until 8 tonight. (4540 California SW)
Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) is open today, 11:30 am-10 pm. (3727 California SW)
Also today/tonight:
AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: 2 pm at Southwest Library, all welcome. “Let the Great World Spin” by Colum McCann is this month’s book. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: The regional Camp Fire Headquarters is in West Seattle and inviting you over this afternoon/evening: “Join us for an evening of cookie decorating, gingerbread house making and snowflake cutting! Come take a photo in one of our many holiday photo booths! This is also a great opportunity to come tour Camp Fire headquarters and meet the staff!” 3-6 pm. Bring a donation for foster kids via Treehouse – here’s the wish list. (2414 SW Andover, Suite D-105)
SANTA AT THRIFTWAY Another chance to see St. Nick – West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) will get four visits this week, starting with 5:30-8:30 pm tonight. (Fauntleroy/California/Morgan)
COOKIE CLASS: Holiday Cookie Decorating Class for the whole family at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 6 pm. Reservations required – get all the info here – and call ASAP to see if they still have room! (1936 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: 7 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)
MONDAY QUIZ: All ages, 7:30 pm at The Skylark. (3803 California SW)
Just found out about this – adding to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
The Christmas People will host a complimentary meal for homeless, seniors, and others who need a meal on Sunday, December 25, 2016 from noon to 4 p.m. at Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Avenue SW. Marc Smason, trombonist, will provide entertainment. This event is entirely without cost as a public service.
Christmas People is a 501 (c) (3) not profit organization; we celebrate our 18th year of providing hot meals to homeless and seniors in the Greater Seattle Area. During the weekend, Christmas People will also prepare evening meals for various downtown shelters.
Donated homemade cookies are welcomed for dropoff at the Masonic Center 9 am-4 pm on December 23rd and 24th.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning. It’s a rainy Monday, first day of winter break for schools. No major problems reported in West Seattle or on the outbound routes right now.
7:11 AM: Note that there is a weather alert through 11 am for potential coastal flooding – high tide is at 9:24 am, 12.5 feet, half a foot lower than the tide that came up over the Alki seawall back on Friday, but still high, especially with some wind in the mix.
7:42 AM: Two incidents to note – via Twitter, @klang reports a problem on the Alaskan Way Viaduct NB, just before the Battery Street Tunnel. Not on the real-time 911 log. But a West Seattle incident is – a medic response in Arbor Heights, 35th SW/SW 106th. We’re on our way to find out what’s happening there.
7:53 AM: John says via Twitter that a pedestrian was hit by a driver – the particular level of medic response in this call usually means pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. No information on condition so far. Meantime, there also is a response right now downtown at 1st and Columbia (by the entrance to the southbound AWV) for an incident that also reportedly involves a pedestrian, and scanner traffic indicates 1st is blocked.
7:58 AM: Back to the Arbor Heights incident [photo above] – police confirm what John told us, that it was hit-run and they are looking for the driver. The victim was taken to the hospital by private ambulance, indicating non-life-threatening injuries, and SFD cleared the scene shortly after we arrived.
Meantime, yet another incident – Kevin just tweeted about a crash “just past the crest” of the high bridge, with one car facing the wrong way.
8:08 AM: That was in the right lane of the eastbound bridge when Kevin’s C Line bus passed it. Meantime, SDOT says the 1st/Columbia scene downtown is now clear.
8:12 AM: There’s no camera view of the bridge crash but a texter says that it’s causing issues with people trying to exit to 99, and that police are on the scene.
8:25 AM: New trouble report – via text, stoplight at 4th and Roxbury is reported to be malfunctioning. Remember, a broken/out signal means it’s an all-ways stop.
Finally @seattledot cam is on bridge crash scene pic.twitter.com/kBSdfKSvo8
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 19, 2016
8:30 AM: Added above – the SDOT camera was at least fleetingly on the right-lane bridge wreck and we recorded a bit of video. Tow truck now on scene.
8:47 AM: Scene clear, says SDOT. Thanks again to everyone who messaged about this – SDOT’s first mention lagged while, so tips were vital.
Three reader reports:
BURGLARY ATTEMPT: Cozbi on SW Dakota north of The Junction says this happened around 7 tonight:
Heard footsteps of person walking up to front door (I could hear them lingering and breathing heavy once onto the stoop. The peephole was open and you could see into the movie we were watching; lights on in the house and all.) They opened screen door and we heard/saw them messing with door handle but door was locked. They closed the screen door and then, seemingly, body slammed the door two maybe three times. Then I heard them grunt a little and walk down the steps leaving.
Police was called and a report filed when they paid a visit to check it all out. They assume attempted burglary. Seemed very odd for a prank and we have no enemies. Wood screen door is all cracked and broken.
Lock your doors! Keep your eyes open and report even odd occurrences if they are out of place!
GARAGE INTRUDER: From Andrew:
A couple of days ago, we had a random guy tailed a neighbor and drove into our condo garage. He spent 20 to 30 mins wondering around the garage looking for things to steal and used to break into cars. But before he could break into any cars, I walked into the garage and surprised him. I confronted him and he gave me some excuses about visiting someone in the building. None of the information he provided made sense as the unit number and name he gave doesn’t exist in our building. After a few minutes, he backed his car out of the garage and took off. I am hoping by sharing this with you, people in West Seattle can keep an eye out for this dude as he’s pretty brave or stupid for driving his car into our garage in the middle of the day. Below are some grainy pictures of him and a description of him and his car.
The break-in 12/13 @ 3:29 pm to 4:08 pm
Silver Nissan Altima 2007 to 2012 with tinted windows
License plate # ATN26–
No front plate but had a white sign with “car sales” sign and is missing the Nissan emblem on the front grill.The guy was white, around 5’9 to 6’0 tall, medium build with facial hair. Brownish hair. Wearing a black parka-type jacket with a black baseball cap.
FOUND BIKE: The unsigned report says, “While out walking our dog, my daughter and I found a Trek Antelope 820 mountain bike deep in the thorny bushes at the fish ladder overlook, above the Fauntleroy ferry.” Here’s the photo:
Still there at last report.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“There are some really good things happening.”
So declared West Seattle/South Park’s rep on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors, its newly elected vice president Leslie Harris, as she assessed changes in the district, one year after her election changed her role from outsider to insider. Increased transparency, in particular, is one of the “good things” she’s happy about. She’s also glad for something small, yet big – the district home page finally has a button linking directly to the School Board section (it’s toward the upper right), whereas previously you had to click through several layers to find board info.
These observations came on Saturday afternoon, as Harris opened one of her periodic community-conversation meetings, this time at Delridge Library. She also was clear that not everything is rosy. Not at all. She also was clear she wasn’t complaining. “I asked for the job. It’s a very uncomfortable job.”
More than 15 people were there to hear Harris also address – and listen to concerns about – the district’s potential $74 million budget shortfall, and other issues, such as boundaries and the Student Assignment Plan that’s coming up for a board vote after “lots of things got dropped in at the last minute.”
One of those drop-ins: The district’s announcement that Chief Sealth International High School was to become part of the international-education pathway for students in the Southeast section of the city, not a popular decision. Sealth was chosen because other high schools’ principals didn’t feel they could handle it, Harris explained. She also acknowledged that the International Baccalaureate program, offered at a handful of high schools including Sealth, “has never been set up in a sustainable fashion for the extra money and the extra teachers and the more expensive course work …”
Harris’s introductory remarks were followed by attendees’ self-introductions, including what concerns had brought each person to the meeting. Most were from outside West Seattle and concerned about a controversy related to the assignment plan.
But first, back on the topic of pathways, one parent from West Seattle’s Louisa Boren STEM K-8 wondered what their pathway to high school will and should be. Read More
Until 9 tonight, the café side of Easy Street Records is transformed into a holiday-photo studio that’s nothing like your standard red-velvet-throne Santa scene. Cocoa Cris Cringle is there for his annual fun-and-fundraising photo sessions.
You can borrow hots and other props for your photo op with Cocoa Cris Cringle – or, just be yourself(ves):
$15 with a food or toy donation, or $20 without, is good for three photos sent to you, plus a hard copy printed right then and there. If you’re new ’round here and don’t know yet … Easy Street is on the northwest corner of California and Alaska in the historic Hamm Building, in the heart of The Junction.
(WSB photo)
With Christmas just a week away, we’ll be featuring lights every night. This one is a bit out of the way, so we wouldn’t have spotted it without a friend’s tip – we’re not sure if it’s an optical illusion or an atrium, but it appears the Christmas tree at this house is through the roof! After getting the tip, we went out for a look a short time ago. It’s on the east side of the 9600 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, a few blocks south of the ferry dock. And the street dead-ends a few doors down, so don’t head out in a big vehicle that will be tough to turn around. Some of the other homes on the street are brightly lit too, but nothing quite this out-of-the-box … er, house. Seen something unusual in YOUR neighborhood? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
(December 2014 solstice-sunset-watch photo shared by Lori)
With a few days of below-freezing weather, you might forget that technically, winter hasn’t even started yet. It officially arrives at 2:44 am our time Wednesday (December 21st) – and hours later, Alice Enevoldsen will be at West Seattle’s Solstice Park for her quarterly sunset watch:
It’s time for the 31st seasonal sunset watch!
When: Wednesday, December 21 at 4:05 (so come at 3:45 pm)
Actual sunset is supposed to be at 4:20 pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Alice is a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador and has been hosting solstice and equinox sunset watches as part of her commitment to community involvement and education. (They’re fun, too!)
That’s part of the coats-and-cocoa crew from today’s Hometown Holidays donation drive at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in The Junction – from left, Gareth from West Seattle Christian Church (which donated the cocoa), Theresa from the West Seattle Helpline (whose clothing bank Clothesline gets the donated coats), Shari from the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle (whose booth hosted the drive), and Lennae from the West Seattle High School Key Club (one of the youth groups with which the Kiwanis works). According to Lora from the West Seattle Junction Association, preliminary count is more than 200 donated coats – triple last year!
Thanks to everyone who brought down one (or more).
P.S. Another reminder that this was the last Farmers’ Market until January 8th; it’ll be closed the next two Sundays for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Congratulations to the West Seattle Fury for what you could call a three-mendous achievement! “Their parents and families are all very proud of them and it is a proud moment for the West Seattle Soccer Club too,” says team manager Curtis Allan, who shares the story and photos:
The West Seattle Fury youth-soccer team just finished the fall season as league, city, and state champions, a rare recreational “treble” for the local boys’ team.
The Fury are led by head coach Todd Fraser, who started coaching his son Riley‘s coed U6 team back in 2006. The team has changed names a few times since then, but a core group of players has remained together throughout the years. The team is made up of players from all over West Seattle’s varied neighborhoods, but they are united by a common love of playing soccer. Nine of them currently attend Chief Sealth International High School, two each attend West Seattle and O’Dea, one Vashon, one Garfield, two at Denny International Middle School, and one is homeschooled.
The Fury finished the regular season on November 20th alone atop the table with a 9-1 record. It was their first time as uncontested Division Champions.
On Saturday December 17th they beat the McGilvra Marauders 2-0 in Shoreline to win the Seattle Youth Soccer City Tournament. It was their first ever win after finishing 2nd, 3rd, and 5th over the past three years.
Qualification for the Washington State Recreational Cup began in October. The Fury won all of their group stage matches and became District 3 Champions in Tacoma on November 19th.
On December 3rd they hosted the SnoKing Tornados in the quarterfinals, winning 4-0 at Delridge Playfield. Four different boys scored a goal.
On the morning of December 11th they arrived for the Rec Cup festivities at Starfire in Tukwila. With WSSC president Jamie Foulk and VP of players Tom Gass looking on from above, the Fury won their semifinal match 3-0 over the Bremerton Blue Sharks. Omar Barrera had a first half brace, while his brother Jorge added another in the 52nd.
That set up a sunset showdown with two-time state champions and heavy favorites Northshore Goal Rush. Despite going down a goal twice, the Fury battled back each time to tie with goals from forward Omar Barrera. Then in the 65th minute, the ball fell right to the left foot of their youngest player, Sebastian Vargas, who blasted it into the net for a 3-2 lead. Despite an attacking onslaught from the Northshore team over the last 25 minutes, the Fury held on to win the U17 State Championship for West Seattle.
The West Seattle Fury are:
Todd Fraser, head coach
JD Webster, assistant coach
Curtis Allan, team managerFraser Furious 4-3-3
#7 Jake Webster, F (captain)
#2 Omar Barrera Gonzalez, F
#11 Riley Fraser, F
#8 Nico Salazar Brown, F
#5 Gerald Aguila, F/CM
#19 Aidan Ritchie, F/MF
#9 Sebastian Vargas, LM
#6 Jorge Barrera Gonzalez, CM
#16 Shuai Lavielle, RM
#4 Gabriel Barajas Castro, MF
#10 Liam Zaknich, RM/F
#14 Isaac Ajeto, LM/LB
#12 Isaac Renz, FB/CB
#18 Kai Bretl, CB (def. captain)
#17 Noah Webster, CB
#13 Lance Allan Angeles, RB
#15 Logan Webster, LB/LM
#1 Jackson Visser, GK
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