West Seattle, Washington
24 Friday
More champions to congratulate! This time, from West Seattle Baseball. First, Pat Galvin shares the report and photo of the Performance Radiator U10 Mustang championship win:
Entering the championship game through the losers’ bracket by winning 5 games in a row, PR won the first game Saturday vs West Seattle Design Build 6-5. That forced a second game. PR was up in the second game, 12-8 in the bottom of the 6th inning; PR allowed WSDB to creep back into the game, making it exciting, but ultimately holding on for a 12-11 victory with the winning run in scoring position.
Front Row: Will Skibitzke, Matthew Hein, Jack Henzke, Marc Christianson Jr, Jason Mai
Middle Row: Adrian Shields Jr., John Langen, Patrick Galvin Jr. Jayven Pham, Brendan Johnson
Back Row: Adrian Shields, Pat Galvin (Manager), Derek Johnson
And from Erik Ricard:
Over in the 8U Pinto Division, Windermere outlasted Husky Deli to win 4-1. Both teams played near-flawless defense with spectacular plays in a game that was tied 0-0 after four innings.
Front Row: Sam Krische, Chase Valdez, Liam Baier, Ford Rains, Brady Murphy, Alex Calvano
Second Row: Quinn Bundy, Ezra Jones, Bridger Kyle, Ollie Ricard, Miguel Rosario-Contratto, Nathan Murphy
Back Row: Tony Rosario, Chad Bundy, Erik Ricard (manager), Dan Krische
(WSB photos from 2014 Delridge Day)
Two months until the 2015 edition of Delridge Day – 11 am-3 pm Saturday, August 8th, at Delridge Community Center/Park, presented by VieWS (Visualizing Increased Engagement in West Seattle), with co-sponsors including WSB. This year, look for the return of the skating competition – a natural feature, given that Delridge Skatepark is right there – family fun, food trucks, and more.
Read on for the full news release:
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The video was recorded around 4:30 pm today by Kevin Freitas as he rode westbound on the Alki Trail, coming off the “low bridge.” The “Shell No” protesters have been gathering at the cul-de-sac in Riverside from which you can access the trail on foot or bicycle, and heading northwest toward Terminal 5. They’re also expected at tomorrow afternoon’s 1 pm Port Commission meeting on the downtown waterfront. This afternoon’s demonstration appears to be ending as we write this; the five-corners traffic camera shows the bicycle officers heading back eastbound onto the trail:
Tomorrow morning at 9 am, the City Council – meeting as the Select Committee on Transportation Funding – takes another look at the revised transportation levy destined for this November’s ballot. Councilmembers are proposing a variety of amendments, and we’ve found at least two that include West Seattle-specific language:
*Under the section proposing spending $35 million for “transit corridor improvements,” Councilmember Tom Rasmussen – who chairs the transportation-funding committee – proposes adding the language “including planning for access and egress improvements to the West Seattle peninsula.” See it on page 6 of his amendment:
Rasmussen also has a separate amendment that redefines the “core categories” in which the levy would seek to make “transportation improvements” – instead of “safety … interconnectivity … vibrancy … and repair,” his categories would be “safe routes, “congestion relief,” “maintenance and repair.”
*Under the “Safe Routes to School” section, Councilmember Tim Burgess proposes adding language mentioning two West Seattle elementaries while requiring that SDOT “Complete projects within the first three years of the Levy in walk zones of the following schools that have high levels of poverty: Bailey Gatzert, Martin Luther King, Jr., West Seattle, Dunlap, Dearborn Park, Wing Luke, Northgate, Van Asselt & Wing Luke, Emerson, Concord, Rainier View, Roxhill.” See it on page 4 of his amendment:
The committee meeting taking up these and other proposed changes to the now-$930 million levy intended for the November ballot starts at 9 am tomorrow at City Hall; you’ll be able to watch live on Seattle Channel (cable channel 21 or online at seattlechannel.org). As for your role in the process – more amendments, discussions, public-comment opportunities are ahead before the ballot language has to be finalized in August.
3:47 PM: Seattle Fire has a big callout going to a house in the 8600 block of 13th SW (near SW Trenton). The first units on the scene report seeing “light smoke.” More to come.
3:51 PM: Via scanner, this has just been confirmed as a kitchen fire, “food on the stove.” Lots of smoke in the house, though. Most SFD units are being canceled.
“What can the very young and the very old offer each other, if given the chance?” That’s one of the questions you’ll see asked in the trailer above for a documentary focused on West Seattle’s acclaimed Intergenerational Learning Center at Providence Mount St. Vincent. The film, “Present Perfect,” is almost complete; it’s been two years in the making and now filmmaker Evan Briggs is in post-production. As is often the case for noncommercial creations, she could use a little help getting to the finish line, and so a Kickstarter campaign is in progress. Briggs explains on her film’s website:
Up until now, this entire project has been a labor of love, funded entirely out of my own pocket. I invested in new camera and audio equipment so that I could function as a one-woman crew, I paid babysitters to watch my kids so that I could shoot three times a week for the entire school year, and I’ve spent countless hours applying for grants and pitching this film to as many people as possible. I’ve gladly taken all of this on because of how strongly I believe in the power of this story and its potential impact. And while I will continue to work uncompensated hours on this project, I do need funding to pay the professionals who can help me take it to the next level.
The ILC serves kids six weeks to 5 years of age – and of course, those ageless Mount residents, too. Thanks to everyone who messaged us to suggest sharing the news about “Present Perfect.”
One more round of good news on this sunny afternoon: Congratulations to Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s baseball team for winning the CYO championship!
The 7th / 8th grade boys win in convincing fashion over St. Al / John of Ballard/ Greenwood area to take the CYO American League crown. The win on Sunday makes 3 years in a row as CYO champions. Many of these boys will be moving on to high school next year, playing for WS, Vashon, O’Dea and Kennedy Catholic high schools next year; I’m sure we will be reading about their continued baseball achievements in years to come.
Back Row: Coach Peter, Nathan Smith, Luke Kramer, Jake Jonson, Aaron Barber, Ben Patacsil, Isaac Renz, Jaiden Harrington, Coach Jon
Front Row: Isaac Ajeto, Matthew Morin, Cristian Eastey, Kellen Carr, Wyatt Henry, Ryan Shimizu
Not Pictured: Chase Gaither, Caitlin Manning
Congratulations to the team, and thanks to Jon Morin (who is also proprietor of longtime WSB sponsor West Seattle Design Build) for the report and photo!
Congratulations to the teams who won the West Seattle Little League championships over the weekend!
The WSLL Majors’ champs are the Coyotes. Thanks to Kathleen Lonergan for sending the photo taken by Jim Burgess:
Back Row: Brendan Smolinski, Jack Velling, Spencer Burgess, Max Debiec
Front Row: Chase Eldridge, Will Cell, James Triol, Ciaran O’Rourke, Michael Bennett, Cole Kirkland, Trace Taft
Head coach Stan Debiec is in the back row on the right.
We covered a highlight of the Coyotes’ championship season back in March – when Max threw a perfect game. Kathleen says they ended with a 15-3 record, final score in the championship game 11-1 against the Cubs, and will represent West Seattle in the Tournament of Champions in Des Moines starting Friday.
The WSLL Minors’ champs are the Quakes:
They beat the Jays 9-5 on Sunday. Thanks to Kristen Joy for sharing the photo.
Back Row: Coach Otis Moore, Coach Sean Smith, Coach Brian Sherick
Middle Row: Andy Hoff, Robbie Foisey, Gabe Borges, Carter Joy, Colin Claxton, Joe Sherick
Front Row: Gage Smith, Aidan Brannon, Eamon Mohrbacher, Brock Moore, CJ Guzek, Myles Mutchler
(WSB photo)
This Wednesday night, the retirement celebration for former longtime Senior Center of West Seattle executive director Karen Sisson will include a re-dedication of the Senior Center’s California/Oregon home as the Sisson Building. Thanks to Nancy Sorensen from the SCWS board for letting us know the new name is already on the building; we took the photo this morning. Later this afternoon, she says, the City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen declaring Wednesday “Karen Sisson Day.” The celebration that night is open to all, 5-8 pm at the center, with County Executive Dow Constantine leading a short program at 7 pm.
(WSB photo overlooking Fauntleroy ferry dock, taken before this morning’s fog receded)
Happy Monday! Looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight:
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 1:30-3 pm, it’s the twice-monthly meeting of this group in the east dining room at Providence Mount St. Vincent – info in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)
WATCHING THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: The Bridge in Morgan Junction says it’ll be showing every match; at 4:30 pm today, the US takes on Australia. (California/Graham)
EVENING BOOK GROUPS: Both meet at 6:45 pm, all welcome. At Southwest Library (35th/Henderson), they’re reading “A Happy Marriage” by Rafael Yglesias; at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (4306 42nd SW), they’re reading “Out of Egypt” by Andre Aciman.
NO NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING: NDNC has canceled tonight’s monthly meeting, in part because of the following event:
MEET THE CANDIDATES: As previewed here again over the weekend, the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council will host a candidates’ forum tonight – primarily for City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) candidates, though we’re told some others might be there – “candi-dating” style, which means you’ll be at a table and candidates will circulate between tables. All welcome, 7 pm, Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria. (1901 SW Genesee)
(Added 10:26 am: Thanks to Cindi for the photo!)
Thanks to Joseph for the tip that an aircraft carrier is visible off West Seattle right now, heading out of Rich Passage. According to the Kitsap Sun (via Twitter), it’s the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), though they apparently (unlike most departures) did not have advance word. It’s been back in Bremerton less than a month, following six weeks of training at sea.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:45 AM: Good morning! The new week is off and running. Notes and reminders:
NEW METRO SCHEDULE: Changes, additions, and restorations took effect on Saturday. (Here again is our list of the key West Seattle points.)
47TH/ADMIRAL SIGNAL, FINAL PHASE: Could start as soon as today, per SDOT’s announcement last week; we’ll be checking.
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT SATURDAY: Road closures on Highway 99 as part of the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon. Northbound 99 is set to be closed 5 am-3:30 pm from S. Hudson (which is south of the West Seattle Bridge) to Roy St. (lower Queen Anne) – here’s the full list of closures.
7:33 AM: As the “Shell No” group had demonstrated at Marginal/Spokane again on Saturday and mentioned plans for today on its website, we just went by to check – nobody in view as of 7:30 am. Another note: Fog on the water, and we just heard a foghorn sounding from the Fauntleroy ferry dock vicinity, so if you’re traveling by water this morning, might be some effects.
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
ALKI ROBBERY REPORTS: No details on these yet – weekend information is almost impossible to get from SPD and we haven’t heard directly from anyone involved – but two street robberies have been reported in Alki in the past two nights, according to SPD auto-tweets: Just before 9 tonight in the 2700 block of Alki (which might explain the sirens we’ve been asked about by several people – until now, we’d only heard of a medic response in the area too, don’t know if it was related), and one around 10 last night in the 5800 block of SW Lander (near Whale Tail Park). We’ll be pursuing the reports tomorrow.
ALSO IN ALKI – STOLEN BICYCLE: A silver Specialized #24 bicycle was stolen from Alki Elementary earlier this evening, according to a text from its owner’s parent, who described the thief as “teenager, skinny, buzz cut, white male.” If you see one abandoned, please let police know, and comment here.
THEFT AT WESTWOOD TARGET: Just in from Mary, via e-mail:
I know this is a long shot, but this morning I was shopping at Target at Westwood and while my back was turned, someone took my rectangular lime green purse/wallet out of my cart. My keys were attached to it, on a purple carabiner clip, with a Lego R2D2 keychain and a Lego Darth Vader keychain. I was left with no way to pay for my groceries and no way to get into my car to get home!
All the cards in it have been cancelled (as far as I know) and there is nothing of much value there, but if someone should flip through it and then throw it on the ground somewhere at Westwood or in the area, it would bring me a great deal of peace of mind to have whatever’s left of it back – especially my keys, since the keys were attached to my purse and ID, I’m going to have to change the locks at my house, and I don’t even know what to do about my cars, which will remain parked at the address that is easily accessible from my purse. I think it will be days before I can sleep at night.
Please let police know *and* comment here if you’ve seen what Mary’s missing.
This morning, David texted us about new public-service announcements on Metro buses, saying they were loud, annoying, and too frequent. Looking around the infosphere today, we saw this mentioned by others, especially via Twitter. And now – a text from Metro itself, pointing to its online post saying they’re being scrapped:
Boy, did we hear from riders this weekend! We tried out three new on-board public service announcements to improve safety on Metro buses, but it sure didn’t turn out the way we hoped or expected. …
What is NOT being scrapped – the new additions and restorations to Metro service – tomorrow will be the first weekday since they’ve taken effect, so be sure you plan your trip with that in mind. (Here again is our West Seattle overview.)
By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The Family Learning Program, a West Seattle organization dedicated to providing “classes, clubs, and community for homeschooling families,” marked the end of its fourth academic year with its annual “Summer Send-Off” Friday at Southwest Teen Life Center in Westwood.
In addition to the program’s usual course schedule, program participants were invited to participate in a potluck luncheon and “fun zone” activities, including a variety of field-game races. Additionally, the FLP steering committee used the occasion to conduct the program’s inaugural scholarship fundraiser, raising $1,600 through a silent auction.
When the program launched in 2011 at what was then the Southwest Community Center, with which it partners in presenting the program, 25 families were participating, mostly from the West Seattle community it was created to serve. Of the nearly 80 families in the recently concluded session, some traveled from as far as Shoreline and Tacoma.
“When we founded this, there was no community for a diverse variety of homeschooling philosophies in West Seattle,” says Kathleen Lonergan, one of the program’s founders. “That is what we wanted to be.“
If you haven’t gone to a candidate forum yet in the first-ever City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) race yet – maybe you don’t just want to sit down and listen to people answering questions from a table up at the front of the room – tomorrow night’s event in Pigeon Point might be for you. The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council has invited the candidates over for a round of “candi-dating” – circulating from table to table, so you and your tablemates get to talk with one candidate at a time. That’s at 7 pm Monday (June 8th), Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria (1901 SW Genesee), all welcome. The primary election is August 4th, so the start of voting is only about six weeks away.
Last night at the annual Pacific Northwest Emmy Awards ceremony, “Diver Laura” James and her colleagues on that 2014 KCTS report about the sea-star die-off won! Laura shared this photo of herself with her newest Emmy:
“Solving the Mystery of Dying Starfish” also brought Emmys to producer Katie Campbell and editor Michael Werner. The full list of this year’s regional Emmy Award recipients is here.
3:55 PM: Third big fire response of the day, this time to a 2-story apartment building in the 8800 block of Delridge Way SW (near Trenton). The first units on the scene aren’t seeing anything so far. More to come.
3:58 PM: Most of the units are being canceled after firefighters found this to be a case of “food on the stove,” saying the resulting kitchen fire is out.
4:04 PM: Our crew says one unit is left at the scene, and traffic along Delridge is not affected.
(WSB photos)
A midday call today sent us over for a look at the South Park Bridge, where someone wondered what was being hung off its west side. The photos show what we found – another installation for the Duwamish Revealed art project we’ve been covering recently. This is “Cultivate: A River Tapestry,” described as follows on the DR website: “A colorful installation made of recycled materials, Cultivate represents the river’s rebirth and has been created with assistance by community volunteers.”
The artist is Catherine Grisez; the installation even has its own Facebook page. We published an overview of Duwamish Revealed last weekend, after checking out one installation at West Seattle’s Jack Block Park, and also stopped by the Friday night opening at and around its biggest creation, the “Estuary” arrangement of cargo containers. You can explore the locations and creations all summer; they stretch from West Seattle to Tukwila, as shown on this clickable map with pop-up descriptions.
(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Kimberly Newlove)
More summer-ish weather on the way today! So we’re starting with:
STAYING COOL – SPRAYPARK & PUBLIC POOLS: First, a reminder that city-run wading pools are NOT open yet – still a few weeks away. Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) *is* open every day, 11 am-8 pm. Our area’s only public outdoor swimming pool, city-run Colman Pool in Lincoln Park, is open for another pre-season weekend day today, noon-7 pm (schedule here). And indoor city-run Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle) has sessions between 11 am and 6 pm today (schedule here).
Here’s what else is up:
FINAL IN-THE-LOT FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, as noted here last night, it’s the final West Seattle Farmers’ Market in the longtime parking lot location at 44th/Alaska – starting NEXT Sunday (June 14th), the market moves out into California SW between Oregon and Alaska.
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: 10 am at Fairmount Park. (Fauntleroy/Brandon)
SOCCER SEASON FINALE: Last Sunday afternoon of games all over the peninsula for the West Seattle Soccer Club‘s Champions League season.
BEACH NATURALISTS: Today’s low tide isn’t all that low – -1.0 feet at 3:04 pm – but low enough that Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 1:45-4:15 pm.
CHORAL CONCERT: 3 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, enjoy the West Seattle-based Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club‘s spring concert. (California/Hill)
FIVE BUCK BAND: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
VISITING FROM RUSSIA: 5 pm at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood, the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble performs.
PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD … via our calendar! (And if you have an event coming up that you think belongs on it – please send us the info, plain text in the body of your e-mail, at least a week in advance – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!)
(WSB photos)
4:59 AM: Now there’s a second major fire call: This time, to an apartment building at 3000 SW Avalon Way (map). “Heavy smoke” reported on the first floor; they’re closing Avalon. Updates to come.
5:04 AM: Via scanner, we heard fire crews saying they’ve “pulled a burning five-gallon bucket” out of the building and are slowing down the rest of the response.
5:07 AM: This fire is reported to be under control and firefighters are working on building ventilation, one floor at a time.
5:18 AM: Scanner: This is being described as “suspicious.” An investigator’s on the way.
5:20 AM: They’re calling this fire “tapped.” Also: This is a condominium building, NOT apartments – City View West Condominiums, to be specific. 16-unit building.
5:24 AM: No word of any injuries here, either. Some SFD units are being canceled. The incident commander confirms it’s being investigated as “suspicious” and says the materials that originated the fire were found in a stairwell.
5:36 AM: SFD confirms no one was hurt.
7:46 AM: In the photo above are SPD arson investigators who were called out to help look into the cause.
(WSB photos)
4:40 AM: Big Seattle Fire response on the way to a possible house fire in the 3100 block of SW 103rd. More to come.
4:46 AM UPDATE: The first crews on scene are reporting this to be an attic/vent fire. They say the person who was home got out OK. Some of the units that were dispatched are being canceled.
4:55 AM UPDATE: Our crew on the scene reports “obvious smoke” and firefighters ventilating the roof.
5:02 AM UPDATE: Our crew says this is believed to be an electrical fire. No injuries reported. Not major. We’ll continue monitoring via scanner as they move on to another West Seattle fire.
5:04 AM UPDATE: The address of this fire has been updated to the 10200 block of 31st SW (updated map here). No injuries reported.
5:27 AM UPDATE: Talking to a supervisor at the aforementioned other (unrelated but almost concurrent) fire scene, we got confirmation this was a wiring fire – (added) apparently the old power meter overheated.
(MORE INFO ADDED Sunday night – scroll down)
Start of the swim. pic.twitter.com/pzM6pe6GkS
— Andrew Malinak (@AndrewSwims) June 6, 2015
That’s how Andrew Malinak began his almost-19-mile swim from Tacoma to West Seattle today – something only one other person was known to have done before – and late this afternoon, he confirmed via Twitter, he made it! Here’s the MarineTraffic.com track of his escort boat:
We previewed his “Return of Bert Thomas” swim here earlier this week; Thomas swam the route southbound in 1956. Malinak says he hopes to emulate Thomas in one other feat later this year, swimming the Strait of Juan de Fuca, something he tried two years ago.
P.S. After arriving at Lincoln Park, Malinak told us via Twitter, the first thing he did was go “down the water slide at Colman Pool”!
P.P.S. If you’re a geek about details, as we are, check out the 24-page plan for today’s swim.
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Some followup info we’ve obtained from Malinak (who is 28, in case you were wondering): It took 8 hours and 42 minutes, 8:43 am to 5:25 pm. “The whole day went amazingly well: with an on-time departure (2 minutes early), an amazing crew, great weather with sun and lighter-than-forecast winds, a lack of curious orcas, and a route that matched perfectly with the predictions.” Before he tries swimming the Strait in mid-September, he plans to do something he says no one’s done yet – a solo swim around Bainbridge Island.
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