West Seattle, Washington
30 Saturday
Another quick update on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, always the second Saturday in May, which means this year it’s May 13th – 290 sales are now registered, and if you decide to have one too, you have three more days to sign up – registration closes at 11:30 pm Thursday (April 27), to give your WSCGSD coordinators here at WSB enough time to make the map and list so they’re available a week in advance. Sales are happening everywhere – Alki to Arbor Heights, Puget Ridge to South Delridge, as far south as Seola and North Shorewood, as far north as North Admiral. Sellers are promising new stuff, old stuff, name-brand stuff, cheap stuff, big stuff like furniture and appliances, small stuff like jewelry and Legos … The online map will be searchable as usual so if you’re looking for something like “toys” you can search for that term and bring up a list of the sales offering them, for example. So here again are the three key dates:
–APRIL 27: Last day to register a sale
–MAY 6: Map/list available
–MAY 13: Sale day!
Ready to register (be prepared with your up-to-20-words sale description)? Here’s the link!
After last weekend’s work, SDOT says it’s “nearly” done installing the 2-way protected bike lane along an almost-half-mile stretch of West Marginal Way SW north of the Duwamish Longhouse – jersey barriers are up and lane markings are painted. We drove alongside it this afternoon for a closer look:
Reminder signage is in place at driveways not only on the bike-lane side but also on the northbound side of West Marginal, where the pre-existing Duwamish Trail crosses. It’s been more than two years since SDOT proposed the bike lane, eventually deciding to hold off on installation until after the West Seattle Bridge reopened last September.
4:23 PM: Warmer weather brings more road work. SDOT says crews will be working on the shoulder of the westbound West Seattle Bridge for the next three days – Tuesday, April 25th, through Thursday, April 27th – between 7 am and 2 pm each day. The announcement was brief so we have an inquiry out asking what exactly they’ll be doing.
8:44 PM: Just heard back from SDOT: This will be a “lane closure for onsite inspection of the high bridge. We have been doing these inspections since reopening the bridge to make sure the structural behavior of the bridge is in good condition.”
When 36-year-old Brett M. Gitchel appeared in King County Superior Court this morning for arraignment, he also answered to the newly filed charge of second-degree murder in the strangulation death of Leticia Martinez-Cosman. The amended charging documents do not include much new information, but did shine light on why investigators searched the area of Renton where they found her body:
… Brett’s historical cellphone data shows that Brett drove outside of the City of Seattle into remote mountainous regions in King County, including locations along I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass and SE Middle Fork Rd in North Bend, before returning to the Seattle area. Beginning on 04/06/2023, members of Law Enforcement, subsequently assisted by King County Search and Rescue personnel, began to physically search areas of interest for Leticia. Areas of interest were chosen and based upon the actions and locations of Brett Gitchel after Leticia went missing at the Mariners game, as indicated by Brett’s historical cellphone data. One of these areas of search interest was the street of “S 192nd St”, between Talbot Rd S (on the east) and WA-SR-167 (on the west) in the City of Renton. This street was selected because historical cellphone data indicated that Brett was near the far west end of S 192nd St for about 20 minutes on 04/01/2023 at approximately 2230 hours, or about 3 1⁄2 hours before Brett made contact with (Leticia’s son) Patrick.
This location was also of interest because of its lightly populated area, its heavily wooded terrain, its proximity to the location where Brett strangled Patrick hours later, and because records reported that Brett had previously lived in an apartment on this same street.
On 04/11/2023, at about 1204 hours, approximately 10 1⁄2 days after she was last seen alive, the deceased body of
Leticia Martinez-Cosman was discovered during a planned law enforcement search near the far west end of S 192nd
St, on the north side of the road.
The narrative adds:
… The circumstances necessary to have caused Leticia’s death by strangulation is a manifestation of Brett’s extreme indifference to her life and was the ultimate cause of her death. Brett used premeditated intentional lies and deception to lure Patrick into a situation in a vehicle where Patrick would be susceptible to Brett’s strangulation. The facts and evidence of this case supports the conclusion that Brett also used premeditated and intentional lies and deception to lure Leticia into a situation in her vehicle where she would be susceptible to Brett’s persistent strangulation, ultimately resulting in her death.
… Brett Michael Gitchel exhibited injuries consistent with the assault of Patrick Cosman and denied going to the Mariners’ game with Leticia and claimed to not recognize her, until he was shown a photograph of them together that he could not deny. Brett’s statement that Leticia met someone at the end of the game and left with them is also not true based upon the T-Mobile Park video of them leaving together. Brett repeatedly lied to law enforcement in his interview until the point where he could not deny the truth any longer and chose to instead end the interview. Brett is depicted alone in multiple videos with Leticia’s vehicle and at her home after her disappearance. Brett’s historical cellphone data provides evidence to support his involvement in the criminal activity listed above.
A text message string between the phones of Brett Gitchel and Leticia Martinez-Cosman was recovered during the search warrant of Brett’s phone. The exchanged messages confirm that Brett did not know nor have any relationship with Leticia prior to her meeting him at Costco on 03/19/2023 and going to the Mariners game on 03/31/2023. Leticia arranged to meet Brett near the home plate entrance of T-Mobile Park before the game. There is no history or evidence to support that Brett had ever been inside Leticia’s car, or had ever been invited to her home, before their meeting at the Mariners game on 03/31/2023.
The narrative concludes that investigators still have not found any evidence of the victim being alive after leaving the Mariners’ game that night with Gitchel around 10:30 pm. He is now charged with second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree unlawful gun possession, second-degree arson, and first-degree theft, as well as with second-degree burglary in the March 28th West Seattle case. He remains in the King County Jail, bail set at $5,050,000, and his next court date is set for May 15th.
What do you know about Native American issues “Beyond Land Acknowledgment”? That’s the topic on which Patsy Whitefoot, Yakama Nation elder and board member of the National Indian Education Association, will speak when the West Seattle Democratic Women meet this Thursday online. The 11 am April 27th event is already in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, but the WSDW wants to ensure everyone interested knows about this guest speaker, providing “a rare opportunity to hear about tribal issues from the perspective of a Native woman,” in time to make their registration deadline, which is tomorrow. Email Ann Martin at martinhtam (at) gmail.com if you are interested in attending.
(Surf Scoters off Alki, photographed by James Tilley)
Here’s the list for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: Baby Story Time is back, noon-12:30 pm Mondays at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “The Harvey Girls.” Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm, online or at City Hall – here’s the agenda.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
FIRE TACOS’ ANNIVERSARY: 4-9 pm, Fire Tacos on Alki (2738 Alki Ave. SW) is celebrating its first anniversary with 99-cent tacos and live mariachi music.
SOCCER: 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), West Seattle HS hosts Rainier Beach.
SOFTBALL: 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Chief Sealth IHS hosts Lincoln.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.
BASEBALL: 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle): Chief Sealth IHS (12-7) vs. West Seattle HS (17-1).
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three options on Monday nights for playing trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Three reader reports this morning:
STOLEN RED CR-V: From Kerry – “Unfortunately my 1999 red Honda CR-V was stolen again last night between 11:30 pm and 7:50 this morning. The police report incident number: 23-110240. Plate number AOZ7418.” If you see it, you also can text 206-245-8720.” TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Found.
STOLEN PINK BAG WITH SKATING GEAR: From Lily in Morgan Junction:
This morning I found my car (which was parked by my fence) with the passenger window broken and it had clearly been rummaged through.
The only notable thing stolen was a pale pink duffel bag with a pink skating helmet strapped to the outside containing roller derby gear (skates, pads, mouth guard). No idea when it happened, but a neighbor said they’d seen a suspicious truck driving past a few times overnight.
(added 9:54 am) CLOTHING TAKEN: Just received from Madyline in Highland Park:
We have a family member staying with us and her car was robbed last night. She lost a bag of baby clothes and toys, 2 coats (Eddie Bauer- pink, brown & teal color blocked/ old navy black & white) and Steve Madden white platform tennis shoes. If anyone sees any of those things dumped, we would love to get them back to her!
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 24th, starting a week that might finally bring warm weather.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The forecast for today: Cloudy, chance of more rain, high in the upper 50s. (Possibly the 60s by Wednesday, 70s by Friday!) Sunrise 6:04 am, sunset 8:12 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).
Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which adds Friday/Saturday night runs.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking southwestward toward it:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
The second-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop is less than two weeks away, happening Saturday, May 6th. On that day, 93 artists are showing and selling their work at 25 locations around the peninsula, from North Admiral to North Delridge to Arbor Heights, at sites from studios and businesses to yards and other outdoor spaces. Here’s a printable version of the map/list; the interactive online version is here – you can click on locations to preview the featured artists’ work. Art Hop & Shop stops will be open 10 am-5 pm that day.
School fundraising parties are back in full force this year, and we’ve been asked to make sure you know about these two, starting with one looking for community volunteer assistance:
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY VOLUNTEER SEARCH: You can help make this party happen, with some perks:
Gatewood Elementary is holding their annual auction at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Friday, May 5th, 5:30 pm-10 pm. We are looking for volunteers from our community to help out with this year’s event! We specifically need help with facilitating the games during the cocktail hour, recording drink ticket sales, and live auction spotters and recorders. Gatewood auction committee will provide volunteers with a light dinner, soda/water, and our gratitude. Volunteers will also have the option to bid on live auction items. Your participation allows Gatewood parents to relax and enjoy the Auction! Thank you for your consideration! Sign up here.
MADISON BEACHY BULLDOG BASH: This party is happening 6-10 pm next Saturday (April 29) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). The Madison Middle School PTSA says tickets are available here. But also: “Even if you can’t make the event, you can still support our students, staff, and community by bidding on items or making a donation here.” They also have warm words of thanks for private donors and businesses who have already contributed – more than 100 have donated auction items.
Lots of questions about a big police response at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) this past hour. It was reported as a shoplifter turning violent, which turns the incident into a robbery. We just went to the store to find out more. They said no one was seriously hurt. Police took a 17-year-old boy into custody.
82 percent of local voters have NOT sent in their ballots yet for the April 25 special election. You’re asked to help make a $1.25 billion decision, approving or rejecting a countywide levy to fund crisis-care centers. Here’s an info-sheet. As reported in January, it’s a nine-year levy that King County says would “cost approximately $119 per year in 2024 for a median-priced home of $694,000.” Tuesday (April 25th) is the deadline to get your ballot postmarked and into USPS mail, or (by 8 pm) into a dropbox. West Seattle has three: In The Junction on the south side of SW Alaska west of California (with 5-minute parking spots next to it in the lot behind Key Bank), by High Point Library on the south side of SW Raymond just east of 35th SW, and on Puget Ridge in front of the South Seattle College [6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor] administration building. See the full countywide list, including dropboxes in White Center and South Park, here.
(Added, reader photo)
2:31 PM: Avoid the 2200 block of Alki Avenue SW for a while. According to police/fire/dispatch communication, a driver hit a hydrant and that’s sent water over the street, taking it down to one lane. SPD is also being asked to block drivers from using Bonair to go downhill for now.
(Added, WSB photo of knocked-over hydrant)
2:36 PM: Update – SFD has asked SPD to “completely shut down Alki,” from the 1700 block.
2:57 PM: SFD also says it’s asked people to evacuate a building in the 2100 block of Bonair “as a precaution.” Radio communication suggested there’s concern about “erosion” from the rushing water (SFD is reported to have reduced the flow). We’re on our way to the area to try to find out more.
3:12 PM: SFD has closed out of the call. Ongoing communication between SPD and dispatch focuses on who’s going to clean up what an officer described as a “foot of mud … on Bonair and Alki.”
3:18 PM: Our crew just arrived and talked with SPU. Alki Avenue has reopened but Bonair is closed at Alki.
6:35 PM: We went through the area a little while ago and noticed the cleanup is well under way, with several types of city vehicles on site.
Thanks for the tip. If you’re uphill from Lincoln Park, you might have heard the drumming from this gathering – it was audible in Gatewood. Aztec dancers and drummers are gathered in the park this afternoon. We couldn’t get a lot of information (we were interrupting), but we’re told they are there to honor the Earth.
Yet another West Seattle auto theft to report. From Sukie via email:
Our green Honda CR-V (2000 model, license plate AHH9110) was stolen sometime between last night and this morning from in front of our house on SW Austin Street near 35th Ave. If anyone sees it, here is the police incident number: 23-109448.
Call 911 and refer to that case number if you see it.
FRIDAY UPDATE: Sukie says the car was found in White Center, in relatively good shape.
A Celebration of Life is planned May 12th for Dick Warren and Vanetta Warren, who died five days apart after almost 60 years together. Their family is sharing their remembrances together, too. Here is Dick’s:
Richard (Dick) Eddy Warren passed away surrounded by family on Alki Beach the evening of October 29, 2022.
Dick was born in Seattle on 1/2/1932 to parents (Hetty) Margaret Warren (Richards) from Vashon and Eddy Arnold Warren, originally from Manitoba, Canada.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Vanetta Rae Warren (House), just 5 days before.
He is survived by children: Michael, Mark, John, Helen, and Bob; grandchildren: Brian, Michael, Bart, Sarah, Barbara, Erika, Patrick, and Paula; great-grandchildren: Coralie, Oakley, Freya, Tucker, Alessa; and first cousins who were very much like siblings: Fran, Charles (Buzz), Billy Anne, Charlotte, and Emma.
Dick grew up on Vashon Island, frequently visiting his maternal grandparents in Dockton, on Maury Island. Dick bought his first car at age 13 and with it delivered groceries from the Dockton General Store. He also piloted the passenger ferry, Yankee Boy, from Vashon to Tacoma. He became both the LifeGuard and swimming instructor at the Dockton State Park plus starting quarterback for Vashon High School’s football team and graduated in the class of 1949. He was accepted into medical school at the University of Oregon in Eugene but lacked the funds to attend. However, the University of Idaho in Moscow awarded him a 4 year swim team scholarship and together with his ROTC support he completed University there majoring in Civil Engineering. Dick served in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, stationed first at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then later in France dismantling World War II bombs during the Korean War. He met and married his first wife, Maureen and settled in Idaho. In 1955 his eldest son, Mark was born, soon followed by John, Hellen and Bob. Sadly, his marriage did not last and Dick moved back to Seattle in 1963.
A Celebration of Life is planned May 12th for Vanetta Warren and Dick Warren, who died five days apart after almost 60 years together. Their family is sharing their remembrances together, too. Here is Vanetta’s:
Vanetta Rae Warren (House) passed away surrounded by family at her home on Alki Beach the evening of October 24, 2022.
Vanetta was born in Bozeman, Montana 3/24/1934 to parents Edgar (Ed) J. House and Lucile M. House (Johnson). Her parents, older brother Wayne House, and younger brother Bruce (Pinky) House, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Michael; her grandchildren: Ben, Brian, Michael, Bart, Sarah, Barbara, Erika, Paula, and Patrick; great-grandchildren: Coralie, Oakley, Freya, Tucker, and Alessa.
Vanetta left Bozeman with her family at age four and moved to Vashon Island. She grew up on the Island and graduated from Vashon High School. In 1952 she married fellow Vashon native Mitchell (Mike) Plancich. They had one child, Michael (Little Mike). Sadly, their marriage did not last and Vanetta moved to Seattle to secure employment. She worked at a variety of secretarial jobs and studied at night school to become a dental hygienist, a career she followed for the next decade.
In 1964 she met an old high school boyfriend, Richard (Dick) Warren, who was recently divorced and had moved from Idaho back to Seattle. They married in 1965, then moved to central Alaska where they both worked at a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) base in Clear, Alaska. Vanetta worked as the executive secretary for the base director and Dick as an engineer. Vanetta was a good sport and frequently collected both husband and son from their many outdoor adventures in a weatherized four-wheel drive pickup truck. After three-years of careful saving, they moved back to Seattle and bought a small beach cabin on Alki Beach in West Seattle. With Michael’s help they remodeled the beach cabin, building a large back deck with a privacy fence. Vanetta hosted many happy parties with out of town guests sleeping outside on the deck on the waterbed from May through September.
Vanetta continued working and became bookkeeper then later vice president of Air Club International. She followed that career with one as a real estate agent specializing in area condominiums.
Although sad to see the little cabin go, they replaced it with a beautiful new home on the beach, designed by Dick but with features she specifically requested. Vanetta lived in that same location for nearly 54 years, cooking (especially French and Mediterranean cooking with Dick), and entertaining family and their many, many friends. She loved dancing and dining out, the Arcadians’ Dance Club, the West Seattle Book Club (she always enjoyed a good mystery), and playing Bridge with friends. Vanetta and Dick loved to travel and visit friends. Besides spending most Thanksgivings with friends in Hawaii, they traveled to French Polynesia, sailed to Fiji, made multiple trips to the East Coast and Europe (Vanetta especially enjoyed Denmark, France, Italy, and Greece). But, they always returned to their home, where she co-hosted an annual family gathering, ‘Camp Alki.’ She especially enjoyed having her home filled with the laughter of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their dogs, beach fires, salmon bakes, children roasting hot dogs or marshmallows, and just playing on the beach.
Vanetta will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her and especially by her entire family. A Celebration of Life for both Vanetta and her husband, Dick, who sadly passed away just 5 days later, will be held at Salty’s on Alki on May 12, 2023. Please click on this link to RSVP to the Celebration of Life.
(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)
The photo and report are from Tom in Fauntleroy:
My 1998 Toyota 4Runner, silver in color, was stolen overnight, from 8 pm-8:50 am this morning. License number 681 MCR. Stickers in front windshield of yacht club. Near 45th and Director.
Call 911 if you see it. SPD incident # is 23-109374.
(Seen on Saturday’s West Duwamish Greenbelt hike – photo by Troy Sterk)
Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BENEFIT BOOKFAIR: Last day to shop at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and either buy books for the Tilden School (WSB sponsor) library or have part of your purchase go toward the school! More info here.
ONLINE RELIGIOUS SERVICES: We’re still updating the online list – see today’s lineup here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm; the market offers spring produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY PICNIC: Everybody’s welcome at Lincoln Park Shelter 5, 10 am-1 pm. More info on the RSVP page. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
POST-EARTH DAY RESTORATION: Lincoln Park’s forest needs your help year-round, and here’s another chance – dig in with Friends of Lincoln Park 11 am-1 pm today – RSVP ASAP here.
WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD RUMMAGE SALE: 11 am-3 pm, second and final day for this sale benefiting the WCLG’s work supporting library programs. (1409 SW 107th)
(added) BENEFIT WORKOUT: Anita is leading a workout at West Seattle Health Club (28th/Yancy) at noon to raise money for Neighborhood House (here’s the donation page).
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (& MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Monthly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. This month’s topic: “Wuthering Heights” (1847) by Emily Brontë (initially published under her pen name Ellis Bell). More info in our calendar listing.
END THE WEEKEND PEACEFULLY: Inner Alchemy offers Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Breath Work, and Gong Bath from 7-8:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). RSVP/fee info is in our calendar listing.
TIM’S TAVERN: 6 pm doors, 7 pm show at the new Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th), country/western tunes with The Ambaum Dukes. More info here.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Police are in south Highland Park investigating a reported home-invasion robbery. The victim called 911 to say someone broke into her home near 14th/Henderson and robbed her, getting away with, among other things, her vehicle. It’s described as a 2008 silver Chevy Silverado. The robber was described only as male, 5-10, thin to medium build, in a black mask, not anyone the victim knew. That’s all we’ve heard so far. (added) If you have any information, the incident number for this is 23-109133.
ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: Police finally released this: “On 4-24-2023 at 0103 hours, police responded to the 1400 block of SW Henderson on a home invasion robbery. The victim was asleep when she was awoken by the suspect who assaulted her, then stole her purse, keys, and vehicle. The suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle prior to police arrival and was not located.” The SFD log shows an engine was dispatched on a low-level response, so it appears the injuries were not major.
At the end of an epic Record Store Day at Easy Street Records in The Junction, the grand finale was an all-star performance, first time in a long time that The Rockfords took the stage. Here’s how they’re explained in Easy Street’s latest newsletter:
The Rockfords could be called a Seattle supergroup, but the band was actually a reunion; Chris Friel and Danny Newcomb of the band Goodness and Rick Friel of Jody Watts were in a band called Shadow with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam during the mid-’80s; in the late ’90s they re-formed and added Goodness vocalist Carrie Akre under the name The Rockfords (named after McCready’s favorite TV show The Rockford Files).
The group’s self-titled LP and bonus EP were among today’s Record Store Day releases. We recorded a bit of video during their sound check:
(Our photographer had to bolt after that because of breaking news on the other side of Walk-All-Ways.)
Many trees were planted coast to coast in honor of Earth Day. But this one had extra meaning. On Friday, Providence Mount St. Vincent planted a Japanese maple to mark the conclusion of Volunteer Appreciation Week. Both volunteers and staff pitched in to get the tree planted. The Mount’s new chaplain Peter Min also offered a blessing for the volunteers.
The new tree is by the southeast corner of the main building, not far from the front entrance.
(Mayor’s Office photo)
Southwest Pool in West Seattle is expected to be part of a program announced by Mayor Bruce Harrell today. Registration will open May 16th for Swim Seattle, described as “a new drowning-prevention and youth aquatics initiative.” Here’s the city news release, sent following a launch event at Rainier Beach Pool:
Swim Seattle is a new initiative that will combine the efforts of YMCA, Public Health—Seattle & King County, Associated Recreation Council, Washington State Parks, No More Under, Seattle Children’s, and the University of Washington to remove barriers to learning to swim and to eradicate disproportionate drownings among youth of color.
In 2023, Swim Seattle will begin as a pilot by providing a year of free lessons to a cohort of 250 youth, prioritizing access to those who cannot afford lessons, while also providing workshops to support children and their families in becoming comfortable swimmers and water safe.
“Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is an important lesson that will serve them for years to come,” said Mayor Harrell. “For far too long, lack of access to swim lessons and water safety education has put children and families of color at a disproportionate risk of drowning. Swim Seattle will address these disparities by offering free lessons to the children who need them most, removing the barriers that have prevented many youth and families from accessing swim lessons and offering culturally responsive workshops so they have the tools they need to stay safe in and around the water. Programs like this will help every child, from every neighborhood, access opportunities to learn and grow, promising a safer future for our entire city.”
“Swim Seattle is a promise that, together with our partners, and any interested investor to come, the Department of Parks and Recreation will not stop until we can eradicate the barriers to learning to swim and erase the needless risk and harm to our children. While we are starting small, with phased and implemented pilot programs to study effective outcomes, we know a program like Swim Seattle cannot wait, and drowning disparity data amongst white children and children of color implores us to act now. Swimming is an essential life skill that must be taught to all children, and Swim Seattle will ensure that all those living in a city surrounded by water can enjoy that water safely,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.
“Water safety is a critical part of childhood development,” said Loria Yeadon, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. “Unfortunately, many historical and generational barriers prevent children (especially children of color) from accessing swimming lessons, including cultural barriers, systemic inequalities, and lack of transportation. We still feel the effects of those barriers today. At the Y, we are breaking barriers to swim safety and fun by offering programs designed to make swim lessons accessible, affordable, and culturally responsive. Water safety is for all and our collective responsibility, and we are excited to join the Swim Seattle collaboration to ensure that every child learns how to swim and stay safe around the water.”
“Water safety is a fundamental life skill that every child should have the opportunity to learn. Swim Seattle is doing its part to ensure that children in our community have access to quality swim lessons, regardless of their financial circumstances. By working together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to swim safely and confidently in our state’s beautiful bodies of water,” said Chezik Tsunoda, Executive Director of No More Under.
“We all have some connection to the dangers of drowning. And we all can help improve this devastating problem. Numbers show that water safety is a critical public health and public safety issue. Swim Seattle invests in our children’s futures and will save lives in the long run,” said Tony Gomez, Manager of Injury Prevention for Public Health-Seattle & King County and one of the co-leads for the Washington State Drowning Prevention Network.
Registration for the first cohort will begin May 16, online, in-person at Seattle pools, and via phone (206-684-8020). Lessons will begin in summer 2023 at pools throughout the city, and workshops for families will be monthly on topics such as skincare and haircare when swimming, addressing fears of water, and water safety practices.
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