READER REPORT: Two early morning Honey Bucket fires

(Reader photo)

SUNDAY REPORT: Early today, two portable restrooms were burned in fires less than a mile apart, both around 5 am. We found out about this from Greta, who lives near the one off the alley on the west side of the 3400 block of California (top photo shows the aftermath):

I’m wanting to report this to you primarily to focus on safety. There is construction happening at the home next door to us. The house is vacant and they have a Honey Bucket on site for workers. This is what was set alight. There was no lock on the door. The other fire on 51st and Dakota was also a sanican set alight. Someone is doing this in our neighborhood. Terrifying fact really.

I awoke to the noise of crackling. Then my sniffer caught the smell of the smoke. I immediately got out of bed to look out the adjoining bedroom window and there it was. A fire was burning with an unbelievable pace. The flames were at least 8ft tall. Part of the fence that was behind the Honey Bucket was already gone. Our neighbors truck with the gas tank facing the fire was parked only 2 feet from this! Incredibly it didn’t catch fire, just bubbled the paint and the plastic of the taillights. I woke my husband up immediately and called 911. The fire department was here in under 5 minutes! My husband in a flash was outside trying fast to hook back up the hose. Unfortunately from us leaving it outside there was a hole in it. We used it anyway on the fire. me holding the tightest grip over the hole, while my husband Jeff faced the flames. Very scary for what could have been an awful outcome. We are safe, the neighbors are safe, and my many thanks to our incredible Seattle firefighters. It made me quite emotional after they put the fire out and watching them drive away. Also very thankful that it started to rain. They were incredible and are incredible. I have a huge admiration for them!

So this may want to be posted for future safety in our community. There is a possible arson here. … I think it’s important to lock up these sanicans, so that this sort of thing doesn’t happen. Fires spread fast! I’m so thankful that it wasn’t next to the house!

We went out looking for the 51st/Dakota scene and found this on 51st just north of Dakota:

We have an inquiry out to SFD but haven’t heard back and at this point don’t expect to hear back until tomorrow, so we don’t have any information yet on the investigation. (There is a police report logged for the California alley fire – 24-039339.) We’ll also be asking if there’s any suspicion these are related to two fires one week ago, including one that damaged a vacant house near 36th/Oregon and was determined to have been deliberately set.

MONDAY UPDATE: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us, “Our investigators consulted with crews that responded to both incidents and ruled the cause of both fires as undetermined.”

WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 10 super readers’ pics

In the WSB tradition of featuring readers’ bird photos on some football-centered Sunday afternoons, we’re presenting 10 of the most recent we’ve received. Above, Cedar Waxwings photographed in Gatewood by Darwin Nordin; below, a closer look at one Cedar Waxwing, by Erin Jackson:

Two from Mark MacDonald – a Golden-crowned Kinglet at Lincoln Park:

And a Common Merganser on Alki:

Steve Bender photographed this Belted Kingfisher at Jack Block Park:

That’s where an anonymous contributor saw this soaring Bald Eagle:

Back on the ground, here’s a Mourning Dove from Jon Anderson:

From Theresa Arbow-O’Connor:

The latest pic of West Seattle’s roaming Guinea Fowl is from Gabe:

And in the tradition of some calling this SuperbOwl Sunday – a Barred Owl at Lincoln Park, from Jamie Kinney:

A super-size thanks to everyone who shares bird photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best place to send us pics (unless it’s breaking news – that, you can text to our hotline, 206-293-6302) – thank you!

CITY COUNCIL: Here’s what we learned at first Transportation Committee meeting chaired by D-1 Councilmember Rob Saka

The new-era City Council‘s first committee meeting happened this past week, when the Transportation Committee – chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka – convened on Tuesday morning. Before the meeting moved into public comment and presentations, Saka said his focuses will be on “preserving and maintaining our infrastructure, with a heavy focus on bridges and streets, in hopes, he said, no other community has to go through anything like the 2 1/2-year West Seattle Bridge closure. He said his other priorities will be the “safety and comfort of pedestrians,” improved transit-rider experience, climate-related issues (particularly increased electrification of transportation), equity, and the size/scope of the next transportation-funding measure.

Of the two introductory presentations made by SDOT, the one of widest interest was an explanation of the department itself, led by director Greg Spotts, who noted he’s had the job for 17 months now. Spotts said he’d done some reorganizing of SDOT management to better handle priorities. For example, toward Saka’s top priority, Spotts said Elizabeth Sheldon serves as chief infrastructure engineer. Venu Nemani, previously chief traffic engineer, is chief transportation safety officer. Shortly after arriving, Spotts noted, he’d ordered a “top to bottom” review of Vision Zero – in light of the fact that traffic deaths and serious injuries were not declining – and he said there’ll be an implementation plan in the next several months. (As an aside, he said he does not own a car.) He talked about the Seattle Transportation Plan, pulling together many separate predecessors (bicycle plan, freight plan, transit plan, etc.), and said upcoming documents will include a Bridge Asset Management Plan. He briefly ran through some of what is on SDOT’s schedule for the year ahead, including bridge seismic upgrades (in West Seattle that includes the Delridge/Oregon overpass and the Admiral Way bridges over Fairmount Ravine).

His presentation included many stats – from 500 cameras in the traffic-control center downtown, to 14,000 openings per year for the city-owned movable bridges, including the West Seattle low bridge. (Spotts noted that shipments requiring those openings include a lot of food destined for Alaska.) Another stat of interest: There are about half a million street parking spaces in the city, but “we only charge for about 12,000 of them.”

One more note of West Seattle interest – Spotts briefly mentioned the city’s involvement with Sound Transit for the West Seattle and Ballard extensions. That group, he said, also reports to Sheldon, the chief infrastructure engineer.

The presentation also touched on the SDOT budget and the “83 sources of funding” that feed into it, “more than most city departments.”

Eventually Saka brought it back to his interest in pothole-filling as a symbol of what the city can do for its residents; not only does he want to be “the king of potholes,” but he also declared his fellow committee members “pothole royalty” too, though in a more serious vein, he suggested the “underlying causes” of potholes should be examined and addressed too.

You can watch the meeting in the Seattle Channel video above, and see the “introduction to SDOT” slides here. In addition to chairing the Transportation Committee, Councilmember Saka is vice chair of the Public Safety Committee, which will meet at 9:30 am Tuesday (February 13) for the first time this year; as we previously noted, all three of the city’s public-safety chiefs (CARE’s Amy Smith, SFD’s Harold Scoggins, SPD’s Adrian Diaz) are on the agenda to provide overviews of their departments.

READER REPORT: Found bicycle, ‘LJ’s Taxi’

February 11, 2024 2:42 pm
|    Comments Off on READER REPORT: Found bicycle, ‘LJ’s Taxi’
 |   Found bicycles | West Seattle news

Via text:

Found on 26th Ave SW just south of Roxbury. “LJ’s Taxi” is painted on the side. Do you think you can help LJ get their bike back?

Yours? Or, know the owner? Let us know.

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Big dance before Big Game

February 11, 2024 1:18 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Big dance before Big Game
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Big turnout this morning for the first-ever Family Disco Party, to benefit West Seattle Cooperative Preschools and to give families some fun together time before all eyes turn to the Super Bowl. Spinning the tunes for the hourlong party in South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center was DJ Baby Van Beezly – herself a coop-preschool parent:

Party proceeds will support coop preschool scholarships and parent-education programming,

COUNTDOWN: Three months until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024!

We’re now exactly three months away from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024 – WSCGSD is always on the second Saturday in May, and that’s May 11 this year. WSCGSD is not one big sale, but many sales large and small all over the peninsula, in garages and yards and courtyards and community rooms and schools and businesses and driveways and … It’s the one annual event we coordinate, dating back to 2008 (three years after it was founded by a nonprofit in the spirit of increasing community connection). We’re planning to open registration for the official WSCGSD map on April 1, so if you’re thinking of having a sale, watch for that announcement. (Here’s our coverage of last year’s WSCGSD.)

Family Disco Party, free pre-Mardi Gras lunch/concert, more for your West Seattle Sunday

February 11, 2024 6:16 am
|    Comments Off on Family Disco Party, free pre-Mardi Gras lunch/concert, more for your West Seattle Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Traffic camera at California/Alaska)

It’s that one day of the year when one football game gets massive attention. But there’s more happening today than football, commercials, snacks, and drinks. Here’s what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at 9 am at rotating locations – today it’s Natalie’s on Alki (2532 Alki SW).

FAMILY DISCO PARTY: Be part of the first-ever all-ages Family Disco Party presented by West Seattle Cooperative Preschools, with a DJ and (foam) glow sticks! 10 am-11 am at Brockey Center on the south end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. The aim is to “get the wiggles out before The Big Game,” organizers say. $10 per person 1 year old and up – tickets available online. Campus café open before, during, and after for coffee and treats!

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering winter vegetables and fruit as well as cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need to borrow something for a home project? Visit the WSTL 11 am-4 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)

FREE ‘FAT SUNDAY’ LUNCH AND CONCERT: Don’t wait until Tuesday to celebrate – Admiral Church invites you over for a free New Orleans-style lunch and jazz concert, starting at 11:30 am. (4320 SW Hill)

‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Second matinee for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm – tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: See and hear the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.

Planning something that belongs on our calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys tip off district play by snapping opponents’ big streak

February 11, 2024 1:34 am
|    Comments Off on BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys tip off district play by snapping opponents’ big streak
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

By the numbers, Roosevelt HS looked to be a formidable opponent for the West Seattle High School boys’ district debut – undefeated in Metro League play, and with an 8-game winning streak overall. Instead, the Wildcats sent the visiting Rough Riders home Friday night with a 21-point loss, 83-62. WSHS #23, senior Pawlose Aschalew (top photo), owned the night with 27 points, starting with a 3-pointer half a minute in (first of his four 3’s). Next-highest point total for WSHS was #0, junior Alex Pierce:

Third was #2, sophomore Sully Janiwade, with 14:

Head coach Dan Kriley‘s Wildcats led throughout the game, but only really opened it up toward the end.

At the half, WSHS was up 35-29, and then throughout the second half, Roosevelt’s cold shooting and WSHS’s superior rebounding enabled them to just keep building until it was too late for an adequate comeback challenge. About half their winning margin came from foul shot in the last few minutes, plus a triumphant dunk by Pierce that capped it off. Next up for the Wildcats as the postseason continues is Bellevue HS, 8 pm Tuesday (February 13) at Sammamish HS (right after the WSHS girls’ game).

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School girls open district-tournament play with a victory

Both West Seattle High School basketball teams advanced in the district tournament tonight, in victories at home. We’ll tell you about the games separately, starting with the girls:

“Welcome to win or go home basketball,” is how the announcer started the night. The WSHS girls went all out to avoid the latter, first to score against Bishop Blanchet, and never behind, winning 61-50. #4, senior Carmen Cruz, was top scorer with 21 points, including four 3-pointers.

Second-leading scorer was #21, junior Alyssa Neumann, with 17:

Right behind was #15, senior Lucy Larson, with 16, including three 3’s:

Halftime score was 33-24.

Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s Wildcats emerged for the second half with even tighter defense than they’d deployed to keep the lead throughout the first half.

But then toward the end of the third quarter they started to falter a bit. Blanchet got within two points at the start of the fourth quarter, 42-40, but then a Cruz three-pointer snapped them out of it, and they kept the Bears at bay the rest of the way. This was the third time WSHS had beaten Blanchet this season. Next up, the Wildcat girls face Lake Washington at Sammamish High School (100 140th Ave. SE, Bellevue) at 6:30 pm Tuesday (February 13th) – see the full district-tournament bracket here.

VIDEO: Celebrating Tết at West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center

Lunar New Year festivities continue, here and around the world. This afternoon, a lively lion dance by Vovinam Burien was the highlight of this year’s Tết celebration at the Vietnamese Cultural Center of West Seattle.

The Tết celebration here also included flag-raising, with veterans of the South Vietnamese military:

Ducly Bui runs the center at 2236 SW Orchard, which hosts several public celebrations each year:

Family members assist, including Lanh Bui:

It’s a regional draw, all ages:

If you haven’t visited the Vietnamese Cultural Center, it’s usually open to the public noon-3 pm Saturdays.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Broken car windows

Sent by a reader who signed “distressed resident of West Seattle”:

My partner’s car window was parked on Fauntleroy Way in front of the Maris Apartments last night. We woke up this morning to find the back right window smashed and a few dog walkers mentioned they had seen 3-4 other car windows smashed along the way as they were passing us.

Nothing is believed to have been stolen, which angers us even more because it feels whoever is responsible for this did this just because. We also found an interesting looking tool that may have been used to cause the break as it was sitting in the middle of the glass on the ground. It happened sometime between 10 pm and 10 am. We have filed a police report and inquired in our apartment building for potential footage.

VIDEO: Camp Long’s south entrance gate dedicated as legacy of park’s longtime leader Sheila Brown

(WSB photos and video)

A ceremony and celebration in the midday sunshine dedicated Camp Long‘s new south entrance gate in the name of the park’s longtime leader and champion, Sheila Brown. It was one of her last wishes before her 2021 death at age 59, an upgraded entrance to make the sprawling park more accessible. A partnership between Seattle Parks and the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, plus more than 100 donors, made it happen.

Before the ribboncutting, a crowd we counted at more than 50 people gathered on 29th, blocked off for the occasion, to hear about Ms. Brown and the project. We recorded them all on video:

Speakers included Seattle Parks superintendent AP Diaz, Caroline Borsenik of DNDA, and representatives of Ms. Brown’s family and friends, as well as a Muckleshoot Tribe member providing a blessing. Camp Long’s Matt Kostle emceed:

Attendees were invited to enjoy treats including s’mores – but most of all, they were encouraged to explore Camp Long, today and in the future, through the new Sheila Brown Memorial Gate:

Its materials, by the way, include reclaimed stone. If you’ve never been to Camp Long, it’s one of the city’s Environmental Learning Centers, with features including a pond, climbing rock, and cabins you can rent for camping, and a historic lodge, with the main entrance at 5200 35th SW.

WHALES: Orcas in the area

2:42 PM: Just got a text from Kersti Muul that orcas are visible from Constellation Park, looking across Puget Sound toward the Southworth ferry terminal. They’re northbound. Let us know if you see them!

4:10 PM: Still in the area, according to an Orca Network commenter who reported orcas just south of Restoration Point on the south end of Bainbridge [map].

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Opening date set for Sebastiano’s

That’s a look inside Sebastiano’s, the wine shop/wine bar about to open at 3278 California SW. We reported last month on Sebastiano Tecchio‘s plan for the cozy space where he previously managed Molly’s Bottle Shop. Now he sends word that he’s planning to open this Wednesday, February 14, at 2 pm. He says Sebastiano’s will be “focused on natural and organic wines from around the world, with a good selection also of domestic and local wines.” Hours will be 2-8 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon-6 pm Sundays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

/

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen pink Astro van (update: found)

ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: The photo and report are from TT via email:

My 2000 Chevy Astro van was stolen between 2/8 after 7 pm and 2/9 9 am. It was parked at the Lighthouse townhomes on Delridge. She is bright pink, fuzzy pink dice hanging (if still there), pink cowboy hat on dash (again, if still there). Her name is Pinky. PLEASE HELP ME FIND HER. SPD incident #24-037546.

Call 911 if you see TT’s van.

MONDAY UPDATE: The owner has commented below that her van has been found.

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Seen on nighttime low-tide walk

Thanks to Brandy DeWeese for photos from one of our featured Friday events – the Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists’ nighttime low-tide walk at Constellation Park south of Alki Point.

No organized event tonight – but the -2.3-foot low tide at 11:19 pm is almost as low as last night’s.

The volunteer beach naturalists are usually out at Constellation Park and Lincoln Park multiple times during summer’s daytime low tides – watch this webpage (and our calendar) for the schedule.

Camp Long celebration, basketball battles, pancake pop-up, more for your West Seattle Saturday

(Winter blooms, photographed by Tom Trulin)

As your weekend kicks off, here’s our list of today/tonight possibilities in West Seattle, mostly from our event calendar:

FREE! GROUP RUN: Start your Saturday with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run! All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event but registration required.

PANCAKE POP-UP: Sample savory Chilla pancakes and buy the mix, during the Ojaswe pop-up at Delridge Grocery Cooperative (5444 Delridge Way SW), 9:30 am-12:30 pm.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Scheduled to be open today:

We are open 10 am-2 pm on Fridays and Saturdays! We have all your indoor plant needs, with pots, advice and more! Plus, any last-minute winter outside plants you might need. The Garden Center at South Seattle College provides Landscape Horticulture students the opportunity to increase their knowledge of plants while gaining real-world retail experience. Plants available for sale are selected, propagated, grown and presented by students. Additional plants are brought in from local growers. Proceeds benefit Landscape Horticulture Program projects.The selection includes perennials, ground covers, shrubs, some annual edibles and flowers, as well as indoor plants. The Garden Center is located in the North Parking Lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th Ave SW)

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

CAMP LONG CELEBRATION: The new south gate to Camp Long (29th/Brandon) in honor of longtime director Sheila Brown will be officially dedicated and celebrated today at 11 am – ribbon-cutting, music, refreshments, more.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

ALSO AT THE CENTER: 1-3 pm, Vietnamese New Year celebration with flag-raising and lion dance, all welcome.

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

MATRESCENCE MINI-RETREAT: For relatively new moms. 1-4 pm – registration required – at Limber Yoga (35th/Kenyon).

VALENTINE AFTERNOON TEA: 1 pm at My NecessiTea (3237 California SW) – reservations required (check to see if they’re accepting any last-minute).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

TREAD-A-THON: Fundraiser for new West Seattle Girls’ Water Polo team. 3-5 pm at Medgar Evers Pool, which is in the Central District, but you can support them without being there – our preview explains how.

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: Two must-win district-tournament games tonight for the West Seattle High School basketball teams – both at home, both hoping to pack the gym with a cheering crowd. The girls play Bishop Blanchet at 5:30, and the boys face undefeated-in-league-play Roosevelt at 7 pm – your ticket’s good for both games; buy here. (3000 California SW)

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: John Shaw at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, no cover.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Second weekend continues for the newest play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Fast Nasties, Sugar Bones, Black Bird Collective at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm, $10.

BEATS: Saturday night DJ at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Go here to see who’s DJing tonight. (4547 California SW, alley side)

KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm, with Michael Van Fleet.

Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, walk, run, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! West Seattle High School students coordinate community celebration

Big turnout for a two-part Lunar New Year celebration at West Seattle High School tonight – coordinated by students, with performances and demonstrations in the WSHS Theater, followed by a cultural fair, with food, in the Commons. The theater performances included a dragon dance (the new year is the Year of the Dragon):

Also a lion dance:

Martial-arts demonstrations and poetry (read by poet Koon Woon, introduced by his nephew, instructional assistant Henry Deng) were featured too. The highlight was a student fashion show of “amazing cultural outfits,” as emcee Mika described them:

Althea Chow from the Madison MS PTSA – which co-sponsored the student-led event along with the WSHS PTSA – told us some of the outfits were from a collection of traditional outfits belonging to her designer mom, and others were from students’ families. Her Madison PTSA colleague Chau Pho Tung, meantime, was helping out in the post-show fair – serving up food including chow mein and egg rolls:

Student musicians played nearby:

And cultural displays ringed the room:

The students who coordinated the event are from the WSHS AAPI Club and Chinese Program.

P.S. Two more Lunar New Year events are on our calendar – previewed here.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vehicle hit by gunfire

9:38 PM: Police checking out multiple reports of suspected gunfire have just told dispatchers they’ve confirmed it – finding an SUV that was hit. It’s reported to be on 31st SW near SW Morgan. No report of any injuries.

9:51 PM: Officers also have reported finding “casings east of the intersection.”

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Two non-football events for Super Bowl Sunday

February 9, 2024 8:41 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Two non-football events for Super Bowl Sunday
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Both of these West Seattle Sunday events are before The Big Game, so you can go to one or both and watch football too:

FAMILY DISCO PARTY: 10 am Sunday at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center (6000 16th SW), the West Seattle Cooperative Preschools present a community “Family Disco Party.” It’s a full hour of all-ages dancing with DJ Baby Van Beezly (and glow sticks!). Tickets are $10/person; all proceeds go to the Co-op Preschool Scholarship Fund and community parent-education programming. The campus café will be open special hours before and after the dance party for breakfast/brunch treats and coffee/beverages. Tickets are available online – go here.

FAT SUNDAY PARTY: Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) invites everyone to come celebrate the Sunday before Fat Tuesday with a New Orleans lunch and jazz concert – free! Lunch is at 11:30 am, music with Tobi Stone and friends is at 12:30 pm. On the menu: make-your-own muffaletta bar, red beans and rice (sausage optional), virgin hurricanes, and King Cake. No admission charge but do RSVP here.

FOLLOWUP: Southwest Teen Life Center camera-replacement timeline

(WSB photo, January 27)

After the January 23 shooting death of 15-year-old Mobarak Adam at Southwest Teen Life Center/Pool, it came to light that the security-camera system at the center had long been inoperable. Seattle Parks told us on January 29 – six days after the shooting – that the camera would be replaced. No timeline, though. Today in his latest weekly newsletter, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka says Parks Superintendent AP Diaz has told him the replacement will be up no later than mid-March. Meantime, no update from SPD on the investigation. Also – today was also the day that Mobarak’s sister Leyla Adam had said another protest would be held, this time, at City Hall, but we got no word of a final plan and didn’t receive a reply to our inquiries. She did speak emotionally to the Seattle Public Schools Board this past Wednesday (this link should take you to that part of the meeting video, 51 minutes in), asking for specific school-security improvements.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: New girls’ water-polo team plans ‘Tread-a-thon’

We’ve reported before on the impending launch of a new high-school girls’ water-polo team. The players fought for, and won, permission – but that doesn’t come with funding, since it’s a “club sport.” So they’ve planned a unique fundraiser for tomorrow – outside West Seattle, but you can support online. Also note they’re still recruiting players! Here’s the announcement:

Members of the newly formed girls’ West Seattle Water Polo Team are holding an event to raise funds for startup costs associated with their first season. The Tread-a-thon is this Saturday, February 10, from 3-5 pm at Medgar Evers Pool. Players will tread for 100 minutes without touching the sides or bottom of the pool and without using floatation devices. Sponsors are invited to pledge per minute or a flat amount. Members of the team invite the West Seattle community to help by donating to their cause!

The girls forming this team attended several of [former School Board director] Leslie Harris’s community meetings in an effort to gain permission to field a team in the local high school league. Permission was granted by the league, but no funds are being provided by the school or district for the team. Donations will fund scholarships, pay for pool-rental time, league fees, and equipment.

Girls from any high school are welcome to join the team. Head coach Truly Dorland is ready to quickly bring new players to proficiency. Practices will be 2 mornings per week before school with home games on Friday evening. Season starts February 26th and runs to mid-May.

For more information, email wshswaterpolo@gmail.com.

Donations can be made to WSBooster by putting “Water Polo” in the notes.

FOLLOWUP: Missing mailbox, month three

That’s the spot outside the West Seattle Junction Post Office where thieves stole the drive-up/ride-up/walk-up mailbox in late November. Still no replacement. USPS regional spokesperson Kim Frum told us in November that it would be replaced, but there was no timeline. We just checked in with her again – same thing: “The good news is the box is supposed to be replaced. Unfortunately, there is still no timeframe for when this will happen. We appreciate our customers’ understanding and patience. And hope to have the box replaced soon.” The mailbox that was stolen had been installed seven months earlier … described as a more-secure box than its larger predecessor. As for past replacement times … our archives note two occasions where the Westwood Village box was gone for almost four months (as well as another incident in which it was replaced within a week).