West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
That’s an old family photo of Mobarak Adam, shared by his sister after a rally and march in his memory this afternoon. He was photographed before entering Denny International Middle School, some of whose students joined today’s gathering along with hundreds of his schoolmates from Chief Sealth International HS, six days after Mobarak’s death at age 15 at Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center.
After the rally and march, his sister told reporters that the family has not heard anything from police about what they’ve learned regarding the circumstances of the gunfire that killed him.
Part of the uncertainty is complicated by the fact a camera in the center was not working. Seattle Parks confirmed that today when we asked: “There is a camera at SWTLC/Pool but unfortunately it was not working at the time. We are taking down that camera and working to get an operational camera up as soon as possible.” That’s one thing protesters asked for (last night’s announcement of the protest included others). But regardless of who was responsible for the gunfire that killed Mobarak Adam, the students who spoke decried the easy availability of guns.
They said action must be taken – from students speaking out if they see one of their peers with a gun, to leaders taking action to get guns off the street. “We’re concerned for our safety, our classmates, our neighbors,” said Mobarak’s sister. Speaking after her, City Councilmember Rob Saka promised to help, saying the death was “entirely tragic, unnecessary, and, I think, preventable”:
Another speaker urged the students to seek help for dealing with grief; when he asked for a show of hands by those who knew Mobarak, many went up, and then many went up again in a call for who wants to “end gun violence”:
That call was echoed by one of Mobarak’s brothers:
“No one deserves what happened to my brother – there has to be more regulation of these guns …people in charge, it’s their responsibility to protect us.” After tragedies, he said, “nothing is ever done … something has to be done eventually.”
Other speakers included Aneelah Afzali of the Muslim Association of Puget Sound and Chief Sealth principal Ray Morales.
“We stand with the family … we love you, we want to support you,” he said, leading the crowd in a moment of silence for Mobarak. Morales also noted that there are now memorials to two young shooting victims “within 100 feet of our school.” (The other is for Ka’Don Brown, 20, found shot to death last year on the southwest edge of the CSIHS campus.)
Then a family friend had a message for the students: “Nobody ever wins with a gun. If you want to win, sit around a table.” And a relative built on that message: “It starts with you. When you see somebody who is doing something they should not, when you see someone with a weapon,” speak up. “Our children should be able to thrive – this happens too many times.”
Shortly thereafter, the hundreds of participants marched up SW Thistle to the pool/center:
That’s where a memorial is in place near the entrance:
Nearby, after the rally ended, the sister shared her memories of a younger brother who made her laugh and was “always helpful,” with a good heart. But, she said, the protest was not just about him – but “about them” – the people whose families she hopes will never go through what just happened to hers.
-By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand, West Seattle Blog co-publishers
Three days ago, we noted the city’s campaign to ensure you know you can’t throw away batteries or electronics. Discussion of other options ensued. And now we have word of another option – from West Seattle resident Kevin Freitas:
Hello, neighbors! I have a passion project at HandheldMuseum.org where I photograph, catalog, make videos, restore, and gather people’s memories of handheld electronic or computing devices — and I accept donations! Tablets, unused phones, kindles, MP3 players, video games, digital cameras, old calculators, etc — I’ll either give it a home in my collection, donate to schools or charity, or get them to the proper local recycling spot.
Clean out those drawers or old boxes, then email handheld.computer.museum@gmail.com or text 253-229-5093 anytime to arrange drop-off or pick-up.
(4747 California rendering by Ankrom Moisan)
A surprise sighting in the city’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin today – a key land-use approval for the long-paused project at 4747 California SW, which finished going through Design Review four and a half years ago. The project was designed to be a mixed-use building with a new home for Husky Deli, whose owner Jack Miller is a partner in the site-development team. Last time we updated the project was two and a half years ago, when another partner on the seven-story, ~79-apartment, ~41-parking-space project told us it was “on the shelf for a little while.” We have a message out to inquire whether today’s approval announcement means it’s actively moving forward now, or just means that city bureaucracy got around to the approval (the time span is longer than most we’ve seen)3031135-LU nod. Whatever turns out to be the case, the notice opens a two-week appeal period for the land-use approval, and explains how that works.
12:17 PM: That’s the scene outside Chief Sealth International High School, where a protest is getting under way, as announced last night by the sister of the 15-year-old boy who died last Tuesday of a gunshot wound across the street at Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center. Police have said that others were with him but have yet to say whether they believe the shooting was accidental or intentional.
12:59 PM: Thistle is currently blocked by police as protesters march to and gather outside SW Pool/Teen Life Center.
1:34 PM: It’s over and the street has reopened. Family members and others including City Councilmember Rob Saka spoke. Full report later.
6:33 PM: Find that report here.
One incident of confirmed gunfire early today: 911 callers from North Delridge reported hearing suspected gunfire just before 3 am. Responding officers reported finding at least one spent casing “near the trailhead at 25th/Juneau.” No injuries were reported.
Our photo from the 9200 block of 45th SW in Fauntleroy is more about what’s not in it than what is. It’s the spot usually inhabited by the El Camion food truck. Over the weekend, multiple readers wondered where it was and if it was coming back. Our archives reminded us that El Camion left the spot for some maintenance work around this time last year, and that’s what’s happening now too. Reached by email, El Camion management told us, “Currently we are having the transmission repaired because it currently only goes into first gear and reverse. We don’t have any time estimation at this point because they are still assessing the problem and trying to procure parts. This is a very slow time of the year for us at that location and financially, it’s hard to make ends meet and stay open, so we are using this opportunity to have repair work done.” The truck has held that spot in the heart of Fauntleroy’s Endolyne mini-business district since July 2019.
(Photo by Kent Rhodes)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of the vivid sunrise that began what is forecast to be a warm-for-winter day. Here’s what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 3-9 pm at West Wings (2329 California SW), a portion of the proceeds go to support West Seattle High School boys’ basketball.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
MEDITATION ON ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community invites you to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) for meditation. 7 pm.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three options tonight – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE: 9 pm, Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The local youth-baseball team Seattle Tigers have launched a unique fundraiser to pay for a dream trip to the home of baseball’s history. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:
The 12U Seattle Tigers, a local West Seattle travel bseball team, are gearing up for the opportunity of a lifetime – a trip to Cooperstown, the home of legendary baseball memories. They’ll get to play Summer tournament baseball with other 12U teams from across the US, visit the Hall of Fame and participate in a 7-day sleep-away camp with teammates and coaches.
To help turn this dream into a reality, the Tigers have launched a unique Valentine’s fundraiser – a raffle for a dazzling 1-carat diamond ring.
The 12U Seattle Tigers includes a dedicated group of 11 young baseball players, and dedicated coaches who have played together for years on various West Seattle BB, West Seattle LL, All Stars and travel teams. Each player has shown growth of talent and sportsmanship throughout their years. Competing in Cooperstown is both an honor and a challenge, requiring financial support beyond their usual means. The Tigers team is thrilled to invite the local West Seattle community to join them on this exciting journey.
The fundraising efforts center around ‘Raffle for a Ring’ – happening now until Feb. 12th. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this raffle is for a 1 carat round, brilliant cut diamond ring ($8,500 value) generously donated by Menashe & Sons Jewelers. Raffle tickets are priced at $50 each, providing community members with a chance to win this stunning prize while contributing to the Tigers’ Cooperstown fund.
=Members of the 12U Tigers Baseball Team will be in-person at the West Seattle Farmers Market Feb 4th + 11th, to interact and say hello to the public. Each player will have flyers in hand with information on how to purchase a $50 raffle ticket, and talk about Cooperstown!
Join us in supporting the 12U Seattle Tigers as they aim to hit a home run toward Cooperstown. Together, we can help these young baseball players achieve their dreams.
6:02 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, January 29th!
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
After a record high of 61 on Sunday, today’s expected to be warmer than normal too – high near 60, partly sunny, chance of rain (especially tonight). Today’s sunrise will be at 7:40 am, sunset at 5:05 pm.
TRANSIT NOTESs
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
In light of 10,000+ years of history, the past 15 years were a blink for the Duwamish Tribe.
But it was a blink worth celebrating – and recalling – with more than 100 people filling the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle on Saturday to celebrate its 15th anniversary.
The lineup of speakers was impressive – from the tribe’s longtime chair Cecile Hansen, to the longhouse’s architect, whose father got him involved by suggesting he could help “Seattle’s original homeless … find a home,” to its chief fundraiser, to its exhibit curator teaching the history of longhouses, to its historian discussing life in longhouses, to a lawyer updating the tribe’s longrunning fight to regain federal recognition, and more.
The four-hour by-invitation event was also an occasion to honor those and many others who worked with and for the tribe to bring the longhouse to life on a patch of land across from a historic site on the shore of the Duwamish River, more than a century after the last of the Duwamish’s previous longhouses was torched by settlers. After years of fundraising and planning, the groundbreaking happened in 2007, and the grand opening in January 2009. And this weekend, the milestone celebration.
“I raise my hands to you,” said Chair Hansen in her brief welcome, “It’s wonderful that our tribe has succeeded to come to this date.” She invited everyone to “have a good time,” and with that, the party was on – with speakers before lunch focused on history, those after lunch focused mostly on the present and future. Our first video clip features Duwamish Tribal Services board chair Kristina Pearson, chair Hansen, and pre-construction fundraising co-chair Chad Lewis:
Lewis said the fundraising campaign dated back to philanthropists who formed the Friends of the Duwamish in the late ’90s.
7:16 PM: We just received this announcement from the sister of the Chief Sealth International High School student who died of a gunshot wound last Tuesday at Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center:
Tomorrow we are planning to hold a protest against gun violence and to get justice for my younger brother.
This past Tuesday my little brother, 15 years old, was shot at the community center (SWAC) and he died shortly afterwards. This happened during his lunch break during school hours and the weapon hasn’t been found yet and the culprits have been released. The protest will be taking place in front of Chief Sealth International High School @12pm noon.
We hope to get as much support as possible in order to pressure the authorities and make a difference. So we would greatly appreciate it if you could share this flyer to spread awareness. For both the safety of our children and community.
Police have yet to say whether they believe this was an accidental or intentional shooting.
8:01 PM: We asked her what action protesters want to see happen. Here’s her reply:
Some changes we need to have implemented are; cameras into the community center (swac). This is a huge safety concern for us, as we were told none of their cameras have been functioning for years. This is concerning as this is place where parents bring their children for recreational activities and a site where students frequently visit.
By having an operating camera, the investigation would have been easier in understanding what truly happened and how people responded.
Another change we must see is more gun regulation. Kids should not have access to firearms under no circumstances. Having metal detectors would insure that students are not carrying weapons on to school campuses. We are also suggesting to have more security presence on campus to ensure safety for all students at CSIHS.
We are also requesting to have 9th graders to have separate lunches from the upperclassman, by having this ensures that underclassmen are not leaving campus unsupervised.
Also if anyone has any information on the situation please contact this number (206) 625-5011 or email justiceformobarak@gmail.com
That phone number is the SPD non-emergency number; SPD’s suggestion is its violent-crimes tip line at 206-233-5000.
6:08 PM: Thanks to Christopher Boffoli for the photo and info from a fire that drew a mid-size SFD response in the 3200 block of 44th SW. It’s out now but Christopher says a vehicle caught fire in a driveway and that it spread to trees over the driveway. (Added: Here’s video of the flames in the trees.) We’re headed that way to find out more.
6:30 PM: All SFD units had departed by the time we arrived, so we’re following up via email.
8 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo replied, “Crews extinguished a car fire near a detached garage. No injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation.”
That’s a page from a slide deck presented earlier this month to the Levy to Move Seattle Oversight Committee in a briefing on levy-funded earthquake-resistance work for bridges around the city. We’ve already reported on two of the projects on the list, Admiral (listed twice because technically it’s two bridges) and Delridge. But the “silt removal” project for the low bridge was something we hadn’t previously heard about. We asked SDOT for more information – at the committee briefing, it was just a quick mention – and got this explanation:
This project will remove silt that has built up around the western bridge foundations and replace rusted steel collars that are secured around the piles that support the bridge pier.
The western pier is supported by several piles surrounded by a steel casing. There is a circular gap between the support piles and the steel casing which allows the bridge to freely move during an earthquake, reducing the force and stress on the pier foundations. There is a steel collar that fits around the top of each of the steel casings to prevent debris from entering the circular space. Over time, the collars have rusted and the gap has filled with silt. A contractor specializing in underwater construction will remove the silt and replace the collars so that the bridge can move as it was designed to do during an earthquake.
We expect to complete this work later this year, and we do not expect that this will have any effect on travelers or vessels. The estimated project cost is about $650,000. This is one of 16 bridge seismic reinforcement projects being funded by the Levy to Move Seattle.
The silt problem apparently goes back quite some time – we found a mention in this 2019 SDOT report.
Spring gets ever closer, and so do baseball and softball seasons. So West Seattle Little League has updates!
Thank you to the families that have already registered for the upcoming season. If you still need to secure a spot on the roster for your Little Leaguer, registration will remain open until Feb 11th. Registering early helps streamline our league operations – sign up today!
West Seattle Little League is excited to announce the third year of the Challenger Program! The Challenger program is Little League’s adaptive baseball program, which offers additional support for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. The Challengers program is free to all participants and open to West Seattle residents between the ages of 4 and 18 or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school. Inclusion and opportunity are the cornerstones of Little League®, and it’s our passion to ensure everyone has an opportunity to play. Find more info HERE or email challenger@westseattlelittleleague.com with any questions.
Lastly, we have two exciting opportunities for our softball players!
February 4th – Softball skills clinic led by WSHS softball players! Your player will learn and practice the basics of softball.
February 11th – Softball pitching clinic led by Kalimar Pettit. Over one hour, your player will learn the fundamental softball pitching skills.
We look forward to seeing you on the field!
Again this year, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will offer free seeds to teachers and parents for working with kids to learn about growing food. Right now, though, they need your help deciding what kind of seeds – here’s the announcement and request frm Kiwanis president Denis Sapiro:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle gave out about 200 packs of seeds to people at the Sunday Farmers’ Market last year. Kiwanis will again offer vegetable seeds and flower seeds this year. Teachers and parents can help select the type of seeds and number of packages of seeds Kiwanis will order this year. This is not a commitment to use the seeds nor for Kiwanis to provide all that is requested.
Here’s the survey – please answer it by February 5.
Kiwanis offers the Seed Project to boost family fun and joy and to provide an educational experience with hands-on activity! As the plant grows, you can transplant it into your garden. In the survey, please add your contact info (particularly your email address), so that we can let you know when the seeds will be available at the Farmers Market in the spring.
Family and friends are remembering Susie Tennant and sharing this tribute with her community:
Susie Tennant, September 11, 1962 – January 18, 2024
Our beloved Susie Tennant passed away at her West Seattle home after several years living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a progressive neurological disorder.
Susan Marie Tennant was born in Stuttgart, Germany, the third child and second daughter to Charles Edward Tennant (1937-2023) and Mary Jo (Sigler) Tennant (1938-present). As an army brat, between 1962 and 1980 she lived in Germany, Laos, Alabama, Kentucky, California, Arizona, and Virginia. She graduated from Lake Braddock High School in Burke, Virginia, then moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington like her grandmother “Sazzy” Sigler.
Susie and husband Chris settled in West Seattle in 1995, making their house (known as the Pirate Flag House) a home for their daughter Ella, son Eli, and many, many pets. The West Seattle community was held deeply in Susie’s heart. Susie popularized and branded the acronym WSHC (West Seattle Hardcore) as a beacon for community good. Susie championed all of the West Seattle schools where her children attended, and loved shopping at small businesses in the Junction, especially Husky Deli and Easy Street Cafe, where her children worked.
The most common words used next to Susie’s name — after mother and friend — are champion, advocate, and cheerleader. Many remembrances of her point out that people wouldn’t be who or where they are, and institutions wouldn’t exist, were it not for her support and generosity. She used her remarkable social skills not for self-gain, but to empower others and build community.
Her illustrious career encompassed, among others, Tower Records, Geffen/DGC Records (The David Geffen Company), Sub Pop, Experience Music Project (now MoPOP), KEXP, BMG, Town Hall Seattle, and The Vera Project. The last of those is an all-ages nonprofit space dedicated to community transformation through youth-driven engagement in music and art, which was a subject very close to Susie’s heart. When she was no longer able to work full time, Susie focused on improving her children’s schools. Her substantial community work and activism included Music for Marriage Equality, which played a pivotal role in legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington state, and co-founding the Ladies Who Lunch affinity group for hundreds of women professionals in the music and entertainment industry.
Some musical artists of whom Susie was an early champion, and whose careers she helped shepherd, include Nirvana, Weezer, Beck, Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, Hole, and myriad others. With a steadfast belief that great art deserves exposure, Susie insisted that commercial success didn’t have to clash with integrity, something which had seismic implications in Seattle as well as globally.
Susie loved Indian and Thai food (five stars, extra hot sauce), Freaks and Geeks, Nick Drake, thrift shopping with her daughter Ella, gardening, Betsey Johnson, frozen Snickers, big boots, Big Star, independent retail, WSHC, and Halloween. She could go from frenzied hilarity to loving therapist in a heartbeat, never resorting to negativity to score points or land a joke. Deeply committed to fairness, equity, and justice, she never tore someone down to lift someone else up. Susie was often in rooms full of famous musicians, but it was always clear who was the rock star.
Susie is survived by her husband Christopher Swenson, daughter Ella, son Eli, and mother Mary Jo, as well as her cherished siblings and loving adversaries Stephen Victor Tennant (Marianne Adames Tennant), the older and more handsome brother; William Glenn Tennant (Heather Milkman Tennant), the younger and fitter brother; and sister Catherine Tennant McGuire (Lee A. McGuire Jr.). She enjoyed 12 nephews, four nieces, eight great nephews, four great nieces, and counted 15 surviving cousins.
The best memorial contribution is to pay it forward Susie-style by sharing your knowledge, relationships, and love with friends and colleagues. Monetary remembrances can be made in her name to Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare Susie Tennant Memorial Fund (smashseattle.org/susie-tennant), Seattle Musicians for Children’s Hospital (smoochforkids.com), MusiCares (musicares.org), The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (theaftd.org) or the University of Washington’s Brain Aging and Dementia Research in the BRaIN Lab Fund (give.uwmedicine.org), where Susie made a legacy donation of her brain for research.
A public celebration of Susie’s life will be announced at a future date.
(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)
(Saturday photo by James Tilley)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from our Event Calendar:
MOON ROOM SHOP AND WELLNESS SALE: In person (5902 1/2 California SW) and online, two-day 15% sale all weekend at Moon Room Shop and Wellness (open 11 am-5 pm, and 24/7 online; WSB sponsor).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at 9 am at rotating locations – today it’s Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-1 pm, prospective families are invited to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe School (34th/Myrtle; WSB sponsor), which serves preschoolers through 8th-graders. More info here.
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.
HOLY ROSARY ALUMNI DAY: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, all Holy Rosary School alums are invited to visit, sign a book, enjoy refreshments. (42nd/Genesee)
HOLY FAMILY BILINGUAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: The only 2-way English/Spanish immersion preschool-through-8th-grade school in Seattle welcomes prospective families to visit noon-3 pm today. (20th/Roxbury; WSB sponsor)
HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: (updated) Noon-1:30 pm open house at this school, which also serves preschool through 8th grade. (42nd/Genesee)
TALK WITH YOUR NEW SCHOOL-BOARD REP: For the first time since her election to the Seattle Public Schools Board, representing District 6 (West Seattle and most of South Park), Gina Topp invites you to a community conversation, 1:30-2:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond, all welcome.
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Monthly meeting of the Classic Novels (and Movies) Book Club at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3-4:30 pm. Our calendar listing has info on this month’s discussion topics.
LADIES’ SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP: 3-5 pm at Combat Arts Academy (5050 Delridge Way SW), for ages 13+. Fundraiser for West Seattle Food Bank, $30 – registration link is in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: See and hear the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Something in the future for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
That photo by Antoine Smith – taken from a distance – shows a harbor seal that marked a milestone for Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network: The first live seal that SSMMSN volunteers have tended this year, according to David Hutchinson. The seal came ashore at Lincoln Park, where, David tells us, “The First Responder on duty reported that this seal looked healthy and returned to the water around 3 pm due to the rising tide.” If you see a marine mammal on shore – or one in distress offshore – in West Seattle, notify the SSMMSN hotline at 206-905-SEAL.
(WSB photo, April 2016)
The first time the University of Washington beach-volleyball team came to Alki for a home match, in April 2016, the sun shone as if it were summer. Subsequent years have brought some sun, some rain. Whatever the weather brings, this year the UW will play at Alki on four days in April, according to the schedule announcement this week:
… The Huskies will host two consecutive home tournaments on Alki Beach. The first tournament is the “Pac-12 North Tournament” which takes place on [Friday-Saturday] April 5th and 6th and pits the Huskies against Stanford, Cal Oregon, and Arizona State. UW then welcomes Oregon again, Boise State, and Georgia State the following [Friday-Saturday] for the “Alki Beach Invitational.” …
The announcement notes that the Huskies are at the top of their game, so to speak, as they prepare to start the 2024 schedule on the road in Texas on February 23, “coming off their best season in program history, with a record number of wins, and finished ranked 15th, the first year-end ranking in school history.”
Two schools with open houses tomorrow are sponsoring WSB this week to get the word out about these events:
HOLY FAMILY BILINGUAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Noon-3 pm Sunday, West Seattle’s only two-way English/Spanish immersion preschool/elementary/middle school invites prospective families to visit. See the flyer here. The school is on the southwest corner of 20th/Roxbury and has a parking lot on the south side of the campus.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL: 10 am-1 pm Sunday, OLG – also a pre-8 school, on the southwest corner of 34th/Myrtle – welcomes prospective families to come find out about “the strength of our academics as well as our students’ commitment to service.” More info here.
(WSB photo from February 2020 Polar Plunge at Alki)
Four weeks from today, Alki Beach will be the site of a daylong celebration raising money for Special Olympics Washington, and you’re invited. Here’s the latest information:
The Special Olympics Washington Polar Plunge, a Seattle tradition, will take place on Saturday, February 24. The annual Winter Beach Party unites supporters from the area to ‘Get Cold for a Cause’. This year’s event promises something for everyone, whether plunging into the cold waters or joining in the festivities to cheer on participants.
Attendees can expect a full-on beach party with DJs, beach games, a beer garden, food trucks, costume contests, and more! Individual and team registrants are encouraged to raise donations in support of Special Olympics Washington athletes. As they raise funds, they can also earn prizes including airline vouchers and pizza party gift cards for the top individual and team fundraisers.
Proceeds from the Polar Plunge support Special Olympics Washington’s Beyond Gold Initiatives, enabling life-changing and inclusive programs for thousands of Washington athletes while ensuring their participation comes at no cost to them.
Get an inside look into the lives of Special Olympians by exploring the story of Brook Ayers, a local athlete from the Seattle area. Brook is one of over 11,900 participants in Special Olympics Washington, directly supported by funds raised through the Polar Plunge. Her journey embodies the spirit of the games and highlights the significant impact of these donations. Discover her inspiring story here.
Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 24 at Alki Beach & Bathhouse. The costume contest will begin at 12:10 p.m., with winners awarded based on crowd response. Polar Plunging starts at 1:00 p.m., with soup and hot chocolate stations to warm up afterward. For more information, and to register, visit PolarPlungeWA.com.
(WSB photo)
Four days after 15-year-old Mobarak Adam died of a gunshot wound at Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center, no further information has emerged about the circumstances. But messages of community support abound outside the center, and the PTSA at <strong>Chief Sealth International High School – where he was a student – has a message too:
(Photo courtesy CSIHS PTSA)
As you may have heard, our community suffered an unimaginable loss when a Chief Sealth student, who was also a former Denny student, tragically lost his life near campus. The school teachers and staff, students, and entire extended Chief Sealth and Denny community are still reeling from this event, and have deeply appreciated the support from West Seattle and beyond.
Some kind folks hung signs on the football field fence across from the school to share their love and encouragement, and it has made a real impact in helping us to feel both empathy for our grief and love for our student during this truly difficult time. Students, friends, and family have also started a memorial in front of the community center.
If additional members of the community are moved to do so, we’d like to invite you to hang signs, notes, or other remembrances on the fence across from the school. Every word and gesture helps our students, faculty, staff, and parents feel supported, and the fence is something we see every day.
On Friday, Chief Sealth Principal Morales sent an update to all Chief Sealth families emphasizing help being made available within the school and throughout the community. You can learn more here.
Thank you again to everyone who has reached out. Our hearts go out to our student’s family and friends as we all work together to grieve and heal. He was so loved, and will be forever missed.
– Chief Sealth International High School PTSA
9:48 AM: The photo is from Stephanie, whose son discovered early this morning “that the rear passenger window on our 2020 Kia Sportage was smashed. It was parked in our carport at the apartments on 24th and Holden in Delridge.” They subsequently found the steering column was broken, so someone had tried to steal the car. Not the first time: “This is the third incident with our Kia. It was stolen in October 2022 (recovered the next day with plenty of damage), the door lock was broken in May 2023.”
ADDED 11:33 AM: Just sent by Elena:
Found at 37th and Myrtle still running. Back window smashed and trunk pillaged. Still running.
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