West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
7:23 PM: Avoid Delridge Way/SW Thistle for a while – northbound traffic on Delridge is blocked because of an emergency response. The SFD log and radio traffic describe the call as an overdose response.
7:32 PM: They’re getting traffic through by alternating directions through one lane.
7:44 PM: SFD medics were unable to revive the overdose victim, described over the air as a 40-year-old woman. The scene will be clearing.
Valentine’s Day is exactly two weeks away. While out walking this evening in Gatewood, we noticed a mini-trend:
Within the span of just a few blocks, three homes had Valentine’s lights. We photographed the illuminated hearts at two of them:
So in the spirit of Halloween and Christmas lights, we’ll extend the invitation for this season too – if you have or see a particularly festive Valentine’s display, we’d love a photo – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!
The date is set for one of West Seattle’s most popular spring (in this case, almost-spring) events – the recycling/shredding event presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and Chamber of Commerce. We’ve just received information about this year’s event, set for 9 am-noon Saturday, March 9, in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). From the official flyer, here’s what they’ll be accepting:
This is a drive-up/ride-up/walk-up, free-of-charge event, with other partners including Seattle Public Utilities and Waste Management. For a more detailed list of what will and won’t be accepted, and a few limits (such as 4 boxes of shreddable paper), see our calendar listing.
(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)
Speaking to the Fauntleroy Community Association three weeks ago, Seattle Parkssplanning director Andy Sheffer said he believed West Seattle Stadium would be the choice for this area’s next off-leash area (dog park). As he noted, the announcement is due at the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners‘ February 8 meeting – and with that meeting a little more than a week away, Parks confirmed today that the final site choices, here and citywide, will be made public at that meeting. The other finalist for a West Seattle site is in Lincoln Park, as announced last June. Availability of the site south of the stadium was called into question because of a search for a site to put an EV-charging site for city-owned vehicles, but Sheffer told the FCA that the site seemed able to handle both uses. Next week’s meeting of the commission – a city-convened advisory group – is at 6:30 pm Thursday, February 8; you can attend either in person downtown or online. West Seattle currently has one official off-leash area, at Westcrest Park.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
CONDO-LOBBY BURGLARS: Residents of a building in the 1300 block of Harbor Avenue SW report their lobby was broken into at 5:15 am Sunday (January 28); the burglars stole packages:
If you have any information on the break-in and/or the burglars, the SPD incident number is 24-901670.
BUILDING VANDALISM: Southwest Youth and Family Services – the nonprofit located just east of Delridge Playfield – was hit by particularly prolific tagging vandal(s) in recent days. They painted over the tags as they usually do but wanted to let the community know about the problem.
Jen B and Freyja the dog saw a coyote in their West Seattle neighborhood today – and Jen reports doing what you’re supposed to do:
Just a note of reassurance to folks in the 52nd and Stevens area. If they saw a middle aged red haired lady in pajamas waving her arms yelling “Coyote Go Away” about 9:15 am, that was just me. The coyote was running through our backyards by Schmitz Park. She is a lovely young healthy coyote. She did what she was supposed to do and ran away. I was with my dog who is also now very confused. So no harm done, but I am guessing some neighbors think I’m demented.
How to coexist with coyotes, including behaving like that if you see one, is part of what you’ll learn here (click “Preventing Conflict“).
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(DNDA photo, December 2023)
Last month we showed you the new entrance on the south side of Camp Long, honoring the park/environmental-learning center’s longtime director Sheila Brown. Now Seattle Parks and the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association have announced a ribboncutting celebration. Set your calendar for 11 am-12:30 pm Saturday, February 10. The new entrance is at 29th/Brandon [map]. The announcement notes, “The new entrance gateway is a great example of a public/private partnership with the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association as the fiscal sponsors managing over 125 donors. SPR provided project management with additional design work and implementation budget.” (Read more background here.)
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(Photo from Solstice Park, by Paul Woloshin)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can look ahead any time):
CREATE! 9:30-11:30 am at West Side Presbyterian (3601 California SW) – “Bring your paints, collage materials, jewelry findings, knitting, sewing or craft supplies and join others in creative endeavors. Be encouraged and encourage others! Come together in the warmth of fellowship as you enjoy the fun of being creative!”
TOUR WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY: Open house/tour for prospective families starts at 10 am at West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW).
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
MIDWEEK, MIDDAY SOUND BATH: 11:30 am, presented by Inner Alchemy at Move2Center, $35. (3618 SW Alaska)
LEARN ABOUT NUTRITION: Fuel your body for vitality with the new knowledge you’ll gain at this Senior Center of West Seattle presentation (4217 SW Oregon), 3-4:30 pm.
FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm drop-in playspace at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair it instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
FREE GROUP RUN WITH HOKA TRYOUTS: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run and try out Hokas! 6:15 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … 7 pm trivia at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW, White Center) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: The new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) has its pre-opening preview tonight, 7:30 pm – ticket link is in our calendar listing.
BASKETBALL: One varsity home game tonight, at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW) girls host Seattle Prep, 7:30 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, January 31st!
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
After a third straight record-for-the-date high of 61, today’s high might be a little cooler, mid-50s – accompanying more rain. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:37 am, sunset at 5:08 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
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!
(WSB photos. Above, Consul General Zhang Jianmin and wife Zheng Xin with WSHS Chinese teacher Ying Yu)
“I’m sure that if we work together, both sides will be better off, the world will be better off.”
China’s San Francisco-based Consul General Zhang Jianmin offered that thought toward the end of a short speech in West Seattle High School‘s theater today, following a presentation by students from the WSHS Chinese Program. It was the highlight of the short visit by the Consul General and wife Zheng Zin to learn about the program. The area inside WSHS’s south entrance was decorated to welcome them:
During the program in the theater, several students talked about what the Chinese-language program meant to them – “one of those classes you look forward to every day” – and one detailed what he’d learned about China, noting the combined economic power of the U.S. and China. And with the Lunar New Year approaching, students presented cultural performances including a lion and dragon dance:
Other performances spotlighted music and martial arts.
The consul general then took the stage to say he found it a “joy” to meet teacher Ying Yu and her students on the eve of the Year of the Dragon:
He told the students that while the U.S. and China have different cultures, that’s “not to be feared as long as you … reach out to understand.” He noted last year’s U.S.-China presidential summit in California, saying it’s important for the two nations to “jointly share our responsibilities as major powers.”
He also told the students they had many counterparts in his nation learning English, which he started studying at age 12.
He invited them all to apply to visit China through a program of the Institute for International Education. (They might not find it so foreign, he noted as an aside, given that China has about 9,000 Starbucks stores.)
P.S. This wasn’t the Consul General’s first West Seattle visit – we noted this online report of a trip last week including a stop at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge.
Quick notes on temporary closures:
LA RUSTICA: Thanks for the tips! The Beach Drive bistro is closed this week. A sign on the door and note on their website says it’s for “bathroom repairs” and that La Rustica will reopen Tuesday, February 6. (They also note that even during the closure, you can book a reservation – Valentine’s dinner, anyone? – online.)
WEST SEATTLE BREWING: After a few weeks of closure, a sign on the WS Brewing door at 4415 Fauntleroy Way SW, and note on their website, says they plan to reopen this Thursday, February 1. They’re reportedly been remodeling and promise “huge things coming!”
DUKE’S: No date announced yet for the Alki seafood restaurant, which is getting repairs after pipe-break trouble during the subfreezing weather earlier this month.
(Image: Freepik)
An update in the shooting death of 15-year-old Mobarak Adam one week ago at Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center: The King County Medical Examiner’s Office announced this afternoon that it’s classifying his death as a homicide; the KCMEO says he died from a gunshot wound to the torso. When the KCMEO released his name last Thursday, both the classification and cause of his death were listed as “pending”; the updates were released this afternoon in the office’s daily list of death investigations. Classifying his death as homicide does not necessarily mean investigators believe it was deliberate, but it means they’ve ruled out suicide. The victim was a student at nearby Chief Sealth International High School, where hundreds of students rallied Monday in his memory to demand action against gun violence. Police continue to investigate; any information can be reported to the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. This death is now the first homicide case in Seattle in 2024. (Family photo)
The next production at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) is about to open. The preview night for “Born With Teeth” – by Liz Duffy Adams, directed by Mathew Wright – is tomorrow, and the official opening night is Thursday (7:30 pm both nights). ArtsWest notes, “‘Born with Teeth’ features Michael Monicatti as Kit Marlowe and Ricky Spaulding as William Shakespeare. The two actors went to college together at the University of Washington and are now featured on stages all over Seattle and beyond. ArtsWest welcomes both to our stage for the first time.” More about the play – including the link for tickets – is on ArtsWest’s website.
3:07 PM TUESDAY: We’ve also received multiple messages today about a startling sight toward the east end of Alki Beach – an animal carcass. Some thought it might be a goat but the first person who messaged us, Karen, reported it to city authorities, who told her it’s a young deer and that they were aware of it and planning to remove it. We don’t know if that’s happened yet but are checking. Karen saw it near 54th/Alki.
ADDED 2:57 PM WEDNESDAY: Karen noticed it was still there this morning, so made more calls. Meantime, we checked with Seattle Animal Shelter spokesperson Melissa Mixon, both about the status and about what to do in case of a dead animal. Her reply:
I checked in with the team and it looks like the deceased deer was removed from Alki early this afternoon. With respect to when the public should report a dead animal to SAS, we encourage them to do so any time they encounter a large, deceased animal. The shelter’s animal control team responds to these calls as soon as possible, pending other high-priority or emergency calls.
Smaller dead wildlife, under 15 pounds, should be double-bagged and placed in the garbage. This includes rats, squirrels, birds and other small wildlife. Residents can also bring an animal to the shelter for disposal, but are encouraged to please contact us for an appointment first.
The Seattle Animal Shelter is reachable at 206-386-PETS; you also can file a report (including for a dead animal) here. If you see a dead marine mammal, though, call Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, 206-905-SEAL.
1:41 PM: Lots of questions about this, and after trying for almost four hours to find out more, we still have no additional details, but since people are still asking, we wanted to let you know we tried. Many parents forwarded us this message sent to Pathfinder K-8 families by principal Dr. Britney Holmes around 9:40 this morning:
Out of an abundance of caution, Pathfinder will have increased security on campus as police respond to a community disturbance. Please know – there is not a known imminent threat to our school. Our students and staff are not in harm’s way.
Pathfinder students and staff are my top priority. We are working with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the district Safety and Security team to provide additional support. You or your student may see the additional security on or near our campus today.
As our usual process requires, if we have an urgent issue at our campus, I will enact safety procedures such as a shelter-in-place. As a reminder, during a shelter-in-place, all exterior doors are locked and students remain indoors while the normal instructional day continues.
Because this is a police investigation, I am not able to provide a lot of details, but I will be keeping you as informed as possible.
After combing the usual places we find police-incident numbers and brief call characterizations, we found nothing in that area, so we contacted SPD public affairs and they told us they couldn’t find anything nearby either. We drove around the campus area in the late morning and saw no police nor other signs of trouble. We then asked precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera, and he replied, “We have checked with our staff at the Precinct, and they do not recollect any calls there.” The Seattle Public Schools media office, which speaks for principals, said, “We do not have additional details at this time but will share more with families as information becomes available.” If we eventually find out anything, we’ll update.
8:45 PM: Pathfinder principal Dr. Holmes elaborated a bit in a followup message to families tonight:
Yesterday, our school was made aware of an individual who made a threat to themselves that could occur at our school. We called Seattle Police Department (SPD) and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) safety and security who responded and provided additional support.
SPD contacted and followed up with this individual yesterday evening. Our students and staff did not experience an imminent threat to our school, which allowed school to proceed as regularly scheduled today. …
That description suggests any police report would likely be attached to the individual’s residential address and not the school, explaining why SPD couldn’t find anything in the area when we asked.
(SDOT pothole crew, photo via seattle.gov)
If you’ve noticed new and/or worsened potholes since the recent subfreezing cold, SDOT says it’s on them – provided somebody has reported them:
The Seattle Department of Transportation filled 25,000 potholes in 2023, the most potholes filled in the past five years. Crews are continuing to work hard to address more potholes caused by recent freezing temperatures.
SDOT typically fills over 80% of potholes within three days after receiving a request from the public. While this is always the goal, it may take longer than usual to repair all the street damage after a severe winter storm or prolonged freezing temperatures when hundreds of potholes can suddenly appear all at once.
Every winter, storms and freezing temperatures damage Seattle’s streets, as water from rain and snow finds its way through cracks in the ground and erode the pavement. When the temperatures drop below freezing, this water expands into ice which forces the cracks apart and slices up our streets from the inside out. This causes previously filled potholes to reappear. SDOT is prepared for many new potholes to appear this winter due to recent freezing weather and the possibility of more winter storms to come.
SDOT also proactively looks for potholes before they are reported by the public. This year, crews will patrol major streets to search for new potholes. They will prioritize looking along snow plow routes, which are the most essential streets in the City’s transportation system and experience an increase in heavy vehicles during winter storms making them the most likely place for new potholes to appear.
It may take SDOT longer than usual to respond to potholes during severe weather because the crew members who fill potholes are the same people who work day-and-night during storms to drive snow plows, shovel snow, clear landslides, and respond to flooding. When SDOT is faced with multiple challenges, we prioritize our work to promote public safety.
Potholes are less likely to occur on streets that have been recently paved. Thanks to the Levy to Move Seattle, SDOT has re-paved over 215 miles of Seattle streets since 2016. SDOT crews also add a thin layer of protective sealant to over 200 blocks of city streets a year to keep water out and extend the life of the pavement.
SDOT crews cannot fill a pothole that they do not know about. The public can report new potholes to SDOT in a variety of ways, including using the Find It, Fix It App, submitting an online report, emailing 684-ROAD@seattle.gov, or calling SDOT at (206) 684-ROAD (7623).
Todd at Swedish Automotive (35th/Kenyon; WSB sponsor) says this happened sometime overnight:
Well, make that #3 in the last 12 months. Still nothing of value taken – looks like just a box of old valve shims – but, of course, the expense is in getting the glass replaced.
That’s not necessarily a quick turnaround – last time, Todd adds, they had a three-week wait. They’ve filed a police report; we’ll add the number when available. (Added: It’s 24-901762.) The previous two smash-and-grabs were in February and August 2023.
(Monday evening photo by Arlene Rubin)
Here’s our daily list of what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings until noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment section – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
VISIT WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY: Prospective families are invited to an open house and tour at West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW), 5:30 pm.
LEARN ASL: Free weekly classes, 6 pm at West Seattle’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW). Start any time. Details in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with friends old and new! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
TOASTMASTERS 832: You’re invited to their 6:30 pm online meeting – our calendar listing has RSVP info so you can get the link.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: Interested in singing with a choir? The Boeing Employees Choir – not limited to Boeing employees – rehearses in West Seattle, 6:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), and you’re invited to drop in.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance or drop in to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 3: Three places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
BASKETBALL: One high-school home game tonight – West Seattle High School‘s boys varsity team hosts Seattle Prep, 7:30 pm. (3000 California SW)
BINGO AT TALARICO’S: New, 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)
What’s ahead? Preview it via our event calendar – and if you have something to add, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather February 10 to remember Freda Ricord, and are sharing this remembrance with her community:
Flora Alfreda ‘Freda’ Ricord
January 11, 1929 – January 22, 2024Freda was born in Colorado and moved to West Seattle with her husband George in 1952. They bought a house on Genesee Hill, where they raised three children and lived for the rest of their lives.
Freda was very active in her church, West Side Presbyterian, where she was a member for 70 years. She was a MOPS mentor for over 30 years. She was active in youth ministry teaching Bible school, Bible studies, and attending youth retreats for over 60 years. She participated and led the Women’s Association, taught adult classes and served on 2 pastor-nominating committees. She loved to sing and was in the church choir. She was also active in the local PTAs and tutored high school math students.
Freda was an avid reader and she loved to knit, for herself and others. Most of the WSP babies wore her ‘fruit and vegetable caps’. She loved sports – there was always a game of some sort on the TV and she followed all the Seattle teams. Freda loved an almond croissant from Bakery Nouveau and a cone from Husky.
Freda and George had three children – Albert (deceased), Rhonda and Tim (known as TR), four grandchildren – Jordan Nichols, Kieran Nichols (deceased), Sam and Eli, and three great-grandchildren – Jaxon, Henry, and Inna. Tim’s wife Patty Sanders, Sam’s wife Emily, and Jordan’s partner Monika completed Freda’s family. She also considered the Aronson clan family. She touched and influenced many lives and will be missed by family and dear friends.
A memorial will be held for Freda on Saturday, February 10th at 1 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church – 3601 California Ave in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Continuum Hospice Care or Habitat for Humanity in Freda’s name.
(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)
Got old newspapers? Those puppies – and others – need them! Jennifer from Smidget Dog Rescue says WSB readers helped big time when she last asked, and she’s asking again:
Jennifer from Smidget Dog Rescue here. West Seattle really came through for the newspaper call last year. We filled the shed but now we are ready to accept newspaper again! We currently have over 20 puppies in the rescue and still need more paper. I’ll be doing pickups in the next 2 weeks. Please text 206-261-3342 and I’ll schedule you! Thank you!!
Jennifer explained last year that they use newspaper instead of puppy pads because the latter just get torn up.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, January 30th!
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
After a second straight record high of 61, today’s high might reach the low 60s too – cloudy, chance of rain. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:38 am, sunset at 5:06 pm.
(Monday early am – photo by Don Brubeck)
TRANSIT NOTES
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!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
More than 20 people filled the meeting room at High Point Library on Sunday afternoon as West Seattle’s new Seattle Public Schools Board director, Gina Topp, held her first community-conversation meeting.
These meetings are casual “what’s on your mind?” events rather than meetings with a speaker, an audience, and a preset agenda. Topp opened by acknowledging it had been her most “difficult” week since taking office two months ago because of the shooting death of Chief Sealth International High School student Mobarak Adam. Elaborating later, she lamented, “There’s nothing I can say to make the situation better .. as a community, we have to look at how did we get here, as policy makers, how do we make sure this never ever happens again.”
An attendee added that Mobarak Adam was remembered at a swim meet a few days earlier with a moment of silence, as well as an acknowledgment of the first responders. Topp said that safety and mental health are two issues of great concern to her; on the latter, the city has allotted millions to help youth, but the district has to figure out how to tap into it. (Chief Sealth IHS and Denny IMS are part of a pilot program.)
Everyone in attendance was invited to introduce themselves and explain why they came.
More than half said they were SPS parents; one was a grandparent. Others were SPS employees past and present. Most were from West Seattle, but a few said they had come from other parts of the city just for the chance to get a school-board member’s attention. One, in fact, expressed concern that community members aren’t really being heard when they comment at board meetings. It’s difficult to sign up for a spot, agreed another attendee.
School funding was a common concern voiced by several people, including the equity issues that accompany the practice of PTAs fundraising for staff members their schools otherwise wouldn’t have.
(Photo by Maya Sears, NMFS Permit 27052)
Sad news tonight about the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales’ newest calf, whose birth was first reported by photographer Brittany Noelle one month ago. The Center for Whale Research reports J60 has disappeared:
The Center for Whale Research is sad to report that the youngest member of J pod, J60, was missing during our most recent encounter with the pod. On January 27, CWR researchers conducted a photo ID survey of J pod in San Juan Channel (Encounter #8). During the encounter, photos were obtained of all other members of the pod, including all potential mothers for J60, but J60 himself was not seen. Given his young age, it is extremely unlikely that J60 was off on his own for the entire duration of the encounter. While our protocols require at least three full censuses of the group to confirm mortality, we now believe that J60 is likely deceased.
The calf was believed to have been born in central Puget Sound, though the “residents” range far and wide. CWR’s report says that while the presumed death is sad, it’s not surprising: “The mortality rate for young calves, especially those born to first time mothers, is very high in the southern residents.”
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