West Seattle, Washington
27 Friday
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! Second day with all schools back in session. No current traffic incidents (but in North Delridge, be mindful of the 25th SW fire response).
Road work scheduled to continue today:
Charlestown hill surfacing work west of California – the hill is closed east of 48th
Tomorrow and beyon:
35th/Avalon intersection closure 9 am Friday-6 am Monday. Though Metro had said it would make bus-reroute info public yesterday, as of this morning, still nothing.
Alki Beach Sunset Run – Friday evening 5K at the beach; watch for some closures and parking restrictions 5-8 pm Friday
CAMERA NOTE: While the still images for many SDOT cameras – including the ones on the high bridge – are still not working, the video feeds are, SDOT notes. They’re not directly linkable but if you choose a camera via this map and then choose “video” beneath the image box, it’ll bring the feed up.
9:22 AM: Finally in, the Metro reroutes for Friday 9 am-Monday 6 am during the 35th/Avalon closure. The “shuttle” will cover some of the missed stops:
Rt 21: https://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/pdf/19-21-xx-rt21-swavalon-35avsw-closure-sep6-9.pdf
Rt 50: https://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/pdf/19-50-xx-rt50-swavalon-35avsw-closure-sep6-9.pdf
Rt 55: https://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/pdf/19-55-xx-rt55-swavalon-35avsw-closure-sep6-9.pdf
C Line: https://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/pdf/19-673-xx-rtrrcline-swavalon-35avsw-closure-sep6-9.pdf
Shuttle: https://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/pdf/19-shuttle-swavalon-35avsw-closure-sep6-9.pdf
We’ll publish a standalone story later, too.
(Added: WSB photo)
5:52 AM: Seattle Fire is at a house fire in the 5000 block of 25th SW [vicinity map]. Everyone is reported to be out safely. Updates to come.
5:57 AM: Firefighters are reporting that the fire is under control.
6:12 AM: Our crew at the scene says that while the operation is clearly winding down to some degree, smoke is still visible from the back of the house.
(Added: WSB photo)
6:16 AM: SFD is calling for Red Cross assistance “for eight adults.”
6:32 AM: Firefighters have found a hot spot in the attic. This photo’s just in:
7:06 AM: Our crew at the scene has confirmed no one was hurt. A cat that was missing has been found, too. The fire’s cause is under investigation.
8:26 AM: Wanted to also say thanks to everyone who texted about this shortly after the fire broke out – several also sent photos like this showing that the initial smoke was visible from blocks away:
10:36 AM: Still awaiting word on the cause. Meantime, we asked SFD about something we noticed at the scene – the SFD crews ‘decontaminating’ the firefighters coming out of the house were in hazmat-type suits:
SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley explains, “We are trying to implement a new ‘Decon Policy.’ We’re testing different deployment models and one of them is as you saw today having firefighters in ‘class B’ hazmat suits. They offer tremendous protection for the firefighter that is doing the washing. This is a test and we are working out how this is best going to be implemented.”
8:01 PM: Fire cause determined. From SFD’s Tinsley: “Ruled accidental, estimated loss $250,000. Caused by malfunction of power strip and extension cord located on deck.”
It’s a topic everyone’s got an opinion about – development, particularly housing. What should (or shouldn’t) we be building more of in Seattle? And longer-term – should zoning change to allow more, denser housing in more places? Here’s your chance to sound off in an official city survey. We found the Housing Choices Survey tucked into the middle of the Department of Neighborhoods’ newest newsletter. A related Office of Planning and Community Development webpage explains what it’s about:
Housing Choices is an initiative to create more market-rate housing options, in more places, for more people. Our Housing Choices Background Report provides information about the private housing market in order to start a conversation about this topic. We are now reaching out to hear your perspectives about housing choices, better understand the issues and opportunities, and explore potential responses. Your input, along with additional data and analysis, will inform future recommendations for addressing key issues.
Our Housing Choices survey will help inform near-term actions as well as longer-term recommendations that we hope to present in early 2020.
You can answer the survey’s questions (note that some are optional) by going here.
(WSB file photo)
If you don’t already have your ticket(s) – Cameron from C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) wants to be sure you know about this upcoming community benefit:
We Heart West Seattle Benefit Party, September 14th
From 4 – 7 pmPete and I are excited to announce what we hope will be an annual event supporting the West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Helpline, and WestSide Baby.
There will be food from local restaurants; West 5, Peel and Press, Husky Deli and Joanie’s Catering as well as live music and incredible auction items.
Tickets are $25.00 for one drink of choice and amazing food options and can be purchased at the coffee shop (5612 California Ave SW) or online.
(Photo by Lisa Bontje)
Got teen(s) in your house? As the new school year gets going, here’s their chance to make a difference by helping younger kids:
Team Read is currently recruiting local teens to tutor 2nd and 3rd grade students who are reading at least one year below grade-level proficiency.
We will be hiring 75+ middle and high school students for reading coach positions, and will offer after-school programming at four tutoring sites in/around West Seattle this year (2 more than last year): Roxhill Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, High Point Branch Library and Concord Elementary.
Reading coaches tutor two days a week, gaining valuable work skills and the satisfaction of changing the lives of children in their community, while also acquiring tangible benefits such as (minimum wage) pay, college savings, or service hours. Team Read staff and alumni will be recruiting at local schools over the next several weeks. Teens can also learn more and apply online here.
Deadline: 9/20 for returning coaches, 9/25 for new coaches. Open to all 8th-12th graders who meet the qualifications outlined on our website.
12:37 PM: Another collision reported in north West Seattle – this time at 49th and Spokane, and the dispatcher described it as involving an overturned vehicle. No major response as everyone is reported to be out of the vehicle. We’re on the way to find out more.
12:59 PM: Photo added. No injuries. That’s the only vehicle involved, driven by a teenager, according to police, who are still talking to the people in the car to figure out how it happened.
For the fourth consecutive year, West Seattle Elementary students got a first-day-of-school welcome like no other: The “Be There Rally.” 2016 was the first time community members were invited to greet and inspire the students. The event has continued growing in size and reputation, and this year drew more citywide dignitaries than ever. More on them later. First – WSE principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers got to tell the crowd all about her school:
She repeatedly referred to “the West Seattle Elementary difference” – not just the students’ success, but also her staff’s qualifications, including 8 board-certified teachers and 3 teachers who are “studying to become administrators,” as well as her assistant principal Sahnica Washington. She also touted supporting the students by supporting their parents.
That family support also comes from the Seattle Housing Authority, which manages the community surrounding the school, High Point. SHA executive director Andrew Lofton (lower left in photo above) was among this morning’s high-profile participants, saying that this year SHA will support the district’s emphasis on reading proficiency – a banner for SEATTLE SUPER READERS hung over the school entrance – the way it previously supported improved attendance.
West Seattle Elementary has more than 400 students, so there was a long line to high-five and applaud.
It all happened with perfectly chosen music courtesy of DJ Akim Finch (who is also a WSE employee), spinning classics including Earth, Wind and Fire‘s “September,” McFadden & Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” Aretha Franklin‘s “Respect,” Pharrell Williams‘ “Happy.”
Once all but the last few stragglers had entered the school, the principal was convening a meeting for families inside the school. But before that, the dignitaries exited with their own high-fives for community members. They included Police Chief Carmen Best, Superintendent Denise Juneau, Mayor Jenny Durkan, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, and Seattle School Board President Leslie Harris. Pre-ceremony photo ops abounded, too:
That included the smallest member of the SPD Mounted Patrol, Li’l Sebastian:
Eventually, the visitors all moved on, and it was time for the West Seattle Elementary “Husky scholars” to get to work.
11:52 AM: Thanks to Al for the photo and report – the emergency response at Admiral/46th is for a collision involving a driver and pedestrians. No major injuries but one person is being taken to a hospital by private ambulance. We’ll check with SFD for condition info shortly.
2:30 PM: SFD info on the victims: “24-year-old male evaluated, and did not require transport. Approx. 49-year-old female transported via AMR to area hospital in stable condition.”
Big event ahead for West Seattle-headquartered The Whale Trail. Just announced:
Erich Hoyt, internationally renowned author and marine conservationist, is returning to deliver a new series of talks about orcas and marine conservation. ‘Orca Tour 2019’ follows the sell-out 2014 and 2015 tours and will focus on Erich’s efforts to protect marine mammal habitats worldwide and how they might support the conservation of orcas in the North Pacific. The talks, as well as the release of Erich’s expanded new edition of “Orca: The Whale Called Killer,” are especially timely given the recent loss of three southern resident orcas.
“Orca: The Whale Called Killer” charts Erich Hoyt’s adventures and conservation work, which began with killer whales off the B.C. coast and was followed by two decades of orca research in Kamchatka, Russia. As co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, and policy lead for the Healthy Seas program of the U.K.-based Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Erich co-directs a 10-year project to map the habitats for 130 species of marine mammals across the world’s oceans. His book, “Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises,” has helped set the standard for marine biodiversity conservation work.
“This is a rare chance to hear from Erich in person,” said Donna Sandstrom, Executive Director of The Whale Trail and a member of Governor Jay Inslee’s Task Force on Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery. “Erich has been thinking about how to protect orcas as long as he has been writing about them, starting in the 1980s when he contributed to the successful effort to protect Robson Bight, a critical habitat for the northern resident orcas. Erich’s talk will inspire and inform our efforts to protect J, K and L pods, here, where his work began.”
Erich added: “It’s special for me coming back to the Northwest to celebrate this new edition of my book—the work that set me on a life path. In my talks, I will introduce a global context for addressing threats and supporting marine habitat conservation. Much has changed for the orcas here. People know the individuals and their families and appreciate their precarious existence—especially the endangered southern residents. We all want to do more to help them.”
The Orca Tour is organized by The Whale Trail and local sponsoring organizations. “Orca: The Whale Called Killer” and Erich’s other books will be on sale at each event. A Q &A and book signing will follow each presentation.
Orca Tour – WEST SEATTLE
Who: The Whale Trail presents “Orca Tour 2019” with Author and Conservationist Erich Hoyt, sponsored by Sound Community Bank
What: Presentation and talk given by Erich Hoyt on “Healthy Seas for Whales and Dolphins” and book signing of new edition of “ORCA: The Whale Called Killer”
When: Thursday, September 19, 7 PM
Where: Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave SW, West Seattle
Tickets: $15 General Admission • $10 Students/Seniors/Kids under 12
Advance Tickets: erichhoyt.brownpapertickets.com
(Northern Flicker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Besides the first day of school for everybody who hadn’t already gone back, here are other highlights for today:
INTERESTED IN SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE? Info session this morning at 10 am for professional/technical studies at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). You’ll find out about nine programs! (6000 16th SW)
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: Even disasters on the other side of the country – like Hurricane Dorian – affect supplies here. If you can donate, there’s a mobile drive at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood today, 1-7 pm (closed 3-4 pm for break). Walk-ups welcome. (39th SW/SW Thistle)
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: Ninth week for this year’s weekly farm-stand sessions, selling fresh produce and flowers, all grown by local residents at the mini-farm next to the stand. 4 pm-7 pm. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Greenspace is the centerpiece topic as SWDC reconvenes, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. All welcome! (4217 SW Oregon)
NEW NONPROFIT YOGA: Poseurs is expanding to West Seattle, starting tonight:
What: Poseurs Yoga
When: Wednesday, September 4 and September 11, 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m.
Where: Youngstown Cultural Arts CenterPay-what-you-can yoga at Youngstown! This is an hour-long, vinyasa-style class. Bring your own mat if you can—there’s a limited number of extras available. Our suggested donation is $10 to $25, but nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.
(4408 Delridge Way SW)
JAZZ! Every Wednesday night at Whisky West. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
THE LOOSE HEELS: Country @ Parliament Tavern! 9 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE! See our complete calendar here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:45 AM: Good morning! First, a word about the cameras – the main West Seattle Bridge cameras (and some others that SDOT operates) have been down for more than a week, so what you see above is the best available.
Back to school today for:
Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor)
Highline Public Schools
Seattle Public Schools
Tilden School (WSB sponsor)
West Seattle Montessori School & Academy
Westside School (WSB sponsor)
Also today:
Charlestown hill surfacing work west of California is expected to begin
And a big reminder:
35th/Avalon intersection closure 9 am Friday-6 am Monday
7:33 AM: Stalled vehicle reported on eastbound bridge. Also, two Route 55 cancellations.
8:37 AM: Ferry cancellation coming up later this morning. From WSF: “The 11:30 am sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon is cancelled today, Wed, Sept. 4, due to unscheduled maintenance requirements to the #1 vessel Kitsap. The next sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon will depart at 11:50 am with the #3 vessel Cathlamet.”
8:50 AM: New lane-blocking problem on the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy; police just dispatched.
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, two reader reports:
PURSE SNATCHER PURSUED: Earlier this evening, a texter reported seeing “several adults pursuing several teens” in The Junction. We were unable to find out what it was about – until this report that just arrived, from Lynda:
I wanted to give a HUGE shoutout to the local community to help retrieve my purse after it had been snatched this evening around 6:15 PM.
I was sitting at the Lodge with friends next to the window and a teenager grabbed my purse off of my chair. There was a group of 4 teenaged, black men in hooded sweatshirts with their pants hanging below their waists loitering in front of the Lodge. I turned my back for one second and one of them grabbed my purse which was hanging on my chair on the INSIDE of the restaurant furthest from the window. I immediately jumped out of my chair, through the window onto Alaska, and gave chase. I screamed as loud as I could for anyone to stop the (*&#@&*&^%$$ with my red purse. I didn’t realize it at the time, but everyone on California came to my aid. People were literally jumping out of windows and running down the street to help me catch this POS and get my purse back. I swear, it was like something out of ‘Starsky and Hutch’…LOVED IT! Well, I loved it in hindsight.
Thank you to EVERYONE for helping me, as I truly felt helpless running down the middle of California in my flip flops screaming. I want to give a special shout out to the man and his son that ultimately forced the thief to toss my purse. This man was/is total bada** and I believe the thief knew he was done at this point. I also want to REALLY thank the staff at the Lodge, there were at least 4 staff personnel that ran after the thief alongside me. They were truly intent on getting the thief and they went above and beyond the call of duty … thanks Tita and staff!
Also tonight:
STOLEN CAR? This has been in a local parking lot for two days, keys in the ignition, we’re told:
Police notification to come but in the meantime, if it happens to be yours, let us know.
(WSB photo, September 2018)
The first day of school is hours away for thousands more local students, and what might be the biggest kickoff event at a Seattle Public Schools campus will happen here in West Seattle. As we mentioned two weeks ago, West Seattle Elementary will welcome its students with the “Be There Rally,” featuring community members high-fiving and applauding as the students enter the school, walking on a red carpet. This year, those community members will include SPS Superintendent Denise Juneau, School Board President Leslie Harris, and Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best (added 10:40 pm, Mayor Jenny Durkan too), joining Principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers and her staff, according to the district. Be there by 7:15 am to be part of it – and “dress for success” to set an example for the kids. WSE is at 6760 34th SW.
While the Metro alerts/reroutes page includes info about two major changes ahead for West Seattle buses – the southbound downtown rerouting starting September 9th and the Dearborn demolition-related rerouting starting September 12th – a reader pointed out over the weekend that there’s nothing yet about the 35th/Avalon intersection closure coming up this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So we asked Metro today. Spokesperson Travis Shofner told WSB at day’s end, “I’ve been told they are working on finalizing details and alerts and service advisories are scheduled to go out tomorrow.”
3:57 PM: Big Seattle Fire response on the way to 1st Ave. S. and Myers Way S. [map] SFD says the report is a crash involving a vehicle on its side in the northbound lanes.
4 PM: SFD says extrication isn’t needed after all and has downsized the call. Avoid the area for a while, though.
4:18 PM: Added a photo of the scene – no sidewalks, no place to pull over, so that’s as close as our crew could get. One NB lane is getting by (downhill) and the SB (uphill) lanes are unaffected.
4:50 PM: Just went back to check – scene’s now completely clear.
From police reports filed over the holiday weekend:
SUNDAY: Another garage break-in and bicycle theft. It happened sometime Saturday in the 2700 block of SW Holden. The owner noticed at 8:30 pm that his 2019 Specialized Tarmac Sport Disc bicycle – dark gray and neon yellow with a bottle cage on the back of the seat – was missing. No evidence or damage, and nothing else taken.
MONDAY: A resident in the 4000 block of 45th SW reported that someone had broken into her house via a sliding-glass door left unlocked while she was outside. Items reported taken included two cameras and two boxes of custom-made greeting cards.
The city has just opened voting for the next round of Your Voice, Your Choice projects, proposed by community members for a share of $2 million in citywide park/street-project funds. You can vote online here, supporting up to three projects in District 1 (West Seattle/South Park). Eleven projects are on the D-1 ballot; we’ve previewed it so you can see the list before you open a ballot – each description links to more details about the project proposal:
ADMIRAL
Crossing Improvements on intersection of SW Admiral Way and 44th Ave SW
Estimated Cost: $120,000ALKI
Traffic Calming Improvements on 61st Avenue SW between SW Admiral Way and Beach Drive SW
Estimated Cost: $30,000HIGHLAND PARK
Crossing Improvements on 16th Ave SW & SW Holden St
Estimated Cost: $30,000HIGHLAND PARK
Crossing Improvements on 9th Ave SW from SW Kenyon St, SW Elmgrove St, and SW Thistle St
Estimated Cost: $120,000PUGET RIDGE
Crossing Improvements on 16th Avenue SW
Estimated Cost: $120,000SOUTH DELRIDGE
Sidewalk/Trail Improvements on SW Barton St between 21st Ave SW and SW Barton Pl
Estimated Cost: $112,700SOUTH DELRIDGE
Crossing Improvements on Olson Pl SW & SW Roxbury St
Estimated Cost: $35,000SOUTH PARK
Crossing Improvements on 700 S Cloverdale St
Estimated Cost: $90,000WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
Crossing Improvements on Glenn Way and Oregon St
Estimated Cost: $10,000WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
Crossing Improvements on the corner of 39th Ave SW and SW Oregon
Estimated Cost: $45,000WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
Crossing Improvements on SW Alaska St. & 36th Ave. SW
Estimated Cost: $20,000
Voting continues through September 30th; if you want to use a paper ballot, you can get one at any Seattle Public Library branch (or print one from the city YVYC webpage).
(WSB photo)
Canna West Seattle (5440 California SW; WSB sponsor) and its partner shop Canna Culture have just launched a recycling program for cannabis and CBD packaging, even if you didn’t buy the item(s) there. Here’s the announcement we received today:
Canna West Seattle’s sister store, the Canna Culture Shop, which is located across the street at 5435 California Ave SW, announced today that it has created a recycling program for cannabis and CBD product containers. Though the program is focused primarily on West Seattle residents, anyone from anywhere can deposit all of their cannabis and CBD-related recyclables at the Canna Culture Shop.
“Some experts estimate that by 2020 the cannabis industry will be generating over one billion units of single-use plastic packaging waste per year,” says Canna West Seattle and Canna Culture owner Maryam Mirnateghi. “As an entrepreneur in this industry, that statistic bothers me and it bothers my staff, so we are taking action.”
Last year journalist Kristen Milares Young published a landmark story in the Washington Post, “Garbage from Washington state’s booming pot industry clogs gutters, sewers and landfills.” In a followup interview with KUOW radio, she stated that, “in California, Oregon, and Colorado, $217 million in doob tubes were sold in just one 12-month period.”
All of Seattle’s ‘doob tubes’ (pre-rolled joint packaging), regardless of whether or not they are made of recyclable plastics, are going straight to its landfills. According to Washington’s state regulations, any plastic tube material that has a lid smaller than three inches across cannot be recycled and must be sent to a landfill.
But: “We want to point out that we are collecting joint tubes as well in hopes that we can come up with a real solution for recycling them soon, in the very least, we hope it will keep trash off the ground,” says Mirnateghi. “The solution may involve something technology focused and in a city full of world-class engineers, we likely have the talent to overcome what is a global problem. Or it may involve something art-focused. Either way, we are committed to leading the charge for change in this specific arena so stay tuned.”
Canna is thanking those who participate in its Canna Collect Recycling Program by offering discounts and membership rewards at both retail locations. To recycle used cannabis and CBD packages, anyone who wants to participate can simply bring them to the Canna West Seattle Culture Shop and the store’s staff will take care of their immediate disposal.
(View from Alki Point Lighthouse window on final day of tours, photographed by Anjanette Nelson-Wally)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Weekly lunch meeting, noon at Alki Masonic Center. Speaker list here; other info in our calendar listing. (4736 40th SW)
EARLIER ULTIMATE: West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee‘s weekly all-welcome Tuesday night session moves to 6 pm starting tonight, at Fairmount Playfield. All welcome! (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Help advocate for safer bicycling around West Seattle! WSBC welcomes all to its monthly meeting, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House in High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
TOASTMASTERS: 6:30 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), local Club 832 meets and welcomes your visit to “a non-profit educational organization that teaches speaking and leadership skills.” (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
OPEN MIC AT THE PARLIAMENT: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. Hosted by Joey V. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:45 AM: Good morning! it’s back-to-school day for:
Holy Rosary Catholic School
Hope Lutheran School
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School
The Bridge School
Vashon Island School District
ADVANCE ALERTS: As the week continues –
Wednesday/Thursday: Charlestown hill surfacing work west of California
Friday: 35th/Avalon intersection closure 9 am Fri.-6 am Mon.
7:27 AM: Metro says the 7:30 am Route 55 won’t run today.
It’s going to be a busy offseason at Alki. Seattle Parks has a variety of projects planned, according to information forwarded by David Hutchinson. He explains:
Representatives of the Alki Community Council recently met with Seattle Parks staff at the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza to discuss future maintenance plans for the site. The ACC was instrumental in the creation of a dedicated maintenance fund for the Plaza through the sale of bricks and plaques.
We asked if there were any plans in the works involving an ADA ramp in the area, as this had been mentioned in the past.
And indeed, it turns out there are.
As the flyer above indicates, work is planned near and at the Bathhouse and the 63rd SW restroom building – this is separate from the plan to replace the other freestanding restroom building at 57th SW next year. Parks told the ACC they expect work to start the week of September 16th.
It’s a Labor Day tradition at the Alki Masonic Lodge in The Junction – raising a new flag to fly over the center, and retiring the old one. The Masons were assisted today by Darrell Pilat and John Bernritter from VFW Post 1263:
Soprano Barbara Smith Jones was there to sing the national anthem:
And the VFW presented the poem “Freedom Is Not Free”:
This was the eighth year for the ceremony, which started in 2012 after the lodge’s flagpole was renovated.
Though Wednesday is the biggest “back to school” day this week, hundreds of local students start classes tomorrow (Tuesday, September 3rd). Here’s the list:
Holy Rosary Catholic School
Hope Lutheran School
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School
(added) The Bridge School
Vashon Island School District
Let us know if we missed anyone!
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