July 2025

West Seattle High School music instructor Ethan Thomas was awarded $10,000 for his educational efforts by the Manilow Project during the Barry Manilow concert in Seattle July 12.

Lauded by Barry Manilow on his farewell tour he said, 

"Let me just read you what he wrote. His quote, "I am most proud," he says, "of watching my students enter our music program and then become the outstanding leaders and people." How wonderful, wonderful. It's our honor to celebrate you, Ethan. So, let's give a hand. Let's give a hand to our teacher right here in Seattle, Ethan Thomas. Stand up, Ethan. Look at that. Let's go. That's great. High five my view so much. That's great, Ethan. Thanks. We're all so proud of you. That's great, Ethan. Thank you for your commitment."

By Jerry Robinson

Jerry Robinson wrote a column for this publication for decades called Borderlines, derived from the fact that White Center was located literally next to the City/County line. This one was written in the late 1950's

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has announced its decision to not proceed with installing new parking on the waterside of Alki Avenue SW, following an extensive public survey that revealed a deeply divided community.

This decision comes after the Seattle City Council’s 2025 Budget Proviso SDOT-005-A directed up to $175,000 for parking adjustments in West Seattle, which included modifying parking at Duwamish Head and exploring new spaces on Alki Avenue SW.

The initial phase of adjustments saw angled parking at Duwamish Head converted to parallel parking in June, while maintaining the 11 PM to 5 AM restrictions. The proviso allowed SDOT to consider adding parallel parking between the 1200 and 1700 blocks of Alki Ave SW to address the net loss of spaces. To gather community input, a survey was conducted, receiving over 880 responses from residents and visitors over approximately three weeks.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Baseball

Summer collegiate

The DubSea Fish Sticks of White Center entertain Everett for a 6:35 p.m. Friday game at Mel Olson Stadium inside Steve Cox Memorial Park.

Redmond pays a visit at 6:05 p.m. Saturday before the Fish Sticks drop in on the DRI team Monday and travel to Port Angeles Tuesday.

The DubSea team hosts the Northwest Honkers at 6:35 p.m. Thursday.

Little League

The state Major all-star tournament for ages 10-12 opens in Vancouver this Saturday with the area District 7 champion playing District 1 at 4 p.m. to open.

The tournament runs through Sunday, July 20.

In ongoing District 7 action, the age 9-11 tournament concludes Friday at Petrovitsky Park in Renton and the age 8-10 tournament hosted by South Highline National ends Saturday.

The Sound Transit Board's System Expansion Committee and the full Board are scheduled to consider Resolution No. R2025-16 this month, which seeks to authorize the acquisition of crucial real property interests for the West Seattle Link Extension Project (WSLE). The proposed action grants the chief executive officer the authority to acquire properties, including through condemnation if necessary, and to reimburse eligible relocation and reestablishment expenses for affected owners and tenants. The resolution is slated for consideration by the System Expansion Committee on July 10, and by the Board on July 24.