West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Ken Iverson e-mailed to let us know about the lights we’re featuring tonight (in video instead of a still photo, because they’re about music and movement):
I am pleased to announce that our holiday light show is up and running. We are located at 4120 38th Ave SW between Genesee and Dakota. [map] We’re only about 3 or 4 blocks south of the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular and while not quite as ‘Spectacular,’ we do have over 5,000 lights controlled by computer through over 2,700 channels set to music.
We have scheduled two shows of about 25 minutes running on the hour and half hour from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday and will run until about midnight on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
The music is fairly quiet if you stand on the sidewalk to watch, but a sign on the gate says it’s simulcast at 101.9 FM, same frequency as West Seattle Lights.
If you have noticed while driving California SW south of Morgan Junction that a section of Gatewood is in the dark – it’s planned, according to a note we received from Lee, who says a notice was distributed saying the power would be out starting around 8 pm, for up to 11 hours. It’s not on the city’s outage map, so we don’t know how wide the area is, but this is part of the zone still served by some of Seattle City Light’s oldest equipment, which is scheduled for replacement.
10:19 PM: Power is back on!
‘Tis the season to give. That’s what two local Girl Scout troops have done in recent days; their leaders shared this report and photos:
Sunday evening, we held our 4th Annual West Seattle Girl Scout Christmas Cookie Exchange. It was a wonderful success! 23 Junior Scouts (5th Graders from Troop #40890 and #40699) hosted 60 Brownie Scouts (2nd/3rd Graders) at this event.
The Scouts celebrated Christmas by singing songs, enjoying Christmas treats, and exchanging Christmas Cookies. The Junior Scouts mentored the younger Scouts in practicing several Girl Scout traditions.
While having all this fun, they also thought about our homeless neighbors in downtown Seattle who go to the UNION GOSPEL MISSION for food, shelter and supplies.
On Monday, we delivered 83 dozen cookies and 60 handmade Christmas cards to the Union Gospel Mission.
The Girl Scouts also donated a trunk-load of much needed toiletries which will be delivered to the Union Gospel Mission this week.
These Girl Scouts had a wonderful time celebrating together and spreading some Christmas cheer to our neighbors at the UNION GOSPEL MISSION.
Happy Holidays!
Rosina Geary, Troop Leader #40890
Deyette Swegle, Troop Leader #40699
Even if you’re not involved with organized giving like this, there are plenty of opportunities on the list that is part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info Guide – just scroll through (and keep checking back – we’re adding more daily)!
(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)
Today, we welcome a new WSB sponsor: Skin Butik. New sponsors are invited to introduce themselves to you, so here’s what they would like you to know:
(From left, Skin Butik’s Donna Mansfield and Sara Lowe)
Skin Butik offers you European skin care, without leaving West Seattle. Clients are happy to choose Skin Butik for reasons such as our absolutely gorgeous and private space with convenient parking in Morgan Junction. We cater to one client at a time here; they are delighted to find the entire spa all to themselves and enjoy private, and very personal, one-on-one, first-class service at Skin Butik. Also, we are enthusiastically connected to the West Seattle community and a great resource for referring people to other fantastic local businesses in the area!
We often hear from clients how happy they are that they discovered us, some of them as many as 15 years ago! Skin Butik clients are so happy they don’t have to travel downtown, pay for parking, pay too much money for only a mediocre experience and deal with a large staff; they love the European quality of the services we provide. The majority of our business happens through word of mouth, and we could not be more grateful for our referrals! The best part of our job is that we are as much inspired by our amazing clients as they are by us. We discuss everything here, from overall health, diet, and lifestyle, to the latest trends in fashion, to worldwide travel. Our clients keep coming back for the ultimate relaxing experience and optimum aesthetic services and care, including the best European facial Seattle has to offer. Seriously.
Our community involvement includes being part of the WestSide Professionals BNI organization in West Seattle, a BNI organization that meets every Wednesday morning to network, and grow each other’s businesses in our community. We look forward to growing our business and want to thank all of our amazing clients for their support all these years! Here’s how to contact Skin Butik, including online appointment requests, or call 206-938-7714.
We thank Skin Butik for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Earlier this year, WSB started a series of stories about independent local businesses and why they matter more to a community like ours than you might realize. Then, the “West Seattle: We Have That” campaign launched at midsummer. Now, we’re continuing to publish stories as part of the series – and inviting you into the conversation. Many of the reports are being underwritten by the West Seattle Junction Association, but not as ads – it’s their contribution to an issue of importance from Alki to Admiral to Westwood, Fauntleroy to Highland Park to North Delridge, and all over WS.
By Keith Creighton
Special to West Seattle Blog
Tomorrow night is the next Shop Late Thursday in The Junction, one of many ways West Seattle shopkeepers – outside The Junction, too – are hoping to attract your shopping dollars this holiday season. As we have noted before in the ongoing series of West Seattle: We Have That! stories, they are also very aware that competitors are literally at your fingertips. So here are 10 reasons to consider shopping in person instead of/in addition to online:
#1 – Super-cute shops, great personalities
Shopping alone in your pajamas has its benefits, but there’s nothing like the personal connection you get in a boutique. Independent local retailers are your neighbors and they really know their stuff. They’ll answer your questions, serve as your personal shopper, tell you about the latest trends and offer a second opinion whenever you need one.
#2 – Seeing is believing
Tomorrow at Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle, you are invited to a special event in honor of organ donors, including a boy who died 20 years ago. 
Joshua Thomas Waleryszak was just 12 when he lost his life to complications related to developmental disabilities. His parents donated his kidneys and liver. Joshua’s father Tom died this past October and was also an organ donor.
At the event tomorrow, Joshua’s mom Judy Waleryszak of West Seattle will finish a floragraph in his honor that will be part of the Donate Life float “Light Up the World“ in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day 2014, and you’re invited to come show your support. Never heard of a floragraph? It’s explained as “a portrait representation of an individual, made of seeds and other organic material.” Joshua is one of 81 donors to be honored by the float, which will feature riders and marchers including 30 organ/tissue transplant recipients and 12 living organ donors.
The event tomorrow (Thursday, December 12th) will be at Forest Lawn’s funeral home at 30th/Sylvan, 5-7 pm. It will be followed by another event with an open public invitation, Forest Lawn’s annual holiday remembrance ceremony, a chance to honor those who died in the past year, featuring grief expert Dr. Darcie Sims.
An acting director for SDOT is one of the appointments just announced by Mayor-elect Ed Murray, in a lineup he declared “a winning team.” He has also announced three permanent department heads, one other acting department head, his executive-leadership team – including two deputy mayors – and their salaries, as well as some restructuring, and creation of a new Office of Policy and Innovation, which will include a “project lead for transportation and transit issues” among others. Here’s the news release in its entirety – (added 2:59 pm) followed by an announcement it did not contain, that of Parks leadership:
Seattle Mayor-elect Ed Murray today announced key staff roles and hires within the Office of the Mayor, outlined three major ‘staffing innovations’ and named several new City department head appointments.
“My administration, as with any administration, will be judged on how we serve Seattle residents, and my standard will be one of excellence,” said Murray. “To me, excellence means an administration that functions with a high level of inclusiveness, transparency, responsiveness and collaboration – and that brings innovation to solving problems for the people of Seattle.”
At a press conference today, Murray was flanked by his selections for his executive leadership team, his newly-created Office of Policy & Innovation, and his proposed appointments for interim and permanent department head positions.
That’s the new all-peninsula, all-transportation-modes logo unveiled last night by the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, designed by interim-board member Amanda Kay Helmick, who started the board meeting by lauding WSTC’s “tremendous amount of progress.”
Atop the list: Less than three months after forming, the group has endorsements representing 68.4 percent of the peninsula – almost to the 70 percent goal it had set for reaching by next May. (The endorsements stretch slightly off-peninsula too, with the South Park Neighborhood Association on the list.)
Also on the list: The WSTC’s November 18th rally regarding bus-cut concern, with not only the support of but participation by three local elected officials with influence in the coalition’s topic of focus.
And, something vital to any group: The creation of WSTC bylaws, which recap its roots as well as its rules.
Now the WSTC is getting ready for a pivotal January 14th event to which you are invited – and beyond that, for its first elections, with your involvement welcome too:
The buildout starts next week at 2820 Alki SW, future home of French restaurant Cassis, according to proprietor Jef Fike, who just shared this update, including a menu preview and news of his choice for chef:
Construction of Cassis begins this Monday the 16th. We are projecting opening within the first two weeks of February.
Although I’m sure there will be some changes between now and then, I am attaching the opening menu to give you an idea of what we’ll be doing. Our hours to begin will be Wednesday-Monday, closed Tuesdays. In April or May we will open for Saturday and Sunday brunch and in June open 7 days and nights through the Summer months. We will also be doing a happy-hour menu daily from 4-6.
My Chef is Andy Dekle, a neighbor in West Seattle, formerly Head Chef at The Ruins, Local Vine, and currently at Portage Bay through the end of the year.
I encourage folks to like our Cassis page on Facebook. I’ll be doing updates on our progress as we chug along towards the opening.
Cassis’s previous incarnation was on Capitol Hill a decade ago; the Alki plan has been in the works for almost a year, but the location – formerly home to Alki Arts (which still has its Harbor Steps gallery downtown) – wasn’t finalized until this fall.
(Ruby crown kinglet, photographed near a backyard feeder last week by Robin)
Most – but not all – of tonight’s highlights are from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide, which we continue to update daily, both removing what’s already happened and adding new events we get word of – so please keep sending them (editor@westseattleblog.com), and keep checking the guide, including the list of giving opportunities. Now, on with tonight:
HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP AND FOOD DRIVE: Tonight at Bird on a Wire Espresso, 6-9 pm, with locally made merchandise, plus a food drive for the White Center Food Bank. More info here. (3509 SW Henderson)
‘WATER BLUES, GREEN SOLUTION’: Documentary premiere at South Park Community Center, 6 pm event including kids’ activities and more – details in our calendar listing. (8319 8th S.)
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY: 3rd annual Christmas Party for the West Seattle community from 6 pm-9 pm at Mars Hill Church. From the announcement: “We’re going to have live music, crafts, caroling, Santa’s Workshop for kids, hot chocolate, dessert buffet, tree lighting, and free pictures with Santa!” (35th/Ida)
POLITICAL PARTY: 34th District Democrats‘ Holiday Party, 6:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Get the latest at 34dems.org. (9131 California SW)
MUDHONEY AND MUDHONEY AT FULL TILT: As first reported here last week, Mudhoney the music legend will perform at Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s White Center store tonight during the premiere party for its Mudhoney flavor. Party at 7, music at 8. (9629 16th SW)
‘LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL’: Third week of performances at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction begins at 7:30 tonight. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
Be the first to know! Browse ahead – days, weeks, months – via the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
(More area traffic cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Welcome to Wednesday! No major incidents in the commute zone so far.
Now that it’s Wednesday, a weekend reminder – 99 north of downtown is closing again this weekend as part of the Mercer project, so from late Friday night until Monday morning, northbound 99 traffic will be detoured off at Western.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes – first, a stolen car that Tina hopes you will watch for:
My friend’s bronze 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck was stolen from the (Junction parking lot at 44th SW/SW Oregon) last Sunday. It was taken sometime between 12:30 pm and midnight. The license plate number is B33192Z.
My friend needs it to work; she is self-employed, and if she doesn’t have it to get to appointments, she doesn’t make any money. The truck has a camper shell, and the back is full of flooring samples. The gas tank was pretty much on empty, so whoever took it probably didn’t go very far.
Tina sent an update saying the truck was seen on SW Holly near Fauntleroy (map), where two men took the camper shell off and dumped it by a house. One more note: The truck has a faded American flag sticker on the back above the bumper. Call 911 if you see it, and then notify Tina, dohertym@gmail.com.
Second note: Late Tuesday night, an apparent hit-and-run at 39th and Raymond (map); a neighbor who wants to remain anonymous says a silver Acura crashed at the traffic circle and “four occupants fled the vehicle heading west toward Fauntleroy.” We are checking with police to see if the car turned out to be stolen and whether any suspects were found.
| 1 COMMENT