West Seattle, Washington

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day : 24/11/2014 14 results

West Seattle giving: 8-year-old Joseph’s one-day food drive
November 24, 2014 11:56 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The spirit of giving can start young. These pictures show what 8-year-old Joseph Meats, a third grader at Our Lady of Guadalupe, did this past weekend. His mom Christi Meats explains, “He wanted to do something nice for Thanksgiving and the up and coming holidays so he decided to go door to door and ask for food for the food bank!” So they distributed a flyer to some homes in Admiral and Arbor Heights last Thursday asking that people leave food donations on their doorstep for pickup yesterday.

Today, he brought it all to the West Seattle Food Bank after school.

His mom adds, “His goal is to inspire others so it was fun to watch him succeed in raising awareness as he left his wagon out during the Seahawk game and people kept dropping off food!” (And if you’re inspired – contact the WS Food Bank directly, or keep an eye on our daily calendar previews and Holiday Guide for giving opportunities of all kinds.)

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No indictment in Ferguson: Tonight’s aftermath in Seattle
November 24, 2014 6:58 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

6:58 PM: Here’s what’s happening in Seattle right now, after the announcement in Ferguson, Missouri, tonight that a grand jury decided not to indict the police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown:

(Photo tweeted by reporter Paige Cornwell of The Seattle Times [WSB partner])
-A protest march is under way in the Westlake Center area downtown. Pine Street is closed between 4th and 5th and might also close to 6th.

-Mayor Ed Murray is planning to meet the media inside City Hall at 7:15 pm, with others listed in the advisory announcement as “Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole, Pamela Banks (Urban League), Pramila Jayapal (state senator-elect), Estela Ortega (El Centro de la Raza) and others.” UPDATE: The mayor’s office says it will be live-streamed here.

-King County Executive and West Seattleite Dow Constantine has sent a written statement:

“We all mourn the loss of a young man’s life. This is a moment to say what is in our hearts, with tolerance, respect, and restraint, as we were asked to do by Michael Brown’s family.

“The events in Ferguson have laid bare the ongoing racial divide that stretches across the breadth of these United States. Here in King County we have made equity and social justice a central tenet of our work — a value that each employee will consciously and daily pursue as we serve the public. Our task now must be to learn from this moment, and to redouble our efforts to create the long-term, systemic changes our nation needs to fulfill its destiny.”

-So far, we have not heard of any gatherings in West Seattle. We will update as the night goes on.

ADDED 7:18 PM: President Obama is speaking. One quote, tweeted:

7:26 PM: Mayor Murray waited until after the President’s speech to start his event.

The downtown protest march, meantime, has moved east to Capitol Hill.

7:43 PM: Another Times photo tweeted from the Hill:

And a note from the city:

The Seattle Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center closed at 8:45 p.m. The police department continues to provide support for free speech events city-wide.

10:32 PM: Things weren’t quite winding down. Protesters moved on to I-5:

10:37 PM: Police report some violence:

10:52 PM: The freeway has reopened. Protesters are reported to be headed back toward Capitol Hill.

11:51 PM: Still there.

You can of course find endless reporting out there on every scale of what has happened; if you’re looking for a direct link to the transcribed grand-jury proceedings in Missouri, here they are as posted by NYTimes.com.

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Car hits tree on Sylvan Way; driver unhurt
November 24, 2014 6:43 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

If you’ve driven Sylvan Way east of High Point this evening, you might have noticed the car crumpled into a tree on the south side of the street. Looks bad, but police told us at the scene that the driver was not hurt.

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West Seattle holidays: Menashe Family Lights start Sunday
November 24, 2014 5:36 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

We also checked tonight on the Menashe Family Christmas Lights, the brightest lights in West Seattle year after year, and found the crew working hard on the display even as night fell and rain moved back in. Josh Menashe tells us that this Sunday will be the first official night of this year’s display, starting around 6 pm. Here’s something brand-new this year:

Kids will be able to drop off letters to Santa Claus in that brand-new box you’ll find outside the house at 5605 Beach Drive SW. (As Josh put it, Santa knows exactly where their house is.)

P.S. The Menashe home is of course also featured in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – which also includes everything from Thanksgiving info (workouts, free dinners, coffee-shop/restaurant/grocery-store hours) to New Year’s, and we’re updating it daily.

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Holiday countdown: West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular starts on Thanksgiving night
November 24, 2014 5:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Blustery weather or not, the show must go on, so Jim Winder was back up on the roof today at 3908 SW Charlestown, home of his friends the Helmstetler Family, who have hosted his music-synched dancing-lights Christmas Spectacular since 2009.

When the show debuts on Thursday night, you’ll hear new music (added – including Meghan Trainor‘s “All About That Bass,” Taylor Swift‘s “Shake It Off,” Pharrell Williams‘ “Happy,” and Rock Sugar with “Don’t Stop the Santa”). “Surprises in early December,” too, Jim promises.

Jim says he’s not planning a big ceremony this year – the light shows will simply start on Thanksgiving night, with the website schedule updated by then, and you’ll be welcome to stop by any night through New Year’s Eve. A few hours after stopping by to see him, we passed the house again just before dark tonight, and noticed the baseline lights aglow, in Seahawks/Sounders blue and green:

The light show starts at 7 pm Thursday night – remember to bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank (there’s a bin out front). You can hear the synchronized music in your car at 101.9 FM.

P.S. This is one of three light shows that are part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – we’re updating another show next – and please let us know when you see great lights, animated or not, throughout the season … here’s how.

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Update: Missing 13-year-old Ella Blalock found
November 24, 2014 3:41 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Haven’t heard any other details yet but according to new comments on our weekend story as well as social-media reports, 13-year-old Ella Blalock has been found safe. She is from Pierce County but the search for her focused extensively on West Seattle over the weekend, as it was reported that she was with a boy who had friends here. At last report, wherever she was found, her family was en route to get her.

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West Seattle sports: Chief Sealth basketball alumni event Friday
November 24, 2014 1:51 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle sports: Chief Sealth basketball alumni event Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Friday night, you’re invited to Chief Sealth International High School for a tribute, two alumni games, a tribute, and more! From girls’ head basketball coach Katie Jo Maris:

Chief Sealth’s 3rd annual Nels Enquist Alumni Basketball Game: THANK YOU, COACH MIKE SIVA!

“You Gave Me Your Time, The Most Thoughtful Gift Of ALL” – Dan Zadra

I would like to invite EVERYONE to join Chief Sealth International High School on November 28, 2014 to honor the great coach Mike Siva for everything he has done for Chief Sealth Athletics.
– Coached at Sealth 1984-2010
– Coach of the Year: Volleyball 2, Soft ball: Slowpitch 1, Fastpitch 2
– Volleyball: ‘93-‘94 Metro champs. Last public school to win Metro back to back. 3rd in state ’93 and 8th in state ‘94.
– Slowpitch: State 1993. Fastpitch was regularly in the play-offs.
– 36 years with Seattle Public Schools. A plus award winner, Alliance of Education only security specialist to win the award.
– Security at Sealth ‘79, ‘84-‘99, ‘99-Present. Currently the Southwest Division Technical Lead Specialists–Seattle Public Schools–security.

Details for the game:

ANY FUNDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TOWARDS SEALTH’S HALL OF FAME AND ALUMNI RELATED ACTIVITIES. WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO DESERVE IT AND GET OUR BANNERS BACK UP IN THE GYM!!

Admission:
— $3 Adults 18+
— $2 11 yrs-17 yrs or any age with student ID
— FREE 10 yrs and under

4:00 pm – Doors Open
4:15 pm – Varsity Girls basketball scrimmage
5:00 pm – Varsity Boys basketball intra-squad scrimmage
5:15 pm – Alumni Player Check-in
6:00 pm – Women’s Alumni Game
7:00 pm – HONOR COACH MIKE SIVA
7:30 pm – Men’s Alumni Game

There will be concessions as well as Sealth gear available for purchase.

Please come and enjoy this event with your friends, family, current Seahawks and fellow alumni.

CSIHS is at 2600 SW Thistle.

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West Seattle Whale Watch update: Orcas heading this way
November 24, 2014 12:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

12:58 PM: Early alert this time – text reports orcas are “south of Vashon” and headed northbound. No research boat this time because conditions and weather are less than optimal. If you missed the weekend sightings – photos and updates from Saturday are here, video by “Diver Laura” James is here. As always, we appreciate your updates if/when you see them – comment and/or text/call our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302!

1:23 PM: And … guess that’s the potential risk with early alerts. They’ve now turned to head through the Tacoma Narrows, southbound. But if that changes later, we’ll update here again.

3:51 PM: According to the Orca Network’s Facebook page, whales are now passing Olalla in Kitsap County, along the passage west of Vashon, northbound. It’s misty/murky looking west from Beach Drive (where we’re working right now) but you never know, they might be in view before nightfall.

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Pre-Thanksgiving giving: ‘Lunches With Love’ needs you Wednesday
November 24, 2014 12:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Leading up to the holiday when many of us are lucky to be able to have and enjoy abundance … many also are looking for ways to reach out and help those who don’t. In addition to the opportunities we’ve been sharing (including the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide), here’s one more – West Seattle/South Park volunteer/community advocate Lashanna Williams invites you to be part of “Lunches With Love” on Wednesday – here are the ways you can help:

A few times a year my family hosts an event called Lunches with Love. People donate sacked lunches, lunch supplies, and blankets. Volunteers spend the Wednesday before thanksgiving making paper sack lunches.

In the evening ,volunteers take lunches around town to those who need it. ( Pike Market park, near the bus stop, outside of shelters, under I-5, along West Marginal …)

If people want to make some sacked lunches or drop off lunch supplies – it would be amazing. This year, our goal is 500 lunches.

Pre-made lunches and supplies can be dropped off at my house – 9319 7th Avenue S (map)

Lunch hints: nothing that needs to be heated
(Sandwich, fruit, veggies, cheese, protein bar, sweet treat..etc)

If you are interested in making lunches, please feel free to come by any time from 10 am – 6 pm and we’ll head out downtown around 7.

Questions? Email lashannaw@gmail.com or call 206.715.5265

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Everett firefighter charged after underage-prostitute sting arrest in West Seattle
November 24, 2014 10:26 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Followup on our report last week about a 60-year-old offduty Everett firefighter arrested last Wednesday in West Seattle, where police say he was expecting to be led to a (nonexistent) 15-year-old girl being pimped by her (also nonexistent) father, as arranged in online exchanges with someone who actually was an SPD detective: According to documents just sent by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, David P. Vier is now charged with one count of attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor.

Most of the details of the allegations are in our report from last Thursday, but the charging document has one more detail, saying that Vier had asked the “father” if he had other children he could bring to the rendezvous (they agreed to meet outside the 35th/Avalon Taco Time, and then Vier was expecting to follow the “father” to an unspecified nearby apartment building). Prosecutors say they didn’t know that part at Vier’s bail hearing last week and want his bail increased to $75,000 because he is “a serious danger to minors”; at that first hearing, his bail was set at $50,000, and he posted bond and left jail hours later. While Vier has no criminal convictions, he has been investigated for domestic violence and burglary, according to the Everett Herald. His next appearance is set for December 3rd.

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West Seattle Monday: Keeping kids safe; pre-holiday help…
November 24, 2014 9:54 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Keeping kids safe; pre-holiday help…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderlings, photographed by Mark Wangerin; click picture to see larger image)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, what’s up today/tonight …

FOOD DRIVE’S FINAL DAY @ MARINATION: If you’re heading to Marination ma kai (WSB sponsor) at Seacrest – or anyplace else in the vicinity – take a nonperishable item for the final day of the donation drive at ma kai. They’re open until 8 pm today. (1660 Harbor SW)

FOOD BANK DONATIONS: White Center Food Bank is open until 5 pm today and welcomes dropped-off donations – turkeys, other food, money, whatever you can spare as the holiday nears. (10829 8th SW)

WSHS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL BENEFIT: West Seattle Booster Club, which supports WS High School athletics, is hosting a girls-basketball benefit 5-8 pm tonight at Pecado Bueno in The Junction, all-you-can-eat taco bar for $15 (kids under 12 are $10), with proceeds benefiting their work to help the program. They’re promising a “fun family environment with raffle giveaways!” (4523 California SW)

KIDS’ ONLINE SAFETY: As previewed here last night, your family (including kids 9 and up) is invited to a presentation about online safety, 7 pm tonight at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, presented by the Denny International Middle School PTSA. (2600 SW Thistle)

IT’S NOT THAT TRIVIAL: Monday’s the night for trivia/quizzes at multiple West Seattle venues, including Christo’s, OutWest, Shadowland, and Skylark. Go directly to our calendar for times/maps.

CHECKED OUT OUR WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE YET? From turkeys to trees to tree lightings, singalongs, bazaars, plays, Christmas Ship visits, Santa photos … explore the season’s wonders here.

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Memorial tomorrow for Frank Henry Little, 1925-2014
November 24, 2014 9:09 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial is planned tomorrow at Hope Lutheran Church for Frank H. Little, who died last week. His family shares this remembrance:

Frank Henry Little, 89, stepped into Heaven on November 20th, 2014.

He was born at home in West Seattle to Ed and Hattie Little. He married the love of his life, Lorraine, in 1948, and they were happily married for 66 years. Frank is survived by Lorraine, daughters Sharon (Bob) and Donna (Mark), and son Gordon (Debbie); 7 grandchildren – Chris, Jason, Brian, Curtis, Ryan, Matt, and Nicole; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ed, Gerald, Bill, and sister Henrietta.

Frank was a master carpenter and gardner, loved to laugh and have fun, and dearly loved time with his family. Always willing to help out friends and family, he truly had a servant’s heart (With a smile). A celebration of his life and funeral service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 25th, at 10 am at Hope Lutheran Church, 4456 42nd Ave SW. Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer Association.

I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to Heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done – Phil 3:14

We love you and will see you in Heaven :)

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Monday
November 24, 2014 7:49 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Monday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Heading into the heart of the commute … the SFD response to a crash on northbound I-5 at Holgate has just closed out, but there’ll be residual backup.

LOOKING AHEAD: For the extended holiday weekend – transit notes:

*Metro will be on a Sunday schedule this Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) and a “reduced weekday/no UW” schedule on Friday.

*The Water Taxi does NOT run on Thursday *or* Friday.

*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run will keep a normal schedule.

*Sound Transit‘s express bus serving our area (560) will be on a Sunday schedule for Thanksgiving Day, normal schedule for Friday.

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Congratulations! Straight Blast Gym competitors’ regional wins
November 24, 2014 1:26 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photos courtesy Straight Blast Gym of Seattle)
Coach Sonia Sillan from Straight Blast Gym of Seattle (WSB sponsor) in North Delridge shares the news of a big achievement in recent competition:

Straight Blast Gym of Seattle took 24 competitors to the Revolution, a Brazilian Jiujitsu tournament in Tacoma; we competed alongside teammates from SBG Montana and Portland. There were over 660 individual competitors, with 250 competing in two divisions (gi and no gi). SBG Seattle, Montana, and Portland had a combined 67 athletes and came out top as a team – We ended up winning several categories (out of six) for overall champions.

– Youth/Junior Gi – 2nd place
– Youth/Junior No Gi – 1st place
– Youth/Junior Overall – 1st/Champions
– Adult Gi – 4th place
– Adult No Gi – 1st place
– Adult Overall – 3rd place

Out of our 24 competitors, I had 15 kids, six of whom were competing for their first time. Everyone had a blast and showed fantastic sportsmanship.

“Gi” or “no gi” refers to what is worn (or not). Congratulations to the SBG competitors!

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