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day : 05/12/2014 10 results

West Seattle holidays: Our Lady of Guadalupe decides to ‘Light Up the Night’ instead of a tree
December 5, 2014 10:14 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: Our Lady of Guadalupe decides to ‘Light Up the Night’ instead of a tree
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

That’s what you’ll see when you drive by Our Lady of Guadalupe at 35th/Myrtle this holiday season. This year, instead of lighting the big evergreen on the southwest side of the church, OLG decided to save some green and light up its grounds. But tonight’s lighting ceremony was just as festive, with emcee Brian Callanan (center) joining Father Jack Walmesley (right) and choir members under the tree as usual to lead caroling:

(We’ll be adding video.) The almost-full moon took the “Light Up the Night” theme seriously enough to shine over the crowd.

Battery-powered candle-style lights were distributed to add to the light – and warm hearts brought food to fill the donation sleigh inside the Parish Center:

Hot cocoa was served up too … welcome on any winter night, even with the knowledge that, as emcee Brian observed, tonight’s temperature was about twice what this night brought last year!

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West Seattle holidays: Holy Rosary’s ‘Deck the Halls’ party
December 5, 2014 9:18 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: Holy Rosary’s ‘Deck the Halls’ party
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Instead of a red-nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus was joined tonight at Holy Rosary School by a green-suited Gator. The school’s mascot was there for the “Deck the Halls” celebration, featuring the ceremonial Christmas-tree blessing by Father John Madigan:

The school’s Christmas-tree lot (a seasonal WSB sponsor) is on the north side of the campus, raising money for the school and local charities through December 14th. Tonight’s celebration also filled the halls with holiday music:

That’s the 6th-grade choir. Instrumentalists included Brian on the dobro:

Christmas is also the season of sweets, and a tempting table of desserts was at the ready:

And a chance to mingle:

Or get that Santa photo (once the Gator moved on):

(Tonight’s photos, we’re told, will turn up here.) The spirit of the season was also celebrated with a collection of food donations.

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‘One inch of ground settlement’ detected for Alaskan Way Viaduct, tunneling-machine repair pit
December 5, 2014 5:13 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Added: Recent WSDOT photo of access pit, shared via Flickr)
5:13 PM: WSDOT says it will be inspecting the Alaskan Way Viaduct and vicinity this weekend after detecting more ground settlement. Seattle Times (WSB partner) transportation reporter Mike Lindblom reported it earlier this afternoon, and now WSDOT has this statement on its website:

Public safety is our top priority, which is why we installed a state-of-the-art settlement monitoring system as part of the SR 99 Tunnel Project. Recently, that system detected approximately one inch of ground settlement near the pit Seattle Tunnel Partners is building to access and repair the tunneling machine. We have also seen the same amount of settlement on the Alaskan Way Viaduct; the amount of settlement lessens in the surrounding area.

Some settlement was expected during tunnel construction and while the tunneling machine repair work was underway. This settlement appears to have occurred in the last month.

We have observed no new damage to the viaduct nor have we observed any effect on buildings or utilities in the surrounding area. WSDOT crews are conducting additional surveys this weekend to verify this information, including an inspection of the viaduct and a visual inspection of the adjacent areas.

While we are conducting this additional work, we are confident that there is no risk to public safety. We will provide an update early next week.

Even before the tunneling project began, Viaduct managers had noted ongoing settlement, usually described as minor (as in this 2010 report). Nothing about settlement was mentioned at the regional stakeholders’ meeting we covered last Monday, but we imagine it’ll come up when the City Council’s Viaduct Committee meets early next week.

6:08 PM: We asked WSDOT spokesperson Laura Newborn if this is the reason the Saturday night/early Sunday Viaduct closure was expanded to both directions, and she confirmed that was done “so extra survey work could be completed.”

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Seattle annexation for White Center? Council to consider it again
December 5, 2014 4:19 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

4:19 PM: Just spotted on the City Council’s Introduction/Referral Calendar – a proposal to ask White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline to vote on annexation to the City of Seattle. Documents accompanying the resolution say that it’s not likely the vote could be held before 2016, because of the Boundary Review Board process that would have to lead up to it. No date set yet for this to come before the council. The most recent attempt to annex the area was by Burien, rejected by voters in the potential annexation area two years ago. We’re seeking reaction and more information about the new Seattle proposal – more to come.

4:38 PM UPDATE: The resolution traces back to a discussion in the council’s Education/Governance Committee earlier this week, as detailed in this memo. It is time-sensitive – unless Seattle takes a step like this before the end of the year, the state tax credit that’s been in place several years as an annexation incentive will expire. That tax credit, offering $5 million a year for a decade, wouldn’t be enough to cover projected costs of bringing the annexation area into the city, so there’s talk of asking the Legislature for more – that was mentioned by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon at a 34th District Democrats’ meeting earlier this fall. More to come …

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car stolen again, ‘Club’ and all; apparent package theft thwarted; mail theft…
December 5, 2014 3:47 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three Crime Watch reader reports this afternoon – first, maybe you’ve seen Brian‘s stolen car?

My 1995 Subaru Legacy Wagon was stolen across SW Graham Street from “The Bridge.” Happened sometime between 12/4 – 3 PM and 12/5 – 9 AM. The car has a dented front left corner and a black front bumper. Nothing valuable in the car. I had “The Club” on the steering wheel, but I guess that’s not enough these day. I reported this to the police this AM. Incident number 14-403536.

This car (sans Club) was stolen a few years back. I found it four blocks away a couple of days later. Hoping for the same this time.

If you see Brian’s car, please call 911. Ahead, the story of an apparent package theft, thwarted, and mail theft seen (but not stopped):

Read More

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West Seattle holidays: Junction Party & Tree Lighting tomorrow!
December 5, 2014 1:26 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)
Tomorrow’s the night that the humble official Junction Christmas Tree will start to glow from tip to … sidewalk. (And the weather will be about 30 degrees warmer than last year!) From the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents the all-season-long Hometown Holidays events, here’s the plan for Saturday’s 5 pm tree-lighting ceremony: Josh Sutton of the West Seattle YMCA will emcee; you’ll also hear from Bakery Nouveau co-proprietor Heather Leaman on behalf of WSJA and from Emerald Water Anglers proprietor Dave McCoy on behalf of the merchants’ Holiday Party event, which will start at 4 pm, before the lighting, and continue until 8 pm. (Details here!) You’ll get to carol and to enjoy live performances by the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band (starting around 4:45 pm), the Endolyne Children’s Choir, by cast members from ArtsWest‘s “Judy’s Scary Little Christmas,” and by Jay Cates. Come on down to Junction Plaza Park at the northwest corner of 42nd/Alaska.

P.S. Tons of Junction fun on Sunday, too, including carriage rides and Santa photos – see the Hometown Holidays section on The Junction’s website and the WSB Holiday Guide for all the who/what/when/where.

P.P.S. Per our customary disclosures – WSB is a Hometown Holidays co-sponsor, and three organizations/businesses mentioned above – West Seattle Y, Emerald Water Anglers, and ArtsWest – are current WSB sponsors.

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Big pour after big dig: ’20 trucks an hour’ was not an exaggeration
December 5, 2014 11:48 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Just back from checking out the next big phase of work at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Project site across from Lowman Beach – the first of three days of pouring concrete for the 17-foot-thick base on which the million-gallon storage tank will sit. King County Wastewater Treatment was not exaggerating when it warned of ~20 trucks an hour – we spent about 15 minutes at the site, and counted seven trucks arriving in the span of five of those minutes as we waited to cross Lincoln Park Way back to our car.

Two big pump trucks are continuously pouring what those trucks are bringing (here’s a bit of video via Instagram) – scheduled to continue until about 6 pm today, and then again on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, 7 am to 6 pm or until done. As mentioned in the alert, there are extra parking restrictions in the area until this is over. The entire facility is on a timeline for completion in mid-2016. The excavation that preceded the foundation pour took two months and removed what the county described as enough dirt to fill nearby Colman Pool twice.

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Westside School: Toy drive through Wednesday; open house Saturday
December 5, 2014 11:31 am
|    Comments Off on Westside School: Toy drive through Wednesday; open house Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two notes from Westside School (WSB sponsor):

(Photo courtesy Westside School)
TOY DRIVE THROUGH WEDNESDAY: Added to our West Seattle Holiday Guide, in the section where you’ll find opportunities for giving:

Since 2004 Westside School’s Kindergarten classes have championed a Toys for Tots drive. Over the past ten years they have collected more than 1,800 toys for children in our local community. This year Westside School was named an Official Toys for Tots Drop Site. NEW, unwrapped gifts may be dropped off through Wednesday, December 10th. Westside School is located at 7740 34th Ave SW.

OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY: If you’re school-shopping for 2015-2016, Westside would love to see you tomorrow:

Westside School is holding an All School (PreK – 8th grade) *Open House* on Saturday, December 6th from 10 am until noon. This is a great opportunity for prospective families to tour the school and speak with the faculty and staff (no reservation required). The application deadline for the 2015-16 school year is January 14th. Westside School is also offering parent tours during the school day by appointment.

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West Seattle Friday: Big holiday weekend begins! OLG, Holy Rosary, HPIC celebrations; Words/Writers/WS; low-tide walks; more
December 5, 2014 9:27 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Big holiday weekend begins! OLG, Holy Rosary, HPIC celebrations; Words/Writers/WS; low-tide walks; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Olympics, Vashon & Blake Islands, Sunday photo by Christopher Frankovich)
This weekend is full of holiday fun, and it starts tonight, as listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (which has events and info stretching all the way to New Year’s) – we’ll go through the holiday events first, followed by the non-holiday highlights:

FESTIVUS PARTY: West Seattle Tool Library and Sustainable West Seattle‘s Festivus-themed holiday party, 5-9 pm at SODO Maker Space – details in our calendar listing. (1914 Occidental Ave. S.)

SEATTLE SAMPLING: 3-day holiday arts/crafts tour with 4 of the 10 studios in West Seattle: Brace Point Pottery, Village Green Nursery, Ceramistas Seattle, Penguina Designs. 4-9 pm tonight; detailed tour information at seattlesampling.com.

CORNER BAR, FEATURING UGLY SWEATER CONTEST: Holiday fun tonight during HPIC’s Corner Bar – ugly-sweater contest with a prize! Live music with Sundae & Mr. Gossel. More details here – bring nonperishable-food donations. 6 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club. P.S. Looking for truly LOCAL gifts? Highland Park hoodies on sale. (12th/Holden)

HUSKY DELI OPEN HOUSE The legendary Husky Deli holiday open house, with samples and smiles, 6-9 pm. (4721 California SW)

DECK THE HALLS: Community celebration and tree blessing at Holy Rosary School, 6-8 pm, including: Hot Cocoa Bar, Christmas Desserts, Festive Christmas Crafts, adult beverages, Dante’s Inferno Gourmet Hot Dogs, and an indoor snowball competition! (Tree blessing set for around 6:40 pm.) Bring nonperishable food to donate. (42nd/Genesee)

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: New format as Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School invites you to “Light Up the Night: An Evening of Caroling and Community,” with lights – not the big tree this year, something new! – singalong, and food drive (fill the sleigh in the parish center just north of the church). 7 pm. (35th/Myrtle)

DANCE! Highland Park Elementary‘s annual winter dance, 7-8:30 pm in the cafeteria. “Music will be provided by DJ Danny F, Yuen Lui will be on hand to take family portraits, and there will be baked goods for sale. Admission is $2 per person, or $5 per family. We would love to see you there!” (10th/Trenton)

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: Join Twelfth Night Productions this holiday season for the radio-play edition of the much-loved holiday tale, 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at brownpapertickets.com/event/917572 or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)

‘JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’: Holiday production continues tonight at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)

And from the regular WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: The monthly Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented event is set for 5-7 pm at Westwood Village Barnes & Noble, this time around featuring children’s-books author Karen Robbins and illustrator Sally Marts. They’ll talk about their collaboration – with kids from around the country – on “Shoe Print Art: Step Into Drawing.” More details in our calendar listing. P.S. SWSHS gets a share of B&N purchases made by attendees! (2800 SW Barton)

NIGHTTIME TIDEPOOL WALK: Seattle Parks presents a low-tide beach walk at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (across from Me-Kwa-Mooks) tonight, 9 pm-10:30 pm. You have to register in advance – our calendar listing explains how. Low tide is -1.9 just after 10 pm. (4503 Beach Drive SW)

(added) ANOTHER NIGHTTIME TIDEPOOL WALK: The Seattle Aquarium has one tonight too – 9 to 10:30 pm at Constellation Park south of Alki Point, free, hot chocolate too. Details here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; bridge ramp crash; weekend previews, including 99 closure
December 5, 2014 7:15 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:15 AM: Again this morning, we head into the heart of the commute without anything unusual in or from West Seattle.

VIADUCT CLOSURE SATURDAY NIGHT: WSDOT updated the plan to BOTH directions from 11:59 pm Saturday night until about 5 am Sunday.

CITYWIDE WEEKEND ALERTS: Here’s the SDOT roundup of what’s happening tonight through Sunday.

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY EVENTS: Check out the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for the many, many big events this weekend, including the Junction Tree Lighting (5 pm Saturday, Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska).

7:29 AM UPDATE – BRIDGE CRASH: Thanks to the commenter on board a C Line bus for the firsthand report on why there’s an SFD response to a crash on the eastbound bridge “just before the Delridge merge.” As our commenter notes, the bus was not involved, but some on board might have seen the crash.

7:38 AM UPDATE: Commenters say another bus has stopped to help (possibly to take on some passengers) so right now TWO buses are stopped on the ramp. If you have to get on the bridge, Fauntleroy or Delridge would be better, or wait a while.

7:51 AM UPDATE: Commenter CKelly says four people on the bus have minor injuries from the sudden stop to avoid hitting the cars involved in the collision ahead. From the scanner, police called for more help to get witness statements since “about 70 people” are on the bus.

8:10 AM: Most recent tweet from SDOT:

8:21 AM: And now SDOT says, all clear:

8:37 AM: On-peninsula traffic note – City Light is continuing its pole-replacement work and will be in the California/Holden, California/Ida area of Gatewood between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm (some residents have been warned of outages) today.

9:07 AM: Also on-peninsula – scheduled start today of concrete pour with up to 20 trucks an hour at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project by Lowman Beach. We’ll be checking on its status shortly.

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