A new postscript in the saga of the High Point holiday donations: Rebecca Hall from High Point Community Center says that while, as she updated us all last night, they have exceeded the goal of 400 toys overall for Monday’s distribution (backstory here), they still need items for teenagers – and are working with other West Seattle groups that have the same need. They ask you to please drop off the presents for teens during two specific windows TOMORROW and MONDAY. Here are the specifics:
Gifts for teens are still in high demand and can be dropped off at High Point CC on Sunday, 12-2 pm, or Monday at noon. These items will be distributed to various groups in West Seattle that work with teens.
Don’t know what a teen would like? Here are some suggestions:
-sport equipment such as basketballs, soccer and volleyballs
-pajama sets
-hat / scarf / glove sets
-t-shirts
-athletic pants/shorts
-vanity mirrors
-hair accessories/brushes
-nail polish
-the type of metal waterbottles that are so popular this year
-music cd’s
-journals
Rebecca also says they could use “games for older children.” Again, they’ll be able to accept these donations in two limited windows over the next two days – noon-2 pm tomorrow (Sunday) and at noon on Monday – the main distribution is later Monday afternoon. High Point Community Center is at 6920 34th SW (here’s a map). And as for the items donated so far for the rest of the drive, Rebecca says via Facebook, “The turnout has been amazing and residents of West Seattle and the surrounding communities should know that they REALLY are making a difference this holiday season!”
From their holiday concert at Grace Church on Thursday night, it’s a hi-def West Seattle Big Band Christmas medley – 6 minutes packed with swingin’ sections of multiple holiday faves. (In the mood for more music of the season? Tomorrow’s the Fauntleroy Church [WSB sponsor] Christmas concert, 6 o’clock – one of many holiday events on the West Seattle Holidays page, which now stretches to New Year’s Eve/Day.)
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, added 5:52 pm) 4:32 PM: Beach Drive is about to be blocked off both ways in the 4200 block because of a house-fire call. We’re on the way plus monitoring via scanner – more as we get it. The address has changed from the original report – it’s now 4213. 4:41 PM UPDATE: The call has “closed” on 911 – we’re just arriving in the area and will find out what happened. Road’s open.
(Editor’s note: We’ve been checking in with major local nonprofits as Christmas approaches, to see what they need and how they’re doing. Earlier stories: West Seattle Food Bank, here; White Center Food Bank, here.)
(Photo courtesy WS Helpline: Volunteer Donavyn with mom LaTista)
By Lauri Hennessey
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The West Seattle Helpline tells us their goal is pretty simple this holiday season: keep as many people sheltered as possible. And, every time someone donates $200 between now and Christmas (do it online!), that means one more family gets to stay in their home through Christmas.
The Helpline helps local families with rent and utilities, clothing (through the West Seattle Clothesline), Metro Transit tickets and school supplies.
Executive director Anna Fern says every $200 means a family doesn’t lose a home this season because landlords will accept partial rent payments more than in the past.
(Read on for more of how to help – how WS Helpline is helping – and for details on a savory fundraiser in The Junction tomorrow.)Read More
Call it a timely two-fer for a good cause: West Seattle’s C & P Coffee has a silent auction under way right now – taking bids online – for a copy of an award-winning Seattle photographer’s book documenting global climate change. The photographer is Daniel Beltra, who you’ll see when you click the clip above, taken from Prince Charles‘s presentation naming Beltra as winner of the Prince’s Rainforests Project Professional Award at the Sony World Photography Awards. The C & P auction is happening as world leaders attending the Copenhagen climate-change conference are being given copies of Beltra’s book. He donated a copy to C & P for the silent auction, which is raising money to help a coffeehouse team members with medical expenses. You can bid by e-mail — candpco@comcast.net – and through the C & P Facebook page (where you can also see what the bidding’s up to – to get a firsthand look at the book, go to C & P at 5612 California SW. (Photos are also viewable at danielbeltra.com.)
(Photo added 12:37 pm, looking toward north side of lot, from SW Yancy westbound)
Thanks to Mike for spotting this one, which online records indicate just went on the market yesterday: The long-abandoned 4-townhouse project at 30th/Avalon/Yancy (map) – fenced-off concrete and rebar at a high-traffic site, inactive for months – is now listed for sale. Here’s the $300,000 listing, which describes the parcel as “bank-owned.”
This may be a “shop till you drop” day for many – in which case, your hometown West Seattle stores are thrilled to see you (take along these coupons! and remember the free stocking-stuffers) – and when you can take a break, you’ve got some options: 10:30 this morning, family gingerbread-house building at High Point Community Center ($5/person) … noon, Admiral Theater‘s free holiday movie “Elf” (trailer above), bring a food-bank donation to get in (and they’re also collecting toiletries for Navos clients) … noon-4 is the second-to-last day for Santa at Westwood Village (food donation’s also the “price” for a photo, and bring diapers for WestSide Baby while you’re at it, sizes 3-6 preferred) … Noon’s the Delridge Community Center holiday party, all welcome … 1-6, “Wrap It Up” giftwrapping at Shadow Land, Furry Faces Foundation animal-advocacy benefit (details here) … There’s wine-tasting 1-4 at West Seattle Cellars, with winemaker Ben Smith from Georgetown’s Cadence Winery … At 1:30, the relatively new West Seattle Film Forum screens and discusses “Confessions of a Shopaholic” at Southwest Branch Library … and at 3 and 7:30, it’s a very retro Christmas with “Plaid Tidings” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. More in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
(photo by Paul Sureddin, taken early 2008, added 11:58 am) ORIGINAL 2:52 AM REPORT: We will work today to see what more we can find out about this. But wanted to pass along for starters the news from Tom at West Seattle Cellars, who says:
Our good friend and neighbor Wah Wong, proprietor of the fabulous Jade West Cafe, was injured in a terrible traffic accident. Apparently he and his son were struck by a drunk driver, and his wife was also injured. One of my customers at the wine shop came by to tell me that they were at Harborview.
Tom included a link to this Seattle Times (WSB partner) story earlier this week regarding charges in the crash, which happened on Beacon Hill; the original report says the restaurateur and his son were hit in their own driveway. Tom also says “there’s a note on the cafe door (6032 California SW) saying that it’s closed due to ‘injuries’.” We featured Jade West here last February, in an affectionate review written by Fairmount Springs’ Paul Sureddin.11:49 AM: We went to the cafe’ to look at the note that Tom mentioned. The door also includes a flyer expressing love and get-well wishes for Wah Wong:
The other note on the door says a notice will be posted soon about plans for reopening. 12:17 PM: The note on the door directs inquiries to Dave McDaniel, a neighboring business owner; just talked to him and he hopes to have more information soon on whether the family needs anything and how you can show support. We will publish updates with whatever more we find out.
Seen this car? West Seattleite Bill Schrier hopes so. You may know him as webmaster for the 34th District Democrats, and/or in his acclaimed role as technology boss for the City of Seattle. But right now, he’s a car owner who put out a photo and details on Facebook, which we’re republishing here with his permission:
Be on the lookout for our 2001 silver Honda CRV stolen from Queen Anne at about 5:00 PM (Thursday). … License #940XMJ (Washington State), has a Wisconsin Badgers sticker on the back, plus the unique combination of an Army Reserve bumper sticker and a “peace” bumper sticker (which are shown as insets in the photo …). Call 911 if you see this vehicle. I’m offering a reward of everlasting gratitude and dinner in our remodeled kitchen. After talking to the responding police officer: (1) if you have a Toyota or Honda, get a club or similar very visible locking device and (2) park in West Seattle, not Queen Anne.
4:17 PM UPDATE: As Bill posted below in comments, his car has been found – with some distinctive new items inside:
SPD found it on University Street downtown across from SAM earlier this afternoon. Trashed inside (stuff strewn all about, CD’s missing), but only noticeable damage was a crack in the front bumper. Now I have two more requests: (1) anybody know a good auto detailer to clean the perp germs out of the car? and (2) be on the lookout (BOLO) for the perp who eats Mrs. Freshly’s Golden Honeybun donuts, shops at Whole Foods,and wears a size DD black bra,all of which I found in the vehicle!
ADDED 5:37 PM: And if you are skeptical about all that, Bill posted this photo on his FB page as proof (again, used here with permission):
Nick Thoman (our grandson) broke the world record for the 100 back stroke, short course, in the first leg of the Medley relay, 48.9 seconds (WR 49.2) This is at the ‘Duel in the Pool’ being held in Manchester, England with USA Swim vs. Europe. The USA Swim Medley Relay (4 x 100) also broke the WR with 320.71 (former record 323.33). Next Nick came in 2nd in the 200 backstroke, Grevers 148.74, Nick 150.05 and Peirsol 151.08. Tomorrow, Nick will swim the 100 back stroke. Stay tuned.
A new postscript in the saga of the High Point holiday donations: Rebecca Hall from 
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