day : 20/12/2009 11 results

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight: First, via Twitter, Marty reported a burglary attempt today at his home near 35th/Othello (map) – we don’t have the full narrative but he did say police caught the suspects. Meantime, Cathy at 45th/Stevens (map) reports a car break-in, and something heartening she heard when she reported it to police:

Just a reminder to lock your doors and keep valuables out of the car. When I called to report it the dispatcher asked what kind of car. He said someone had already called in suspicious behavior on my block regarding my car. I was glad that I live in a community where people look out for others.

Fire followup: At Fauntleroy Church, “the show must go on”

December 20, 2009 6:42 pm

| Comments Off on Fire followup: At Fauntleroy Church, “the show must go on”

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Thanks to Tom Dirks for sharing that photo – and headline – via Facebook. Less than four hours after a small fire in the Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) sanctuary, the church’s Christmas concert is under way as promised, moved to the Fellowship Hall. Here’s our previous report on the fire; while we won’t likely have final official word on its cause till tomorrow, it was believed to be accidental, and investigators were examining both candles and a lighting display. Nobody was hurt, and while the sanctuary needs some repair and airing out, people were allowed back into the co-housed Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) within an hour, so everything’s OK there. As we noted in an update on the previous story earlier this hour, sprinkler-system installation is part of the major renovation work that’s just getting under way at the church.

Share This

West Seattle holiday helpers: DNDA party @ Youngstown

December 20, 2009 5:13 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle holiday helpers: DNDA party @ Youngstown

| Delridge | Holidays | West Seattle news

Along with generous donors, the unsung heroes of holiday help are the volunteers who sort, who gather, who greet ... Darrell was among the volunteers at the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) residents’ holiday party at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center this afternoon. DNDA’s Phillippia Goldsmith had sent us word of the party, and added, “A big thank you to all West Seattle supporters who were a big part of making this happen for the families who live in our affordable housing!” Guests enjoyed food and music – the latter, provided by brass players who told us they’re from the Ballard Odd Fellows:

And then they went into a nearby room in small groups to choose presents from tables overflowing with donated items, like these:

Back out in the hall, while families waited their turn, some kids were so excited they were literally jumping with joy.

Share This

Happening now: “Wrap It Up” party, Santa photos

December 20, 2009 3:26 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

We were working on this when the Fauntleroy Church fire broke out, so it’s a bit delayed, but not too late: Holiday fun happening in West Seattle right now! From the team at Wrap It Up, till 5 at Beveridge Place Pub:

Join us for an exciting day of Seahawk football and bring all the gifts that you need wrapped! The Wrap it Up party is in full swing right now at the Beveridge Place Pub. Donations for giftwrapping benefit the Animals First Foundation. Wrap it Up is sponsored by Furry Faces Foundation. We are here till 5pm!!!

And till 4 pm, Santa photos continue – The Junction is where we found Eamon getting ready to meet the big guy for the first time:

(You know you’re a Northwest kid when you’re not used to the sun, which made a cameo! Thanks to Eamon and mom for posing.) Also in The Junction, volunteers from Pathfinder K-8 were facepainting till about 3 pm:

Over at Westwood, like The Junction, we found a good crowd (but not a massive wait) for Santa photos by mid-afternoon:

That’s it for West Seattle Santa pix after 4 pm today, till next season, but holiday fun continues – like Christmas lights-viewing – the ones we’ve featured, each with a map link, are here.

Share This

Updates: Small fire at Fauntleroy Church; road now open again

December 20, 2009 2:25 pm

| Comments Off on Updates: Small fire at Fauntleroy Church; road now open again

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(photo added 3:07 pm)
2:25 PM: It started as an “auto fire alarm” but has just upgraded to a “fire in building” call and the road’s blocked off at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California; map) and more units are on the way. We’re headed down to find out more. 2:29 PM: Scanner says the fire is “tapped” – so it was small – and they’re canceling some of the units – but avoid the area TFN. 2:36 PM: We’re on scene. Some smoke visible on the roof, and firefighters are up there too. Don’t know yet where/how it started or how much damage but the church has just embarked on a renovation/remodeling project. It also was scheduled to have the Christmas concert tonight – we will be checking on its status. At the scene, firefighters are telling us that people ARE being allowed back into the YMCA portion of the building now. 2:51 PM: We don’t know the cause yet but we are told the fire was in the sanctuary, and that a window broke, or was broken – we hope to speak to church officials shortly – they’re said to be out getting plywood. Also, the roadblocks resulting from the fire call have just been removed, and traffic is going through again. ]

3:07 PM: Photojournalist Matt Durham from mattdurhamphotography.com is at the scene too and he and WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand have gathered this information from firefighters and church staff: The main damage is to the altar and to a “standard” window in the sanctuary. Investigators are looking at a lighting display and candles as possible causes. Fauntleroy Church pastor Rev. David Kratz says the main focus for them will be clearing the smoke smell out of the sanctuary in time for Christmas Eve services Thursday; as for tonight’s scheduled concert, it’s still on, and will likely move into the Fellowship Hall.

ADDED 6:07 PM: In that photo by Matt Durham, Rev. Kratz and Lyn Kratz were talking with Engine 26’s Lt. Bennet about how to secure the sanctuary right after the fire. Meantime, church volunteer Judy Pickens has reminded us since then about one key component of the church’s remodeling project that will be even more welcome now – a sprinkler system.

Share This

West Seattle restaurants open Christmas Eve/Day 2009, version 1.0

December 20, 2009 12:32 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

With Christmas just days away, we’ve received questions about which West Seattle restaurants will be open on the holiday – either Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. Once again, volunteer help has saved our bacon, so to speak: First, thanks so much to Suzanne Tiedeman for her volunteer help with this research – (Suzanne is mom to a Junior Girl Scout and Bear Cub Scout and promises to let us know about their upcoming fundraisers – for her daughter, cookie pre-sales are starting soon; for her son, they’ll have a food drive in the 1st quarter of 2010). Now, to the restaurants: So far we’ve confirmed ~~two~~ ~~THREE~~ FIVE places open Christmas Day – Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) with a limited menu, (under new ownership) The Thaitan, (added 4:38, confirmed what Rick reported in comments) Ho-Win and (added Tuesday morning) Redline and Triangle Pub. Click ahead for the list of what we have so far (and please let us know if you have additions/changes – thanks! – we expect this list to evolve over the next few days):Read More

Share This

West Seattle Holidays: An unusual lost-and-found item

December 20, 2009 11:46 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Gretchen made an unexpected discovery this morning and wondered if anyone is looking for the item she found:

We found a lovely wreath under the play structure at High Point Community Center’s playground this morning. We brought it home and it is now on our front step. It might get hung up if I can find our hanger as it should be displayed. Anyway…if someone wants to claim their lost wreath, they can swing by and snag it.

She added, “I’d rather not have to navigate around a pickup and just let someone pick it up whether we’re here or not,” so the wreath is outside their home at 7339 30th SW (map).

(If you have a lost or found item to report, you are welcome at any time to post it in the WSB Forums; if it’s a pet, please send us info, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com so that we can showcase it on the Pets page – worth bookmarking in case, heaven forbid, you ever have to look for one of your furry friends.)

Share This

Today: Santa x 2, mule rides ‘n’ wrap in The Junction, more …

December 20, 2009 6:53 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

SANTA TIMES TWO … WELL, MAYBE ALMOST THREE: Santa photos in The Junction with Donna Ryan Photography (moving into that spot permanently when the holidays finish). Santa’s in the house noon-4 pm (with wrapping by Swee Swee, free if you spend at least $50 with participating Junction merchants)- remember the hours have moved up earlier for the lovable mules drawing carriages, 11 am-3 pm today:

Before you board the carriage by KeyBank, your young shopping companions can get facepaint from Pathfinder K-8 volunteers at the Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) booth at that same corner. And of course remember, just west of there, it’s the last West Seattle Farmers’ Market before Christmas, 10 am-2 pm (here’s the fresh sheet). About that second Santa? Westwood Village, noon-4 pm – bring a food bank donation – also bring diapers (sizes 3-6 especially) for WestSide Baby. The “almost third” Santa – Babbo Natale at Cafe’ Revo (WSB sponsor), telling Italian Christmas stories for kids lunching between 1 and 3 pm. (Bring a gift for WestSide Baby or Furry Faces Foundation and get 10% off your Revo bill! Speaking of discounts – don’t miss the print-em-now WSB Coupons! – and if you go to Jan’s Beauty Supply in The Junction, mention Jan’s WSB ad and get 20% off.)

MUSIC: The Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) holiday concert is tonight at 6; that’s also when The Way Church has a Christmas musical/service; it’s all-ages night at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) with Ambulance, Typewriters, The Hoot Hoots, 7 pm.

REMINDER – DONATE PRESENTS FOR TEENS: And noon-2 pm is today’s window at High Point Community Center for the items needed to make this a happy holiday for area teenagers- full details (including what items are needed) here.

For today’s full list, in chronological order, see the West Seattle Weekend Lineup; for holiday events by activity (including lights and tree info), it’s the West Seattle Holidays page.

Share This

Another Art Walk tradition building — in White Center

December 20, 2009 5:14 am

| 1 COMMENT

| White Center | WS culture/arts

(artist Leo Schmidt during the White Center Art Walk)
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

West Seattle has a monthly Art Walk tradition, every second Thursday – and White Center is working on one too, every third Saturday.

Saturday night during this month’s White Center Art Walk, Damien Jurado played live at Full Tilt Ice Cream, Dubsea Coffee featured the art of Joerael Elliot along with a spoken word and open mic performance by youth from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, student photos from New Start High School graced the walls of Big Al Brewing – these are by Kat Cabrera:

And student paintings were on display at the Salvadorean Bakery.

Shelli Park, chair of the White Center for the Arts board of directors, admits that the rain and holiday week reduced Art Walk attendance somewhat, but she has high hopes for future events, which take place the third Saturday of the month year-round.

“Our goal is to have more local businesses participating to be representative of the entire community,” Park says. “What they will provide will be poetry, music, whatever resonates with their community.” (We photographed her with her daughter at Proletariat Pizza, which also participated, with photos by Alexander King.)

Park says that the goal of the White Center Art Walk is twofold: “To help local artists and to help the businesses. We don’t want the people who are already here to be shut out because of the inevitable gentrification. We want them to be part of it: the diversity, the food, the color, and the culture.”

Learn more about future programs, including art programs and upcoming film workshops for local students – and watch for a preview of next month’s White Center Art Walk! – at the White Center for the Arts website.

Share This

The ’00s are 0utta here: Skylark to throw an End-Of-Decade Party

December 20, 2009 3:23 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) is throwing an End-Of-Decade Party next Saturday (day after Christmas). But have we even figured out what to call this decade yet? Was it the ot-ots? The oh-ohs? The two-thousands? Whatever you call it, Skylark proprietor Jessie SK invites you to:

Dress as your favorite person, event, meme, or thing from the years 2000 to 2009. Best costume wins $100 Gift Card, and there will be runner-up prizes and recession-friendly drink specials aplenty. 8 pm.

Jessie’s got her full holiday lineup in this online update – including Skylark’s New Year’s Eve plan with locals Stevedore and Guns & Rossetti (we’ve added that no-cover bash to the list in the New Year’s section of the West Seattle Holidays page).

Share This

Basketball: West Seattle HS-Seattle Lutheran HS doubleheader

December 20, 2009 2:48 am

| Comments Off on Basketball: West Seattle HS-Seattle Lutheran HS doubleheader

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The West Seattle High School Wildcats took both ends of the West Seattle Holiday Basketball Classic on their home court Saturday night, with the varsity girls defeating Seattle Lutheran High School 55-26 and the boys pulling off a 42-32 win. In both games, West Seattle used a run-and-gun offense with differing degrees of success. For summaries of, and clips, from, both games, read on!Read More

Share This