West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Just out of the WSB inbox, from a tipster who didn’t want their name used:
I spotted a car prowler about 9:45 pm tonight on 45th Ave SW near Alaska. He was trying to open every car via the car door handle. Male wearing a white/beige ball cap. Wearing black hoodie or sweater. I immediately called the police and they sent someone out to look for the suspect. Just wanted to let you know so people can be sure to lock their cars, especially on streets that have no street lights.
Also important … as police advise over and over again: Don’t leave anything in your car that might even remotely tempt a thief, not even something that hints there might be items of value (example: if you have GPS, don’t just bring it in for the night, take down the suction cups too).
It’s the only Christmas tree lot in West Seattle where the trees get blessed. A few hours after the Holy Rosary School Tree Lot opened for the season this afternoon, we were there as Father John Madigan (with an assist by young Sam Lee) presided over the annual Blessing of the Trees:
In addition to supporting the school, 15 percent of the tree lot’s proceeds go toward four beneficiaries this year: West Seattle Food Bank, the Salvation Army‘s Hickman House domestic-violence shelter, and West Seattle Helpline, as usual, plus the Ed Kingston Memorial Fund. This is the lot’s second year on school property next to the playground (41st/Dakota); you can see the hours, and the merchandise, here. (A full roster of West Seattle tree sellers is on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info page.)
The first offerings on display when we dropped by the Sustainable West Seattle-presented WS Barter Fair in the early going included these two tables abounding with art:
Your chance for a “money-free shopping spree” continues till 8 at Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW, right inside the gates); how it works is explained on the SWS website.
Early this Monday morning (November 28), you are invited to join the Admiral Neighborhood Association for an event at 47th/Admiral, the intersection where an inattentive driver hit and killed Tatsuo Nakata five years ago this month. We mentioned the plan in our coverage of ANA’s most recent meeting, and just confirmed with association president Katy Walum that the event is on. She says, “We are inviting all interested community members (young and old) to meet up at Alki Mail and Dispatch at 7am for a peaceful celebration of the memory of Tatsuo Nakata, and demonstration to our City’s leaders that we still have an all-too dangerous intersection in our neighborhood. We will have signs for folks to hold, light sticks and necklaces for the kids, and Don at Alki Mail has graciously offered to provide coffee and cocoa.” Read on for the official news release/announcement they are distributing:Read More
It’s been a quiet holiday weekend so far – hope it stays that way – but firefighters/police have been busy today responding to a few crashes. This is the latest one; Val sent the photo from 36th/Cloverdale (map). No word on the circumstances, but no aid/medic unit was dispatched, indicating no serious injuries.
5:04 PM UPDATE: Val says two private ambulances did respond.
(Photo courtesy WSCC)
You have eight more days to register for what just might be the craziest – definitely the gingerbread-iest – holiday event in West Seattle, the “Extreme Makeover Gingerbread Challenge,” 5 pm December 11th in the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center (4400 42nd SW) – but you need to pre-register ASAP. The official announcement, in case you haven’t already seen this on the Holidays page:
Join what will undoubtedly be the largest gathering of questionable talent for an amazing holiday creative venture which, while certainly being memorable, will also be contributing to our effort to provide clean water to a village in El Salvador. The registration fee is only $20 per house which includes an assembled, but not yet decorated house, as well as a contribution to our well projects. There will be a general category as well as an open-class competition where the sky is the limit. Rules and registration form can be found at http://www.wsccwaterwells.org/events.html Deadline for registration: Sunday, December 4th, 6 pm.
The official poster/flyer can be seen here.
Since they’re not visible this morning, here’s another look at the pink-lit snow-sheathed Olympics from Friday morning – this one’s courtesy of JayDee. You don’t quite need a hummingbird’s energy to get to what’s going on today, but the pace is picking up. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar and West Seattle Holidays page:
‘SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY’: Since “Black Friday” has become mostly a big-chain phenom, “Small Business Saturday” has been promoted as a counterpoint for independent locally owned businesses. Being one of those ourselves, we wholeheartedly encourage the notion of “Small Business Every Day!” (WSB is proud to be a co-founder of Authentically Local); some West Seattle businesses are offering or continuing special deals today; see the list on the Holidays page.
NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR CONTINUES: 10 am-5 pm again today at the Duwamish Longhouse, 4705 W Marginal Way SW. We visited yesterday (story and photos here).
WEST SEATTLE BARTER FAIR: This year’s edition of the Sustainable West Seattle-organized event that began as a “money-free shopping spree,” Camp Long Lodge, 4-8 pm, details here
WEST SEATTLE’S LIVELIEST LIGHT SHOW DEBUTS: Tonight is the lighting ceremony for the Holmstetler Family Spectacular/West Seattle Lights, 7 pm, 3908 SW Charlestown, with special guest Zach Scott of the Seattle Sounders; they’re also fundraising the first weekend for the Kingston Family, and there’s an ongoing collection of food items for the West Seattle Food Bank (look for the barrel in front of the house). The official website has even more information (and video highlights from the past two years).
GROWING HAIR TO SAVE LIVES: The mustache-growing men of “Movember” (raising awareness and money to fight men’s cancers) are scheduled to be partying at Mission, 7 pm, and you’re invited.
HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT OPENS: Noon marks the official opening of the Holy Rosary Tree Lot, north of the school at 41st/Dakota, and it’s scheduled to be open till 9. Full details on its official website; information on all of West Seattle’s Christmas tree sites can be found on the Holidays page.
NIGHTLIFE: See a movie without leaving West Seattle! Here’s the Admiral Theater schedule … Steve and Kristi Nebel live at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … 3 bands live at Skylark (schedule here), 9 pm …
Santa’s not the only one with a workshop this time of year. In fact, the West Seattle Tool Library has four planned for the holiday season, teaching you skills that can result in homemade gifts:
Introduction to Holiday Canning
Nov. 29th, 7-9 PMLearn how to preserve your harvest. We’ll cover all the basics of using a hot water bath canner. Each participant will get to take home a few jars of what we can in class.
Instructor: Christina Hahs
Cost: $20 plus $5 for materialsIntroduction to Backyard Booze
Dec. 6th, 7-9 PMLearn to use fruit and simple ingredients to make homemade specialty liqueurs such as Fig Bourbon, Rumtopf, Cranberry Spice Vodka, or Pineapple Rum.
Instructor: Vanessa Primer
Cost: $20Introduction to Jewelry Making
Dec. 13th, 7-9 PMLearn the basics of beading and wirework. Techniques learned include crafting clasps, wire wrapping and beading to begin creating a bracelet or necklace to complete at home.
Instructor: Jill Sundberg
Cost: $20 plus $5 for materialsIntroduction to Soapmaking
Dec. 20th 7-9 PMHomemade soaps make great gifts! Join us as we demonstrate the basics of traditional soap making using all-natural herbs and essential oils. These are tried and true, simple methods you will be able to use at home. If there’s enough time, this class will also cover the basics of making bath salts, scrubs, teas, and oils.
Instructor: Vanessa Primer
Cost: $20 plus $5 for materialsThe West Seattle Tool Library and Community Workshop are in the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 4408 Delridge Way on the east side of the building. (Its regular hours are Thursdays: 6 pm till 9 pm; Saturdays: 9 am till 2 pm; Sundays: 1 pm till 5 pm.) For more information, contact Kate Kaemerle at 206.743.4468.
P.S. Speaking of handmade gifts – you’ll be able to trade for some at tonight’s Sustainable West Seattle Barter Fair, 4-8 pm at Camp Long Lodge. Read more about it here (and comment on the SWS site if you’re planning to participate!).
The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional start to Christmas tree season – and this was opening day for West Seattle’s newest tree lot, Son-In-Law Tree Farm, which West Seattle resident Greg Potts is operating on the north side of the ex-Charlestown Café parking lot. The name refers to the fact the trees come from the Silverton, Oregon, farm where his wife’s father grew the trees. And it’s the first tree lot we’ve ever seen with an icon:
The VW van with a tree on top is also featured on a T-shirt (left background) that they’re selling at the lot, where hand-blown glass ornaments (by Welch’s Glass) will be on sale starting tomorrow (Saturday), and Greg says part of the tree proceeds will go to the White Center Food Bank.
Another family operation now open for the season: Tony’s at 35th/Barton:
We stopped by today to check in with Joey Genzale, who runs the business founded by his dad (who’s been gone almost a year now). The trees offered at Tony’s include some things hard to find elsewhere – like height (up to 20 feet) and flocking.
Other tree notes, which you’ll find collected and updated throughout the season with a full list of local sellers on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info page – Holy Rosary Tree Lot (by the school playground at 41st/Dakota again this year) opens tomorrow (Saturday) – here’s its official website – and West Seattle Produce has trees on the site it’s moving to right across Fauntleroy.
Thanks to Val for these photos of the new play area on the southeast side of the former site of Denny International Middle School (30th/Cloverdale).
We last showed it as a work-in-progress a month ago. As BNBuilders‘ River Steenson reiterated in a comment following our last update, it’s expected to be completed within a month, and Val says the crew at the scene thought it would be open within a few weeks (we’ll make a formal inquiry next week). This site, which also includes a softball field and tennis courts, remains under school district ownership/management, and as such will not be considered an official “park,” nor will it be named, the district has said.
Here’s the latest on where to see, and get photos with, Santa Claus in West Seattle …
WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Santa arrived today at Westwood, in the decorated storefront on the breezeway east of Bed Bath and Beyond. Some changes this year, as noted here previously, following the shopping center’s ownership change: Santa is now at Westwood every day, instead of only on weekends – the schedule is here, and he’s there 10 am-8 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Sundays, up till Christmas Eve (when he has to leave at 5 pm). The photographers are now from Arthur and Associates, a Seattle company whose roots trace all the way back to the famous Frederick and Nelson Santa photos downtown. Though the photos are no longer provided in exchange for a food-bank donation, there are two Salvation Army Giving Trees at Santa’s spot in Westwood, brimming with cards:
There’s also a coloring contest for kids – right there by the giving trees, in keeping with the penguin motif accompanying Santa.
SANTA AT CAPERS: As also previously reported here, the new Santa photographers at Westwood asked the center’s longtime Santa to work with them, but he decided not to (as explained here). We’re still getting questions about where to find him in West Seattle this holiday season – and today there’s new news: Lisa Myers at CAPERS in The Junction confirms he’ll be spending some time in her shop. Unless a professional photographer would like to donate her/his time (contact Lisa!), it’ll be do-it-yourself photos – Santa will be there, they’ll collect food-bank donations (preferably cash/checks, since as Lisa points out, food banks can buy more with wholesale/discount rates), and you can take your own photo(s). He’ll be there starting next Saturday and Sunday (December 3-4) and Fridays-Sundays after that. We’ll add the hours here shortly. And as mentioned in this story, he’ll be at Holy Rosary 9 am-noon on December 10th.
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS SANTA IN THE JUNCTION: December 4, 11, and 18, the Santa who’s been making memories courtesy of Hometown Holidays in The Junction will be back, at City Mouse Studio and Store – professional photographs those first two Sundays, 11 am-3 pm, with a suggested donation of at least $15 going to West Seattle charities, and bring-your-own-camera photos on Dec. 18th, same hours (donations also suggested).
Shop local, shop handmade! The three-day holiday gift fair with Native American arts/crafts vendors at the Duwamish Longhouse is under way – with even more to choose from than last year (when weather was a bit problematic)! Above, Margie Morris (Tlingit) and Ron Alphonse (Cowichan) are back – we remember the stockings and angels, in particular, from last year. You’ll also find several jewelry artists, including White Bear:
Terrance Guardipee (Blackfeet)’s booth features his paintings:
And Feather Keepers by artist Dean Rowe offers beautiful wooden boxes:
If you haven’t been there, the Duwamish Longhouse is on the eastern edge of West Seattle, 4705 West Marginal Way SW (map). The gift fair runs till 5 today and again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and Sunday.
Perfect morning downtown for the annual Macy’s Holiday Parade; we checked it out to watch for West Seattle participants. Two were obvious – top video, it’s not a holiday parade without the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band, directed by the award-winning Marcus Pimpleton; below, Salty’s on Alki team members with a few of the restaurant’s famous nutcrackers:
(If you were in the parade too, let us know in the comment section!) Kudos to everybody out in the early-morning chill to celebrate the holidays (including marching bands from as far away as Centralia, Sequim, and Canada …).
ADDED 3:28 PM: One more group we have on video – with strong West Seattle/White Center ties – Rat City Rollergirls:
Their next season opens at KeyArena on January 21.
Just added to the list of holiday helping/giving on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page: A toy drive starts today to collect presents for more than 500 kids in the South Park area, and there’s a collection site at Husky Deli in The Junction. It’s the Rick’s Toys for Kids drive, and they’re collecting through December 10th. Full details on this flyer!
(The Olympics, glowing in this morning’s light; thanks to Shannon for the photo!)
Today’s highlights are almost all holiday-related, with a few exceptions. From the WSB West Seattle Holidays page and Events calendar:
TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION CHANGES TODAY: No West Seattle Water Taxi service; Metro is on the “reduced weekday” schedule … P.S. Parking meters/pay stations in Seattle DO charge today, no holiday.
GOVERNMENT NOTES: Most government offices are closed. Seattle Public Library branches are open (if they’re usually open on Fridays); city-run community centers are closed.
HIGH TIDES: This is the so-called “king tide” time of year; next high tide is around 3:30 this afternoon, 12 feet. (Here’s the chart.)
PARADE DOWNTOWN: Chief Sealth International High School‘s marching band is part of the lineup for the Macy’s Holiday Parade downtown, which starts at 9 am (more info here)
LOCAL BLACK FRIDAY DEALS: See the West Seattle Holidays page for a sampling of what West Seattle brick-and-mortar businesses are offering.
GIFT FAIR AT THE LONGHOUSE: The Duwamish Tribe invites its West Seattle neighbors to its Longhouse Thanksgiving weekend for a Native Holiday Gift Fair today through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. It is a chance to buy directly from native artists and craft persons. There will be lots of holiday spirit and a big lighted tree. Unique gifts in every price range. Fine art, native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, t-shirts, coffee and more. Lots of snacks–frybread, baked goods, hot chocolate and more. Free admission and parking. 4705 W Marginal Way SW. More information at 206-431-1582 or duwamishtribe.org.
SANTA PHOTOS: Daily photos with Santa at Westwood Village (breezeway just east of Bed Bath Beyond). Carolers today, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, and each Saturday thereafter. Giving tree for the Salvation Army. Hours and Santas listed here.
CHRISTMAS TREE SALES: The new Charlestown/California lot opens today; more listed on the Holidays page.
BURLESQUE: Special Friday show tonight at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm (3308 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE MUSIC: Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm (5612 California SW) … Black Bangs performs live with special guest Kathleen Wheeler at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm (6451 California SW)
It wasn’t a “polar bear swim” that sent an international group of visitors into the water off Alki Beach – it was a warmup, so to speak, for something more hardcore than even your average polar bear usually faces. In a story broadcast tonight, our friends at KING 5 covered a visit by swimmers getting ready for next summer’s “Meeting of the Sun,” a 50-plus-mile relay swim across the Bering Strait between Russia and the U.S. (here’s a map on the event’s official website). Check out extended video coverage we found on that site – albeit, in Russian:
Our water is tropical compared to what a group of 30 swimmers is expected to face next July/August – average temperature, freezing!
The mid-afternoon high tide was receding when the wind started to pick up late today, but still good for some sea spray at Constellation Park south of Alki Point. The tide peaked around 3, but an hour later, it was still high enough to swamp a walkway at Jack Block Park:
Fran and Samuella shared the photo; that’s Samuella in the foreground – she says, “It was surreal, but also very, very beautiful.” (Tide-watchers please note, there’s a tide-tracking widget on the semi-new WSB West Seattle Weather page.) Though the wind’s had some powerful gusts this past hour, our area is not currently covered by any advisories or alerts, according to the National Weather Service. Tomorrow’s forecast? Partly sunny!
That’s Lee Bui, director of the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle, and daughter Lynda Bui. We photographed them late this morning at the encampment that calls itself Nickelsville – where a flock of volunteers from the Vietnamese community had come to provide both a feast …
… and flu shots (with the help of pharmacist Dr. Rosalie T. Nguyen)!
Lee Bui organized the huge Thanksgiving gift, explaining that every year, the center gets holiday solicitations for help, and usually donates money. But, he said, he drives by Nickelsville each day (taking his wife to work) – and after stopping to get a firsthand look, decided to organize something more meaningful this holiday season. (He says they’ll be back for Christmas, too.) The volunteers gathered under canopies for the operation; the only place to warm up was a campfire nearby:
The Vietnamese Cultural Center is in its sixth year of operation at 2236 SW Orchard just west of the Tug Inn, north of Home Depot; they’re open to the public for visits/tours noon-3 on Saturdays.
(P.S. A chance for you to help residents of Nickelsville is coming up on December 3, when Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights has organized a “stuff the bus” event – here’s our recent report with details.)
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering‘s kitchen at The Hall at Fauntleroy is bustling right now – we dropped by to see the comings-and-goings shortly before they started serving their traditional catered free Thanksgiving dinner (everyone’s welcome, till 3 pm, 9131 California SW). In addition to T&TS team members, volunteers abound – including those sorting through donating clothing items that are available for anyone in attendance who needs them:
This is one of three free-dinner events in West Seattle extending an open invitation to anyone and everyone this afternoon – the West Seattle Eagles are serving a “Thanksgiving to Remember” at their aerie (4426 California SW), and Good News Christian Fellowship invites everyone to the free dinner they’re serving 1:30-5 pm at the St. James building, 9421 18th SW.
(Click to see larger image)
One of the MANY things we have been thankful for every moment of every day (and night), in the course of four years of running WSB as a community-collaborative news service, is the fact that people share wonderful photos like this one from Mark Campbell, who wrote, “We spotted what we think is a snowy owl that was perched on a home at the corner of Stevens and 52nd.” He says it flew away just before 9:30 am. Various online photos seem to confirm the ID, and our area does appear to be in its winter range. (P.S. Speaking of snow – on Thanksgiving LAST year, we still had some on the ground!)
(UPDATED LATE AFTERNOON after a drive around WS revealed a few more “open” signs)
(Photo by Machel Spence, mushroom in Lincoln Park at sunset)
Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s our first round of showcased info from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page, which is where you will find even more info, including free workouts, free dinners, church services…
WHO’S OPEN FOR COFFEE: Here’s who told us they’d be open:
Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW, 8 am-2 pm
(Barista George on duty this morning @ C&P)
C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW, 7 am-1 pm
Beachside Café, 61st/Alki, 8 am-1 pm
Bird on a Wire Espresso, 35th/Henderson, 7 am-2 pm
Caffe Fiore,, 2206 California SW, 7 am-noon
Caffe Ladro, 7011 California SW, 7 am-2 pm
Café Rozella, 9434 Delridge Way, 7:30 am-noon
Cupcake Royale, California/Alaska, 8 am-noon
Diva Espresso, open 8 am-1 pm
Freshy’s Coffee, 2735 California SW, 8 am-1 pm
Java Bean Organic Coffee House, 2920 SW Avalon Way, 7 am-2 pm
Pioneer Coffee, 2536 Alki SW, 7 am-11 am
Red Cup Espresso, 4451 California SW, 7 am-noon
Starbucks Alki, Morgan Junction, Admiral Way, 5:30 am-4 pm
Starbucks drive-through on Avalon Way, 5:30 am-5 pm
Thriftway coffee bar, California/Fauntleroy, open 5 am-4 pm (updated closing time)
Tully’s on Alki, open 6 am-4 pm
Uptown Espresso at California/Edmunds, 6 am-2 pm
Uptown Espresso at Delridge/Andover, 7:45 am-3 pm
GROCERY STORES OPEN TODAY:
Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 2320 42nd SW, open til 2 pm
QFC, 42nd/Alaska and Westwood Village, open til 6 pm
Safeway, 4754 42nd SW/2622 California SW/9620 28th SW, regular 24-hour schedule
West Seattle Thriftway, California/Fauntleroy 5 am-6 pm
RESTAURANTS OPEN TODAY: Note, this is by no means an all-inclusive list – it’s who answered our calls for “let us know if you’re open” plus what we found online.
A Terrible Beauty (hours ?)
Be’s Restaurant, 8 am-2 pm
Christo’s on Alki 8 am-1:30 pm
Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 4 pm-2 am
The Thaitan, with full menu and delivery
The Bridge sent the most detailed announcement:
The Bridge will be open from 4 pm-2 am on Thanksgiving with bar service only. We are offering our full menu till 1 am, as well as our fresh sheet, which features an all-out tribute to Turkey! Turkey Chili, Turkey Tetrazzini, Open Faced Turkey Sandwich, Turkey Dinner (Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy). For dessert, we are offering Pumpkin Cupcakes with a caramel center topped with a spiced cream cheese frosting!
(added 4:23 pm) Just drove around town looking for “OPEN” signs and saw a few more: Puerto Vallarta and Maharaja in The Junction; Admiral Pub with a marquee “free dinner till 6, donated money goes to diaper drive”; Alki Tavern; and even Admiral Jack in the Box)
Again, check the WSB West Seattle Holidays page for today’s free workouts and dinners.
TRANSPORTATION P.S. No Water Taxi; Metro is on Sunday schedule; Washington State Ferries have varying schedules; metered city parking is free today.
Elsewhere in the city, several big events will offer traffic challenges – as well as fun! – over the 4-day weekend, so SDOT has provided a weekend traffic-alert list just like the ones it routinely sends in summertime. Friday’s parade downtown and Sunday’s marathon are just part of it – read on:Read More
On Tuesday, after we reported SDOT‘s long-awaited answer to the question “when will the new 1st Avenue South ramp from the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct open?” (see the story here), three questions emerged in the comment section. Below, the answers, via SDOT’s Rick Sheridan:
Q: When SDOT shifts traffic to the new structure to repave the existing one, will we lose the eastbound 4th ave on-ramp?
A: When we repair and then resurface the deck of the old structure, closures of the eastbound off-ramps will be required to safely facilitate the work. This will impact the eastbound First Avenue S off-ramp and the new Fourth Avenue S off-ramp, though we will not close both at the same time. One of the two eastbound off-ramps will be available for use during that work.
Q: Is the much-later ramp completion going to result in any kind of penalty for the contractor, or was that not a component of the contract?
A: No. This is because major utility relocation work necessary for the ramp’s construction was outside of our control. The delay, however, does have financial implications for the contractor as a longer project phase incurs more costs.
Q: Who’s the “steel subcontractor”?
A: The subcontractor is Stinger Steel from Montana.
The original report is here. As noted, SDOT originally had said the ramp would take at least 16 months to build, but if the “not fully open until July” holds true, that will be 26 months. Last February, concrete work on the ramp had to be torn out and redone because of an alignment error, but at the time, SDOT said that wouldn’t affect the project schedule.
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