West Seattle, Washington

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month : 11/2011 320 results

Car flips in Gatewood, nobody hurt
November 28, 2011 11:15 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | Safety | West Seattle news

Police are investigating the crash that left this car upside-down on SW Kenyon just west of 35th SW – right next to Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor). Nobody hurt, they told us at the scene – the driver got herself out of the car quickly, and firefighters called as a precaution had already left by the time we got there minutes after the 911 call. A car on the other side of the street had front-end damage, and police said it appeared the flipped car had nicked that one. Traffic on 35th wasn’t affected, but SW Kenyon was blocked on the west side of 35th till the car could be taken away.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglaries rise – where and when
November 28, 2011 10:17 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

In addition to the burglaries and break-in attempt featured in our West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports earlier today, we had an inquiry out to police about two other possible incidents heard on the scanner. In response to it all, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen confirms there’s a “notable increase” in home burglaries tracing back to last week – a surprise during a holiday week, he says – and shares these details on trends:

The neighborhoods that are being affected the most are:

· East of Delridge from Spokane St to about SW Holden St, West of the Duwamish.
· South of SW Morgan to the City boundary Line, West of 35th SW.

Days and Time:
· Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
· 7 am to 6 pm

Current trends include 2-3 subjects in a large car (old-retired taxis have been used) in order to put large objects in the trunk or back seat area. The suspects are knocking on the front door, waiting for an answer. If no answer, they are forcing entry via a non-visible door/window.

Our West Seattle folks are doing a great job by calling 911 when they see suspicious circumstances in their neighborhoods. I would also like to remind our citizens to closely work with their neighbors, watching out for each other particularly during times when their homes are vacant during the day.

I don’t want to take the fun/joy out of the Holidays, but criminals will target homes for the gifts lying under the tree. Also, while shopping, please be aware of your personal surroundings as you walk to your car with gifts…It is not unusual for subjects to approach shoppers and forcibly take their packages as well as break into parked vehicles at shopping centers.

There’s more holiday crime-deterrence advice in the latest newsletter from SW Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon, published here a week ago.

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West Seattle holidays: Menashe Family home to light up Thursday
November 28, 2011 9:10 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

In the back yard of the Menashe Family home on Beach Drive SW, the familiar Christmas characters were ready this afternoon to march (or be marched) into their places out front. A rain-free day meant prime time for serious work on West Seattle’s most famous Christmas lights-and-more display:

Family and friends worked on decking the house, with ladders and the customary cherry-picker:

It’s the most festive work zone in West Seattle:

… with just about every Christmas character imaginable:

There’s a new feature this year – this big star:

Josh Menashe tells WSB that if all goes as planned, they will officially turn on the lights at 5 pm this Thursday (December 1st). There’s no cross-street near where they are, so this map is the best way to find them. P.S. The cable TV show that debuted last year featuring the Menashe Family display, “Invasion of the Christmas Lights 2,” will be shown again on TLC this season – it’s currently scheduled for this Saturday, December 3rd.

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West Seattle schools: Health-class visitors at WSHS
November 28, 2011 8:10 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: Health-class visitors at WSHS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo courtesy WSHS)
Drug and alcohol education is standard fare for high-school health class – but 100 students at West Seattle High School got information from two special visitors today: Miss Washington, Brittney Henry, and Washington National Guard’s anti-drug task-force Specialist Brian Eagen. Teachers Sarah Orton and Craig Richardson report that the two visitors discussed the “Effects of Drugs and Alcohol” through “personal stories, surveying students on their knowledge, and teaching the students about drugs and the short/long-term effects of drugs on the body.”

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DESC in Delridge: Design Review packet now published; another community conversation
November 28, 2011 5:13 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | DESC Delridge project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Public money is paying for it, so where’s the public process?

That is the still-unanswered question roiling the waters of concern over the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) plan to build a 75-unit apartment building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW for currently homeless people living with challenges such as mental illness and substance abuse.

Put another way: A city-park playground project, for example, costing a few hundred thousand dollars and taking up less land than the average single-family homesite, might involve at least three public meetings about the site, the design, and a litany of community requests/concerns, with a city-assigned project manager and opportunities to comment by e-mail, phone, or postal mail, as well as in person. But here’s a $12 million project, publicly funded – including more than $4 million city dollars – and no clearly outlined public input process on anything beyond Design Review (by the way, the “design packet” for that 12/8 meeting has just been published to the city website – see it here).

For the second time in two weeks, concerned Delridge residents gathered for an invitation-only discussion at a private home to talk about the project and their concerns, not only neighborhood-specific, but relevant to the big picture – perhaps resulting in changes for other areas who find themselves in a similar situation in the future.

There were several differences from the first meeting, which was held at the home of Betsy Hoffmeister 12 days earlier (here’s our report).

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In Elliott Bay now: 3 huge new cranes for Port of Seattle
November 28, 2011 4:19 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(See ’em in the distance? From @sudsymaggie via Twitter)
The Port of Seattle says three “Super Post-Panamax cranes” have arrived in Elliott Bay, and will be delivered to Terminal 18 tomorrow morning. According to port spokesperson Peter McGraw, “These cranes reach 24 containers wide, and will allow port facilities to handle the largest container vessels made.” The arrival is apparently a bit earlier than expected; this Seattle Times (WSB partner) story from August said they’d arrive in January. ADDED 5:38 PM: A closer photo, from Danny McMillin:

Thanks to Danny and Maggie for sharing photos!

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West Seattle wildlife: Yes, it’s still seal-pup season on our shore
November 28, 2011 3:51 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

If you follow Seal Sitters‘ updates on their “Blubberblog” site, you know that seal-pup season in West Seattle is still going strong, and volunteers are still getting calls to come out and guard pups on the beach. We in fact got a call earlier today (and referred them immediately to the SS hotline at 206-905-7235). Not sure if this is the same pup, but photos just came in, with this note:

I am just here visiting family in west Seattle. While out walking along the beach today i found a little white seal pup stranded on the rocks off of Alki Beach. He has apparently been seen stuck in this spot before. I called Seal (Sitters) and they came right away and set up a perimeter to help keep him safe.

Thanks for sharing the photos!

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1 more West Seattle Crime Watch note: Late-am break-in
November 28, 2011 1:36 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In addition to this morning’s 3-report West Seattle Crime Watch roundup, we just got this, from Chloe, victimized by burglar/s near 35th/Roxbury this morning:

It happened about 9:30-11:30 today. My house was rummaged through, PlayStation, games for it, some DVDs, a lap top and possibly a camera. Roommate came home to it in this state. No one was hurt and sadly no one saw anything. An officer just left after taking fingerprints. This is the second tine this has happened this year.

Thanks to everyone who shares their reports, to help keep the greater neighborhood informed. The police are always the first, most important call, but their reports are not made public for quite some time, so in cases like this, our best source of info is you. (The WSB Crime Watch page has the most recent links, plus various crime/police-related resources.)

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West Seattle scene: Hometown Holidays 2011 in The Junction
November 28, 2011 11:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Driving through The Junction this morning, we noticed the crews out decking the storefronts with holiday greenery – so of course we had to stop for the photo op. It’s Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) time, with Shop Late Thursdays resuming this week, followed by the Junction Tree Lighting this Saturday night at Junction Plaza Park, also looking lovely in the sunshine:

The day after the tree is lit, it’s the first Hometown Holidays Sunday (December 4th), including Junction-presented Santa photos 11 am-3 pm at City Mouse Studio and Store (suggested $15 donation goes to local charities). But you don’t have to wait till the weekend, or even till Shop Late Thursday, to enter The Junction’s $3,500 Holiday Raffle:

Boxes like the one we found this morning at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) await you at more than 30 businesses throughout The Junction (listed here) – it’s free to enter. Meantime, the full Hometown Holidays schedule is here; West Seattle-wide holiday info (events, trees, Christmas ships, giving opportunities, more) is on the WSB Holidays page.

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Video: Safety rally, Tatsuo Nakata tribute @ 47th/Admiral
November 28, 2011 9:50 am
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Five years after a deadly crash at 47th/Admiral – which stretches between the corners holding busy Life Care Center and Alki Mail & Dispatch, and is within a half-mile of two elementary schools – neighborhood leaders are still campaigning for a pedestrian signal. So this morning, the Admiral Neighborhood Association led a rally at the five-way intersection – in memory of 26-year-old Tatsuo Nakata, killed there in November 2006 (the 9th pedestrian killed in Seattle that year, it was pointed out at the time).

Speaking during the rally were former Seattle City Councilmember David Della, for whom Mr. Nakata had worked, and current Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the Transportation Committee, as well as ANA president Katy Walum and vice president Karl de Jong – who lives across the street and heard the crash:

As Councilmember Rasmussen noted, “There have been a lot of changes at this intersection” since the deadly crash, “but I don’t think it’s enough.”

The light request is a frequent topic at ANA meetings (usually the second Tuesday of the month, 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church at California/Hill); this past March, Walum read an SDOT letter turning down the request, but the group vowed not to give up. That was about nine months after they stepped up the campaign (June 2010 WSB coverage here), including a pitch to Mayor McGinn and Council President Richard Conlin at a meeting of the 34th District Democrats, whose chair Tim Nuse joined in this morning’s rally.

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Language immersion in schools: Local forum this Saturday
November 28, 2011 8:43 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just announced and potentially of interest to local families as well as educators: Holy Family Parish School is hosting a forum on “dual language immersion,” 8 am-3 pm this Saturday, and principal Frank Cantwell says the public is invited; it’s not specifically about his school, but about this educational philosophy/method in general:

Seattle and Highline Public Schools have been operating immersion schools for a number of years, and have agreed to come and discuss their programs. In the afternoon, we will have a panel of experts who will answer questions on the subject. We are inviting the public to come and listen to the speakers. This is an opportunity to learn more about this new and exciting way to teach languages. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the principal of Holy Family, Frank Cantwell, at 206-767-6640.

Here’s a flyer with more information.

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West Seattle Monday: Today/tonight post-holiday highlights
November 28, 2011 8:25 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Today/tonight post-holiday highlights
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Hope you had a festive holiday weekend. As we start the week with sunshine promised, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

LIFE’S JOURNEYS: Mondays through December 19th 1-2:30 pm at West Seattle Senior Center. From organizers: “This group will explore the territory we find ourselves in when involved in a significant transition. Are you in a changing time – relationships, housing, health, mobility, losses, retirement, etc? Are you looking for ways to make new connections?” Facilitated by Laurie Becharas, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, and D’vorah Kost, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Cost: $20/month donation; no one turned away for inability to pay.

REOPEN SCHOOLS? MORE PORTABLES? OR? Those are some of the questions Seattle Public Schools faces in the “capacity management” process under way now, with decisions for next fall to be made soon. Tonight, hear the district’s latest proposals and offer your opinions at Denny International Middle School, 6 pm. Details here.

WEST SEATTLE RESERVOIR PARK: An update is on the agenda for the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee, 7 pm at Parks HQ downtown.

TRAFFIC REMINDER IF YOU TRAVEL THROUGH GEORGETOWN: The big Airport Way project is scheduled to begin today – with a 14-month closure projected.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary; almost-burglary; siphoning
November 28, 2011 7:05 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch, one about a burglary this past weekend, one about a break-in attempt last week while residents were home – read on (added 9:55 am, gas siphoning interrupted in progress):Read More

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Update: Safety rally Monday, after sign-making tonight
November 27, 2011 9:59 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Admiral Neighborhood Association)
Admiral Neighborhood Association leaders gathered at Alki Mail and Dispatch tonight to make signs for tomorrow morning’s safety rally in tribute to Tatsuo Nakata, hit and killed while crossing at that intersection (47th/Admiral) five years ago this month. They’re hoping everyone who shares safety concerns about the area will join them there at 7 am tomorrow (Monday); they’ve been asking the city for a signal there, to improve pedestrians’ chances of making it across OK. (More in the preview published here yesterday.)

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West Seattle weekend scene: Sunset, in two hues
November 27, 2011 8:44 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Trileigh Tucker (above) and Greg (below) for sharing their photos of tonight’s intensely colorful sunset! It started closer to the hue in her photo … then just kept deepening. Also note one bonus feature in Trileigh’s photo, taken from a Lincoln Park bluff:

Two eagles kept flying back and forth across the sunset, and they’ve both been hanging around the nest this fall – great news for the chances of an eaglet this spring! This photo with the eagle and the ferries and the sunset reminded me (though it’s hard to forget) that West Seattleites really do live in the most beautiful place on earth!

Latest forecast says we may see fog tomorrow morning – then a mostly sunny day.

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West Seattle traffic alert: 35th/Fauntleroy crash
November 27, 2011 7:55 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: 35th/Fauntleroy crash
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

7:55 PM: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli checked out this crash that happened a short time ago at 35th/Fauntleroy. No major injuries, he reports, but it’s blocking part of the road, as you can see, so slow going till it’s cleared.

ADDED 8:14 PM: More info from Christopher, who was on the scene right after it happened: He says the BMW station wagon was just off the bridge and collided with a minivan going the other way; both drivers, who appeared to be alone in the cars, got out of the vehicles right afterward. Bystanders pushed the BMW out of the main traffic lanes but the minivan wasn’t so easily dealt with – since it lost its driver’s-side rear tire.

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Meet West Seattle’s new School Board rep, Marty McLaren
November 27, 2011 4:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

In three days, West Seattle will have a new representative on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors.

As she campaigned, Marty McLaren insisted the board needed someone who’s been a teacher, and voters apparently agreed. Though the vote won’t be certified till Tuesday, with McLaren scheduled to be sworn in Wednesday, she is 12,999 votes (eight percentage points) ahead of incumbent Steve Sundquist, who ascended to the board presidency last year. (Her official Facebook page already incorporates her almost-official new title.)

With no chance the results would change, we sat down this week with McLaren, to find out more about the person now charged with representing the peninsula’s interests as the district continues through a time of change on so many fronts – deciding how to deal with brimming schools and dwindling state funding, among other challenges. (The former, aka “capacity management,” is the subject of another community meeting in West Seattle tomorrow night.)

We talked at the Puget Ridge home where McLaren has lived for 17 years. She is not a Seattle native – born in Brooklyn, New York, in fact – but has spent her entire adult life in the Puget Sound area, after her dad’s Navy career moved her family many places, finally landing them at Bangor in Kitsap County. She finished high school in the Highline district just south of Seattle in the early ’60s.

Her introduction to Seattle Public Schools came before her teaching career:

Read More

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From the ‘in case you wondered’ file: The stickup that wasn’t
November 27, 2011 2:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

In case you wondered about the big police response in the Puget Ridge area this past hour (21st/Holly) … turned out to be something of a false alarm. What looked like someone with a gun turned out to be someone with a pellet gun/airsoft-type gun, roleplaying a bit too realistically, apparently – according to scanner traffic, it looked to at least one witness like a holdup in progress, and that report is what sent police rushing to the scene.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Making good on Apple Cup bet
November 27, 2011 12:01 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

One of those days where, as the old saying goes, it’s raining cats and Dawgs. Yes, Dawgs, as in the Apple Cup-victorious University of Washington Huskies … and that win meant Washington State University Cougars fan Conor lost his bet. We found him in Morgan Junction, in the wind and the rain, wasting no time making good on it.

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West Seattle holidays: Pathfinder wreaths @ Farmers’ Market
November 27, 2011 11:57 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Yet another West Seattle holiday tradition – handmade wreaths from Pathfinder K-8. Their booth made its WS Farmers’ Market debut today, with Yumi and Willow displaying two of this year’s creations. You can find them under a canopy by the KeyBank west-side doors (right next to the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, selling tickets for next Saturday’s pancake breakfast – more on that later).

P.S. Yes, they’ll be selling wreaths every Sunday between now and Christmas (12/4, 12/11, 12/18) – as long as supplies last! As the school website points out, the wreath sales have been going on for almost 20 years.

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‘Upload Your Grandma’: West Seattleite gets the non-online, online
November 27, 2011 10:54 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Wisdom, humor, history … our elders have a lot to offer. But you don’t get to see/hear/read much of it online, at least not from the very oldest among us. West Seattleite Shanna Christie noticed this, particularly in regards to her own grandma, and decided to address it with UploadYourGrandma.com. She announced it on the WSB Facebook wall last night:

I’ve started a blog for my Grandmother, a 96 year old West Seattle resident, so that I can share the thoughts of someone who is not online, with the rest of the world. … As part of this project, if anyone else has elderly relatives who has ideas, opinions or perspectives too good not to share, I invite you to “upload” them to this site! It’s been a fun experiment so far and it is great to hear from a generation who is often left out of the digital world.

Here’s a weather-appropriate sample of what Shanna’s grandma has to say – screengrab from a recent post:

Of course there are some 90-plus’ers online, and Shanna speaks to that point today. But if the one(s) you know and love isn’t – go upload her/him, while you still can! (P.S. You can find Shanna’s site, and The Grandma, on Twitter, too.)

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West Seattle Sunday: Farmers’ Market, gift fair, glass jellyfish…
November 27, 2011 7:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Nette Miller)
This morning’s photo is from last night’s rehearsal of “The Miracle and the Mystery of Advent: Mary’s Journey in Word & Song” at Alki UCC, one of our highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page and West Seattle Events calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS: Not in West Seattle, but two big events in the downtown vicinity might affect you today, even if you’re not attending/participating – here’s the alert.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round, so yes, they’re there today! 10 am – 2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). P.S. According to this WSB Forums post, you just might find Santa and Mrs. Claus in the vicinity.

NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR, FINAL DAY: Third and final day for the Native Holiday Gift Fair at the Duwamish Longhouse, 10 to 5 – buy unique gifts directly from artists and craft persons. Snacks and beverages available too. Free admission and parking. 4705 W Marginal Way SW; here’s our story from the fair’s first day.

WRAP IT UP: Gift Wrap fundraiser for Sanislo Elementary School, from 10 am- 6 pm at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT PHARMACA: Demo Day at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 10 am-5 pm (and if you’re going, check out the $10 discount coupon on the WSB Coupons page!)

GLASS JELLYFISH DEMO: At Avalon Glassworks in Luna Park, 11 am-4 pm, glass artist Richard Lowrie is back, sharing the secrets of creating the glass jellyfish, and you are invited to watch live demonstrations throughout the day. Meet the artist, purchase signed work, and watch the process: 2914 SW Avalon Way. More info here.

MUSIC-SYNCHED CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW: Nightly shows of the Helmstetler Family Spectacular/West Seattle Lights extravaganza, 3908 SW Charlestown; also fundraising the first weekend for the Kingston Family. Full details here (and here’s our coverage, with video, from last night’s opening ceremony/show).

CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION @ ALKI UCC: “The Miracle and the Mystery of Advent: Mary’s Journey in Word & Song,” 7 pm, in the Alki UCC Sanctuary (6112 SW Hinds). A special musical evening to mark the beginning of Advent: Hear the Christmas story told from the point of view of Mary, her parents and Joseph as we follow their transformation from the Annunciation to starting off on the road to Bethlehem. This is a full production for one night only, combining dialogue and music and a chance to see some of your fellow congregants perform. Suggested donation is $15. Proceeds will go to the West Seattle Food Bank and toward the purchase of new chairs for the church. Refreshments after the show.

HENDRIX BIRTHDAY: Jimi Hendrix birthday tribute at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.

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Video: Lights, music, kickoff! for West Seattle’s Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular
November 26, 2011 11:00 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

After tonight’s first show at what you can formally call “West Seattle Lights presents the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular,” that’s how the house looked with every light switched on. About 40 minutes early, the music-synched light show’s third season had kicked off – literally, with Seattle Sounders FC‘s Zach Scott kicking a goal instead of pulling a switch (followed by an appropriate, albeit non-Christmasy, song):

He signed autographs afterward:

But wait! Back to the lights. 60,000 of them this year – LEDs, which means not as much of an electricity drain as you might think. Jim Winder is again the mastermind, working on it for months before the actual lights start going up on the 3908 SW Charlestown home of his friends the Helmstetler Family. We stayed through the whole set tonight – enjoying songs both traditional and novelty, the latter including a Village People takeoff (“N-O-E-L” instead of “Y-M-C-A”) and this ’60s classic:

Full details about the show, the location, and more, are on its official website at westseattlelights.com. (This year they have a Facebook page and Twitter feed, too!) Bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank – the bin’s out front (as shown in our preview from last weekend) – and this weekend, they’re also collecting money for the Kingston Family ($ donations the rest of the season will go to the food bank and NW Parkinson’s Foundation) . Best place to watch the show is right across Charlestown in front of the water tower, but if you bring little ones, be sure to remind them to stay out of the street – it’s not blocked off for the show, and there can be a fair amount of traffic (as you’ll note in our clips). Here’s the schedule.

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