West Seattle, Washington

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day : 02/12/2011 14 results

West Seattle Weather Watch: Air-stagnation advisory; eclipse ahead
December 2, 2011 11:35 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Air-stagnation advisory; eclipse ahead
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

It’s the downside of rainlessness … the National Weather Service says our area is now under an “air-stagnation advisory,” and it’s not expected to get better before Monday night. Read the alert here, with advice for people dealing with respiratory illnesses. No burn bans so far, though.

P.S. If we’re still without (or with few) clouds this time next week, we just might see a share of a lunar eclipse that’ll be visible pre-dawn in the west on Saturday, December 10th – read about it here.

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West Seattle holidays: The famous Husky Deli open house
December 2, 2011 8:03 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Every year, it’s the iconic photo of holiday-open-house season at West Seattle businesses – smiling proprietor Jack Miller bustling about Husky Deli in The Junction. The open house is on till 9 tonight, with taste treats including this chocolate cake:

(The cake was from nearby Bakery Nouveau, by the way.) Nice Santa hat!

Other members of the Miller family on hand included daughter Kate:

The annual openhouse is always a showcase for a few vendors, too – among them this time, Krista Conner‘s West Seattle Honey:

(Krista was featured on Seattle Channel this fall – here’s the video.) Husky Deli marked its 79th anniversary earlier this year. This begins a huge holiday weekend in The Junction – with Hometown Holidays activities including the tree lighting at 5 pm tomorrow (Junction Plaza Park) – preceded by the West Seattle High School Band playing outside KeyBank at California/Alaska – and Santa photos 11 am-3 pm Sunday at City Mouse Studio and Store.

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‘Explosion’-type noise rattles area west of The Junction
December 2, 2011 6:36 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

We’ve received two notes about this so far – anyone else? They both report homes in the 50th/Alaska vicinity shaken by something explosion-like around 6 pm. Nothing on the fire log, though.

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West Seattle holidays: ‘Tis the weekend for open houses!
December 2, 2011 6:28 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: ‘Tis the weekend for open houses!
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

As we write this, the always-popular Husky Deli holiday open house has just begun, continuing till 9 pm. Photos to come. But Husky’s not the only venue you can visit for treats, sips, and holiday cheer. Two WSB sponsors are welcoming visitors this evening:

Till 9 pm in central Westwood Village, along the road between the post office and Barnes & Noble, visit Joni and Kirk Keppler at Wyatt’s Jewelers – and the overhead Christmas tree! Starting this weekend, by the way, Wyatt’s adds extra holiday shopping hours – noon-4 pm on Sundays.

At 4828 California SW, Cascade Dizziness and Balance Physical Therapy has an open house this evening too, till 7 pm, along with other practitioners in the space:

From left, Cascade’s Lisa Eaton, with Kinetic PT‘s Fawn Coussens, and Linda Spain.

ADDED: Later in the evening, we stopped by the holiday party at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor):

Proprietors Anne and Clarence Higuera welcomed staffers, friends, and clients into their HQ, a converted home at California/Findlay (the rustic log-house-style exterior is unmistakable as you drive between Alaska and Morgan Junctions). It’s where they’re having another free remodeling/custom building workshop again on Saturday, 2 pm – more info here.

And in The Junction, WSB contributor Katie Meyer dropped in on Bin 41, which was inviting folks in for a tasting (close enough to an open house!) – winemaker Bryan Crane from Kerloo Cellars in Walla Walla was there:

Bin 41 has a special Saturday tasting this week too, 1-3 pm.

Tomorrow – tons more open houses (and bazaars, and more) – browse the list on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page!

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West Seattleites heading to Nepal for Rotary exchange program
December 2, 2011 5:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Planning winter travel? The Rotary Club of West Seattle and its fellow area Rotarians send news of a group headed out on a particularly exotic journey:

Only one more week to go before local area delegates from Rotary District 5030 leave the comforts of Seattle for Nepal. As posted over the summer, Rotary’s Group Study Exchange is a vocational exchange program that is sending a team of young professionals to Nepal (December 2011 – January 2012). Three of the five delegates are from West Seattle and two are sponsored by the West Seattle Rotary. Learn more about the program and the team – they could be your neighbors – and follow them along on their Himalayan adventure at gse2011seattle.blogspot.com.

Tomorrow morning, by the way, Rotary members have a big event a lot closer to home: With the help of volunteers and donations, they will be helping 100 local kids have a happier holiday season through the annual Children’s Shopping Spree. If you’d like to chip in, there’s a donation link on their official website, here.

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Video: Maximum sentence in Fairmount Springs attack
December 2, 2011 1:30 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Fairmount Springs | West Seattle news

1:30 PM: We are in the courtroom of King County Superior Court Judge Bruce Heller, who is to sentence Monty Richardson in the Fairmount Springs attack case from last July. Judge Heller has just entered; defendant Monty Richardson, who entered a type of guilty plea while not acknowledging guilt, is now at the bench. The victim is here, as is her daughter and three family friends. On behalf of Richardson is his wife, their daughter, a former landlord of theirs, and the church he attends. Richardson is being sentenced for burglary and assault, to which he pleaded guilty on November 17th. Here’s our most recent report, after we discovered that plea bargain in court records.

The attack “fairly shocks the conscience,” says senior deputy prosecuting attorney Erin Becker, saying Richardson went into the victim’s home – across the street from his – and “inflicted extreme injuries … 26 fractures” including two spinal fractures. She was “left unconscious and alone when the attack ended. … Frankly, it’s very hard to have to explain to victims that this is what the Legislature proscribes for a crime .. a standard range of 26 to 34 months.” She mentions that some letters written in Richardson’s support allude to comments here that suggested somebody else did it.

1:36 PM: The victim is now speaking.

(Our as-it-happened coverage continues ahead, concluding with the sentencing decision just after 2 pm – video added of the judge explaining his decision):Read More

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West Seattle history: Was your ‘hood on the map in 1891?
December 2, 2011 1:27 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Looking for a moment of Friday afternoon distraction? Just got this link from the “BIG Map Blog,” of which we’ll confess we hadn’t previously heard. They have posted the 1891 “Territorial Growth of Seattle” map in a cool zoomable/scrollable viewer. Large swaths of the peninsula are unmarked – looks like this was part of “the last frontier.”

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Traffic alert: More details on next week’s partial Viaduct closure
December 2, 2011 1:10 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

(Viaduct demolition photo taken last week by WSDOT)
WSDOT has more information today about the partial Alaskan Way Viaduct closure we reported here last night – including accompanying ramp closures. The main shutdown is 10 pm Monday (December 5) through 5 am Tuesday, but two main access points will close an hour earlier, and there will be some “rolling” northbound effects – read on for details:Read More

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Flapjacks & fun: West Seattle Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast tomorrow
December 2, 2011 11:34 am
|    Comments Off on Flapjacks & fun: West Seattle Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast tomorrow
 |   Holidays | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2010 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast)
One more reminder – tomorrow morning the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle cooks for you, Santa’s on hand for photos, and lots of other holiday fun will be served up at the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds on the east side of The Junction), 7-11 am. Bring new unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots drive – they would love to present a big stack of future gifts when it’s all said, done, and donated. The breakfast itself costs $6 at the door for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under (that includes a Santa photo), with proceeds benefiting Kiwanis community programs including children’s-cancer research. It’s a huge day of holiday happening (as listed here) around West Seattle, so get it started right with a good breakfast and a good time. More info here!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Store owner robbed at gunpoint
December 2, 2011 10:15 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

Another West Seattle Crime Watch report this morning: We just confirmed that a police search in the Delridge/Findlay area last night was because of an armed robbery at a local store. Read on for details:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Suspected case of casing
December 2, 2011 9:31 am
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

As reported here earlier this week, burglars have been busier than usual in West Seattle lately, with a particularly common MO including suspects being seen in “large American cars” and knocking on doors to ascertain no one’s home, then going around/coming back to break in. So we’re publishing this fast: Todd in Westwood just sent news of a POSSIBLE case of casing – could be a coincidence, but just in case:

At 21st and Roxbury this morning I came out to my car to find 3 African American youths sitting in a pearl white, late ’80s Cadillac with license plate starting in ABS*****. Then I saw one knocking on one of my neighbor’s homes and peeking in the front window. They watched me get in my car looking nervous. I let my car warm up while he kept knocking. This seemed strange to me. So I got out (stupid) and told them “it is pretty obvious she is not home” and they got back in and left. So I called 911 and reported it. While on the phone with 911, they cruised past 21st again slowly. Be on the lookout and watch out for your neighbors.

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West Seattle Friday: Open houses, ‘Wonderful Life,’ music, more
December 2, 2011 8:51 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(By Steve Mohundro, from the WSB Flickr group pool; see WS Christmas lights here)
The first big holiday-season weekend begins! You think it’s busy tonight? Wait till tomorrow – browse through the Holiday Events and Info page now! From that page and the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

‘HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS’ AT THE KENNEY: Luncheon & open house/tours at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Tours begin at 10:30 a.m., Lunch served at 11:45 a.m. RSVP ASAP to 206-938-6941. 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW.

SHOP WITH THE ROTARY: Noon-1:30 pm today, it’s a unique chance to shop for the holidays – the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s purses/wallets/handbags sale and lunch at West Seattle Golf Course. Tickets available at the door; details here.

AFTERNOON BINGO: Friday Afternoon Bingo for cash prizes at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 4217 SW Oregon, 11 am. Buy-in starts at 10:45 am and bingo starts at 11 am. Soup, sandwiches, salads, assorted pastries are available for purchase at nominal cost.

CASCADE DIZZINESS/BALANCE OPEN HOUSE: You’re invited to the Cascade Dizziness and Balance Physical Therapy (WSB sponsor) open house, 4-7 pm, 4828 California SW.

WEST SEATTLE ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR: Shop local this holiday season from a wide variety of West Seattle artists featured at local artist studios during the Seattle Sampling Artists Studio Tour Dec 2nd, 3rd and 4th! Visit Penguina Designs Studio (penguinadesigns.com), Brace Point Pottery (bracepointpottery.com), Ken Turner Pottery Studio (kenturnerpottery.com) or Marilyn Moore Studio all without leaving West Seattle! Multiple artists are featured at each studio; full details at seattlesampling.com . Hours are 4 pm-9 pm tonight (and 10-5 both days this weekend).

WYATT’S JEWELERS OPEN HOUSE: Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) Holiday Open House at Westwood Village, 5-8 pm. Drinks, desserts, holiday cheer, check out the new holiday inventory.

OLIO SINGERS AT FIGGY PUDDING DOWNTOWN: It’s the great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition downtown tonight, 5-8:30 pm, and one of the more than 30 participating “teams” is from West Seattle – the Olio Singers, who you’ll find around 4th and Pine. Here’s a map showing who’s caroling where; here’s info about the charity-fundraiser event; more about Olio’s participation (and how to sponsor them).

HUSKY DELI OPEN HOUSE: The Junction’s most famous holiday open house is 6-9 pm tonight at Husky Deli, 4721 California SW.

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE,’ RADIO STYLE: Opening night for Twelfth Night Productions‘ “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show,” at Kenyon Hall. Based on the classic 1946 Frank Capra film, playwright Joe Landry’s take on “It’s a Wonderful Life” comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. This live radio show will be performed at historic Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th SW. Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets, and at Kenyon Hall, $15/adults, $12 students & seniors.

HOLIDAY CABARET: Sylvia O’Stayformore and Tor’s Holiday Cabaret at Senior Center of West Seattle. Doors open at 7:00 pm for drinks and snacks. Show is at 8:00 pm. Tickets $8; limited seating, so come early!

BELLS OF THE SOUND: Ring in the holidays with the Bells of the Sound holiday concert. 8 pm, Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 3940 41st SW. A suggested donation of $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors will be collected at the door. Children under 8 are free. In addition, please bring toys to donate to Mary’s Place, which helps homeless families.

LIVE MUSIC: Elizabeth Dawson sings tonight at the Salty’s on Alki Café-Bar, 8-10 pm.

MORE LIVE MUSIC: Tito Ramsey will perform live at Skylark Cafe & Club, 3803 Delridge Way SW, with Danny the Street. Doors at 8 pm.

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Reminder: Help ‘stuff the bus’ for Nickelsville residents tomorrow
December 2, 2011 8:19 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Tomorrow is the day that Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) residents are asking your help to “stuff the bus” with items for the people at the Nickelsville encampment – who range in age from kids through seniors. Active Living director Nichole says some donations have been received but nowhere near enough to stuff the bus, and you’re welcome to drop things off today as well as tomorrow during the actual event 10 am-4 pm. We first reported the plan two weeks ago. Nichole says the “giving tree” idea didn’t work out but here are some specifics:

Specific family’s wish list:

11 year old – boys shoes size 10, boys’ shirt large, boys’ coat large …
18 year old – shoes 10 1/2, shirt large, jeans 30/32
Both boys need socks
Portable radio that works with small batteries..
Toys of any kind.. 11 year old is a big fan of Pokemon..

General Needs wish list:

Socks, small pets clothes, cat litter, cat carrier, cooler, batteries, backpack, lots of batteries-double a’s, triple a’s and d’s.. gloves.. shoes … underwear, coats, need winter boots badly sizes 8 1/2 9 10 11 12 … flashlights, sleeping bags.. female products..female-care products.. rubber boots..underwear, hammers, winter clothes

Big Ticket “Mega Wish”
mp3/iPod/ or PlayStation portable/Nintendo DS – they have rechargeable batteries built inside.
Portable DVD player.. DVD movies of any kind, laptops for school

Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights is at 2326 California SW, and you can drop donations off till 8 tonight, as well as 10 am-4 pm tomorrow.

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West Seattle holidays: Chamber celebrates, & says goodbye
December 2, 2011 1:31 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

West Seattle’s first major holiday party of the month rocked the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction on Thursday night: The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce gathered not only to celebrate the year’s achievements – and to vie for raffle prizes while enjoying music by Matt the Hoopla – but also to celebrate the woman who’s been at the helm for eight years:

President/CEO Patti Mullen, photographed with Chamber board chair Dave Montoure, is leaving to become President/CEO of the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, as announced last month. Montoure says he plans to stay on as chair, so the West Seattle Chamber will have some leadership continuity in the new year; he and the transition team have several meetings ahead for the process of finding a new CEO. Also ahead for the Chamber in 2012: The Westside Awards breakfast is set for April 18th, and nominations already are being accepted (deadline: January 31st). P.S. Businesses/entrepreneurs interested in joining the Chamber can find membership info here.

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