year : 2011 4273 results

(Photo courtesy Hope/Seattle Lutheran)
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, some words of thanks tonight for those who spent last Friday night giving to two local schools:

Last Friday night, on 11-11-11, over 360 people gathered at Hope Lutheran and Seattle Lutheran High Schools to “Light up the Night” for the kids – and Light it up they did! Head auctioneer Graham Crow kept the bidding fast and furious as items ranging from signed Seattle Sounders gear to paradise vacations to handmade gifts were auctioned off. In addition, the schools’ fund-a-need for Smart Boards was met with tremendous generosity, and as a result every classroom will soon be equipped with this technology! Scholarship funds were also funded to help ensure that we can provide assistance to families that need it.

In the end, all the goals for the event were exceeded, and the community surrounding these kids shined brighter than ever. We want to thank everyone that contributed in some way to the event; parents, students, alumni, church members, business owners, etc. It was inspiring to see how everyone came together for the kids.

Thanks
Stephanie Jensen and Myrna Burnett
Hope Lutheran & Seattle Lutheran 2011 Auction Co-Chairs

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Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show starts tonight

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

5-8 pm tonight, it’s your first of three chances to browse and shop this year’s Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show. It’s at Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California SW; we dropped by a bit earlier this afternoon for a quick peek, and spotted the Fauntleroy Y Piecemakers – who are the only participants displaying their work, not selling it. Here’s the list of participants. If you can’t get there tonight, 11 am-3 pm tomorrow and 11 am-1 pm on Sunday.

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Followup: ‘Ex-Westwood Santa’ starts to reveal his plans

November 18, 2011 4:15 pm

| 27 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

(2008 WSB photo of the former Westwood Santa)
As reported here earlier this week, Westwood Village is changing the way the center does Santa Claus photos. They’re adding days and hours – Santa will be there daily starting right after Thanksgiving. But they’re also changing the procedure, and the person. They are now contracting with Arthur and Associates, a longtime Seattle-based Santa-photo business, which charges for photos – after Westwood Village, for years, offered photos for free, provided you made a food-bank donation. Arthur and Associates told WSB they had asked the longtime WV Santa to work for them this year, but he declined. Then, in WSB discussions, news emerged that the longtime Westwood Santa just might emerge someplace else, and many expressed interest. We finally got a chance to talk with him today – and we have confirmation of at least one place he plans to be:Read More

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DEA-search followup: Warrant returns; U.S. Attorney’s update

November 18, 2011 3:17 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

A few more follow-ups today, three days after the Drug Enforcement Administration searched more than a dozen medical-marijuana operations around Puget Sound, including GAME Collective, owned by a West Seattle man, with a location in West Seattle and a “lounge” in White Center. Last night, Thomas Bates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office was at the South Delridge-White Center Community Safety Coalition meeting. He said the regional operation mostly targeted medical-marijuana businesses “with multiple locations” that were suspected of “large-volume drug sales, money-laundering, and other operations.” While he did not address GAME Collective directly, he did mention that the “returns” from the search warrants had started to come in – those are the official documents showing what, if anything, law-enforcement officers found when they conducted the searches for which they had warrants We obtained the first two returns this afternoon. They are for two vehicles – one belonging to the GAME Collective’s owner, and one belonging to another West Seattle man listed in the original search-warrant documents as being associated with GAME. Though the search warrant empowers agents to seize anything found in a broad range of items listed, from drugs to money to recordkeeping books, the search warrant return for the 2007 Mercedes belonging to GAME Collctive’s owner says “no items seized.” For the other man’s 2010 Subaru Outback, the return document lists items seized as:Read More

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26th/Dakota project: ‘Green, welcoming place’ across the street

November 18, 2011 12:50 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

Last Monday, we published an update on the 193-unit apartment project that’s now under construction at 26th/Dakota. Then that night, developer and architect representatives visited the North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting to present their newest plan for undeveloped city right-of-way across the street that they see as a neighborhood mini-park with access to Longfellow Creek. They said they are hoping to create a “green, welcoming place” as an asset for not only residents of their building, but others who live in the area.

The design is above (see an expanded version here); they are asking for comments before they take it to the Seattle Design Commission for review, which is required since it is city right-of-way. (They are not seeking a street vacation, anticipating instead to have an annual permit for use of the area.)

The area connects to a stairway, and also has to provide access for city crews to change lights. Other than that, the project team hopes the improvements will “create some clarity for the space,” which currently isn’t even recognizable as potential public access. They’re suggesting a simple walkway topped with as-yet-undetermined material, “maybe even asphalt”; the dark green you see in the rendering is “grass-crete.” The project team says the trees they hope to plant are no taller than 15 feet, and the shrubbery would be below knee-level. They’re also working to have as little impact on west-side-of-the-street parking as possible. They are proposing a curb-bulb feature to help pedestrians and provide “traffic-calming.”

In addition to paying to create it, the project/ownership/management team (headed at this phase by Legacy Partners and Barrientos LLC) will be accountable for paying for the annual permit and maintenance. They are also extensively landscaping their side of the street (where dozens of pre-existing trees were taken out for the parking-garage excavation) in hopes of “trying to add a lot more lushness to the area,” as Hewitt Architects‘ Kris Snider told the NDNC meeting. If you have comments on the “mini-park,” send them to Steffenie Evans at Legacy Partners, sevans@legacypartners.com.

(As previously reported here, the project team also is gearing up for an extensive art-procurement process targeting local artists; here’s that story from earlier in the week.)

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Relative of Burien man asks for regional help in solving ‘hate crime’

November 18, 2011 11:54 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

This story is still developing, but the victim’s family is sending a regional request for help in solving the attack: A developmentally disabled man is in the hospital with major injuries suffered last night – though no one is sure exactly what happened or where. He was found at his Burien home. Here are more details from our partner site White Center Now; our partners at the Seattle Times are covering it too.

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Big news x 2 for WestSide Baby – plus, their holiday wishlist

November 18, 2011 11:02 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

This morning, WestSide Baby is receiving a 100,000-diaper donation from Huggies – we dropped by for photos just as the truck was getting unloaded. But that’s not the only big news at WS Baby: Executive director Nancy Woodland will serve as a founding board member of the brand-new National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN). It’s been launched “with a mission to raise awareness of diaper need and build the capacity of diaper banks,” according to the official announcement, which reminds us all of the problem:

Local families in poverty or crisis are unable to purchase an adequate supply of diapers to properly diaper their babies. At nearly $100 per month per child, families struggling to put food on the table or pay utilities must often choose between food and diapers. Because they are expensive and not covered by food stamps, diapers end up rationed or reused and babies suffer from diaper rash and other serious health issues.

Nancy says one in three American families falls into that category – so NDBN will create “a national network of community partners” to make sure there is a supply of diapers wherever needed to protect those children’s health. Huggies is the founding sponsor of NDBN and is currently on a cross-country “12 Days of Thanks” tour donating 12 million diapers in 12 cities (including Nancy’s childhood hometown, Detroit). Huggies has been donating diapers to WestSide Baby through its “Every Little Bottom” campaign.

But community donations still make up the lion’s share of what they provide to local families in need – and it’s not just diapers. So we asked WestSide Baby to please share its holiday-season wishlist on behalf of those families:

Winter Coats – all sizes
Newborn Diapers
Boy and Girl Pull-Ups : 4T-5T
Car Seats (Combinations seats from 20-80 lbs are most requested)
Hygiene Items (baby wash, diaper cream, lotion)
Baby Wipes
Warm Clothes: Sizes 5T-12
Socks and Underwear : new packages

As always, we accept all diaper sizes but distribute the most 4’s, 5’s and 6’s!

Where and when can you donate, you ask? That information is on the left side of WestSide Baby’s home page. You can donate money, too – here’s how to do that online.

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West Seattle Friday: Shop, dance, look, listen, garden…

November 18, 2011 9:15 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Max for the photo looking out over downtown late last night. The clouds haven’t brought those rumored snowflakes so far, but the chance remains in the forecast. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: Monthly meeting, 10 AM to 2 PM at Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor), 2615 SW Barton St., Building #1. Registration and social time first, then business and the morning study program at 10:30 AM, Julie Gramm will share a collection of Basket Weaving Projects made by her mother Barbara Gramm. Commentary on the design and horticulture exhibits will follow. Lunch is at noon, brown bag with dessert and beverage provided by the club. It will be “Coming up Roses” for the afternoon program at 1 PM, when “consulting rosarian” Margaret Harris shares her love of roses. She will also touch on “Shakespeare in the Garden”. Visitors are welcome. Donation $5.

AFTERNOON DANCE: Dance to the music of Lauren Petrie at Delridge Community Center, 1:30-3:30 pm

MENASHE AND SONS JEWELERS’ EVENING EVENT: Event at Menashe and Sons Jewelers (WSB sponsor) tonight. You’re invited into their Junction store (4532 California SW) in for hors d’oeuvres, bubbly, and Bakery Nouveau cake, 5-9 pm.

FAUNTLEROY ART/GIFT FAIR BEGINS: The 2011 Fauntleroy Fine Art & Holiday Gift Fair takes over Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California Avenue SW) for the weekend with something for everyone by West Seattle artists. 5-8 pm tonight (continuing tomorrow and Sunday); more details here.

STORYTELLING: Storytelling event at White Center Cultural Center (9421 18th Avenue SW), 5:30 pm, “Stories from a Filipino Life” with Chris Genese, an organizer with Washington Citizen Action Network.

TASTE SPANISH WINES: Bin 41 weekly wine tasting: Spanish wines from Frontaura y Victoria.

3 MORE CHANCES TO SEE ‘BEAN’: The original musical “Bean: The Musical Fruit” – for kids of all ages! – continues at 7 pm tonight, and 2 and 6 pm tomorrow, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Come early to meet, and take photos with, the characters!

MUDPIES AND LULLABIES: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW: (trio) lexicon presents — Mudpies and Lullabies: a guide to growing up. (trio) lexicon is a collaboration between Madeline and Richard Bersamina (vocalists) and Christina Bach (piano). Drawing on songs by Leonard Bernstein, Mozart, Mister Rogers and Sesame Street and poetry by Shel Silverstein and Lewis Carroll, this evening of singing and stories chronicles childhood and coming of age.

DONKEY BASKETBALL: Fundraiser tonight at West Seattle High School gym, 7 pm, adults $9/students $7, kids (K-6) $5. Teacher team vs. student team.

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Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights to ‘stuff the bus’ for Nickelsville

November 18, 2011 7:47 am

| 19 COMMENTS

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(October photo of Nickelsville, by Kevin McClintic)
On a cold morning, with possible snow showers looming, people are still sleeping outdoors all over the city – including more than 100 in the West Seattle encampment that calls itself Nickelsville. Nichole, the Active Living Director at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), says residents choose a community service project this time of year, and they’ve chosen to adopt Nickelsville, but they need YOUR help to really make it big. She is planning an event to gather donations – with collections starting immediately, and a “Stuff the Bus” day on December 3rd, 10 am-4 pm. She toured the encampment this week and has this list of needs so far:

Tarps
Tents
Firewood
Wool socks
Female hygiene supplies
Blankets
Camp Stoves
Propane for Camp Stoves
Canned food

Before the actual “stuff the bus” event, you can still drop off items 7 days a week, 8 am-8 pm. Nichole also hopes to put up a giving tree, so that on December 3rd, you can pick up a tag and bring back a gift. She says, “My residents are 100% behind this and very excited to have a project where they can make an impact on the homeless community.” She’s still collecting information about other needs at the camp, and we’ll add it when available. Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights is at 2326 California SW.

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Update: 2 cars set on fire in 2 hours in West Seattle

November 18, 2011 2:05 am

| 21 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

2:05 AM: That’s the aftermath of the second of two car fires in two hours in eastern West Seattle tonight. There’s no official information on the two fires, not even whether they’re potentially related, but we do know that police and fire investigators were sent to both scenes. Our photo is from 28th/Brandon, an undeveloped street north of eastern High Point, where the burning car was found after midnight. About two hours earlier, another car fire was investigated at 18th and Myrtle, a mile and a half away (as this map shows). We hope to find out later this morning if arson is suspected in either or both.

9:37 AM UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says their investigator determined both fires to be arson: “There are no witnesses and no suspects. It is under investigation whether the two car fires are related or not.”

2:48 PM UPDATE: More information just in from SFD’s Moore: The 18th/Myrtle fire involved a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee and did $6,500 in damage. The 28th/Brandon fire (as shown in our photo above) involved a 2005 BMW, with damage estimated at $16,000. Both fires are currently under investigation by SPD.

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Look for West Seattle’s Corwood Productions on location filming ‘All My Presidents’ this weekend

November 17, 2011 11:16 pm

| Comments Off on Look for West Seattle’s Corwood Productions on location filming ‘All My Presidents’ this weekend

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo by Janet Sherwood)
This weekend, you just might see film crews out and about, as West Seattle’s Corwood Productions shoots its next production at six locations, including five in West Seattle, over the next three days. Here’s the official announcement:

Corwood Productions, creators behind the Seattle-based TV pilot “The Divine Marigolds,” is gearing up to shoot a new film, titled “All My Presidents,” Nov. 18-20th in West Seattle. All My Presidents is a short film created by West Seattle resident and executive producer Sarah Mackay as a tribute to her grandfather. All My Presidents is about a young boy who, after losing his father, grabs ahold of the only thing left, the ideology of US Presidents. The film is set in 1954 through 1992 and explores the coming of age in a political world and finding your own voice.

Nathan Gamble, the star of movies such as “Dolphin’s Tale,” “Dark Knight” and “Marley and Me,” lives in Washington State and will star in All My Presidents. “We are excited to have Nathan on board. It is a testament to our Northwest star talent giving back to the local film community,” says producer/actor Lisa Coronado. “We are focused on bringing heartfelt, creative films that break the mold and are of high production value with top notch talent and crew,” says producer/actor Alder Sherwood.

All My Presidents is directed by Connor Hair, co-produced by Lorraine Montez of Abundant Productions, co-produced by Jeremiah Kaynor of Corvus Eye Productions. Director of Photography is Ryan Purcell and Rick Walters is 1st AD. Also starring David Hogan, Riley Donahue, Brian Sutherland, and other Seattle talent.

Tomorrow’s filming is happening in the Lake Union area, but the five West Seattle location shoots are set for Saturday and Sunday, in and around Admiral-area homes on Saturday, and in the Holy Rosary and “south end of California” areas on Sunday. Of course the movie has its own Facebook page and Twitter account.

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West Seattle development: 3261 Avalon Way clears Design Review

November 17, 2011 9:49 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

From tonight’s meeting of the Southwest Design Review Board: One project on the agenda, 3261 SW Avalon Way, six stories and about 120 units, not too far east of 35th (in the image above, that’s the not-entirely-finished 35th/Avalon building at right). This was the second Design Review meeting for the project, and the meeting concluded with the board recommending approval, with conditions. As was the case in the previous review, they are still concerned about the neighbors on either side (West Seattle Stadium is downslope on the south side), since the building is proposed to take up most of the lot; the only member of the public to speak at the meeting was a resident of a neighboring meeting, concerned about the proximity. Traffic challenges were mentioned too; the building is proposed for two parking entrances off Avalon, and will have about one space for each unit. The project site spans five lots, four of which currently hold single-family homes.

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Debbie Numoto’s ‘Snowman’ art returns to Illusions Hair Design

November 17, 2011 8:53 pm

| Comments Off on Debbie Numoto’s ‘Snowman’ art returns to Illusions Hair Design

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Though West Seattle artist Debbie Numoto is gone, her art lives on – and it’s back at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) for the holiday season. Here’s the announcement from Illusions:

They’re Baaaaack!

Illusions is proud to announce that we are again featuring the “Snowman” artwork of West Seattle resident (the late) Debbie Dawn Numoto. Debbie was a long time client and friend of Illusions, and for over a decade she has been our featured artist on our art walls during the holiday season. Many knew her because of her many years of employment at NW Art and Frame.

Realizing that her artwork is one of the most highly anticipated showings each year, her family has graciously offered to loan us some of her favorite pieces and framed originals belonging to friends & family. These will not be for sale but will be featured for the public to come and view during regular business hours through the end of December. Fortunately her family has also provided a LIMITED number of her SIGNED prints from her collection available for $25 each.

If you never saw her work please stop by. If you have pieces hanging on your walls, this will be a great opportunity for one last time to admire the incredible life she gave to her many other paintings. Illusions has been honored to be able to showcase her paintings and are thankful for what Debbie has brought to our community as an artist and as a friend.

Ms. Numoto died of cancer three months ago at the age of just 49; here’s the obituary published on WSB.

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West Seattle group gathering to plan for ‘Occupy the Capitol’

November 17, 2011 8:39 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

For those concerned about the big cuts looming in the state budget, Su Docekal sends word of “West Seattle Neighbors Against the Budget Cuts” gathering this Saturday “to do flyering to let people in this neighborhood know about the inhuman cuts that are being proposed for the upcoming special legislative session and about the protests that they can participate in.” The gathering is at noon Saturday at Salvadorean Bakery, 1719 SW Roxbury. She says they are looking ahead to “Occupy the Capitol,” a week of protests planned November 28-December 2. She says the demand will be:

— Oppose all cuts to jobs, services and education!
— Restore services, jobs and benefits by taxing corporations and the rich!
— Pressure the federal government to end U.S. wars and redirect military spending to the states!

If you want to find out more, you can contact Su at sudocekal@comcast.net or 206-953-5601.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Snow here? Well, somewhere

November 17, 2011 4:42 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The newest forecasts say snow showers are likely somewhere in the metro area tonight and tomorrow morning … but exactly where, they’re not sure. One WSB’er on Twitter claims to have seen a few flakes in this afternoon’s rain, and the National Weather Service backs that up. Here’s their newest “special weather statement.” The city also has issued its traditional “we’re ready” statement. Let us know if things get flaky where you are. As for right now, going into the evening commute – we’ve got a bit of a cloudbreak, so your drive/ride home just might be OK!

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Battle of the bags? Peek at proposal to ban plastic, charge for paper

November 17, 2011 3:57 pm

| 38 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Though the plastic-bag fee/tax eventually got bagged, a new City Council move to get plastic bags out of the local waste stream is right around the corner. You’ve probably heard about it already; today we have a sneak peek at the proposal, thanks to a “Determination of Non-Significance” that landed in today’s semiweekly Land Use Information Bulletin. This is expected to be introduced in the City Council next week. The language in today’s notice would ban plastic and require stores to charge at least a nickel per paper bags – that would not be a tax, but would be kept by stores to help defray the cost of those bags. According to a story from the Seattle Times (WSB partner), people in our ~~state~~ city use almost 300 million plastic bags a year.

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: The proposed bag-ban ordinance (read it here) is scheduled for its official unveiling at a news conference Monday afternoon.

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West Seattle Thanksgiving: Here’s who needs turkeys

November 17, 2011 3:35 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Our previous report listed free dinners in West Seattle on Thanksgiving. Now, here’s YOUR chance to help people in need. Two local food banks are accepting turkeys and other food donations this weekend. First, from the West Seattle Food Bank:

Frozen turkeys and other food donations will be gratefully accepted at the West Seattle Food Bank on Saturday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Monday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Pull into our parking garage off Morgan St. just east of 35th Ave. SW [map]. Contact us at 206-932-9023 for additional hours for donations on site.

Also, donations can be accepted during the Turkey Bowl on Saturday from 5:30 PM-8:00 PM at West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave. SW.

We published the White Center Food Bank turkey-drive announcement earlier; they’re requesting frozen turkeys and chickens this Saturday, 9 am-7 pm, at their HQ, 10829 8th SW [map]. Here’s our original announcement, which also includes contact information if you want to find out about other dropoff hours.

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West Seattle Thanksgiving: Free dinners – and help needed

November 17, 2011 2:50 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

One week till Thanksgiving, and we have word of ~~three~~ FOUR free dinners that day in West Seattle. Even if you don’t want/need to go, maybe someone you know does – so help get the word out! Note that one of these is asking both for advance RSVP, and also for volunteers:

YOUNGSTOWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER: Philippia Goldsmith says they’re looking for “families who have no other place to go for the holidays and need/want to join other local families for a good meal.” Families, please RSVP ASAP to Renée at renee.hipp12@gmail.com. This dinner has some needs, too:

Volunteers to donate a side dish
Volunteers to help with set up and teardown of the space
Entertainment (mostly music and/or board games for the kiddos)

If you can help with any of those, e-mail Phillippia at phillippiagoldsmith@live.com. (Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.)

THE HALL AT FAUNTLEROY: Once again this year, Tuxedoes and Tennis Shoes Catering is putting on its famous free community Thanksgiving meal. And as usual, they say they already have plenty of volunteers – BUT they welcome pies and cookies to be donated for dessert. You can start bringing them down the day before Thanksgiving, or that morning. The dinner will be noon-3 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California SW. Questions? 206-932-1059.

ST. JAMES ANNEX: On the south end of West Seattle – considered by some as the north end of White Center – Good News Christian Fellowship plans to offer a free Thanksgiving dinner, 1:30 to 5:00 pm, at St. James Annex, 9421 18th Avenue SW. All welcome, and they’re also welcoming “donations of food, cash, and clothing.” Contact Michael Spann at 206-854-2245 or michaelspann206@gmail.com to contribute (or inquire).

(added) WEST SEATTLE EAGLES: Just got word that the WS Eagles will again be having a free community Thanksgiving dinner: “Come and enjoy a mouth-watering homemade feast with your fellow West Seattleites. Dinner served from 2-5 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please use the door nearest the alleyway.” Their aerie is at 4426 California SW; call (206) 938-4426 with questions.

Any others? Let us know ASAP as our West Seattle Holidays page is almost ready to go up, and this information will all be there, along with other giving – and enjoying! – opportunities throughout the season. (editor@westseattleblog.com)

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It’s all downhill from here! Seattle Ski Shuttle starts tomorrow

November 17, 2011 1:08 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Just got word from Greg Whittaker at Mountain to Sound Outfitters/Alki Kayak Tours that his other enterprise is about to start its season:

The Seattle Ski Shuttle will be launching its 2011-2012 Season in coordination with the Crystal Mountain opening tomorrow.

This will be the 3rd year we have made the season opener at Crystal Mountain, and we have room for a limited number of riders to join us.

Call Mountain to Sound Outfitters @ 206-935-7669 to book your space on the ski shuttle, or sign up online @ www.seattleskishuttle.com.

How much snow is there at Crystal, you ask? Check their webcams!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Plea deal in domestic-violence arson

November 17, 2011 10:33 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(6/28/2011 photo courtesy Kathryn)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One of our periodic peeks into various court files to check on ongoing cases has just yielded news: There’s been a plea bargain in last June’s arson/domestic violence case in Gatewood. It happened three weeks ago, but we just spotted it now, and it does not appear anyone else has reported this yet. The fire happened on June 28th; the only person hurt was the defendant and home co-owner, 40-year-old John C. Siegel, whose injuries were later described as self-inflicted. He was found sitting outside the home as it burned.

The case drew extra citywide attention because Siegel had just gotten out of jail a month earlier after a plea bargain in a domestic-violence case that also yielded a charge of threatening a judge (as reported by Seattle Weekly). He is a lawyer and has been representing himself in this case, as he did in that one; the list of files in the four-month-old arson case is longer than many lists from cases that have been going on for years, and full of documents he wrote by hand while in jail (where he’s been since the fire). Here’s what we found out about Siegel’s plea bargain:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Blustery night; chill ahead

November 17, 2011 8:36 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Blustery night; chill ahead

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Darlene shared the photo, writing, “How windy was it last might? The street light in front of our house fell over on our fence.” (She’s on the western side of Charlestown Hill.) Wind speed got into the 30s overnight, and it’s still a bit blustery now, but the weather focus is turning to the cooldown. Latest weather alert, issued early this morning, says tomorrow could bring a bit of snow in showers, but there’s more concern about low temperatures Saturday and Sunday mornings, and icy roads.

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West Seattle Thursday: Metro changes; Design Review; Alki Council

November 17, 2011 8:21 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Metro changes; Design Review; Alki Council

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Steve Mohundro, via the WSB Flickr group pool)
One week till Thanksgiving! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BANK PARTY: Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) in the Admiral District has been open a few weeks, but officially celebrates its grand opening today, 9 am – 6 pm, with local food and drink.

DELRIDGE DESC FUNDING: Joint Recommendations Committee considers Delridge DESC project’s county funding, 9:30 am, Mercer Community Center on Mercer Island (more information at delridgeforum.blogspot.com)

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: Want to learn how the “redistricting” of our state will change its political climate? Tim Ceis, Senate Democratic Appointee to the State Commission, speaks at the West Seattle Democratic Women luncheon meeting today at West Seattle Golf Course. Registration is from 11:15-11:30 am; program from 11:30 am-1 pm. $12/members; $15 nonmembers (or the minimum fee of $5, which includes coffee/tea and dessert). Call (206) 935-3216 to check on space availability.

GOT A BAND? MEET THE SKYLARK BOOKERS: From Skylark Café and Club: “Bands cancelled (tonight) so Skylark is doing a Meet & Greet with Jessie and Mackenzie, the booking agents. Bring your press kit and tell them about your band. 5-7 pm. Afterwards we will play vintage vinyl on the turntables and you will drink beer.”

COMMUNITY SAFETY COALITION: South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets to discuss crime and safety issues in the area, St. James Annex, 9421 18th SW, 6 pm.

UNDERSTANDING LONG TERM CARE OPTIONS: Seminar hosted by Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 4611 35th SW, 6 pm. Having difficulty understanding which long-term-care option is best for you or your loved one? You are not alone! Local experts will be on hand to help you better understand the difference between retirement living, assisted living, adult family home and skilled nursing facilities. Check availability – call Colleen at (206) 932-5480.

METRO CHANGES: Second and final scheduled meeting to talk about Metro’s future and “restructuring” the route system in West Seattle, 6:30 pm, Madison Middle School (details here). Note that this is scheduled to be open-house format, as was the first meeting last week (WSB coverage here), so there is no presentation – Metro managers are taking comments and answering questions on a one-to-one basis.

DESIGN REVIEW: Southwest Design Review Board’s second meeting to consider 3261 SW Avalon Way, 6:30 pm at WS Senior Center (California/Oregon) – here’s our report about the first meeting back in July.

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Monthly meeting at 7 pm, Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds).

‘BEAN’: Original family musical “Bean: The Musical Fruit” continues at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) tonight at 7. Tickets: Adults: $7; $5 student (present ID at will-call); $5 children 12 and under. Tells the tale of a character who just doesn’t quite fit in, finding her way in the world.

SHOP LATE THURSDAY: Happening Thursday nights in The Junction through the holidays. Till 9 pm; participating merchants are listed here.

AT CLICK! DURING ‘SHOP LATE THURSDAY’ TONIGHT: Poppi jeweler Dawn Benedetto and “Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook” author Kim O’Donnel at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 6-9 pm.

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They didn’t get the message during Viadoom, apparently

November 16, 2011 10:07 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Remember “Viadoom” week, when Seattle Police cited a couple dozen drivers for bus-lane violations on the West Seattle Bridge? According to the latest roundup on SPD Blotter, they were out looking again today, and cited 8 more. Speeders too – including 76 mph in the bridge’s 45 mph zone – and some school-zone citations elsewhere in West Seattle. Details here.

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