West Seattle, Washington
10 Tuesday
It was just as good as – maybe better than! – Santa Claus driving his sleigh up to the West Seattle Food Bank. In this case, a bus borrowed from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), whose Josh Sutton was at the wheel, brought Nucor Steel Seattle‘s 2,100-pound food donation to the WS Food Bank this afternoon. From left are Beth Roush, Jim Peterson, Kate Johnson, WS Food Bank’s Fran Yeatts and Mike Tinker, Clifton Eskridge. Nucor employees also contributed more than $20,000 cash!
The boxes and barrels brought via bus included pet food as well as people food – both are welcome at your local food bank. This is the second big delivery by Nucor this week; we were also at Southwest Youth and Family Services last Thursday when Nucor employees distributed holiday food packages for more than 400 people!
SIDE NOTE: If you know of any last-minute holiday-help needs, please let us know so we can help get the word out – lots of folks are still looking for ways to help!
Procrastinating on that Christmas tree? West Seattle Nursery just cut its prices by a third, per this tweet. And according to a streetside sign, West Seattle Produce has discounted theirs by 25%. Any other discounts offers? Let us know and we’ll add ’em. The full list of local sellers, along with other Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/New Year’s info, is on our West Seattle Holidays page, where we also have noted that two lots are already closed (Holy Rosary and Son-In-Law).
2:07 PM: Click the “play” button and you’ll see the live video stream of this afternoon’s Seattle City Council meeting, which has just begun, with two items of particular note on the agenda: West Seattle Triangle rezoning (approved by the council’s Committee on the Built Environment three weeks ago) and the plastic-bag ban. We’ll add updates here if and when the public-comment period at the meeting’s start includes Triangle comments, as well as when the Triangle and bag-ban items come up.
2:22 PM: The public-comment period ended with no one stepping up to the podium to talk about Triangle rezoning, which is a few items away on the agenda. Most of the commenters talked about the plastic-bag ban, including, as seen in our framegrab above, the “Bagmonster Singers,” who serenaded councilmembers with a song to the tune of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”
2:31 PM: And here’s the Triangle item, which is actually two items – rezoning/changing development standards, and recommending a parking study for the area. Councilmember Sally Clark opens by saying it all dates back to the closure of the Huling Brothers auto properties (briefly Gee Automotive after Huling) and concern over what would happen to the area with so much vacant land. She hands the microphone to Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who as she said has been closely involved in planning for the area’s future. He says RapidRide (scheduled to start in 2012) also was a spark to get the process going, beginning with an “urban-design framework.” He notes that it included a plan for The Triangle’s “streetscapes,” including the Fauntleroy Way “boulevard” concept (the new city budget includes planning money) and SW Snoqualmie as a “festival” street. And of course, it includes rezoning – “neighborhood commercial” that “encourages pedestrian-friendly development” for much of the heart of The Triangle, which he says will also strengthen the pedestrian connection between The Junction and The Triangle. The latter was not recommended for more height, he explains, so as not to put “more pressure” for sales/development of existing commercial properties – but the Fauntleroy/Alaska/Edmunds area includes more than 2 blocks that will be rezoned to 85 feet (20 feet higher than the current zoning).
2:40 PM: Council President Richard Conlin says “congratulations” and notes the importance of the legislation to West Seattle’s future, before Rasmussen reads the list of Triangle Advisory Committee members and also acknowledges DPD and Council staffers for their work. No comments from other councilmembers. The rezoning/development standards bill (read it here) passes unanimously 9-0, as does the recommendation for a parking study. No other councilmembers comment.
2:45 PM: Now Councilmember Mike O’Brien is explaining the plastic-bag ban. You can still use plastic bags for meat and produce in grocery stores, he notes. For this too, no councilmembers are commenting or asking questions, except for Council President Conlin, who thanks O’Brien, who in turn thanks “partners” for help with the bill (including WSB sponsors PCC Natural Markets and Metropolitan Market). The bill passes unanimously; there’s applause in council chambers.
3:15 PM: The official news releases from council staff: West Seattle Triangle rezoning, here; plastic-bag ban, here. The bag ban takes effect next July 1st.
Just in from South Seattle Community College (P.S. Added post-publication – longtime journalist Margaret Larson will emcee!):
Fifteen of the region’s top chefs will participate in South’s 2012 Gifts from the Earth gala, the annual event that celebrates the hospitality industry and raises funds for college programs and student scholarships. The singular event provides food and wine aficionados, donors, and sponsors a unique opportunity to interact with celebrity chefs and South students while enjoying innovative cuisine and the finest Washington wines.
The festivities, sponsored by Food Services of America, take place Saturday, January 28, 2012, at South Seattle Community College beginning at 5 pm. The evening features hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting and a silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction that includes unique wine and dining packages.
It’s the can’t-miss event of the year, as the region’s celebrity chefs create their own menus and prepare a multi-course gourmet feast for two tables (10 guests per table) each. All the courses are paired with fine wine from Washington wineries, poured by student sommeliers from South’s own Northwest Wine Academy.
Gifts from the Earth is more than a unique fundraising event; it also provides invaluable, hands-on learning and professional networking opportunities for South Seattle Community College students Hospitality Management bachelor’s degree program students manage guest relations, Culinary Arts students prepare meals alongside celebrity chefs, and students in the Wine Technology program pour wine with winemakers.
2012 Celebrity Chefs (* denotes South Seattle Community College alumni):
Ron Arbour – Royal Argosy; Jay DeLong – Canapé & Northwest Wine Academy instructor; Eric Floyd – Washington Athletic Club; Chris Frantela – Bellevue Harbor Club; Mark Guth* and Carly Duke* – Emerald Cove Catering; Kraig Hansen – Palisade Restaurant; John Hart – Sheraton Seattle; Jeff Maxfield* – Sky City; Renatto Medranda – The Westin Bellevue; Brent Novotny – Cactus Restaurant; Cody Reaves – Flat Iron Grill; Sean Rogers – Broadmoor Golf Club; Robert Scribner – South Seattle Community College; Kenneth Slack* – Sullivan’s Steakhouse Seattle; and Travis Chase – The Tin Table.2012 Featured Wineries
Antonville Winery, Barnard Griffin, Brian Carter Cellars, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Chatter Creek, Columbia Winery, Covington Cellars, DeLille Cellars, Elsom, Eroica, Gecko Cellars, Hollywood Hill, Isenhower Cellars, Kestrel Vintners, Martedi Wines, Michael Florentino Cellars, Northwest Wine Academy, Nota Bene Cellars, O.S. Winery, Palouse Winery, Pleasant Hill Cellars, Soos Creek Winery, Stomani Cellars, Waterbrook, and Willis Hall.Additional chefs and wineries may be announced.
Title sponsor Food Services of America (FSA) is one of the nation’s largest foodservice distributors, serving customers in 15 western and mid-western states. This is the fifth consecutive year that FSA, a long-time supporter of South’s award-winning culinary and hospitality industry programs, has participated as the Gifts from the Earth title sponsor. The cocktail hour and silent auction reception is sponsored by Union Bank. Additional sponsors include Boeing, Charlie’s Produce, Interbay Food Company, Tony’s Coffee, Rebar & Associates PLLC, Odom Distribution, and Ferguson Construction.
Tickets for Gifts from the Earth may be purchased for $175 per person. Corporate and table sponsorships ranging from $1,750 to $5,000 are also available. More information on ticket purchase and sponsorship opportunities may be obtained by contacting the South Seattle Community College Foundation at (206) 934-5809, email to ssccfoundation@seattlecolleges.edu, or on the web at www.southseattle.edu/foundation/giftsfromtheearth/index.html.
Celebrity Chef Profile – Carly Duke & Mark Guth, Emerald Cove Catering
VOTED 2010 BEST CATERER OF WESTERN WASHINGTON on King 5’s “Best of”
Emerald Cove Catering Company Operations Director Carly Duke and Chef Mark Guth are seasoned Gifts from the Earth veterans. They participated in the event as Culinary Arts Program students and are returning for the second consecutive year as guest chefs. Both graduated from South in 2006 with certificates in Restaurant Production and Banquet & Catering Operations, and share a unique perspective on the student/chef connection that distinguishes Gifts from the Earth.“We have so many things on our plate, but being part of the school and remembering the experience we had, we thought it would be really fun to do,” said Carly of their decision to participate as guest chefs the first time. “It makes me feel kind of old, but it’s really fun to see the students and remember where you were then.”
Adds Mark, “I think it’s really good for students to interact with people who are actually in the industry. It’s also great exposure, because the guest chefs bring out all sorts of ingredients and methods that students don’t normally see. There’s lots of variety.”
The dynamic duo is bringing along another South alumn, Brandon LaVielle, to help them prepare their special 5-course menu for the evening. All the guest chefs take full advantage of the opportunity to cook foods of their own choosing, and Gifts from the Earth diners are always treated to imaginative, inspired meals.
(WSB photo from 11/26/11 ‘opening night,’ with all the lights turned on between shows)
If you’ll be out looking at lights this Christmas Eve/Day or New Year’s Eve, Helmstetler Family Spectacular mastermind Jim Winder says you’re invited to stop by the famous music-synched show for free hot cocoa 6-9 pm – and on Christmas Eve, they’ll also have free mini-cupcakes donated by Diva Espresso (while they last). The show itself is free, but they’ve been collecting donations for local causes – here’s a Facebook photo of their first delivery to the West Seattle Food Bank; bring nonperishable food when you stop by and look for the bin right in front of the house, which is at 3908 SW Charlestown, across from the water tower. It’s of course also on the WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map, which we’re updating with new additions nightly. Find out more about the show on its official website, which includes videos from the past two years (we have a couple clips from this year’s opening night, November 26th, in our coverage).
Just in from SDOT:
Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will repair a concrete panel in the 6500 block of 48th Avenue SW [map] between December 21 and 29, with a pause for the holiday weekend. The crews will work from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday, December 21 to 23, and will continue during the same hours from Tuesday to Thursday, December 27 to 29.
The roadway will be reduced to one lane except during the holiday weekend when both lanes will be open for traffic. While the road is restricted to one lane, traffic flaggers will assist drivers through the area from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. When the crew is not working, flashing stop signs will be located at either end of the construction area from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. to warn drivers of the roadway restriction and to travel through the area one car at a time.
The date is set for the third annual Preschool Fair hosted by the West Seattle Preschool Association, 5:30-7:30 pm Monday, January 9th. Admission is free for families, and you’re welcome to bring children along. Schools interested in being part of it have to sign up by January 3rd (206-923-2683 or info@westseattlepreschoolassociation.com); here’s who’s signed up so far. It’ll be at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California SW.
(Photo taken last Tuesday, shared via the WSB Flickr group pool by Nicole)
The week ahead includes (in order) Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and Christmas. But first, here’s what’s on the docket for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar and West Seattle Holidays page:
FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY CLOSURE TONIGHT: Rescheduled from last week, tonight’s the first 9 pm-5 am closure for the work to lift the bridge deck (slightly) to add quake-resistant features. This means the West Seattle Bridge will be closed west of Delridge – see the city website for detour information if you’ll be driving that section during those hours.
MORE REPAVING: Three scheduled days of repaving start 9 am-5 pm today on 35th SW between Myrtle and Othello – details here.
NO SCHOOL: First day of winter break for Seattle Public Schools (and most others).
TRIANGLE REZONING VOTE: Seattle City Council final vote on Triangle rezoning, 2 pm meeting at City Hall downtown (preceded by open public comment), more details here.
STIR IT UP: West Seattle Cooking Club, 2:30 pm, Beveridge Place Pub. This week’s theme is “Soul Food.” More info at westseattlecookingclub.org
SEE SANTA CLAUS: At West Seattle Thriftway 3:30-7:30 pm, as well as Westwood Village, 10 am-8 pm
‘EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY …’: Final week – ArtsWest presents the Seattle premiere of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez. 7:30 pm tonight through Friday, 5 pm on Christmas Eve; ticket info here.
That’s a scene from “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” which you can see on the big screen at West Seattle’s only moviehouse tomorrow (Tuesday) night – historic Admiral Theater‘s free Christmas movie. Dinah from The Admiral shares this reminder, with new details about the event:
The movie starts promptly at 7 PM and doors open at 6:15 PM. Guests are advised to come early as we will probably pack out. During the movie, adults can enjoy a liquid libation up in the Crow’s Nest Lounge.
Prior to the movie, Santa will be on hand for a photo op and will be serving up Xmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate.
This year the movie is co-presented by the newly formed Admiral Business District. The movie is graciously donated by the Admiral District Blockbuster.
Don’t forget to bring some much-needed animal provisions; high end pet food, crates, collars, toys, beds, etc., which will be donated to the Humane Society.
The Admiral is at 2343 California SW. If you are planning ahead for this weekend – Dinah adds that both matinees will be shown on Christmas Eve, then the theater will close for the night, reopening for the 4 pm show on Christmas Day, with both evening shows on the screen that night.
After Seattle Public Schools staff presented a revamped proposal for “capacity management” next year – basically, how to relieve overcrowding – we asked West Seattle’s newly elected school-board representative Marty McLaren for her reaction. She in turn asked if we would publish her call for YOUR thoughts. So here goes. (If you didn’t see our story earlier this week, it’s here, including a link to the presentation made to board members last Wednesday.) You can comment here or contact her directly; the board is scheduled to get a more-or-less-finalized proposal for introduction at its January 4th meeting, and a final vote two weeks later. Her message to you:
I’m very interested in hearing views from West Seattle people about the short term options that the community/school district committee (“FACMAC”) has recommended to alleviate overcrowding at elementary schools in the Denny and Madison Middle School areas.
Background: The short-term solutions offered are intended for the year 2012-13 only. By identifying these options as soon as possible, we pave the way for open enrollment to commence on time in March, 2012. Open enrollment will allow families wanting their children to attend programs outside of their normal assignment area to request those assignments.
These short-term solutions for the coming year are intended to allow time for the district (with community participation) to design mid- and long term plans for program placement and for opening more classroom space to meet our projected rise in number of students.
So far, after extensive brainstorming and soliciting opinions from many members of the community, the district is recommending:
We’re publishing tonight’s spotlighted Christmas lights earlier than previous nights, since the weather’s good and you just might be going out for a bit of what one WSB’er called “light-seeing.” Thanks to Midge for the tip on this: She mentioned the house above, on the east side of the street in the 5400 block of 40th SW in Fairmount Springs. We noticed the house right next door (photo below) is nicely lit too, as are others along the several-block stretch of 40th that we drove.
This block is now added to our WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map, and we’re still welcoming suggestions – editor@westseattleblog.com – through Christmas! You can also find the map any time on the West Seattle Holidays page any time. Our previous Christmas-lights spotlights are all on , the archive page for this “category” of WSB stories – find it here.
Three reader reports to share: The first one, you’ve probably seen if you read the WSB Forums, but the discussion involves lots of great advice, so we wanted to share it here too: KatieK reported someone stealing her car tabs while she was shopping; police (and subsequently others) offered advice on deterring that type of theft. Read her report and the ensuing discussion here. Next – a discovery of apparently stolen mail, and a sighting that stirred suspicions:Read More
For the second consecutive night, high-school basketball teams from West Seattle had a cross-neighborhood faceoff last night. West Seattle High School faced Seattle Lutheran High School, one night after its teams played Chief Sealth International High School.
The Wildcats topped the Saints in both varsity games – details and more photos ahead:
As of a little more than an hour ago, Sustainable West Seattle was already on its fifth box of Christmas lights brought in for recycling at its West Seattle Farmers’ Market booth. Till 2 pm, you’ll find them there – along with the meters comparing LED lights to incandescent:
Just around the corner from the Farmers’ Market, the Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) Belgian-mule-drawn carriage rides (free!) – we caught up with them as they headed north on 44th before turning onto Alaska by the market:
The carriage rides continue till 3, as do take-it-yourself Santa photos at City Mouse. One Farmers’ Market reminder – NO market the next two Sundays, since it’s Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, BUT there’s a special nighttime edition at Junction Plaza Park this Thursday (December 22), 5-8 pm. (Sustainable WS plans to roast chestnuts, providing leader Christina Hahs’ test run tonight goes well!)
4:23 PM UPDATE: Got the final tally from the Christmas-lights-recycling collection:
That photo’s courtesy of Chas Redmond, who staffed the SWS booth today with Hahs (in the photo) and Patrick Dunn (best known as award-winning manager of the WS Tool Library). By 2 pm, he says, they had filled the pickup-truck bed with boxes of ready-to-recycle lights, and they had finished the old-vs.-new lights comparison: “The results of our demo showing the electricity draw of conventional, incandescent mini’s and the LEDs – with a string of 100 LED lights and another string of 75 incandescent mini lights running for three hours, the LED lights drew 3 watts and the incandescents (even though there were fewer) drew 300 watts – roughly 1 watt/hour for the LED string and 100 watts/hour for the incandescent string.” One more sustainability P.S. – for Christmas-giving/stocking-stuffing, the Tool Library is suggesting gift memberships (raffle ticket included!).
Even amid the midday murk, it’s warm and bright in so many local stores. In case you haven’t found them already, some of them are offering deals here on WSB … here’s a selection from our HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE:
*10 percent off $10+ at ATOMIC BOYS at 4311 SW Admiral Way, open for a “bonus day” today, 11 am-5 pm (then 10 am-7 pm Mon.-Fri. and 10 am-3 pm Christmas Eve) – coupon here
*While you’re in the Admiral District, stop by ZATZ A BETTER BAGEL at 2348 California SW for a free bagel with your purchase; open today till 5 pm – coupon here
*Also in the Admiral District, ALKI BIKE AND BOARD at 2606 California SW is offering 10 percent off gift cards … that and more Admiral District deals are featured on this special all-Admiral page!
*If you’re in The Junction, HOTWIRE ONLINE COFFEEHOUSE at 4410 California SW offers a double latté for $2 and, if needed, an hour of Web-surfing – coupon here
*Also in The Junction: 20 percent off at JAN’S BEAUTY SUPPLY at 4517 California SW (coupon here); 25 percent off a $30 purchase at FUNKY JANE’S, 4455 California SW (coupon here) … $25 off a $100 purchase at SWEETIE, 4508 California SW (coupon here); 20 percent off any Chemical Wedding wallet at CLEMENTINE, 4447 California SW (coupon here) … free class with a $50 purchase at KNOWS PERFUME, 4536 California SW (coupon here) … $10 off $50 purchase at PHARMACA INTEGRATIVE PHARMACY, 4707 California SW (coupon here)
*Further south: Buy one/get one free OR $3 off holiday pack at STUFFED CAKES, 9003 California SW (coupon here – note they’re not open Sundays)
(Mule-drawn carriage in The Junction, photographed last Sunday)
Rain, shine, or fog, it’s one week till Christmas and the final West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Sunday, among other highlights from the calendars (year-round events list here, winter-holidays list here):
RECYCLE THOSE OLD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Got lights that you replaced (perhaps with energy-thrifty LEDs) or couldn’t use this year outdoors or on the tree? Sustainable West Seattle is accepting old Christmas lights for recycling at its West Seattle Farmers’ Market booth today, 10 am-2 pm, while demonstrating the power-use difference between LEDs and old-fashioned lights.
FRESH FOOD: And of course the West Seattle Farmers’ Market offers its usual fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, flowers, nuts, and a lot more, 10 am – 2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska).
MULE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES: While you’re in The Junction for the Farmers’ Market, it’s one more chance for Mule Carriage Rides 11 am-3 pm, free. Take a traditional carriage ride down California SW pulled by Belgian Draft Mules, departing on California in front of KeyBank at Hometown Holidays Headquarters.
SANTA PHOTOS: Where’s Santa today? In the Junction, you’ll find Hometown Holidays Santa at City Mouse Studio and Store (4218 SW Alaska) for a third and final Sunday – but today, it’s Do-It-Yourself photos, with no official photographer, so bring your own camera. $15 requested donation goes to local charities. As for Santa’s other stops in West Seattle today, the list and links are at the top of the West Seattle Holiday Events/Info page.
WRAP STARS: “Wrap It Up” gift wrapping with Furry Faces Foundation and AARF. It’s up to you how much you would like to donate for the gift wrapping, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to helping animals. Today is the second of four “Wrap It Up” sessions – 1 – 7 pm at the Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW (during the Specialty Bottle Sale and for a couple hours after). … (added) Just heard this morning about Roxhill Elementary wrapping fundraiser at Barnes & Noble in Westwood Village till 9 pm.
SEASON FINALE AT KITTY HARBOR: After this afternoon’s round of cat adoptions, Kitty Harbor closes for the year, and is hoping everybody will find their forever home. 2-6 pm, on Harbor Avenue just north of the West Seattle Bridge.
HANUKKAH CONCERT: Performed by the Seattle Jewish Chorale @ 3:00 pm. Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 7141 California Ave SW, co-sponsored by WSUU and Kol HaNeshamah. “Light the Candles: A Hanukkah Concert for Everyone” is an interactive, family-friendly celebration featuring both familiar and unusual holiday songs in Hebrew, English, Yiddish and Ladino. For Jews and non-Jews alike, learn what Hanukkah is all about! Reception to follow, with Hanukkah goodies for sale.Tickets are $10/adults, $5/children (under 12), $8/students & seniors/un(der)employed pay as able.
FINAL PERFORMANCE FOR ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, A LIVE RADIO SHOW’: 3 pm performance of Twelfth Night Productions‘ “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show,” concluding its run at Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th SW.
AUTHORS AT SKYLARK: West Seattle author Dave O’Leary will be reading from his debut novel, “Horse Bite,” at Skylark Café and Club, along with three other local authors/poets will also be reading from their works – Cherry Tigris, Pam Summa, and Roberto Carlos Ascalon. 3-5 pm, 3803 Delridge Way SW
‘EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY’: Also a matinee today for ArtsWest in The Junction presents “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!).” 3 pm; ticket info here.
GOT YOUR TREE YET? IF NOT, HURRY! At least one tree lot is already closed for the season (Son-In-Law at California/Charlestown) and today is the last day listed for the Holy Rosary Tree Lot (41st/Dakota), which donates part of its proceeds to local charities; it cut prices in half earlier this week.
Lois Baldwin lived a life of education – given and received – as well as creativity and adventure, as detailed in this remembrance shared by her niece, Vicki Burr-Chellin:
Lois Elaine Baldwin, former English teacher and guidance counselor at Evergreen High School from 1955-1976, died peacefully on December 11, 2011 in West Seattle.
Miss Baldwin was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1920 in Winlock, WA to Lee Ernest Baldwin and Yola Barrett Baldwin, both from pioneer families. (She claimed to love pumpkin pie because her mother had been eating pie on the day she was born.) The Baldwins moved to Oregon. where their father owned timber and operated a sawmill and their mother was a career public-school teacher, and they raised 4 children.
Miss Baldwin graduated high school in Cottage Grove, OR; she received her BA in Education from the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR (1944); and her MA in Education (English Literature) from the Colorado State College of Education at Greeley, CO (1955). She was a published poet and a student and teacher of Shakespeare. Her published poem in Poems of the Beaver State 1948, A Thanksgiving Prayer follows:
God
Grant that there be
Quietness
Within my soul,
I pray –
Calm, cool strength that
Lends a peace
To this – Thanksgiving Day.And – then – dear Lord,
Let there be
Love
And with it
Faith to know
That by this quality we live
And by this Truth
We grow.
Thanks to Oleana for sharing this display, including a photo as well as the address (7900 block of 30th SW). Here, it’s not the lights as much as the carvings! We’ve added this to the ongoing WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map. Keep the tips coming, with or without photos – editor@westseattleblog.com. (You can also find the map on the West Seattle Holidays page any time, and the photos of lights we’ve already featured are archived here.)
One of the most fun fundraisers so far this holiday season in our area happened last Sunday night at West Seattle Christian Church‘s Activity Center in The Junction. Builders of all ages comprised more than three dozen teams for the Extreme Gingerbread Challenge – some as young as Elle, who was the “foreperson” for her parents’ entry:
The Shaughnessy family built a demonstration gingerbread house, not to enter, but to showcase what the night was all about – raising money to help bring safer water to villages in Central America, a project with which WSCC has been involved for several years:
The gingerbread structure built by Bella, Jen, Mike, and Lauren is actually a replica of the church visited by WSCC volunteers doing well-building work last year with WSCC’s Pastor Dan Jacobs, who oversaw the gingerbread-fest too:
As for the entries – here’s a team of Junctionites constructing a gingerbread replica of fashion-forward Clementine Shoes (including Clementine’s proprietor Linda Walsh):
One of the winners: Furry Faces Foundation, for Santa’s North Pole Pet Adoption Center – talk about a place to find your “forever home”!
You can see the F3 creation on display for the duration of the holiday season at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), by the way, as noted in the WSB Forums – and if you want to congratulate F3, their multiple-session “Wrap It Up” fundraising gift-wrap services continue tomorrow (and twice more next week, as listed here). Other winners: The Gustafson Family, Naomi Cox, and the WSCC middle-school youth group in the General class, and with F3 in the Open class were the Aird Family and Sophia Seago. Even if you weren’t there, you can still help the WSCC well-building program (which is headed to El Salvador next year) – find out how at wsccwaterwells.org.
Covering the basketball hoopla at Chief Sealth International High School last night, a WSB team member got a hot tip: Go check out what’s happening on the other side of the campus at Denny International Middle School. Turned out to be the 2nd annual Posada Navideña celebration (here’s our coverage of the first one last year) – first one in the new Denny, adjacent to Sealth. Principal Jeff Clark explained:
Our crew got him to pose with some of the folks he mentioned who made the big, busy event happen:
Members of Denny’s City Year team were on hand, too:
Admission fees were waived for anyone who brought a traditional Mexican dish to feed at least 10 people. After dinner, treats included cupcakes:
Our crew had to get back over to the Sealth gym – but we’re told last night’s celebration also included piñatas and live music.
This Santa knows you’ve been naughty AND nice. Till 7 pm, you can get down to Easy Street Records in The Junction for a photo with not only the Santa also known as “Cocoa Crisp Crinkle” but also his fetching elf “Pickle Whistle.” (Here’s the announcement tweeted by Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan.) Suggested donation for a photo $15, benefiting Northwest Harvest and Toys for Tots.
Handmade holiday gifts, anyone? Get over to Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) in the next couple hours while a dozen artists/crafters are selling and showing their stuff. It’s the first time proprietor Jessie SK has done this, and we found her having fun at a table for making/decorating cards:
Among those whose wares you can check out – Eric and Ryan from Skylark’s new neighbors to the north, the screen-printers at ThisThat:
The bazaar’s on till 7. Skylark has a few other special holiday offerings ahead – Christmas open mike at 8 pm next Friday (December 23rd), with Jessie herself promising her annual round of “Santa Baby”; and New Year’s Eve “Wings of Desire” burlesque, 9 pm (December 31st).
Twice a month, you’ll find Sustainable West Seattle at the WS Farmers’ Market. Tomorrow, they’ve got a special seasonal mission – accepting your no-longer-needed (or no-longer-usable) holiday lights for recycling. We’re filling a bag to turn in …
As explained on the SWS website, you should be able to find their booth fairly easily, since they’re also promising a demonstration comparing the power-usage difference between LED lights and the old-fashioned type. As always, the Farmers’ Market is 10 am-2 pm Sunday, 44th/Alaska. And remember the special nighttime Farmers’ Market coming up this Thursday, 5-8 pm; after that, no market for a few weeks, since the following two Sundays (12/25 and 1/1) will be holidays.
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