West Seattle, Washington
31 Saturday
FIRST REPORT, 11:46 PM: From the “in case you were wondering” file – Sheila and Michelle both messaged us to ask about possible gunshots around 9 pm, audible from Delridge/High Point, roughly the 6000 block or southward. Definitely no shooting victims anywhere, according to the comprehensive, real-time Seattle Fire 911 log (where you would invariably see a shooting noted as “assault with weapons”); we also checked with Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams to see if officers had been sent to look into this. His reply: “We had officers check the area, but they found nothing.”
SECOND REPORT, 3:03 AM: Now we’re checking on multiple reports of gunfire during some kind of fight/argument in The Junction. One person tweeted that it happened in or near the 4800 block of California SW. And from another person via e-mail:
> Two guys, one girl, seemed to be in their 20’s, fighting on the sidewalk, one guy notably louder. Things settled for a minute, then got loud again, culminating in a bang around 2:30. Shortly thereafter, police showed up. Part of the conversation I heard was that one guy pulled a gun, fired it in the air, and stormed off. Since then, at least four police cars have been cruising around, and things have quieted down.
Again in this case, no related medic calls on the SFD log. If we find out anything from police, we’ll add it.
(L to R in front row, Emma, Regan, Anni, Tess; back row, Ci, Allison, Meredith, Megan, Coach Steve, Emily; photo by Izzie Lewis)
Congratulation to those nine intrepid volleyball players, the “Red Hots” from Hiawatha Community Center, and their coach Steve Fredrickson, who tells the story of what happened right before that photo was taken:
Seattle Parks & Recreation held their City-wide Girls Volleyball Jamboree last Saturday the 17th at the Rainier Community Center. The age brackets participating included 10-11, 12-13 and 14-17 years old. Eight Community Centers were represented, including Hiawatha and Alki. The Jamboree was an all-day affair, starting at 9:30 and wrapping up shortly after 7:00 pm. One of the Hiawatha 12-13 teams – The Red Hots – made it all the way to the Championship Match. They ended up taking second place, just falling short to a very good team from Magnuson.
I wanted to give a “supreme shout out” to our ‘red hot’ girls for the great effort they gave throughout the day, along with the other teams from Hiawatha and Alki; West Seattle was well-represented! I would like to acknowledge the girls who made the season happen: Allison, Anni, Ci, Emily, Emma, Megan, Meredith, Regan and Tess. Along with the girls, I would also like to thank all the parents for their support, and to Jack (Tess’s younger brother) for his tireless work shagging balls during practices and line judging at matches.
The weather looks better tomorrow – cloudy and only MAYBE showery – so here’s an outdoor idea:
Join us at Sanislo School the Saturday after Thanksgiving – to give thanks by giving back – and to work off those calories from feasting! We’re restoring the wetland headwaters of Puget Creek, a culturally significant watershed upstream of the Duwamish Tribe’s efforts to restore salmon habitat, and important to King County’s Wastewater’s efforts to improve water quality in the Duwamish River. It’s tree-planting time – evergreen trees reduce sewer overflows by intercepting winter rains. Come alone or bring a friend!
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Join for an hour or all day)
Where: Sanislo School Wetland; 1812 SW Myrtle … Meet at front of school.
What to bring: We have gloves and tools (write your name on any personal tools). Wear long sleeves/pants, sturdy shoes or boots, & hat/rain protection. Snacks and water provided.
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide: Santa Claus has arrived! First sighting, at Westwood Village – where we found Santa standing outside his new digs in the former Dress Barn location, bigger and more visible than the previous space on the breezeway. Inside, decorations plus a giving tree, with gift-giving for the Salvation Army:
Santa is presented there again for a second year by holiday-photo specialists Arthur and Associates (the Westwood schedule is here). Other Santa photo opportunities in West Seattle this season include City Mouse Studio and Store in The Junction during three Hometown Holidays Sundays, five visits at various West Seattle venues by “Santa Al,” and the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Community Pancake Breakfast on December 1st – they’re all included here (along with two “Santa Paws” events for pets!), and we’ll add any more Santa visits we hear about!
Miciana, Christianna, and Catherine with 1227 Designs are at the Duwamish Longhouse this afternoon as part of its Native Holiday Gift Fair, continuing till 5 pm today, then 10-5 again Saturday and Sunday. Once again this year, the Longhouse is full of artists and craftspersons showing and selling their creations:
That’s Karen Condos. It’s a warm, festive place to go browse and shop – 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, and it’s this weekend’s biggest craft fair/bazaar listing in the WSB Holiday Guide (with more to come later in the weekend, and next weekend too).
Neighbors on and near 62nd SW south of Admiral Way will have something to be thankful for next week – the expected end of work on a weeks-long project to re-line a county sewer pipe, which has involved night work and has even required some neighbors to spend “a few nights in hotels,” says Doug Marsano from the county Wastewater Treatment District. He reports that the pipe lining itself is done, and now the final phase includes re-lining the manholes along the line. Crews aren’t working during the holiday weekend but are expected to be back on the job next week.
Loud and proud, the marching bands from West Seattle High School (including some Madison Middle School musicians, we’re told), Chief Sealth International High School, and Denny International Middle School were among a dozen-plus bands starring in this morning’s Macy’s Holiday Parade downtown. Though serious rain fell for all but a short time near the end of the parade, spirits were high, and so was the volume. Above, a Salty’s (WSB sponsor) nutcracker preceded the WSHS pass; below, Sealth/Denny musicians stopped for an extended stay near our spot on the route, and you’ll even see mascot Sammy the Seahawk with a flyby in our clip.
(added) Thanks to Bruno for sharing this photo- a guest conductor!
The parade ran about an hour, as usual – good crowd despite the rain. Bands come from miles around – at least one from Canada this year. Downtown tonight, it’s the tree/star lighting near Westlake Park – and here at home, West Seattle Lights start up tonight (sort of a “soft open,” with the ceremony and free concert tomorrow).
(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen during our stormy weather earlier this week; click image for larger view)
It’s almost ALL about the holidays today, except for our first highlight (and a few other notes you’ll find on our regular calendar):
CHIEF SEALTH ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME: A first-ever event brings a big night of basketball to the Sealth gym (2600 SW Thistle) tonight, starting at 5 pm – girls/boys scrimmages followed by the men’s/women’s alumni games; full details and lineups are in our updated preview, here.
Now, on to the holiday events and sales (SHOP LOCAL!), from the WSB West Seattle Holidays Guide:
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 10 am-4 pm, Black Friday blood drive at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle) – details in our preview story.
HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR AT THE LONGHOUSE: The Duwamish Tribe invites the public to its Longhouse in West Seattle for a Native Holiday Gift Fair, today through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm: “Unique gifts in every price range. Fine art, native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, T-shirts, smoked salmon and more. Lots of snacks – frybread, baked goods, hot chocolate and more. November 23rd is National Native American Heritage Day! Free admission and parking for shoppers.” 4705 W. Marginal Way SW; 206-431-1582.
(Photo added 11:40 am, barbecue at M2SO as they celebrate!)
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS 3RD ANNIVERSARY SALE: 3602 SW Alaska in The Junction, 10 am-7 pm – full details in our calendar listing. And a barbecue!
JAN’S HAPPY HOUR: Jan’s Beauty Supply in The Junction is having Holiday Happy Hours every Friday during the holiday season, 3-5:30 pm, offering snacks/beverages and weekly specials.
BLACK FRIDAY DEALS IN THE JUNCTION: The West Seattle Junction Association website has published this guide to some of what you’ll find today (including special discounts at WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits).
TONY’S MARKET TREE SALES START: Per their sign – 9 am today is the start of tree sales at Tony’s (35th/Barton).
HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT OPENS TODAY: Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor), 3rd year for the “new location” north of the school at 41st/Dakota. As always, part of this lot’s proceeds benefit West Seattle Helpline, Hickman House (domestic-violence shelter), and West Seattle Food Bank.
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: The Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular designed by Jim Winder at 3908 SW Charlestown is scheduled to start up tonight at 5 – here’s the official season schedule. (Tomorrow is the ceremony and Judy Pancoast concert at 7 pm, with Charlestown closed in that block SATURDAY NIGHT ONLY.)
‘WINTER WONDERETTES’: ArtsWest‘s holiday production is now on stage, 7:30 tonight – full details here.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
The day after Thanksgiving isn’t a day off for everybody, so we’re publishing a traffic/transit tracker. Here are today’s transit notes:
-Metro is on a “reduced weekday” schedule
-No Water Taxi until Monday
-Sound Transit Express buses are on a regular weekday schedule
Remember that the Macy’s Holiday Parade is happening downtown starting at 9 am, so there are street closures on and near its route (which the Macy’s website says starts “at 7th and Pine, then travel(s) west down Pine St. to 5th Avenue, south on 5th Avenue to University Street, west on University to 4th Avenue, and then north on 4th to Macy’s doorstep”).
And if you are going to a neighborhood with pay stations/meters for street parking – today is NOT a “free parking day,” so be sure to pay!
| 20 COMMENTS