(WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: New info added to end of story)

(Added 10:40 pm – photo from neighbor who reports casings found in her neighborhood)
FIRST REPORT, 9:45 PM: We’re getting multiple reader reports of possible gunshots heard in Highland Park – no shootings on the 911 medical-call log, though – and a helicopter (believed to be the law-enforcement Guardian One) is overhead. The scanner indicates police are investigating – so far they have not found anything.

9:56 PM: Co-publisher is in the area and says Guardian One has left. Meantime, police are still checking out various areas where people reported hearing the possible gunfire, but no indication they’ve found any evidence so far.

10:15 PM: Nothing new, and the scanner traffic on this has quieted down. Earlier via the radio, SPD was reported to have checked with the county to see if anything had happened on their side of the line – the answer was no. We’ll follow up a bit later to see if anything ever turned up.

10:39 PM: Just heard from a resident near 12th and Elmgrove, where she says casings have been found and police are searching for more evidence. Added the photo she sent (atop this story).

ADDED 10:15 AM MONDAY: Just checked with SPD spokesperson Det. Renee Witt, who says police recovered nine casings in all, in the 7900 block of 12th SW. No injuries or property damage reported. Police were told that a white car, possibly a Gran Prix, was seen with a passenger pointing a “rifle out of the window,” firing shots “into the air,” but police did not find the car or any suspects.

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Reader report: Thankful for caring strangers on the bus

December 11, 2012 9:13 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just out of the WSB inbox, from a grateful West Seattleite who wants to be anonymous:

Today was an “ordinary” cold late fall Tuesday morning. I bundled up and headed for my bus stop, the last one on the West Seattle RapidRide Route, Avalon and Yancy.

Along with my fellow commuters, I stood patiently waiting while frequently glancing at the new Metro sign tick down the minutes for the arrival of our “C” line bus.

The bus arrived; I was the last one on ….no seats, so I stood ….no problem. As we headed north, then east onto the Bridge, soon there was a problem. That old unfriendly visitor of motion sickness set in, as did the bus’s heater. I began to seriously sweat, just as my body was reacting to a then-unknown blood-flow issue to my brain. Within about 5 minutes, I was completely passed out on the bus floor.

I woke around Seneca and 2nd with a dozen or so people around me. Concerned eyes, and moving mouths suggested one thing after another to assist me in my still-unclear position. One lovely woman took my coat off, while another held my hand. Someone else offered me fruit while the driver said to dispatch, “….she seems to be coming around….”

My new friend and Angel, Jennifer, walked me, arm and arm, to my work building.

As this day ends, my heart aches for those in Clackamas…but at the same time, I am exceedingly grateful to the compassionate strangers on the bus.

Thank You.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Southbound 99/Viaduct lane closures ahead

December 11, 2012 8:27 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSDOT rendering of the 99 “south portal” including the future overpass)
First road-work announcement for 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct in a while – from WSDOT:

Drivers should plan for delays on southbound State Route 99 through downtown Seattle the next two weekends. Crews working for WSDOT will reduce SR 99 to one lane near the stadiums and close the southbound off-ramp to South Atlantic Street. During the closures crews will drive more than 50 pilings to support construction of the new South Atlantic Street overpass.

Dec. 14-17 weekend

Crews will close the right lane of southbound SR 99 between Columbia Street and South Royal Brougham Way and the southbound SR 99 off-ramp to South Atlantic Street from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17.

Dec. 21-24 weekend

Crews will close the right lane of southbound SR 99 between Columbia Street and South Royal Brougham Way and the southbound off-ramp to South Atlantic Street from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 24.
Crews will reopen all lanes of SR 99 and the South Atlantic Street off-ramp two hours prior to the Sunday, Dec. 23, Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field. The ramp and southbound lane will close again an hour after kickoff, and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 24

Construction on the overpass started last summer and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. The overpass will improve mobility by allowing freight haulers and commuters to bypass the rail crossing near the entrance to the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 46.

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Thursday: West Seattle Art Walk & ‘Shop Late Thursday’ together

December 11, 2012 4:47 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB, from 12/1/2012 West Seattle Junction Christmas Tree Lighting)
Just a quick reminder – 6-9 pm Thursday night is the nexus of West Seattle holiday shopping: Shop Late Thursday and West Seattle Art Walk, same night, many of the same places – plus Art Walk participants in The Admiral District, Alki, Morgan Junction, and other parts of the peninsula. You can preview many of the Art Walk’s featured artists right now by going to the official website – wsartwalk.com – and to see the list of who’s participating in Shop Late Thursday all season long, go to this page on The Junction’s website.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: SPD’s burglary-prevention advice

December 11, 2012 2:45 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just out of the WSB inbox, the latest newsletter from your local Seattle Police crime-prevention coordinator Mark Solomon – featuring always-valuable advice on preventing burglaries – including a focus on “trends” in how burglars choose their targets – with a p.s. about package theft. Read on:

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Video: WestSide Baby’s musical thank-you for volunteers

December 11, 2012 1:48 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

‘Tis the season not only to give, but also to honor the givers: That’s what WestSide Baby did at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) at lunchtime today, celebrating its dedicated volunteers with custom carols to the tune of “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph” (video above) – under the guidance of executive director Nancy Woodland, sporting antlers and a classic holiday sweater:

If you didn’t make it through the clip – Nancy announced that more than 600 volunteers had contributed more than ~~6,000~~ (update) 8,000 volunteer hours this year! Of that, she says, there’s a core of 20+ regulars. Other big numbers include how many local families WS Baby helps – 1,500 this month alone. And how many ways you can help – see their website – the “most essential items,” as noted there, are “strollers, portable cribs, bassinets, coats, pajamas, pants, diapers, and hygiene items such as diaper cream.”

P.S. You can help WS Baby at special events too – 5-8 tonight, as featured in our morning preview, there’s a Stella & Dot Jewelry trunk show at Umpqua Bank in The Admiral District; and e-mail went out today with invitations (extended to you too) to attend the February 10th benefit tea – get on the guest list here!

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Never a sure thing, but … Blue Angels back for 2013, 2014

December 11, 2012 12:19 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

(August 2012 photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
Since their Seafair home, the Museum of Flight, is not far away, we consider the Blue Angels a local story when they’re here – and Seafair says they’ll be back at least two more years:

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels announced the Demonstration Squadron will return to the skies above Lake Washington as a featured performer at the Boeing Air Show at Seafair Weekend in 2013 and 2014. The announcement was made today at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) convention in Las Vegas, Nev. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels make two-year performance commitments and previously announced their return to Seattle for 2013.

The air show is part of the eight-week summer schedule of events that culminates with Seafair Weekend featuring the Boeing Air Show and the Albert Lee Cup Hydroplane Races.

Seafair Weekend Dates
2013: Fri. Aug. 2 – Sun., Aug 4
2014: Fri., Aug. 1 – Sun., Aug. 3 – The 65th Anniversary of Seafair

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West Seattle development: 6 houses north of Lincoln Park

December 11, 2012 12:01 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

Demolition is under way right now at 47th and Othello, just northeast of Lincoln Park and south of The Kenney (WSB sponsor), where Build Urban plans to build 6 detached single-family homes (according to this webpage, which says they’ll be “Built Green 4 star”). The firm, headquartered on Lake Union, has at least one previous West Seattle project – Solamar on Alki, on the once-contested 59th/Stevens site across from the Alki Elementary School playground

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West Seattle Tuesday: Music; schools; fitness; ski tuning; more

December 11, 2012 10:08 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to the Posey Family for that photo of a snowy owl they saw in Pigeon Point about two weeks ago, sharing it after they saw our Sunday night wildlife report mentioning another (albeit photoless) West Seattle sighting. Can’t schedule wildlife encounters, but here are some highlights that ARE scheduled for today/tonight:

LAST DAY FOR MATCHING DONATIONS AT HPIC’s FOOD DRIVE: Through today at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden), Nucor Steel is giving $2 for every pound donated at events and $2 for every dollar donated for the West Seattle Food Bank. (Put $ donations in the mail slot on Holden with “for Food Bank” on the envelope.)

(For more holiday-season giving opportunities, see the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!)

TIDAL EXTREMES: As noted here Monday morning, it’ll be a week of very high (“king”) and very low tides. Today, the tide chart says 1:55 pm will bring a 12.2-foot high tide, and 9:08 pm will bring a -2.7 low tide.

WESTSIDE BABY BENEFIT/JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW: 5-8 pm at Umpqua Bank in The Admiral District, Stella & Dot Jewelry trunk show, proceeds benefiting WestSide Baby: “Sip a glass of bubbly while you socialize, have fun holiday shopping, and enjoy the generous hospitality of our local Umpqua Bank. (Donations are welcome toward Umpqua Bank’s Diaper Drive, too.)”

WEST SEATTLE ORCHESTRAS, ENDOLYNE CHOIR PERFORM: Tonight is the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ second holiday concert, 6:30 pm at the Chief Sealth IHS Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle) – as previewed here. No set admission fee – donation suggested/encouraged.

CASPAR BABYPANTS AT EASY STREET RECORDS: And the night’s other musical highlight – Caspar Babypants performing in-store, free, at Easy Street Records in The Junction, 6:30 pm – details in our calendar listing.

DESIGN GROUP MEETING FOR SEWER-OVERFLOW PROJECT: Days after the city’s land-use decision for the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project storage tank across from Lowman Beach, the project’s community Design Advisory Group is meeting tonight, 6:30 pm, Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW).

KINDERGARTENERS AT BOREN? 5TH GRADERS AT MADISON? MORE PORTABLES? … and other options to relieve Seattle Public Schools crowding, up for discussion at the district’s ONLY community meeting on the topic before a board vote next month – 7 pm tonight at SPS HQ in SODO.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING: Topics for the FCA board include planning the Lincoln Park celebration for early next year, and the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse’s ongoing improvements. 7 pm at the schoolhouse (9131 California SW). Public welcome.

GET FIT, WEST SEATTLE! Information night tonight, at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; upstairs at 3727 California SW):

West Seattle Runner is doing another couch to half marathon training group. This is for beginners, runners or walkers, of all ages. In the previous 4 groups, we have had over 50 people cross the finish line – it’s easier than you think! We want people who have always wanted to start running or walking but didn’t know where to begin. Meet other local people, get in shape for the new year, and get your first finisher’s medal at the Seattle Rock and Roll half marathon, June 22nd, 2013.

This meeting is just to discuss the training plan and answer questions; you don’t have to start running until 2013! The first actual run/walk is on January 6th – we will be going a whole mile. But don’t worry, you don’t have to run the whole way, or at all. It’s all about covering the distance, not about how fast you are. If you are currently running more then 3 miles at a time, this group may not be for you; it is a real beginners’ group. For those looking to get in shape for 2013, you couldn’t ask for a better way!

FREE SKI-TUNING CLINIC: Tonight at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska in The Triangle), 7 pm – details in our calendar listing.

OPEN-MICROPHONE NIGHT AT THE CASK: Starting at 8 pm at The Cask in The Admiral District (east side of California just north of Admiral Way).

FIVE MONTHS TILL GARAGE SALE DAY! If you are looking for reasons to look forward to spring – we are exactly five months away from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Saturday, May 11, 2013 (it’s always the second Saturday in May), 9 am-3 pm. No action requested now but just a friendly reminder … when it’s closer, you’ll find information at westseattlegaragesale.com and on Facebook here. Next year will mark the sixth year of WSCGSD being presented by WSB.

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West Seattle Whale Watch: Orcas passing by again

December 11, 2012 8:56 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

If we get word of orcas off West Seattle, we’ll always give you the heads-up – so you are hereby notified, we just got a text (206-293-6302 around the clock) about sightings “between Alki and Vashon, heading south.” As always, please share a comment (or text, or call) if you see them!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen red Saturn to watch for

December 11, 2012 8:15 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Rude awakening for Jennifer, who reports an overnight car theft:

Our car was stolen last night, between the hours of 8 pm and 7 am. We’re at 11th and Thistle [map]. The car is a red ’96 Saturn (plate 802-UTE) and had nothing of value in it, so we assume it was taken on a joy ride and hope to update you with its safe, little-to-no damage return. (Fingers crossed.) Police have been called. In the meantime, we thought we’d let the neighborhood know.

This also just went up on SPD’s @getyourcarback Twitter feed, and as it advises, if you see this car – call 911.

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West Seattle holidays: WSCO Debut, Intermediate Orchestras’ concert tonight, featuring Endolyne Choir

December 11, 2012 8:10 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo courtesy Trileigh Tucker)
“Dancin’, Drummin’, Singin’!” is the title of tonight’s holiday concert by the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Debut and Intermediate Orchestras, with the latter courtesy of the Endolyne Children’s Choir and director Amy Stagno Bokanev (above). The concert is tonight’s musical highlight from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, and it starts at 6:30 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle). The program includes Christmas classics such as “Little Drummer Boy,” “White Christmas,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” (Added – Trileigh’s video of “Little Drummer Boy” being rehearsed):

More program details are on the official poster (see it here as a PDF).

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates

December 11, 2012 6:59 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:59 AM: Nothing out of the ordinary so far this morning.

9:27 AM: JL reports in comments that the 35th/Avalon traffic light is malfunctioning – flashing red all ways. We’ll check in later to see if it’s fixed.

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