day : 13/12/2012 13 results

West Seattle scene: Chamber of Commerce’s holiday party

December 13, 2012 11:19 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Chamber of Commerce’s holiday party
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Leading into the peak of holiday-party season – tonight’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce celebration at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. Above, chamber board chair Dave Montoure with Lisa from Washington Federal – and next, a politician sighting (not unusual at Chamber events):

That’s City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Tim Burgess. He also visited the peninsula a week and a half ago to help out at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast. No flapjacks in sight this time – just rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.

West Seattle Christmas lights: Sightings south of Admiral

Continuing the annual WSB Christmas-lights spotlights – we photographed two of note along 36th SW south of the Admiral area last night. The house above is on the east side of 36th just north of Hinds (map); next, barely a block away, a unique “tree” outside a house that gets its annual dose of fame during an earlier holiday:

Our photo does not do justice to the tree of lights and plastic illuminated Christmas characters that rises outside the house on the southwest corner of 36th and Hanford (map), known for “Skeleton Theatre” every Halloween. This too is a must-see – we’ve never seen anything quite like it.

From a little ways directly west of there, Valerie shares this photo of the shining McKean House at 3431 48th Ave SW (map):

Working right now on a map in time for weekend Christmas-lights driving/riding/walking – stand by! And whether you have a photo or just an address to share – please let us know about your display, your neighbors’ display, something you drove by … editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! (Meantime, our archived Christmas-lights spotlights, including past years, can be seen here, newest to oldest.)

Happening now: Shop Late Thursday in The Junction

Among the participants, longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits, hosting Lulu Smith (above) as well as Sarah Loertscher and their jewelry till 9 pm. Thanks to John at Click! for sharing the photo – we’re also out and about and will add more later – it’s also the holiday edition of West Seattle Art Walk night (previews here).

Happening now: Bookfair night for Arbor Heights Elementary

December 13, 2012 7:24 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Bookfair night for Arbor Heights Elementary
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to an Arbor Heights Elementary parent for sharing the photo of fifth-graders Yadira, Anna, and Danica at the Bookfest event under way right now at Westwood Village Barnes and Noble, with guest readers, as mentioned in our morning preview. If you don’t make it down tonight, the special Bookfair code continues for the next week – find it here, then use it with a purchase at a B&N store or online, and AH gets part of the proceeds. (If YOUR school has a Bookfair coming up, please let us know so we can share the news!)

Followup: West Seattle Triangle parking plan finalized by city

The first phase of the West Seattle Triangle Parking Plan has been finalized after the last round of neighborhood input.


(Click to see entire mailer as a PDF)
Thanks to Sharonn Meeks of the Fairmount Community Association – that’s the neighborhood just south of, and uphill from, Alaska in The Triangle – for sharing the news that SDOT has sent a final mailer to residents in the area – see it here. There are two differences from the “proposed plan” sent around last month – as reported here – and one is a big one: Fairmount neighbors appealed a proposal to allow parking on both sides of 37th SW in Fairmount, explaining that the two sides of the street were developed 30 years apart, with different lot sizes/shapes, which means driveways don’t align – for the homes who have them – and allowing parking on both sides could hamper fire-truck access. The other change is that SDOT “will evaluate potential sites for additional bike parking at the beginning of 2013,” according to the city’s project manager Kiersten Grove, who says the plan overall is meant to “facilitate better parking turnover for West Seattle Triangle businesses and provide additional parking for the residents of the area.” It’ll be sent to the City Council for review next month, as explained here.

West Seattle businesses: Twilight Artist Collective’s new owners

Four months after announcing their business was for sale – the outgoing owners of Twilight Artist Collective just announced the Junction shop/gallery’s new ones. From the newsletter they just sent out:

First, THANK YOU for your support! It has been eight amazing years and we are ready to go, but extremely sad to leave.

The new owners of TwAC are photographer and jeweler, Christine Heidel, and local star/fellow photographer, Tracy Cilona! We are SO THRILLED for these amazing women to step in and take over the Twilight legacy. They have big dreams and endless energy, so the future of our beloved gallery is in deserving hands.

Here is what they have to say:

Read More

West Seattle holidays: 7 chances ahead for gift-wrapping help

You’ve bought the gifts – or, you’re about to (tonight at Shop Late Thursday or West Seattle Art Walk, perhaps?) – and now you need them wrapped. Here are two sets of opportunities over the final nine days before Christmas:

IF THEY’RE JUNCTION-BOUGHT GIFTS… free wrapping is offered the next two Saturdays (December 15 and 22), 11:30 am-3:30 pm, as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB):

Let us wrap your Junction gifts! The West Seattle High School Music Program parents will staff our gift wrap station at Windermere (4526 California SW) while the students perform in The Junction. Please bring Junction retailer receipt. FREE wrap and ribbon, no boxes provided.

‘WRAP IT UP’ WITH FURRY FACES FOUNDATION AND AARF: These two animal-advocacy groups are wrapping gifts by donation (you decide how much), with 100 percent of the donations going to help animals. Here are the five sessions ahead:

1) Dec 16th, 2-7 pm, at the Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW. (During the Specialty Bottle Sale and for a couple hours after).
2) Dec 20th, 6–9 pm, Beer Junction, 4511 Calif. Ave SW, (During their weekly Beer Tasting)
3) Dec 22rd, 3-7pm, at Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub; 255 SW 152nd St., Burien
4) Dec 23rd, 1–6 pm, Beer Junction, 4511 Calif. Ave SW
5) Dec 24th, 2 – 7 pm at the Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW

West Seattle Food Bank: Big gift from Absher; how you can help

Two things from our visit this morning to the West Seattle Food Bank:

At center with the tote bags are Bret Porter and Cindy Dunson from Absher Construction, flanked by the food bank’s executive director Fran Yeatts and operations director Steven Curry. The bags hold 40 special food baskets delivered by Cindy and Bret today as part of Absher’s “Holiday Lights” program for the communities where it’s building projects – Absher is the general contractor for the Youngstown Flats project in North Delridge. Each basket contains a ham, turkey breast, potatoes, canned vegetables, and other fixings for a holiday dinner.

We also asked Yeatts what’s atop the wish list that YOU can help with for the rest of the holiday season at WS Food Bank. She says turkeys, hams, baby formula, and diapers are MUCH needed:

We will be handing out most of our holiday food on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week but today’s donation will be a very, very nice start to the holidays for many of the families we serve. Turkeys and hams would be
really appreciated to help with our holiday food distribution.

One of the biggest ongoing needs for us is formula, specifically Similac Advance in the 12.4 oz cans and diapers, size 3,4,5, or 6. We can always use non-perishable food like canned protein, soup, fruit.

The West Seattle Food Bank is on the southeast corner of 35th and Morgan; donation hours are on the webpage of their recently remodeled website.

(P.S. Formula and diapers, as well as non-perishable food, are also on the wish list for a WS Food Bank-benefiting event this Saturday – free Santa photos at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights [WSB sponsor], noon-4 pm, 2326 California SW. See our Holiday Guide for more details.)

West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Chamberlin’s ‘The Taking’ on sale

December 13, 2012 12:20 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Chamberlin’s ‘The Taking’ on sale
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Rock/film fan on your holiday gift list? West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Burton Chamberlin sends word that “The Taking,” his feature film with Duff McKagan’s Loaded, “full of West Seattle cameos and venues,” is now on sale, including an option bundled with the album that inspired it. Above, McKagan’s promotional clip, talking about “The Taking”; as noted here in October, it’s been parceled out in “webisode” clips, most of which are featured here.

Memorial on Friday for Josephine Bodourian, 1935-2012

Longtime West Seattleite Josephine “Jo” Bodourian will be remembered tomorrow, and her family wanted to make sure her many local friends get the word in time:

Josephine M. Bodourian was born January 12, 1935 in Pittsburgh, PA, to Leonard A. Pepper and Josephine Pepper. Jo lived and worked in the Seattle area for more than 50 years. She was a cancer survivor and her recent passing on Friday, December 7, was unexpected.

Jo volunteered for Meals on Wheels, delivering food through the Senior Center. She worked for many years at the V.A. Hospital as a nurse. She was a member of the YWCA and was a swimmer and enjoyed various fitness activities. She also enjoyed traveling.

Jo was preceded in death by her brothers Anton and Leonard A. Pepper, Jr.

She is survived by her sister Rose Kholos (Henry) and her brother Joseph A. Pepper (Carole). She is also survived by her son Greg Bodourian.

Josephine was an exceptionally kind and giving woman and will be missed by all who knew her.

A viewing will be held at Acacia Funeral Home in Seattle on Friday, December 14, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. There will be a brief prayer service beginning at 4:00 pm.

Acacia is at 14951 Bothell Way NE (map).

West Seattle Thursday: Art Walk, Shop Late, Ask The Expert, wine, music, Holidays 4 Hope’s final day…

December 13, 2012 9:20 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Art Walk, Shop Late, Ask The Expert, wine, music, Holidays 4 Hope’s final day…
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Thanks to Don Brubeck for capturing the sun’s cameo appearance early today. Busy day/night ahead! Highlights:

THREE LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Two for preschoolers this morning – Southwest Branch (35th/Henderson) at 11 am, Delridge Branch (Brandon/Delridge) at 11:15 am – then there’s one for toddlers at the High Point Branch (35th/Raymond) at 11:30 am.

FINAL DAY TO DONATE A TOY TO HOLIDAYS 4 HOPE! We’ve been updating you on the local students collecting toys to take to this Saturday’s South Park WinterFest holiday party. Today’s the last day you can drop off a donation – locations include Zippy’s Giant Burgers, JC’s Deli, The Original Bakery. Check out the Holidays 4 Hope Facebook page here.

HANUKKAH CONTINUES: Sixth night. And here’s a virtual menorah you can light; thanks to Eric from the Kol HaNeshamah congregation for the link (P.S. – KHN has a Hanukkah party on Saturday, listed in the WSB Holiday Guide).

CHAMBER PARTY: Tonight’s the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce “Mix, Mingle, Jingle” party, 5-7 pm at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor), register online ASAP if you haven’t already!

WINE-TASTING EVENTS: Three tonight – at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor), 5:30-9 pm, it’s the annual port tasting; at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), it’s Wine Club night, 6-8 pm (explained here); and at Bin 41 in The Junction, winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla from Forgeron Cellars is on hand for Art Walk night, 6-8:30 pm.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Dozens of places to get your art on tonight – meet the artists, buy their work as unique local holiday gifts – 6 to 9 pm, walking map/venue list here, previews on the official Art Walk website.

CHRISTOPHER BOFFOLI @ ARTSWEST: The “Food as Art” three-artist show featuring some of the internationally renowned photos by longtime WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli runs just a few more days at ArtsWest – where you can attend a talk with Christopher and the show’s other two artists TONIGHT, 6 pm.

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: While you’re out – check out the participating stores – also open till 9 (or so).

AND WHILE YOU’RE OUT – DONATE! Twilight Artist Collective, for example, has a bin for Treehouse – details in the “Giving Opportunities” section of the WSB Holiday Guide. Lots of other businesses, too.

‘SANTA AL’ ROAMING: Taking a break from his North Pole work, “Santa Al” (who shared the photo above) reports he’ll be “making random drop-bys tonight during the Art Walk and (Shop Late Thursday) at the Junction.”

ASK THE EXPERT: Second Thursday also means this monthly event at the legendary West Seattle Tool Library (northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW) – 6 to 8 pm, with experts on hand to talk with you about a variety of potential projects (among those you’ll find, WSB sponsor LD Arch Design) – full list on the Facebook event page.

ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY BOOKFAIR BEGINS: 7 pm tonight, come to Barnes and Noble at Westwood Village to hear special guest readers from Arbor Heights Elementary, which is B&N’s Bookfair beneficiary – special code for purchases over the next week is part of the info you’ll find in our calendar listing.

MADISON CONCERT: Madison Middle School Music Department winter concert happens tonight in the Madison gym (45th/Spokane), 7 pm.

KING TIDES CONTINUE: We went out for a low-tide walk late last night, and we weren’t alone; others were out with flashlights, peeking at what was revealed on the beach. Per the chart, tonight’s the lowest low tide, -3.6 at 10:41 pm. The afternoon high tides are on the wane but tomorrow at 6:06 am, you’ll find a 12.8-foot high tide, almost as high as it’s going to get this time around.

More on the calendar – and ongoing seasonal events in the WSB Holiday Guide.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
After lots to talk about on Wednesday – we’re off to a quiet start for Thursday.

Reader report: Kudos for ‘great kids’ who came to the rescue

Often the first-hand raves (or rants) surface in the WSB Forums – but the past few days have yielded a couple of gems to share here in the news section. The latest is from Laurie:

I wanted to share a heart warming story about what my mom experienced (Tuesday).

She was heading to Safeway to get her groceries around 1 o’clock when her car stalled in the intersection by Jack in the Box on Admiral. She tried and tried to get it to start again while enduring all the rude people blowing their horns at her.

She couldn’t get it to start so she got out of the car and started to try and push it out of the way…really…she’s 80 years old!

While trying with no success but the horns were still blowing from the trucks and cars that were held up…NOT ONE ADULT got out of their car to help her…then her Heart filled with warmth..she heard voices shouting in the distance “don’t worry lady, we will help you”; out of Jack in the Box came about 10 high school girls and boys and pushed her car into Safeway parking lot for her.

My mom couldn’t thank these kids enough. Just as quick as they appeared, they left, I suppose their lunch was still waiting on the table for them.

Mom called West Seattle High School and shared her story and wanted to try and relay a message to the unknown Angels that she has a renewed faith in our youth of today and is and will always be very grateful to these young people.

I’m hoping the parents of any of these Angels are followers of WS Blog and will know that they are raising great kids. Happy Holidays to All.