West Seattle Weather Watch: Chance of Christmas snow?

December 22, 2012 9:57 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Chance of Christmas snow?

| Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The mid-evening “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service still holds the possibility of some Christmas Day snow – the possibility that led the NWS to issue this Special Weather Statement advisory earlier today. Still too far away to say for sure, but they’re saying there’s a chance that precipitation will bump into cold air and result in Christmas snow for the first time since December 2008. We’ll keep an eye on how the forecast evolves!

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Arbor Heights intruder; Seaview statue

December 22, 2012 9:42 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two notes tonight – one, an Arbor Heights neighborhood hit again; our last car-prowl tipster from yesterday now has this report of an intruder she thought might be her neighbor – but wasn’t:

Around 8:20 this morning my dog was acting funny in the yard, and it turns out that there was something afoot. When I called out the neighbor’s name, there was a mumbled, “(Neighbor) is in the house.” Um, huh? So I called again, with a clearer response this time, “(Neighbor) is in the house.” Hmmm, that didn’t make sense, knowing the neighbor. Third try, this time a clearer response, and the guy was starting out of the shed ** but with his back to me***. My dog was not happy with this, and the guy turned, so I got a good look at him: Dark-skinned male, late 20s? [not young teen, not elderly, but the age guess is not easy for me], gray beanie,, lumpy black back pack, gray/black cammie pants, and clear plastic bags on his feet up just below his knees. Guy took off while I called 9-1-1 , and it turns out that several houses whose yards share borders were all hit — including a large, wheeled powertool that was found in the yard next door to its owner.

Folks, PLEASE call 9-1-1 if you see *anything* that isn’t regular!

This all happened in the area of SW 106th through SW108th on 31st SW and 32nd SW.

Meantime, near California/Juneau, this turned up behind Alison‘s back fence:

She wonders, “Maybe stolen and ditched??” (And we can’t help wonder if it somehow was related to this unclaimed, mystery artwork.)

Share This

West Seattle wildlife: Pup sighting, during a busy week for Seal Sitters

December 22, 2012 6:38 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo of a seal pup in the Alki vicinity today is courtesy of Stani – who’s not with Seal Sitters, but inspired us to check in on that group, since we hadn’t in a while. A look at the Seal Sitters website revealed it’s been a very busy week before Christmas, partly because of the record-high water levels, and this time the pups are looking healthy (read about it here, and see video too).

Share This

Happening now: Coco Cris Cringle at Easy Street Records

December 22, 2012 6:13 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Somehow we missed hearing about this one in advance again this year – but you still have till 8:30 pm to get a photo at Easy Street Records with Coco Cris Cringle and Pickle Whistle, aka Maurice Caldwell, Jr., and Stephanie, according to the e-mail that also brought this photo.

Share This

More West Seattle holiday lists: Restaurants, coffee, grocery stores

December 22, 2012 4:32 pm

| Comments Off on More West Seattle holiday lists: Restaurants, coffee, grocery stores

| Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Joining the Christmas Eve/Day church-services list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, three more lists now ready for anyone interested in advance planning. This year we’ve included Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day information wherever possible. Here are the direct links:

*Restaurants – here
*Coffee shops – here
*Grocery stores – here

Please also note, this research has taken the better part of the past two weeks, and there’s always a chance a business will change its plan – so we’d advise you to set out (especially on Christmas Day) with Plans A and B. For more information on local establishments, you can also check their listings in the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide. (And if you are a businessperson or customer and see something on our lists NOW that you know isn’t correct – or something missing – please e-mail us! editor@westseattleblog.com)

Share This

West Seattle on the run: Bonnie’s 1000th; Sunday’s Holiday Lights Run

December 22, 2012 3:51 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Two running notes this afternoon:

First – congratulations to Bonnie, whose friend Robin shared the photo, explaining:

Wanted to share that my friend Bonnie hit 1000 miles in 2012 this morning while we ran on Alki. We are super proud of her!

Second – a Sunday event from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and a reminder just sent by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Tim McConnell:

We have our 2nd Annual Holiday Light run tomorrow night at 6 pm. We will be going about 3 miles at a very slow pace, starting at the store and looking at some of the better lighted houses in the neighborhood and ending at the Helmstetler house. We encourage people to dress festive and bring a can of food for the West Seattle Food Bank. We will meet in the store around 5:50ish and head out around 6. The run should take about 40 minutes plus however long people want to hang out at the Helmstetler house.

AKA, of course, West Seattle Lights. (Where you’ll find free hot chocolate 6-8 pm Christmas Eve, regardless of whether you’re on foot or on/in vehicle.) P.S. WS Runner is at California/Charlestown, second floor.

Share This

West Seattle holidays: RSVP to join first-time carolers tonight

December 22, 2012 12:01 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, from Chelsea:

Myself and a small group of friends are planning to go caroling (including handheld keyboards) tonight in West Seattle and we have a little stage fright. We could use some backup! We’ve never done this before…

We’ll be on foot around the 35th & Holden area [map] starting around 6:30. If anyone in the neighborhood wants to join us, they can send an e-mail to chelseahumslovesongs@gmail.com for a meeting time and place.

Adults and kids of all ages are welcome! We are not professional carolers by any means. We are not sure what songs we are going to sing just yet. Feel free to bring your requests. Help us bring some holiday cheer to the neighborhood!

Share This

West Seattle Saturday: Alki vigil for Newtown tonight; plus, pre-holiday events

December 22, 2012 10:42 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(One more view of the first sunset of winter, by Tisha Satow, seen from The Arroyos)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – which lists what’s happening through New Year’s Day – and year-round Event Calendar:

VIGIL TO HONOR NEWTOWN: Tonight is the night for the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st and Alki) candlelight vigil organized by West Seattleite Casey Ann Rasmussen – 5 pm, rain or shine, bring a light source. From the original announcement:

We have a responsibility to humanity not to forgot or pretend that the horror we have witnessed this last week hasn’t happened but rather to join hands, raise the collective consciousness and increase the worldly compassion toward peace and healing during this difficult time. Please join us for a non-political evening of love, remembrance and hope for a better future.

PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS TO:
Sandy Hook School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Bank
39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470

DONATIONS FOR EVENT PROVIDED BY:
Friends and Family of Violent Crime Victims
Husky Deli
Sugar Rush Baking Company

Also today/tonight:

ARTPOCALYPYSE: All-day, all-night, last-minute-shopping sale at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District (2206 California SW), 10 am-midnight.

ILLUSIONS’ HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Until 3 pm at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor; 5619 California SW) – last day they’re open till Christmas – with the famous “holiday buffet.” P.S. Got the new Illusions app yet?

FREE JUNCTION GIFT WRAP STATION! One more time – 11:30 am-3:30 pm: The West Seattle High School Music Program parents will staff a gift wrap station at Windermere (4526 California SW) while the WSHS Music students perform. Please bring Junction retailer receipt. (FREE wrap and ribbon, but no boxes.)

WINE TASTING: Noon-6 pm at Stottle Winery (WSB sponsor; street level of ActivSpace on Harbor Avenue just north of the bridge).

KITTY HARBOR’S FINAL DAY OF THE YEAR: Also on Harbor Avenue just north of the bridge, and also noon-6 pm, last chance to provide a forever home for a Kitty Harbor kitten or cat, today.

SANTA! Photos at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) 1-4 pm. Photos with “Ex-Westwood” Santa at CAPERS in The Junction (bring food/cash for the West Seattle Food Bank), 2-6 p.m. And the Westwood Village Santa schedule for today/tonight is here.

2 OF YOUR LAST 3 CHANCES TO SEE ‘SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE’: “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor) continues in its premiere run, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – 2 and 7 pm. According to the show’s Facebook page, all remaining shows are “pay what you can.”

WEST SEATTLE EAGLES’ FOOD-BANK FUNDRAISING DINNER: 5:30-7 pm, fried-chicken dinner – details in the calendar listing.

BASKETBALL TONIGHT: Seattle Lutheran visits West Seattle High School – girls’ varsity at 5:15 pm, boys’ varsity at 7.

CHRISTMAS VAUDEVILLE AND SINGALONG: Tonight at Kenyon Hall: Comedy juggling, live music by the Bottom Line Duo, Bob White at the Mighty Wurlitzer, and Lou Magor conducting the audience in a Christmas sing-along. 7:30 pm. Reservations and ticket info here.

THE WINTER WONDERETTES! ArtsWest presents the “new ’60s Christmas musical,” tonight at 7:30 pm. Details and ticket sales are on the ArtsWest website.

LIVE NON-HOLIDAY MUSIC TONIGHT: Venues include C & P Coffee and Feedback Lounge (both WSB sponsors) – see the listings on our regular Event Calendar.

(added, since someone asked about this) *NOT HAPPENING TODAY* We recently checked on the originally announced plan to open Roxhill Castle playground today – and volunteer organizer Mat McBride said the opening’s been postponed; no new date yet, but we’ll report it when one is set.

Share This

Video: First-ever Cottage Grove Winter Solstice Parade

December 22, 2012 1:08 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Holidays | West Seattle news

In the North Delridge neighborhood of Cottage Grove, a new tradition was born on winter-solstice night – a neighborhood parade. Led by neighbors Tanya and Patrick Baer in illuminated costume, as you can see in our video clip (that’s Tanya you hear explaining the parade just before it began), they brought lights and good cheer to walk the Longfellow Creek trails while celebrating both the longest night of the year and the brighter days ahead. West Seattle has a burgeoning tradition of neighborhood holiday parades – in the summer, there’s the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade, while at year’s end, the Highland Park Not-So-Silent Night Parade (coming up on New Year’s Eve) – and now, there’s this.

Share This