West Seattle, Washington

18 Thursday

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month : 12/2012 327 results

West Seattle Crime Watch: Reader reports thwarted theft
December 23, 2012 12:28 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Kim, who suggests others be on the lookout for a would-be thief spotted late this morning:

Just thought I would pass along that my husband, a friend and I just caught and stopped a bike theft. We noticed this guy walking through our side yard (there’s no fence but still odd for people to walk through our yard) at around 11AM. He was walking very slowly and even paused when we caught each other’s gaze through my window. I walked outside and caught him grabbing my neighbors old bike from under a pile of other items. When I yelled to him that those items were not his, he didn’t even jump. He just stood up and walked out of the yard slowly and even had to pass me to get out of the yard. Very strange and totally brazen considering it was midday on a weekend. Thankfully I had my husband and his friend here to run outside and make sure he didn’t try to come back. This guy was African American, late teens to early 20’s, wearing a black jacket with a white hoody layered underneath, black jeans and a ball cap. He left walking south on California Ave. We live on the 2100 block of California. Keep a lookout for this guy, he was obviously not scared of getting caught and may try this in someone else’s yard.

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West Seattle Sunday: What’s happening Christmas Eve-Eve
December 23, 2012 10:48 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Varied thrush, photographed in West Seattle recently by Trileigh Tucker)
In case you haven’t already found all this in the ongoing WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (all holiday events through New Year’s Day) and year-round Event Calendar – highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A CHRISTMAS EVE-EVE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round means year-round! (photo added @ noon – tulips at Alm Hill Gardens, southwest side of market)

Now till 2 pm, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on at 44th/Alaska in The Junction.

CAROLING FOR FOOD BANK DONATIONS: We 3 Carolers, and members of the South Seattle Community College Choir, will be caroling in The Junction, corner of Calif and Alaska, from 11:30-1:00, and 1:30-3:00: “Come by and join us! We will also be collecting cash or check donations for the West Seattle/White Center Food Banks. Thanks, West Seattle and White Center neighbors!”

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: That’s what Friends of the Animals Foundation hopes you can provide, as they hold another cat-adoption event noon-3 pm today at Next to Nature in The Junction.

(added) ALSO SEEKING HOMES: Just found out that TODAY is actually Kitty Harbor‘s last day this winter – so, noon-6 pm, they’re open with more than two dozen cats/kittens awaiting forever homes. Harbor Avenue, just north of the bridge.

WINE TASTING: Stottle Winery (WSB sponsor) welcomes you at their West Seattle tasting room, street level of ActivSpace at 3400 Harbor Avenue SW, just north of the bridge.

SANTA! Two chances we know of – at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 1:30-5:30 pm (their website says otherwise but after a reader tip, we just called to confirm the change), and Westwood Village (hours and Santa listed here).

‘WRAP IT UP’: Gift wrapping 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. Today’s your second to last chance, 1 – 6 pm at Beer Junction, 4511 California SW.

LAST CHANCE TO SEE ‘SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE’: “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor) concludes premiere run, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – 2 pm. According to the show’s Facebook page, admission is “pay what you will/can.”

CHRISTMAS VAUDEVILLE AND SINGALONG: 3 pm today 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. Reservations and ticket info here.

THE WINTER WONDERETTES! ArtsWest presents the “new ’60s Christmas musical,” matinee at 3 pm. Details and ticket sales are on the ArtsWest website.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Singer-songwriter Sarah Burgess, 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

BENEFIT YOGA CLASS: Bikram Yoga in The Junction is offering a class at 5 pm today to support a local family in need – details in the calendar listing.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) organizes this annual event:

Our Christmas light run is Sunday night at 6. We are doing about 3 miles, give or take, at a slow pace, and checking out some of the better light neighborhoods around the store, finishing at the Helmstetler house. Dress up, light up, bring a can of food to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank, and enjoy a fun run with other West Seattleittes!

WSR is on the northwest corner of California and Charlestown, second floor. Meet at 5:50 pm.

SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Our map is in the Holiday Guide. Couple more additions will be there by nightfall.

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Candlelight, songs on Alki to honor Newtown victims and survivors
December 23, 2012 4:16 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Nick Adams
for West Seattle Blog

The 3,000 miles between Seattle and Newtown, Connecticut, closed in a heartbeat Saturday night – a heartbeat and a candle flame:

Though a chilly wind buffeted the 30 or so who gathered for a candlelight vigil – the first public gathering in West Seattle to honor the Connecticut community rocked by inexplicable deadly violence – the heartbeat, and heartbreak, could almost be heard. It came with the reading of victims’ names, each evoking an image, innocent child, heroic teacher…

It came with quiet songs – from “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” to “Silent Night” …

The grief for those lost burned bright, though eight long days had passed, and across the country, the final funerals had happened hours earlier.

Those who accepted a slip of paper with a name to read were urged to spend a few moments each day thinking about that person.

And those who came were acknowledged for daring to open up: “It’s difficult to bring a tender heart into a public space, not knowing who you wlll meet,” they were told.

Even with cameras and lights, the circle held dignity and respect.

Then, as the gathering ebbed after about 40 minutes, Trevor Rasmussen again softly played guitar:

The song – “Fire and Rain.” The latter had held off during the gathering; all the better for the former to burn bright:

As originally reported, the gathering was organized by West Seattle’s Casey Ann Rasmussen (at right in photo above), and supported by Families and Friends of Violent-Crime Victims, whose director Marge Martin joined Casey in speaking very briefly as the vigil began.

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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!

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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.)

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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).

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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West Seattle schools: Posada celebration at Denny
December 21, 2012 11:57 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Though school’s out now for two weeks, students and families returned to Denny International Middle School tonight for a tradition – the Posada Navideña celebration, with music, dancing, potluck food, and fun. Decorations, too, including the snowman collection set up in the cafeteria:

The first-ever Denny Posada was back in 2010 (WSB coverage here), organized by the Denny PTSA as a multicultural celebration for a multicultural school, rooted in the Latin American pre-Christmas Las Posadas tradition.

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Welcome, winter! Sun shows up again for Alice Enevoldsen’s winter-solstice-sunset watch in West Seattle
December 21, 2012 10:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Look what showed up for NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s quarterly solstice/equinox sunset watch in West Seattle – the sun! Two hours earlier, Alice tweeted at us regarding the sudden sun sighting:

While the gatherings are mostly a chance to find out more about the solar-system phenomena from a volunteer expert, actually seeing the sun means a chance to check the alignment of Solstice Park‘s special features. Here are some of the 30 or so sunset-watchers who showed up:

Checking our archives, it seems the sun appeared for last year’s winter-solstice-sunset event, too. This year, Alice had something extra to explain:

In recent months, she became an expert 2012-end-of-world debunker (see her various links/explanations here), so there was an extra note of triumph in the simple fact that tonight’s event did happen as scheduled. (P.S. The solstice moment itself was 3:12 am today. Next up – spring equinox, 4:02 am our time March 20, 2013. Watch for Alice’s event announcement when it gets closer – it’ll be on her website, along with other interesting astronomical updates, at alicesastroinfo.com.)

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West Seattle scenes: From Santa to sunset
December 21, 2012 9:13 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | Seen around town | West Seattle news

We’ve been out covering some of tonight’s events – but before we get to those, three sightings. Above, WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams spotted Santa Claus by the Vashon ferry line in Fauntleroy! That’s not far from where the jolly old soul also spent part of this evening listening to last-minute Christmas wishes – among other things – at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor):

Santa being a ubiquitous sort of gent this time of year, those of course were not the only places he was sighted tonight, but we thank Julie for sharing the photo of the classic beard-authenticity check. As you can see in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, Santa will be back at Thriftway each of the next two days (1-4 Saturday, 3-7 Sunday), as well as a few other spots.

Finally, a lovely view at sunset – looking toward downtown – shared by Toni T:

(Right about then, we were at Alice Enevoldsen‘s winter-solstice sunset watch – story on that, coming up.)

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West Seattle traffic alert: 42nd and Alaska stoplight trouble
December 21, 2012 8:16 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
8:16 PM: Thanks to everybody who texted and e-mailed about this. The stoplight at 42nd and Alaska has been having trouble for at least an hour – did not appear to be anyone directing traffic or fixing when last we went through 15 minutes or so – please let us know if you’ve seen otherwise.

9:15 PM: In comments, Vivienne reports passing through around 9 pm with no problem.

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Delridge repaving project set to start on January 10
December 21, 2012 4:49 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

Just announced by SDOT – the date work will start on the yearlong Delridge repaving project:

Delridge Way SW Paving Project SW Orchard St to SW Roxbury St
 
Construction to begin January 10 – Expect Southbound Detours
 
The southern portion of Delridge Way SW is an important West Seattle arterial that has deteriorated over time.  The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will rebuild Delridge Way SW between SW Orchard and SW Roxbury streets to improve travel conditions and promote safety.
 
Project Description
·        Construct new concrete and asphalt paving surfaces
·        Install drainage detention pipes and inlets
·        Provide upgraded curb ramps
·        Reconfigure lanes between SW Myrtle and SW Kenyon streets
 
Project Work Hours and Schedule
Construction is expected to begin January 10, 2013, and be substantially complete by the end of 2013. Normal work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some weekend work and possible night work.

Read More

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West Seattle holidays: Christmas-lights highlights, mapped
December 21, 2012 3:00 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Since the weather is suddenly lovely – we know some may go out for a walk or ride tonight to look at Christmas lights, and we’ve mapped some of West Seattle’s most brightly lit homes, as in years past. Among them, the home you see above – 4152 46th Ave SW, where Duane Davis explains that they “have been decorating the home for 17 yrs and now have 10,000 lights – half are the energy efficient LEDs. Drive by and enjoy the cotton candy trees, our home, and our well lit neighborhood. Merry Christmas, West Seattle!” We expect to add at least a few more after tonight, but here’s what we have so far:


View West Seattle Christmas lights, 2012 in a larger map

To make the map printable, we left off the descriptions, but note that a few spots have multiple homes – in particular, the vicinity of 4043 Fauntleroy Way SW, which is the stub of Fauntleroy that is something of a frontage road along the southwest end of the bridge – that house is great, and even more of the neighbors have joined in this year.

Meantime, if you have other homes/apartments to suggest, please comment, or e-mail us the address to check out (photo/s welcome too if you have them): editor@westseattleblog.com – we’re adding this map to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide so you can find it if you need to, in the nights ahead.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Thefts; potential tactic caught on cam
December 21, 2012 12:26 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Updated Friday night with report of additional car-prowl victims in Arbor Heights – see end of story)

With delivery trucks rumbling along the streets delivering holiday mail and gifts like so many motorized sleighs, it’s time for another round of West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

First, from SW 98th in Arbor Heights, a check was reportedly taken from a mailbox and “washed.” The tipster says “Turns out that another neighbor witnessed this happening and gave chase, but lost them. We have a partial license plate and a description of the car.” (We have a followup out to see if they’ll share that information.)

Further north, package thieves struck again. From the victim:

A Christmas Gift package was delivered to our house (Wednesday), while we were not home, and was stolen off our front porch before we returned from work. We live in the area near Our Lady of Guadalupe – just letting folks know that there might be some package poachers roaming the neighborhood.

And a possible would-be package thief was caught on a security camera in the Shorewood area, near 26th and 106th, with what would be an unusual tactic:

The person who shared the image explains it – that, and other reports, as this continues after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle Friday: Solstice sunset watch, parade; ‘Longest Night’ and early-Christmas church services; ‘Santa’s First Magical Ride’
December 21, 2012 10:44 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Thank you to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for another view of what might not be the only pelican visiting West Seattle for Solstice/Christmas – David works with Seal Sitters and says first responder Robin Lindsey noticed two at Don Armeni earlier today! Meantime, winter has begun, and the last weekend before Christmas is under way. Lots to do tonight:

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL BEFORE WINTER BREAK: Some independent schools are out already, but today is the last day of Seattle Public Schools classes, with one-hour-early dismissal districtwide.

LOTS OF SANTA! “Santa Al” is at Tram’s Salon till 1 pm, “Ex-Westwood Santa” is at CAPERS 3-7 pm, West Seattle Thriftway has Santa 4-7 pm, Westwood Village has Santa till x pm.

WINTER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: From NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen:

It’s time for the 15th seasonal sunset watch!! 4:05 pm (so come at 3:45 pm)
Actual sunset is supposed to be at 4:20 pm, but at the summer solstice we noticed that the Sun set about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says it does, so I’ve moved the time of our sunset watch up so we don’t miss it. Last autumn the timing seemed to line up correctly – what will it do this time?
Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
Who: Everyone welcome, as usual.

SOLSTICE PARADE IN NORTH DELRIDGE: From the invite –

You are cordially invited to join Captain Snowflake and WinterFly in welcoming the start of Winter and the dawning of days with increasing light. This celebration is a 40-minute illuminated walk along the Longfellow Creek Legacy trails. 6:30 pm, Greg Davis Park, 26th Ave SW & Brandon Street SW. For the Solstice Parade, you are encouraged to wear an outfit or costume illuminated by lights or bring a lantern or flashlight to carry along the path.

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: 6:30 pm December 21st at West Seattle’s Hummingbird Studio. From the Facebook invitation:

Honoring the Darkness, Celebrating the Light – Winter Solstice Fire Dancing, Ritual & Gong Meditation: Join Sound Therapist Sha’ari Garfinkel for this powerful Winter Solstice event featuring a special Sun-centered healing gong meditation, LIVE fire dancers including renowned performer DeAnna Riley, drumming, refreshments and more. For more information, please go to www.innerlistening.com or call 206.309.4667.

THE GRINCH AND RALPHIE, DOUBLE FEATURE! Highland Park Improvement Club‘s free-movie night includes “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “A Christmas Story,” 6:30 pm (12th/Holden).

HOLIDAY CHURCH SERVICES TONIGHT: Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) has its “Blue Christmas/Longest Night” service tonight, and Arbor Heights Community Church has its candlelight Christmas service. Both are at 7 pm, and both are on our list of West Seattle Christmas church services – see the full list here.

SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE – THE MUSICAL: Locally created/produced “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” continues its premiere run tonight, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – 7 ps. Tickets are available online here.

SEATTLE GIRLS’ CHOIR CONCERT: Seattle Girls’ Choir performs Lessons and Carols at 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary Church (4210 SW Genesee). Proceeds will go to Toys for Tots. Full details here.

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.

NON-HOLIDAY NIGHTLIFE: Lots of it, on our regular calendar – see the listings here!

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West Seattle holidays: Early reminder about tree-cycling
December 21, 2012 9:54 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: Early reminder about tree-cycling
 |   Environment | Holidays | Utilities | West Seattle news

Always hate to start talking pre-Christmas about what to do with the tree post-Christmas, but in case you’re wondering, Seattle Public Utilities has just sent the information (which gives us another occasion to remind you that if you have Tuesday solid-waste pickup, it’ll be on Wednesday the next two weeks since Christmas/New Year’s are on Tuesdays):

City residents who subscribe to curbside food and yard waste collection can put their Christmas trees and holiday greens out on their regular collection day at no extra charge, from Dec. 26, 2012 to Jan. 13, 2013.

Multi-family buildings can put out one tree next to each food and yard waste cart per collection day at no extra charge during this time.

Trees should be cut into sections of six feet long or shorter, with branches trimmed to less than four feet to fit into the collection trucks. Sections should be bundled with string or twine. Metal, plastic and ornaments in trees and wreaths must be removed.

Trees that are flocked and/or have tinsel or ornaments will be collected as extra garbage. Customers will need to cut the tree into three-foot pieces and each piece will be charged as extra garbage. Each unit of extra garbage costs $8.60. Plastic trees are not recyclable.

Seattle residents can also drop off their holiday trees and greens for free at Seattle Public Utilities’ North and South Recycling and Disposal stations between Dec. 26, 2012 and Jan. 13, 2013. The tree sections must be cut to eight feet or less in length and the trunk must be four inches or smaller in diameter. The limit is three trees per vehicle. Only trees and wreaths without flocking or decoration may be disposed free of charge.

The City of Seattle’s North Recycling and Disposal Station in the Fremont/Wallingford area and the South Recycling and Disposal Station in the South Park area will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year’s Day, January 1. The North Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 1350 North 34th Street. The South Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 8105 5th Ave South. The stations are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In case you need it again for reference, we’ll add this to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which will be up and running through New Year’s Day, too.

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West Seattle development: Comment time for 4755 Fauntleroy
December 21, 2012 9:21 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

The notification signs are up, one week after the prospective developers of 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW – the 350-apartment, almost-600-parking-spot proposal for Fauntleroy/Alaska/40th, with Whole Foods signed on – applied for its Master Use Permit (as reported here). The sign is a reminder that the formal comment period is open – including issues beyond design, such as traffic, noise, and other “environmental” factors. Here’s the application’s official page on the DPD website; if you have a comment, send it to the official planner, Bruce Rips, at bruce.rips@seattle.gov ASAP (we’re checking on the deadline). Meantime, the project still will have at least one more Southwest Design Review Board meeting, also including public comment; the date is not yet set, but a project spokesperson told us they are hoping to return to the board in a month or so.

ADDED: Regarding the deadline for comments, DPD’s Bruce Rips replied, “The comment period ends on January 9, 2013. It can be extended by two weeks upon request. I accept comments throughout the review process.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Winter’s first Friday
December 21, 2012 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Winter’s first Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Quiet commute today but we’re still putting this up, albeit late in the game, in case anything happens during the rest of the morning/rest of the day. Plus, it’s one more chance for the reminders about next week:

TRANSIT NOTE FOR NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND: Metro will be on a “reduced weekday” schedule Monday and Wednesday-Friday of next week as well as Monday of the following week, with a Sunday schedule on the next two Tuesdays (Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) – more here. Both Water Taxis (West Seattle and Vashon) will be out of service on Christmas/New Year’s Days but on a regular schedule the other weekdays.

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