(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
That pile of presents awaits kids at a South Park Community Center celebration today – thanks in no small part to the work of two Chief Sealth International High School seniors. We first told you last month about the toy drive Clint Hewitt and Conrad Hill organized as their senior project, Holidays 4 Hope. On Friday, like Santa Claus, they delivered what they had collected:
That’s SPCC’s Carmen Martinez hugging Conrad as Clint unloads more of the 425 toys they collected, donated by West Seattleites, schoolchildren to shop patrons:
At the center, volunteers were wrapping the presents soon to be received by excited kids:
Decorations were going up too – below right, Maja Hansen was working with volunteers from the Health Perspectives group:
Friday was the second consecutive night with a Bookfair event at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village. Thursday night, as reported here, it was Arbor Heights Elementary; Friday, Denny International Middle School. And again, we have a community-contributed photo to share: That’s 7th-grader Yahya, reading his poem “I Am From.” If you weren’t able to be there, you can still participate – over the next six days, Denny will get part of the proceeds from your B&N purchases if you use the special code listed in the explanation on the school website.
Burglary victims in Arbor Heights says there’s just one item they really want back… a dark wood box containing the cremated remains of their dog. “We presume the thief took the box thinking it had jewelry in it; clearly he or she is in for a surprise when it’s opened. We are hoping it turns up somewhere.” We asked Kim for any distinguishing features, in case someone comes across it tossed aside somewhere – “possibly rosewood, with a polished finish, about 5″ x 6″, quite heavy,” she says.
WSB’ers *do* find stolen items. For example, it looks like Amy‘s stolen Saab T900, reported here early today, has turned up – Franci saw it in The Junction and called 911. She also let us know, and we in turn have flagged Amy – we’ll add an update if this all works out.
(11:41 PM UPDATE: Amy confirms it’s her car – though Franci had called a few hours earlier, police hadn’t contacted Amy yet, but an hour ago, she went to check out the scene, called 911 to confirm it, and subsequently met there with the same officer who took the original stolen-car report yesterday.)
Back on the stolen front:
That’s Kami‘s bicycle, when it was new … and long before it was stolen:
My bicycle was stolen from in front of 4550 38th Ave SW (The Link Apartments) sometime last night. It was locked, but we all know that’s just a deterrent. It’s a Specialized Expedition in silver, with tan seat/grips and black fenders. It looks like the baby of a mountain bike and a cruiser, and is probably dirty as sin. It’s my car, I use it every day and one day a week it’s part of my job. I was hoping that you guys could put a post up, and I will offer a $100 reward, no questions asked. But she’s my baby and I hope to see her again.
The three-boat weekend schedule will resume on Saturday morning with the Hiyu remaining on the route in the #3 position. On Sunday morning, the Issaquah will remain as #1, Tillikum as #2 and the 64-car Salish will join the route in the #3 position.
Beginning with the Monday morning commute, Tillikum will sail as #1 with the Salish in the #2 position and Issaquah at #3. Passengers should note the Salish is a smaller vessel. Please consult the Schedule Page to plan accordingly for this reduction in capacity.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB – substituted for previous cameraphone photos) 5:38 PM: Snag in the evening commute: A crash at 35th and Fauntleroy – right at the west end of the bridge. More as we get it – but if you’re stuck in the backup, that’s the problem.
6 PM: Some good news – tow crew’s on scene and it should be clearing.
The backup, we’re told, stretches all the way across the bridge, so that’ll take a while longer to clear.
7:07 PM: There’s also a crash by the Fauntleroy ferry dock causing backups (Fauntleroy/Cloverdale):
My elderly grandpa Frank Valdes went missing an hour ago. He walked out of Fleming House (8424 16th Ave SW), wearing a black beret, black jacket and black pants. He’s 5’6”, looks latino/white, and has a gut. He has dementia and doesn’t have a cell phone on him. If anyone in the area sees him, call me at ——-.
6:10 PM: Grant says his grandpa’s been found safe (and we’ve removed his phone number as a result).
Also received late today from SDOT – utility work on the bridge Monday night/Tuesday morning:
City crews will perform high-priority maintenance work on electrical utilities at the western end of the West Seattle Bridge on Monday night, Dec. 17. This work will require drivers coming from Admiral Way SW to make a slight detour as they drive onto the bridge. The crews will begin work at 8:30 p.m. and will have all lanes open again no later than 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18.
On Saturday, Dec. 15, traffic crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation plan to replace the traffic camera located on the off-ramp from the westbound lanes of the West Seattle Bridge to Delridge Way SW. They will close the inside lane of the ramp at approximately 5:45 a.m. and will reopen the lane by 4 p.m.
During the closure, the crews will replace a traffic camera that provides real-time streaming video of traffic at that location. The new camera should be more reliable. It will automatically reset itself when needed, and traffic engineers will also be able to reset the camera remotely. The camera is expected to be fully functional after traffic engineers complete their work on the installation during the following week.
(If you are a regular user of the WSB Traffic page, you know this camera’s been out a long time.)
(President Obama’s statement about the Connecticut massacre, added here 2 pm) 12:45 PM: We are working on various West Seattle stories for today, as always, but are having a tough time keeping our mind off the beyond-horrifying massacre at a school in Newtown, Connecticut. So before proceeding with today’s local news, a few notes:
*Federal leaders have called for flags to fly at half staff through December 18th.
*Governor Gregoire has issued a statement:
“Our hearts and unending prayers are with the community of Newtown and the people of Connecticut. This heartless act of violence is incomprehensible. All Washingtonians stand with me in expressing our profound sorrow and grief.”
*Via Facebook, King County Executive Dow Constantine has said this:
Columbine, Blacksburg, Newtown. It sounds like a litany of Civil War battlefields. But all the killing — the periodic massacres and the thousands of individual shootings between — the killing is about nothing: not slavery, or states’ rights, or nationhood. The killing is about nothing but mentally unstable people and our continued unwillingness to enact and enforce reasonable gun safety laws.
*While the WSB Forums are meant to be primarily about neighborhood matters, their members often talk about national news and politics, and there is indeed a thread open there.
*Our friends at KING 5 have posted some links potentially helpful to families who find themselves needing to discuss it with their children. Here’s one – “Talking to Children About Violence.”
If we find out about anything locally related as the day goes on – prayer vigil, etc. – we will add it here.
ADDED 1:32 PM: St. James Cathedral downtown plans a community prayer service at 6:30 tonight. Also, Seattle Police say that though there are NO threats against local schools, they are stepping up patrols today anyway – per SPD Blotter.
ADDED 2:02 PM: Seattle Public Schools has shared with the media this letter from Superintendent José Banda:
Dear families:
We were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that occurred this morning at an elementary school in Connecticut. In the aftermath of such tragic events, we want to share with you how we are working to make sure that our students’ needs are fully addressed.
We are closely monitoring the situation and have asked our principals to be extra vigilant in their schools today. We have not heard of any threats in Seattle, and our Security department reports normal operations in schools throughout the District.
According to state law, schools must conduct at least one safety-related drill each month that school is in session. Every school has a safety plan that outlines procedures for prevention, mitigation, response and recovery in the event of a crisis. Please know that we take safety in our buildings very seriously; the well-being of our students is our top concern.
It is a struggle for adults and children alike to try to comprehend why and how such a senseless and shocking incident could occur. Excessive and repeated media viewing can create increased anxiety and therefore limiting ongoing exposure is recommended. We are coordinating with schools and school guidance counselors to provide emotional support for students next week. Additionally, talking about the incident can be a healthy way for families to process their feelings and reactions to an event of this nature.
How to help children cope:
• Listen to and accept children’s feelings.
• Give honest, simple, brief answers to their questions.
• Make sure they understand your answers and the meaning you intend.
• Use words or phrases that won’t confuse a child or make the world more frightening.
• Create opportunities for children to talk with each other about what happened and how they are feeling.
• Give your child an honest explanation. If you are feeling so upset you don’t want to talk about what happened, you may want to take “time out” and ask a trusted family friend to help.
• If children keep asking the same question over and over again it is because they are trying to understand; trying to make sense out of the disruption and confusion in their world. Younger children will not understand that death is permanent, so their repeated inquiries are because they expect everything to return to normal.
• If the child feels guilty, ask him or her to explain what happened. Listen carefully to whether he or she attaches a sense of responsibility to some part of the description. Explain the facts of the situation and emphasize that no one, least of all the child, could have prevented it.
• Let the school help. The child’s teacher can be sensitive to changes in the child’s behavior and will be able to respond in a helpful way.
• Even if you feel the world is an unsafe place, you can reassure your child by saying, “The event is over. Now we’ll do everything possible to stay safe, and together we can help get things back to normal.”
• Notice when children have questions and want to talk.
• Be especially loving and supportive; children need you even more at this time.
Today is a tragic day. Our thoughts and hearts go out to the students, staff and families at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Sincerely,
José Banda
Superintendent
2:47 PM: A reader also have forwarded us a letter sent home by Hope Lutheran School‘s principal to her school’s families:
Hope School Families,
We are so sad to hear of the news today from the school in Connecticut. The news has already come up with our middle school students this morning, and we are praying for the families affected by this tragedy. We have asked our older students to keep the news to themselves so we can allow you as parents/guardians to decide how much to share or not share with our younger students, and so that you can help them process this sad news.
Our students are safe and sound, and so we just wanted to give you that reassurance as well.
Blessings to you today,
Mrs. Okabayashi, on behalf of the Hope staff
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble
Also, from the governor’s office:
Governor Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half staff as per President Obama’s proclamation as a mark of respect for the victims of today’s tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut.
Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset/close of business on Tuesday, December 18.
Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.
5:30 PM: Mayor McGinn has issued a statement too – read it here.
ADDED EARLY SATURDAY:Here’s an agency in Newtown that’s accepting donations on behalf of those affected by the massacre. (Hat tip to West Seattle Fabric Company, which is donating part of its proceeds to the agency.)
Also: A fund set up by the local United Way (in Connecticut) – info here.
Karene-mailed after getting a notice yesterday regarding a planned power outage in her North Delridge neighborhood. We checked with Seattle City Light, which confirms that about 50 customers (homes/businesses) in the 26th/Juneau (map) vicinity will be affected by the work to be done tomorrow between 8 an and 6 pm. City Light’s Scott Thomsen explains, “We’re moving some wires and three transformers to comply with updated spacing standards from NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation).” Again, everyone affected should have received a notice at their home/business.
Seattle Public Schools‘ Lesley Rogers asked us to mention this: Sanislo Elementary‘s phone system is having trouble right now with receiving incoming calls from outside the district system, but outgoing calls and incoming district calls are working fine. They hope to have the problem fixed soon.
The occasional case of “mail theft” might just be the work of the treat-seeking squirrel photographed by Rich W‘s neighbors – thanks to Rich for sharing the photo! Here’s what’s up today/tonight as the second-to-last weekend before Christmas begins …
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: Monthly meeting 10 am-2 pm at Daystar Retirement Village (across Barton from Westwood Village) – you’re welcome for all or part of the meeting. Agenda and presentation details are in the calendar listing.
SANTA! Tonight “Ex-Westwood Santa” (maybe by next year we can just call him CAPERS Santa) is back at CAPERS, 3-7 pm, for DIY Santa photos – it’s a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank, so bring cash and/or canned food to donate. Also tonight, the daily Westwood Village Santa photos continue – and you can check the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for this weekend’s other Santa appearances.
DENNY BOOKFAIR: Tonight it’s Denny International Middle School‘s turn at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village – music, reading, and benefiting from the proceeds of sales with the special code this next week:
Come hear Denny IMS musicians play and students read, see student art, and help support literacy at Denny today, December 14 at 6:30 pm at Barnes & Noble (in Westwood Village, 2600 SW Barton Street, Suite E-1) A portion of all purchases (excluding electronics) will go to Denny! Tell all your friends and family too. If you cannot make the Barnes & Noble day in Westwood you may shop all week in any Barnes & Noble or barnesandnoble.com. To get credit for Denny, please use the code 10936813 when checking out. Thank you!
SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE: Second weekend run for the premiere season of locally written/produced “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor), 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW); tickets available online. Bring your camera, because showgoers can take photos with Santa afterward!
Please consider bringing a new unwrapped toy or gift card for these families. The following items are in greatest need: Crayola® crayons; Play Doh; fuzzy coloring posters; small Lego sets; Brio trains; nail polish; coloring books; arts and crafts kits; playing cards; tactile toys for all ages; rattles; links; Disney/Pixar DVDs; PG-13 DVDs; gift cards; videos, books, and music.
LOTS OF LIVE NON-HOLIDAY MUSIC: Tonight’s slate stretches from Yesow at C & P Coffee to The Slags with Snowday at Poggie Tavern to Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki – with Skylark, Benbow, Feedback shows too – the detailed listings are on our regular Event Calendar (to open any listing, first mouse over the right side to get the “plus” sign, click that, then click “Read more” for full details).
TIDAL EXTREMES CONTINUE: As the winter “king tides” continue, 11:28 tonight is the lowest, 6:50 am Saturday the highest (here’s the chart).
If you haven’t made it out to see the mega-low late-night tides this week – you have a few more chances. Last night was the lowest low tide this time around, -3.6 feet at 10:41 pm, and we’ve received a few photos – above and below, from Lisa Stencel:
And this one from Kalani:
Tonight’s low tide is -3.4 at about 11:30 pm, and both mornings this weekend have the highest high tides of the cycle too – 13 feet at 6:50 am Saturday and 7:34 am Sunday. (Here’s the chart.) And if you’d like to explore the nighttime tidepools with an expert – Lance reminded us overnight that Seattle Parks has a naturalist-led event 10 pm-midnight across from Me Kwa Mooks:
Exploring the fascinating world of intertidal life by flashlight! Please wear very warm clothing and waterproof footwear (rain slickers too). Please bring a flashlight if you have one or borrow one from us. All ages welcome as long as you can walk on slippery seaweed and stay up late into the night. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please pre-register https://class.seattle.gov/parks/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp and then on the night of the 15th, meet at Me Kwa Mooks beach, across from Me-Kwa-Mooks Park (4503 Beach Dr. SW)
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page) 6:59 AM: No notable commute problems in our area as Friday begins.
7:40 AM: As Jtk reported in comments, if you are headed southbound toward West Seattle on 99, note that a stalled vehicle is blocking a southbound lane at the Battery Street Tunnel – SDOT just tweeted it.
One car stolen (and another left in its place), one stolen car found, two package-theft suspects arrested, and two “suspicious person” sightings – all in tonight’s roundup. First, the stolen-car report, from Amy:
My car was stolen from in front of our house at the corner of 34th Ave SW and Willow St. The theft took place some time between Tuesday evening December 11 and Wednesday morning. The theft took place while we were home, and the thieves left a different stolen Saab in its place. We reported both cars to the police. If anyone has seen a gray SAAB 900T 3-door hatchback, license plate 574 SCO, please contact the police department.
The previous stolen car reported here, by the way, has been found, not far from where it was taken. Tuesday morning, we published Nicole‘s account of her stolen Saturn; this morning, she wrote a comment with word it had been found blocks away.
And one more Crime Watch note – from the Shorewood neighborhood; King County Sheriff’s Deputies intercepted two suspected package thieves on Thursday morning – the details are on our partner site White Center Now.
We also have two reports of suspicious-seeming people – possibly no crimes involved, but those who reported the sightings wanted to make sure you know:Read More
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.
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.)
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).
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!)
(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.
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.
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
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.)
Burglary victims in Arbor Heights says there’s just one item they really want back… a dark wood box containing the cremated remains of their dog. “We presume the thief took the box thinking it had jewelry in it; clearly he or she is in for a surprise when it’s opened. We are hoping it turns up somewhere.” We asked Kim for any distinguishing features, in case someone comes across it tossed aside somewhere – “possibly rosewood, with a polished finish, about 5″ x 6″, quite heavy,” she says. 
Four months after 
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