West Seattle, Washington

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month : 12/2012 327 results

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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Only 3 more Sunday closures for 2 libraries in West Seattle
December 10, 2012 11:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

As of January 6th, all Seattle Public Library branches will be open on Sundays – thanks to the library-funding measure approved by voters this past August. SPL sent around a reminder that also includes an announcement of dates for special “Sundays are special” parties. High Point is set for January 13th and Delridge on May 5th – those are the two branches that have been closed Sundays.

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Recipe for success: West Seattle High School @ CookieFest
December 10, 2012 8:53 pm
|    Comments Off on Recipe for success: West Seattle High School @ CookieFest
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School ProStart students for their star turn at this past Saturday’s annual CookieFest – here’s how the school announced their achievement (sharing photos too):

For the second year in a row, the West Seattle High School ProStart students have amazed crowds at the Seattle Macy’s annual CookieFest celebration. In this event, consumers pay a set fee for a cookie box, and then the “mad” dash begins to get their choice dozen cookies from the banquet room full of cookie vendors.

ProStart was selected as one of only three schools in Washington to participate in this event alongside numerous bakeries around the Seattle area. Not only do the proceeds for CookieFest support the Seattle Milk Fund, but the event also gives our students the opportunity to work next to prestigious bakeries in a catering role, work toward planning and creating beautiful and consistent bakery products, and earn well-deserved community service hours.

The West Seattle High School students chose the theme this year as “Mad Hatter Holiday Tea Party.”

Thank you to those of you who supported our students as well as the Seattle Milk Fund. We hope to participate again next year!

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West Seattle scene: Smallest ferry Hiyu filling in at Fauntleroy
December 10, 2012 5:57 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | Transportation | West Seattle news

No, there’s no trick with the perspective there – the 34-car Washington State Ferry M/V Hiyu really is small, in comparison to M/V Issaquah (able to carry almost 4 times as many vehicles). As mentioned here in the past few days, Hiyu is making unscheduled runs to supplement Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth’s two-boat schedule. And West Seattle photographer Doug Branch “couldn’t resist photographing it when it showed up:

Thanks to Doug for sharing the Hiyu views! Though it’s not following a schedule, you can monitor the Hiyu while it’s on the run by checking out the live Vessel Watch page.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Package-theft case update; hit-and-run driver sought
December 10, 2012 3:33 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Topping this afternoon’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup – a followup on last Friday’s package/mail-theft arrests:

If you missed our Friday coverage – four men were booked into King County Jail Friday night, hours after their arrests at 16th and Roxbury, where the van reported by a package-theft witness in West Seattle was pulled over by police. Early Saturday afternoon, three of them (ages 32, 25, and 22) got out of jail; the fourth, 31, is still in, because of unrelated warrants. This case went through Seattle Municipal Court, and that means the City Attorney’s Office would prosecute; spokesperson Kimberly Mills says the office’s Criminal Division will do an “extended review” of the case, which is why no one has been charged/cited yet. We’ll keep watch on the case.

Also this afternoon, this photo and report from Georgia:

I wanted to report a hit & run on 42nd Avenue SW just south of Edmunds early this morning. I heard a loud crash around 2:30 am this morning and woke to find that our parked 2002 Jeep Wrangler was hit & pushed into a silver Mazda M6. Both were parked on the west side of 42nd Avenue SW and it appears the suspect vehicle was going southbound on 42nd when it struck the Jeep and pushed it into the Mazda. The suspect vehicle’s bumper – from a Honda – was left behind too. If anybody has any information, please contact Officer F. Oshinski, 206-733-9800, or Jason Choate at 206-930-1327. The incident # is 12-421233.

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West Seattle holiday scenes: Gingerbread house-building, to help with Guatemala well-building
December 10, 2012 1:03 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Not all the holiday house-decorating has to happen out in the mist on a ladder … last night at West Seattle Christian Church‘s Activity Center in The Junction, it was a gingerbread-house-decorating (and building) frenzy (above, Shauna Jacobs and daughter Lillian; below, the overview):

30 teams built and decorated houses, all for a good cause – raising $1,200 for a new well to bring clean water to people in Guatemala. See how it unfolded, and find out about the winners, ahead:

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West Seattle Monday: For the rest of today/tonight…
December 10, 2012 11:08 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: For the rest of today/tonight…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

What a weekend it’s been: History and holidays! Tonight is the third night of Hanukkah and exactly two weeks till Christmas Eve … already. A few highlights for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular calendar:

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB TAKES ON HANUKKAH: The weekly meeting – 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) – will feature participants’ Hanukkah recipes. More info on the club website.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: NDNC provides tonight’s lone community meeting, which will be at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – NOT the group’s usual location. The agenda includes not only Youngstown’s new management but also the City Council’s proposed medical-marijuana zoning (still a proposal in circulation despite I-502’s passage – we videotaped Council President Sally Clark‘s presentation on this topic at last month’s Southwest District Council meeting).

BOOK GROUP: “Half Broke Horses” is this month’s book, and you’re welcome to discuss it at the West Seattle (Admiral) branch of the Seattle Public Library, 6:45 tonight.

TREE SHOPPING? Find the list of lot locations and hours in the Holiday Guide.

DISCOUNT TICKETS – CALL FAST! Wednesday is Fauntleroy Night at ArtsWest for “The Winter Wonderettes,” and if you mention the Fauntleroy Community Association when you call the box office at 206-938-0339, discount tickets for that night are available.

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West Seattle beaches: ‘King tides’ & very low tides ahead
December 10, 2012 9:34 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

IMG_5637

(12/3/12 photo from Richey Viewpoint, by Don Brubeck, shared via WSB Flickr group)
Heads up for beach-walking fans – the next week-plus will bring extremely high tides and very low tides. Given the season, the most dramatic extremes will be in the late-night and early-morning hours – though the afternoon high tides are notable too. As detailed on our favorite tide chart, each of the next four afternoons will bring a high tide of at least 12 feet (1:09 pm today); the nighttime low tide is -1.6 at 8:23 pm tonight and bottoms out at -3.6 feet at 10:41 pm Thursday. The morning high tides will surpass the afternoon levels starting on Thursday, reaching 13 feet at 6:50 am Saturday and 7:34 am Sunday. These are the “king tides,” and the state is again asking for help with photo documentation – explained on this page, along with a link for adding to their Flickr gallery (and please consider adding West Seattle photos to the WSB Flickr group too – thank you).

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates, with 2 alerts
December 10, 2012 5:44 am
|      7 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)
We start off with a transit-alert reminder from Metro:

Beginning (today) from the start of service until Friday, December 21 at the end of service, Routes 22 & 120 will be rerouted off of 26th Av SW between SW Barton St and SW Roxbury St, due to construction. During this time, route 22 and route 120 will travel instead via 30th Av SW in both directions to their regular routes.

And a ferry-alert reminder from Washington State Ferries, which has three boats out for repair:

Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: This route will be on a two boat schedule with the 124-car Issaquah and the 87-car Tillikum. This service will be supplemented with unscheduled sailings by the 34-car Hiyu.

5:15 PM: Two traffic alerts in via e-mail – one, a mattress on the left side of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge (thanks to Damiana for that tip); two, East Marginal Way southbound blocked by truck trouble just before the 1st Avenue South Bridge (thanks to Jamie).

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West Seattleites’ historic weddings: Final updates
December 10, 2012 2:15 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo by Bettina Hansen/The Seattle Times, republished with permission)
A day of history-making marrying has just wrapped up in our state. Sunday evening brought the highest-profile wedding of the day: West Seattleites Pete-e Petersen and Jane Abbott Lighty wed onstage at Benaroya Hall downtown, with another West Seattleite, Anne Levinson, officiating. (Another couple wed onstage too – see a wider view via this Facebook photo.) Levinson was also there as Jane and Pete-e went through the licensing process early Thursday, obtaining King County’s first-ever same-sex marriage license (WSB coverage here).

Hours earlier, we reported on two other West Seattle couples’ Sunday morning weddings – Julie Fein and Cynthia Wallace marrying at the King County Courthouse in the wee hours (coverage here), and then Keith Bacon and Corianton Hale celebrating their wedding during the marriage marathon at Seattle City Hall (coverage here). Since then, we’ve heard from another local couple:

Jessica Lynn and Joyce Allen of West Seattle were married by Judge Mary Yu this morning at 5:30 am (hours after Judge Yu officiated for Cynthia and Julie). Jessica and Joyce also shared this photo:

Jessica explains, “We’ve been together 20 years and had a traditional ‘wedding’/commitment ceremony in 1994, so we aren’t planning a big fancy wedding now, but we were thrilled to officially and legally marry on this historic day. We’ll have a big party with cake in July on the anniversary of the 1994 ceremony! The support of the people of Washington State, Seattle, and West Seattle has been overwhelming to experience, and we thank everyone who helped make this day possible.”

And we have a followup from another longtime couple, now married; Amy and Jennifer Hallmon (included in our Thursday followup on the first day of licensing):

Amy reports:

We had a great time! We got in early for our 12:30 time slot, and the folks at City Hall were very welcoming and accomodating of our big crew (5 kids). My wonderful sister Carrie Goodnight (also a West Seattle resident) came as our witness and also as a child wrangler and gear hauler. We had a really touching, brief ceremony. I especially liked the part where the judge said, “by the power vested in me by the state of Washington.” It has been a long time coming! The nice people managing the event brought two cupcakes from the reception area for our 2 and 3-year-old to eat from the stroller during the ceremony. Then we all got cupcakes (the 8 and 11-year-olds were thrilled to go back for seconds. And thirds). The announcement of our family as we left the building was exciting, and then we processed down the grand staircase at the pace of a 2-year-old on wet steps. Lots of time to hear the congratulations of the crowd, as well as to be showered by flower petals, bubbles, and rice. It sure was nice of all those people to come share our moment. We came home to a party for friends and family. It was a really nice day, and the kids are all in bed now so we can enjoy the evening.

… Fifteen years ago I really didn’t think we’d have legal marriage in our lifetimes, even at the state level. Not only have we achieved that milestone as a family, but we have felt the warmth of what seems like the entire city’s embrace as we celebrated. We will absolutely cherish the memories of this week.

There was a big Sunday night party at West Seattle’s OutWest Bar – with partiers including newlyweds Marley Blonsky and Whitney Young (who were among the first two dozen couples to get licenses Thursday morning) – they tweeted photos while celebrating:

Also from our Thursday licensing coverage, and tweeting Sunday night, Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby, who got married at City Hall:

Congratulations again to everyone involved in history – and to those “making it legal” in the days, weeks, months, years ahead. Speaking of which: For future engaged/newlywed couples, of any gender/s, WSB is always happy to publish engagement/wedding announcements free – just e-mail the info and a photo to editor@westseattleblog.com.

SIDE NOTE: Wondering how this unfolded outside Seattle? Here are Sunday stories from:
*Spokane
*Vancouver
*Snohomish County
*Kitsap County
*Whatcom County

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West Seattle schools: Chief Sealth Academy of Business auction
December 9, 2012 10:34 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: Chief Sealth Academy of Business auction
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

School auctions happen often – a necessity these days, to help pay for needs large and small that aren’t handled by regular budgets. Most of the time they are organized by groups such as PTSAs – but the most recent school auction in West Seattle was in large part a teacher and student production. Thursday night in the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria, the Sealth Academy of Business hosted a fundraising auction, led by Sealth teacher DeAira Handugan. We first heard about it earlier this fall from student Tia Collins:

She had explained via e-mail, “The Academy is a series of specialized classes that aim to teach students about real-world circumstances such as finances and marketing. These classes also offer the aid of scholarships, internships, and free college classes to the students who wish to further their education, and get experience outside of the classroom.” Business is the umbrella for two Academies at Sealth – Finance and Hospitality/Tourism. Students sold tickets and served a dinner menu featuring Chicken Milano and Caesar Salad – prepared on campus. The centerpieces were student-created:

The students also had to round up donations for the silent auction – with proceeds going toward the Academy of Business class trip to New York. In addition to a variety of auction items, they had a dessert auction too:

The Academies at Chief Sealth largely involve classes taken in junior/senior years, along with internships, to provide skills to help with career pathways and other goals. This year’s courses are listed in the school catalog online.

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West Seattle wildlife: Three weekend sightings
December 9, 2012 9:11 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Love is not only in the air – it’s in the water. Just received that photo from Seaview resident and diver/underwater photographer Jim Bodoia, who says, “You’ve had some great photos of local nature and I couldn’t resist these two newlyweds that were hanging out about 50 feet under where the Christmas Ships sailed near the Alki Statue of Liberty. They are Saddleback Gunnels (Pholis Ornata) all paired up and nested for the holidays.”

This reminds us of two other wildlife sightings mentioned to us – no photos yet, but you should know so you can keep an eye out in case they come back around:

First – Marcia e-mailed this morning to report a snowy-owl sighting:

Big surprise this morning to look out the window and see a Snowy Owl in a fir tree nearby! It’s in the stand of tall firs in the middle of the small “greenbelt” between Juneau/Raymond and 36th/37th. Not sure how long it has been since one has been spotted in West Seattle. The crows are working hard to displace it, but it’s standing its ground.

She tried to photograph it but it just didn’t work out; here’s a community-contributed snowy-owl photo published here a year ago.

And WSB Forums member Mtrancourt reports a brown pelican off Alki Point, confirming it via e-mail: “… I thought it was an eagle at first, the seagulls were chasing it like an eagle. We live on the beach at Alki and it flew out a ways and then came in about 100 yards from the house before going around the corner toward (downtown).”

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The WSBeat: Motor-home investigation; startling sight; more
December 9, 2012 4:17 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*The Major Crimes Task Force has taken over the investigation of a motor home parked in front of a residence in the 8800 block of 20th SW. The rig’s owner is currently in jail on a felony warrant for possession of a stolen vehicle, while some of the people staying in it are associated with a stolen Oregon car found nearby. Inside the motor home was a variety of unopened mail, debit cards, IDs and driver’s licenses which were likely stolen. The stolen car contained numerous blank credit cards and software associated with customizing them. The man seen driving the stolen vehicle was booked into King County Jail for investigation of possession of stolen property.

*Friday evening of last week, in the 9600 block of 41st SW, a woman heard an insistent “tap tap tap” coming from a door that leads to an outdoor deck. She opened it, and what to her wondering eyes should appear but an unclothed white male in his 20s (but no tiny reindeer). Startled, she shut the door and called 911. (The man made no effort to enter the residence.) Though the door had been open for only a moment, the 84-year-old assured officers that she would be able to recognize the suspect if she saw him again.

Five more summaries ahead:Read More

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West Seattle ferry update: 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy this week
December 9, 2012 2:00 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Another change for Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth schedule this week – they had warned of a reduced-capacity third boat on the route; now, because three vessels need repairs, WSF says, there will be only an intermittent, tiny third boat:

Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: This route will be on a two-boat schedule with the 124 car Issaquah and the 87-car Tillikum. This service will be supplemented with unscheduled sailings by the 34-car Hiyu.

There are changes to Seattle-Bremerton, too; read about those here.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Hometown Holidays; ‘Gifted’ at Feedback
December 9, 2012 1:39 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Even before Donna Ryan (above) opened the doors of her City Mouse Studio for West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Santa photos this morning, some excited families were waiting, we’re told. The line wasn’t too long when we went by before noon – some very patient little ones peeked through the festively decorated window:

Today is the first of two Sundays that Donna’s taking Santa photos – with proceeds benefiting WestSide Baby, continuing till 3 pm. You can also stop by the Hometown Holidays Headquarters kitty-corner from there, at California/Alaska by KeyBank.

About a mile south on California, the “Gifted” bazaar has begun at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor):

You might not need a fan now – but look ahead to summer, and Lisa Jones‘ playing-card fans might come in handy. Her business card says she’s “putting the FUN into FUNction.” Among the other art/craft creators there, microphotographer extraordinaire Machel Spence, RobRoy Chalmers, and Christin Schaefer with photos including the one that reminds us of the “grumpy cat” meme:

“Gifted” at Feedback (6451 California SW) continues till 5 pm.

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