day : 15/12/2013 10 results

Traffic update: 99 reopening early on north side of downtown

December 15, 2013 10:37 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

In case you have late-night driving ahead on the north side of downtown: Highway 99 is reopening early. It’s been closed since 3 am Saturday between the Battery St. Tunnel and Valley St., but SDOT says the work is done and 99 is fully reopened, with surface-street closures ending shortly too. Heads up for a big overnight closure this week: I-5 northbound, Dearborn to Spring, will close 9 pm Tuesday to 4:30 am Wednesday for sign installation.

Followup: Sea stars (starfish) still dying, still mysteriously

From the water and from the beach, West Seattle environmental advocate “Diver Laura” James has continued to help document the mystery ailment that’s killing off so many sea stars (as updated here three weeks ago). Tonight, she’s been out diving east of Seacrest as part of a weekly check (added 1:53 am, here’s the new video):

Cove 1 Sick Sea Star survey 12-15-2013 from Laura James on Vimeo.

Two weeks earlier, that same check yielded this video:

Sick Starfish Survey, 12-1-2013 Cove 1 from Laura James on Vimeo.

Before tonight’s dive, Laura sent this report on a shore investigation from Saturday night:

We got out last night with Professor Drew Harvell (from Cornell) to take a walk down at Seacrest. We walked from Cove 2 to Cove 1 on the lower low tide in the intertidal zone and counted sick and healthy sea stars. We counted about 170 stars (both the purple and orange ones) and saw a disease rate of around 50%. This is better than what we are seeing subtidal at the same sites, which is showing 90% + mortality, like at the pilings in the video.

The Professor was very excited because it showed a difference between intertidal and subtidal, and also that it is not hard for beach walkers/tidepool visitors to find the Sea Stars, but also reasonably easy to identify one that is ‘sick/dying’.

We are going to try to make the same walk a few more times during the next series of low tides and hopefully get another count and see how the numbers compare.

A regional map is in the works, as the sea-star deaths are being tracked – see it here. If you would like to help contribute, read on for Laura’s explanation of how you can do that:
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West Seattle Christmas Lights: 2013 map, with additions ahead


View West Seattle Christmas lights, 2013 in a larger map

Since we’re going into prime Christmas-lights-viewing time, with a week and a half until the holiday itself, here’s the first version of our annual map. This is NOT all-inclusive – we know there are many more bright lights out there – but we’re short on time for driving around to look, so please keep sharing suggestions, and we’ll be adding more! This is now part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info Guide, so you can find it there even if you lose track of this story on the main page (also bookmark our coverage archive: westseattleblog.com/category/west-seattle-christmas-lights). Tips and/or photos, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! (We expect to add a few later tonight after another scouting trip.)

8:50 PM: Back from checking out Fauntlee Hills, which usually has more than a few brightly lit homes, and indeed, you’ll find them again this year:

Concord and Trenton, north of Barton, are the key streets to see, and we’re adding them to the map.

West Seattle holidays: Wanted – Christmas/New Year’s biz info

December 15, 2013 4:51 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

With Christmas less than two weeks away, we are making the rounds again for the traditional WSB lists of coffee shop/restaurant holiday hours – specifically, who’s open Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Day, because those are the dates we’re more often asked about. If you have a West Seattle/White Center/South Park restaurant/coffee shop and know your plans, we appreciate a note – editor@westseattleblog.com – to save us/you the phone call. And while we’re not able to make a comprehensive list of other types of businesses, we would be happy to include them in the WSB Holiday Guide if we receive that info (for example, letting us know you’re open until X on Christmas Eve). Thanks, and watch for the links to those lists in the guide and our calendar soon!

P.S. We’re also still adding to the other areas of the guide, as the info comes in – from holiday events to religious services to giving opportunities – same e-mail address.

Get Fit, West Seattle: New couch-to-marathon session to start

Ready to run? West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is about to launch another session of Get Fit, West Seattle – with an informational meeting tomorrow night, per WSR’s Lori McConnell:

We are back at it! After just successfully coaching about 15 runners and walkers off the couch across the finish line of the Amica Seattle Marathon, we are ready for more. Starting on January 5th, we will invite another group to get off the couch and begin training for the Seattle Rock ‘N Roll Marathon in June. Participants will receive a training plan that is guaranteed to get them to the goal. Additionally, we will host clinics on nutrition, proper training and footwear and injury prevention. Along the way, walkers and runners can expect support, camaraderie and a wealth of knowledge. All of this at NO COST!!

The informational meeting is at 6:30 pm tomorrow (Monday, December 16th) at WS Runner, second floor on the northwest corner of California/Charlestown.

High-school basketball: Chief Sealth hosts Bainbridge

December 15, 2013 3:16 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

One more sports report from the second-to-last week of school before winter break: Chief Sealth International High School hosted Bainbridge in Friday night basketball. The girls-varsity team lost 53-43; stats are here, with Samantha Scroggins leading the Katie Jo Maris-coached Seahawks’ scoring, 16 points. She and teammate O’Shae Walker are in the photo above, flanking Bainbridge’s Maddie Ketcheside.

In the boys-varsity game, Bainbridge also left with the win, 48-41 despite a run by the Colin Slingsby-coached Seahawks in the last few minutes.

Stats are up now (also via our partners at The Seattle Times). Alluney Burris was top Sealth scorer with 12; in our photo is the Seahawks’ Ahmed Mohamed, who had 7 points Friday night.

Next up for Sealth – road trips to Rainier Beach High School, where the boys’ teams play Tuesday, the girls on Wednesday.

West Seattle holidays: Seen/heard in The Junction

The southwest corner of California/Alaska is the West Seattle Junction holiday epicenter today. As West Seattle Farmers’ Market shoppers bustle past, the carolers raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank are back (above), and it’s the first of two Sundays with Belgian Draft Mule-drawn carriage rides (as part of WS Junction’s Hometown Holidays) that start and end at the same corner.

All of the above is under way until 3 pm; the Farmers’ Market continues until 2 – and we were reminded while there, mark your calendar for next Sunday, when an extra-festive winter-solstice edition of the market is planned, including lights and decorations on vendors’ booths. P.S. Pathfinder K-8‘s wreath-selling fundraiser is happening now at the same corner.

West Seattle weekend scene: Whale-watching from the ferry

Trileigh Tucker shares that image from Saturday’s orca sightings – click it for a larger view, in which you’ll see people crowding the outside deck to watch the orcas clearly in view right alongside the state ferry Issaquah on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. No word of any local sightings so far today – any time you see one (or more), please let us know so we can help share the news.

4:15 PM: Received this photo from Barbara Bonner, taken from Lincoln Park on Saturday:

You can also click that photo for a larger view.

P.S. Fascinating video by Meg McDonald shows the orcas at rest off Vashon – hat tip to Donna from The Whale Trail, who shared the link.

West Seattle Sunday: Caroling; carriage rides; wrapping; concerts…

(Photo by Monty)
(updated) Eighteen Sunday highlights, from both the WSB Holiday Events/Info Guide and year-round calendar:

FEEDBACK FOOTBALL: The Seahawks play back east this morning, and Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) is opening its doors early so you can come watch the game and enjoy breakfast specials. (6451 California SW)

HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT’S FINAL DAY: No Christmas tree yet? Planning to get one today? It’s the final scheduled day for the Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor), north of the school. Part of this lot’s proceeds benefit West Seattle Helpline, Hickman House (domestic-violence shelter), and West Seattle Food Bank. (41st/Dakota)

MULE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES: West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays brings back the tradition today and next Sunday, 11 am-4 pm. Belgian Draft Mules pull the carriages around The Junction; you ride for free. Look for the pickup/dropoff spot. (California/Alaska)

CAROLING TO BENEFIT FOOD BANKS: We 3 Carolers, joined by members of the SSCC Choir, will sing in The Junction to raise money for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks. We will be caroling on the corner in front of Key Bank from 11:30 am until 3 pm. “Stop by, give generously, and if the holiday spirit moves you, sing along!” (California/Alaska)

TRANSPORTATION TALK: Second day of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition “listening tour,” with a visit this time to Cupcake Royale in The Junction, 11 am-1 pm. Stop by and tell WSTC reps what you think the priorities should be, as explained here. (California/Alaska)

HIGHLAND PARK NEIGHBORS’ WORK PARTY: Noon-3 pm, come help move mulch to spruce up the slope in the Kenyon/14th/15th vicinity, as previewed here.

STUDIO SALE: Noon-5 pm, fine photography and art sale at Gregor Jamroski’s studio, details here. (10823 36th SW)

SANTA AT DAKOTA PLACE PARK: 1-4 pm at Dakota Place Park, with a food-bank fundraiser/foodraiser, sponsored by My Seattle Realty, which is donating one digital photo free – 2-can West Seattle Food Bank (or $) requested – others available for purchase from photographer Gail Ann. Reservations requested: Specify 1-2, 2-3 or 3-4 pm in e-mail to office@myseattlerealty.com. (California Ave SW and SW Dakota St)

SANTA AT CAPERS: DIY photos with “Ex-Westwood” Santa at CAPERS continue this Saturday/Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. Suggested donation per sitting $10; all donations benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.

‘WRAP IT UP’: Gift-wrapping fundraiser for Furry Faces and AARF Foundations’ animal-advocacy work, by donation. First session today, 2-7 pm at Beveridge Place Pub. (6413 California SW)

‘LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL’: Matinee today – 3 pm, ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (4711 California SW)

‘MIRACLE ON 34TH’ FINALE: 3 pm matinee is your last chance to join Twelfth Night Productions for “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play.”

(Photo by Gary Wigle)
Show’s at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)

FAUNTLEROY CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Christmas Concert at Fauntleroy Church: 4 pm in the sanctuary, with reception to follow. Choristers from Peace Lutheran Church will join the Fauntleroy choir to bring nearly 60 voices to bear on a varied program, including Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” and Morten Lauridson’s “O Magnum Mysterium.” Seattle Symphony alumnus Mannfried Funk will play cello. Free. (9140 California SW)

‘COCOA CRIS CRINGLE’ SANTA AT EASY STREET: Meet Easy Street Records‘ Santa for photos/donation drive benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. 4-7 pm. $20, or $15 with donation of 1 nonperishable food item or toy, includes 3 photos sent to you and 1 printed on site. (California/Alaska)

CARTOONING SANTA AT LUNA PARK CAFE: 5-8 pm, meet Cartooning Santa at Luna Park Café, drawing free cartoons for the kids, with drink specials for all ages. (2918 SW Avalon Way)

BOOZE, BALLS, BINGO HOLIDAY EDITION: 5:30 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) with Tru St. James and Mama Tits, guest appearance by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence – including a winter-coat drive for Treehouse. (6451 California SW)

CARMINA ANGELORUM CONCERT: 7:30-9 pm at Holy Rosary Church, an evening concert of elegant music celebrating winter and the holiday season, featuring harpist Juliet Stratton and the young women of Prime Voci and Cantamus. Works by Benjamin Britten, John Rutter, Bernard Hughes, Paul Carey, R. Murray Shafer, and Bob Chilcott. Sponsored by the Seattle Girls’ Choir. Tickets: $12, $8/Senior & Students – buy tickets at the door or at BrownPaperTickets.com. (42nd/Genesee)

FINAL DAY FOR VILLAGE GREEN GIVING TREE: At the Christmas Tree Lot at Village Green Perennial Nursery, it’s the last day to participate in a giving tree with wish-list tags to sponsor 31 special people through Jubilee Women’s Center, which support women experiencing poverty to build stable and fulfilling futures! All unwrapped gifts are due back today, so they are ready to be wrapped by the staff at Jubilee the next day. (10223 26th SW)

Other giving opportunities are listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Event/Info Guide.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Car stolen from building garage

Reader report via texts: “Our car was stolen out of the garage at The Residences at 3295 (SW Avalon Way) between 6 pm Saturday and midnight. Red Honda Civic, license plate 096 WDU, 2-door 1995 with spoiler.” As the SPD tweet advises, if you see it, call 911.