West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
No West Seattle sightings today that we’ve heard of, but Saturday, Southern Resident orcas passed our area headed southbound in the morning, and then back northbound in the afternoon (as reported here – thanks again to everyone who shared location updates!). “Diver Laura” James was watching from the Brace Point area during the northbound pass, and shares the video above (we mentioned it briefly in last night’s sea-star report but you might have gone right past the link). Note that the boat with the orcas in the last two minutes was carrying researchers.
Stolen car to watch for, from Vera near 26th SW/SW 102nd, just east of Arbor Heights: 1992 dark-blue 2-door Honda Accord, license # 398-YBN, k2 stickers on the back triangle windows. She saw it being driven away less than an hour ago, but didn’t see the thief. She’s in the unincorporated area and has already reported it to the King County Sheriff’s Office. Call 911 if you see it.
P.S. In case you’re just tuning in to the news as the weekend ends – on Friday night, Seattle Police went public with Southwest Precinct crime stats for the first time in a long time (here’s our report). Auto theft is up in this precinct too – 12 percent compared to a year earlier – but that’s a third of the citywide 38 percent increase. Looking at Tweets by Beat for the weekend so far, the only auto-theft reported to Seattle Police in West Seattle was in the 4000 block of California SW, early Saturday morning.
(Photo credits: 1st two, WSB; third, courtesy Beer Church)
For the 16th year, the Beer Church Turkey Bowl has scored big for the West Seattle Food Bank. The big night of bowling and donating at West Seattle Bowl was last night, and Kendall Jones (below, with co-conspirator Kim Sharpe Jones) says Turkey Bowl-ers brought in “A truckload of food and $5,204. A good night.”
Here’s the truck in question – with West Seattle Food Bank team members:
Kendall and Kim also bring you the Washington Beer Blog.
In case you haven’t already seen this in our calendar, or heard about it via your child’s school: Kids 9+ and their families are invited to increase what they know about online safety – from cyberbullying to social networking to gaming, and beyond – at a free event tomorrow night. It’ll be hosted by Denny International Middle School, starting at 7 pm Monday in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School next door (2600 SW Thistle). The presenter is Stefanie Thomas, a victim advocate with the Seattle Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and there’s more info on the official flyer.
Dozens of people gathered outside a Harbor Island office this afternoon to demonstrate in support of hundreds who are protesting almost 200 miles away, on Burnaby Mountain, east of Vancouver, B.C. The Harbor Island office belongs to Kinder Morgan, which wants to triple the capacity of its Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta to Burnaby to carry tar-sands oil.
The expansion would bring hundreds more oil tankers into Northwest waters to receive that oil. While today’s Harbor Island rally was uneventful – though Port of Seattle police were visible nearby – the protest in Canada has resulted in dozens of arrests since Kinder Morgan obtained an injunction to prevent opponents from interfering with their preparatory work, which currently involves drilling. The pipeline-expansion decision is in the hands of Canada’s National Energy Board, which has an infopage about it here.)
Thanks to Roxhill Elementary library teacher Chris Robert for sharing the report and photos:
– Like Sanislo, Roxhill has received its shipment of $6,000 in books from its 2013-14 partnership with the Seattle Public Libraries funded by an Allen Family Foundation Grant. Many thanks to Sanislo Librarian Craig Seasholes and former Roxhill Librarian Pat Bliquez for securing this partnership.
– Thank you to the Friends of the Library for its donation of 2,500+ books to give away to Roxhill students. Books are covering the lunchroom tables, and students will select at least five books each when they come with their families for conferences … continuing through Tuesday.
– Author and illustrator Wendy Wahman visited, spoke, and drew with Roxhill 1st and 2nd graders. Ms. Wahman read her story “Snowboy 1, 2, 3” and shared her process when illustrating books. Thanks to the PTA for funding this event.
– Roxhill’s Book Fair @ Barnes & Noble included read-alouds by Roxhill teachers, parents, and students. ([Above] is a pic of teacher Mike Nguyen.)
We appreciate receiving school news we can share with the wider community – both after events happen, and info ahead of time for potential coverage by a WSB crew – e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com any time!
P.S. Seattle Public Schools‘ Thanksgiving break is just a few days away – one-hour early dismissal on Wednesday, then Thursday and Friday off, back to school Monday, December 1st. (As mentioned above, elementary schools have conferences instead of classes in the days before Thanksgiving.)
How about a miniature Alki Point Lighthouse or Space Needle for an ornament and/or wine-bottle tag, cut from remnant slate/soapstone? They’re custom-made for JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, and among the items you can browse/buy while visiting the Holiday Open House, continuing until 5 pm today. The Christmas-tree train is in the window again this year:
More ornaments nearby, including one that reminded us of an ongoing topic of local coverage:
Upstairs in the store (4445 California SW), don’t miss the complimentary Open House cookie bar:
And if you’re not ready to buy gifts yet … maybe something extra-festive for your Thanksgiving cooking:
We asked proprietor Tom Henry what else is hot this year – he mentioned Kyocera’s new non-toxic (ceramic) non-stick cooking line, among other things. More open-house info here (including the fermentation demo coming up at 3 pm).
(Saturday night sunset reflection, seen from Seacrest: WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
TURKEY DRIVE: Until noon, drop off one or more turkeys for the White Center Food Bank at Fauntleroy Church – WCFB is outside with a refrigerated van to happily accept your donation. (9140 California SW)
ARTS & CRAFTS SALE PLUS CRECHE EXHIBIT: Until 2 pm, second and final day for this newly expanded annual event at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church – handmade holiday items for sale, plus a chance to see an exhibit of creches. (California/Hanford)
(added) OPEN/MASTERS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS: As pointed out in comments, big USA Track & Field-sponsored event today at Lincoln Park, starting at 10 am – details here.
(back to original) FAIR TRADE SALE: The annual Fair Trade and Bake Sale at Our Lady of Guadalupe is under way now until 1 pm – details in our calendar listing. (35th/Myrtle)
J.F. HENRY OPEN HOUSE, DAY 2: 10 am-5 pm, second day of the big Holiday Open House at J.F. Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Deals, demonstrations, treats, more – see who and what will be there and when, by going here. (4445 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Last session of the WSFM before Thanksgiving, 10 am-2 pm. (added – we spotted greenery!)
Early wreaths at WS Farmers Mkt / Alm Hill Gardens pic.twitter.com/OFqHgeuxFY
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 23, 2014
(44th/Alaska)
CLOTHING-DONATION DROPOFFS AT VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Again this year, West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center is going to spend Thanksgiving helping homeless people, and they’d love to have your help, via donations of clothing/socks/etc. You can drop the items off 11 am-5 pm, at the center. (2236 SW Orchard)
GREAT BIG BAZAAR: Noon-3 pm, second day of the Great Big Bazaar at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood – details in our calendar listing. (39th/Thistle)
TAILGATE PARTY AT HPIC: Doors open at noon, game time at 1 pm, potluck tailgate party at Highland Park Improvement Club – details here. (12th/Holden)
KITTY HARBOR ‘PRE-BLACK FRIDAY DOORBUSTERS‘: Noon-5 pm, second day of pre-holiday cat/kitten adoption specials at Kitty Harbor. Be like Luci, dressed up in kitty-cat clothes as she waited in line with her parents Zach and Tati on Saturday:
Get more details here. (3422 Harbor SW)
KINDER MORGAN PROTEST ON HARBOR ISLAND: 12:30 pm, demonstrators plan to gather outside the Harbor Island offices of Kinder Morgan to show support for the Canadian campaign against an oil pipeline. Details on this Facebook event page. (2720 13th SW)
FALL WINE RELEASE/PRE-HOLIDAY SALE: 1-4 pm November 23rd at Two Brothers Winery. Wine, appetizers, live music. (3902 California SW)
FRED TALKS: 3-5 pm at Kol HaNeshamah – if you’ve heard of TED Talks, check out the first FRED Talks at KHN, as previewed here when first announced: “FRED Talk speakers will share stories of gumption, grit and gratitude and allow time for questions. Attendees will hear from all four speakers with a short intermission along the way. Suggested admission is $18 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Children’s activities will be available, ages 3-11, for $5 a session.” (6115 SW Hinds)
LATE-NIGHT LOW TIDE: This time of year, the low-low tides are late at night, and tonight it’s out to -2.3 feet around 11:20 pm.
A sea star wasn’t always such a memorable sight on a tidepool walk. Saturday night, though, we were glad to hear some were spotted in Constellation Park during a nighttime low-tide walk with Seattle Aquarium naturalists. The photo is by Antonio Ventimiglia, shared by Tom, who spotted the exploration event (sorry we didn’t have it on our calendar; turns out two more are coming up in December and January, and tonight you might just want to explore the beach yourself, as the tide will be out to -2.3 feet around 11:20 pm Sunday). Back to the sea stars; you’ll recall a new report earlier this week suggested a not-so-new virus might be factoring into the massive die-off. “Diver Laura” James, who has long been watching and investigating the sea star situation as a “citizen scientist,” went back to survey in Cove 1 near Seacrest shortly afterward; she shares this video spanning 8 years, from a time of plentiful starfish, to now:
Before and after Sea Star wasting syndrome – Cove 1 West Seattle – footage spanning 8 years from Laura James on Vimeo.
P.S. Laura was out whale-watching Saturday afternoon, as were many others – here’s her video, featuring a multitude of spouts as the group of orcas swam in nearby waters.
Big fun and big giving Friday night at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor):
The West Seattle High School PTSA thanks the community for making the annual “Reaching for the Stars” auction a tremendous. success. The auction was held on Fri. Nov. 21. Principal Ruth Medsker and PTSA President Cathy DeVore welcomed guests and supporters, including Mayor Ed Murray and County Executive Dow Constantine (WSHS alumnus), pictured holding a member of the WSHS class of 2032:
If you missed the auction, you can still support WSHS students via the PTSA’s fundraising efforts – go here.
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