West Seattle schools: National tutoring program Reading Partners now in action here, too – and you can help

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Southwest Precinct Community Police Team officers are usually the ones you’ll call about a chronic problem or concern in your neighborhood, rather than seeing them show up in an emergency situation. On Friday, we caught up with two of them in a setting aimed at solving a different problem – literacy challenges.

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Remembering Bjorg Orlob, 1943-2014, who ‘died happy among loved ones’

December 14, 2014 7:55 pm

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Family and friends gathered this weekend to remember Bjorg Orlob, who died last week at age 71. Here’s the remembrance looking back at her life:

Bjorg Olea Orlob passed away on 12/5/2014. Born Bjorg Solheim in Andoya, Norway, in the midst of the Nazi occupation on 9/26/1943, she emigrated to the USA at an early age. She grew up learning both American and Norwegian cultures and values, and embodied the best of both. She attended school in Bothell, and graduated Bothell HS in 1961. She already began collecting friends she would keep for life before she got her dream gift – a one-way ticket to Oslo – for her high-school graduation.

Once in Norway, she continued to make friends. She spent time working in Belgium as well as Oslo, and always took the time to love the places she visited and the people who inhabited them. Her travels took her many places, including much of Europe and parts of Africa.

Once she returned to the USA, she was introduced to the cousin of a high-school friend, and quickly fell in love with Carl Orlob, a US Naval Aviator.

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Happening now: Cartooning Santa at Luna Park Café

December 14, 2014 7:08 pm

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| West Seattle news

Just under one more hour to get over to Luna Park Café and meet Cartooning Santa – who will draw something for you, as he did for the young men in the photos Lindsay shared (thank you!).

The drawings are free, by the way! Luna Park is at 2918 SW Avalon Way.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Have you seen Ian’s car? (Update: WSB reader found it!)

December 14, 2014 4:00 pm

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| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

4 PM: Ian reports an overnight car theft:

Just wanted to spread the word about my stolen vehicle this morning. It was reported to the police, wasn’t impounded. Vehicle is a dark blue, 1991 Honda Accord, License Plate #ABE3499. Last seen at the corner of 14th Ave SW and SW Kenyon Street at about 8:30 PM last night. Was stolen sometime between 8:30 PM last night and 7 AM this morning.

As advised by the SPD @GetYourCarBack Twitter feed, call 911 if you see it.

10 PM UPDATE: Ian confirms what Cynthia mentioned in comments – she found his car! He says, “It was found and is in good shape. It was found about two blocks away from where it was taken, around 13th and Elmgrove. No windows broken. I’m guessing that they must have had a key of some sort. They went through the glove box and the trunk but there was nothing of value in either of those. The audio deck wasn’t taken. It being a 1991 Accord makes it an easy target to a certain extent. I am lucky to have made a habit of leaving nothing of value in my car.”

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3 changes on 35th SW: Red Star Pizza; JC’s Deli; Hallows Church

December 14, 2014 12:23 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Changes ahead at three locations along a one-mile stretch of 35th SW:

‘NEW BEGINNING’ AT RED STAR PIZZA: Fans of the Sunrise Heights pizzeria have noted an inconsistent schedule for a while, and as first noted here back in May, the location’s future has been up in the air, with plans for the site to be redeveloped as the new home of Clearview Eye Clinic. Last week, the Red Star Twitter account announced closure until further notice, but possibly a “new beginning” ahead. Then today, co-proprietor Shannon Cross e-mailed WSB to say she now owns Red Star along with her West Seattle-native uncle Bill Bent, and that they plan to “rock 7514 35th until 5/31/2015, then we will move location to another part of West Seattle. Red Star is here to stay… Go, Hawks!” (Added: They expect next Wednesday to be their “grand re-opening,” with hours Wed-Fri 4 pm-10 pm, Sat. 2-10 pm, Sun. 12-9 for starters.)

JC’S DELI TO CLOSE: Jeanette Cummings says she’s closing her sandwich shop/deli at 35th/Henderson after this month. It’s been there for 2 years and 2 months. She cites slow business, but we note that this building also is up for sale, offered for $675,000 in a listing that touts “three well-established tenants” as well as redevelopment possibilities (it’s zoned for development up to four stories).

HALLOWS CHURCH: The church at 35th/Cloverdale – formerly Calvary Lutheran, then Gatewood Baptist, then Life Church, but idle the past two years – is now launching as Hallows Church, according to a postal-mail postcard that points to a website which shows that it’s branching off from a church of that name in Fremont. (Side note: Property records show the building’s ownership is still in the name of Gatewood Baptist, as it has been since 2006; court records show a lawsuit between people associated with GB, regarding the future of the property, was dismissed earlier this fall.)

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West Seattle Sunday: Music, theater, gift-wrapping, Santa, carriage rides, more…

December 14, 2014 8:50 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo from Alki, while we awaited the Christmas Ship visit Saturday night)
Happy Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and ongoing regular calendar:

ARTS/CRAFTS FAIR: C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 am-2 pm again today. Local arts and crafts!

Photo above shared on Saturday by Jen from Village Mouse. (5612 California SW)

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: The youth of West Side Presbyterian Church present the musical “The Night I Heard the Angels Sing,” 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. Admission free, all welcome! (3601 California SW)

CARRIAGE RIDES: As part of Hometown Holidays in The Junction, 10 am-2 pm.

(WSB photo from last Sunday)
“Take a carriage ride down California Avenue pulled by beautiful Belgian Draft Mules. A treat the whole family and friends will enjoy. Stop off at the Farmers Market for complimentary hot apple cider.” (California/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, fresh local food/drink year-round. (44th/Alaska)

PATHFINDER’S HANDMADE WREATHS: Right around the corner from the Farmers’ Market, it’s the last of three Sundays that Pathfinder K-8 is raising money for Outdoor Education Programs by selling holiday wreaths “handcrafted by our students, faculty, and parents with locally donated greens. 100% of what we make goes directly into the classroom.” 10 am-2 pm. (SW corner of California/Alaska)

SANTA PAWS Pet-photo opportunity at West Seattle Windermere, 11 am-1 pm, bring a nonperishable-food donation. (4526 California SW)

COAT DRIVE AND SANTA PHOTOS: Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle, noon-4 pm. (Photo added, sent by Greg @ M2SO:)

“Bring a coat to donate and get a picture with Santa Claus. We will be accepting donations of coats (any size) to benefit the West Seattle Helpline. There will also be hot cocoa and photos with Santa on our chair lift.” (3602 SW Alaska)

BRIDGE ANNIVERSARY: The Bridge is celebrating its first anniversary in its new location with door prizes and more, through today’s Seahawks-49ers game, which kicks off around 1:25 pm. (California/Graham)

GIFT WRAPPING: Furry Faces Foundation will “Wrap It Up” again! Gift wrapping for donations, first of several sessions is today, 2 pm-7 pm at Beveridge Place Pub. It’s a nonprofit fundraiser and they’re still welcoming volunteers – details are in this post in the WSB Forum. (6413 California SW)

FINAL PERFORMANCE FOR ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: 3 pm matinee is the closing performance for Twelfth Night Productions‘ “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at brownpapertickets.com/event/917572 or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)

‘JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’: 3 pm matinee at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)

HANUKKAH TASTING EVENT: 3-6 pm at Metropolitan Market-Admiral, including latkes and brisket. (41st/42nd/Admiral)

LADIES’ MUSICAL CLUB: Free concert at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, 3 pm, featuring the music of Schubert and Brahms. (2306 42nd SW)

FAUNTLEROY CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 4 pm at Fauntleroy Church: Choirs from Fauntleroy UCC and Peace Lutheran, plus local instrumentalists. (9140 California SW)

CARTOONING SANTA: 5-8 pm at Luna Park Café. Third year for the “Santa” who also happens to be the café’s artist/muralist. He’ll be there “in his Santa chair, drawing cartoon pictures of elves, snowmen, and reindeer, and he’ll even take requests! Personalized pictures signed from Santa. … There is NO CHARGE, and never a very long line! We play Christmas music, hand out Christmas cookies, and the staff dresses up in their red and green best.” Food and drink specials for the occasion, too. (2918 SW Avalon Way)

GINGERBREAD-HOUSE BUILDING: Annual tradition @ West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center, 5 pm. (4400 42nd SW)

WINTER/HOLIDAY CONCERT: Carmina Angelorum: songs for harp & treble voices, 7 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 of Seattle Girls’ Choir. Works by Benjamin Britten, Zoltán Kodály, James Bingham, and Paul Carey to be performed.” Details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Genesee)

‘THE CHRISTMAS POST’: Last chance to see “The Christmas Post,” annual dessert theater at Westwood Christian Community. 7 pm. Admission free, as are the desserts. Child care for babies/toddlers. (9252 16th SW)

HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT’S FINAL WEEKEND: Until 9 pm tonight, or while the trees last, it’s the last scheduled day for the Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor), north of the school.

(WSB photo from this year’s first weekend @ Holy Rosary Tree Lot)
Part of this lot’s proceeds benefit West Seattle Helpline, Hickman House (domestic-violence shelter), and West Seattle Food Bank. (41st/Dakota)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via the Holiday Guide and regular calendar!

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Traffic-alert update: Tower-crane work complete, 35th reopens south of Avalon

December 14, 2014 8:07 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Reminder that southbound 35th SW will be closed for at least part of the day south of Avalon, as crews finish the tower-crane installation work at the 4435 35th SW mixed-use project. Here’s the Metro reroute info for the C Line, 21, and 50. One northbound lane has been closed, too; here’s our Saturday coverage – we’ll be checking in again today.

10 AM: Just went by – road is fully open again, crane complete.

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