West Seattle, Washington

12 Saturday

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month : 12/2014 304 results

Full Tilt Ice Cream temporarily closing shops, pulling its dairy-based products, as side effect of Snoqualmie Ice Cream recall
December 23, 2014 6:12 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

You might have heard about a voluntary recall of Snoqualmie Ice Cream products because of listeria concerns. No illnesses have been reported, but other businesses that use Snoqualmie products are affected – including Full Tilt Ice Cream, which is pulling its dairy-based ice cream and closing its shops for a few days. Here’s the explanation from FT’s Facebook page:

Unfortunately our stores are going to be closed until December 26th. Our dairy supplier, Snoqualmie Gourmet, has issued a recall on our pasteurized milk products. This does not affect our non-dairy and vegan flavors.

None of our ice cream has been contaminated, but to err on the side of caution, we have decided to pull all of our dairy-based ice cream.

If you have a pint at home that you bought at one of our scoop shops, feel free to bring it in for a refund or replacement. If you recently bought a pint from another retail outlet, you can return it to the store that you bought it from for a full refund. We are currently working as hard as we can to make ice cream and get open as soon as possible.

Again, that’s the message from Full Tilt. It is not the only business affected by the Snoqualmie situation – another popular local ice-cream mini-chain, Molly Moon, has temporarily closed its shops too. (Thanks to Chas and Amy for the tips on this.)

ADDED 12/25: Please see the comments for additional info, pending our next update on this.

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Update: 4 hospitalized after 4-vehicle crash at West Marginal/Highland Park Way
December 23, 2014 4:14 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photos: Vehicles at the lower end of the crash scene, W. Marginal/HP Way)
4:14 PM: Big emergency response to West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW, where a reported crash started as a small response but has grown to half a dozen SFD units – three vehicles and five people hurt. Avoid the area if you can. It’s been raining heavily for a while now so it’s a challenge to get just about anywhere.

4:44 PM: We are at the crash scene. It’s at the bottom of HP Way hill, blocking uphill lanes. Downhill getting through but slowly – avoid.

4:49 PM: We are told 4 vehicles were involved, 4 people taken to the hospital but no life-threatening injuries so TCIS is -not- being called out. Tow trucks are starting to arrive.

(Vehicle at upper end of crash scene, HP Way westbound/uphill lanes – firefighters had to cut away part of it to get someone out)
5:17 PM: Again, even though some traffic is getting through, avoid the area until there’s word everything is cleared – it’s slow going even in the directions that are open – we are back at HQ (adding photos), and West Marginal to the south (White Center-bound) was slow too. Even though TCIS won’t be involved, clearing the scene will likely take some time, with four vehicles plus debris to be cleared.

6:07 PM: Texter says the scene is clear – Metro has also messaged that Route 131, which goes through that area, is back to normal.

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West Seattle HS girls’ basketball team ranks #6 statewide!
December 23, 2014 2:48 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Congratulations to coach Sonya Elliott and her undefeated West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team – the new Seattle Times (WSB partner) rankings have them at #6 in the state (3A division). Next up for the Wildcats, an after-Christmas tournament in California; they’re going to Palm Springs for games Friday, December 26th, through Tuesday, December 30th (here’s the schedule). Their next game in Seattle is at home on Wednesday, January 7th, vs. Holy Names.

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Happening now: Holiday open house at Illusions Hair Design
December 23, 2014 1:42 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Holiday open house at Illusions Hair Design
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

The team at Illusions Hair Design is in the midst of what we believe to be the last Holiday Open House before Christmas, at least among West Seattle businesses! You don’t need an appointment to drop by and say hi, any time before 8 pm – they have treats (as shown on the Illusions Facebook page!) and plenty of good cheer – 5619 California SW.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Robbery outside Avalon apartments
December 23, 2014 11:20 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

We’ve just obtained the police report for an armed robbery reported early today in the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way. The exact address has been redacted, but the holdup is described as having happened in an apartment-building parking lot visible from apartments above it (which likely means a parking area off the alley). The police report says it happened just after 1 am and that the victims told them they had pulled into the lot and were getting out of their car when the three robbers approached from the north.

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How are Harbor Island cleanup sites doing? State announces your chance to see new draft status reports
December 23, 2014 10:28 am
|    Comments Off on How are Harbor Island cleanup sites doing? State announces your chance to see new draft status reports
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(From Ecology website: Aerial image of BP site)
The state is continuing to watch three cleanup sites on Harbor Island, and just sent an announcement that draft status reports are available for your review and/or comments. From the Department of Ecology, with links to each report:

Past and ongoing cleanup work at three major oil terminals on Harbor Island in Seattle continue to protect public safety and the environment, according to reviews drafted by the Washington Department of Ecology.

Ecology is making the draft reports available for public review and comment through Jan. 26, 2015. The reviews cover the cleanup status of BP West Coast Products Terminal, Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminal, and Shell Oil Harbor Island Terminal.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Lunch with Santa; Christmas blues; more…
December 23, 2014 9:13 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Lunch with Santa; Christmas blues; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seen off Seacrest Tuesday! Photo by Laura James – no relation to “Diver Laura”)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and our ongoing-through-New-Year’s WS Holiday Guide:

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: If you can donate blood, consider visiting the Bloodmobile in The Junction until 3 pm today (except for the 11:30-12:30 break). Details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Alaska)

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT ILLUSIONS: 11 am-8 pm, you’re invited to stop by Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor), no appointment needed, just drop in for treats and good cheer! (5619 California SW)

LUNCH WITH SANTA: We spotted him at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) right after Thanksgiving, and he’s back today for lunch:

Starting at noon. (9261 45th SW)

NEED TO GO TO THE LIBRARY? Seattle Public Libraries are closed Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day, so get there today!

HAPPY HANUKKAH! At sundown, 8th and final night of the Festival of Lights.

‘BLUES TO DO’ CHRISTMAS PARTY: 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), this week’s “Blues to Do” is the Christmas Party edition, with special guest Seth Freeman. (6451 California SW)

LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY? Find the info we’ve compiled about restaurants, grocery stores, and church services in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Christmas Eve-Eve Tuesday updates
December 23, 2014 7:13 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:13 AM: Relatively light commute so far, all around the region.

Transit reminder: Metro service is normal (except for the “no UW” cancellations) again today, but then schedule changes start tomorrow and continue through New Year’s Day – the “reduced weekday” schedule will be in effect tomorrow, for starters, meaning some local routes don’t run at all.

P.S. The Water Taxi will NOT run on Christmas Day.

8:04 AM: TW notes in a comment that the 1st/Horton light has been undergoing repairs, and there’s been a bit of backup coming off the bridge at 1st.

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Low-low tide tonight, ‘coastal flood advisory’ Tuesday morning
December 22, 2014 8:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Another round of tidal extremes has arrived – if you’re up for a late-night low-tide walk, it’s the lowest tide of the month just after 11 pm (-2.7), and almost that low tomorrow night (-2.5) at quarter till midnight. The morning high tides this week are the “king tides” awaited each year, and the <strong>National Weather Service has a Coastal Flood Advisory out for some possible overflow tomorrow: The predicted high tide is 12.6 feet at 6:19 am tomorrow, building toward 13.0 high tides at 7:39 am on Christmas Day (that’ll be the morning high tide for the two days afterward, too). Read more about it on the city’s Convergence Zone website.

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West Seattle Christmas lights: Two more homes to see
December 22, 2014 7:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

You’ve been to the Menashe house. You’ve been to West Seattle Lights & West Seattle Yuletide. Where else to see bright sights of the season?

That’s the Davis house at 4152 46th SW (map). Duane Davis shares photos and datapoints:

We have 10,000 lights with mix of traditional and LED. Come enjoy the Cotton Candy trees and drive up the block for more lights from our neighbors. The last picture was taken of our Hawks flag flying among the Christmas lights:

It was taken by my daughter following the Hawks win in Phoenix. Go Hawks! Merry Christmas from the Davises.

And another bold and bright display – this next photo’s from Valerie:

This one’s at 3431 48th Ave SW (map). Any other lights folks should see, yours or others’? Send a photo and address! editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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As for West Seattle’s ‘pit’: Murray CSO Control Project pours postponed until after Christmas
December 22, 2014 5:43 pm
|    Comments Off on As for West Seattle’s ‘pit’: Murray CSO Control Project pours postponed until after Christmas
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Another “pit” update tonight – this time, for the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project‘s million-gallon-tank pit across from Lowman Beach. As tank construction begins, King County Wastewater Treatment says the next two major concrete pours – with half the truck volume of the big one earlier this month, but sizable nonetheless – are now postponed until after Christmas. Click (if you’re on the home page) or scroll for the full update:

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Tunnel updates: Opening no sooner than August 2017; access-pit digging on hold again; new ‘settling’ info
December 22, 2014 2:35 pm
|      75 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

(Added: New screengrab from tunnel-machine-access-pit camera)
2:35 PM: Even if nothing else goes wrong with the Highway 99 tunnel project, it won’t be open for use any sooner than August 2017.

That’s an estimate made by the contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners BEFORE the recent discovery of “settling” in the area; WSDOT just disclosed the date today, as part of a general pre-holiday update. The update also says that while no new settling has been detected near the pit being built to retrieve the cutter head of the broken-down tunneling, machine, settling elsewhere “is greater and farther reaching than anticipated. Engineers are still evaluating whether other factors are involved that could explain the discrepancy. We will continue to conduct daily inspections of the viaduct and watch the survey data closely as STP moves forward with their work. As we write this, we’re on a conference call with other reporters and reps from WSDOT and STP – we’ll be adding more details shortly.

ADDED 3:19 PM: The conference call is over; from WSDOT, it included project executive Matt Preedy and spokesperson Laura Newborn, and from Seattle Tunnel Partners, executive Chris Dixon, plus local/regional/national reporters.

Among the many points of note:

-The August 2017 date that debuted today was described as coming from the “October update” by STP. We asked why it wasn’t mentioned before, not even during the official stakeholders’ briefing (at which we were the only news org on hand) in early December. STP explained that these updates – which WSDOT now plans to make public – take several weeks to assemble, so the “October update” is just being parsed now. (Which means, they acknowledged, we won’t know full details of the “November update” – which would still not include this month’s turbulence – until January, and so on.)

-The schedule will remain “dynamic,” said WSDOT’s Preedy, until the tunneling machine is back in operation. (In other words, even the new August 2017 date is nowhere near set in stone.)

-Excavation of the pull-the-cutter-head-out-for-repairs pit is on hold now for two weeks, and not expected to resume until early January. Digging stopped on Friday, about three days after WSDOT had said it could resume. Some non-structural pilings, explained in the official online update, are being pulled out before they start going to the next level. STP’s Dixon explained that digging had been done in stages, about six feet at a time, before an evaluation of where everything stood. At the completion of the most recent stage – to 90 feet in pit depth, aka “-74 in elevation” – they decided to pause for piling removal.

-Would it have been quicker, in hindsight, to approach the tunnel-machine repair project from the south/interior? STP insisted it’s happy with its choice to build the pit to try to hoist the cutter head out, even though it’s of a magnitude that has never been done before, given the machine’s record size, etc., and has “been more difficult than anticipated.”

-The settlement of the Viaduct itself, when recalculated as explained in the online update, will likely be a bit less than estimated, but the settlement causes in the area remain a mystery, and an investigation continues.

-As for the big issues – who pays for all this unanticipated work? – the state continues to point out that this is a “design-build contract” and that STP is expected to do whatever it takes to fulfill that. Pressed on certain specifics, WSDOT’s Preedy said he didn’t think it “appropriate for either party to speculate” on how it’s all going to be worked out.

-About the “70 percent complete” recent proclamation, today’s answer seemed to mostly boil down to, that’s the percentage STP has been paid.

P.S. To see the “October schedule” from which the August 2017 open-to-traffic projection was pulled, go here. WSDOT also has published the September schedule, which also seems to project that same month (albeit a couple weeks earlier than the Oct. “schedule”).

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Followup: New charge against ‘flasher’ suspect Duane Atwood
December 22, 2014 2:02 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

When 37-year-old Admiral resident Duane Atwood was charged last July in connection with an indecent-exposure incident on Beach Drive, prosecutors said they expected to charge him “soon” for alleged telephone threats against an acquaintance. We’ve been watching court files ever since. This month, he was charged with one count of felony harassment, and his bail was doubled to $500,000.

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West Seattle development: Design Commission revisits The Whittaker; see the art, landscaping planned around its site
December 22, 2014 11:40 am
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   4755 Fauntleroy | Development | West Seattle news

The Whittaker update @ Seattle Design Commission


When the Seattle Design Commission gave its qualified approval last year to The Whittaker, West Seattle’s biggest development project ever (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW), they told the project team they’d have to come back when certain aspects of the project finished taking shape.

That return visit happened on Thursday, and revealed more details of the art and landscaping that will surround the building. We’ve since obtained the full slide deck shown at the meeting (see above), which resulted in some suggestions by the commission, whose role in the project is related to the fact it required an alley vacation (subsequently approved by the City Council this past April).

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West Seattle Monday: Highlights for today/tonight
December 22, 2014 9:13 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Highlights for today/tonight
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Light-green lichen on trees at Lincoln Park; photo by Mark Ahlness, shared via WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

BLOOD DRIVE IN GATEWOOD: If you can donate blood, consider stopping by Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood sometime between 1 and 7 pm (except for the 3-4 pm break time) to donate during today’s drive. Details here. (39th/Thistle)

ART EXTRAVAGANZA FOR TEENS: First day of no school & looking for a teen-friendly activity? 2-4 pm at Delridge Branch Library, jump into an arts/crafts project during today’s Teen Space. *Note that city libraries are closed Christmas Eve & Day. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

SANTA CLAUS: Find him today at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 3 pm-7 pm. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

SHOP LOCAL! Even if your favorite local store isn’t usually open Mondays, today it just might be. Example: Thunder Road Guitars at 3916 California SW, open 11 am-5 pm. Some stores might be open later than you think – Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW) is open 10 am-8 pm. Curious Kidstuff at 4740 California SW is open 9:30 am-7 pm on Monday. (All 3 are WSB sponsors and just a sampling of many stores we think you’ll find open today!) We have other local-shopping notes in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, where you’ll also find links to our Christmas Eve/Day restaurant and grocery info. (Anyone with local-shopping info to add for tonight/tomorrow/Wednesday? Please e-mail us ASAP – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!).

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Holiday week #1 begins
December 22, 2014 6:57 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:57 AM: Today marks the start of what we’ll call holiday week #1 – first week of winter break for schools, meaning more people on vacation overall, which should mean lighter traffic.

Metro service is normal (except for the “no UW” cancellations) today and tomorrow, and then reduced service kicks in through New Year’s Day; the “reduced weekday” schedule starts Wednesday (Christmas Eve) and continues through the first Friday of the year (except for Christmas and New Year’s Days, both Sunday schedules).

11:29 AM: If you are headed this way via I-5 northbound, from somewhere to the south, be forewarned there is a 2-mile backup because of an incident just south of the exit to the West Seattle Bridge, per WSDOT.

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Crime Watch: Another business burglary, this time at Zippy’s
December 22, 2014 6:30 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

Zippy’s Giant Burgers proprietor Blaine Cook was expecting today to be one last full day of business before an early closure Tuesday for the staff party, and then a long holiday break. Instead, Zippy’s will be opening a bit later than usual today because he has to buy a new cash register – to replace one stolen by burglar(s) who broke a door to get in. He told WSB he’s not sure what time it happened; a family member who comes in to clean around 4 am discovered the broken glass and missing register.

The cash register is the only thing taken, according to Cook (update – Zippy’s Facebook post says, a safe too) – the burglar(s) didn’t even take the champagne that was awaiting the staff party. No surveillance video – no camera – but that, he says, will have to change. Since Zippy’s is in the unincorporated area (9614 14th SW), the King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating; deputies were just leaving as we arrived. You’ll recall the Greenbridge area had a spate of business burglaries last month; Zippy’s is several blocks west of there.

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West Seattleites represent at tonight’s Seahawks win in Arizona
December 21, 2014 10:12 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Kimberly Pena for sharing that photo – it’s her brother Brian Pena and 11 of his friends who flew to Arizona for tonight’s Seahawks game, a 35-6 win over the Cardinals! The Hawks are playoff-bound again this year – but first, one more regular-season game to get through, vs. the visiting St. Louis Rams, 1:25 pm next Sunday.

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Video: West Seattle Runner’s annual tour of lights, on the run
December 21, 2014 8:59 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: West Seattle Runner’s annual tour of lights, on the run
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

Another outdoor event that benefited from tonight’s cleared-up weather: West Seattle Runner‘s annual Christmas Lights Run. Above, a bit of video as dozens of runners and walker left the store’s parking lot at California/Charlestown. WS Runner proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell were the hosts/leaders, for the fifth time since they launched the business (a WSB sponsor) in 2010.

The eventual destination – just a few blocks east, though the run/walk was taking a roundabout route to get there – the synched-to-music Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular/
West Seattle Lights, which you can visit any night during the holiday season (we stopped by and caught the display’s snowperson trio introducing a new addition – note they’re offering hot cocoa 6-8 pm Christmas Eve).

Next year, launch point for the Christmas Lights Run will be a ways north, since, as reported here last month, West Seattle Runner will be moving to The Admiral District. But in the meantime, they’re still at Charlestown Center, where you can Christmas-shop through Tuesday (that day they’ll be open until 8, and then closed Christmas Eve/Day).

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Welcome, winter! Scenes from tonight’s Solstice Sunset Watch with Alice Enevoldsen
December 21, 2014 7:48 pm
|    Comments Off on Welcome, winter! Scenes from tonight’s Solstice Sunset Watch with Alice Enevoldsen
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)
About an hour after Winter Solstice 2014, the sun graced NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s sunset-watch event at Solstice Park tonight, to the joy of skywatchers of all ages!

If you haven’t been to one yet, Alice has been leading solstice/equinox sunset watches for more than five years now:

That includes coaching on what to look for at Solstice Park, planned so the setting sun aligns with certain points in its stone-marked plaza:

Today, just after 4, with the sun’s cooperation, the ~40 in attendance were able to check the solstice-sunset alignment:

(Photo shared by Lori)
And then, the sun made its exit – still warm enough (and dry!) to linger:

Looking ahead, the spring equinox arrives at 3:45 pm our time on March 20th – watch Alice’s website and her “Skies Over West Seattle” reports here for news of the next sunset watch.

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West Seattle holiday giving: Arrowhead Gardens’ special delivery
December 21, 2014 6:52 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle holiday giving: Arrowhead Gardens’ special delivery
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Thanks to Diane Radischat, president-elect of the Arrowhead Gardens Residents Community, for sharing the photo from a special delivery her group made downtown today:

The residents of Arrowhead Gardens collected socks for the homeless. We delivered 208 pairs of socks, 20 pairs of gloves, 21 hats and one scarf to the Union Gospel Mission. This is our 3 year of doing the Fill the Box with Sox drive.

(Arrowhead Gardens is West Seattle’s southeasternmost retirement community, just past the east end of Roxbury, on the hill to Highway 509.)

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West Seattle’s Masonic Lodge #152: Changes inside and out
December 21, 2014 5:08 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
At lower-center in our top photo, that’s the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction, the biggest structure still standing on the 40th/Alaska/Fauntleroy/Edmunds block, where The Whittaker soon will rise to the north and east. That project’s developer is giving the center’s parking lot a major regrade and upgrade because of the impact – you can see that in the photo too, with its new asphalt and striping. But those aren’t the only changes for the center-headquartered Alki Masonic Lodge #152, which dates back more than a century. On Saturday, the public was invited to its leadership installation. Below, outgoing Worshipful Master Bob Rice:

Installed to succeed him, the Lodge’s new WM, Martin Monk:

Also installed were Bill Van Cleave, Senior Warden; Michael Sawyer, Junior Warden; Richard Syson, Secretary; and Gary Langenbach, Treasurer. If you haven’t been involved with Lodge #152 or its auxiliary/associated groups, you might know its headquarters best as a rentable hall that’s home to many community events each year, such as the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake-breakfast benefit in early December, and some sponsored by the Lodge itself, such as the annual School Awards. The hall’s calendar for 2015, laid out in the program for Saturday’s ceremony, even includes plans to participate in the WSB-presented West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 9th.

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West Seattle holiday giving: American Legion Post 160’s kits for vets
December 21, 2014 4:16 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Thanks to Kyle Geraghty of American Legion Post 160 for the photos and report:

West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary Unit 160 came together today to assemble care packages for homeless veterans in our community.

If you know a veteran who is or is at imminent risk to being homeless please make a call to 877-4AID-VET (424-3838) to be connected 24/7 with VA’s service to overcome or prevent homelessness.

If you are a veteran or family member of a vet and would like to support projects like this, contact American Legion Post 160 at wslegion160@gmail.com or 206-932-9696.

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