West Seattle, Washington
05 Thursday
West Seattle’s newer music-synched light show has started its season too: This is the third year for West Seattle Yuletide, presented by the Iversons, midblock on the east side of 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota. We stopped by tonight for a bit of video – apropos to another clear night, we caught “Let It Go” from “Frozen.”
The hit movie’s sisters Anna and Elsa even appear alongside your host Olaf the snowman on the south side of the yard. While you can hear the songs if you’re standing in front of the house, they’re also broadcast on short-range 101.9 FM. The schedule’s here.
P.S. You’ll find WSY listed along with West Seattle Lights (featured here last night), and the Menashe Family Christmas Lights (scheduled to start Sunday night) in our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
Meet another of your neighbors who’s doing what she can to help people in need. Stephanie Endres created Stephanie’s Lifeline, and organized this afternoon’s Backpacks Bring HOPE event, filling 100 backpacks with basics – first-aid kits, toiletries, some food and beverages. We visited her HQ on Pigeon Point to see the results:
Next step, delivering to the recipients. The slogan on Stephanie’s website: “It’s better to do something small than do nothing at all.” Here’s how to get involved.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:03 PM: Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports, starting with an investigation under way now:
POLICE SEARCH: Thanks for the tips about a police response in Upper Alki/West Admiral. Scanner traffic indicated they were looking for someone but no details on why; our crew went to the center of the search, Admiral Way and Lander, to try to find out more. Police there tell us someone reported being “grabbed” while walking in the area. They were talking with a possible suspect when we arrived so we don’t have further details; as far as we can calculate from the time frame that was mentioned, they didn’t get the report until at least 45 minutes after the incident, so it’s been at least an hour and a half now since the incident. We’ll add anything more we find out.
Since we’re talking Crime Watch, we’ll add two reader reports that came in earlier today:
CAR-PROWL SPREE: Ray shared this report sent to neighbors:
I’d like to thank Kathleen for letting me know my car had been broken into and I should also thank the Seattle Police Department and Officer J. Dobson for their swift and professional response. Last night my 2013 Honda Accord was broken into and a cell phone stolen on 38th Ave SW between Juneau and Raymond.
A total of four cars (and counting) were prowled last night between 9:00 pm and 7:00 AM today. If anyone has video on these cars, SPD would be really pleased to hear about it. Case #15-414043 at 206 733 9800 if you have related information. A $200 reward for apprehension and conviction of the thief is up for grabs (will be split, if there are multiple competitors for the prize).
I lost a cell phone out of my car and consider myself lucky that was the only theft. I expect to be replacing the door and the trunk lid, courtesy of our little friends. A few tips.
1) Never leave valuables in your car, even in our safe little area.
2) Particularly and especially valuables with data in or on them that can be used for identity theft.
3) If you are a firearms aficionado, please see #1 & #2. If the Seattle Chief can have his service weapon stolen out of his car, there is not a single one of us that is magically invulnerable. Leaving a gun in a car is a bad choice on many many levels – keep it on your person or under adult supervision at all times.
4) If you don’t have a car alarm system, now is a good time. If your system only triggers when a door opens, now is a good time to upgrade. My little thief caved in a window and went in through said window, cleverly not opening the door.
5) It is likely time for us all to be a little more aware as the holidays approach and thievery abounds. There has also been a uptick in packages being stolen from doorsteps throughout Seattle.I will be installing an external camera covering our primary parking area shortly. I suggest doing the same, and I have found the AT&T alarm and surveillance system to be quite satisfactory.
GARAGE BURGLARY: Sent today by Rebecca:
I just wanted to report that our garage was broken into Thursday night, near 35th and Manning. The door was open in the morning and we thought we left it open, but then realized that all of our tools were gone. They did not take bikes or golf clubs, but a couple drills, chop saw, large tool box and several other tool sets. Not sure if any other burglaries were reported int he area, but seems like around the holidays the rate of burglaries goes up. Our garage is separate from the house but we were home and have several house guests and three dogs so a pretty brazen burglary.
ADDED 11:11 PM: One more report has come in tonight – from Lori:
Last night between the hours of 11 pm & 7 am. 3 of 4 tires/rims were taken off our 2012 Subaru. It was parked in our alley @ the 5200 block of 41st Ave.
Just mentioning this in case you saw/heard the big initial response: The “fire in building” call at a condo building in the 4400 block of 44th SW was basically a false alarm, triggered by a problem accidentally setting off a sprinkler in the garage. The units that haven’t already been dismissed will be wrapping up shortly, we were told at the scene.
We’re just back from a trip north to south for this special day of “shopping small” – with hours left for you to get out and visit independent small local businesses, if you haven’t already.
First stop, The Admiral District, where Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW) proprietor Stu Hennessey is a major evangelist of not just this particular event but also sustainability in so many ways. At Alki B&B, which Stu has owned since 1987, it’s 10 percent off everything today.
Plus his team – Will and Lucas, above – were quick to tell us what else is up – half off tune-up certificates, and a special holiday layaway/hideaway where they’ll keep the gift for you as late as 6 pm on Christmas Eve.
From there, we headed around the corner to Atomic Boys (4311 SW Admiral Way), specializing in toys and retro candy, launched by the Sadow family almost eight years ago. The full name, Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, is after Kent and Parris Sadow‘s sons, who are now young men, soon to turn 19 and 14, respectively. So what’s big at Atomic Boys? Kent was quick to say – BeanBoozled!
The game and the candy, both. (And more Jelly Bellies in general are due in soon)
A little further south in Admiral, this is the first holiday shopping season for West Seattle Runner in its big new space at 2749 California SW.
Johanna and Tyler posed for us since proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell are at the Seattle Marathon Expo today (the race is tomorrow). What’s new at WSR? Lots of new shoes, they tell us.
Next stop, Meeples Games (3727 California SW, upstairs), the game store/cafĂ© where proprietor Laura Schneider and team are celebrating their second holiday season with big fun in honor of “shopping small”:
We last stopped by Meeples during their raucous Halloween-night session of “Werewolf,” and Laura says that was such a hit, they’re making a plan for a New Year’s Eve game gathering – which game, TBA.
Ducking over to 3400 Harbor SW, we visited Claire E. Jones at The General Store Seattle, who points out she’s stocking 900 truly locally made items between her storefront and online ordering:
It’s a cozy shop but many are on display. She’s excited about the wreaths you see above – from Kitsap County – and we found some West Seattle-specific items you might consider as stocking stuffers, including these:
Through December 1st, The General Store is also offering the Causetown Holiday Shopping Extravaganza, online or in-store, where part of your purchase can go to a nonprofit – read about that here.
In The Junction, where you have many places to “Shop Small” today and every day of the year, we visited Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW), brimming with activity because of the JOIN pop-up as well as fun items like Ozobot, demonstrated by proprietor John Smersh:
John and wife Frances Smersh just celebrated Click!’s 11th anniversary. One shopper heading in was heard to warn her friend that the shop is “dangerous” – in a good way.
You don’t have to be an angler to shop at Emerald Water Anglers (42nd SW & SW Oregon), our second Junction stop. While you’ll of course find all things fishing, including a sale on Patagonia waders (with new ones due to arrive soon), you’ll also find jackets to keep you warm and dry even if your only outdoors activity is walking from house to car.
Today’s deal – EWA will pay your sales tax.
In Morgan Junction, shopping small is more fun than ever this afternoon at Second Gear Sports (6529 California SW). The sports-themed donuts will make you smile even if you don’t indulge:
Second Gear is West Seattle’s only sports consignment shop, with all manner of items in great shape, from skis to bikes (10 percent off today!) and beyond.
Proprietors Mark and Ellen Bremen just celebrated SGS’s second anniversary.
Make EVERY day Shop Small Day – not just to keep your $ in your community, but also, because they’re cool people with cool stuff! Our traditional disclosure: Of the stores mentioned above, Click!, Emerald Water Anglers, Meeples, Second Gear, The General Store, and West Seattle Runner are WSB sponsors.
Maybe you already have some of these items and can donate … or maybe you’ll consider buying something while out shopping. Nicole Sipila from the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA sends word of what the school’s Clothing Closet needs:
Chief Sealth International High School is thankful for the generosity of our community to keep our Clothing Closet stocked with clothing, school supplies and toiletries for our homeless students and other students in need.
We currently need these items:
*College-ruled composition books
*Graph paper composition books (5×5 quadrille preferred)
*Gloves & mittens
*Cold-weather scarves
*Men’s athletic and sweat pants — all sizes and gently used is great
*Men’s dress socks
*Men’s new or gently used blazers and suit jackets — all sizes but especially smaller sizesDonations can be left at the front office. 2600 SW Thistle St
That’s during school days/hours – but if you want to find out about other ways of getting your donated items there, contact Lisa – lisalconley@hotmail.com.
(Photo by Robert Jack)
Happy sunny/foggy Saturday!
‘SHOP SMALL’: Today’s the day many of your favorite independent local West Seattle businesses are offering special reasons for you to come get some holiday shopping done, as are their counterparts coast to coast. Some shared advance info with us and you’ll find it atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide. We’ll also be out covering “Shop Small” at local retailers, so check back here later to see what we’re finding! (You can follow our Twitter feed for highlights, too.)
NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: 10 am-4 pm, second of three days at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle. Here’s our coverage from the first day. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
CAT ADOPTIONS: Kitty Harbor is opening its doors noon-5 pm to find homes for dozens of cats and kittens. Like Edgar:
(Photo courtesy Kitty Harbor)
“(Today) Kitty Harbor has 25 kittens and 17 adults available for adoption. Kittens – Maine Coon, Siamese, Black, Orange tabbies, Torbies … Adults – Siamese, black Manx, Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon, Tuxedo, Black, Himalayan, and an all-white deaf female with one blue eye and one green eye. (3422 Harbor SW)
BACKPACKS BRING HOPE: 2-5 pm, come donate items and/or time to help fill backpacks for people in need – full details here, including how to RSVP. (3830 22nd SW)
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: Night 3 of the music-synched lights starts at 5 pm. Here’s our coverage from Night 2. (3908 SW Charlestown)
WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: Tonight is the second scheduled night of this light show. (38th SW between Genesee and Dakota)
LIVE MUSIC! See tonight’s listings on our year-round calendar.
Multiple reports this morning of Comcast being out in Gatewood. They’re reporting the company hopes to have service back by 11 am.
Side note: Checking the city’s Office of Cable Communications page, we note it’s still taking comments on the proposed Comcast renewal through Monday.
We start this Crime Watch roundup with video of a porch thief who wasn’t even stealing a package:
Ramin‘s home surveillance camera was rolling when a thief stole “some stuff” from the porch earlier this week near 45th SW & Erskine. Thieves are striking in daylight too. From Sarah:
Wanted to let you know that we had a package delivered on our front porch by the USPS and within a half an hour the package was stolen off our front porch. We live on 35th between Barton and Cambridge. So, please let people know this is happening, and if they see a package on their front porch to not delay in retrieving it. I am filing a police report. Happy Black Friday…
Justin reported a package stolen from a porch in Gatewood, on SW Thistle between 35th and California.
Vehicles and their contents remain targets too. Car prowler(s) hit Tyson twice in less than a week, near 42nd SW and Hill in Admiral:
I’m a videographer and store some of my equipment in the back of my car under a cover which prevents it from being seen from the outside, but they busted my back window and took between $3,000-5,000 worth of lighting, tripods and misc gear. I assume the first time was just a test to see if my alarm would go off and they returned less than a week later to finish the job. I know I should have learned my lesson the first time but didn’t believe they would be back…lesson learned.
Police say they just can’t repeat this often enough … don’t leave anything in your car. Anything at all. Even if you think it’s hidden, even if you think it would be of no value to anyone else.
Meantime, Kellen‘s stolen trailer was found, minus its contents:
Last Friday morning the 20th between 7:15 and 8:30 my black enclosed utility trailer was stolen from my parking spot at the Public Storage facility located on Olson Place. The thief someone managed to remove the coupler lock and make off with the trailer using a U-Haul truck (according to the limited security video reviewed by the facility). The trailer was recovered the following day by Renton Police but all my tools and equipment used from my contracting business were missing. While I will very likely never see any of my tools again, maybe there is a very slight chance that another tenant there saw/remembers something suspicious from that morning that could be of help to the police in possibly finding those responsible. Or if all else, this could serve as a notice to current tenants of that facility to take extra precautions with your belongings that this kind of thing can happen; even in a seemingly well-secured place.
Last but not least:
FOUND BICYCLE: Look familiar?
Mark sent the photo, explaining that it turned up this evening on the side of his house, on 64th SW between Alki SW and Admiral Way. (If you’re missing a bicycle and haven’t seen the other found bikes featured here recently, check the Crime Watch page for links.)
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