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month : 11/2015 316 results

West Seattle Saturday: Big day to ‘Shop Small,’ and more…
November 28, 2015 9:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(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.

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Comcast outage: Readers report trouble in Gatewood
November 28, 2015 8:51 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | Utilities | West Seattle news

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.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Tis the season for porch thieves. Plus two other thefts, and a found bicycle
November 28, 2015 1:30 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

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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VIDEO: West Seattle Lights back, big and bright, for 7th season
November 27, 2015 8:39 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

West Seattle Lights, aka the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular, is back! Tonight’s the second night of the seventh season for the music-synched light show at 3908 SW Charlestown, right across the street from the water tower. For the best view, stand on the walkway around the tower:

Or, you can admire the lights and music up close:

(If you’re in a car, you can listen to the soundtrack at 101.9 FM.) It’s not just entertainment – it’s also a benefit for nonprofits – bring a nonperishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank and drop it in the bin right in front of the house, and/or donate to WSFB and the NW Parkinson’s Foundation by going here. Your host, Sir Charles the snowman, will thank you:

(And so will light-show creator Jim Winder, who now runs one in Maple Valley as well as this one in West Seattle, as you’ll see on the website.) The show continues nightly through New Year’s – find nightly schedules and other info by going here.

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West Seattle Christmas tree season: Holy Rosary lot now open
November 27, 2015 7:29 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Christmas tree season: Holy Rosary lot now open
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Though a few places in West Seattle had trees before Thanksgiving, today is the traditional start of Christmas tree season, and so it was opening day for the Holy Rosary School Tree Lot (rejoining the WSB sponsor team for the occasion). It’s just north of the school, with entrances off 42nd or 41st north of Genesee.

Tree types include Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Frasier Fir, Grand Fir, and Norway Spruce (:15 guide in our Instagram clip), with prices starting at $25. Again this year, part of the proceeds go to local charities. Other greenery available, including wreaths.

The hours are on the official HR Tree Lot website; it’s staffed by cheery volunteers, including Geraldine, who showed us the lot’s official Christmas tree costume:

The lot will be open through December 13th, 9 am-9 pm weekends, 2-8 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 2-9 pm Fridays. If you’re not ready to buy a tree yet, just remember that whenever you are, this lot and others we’ve spotted around West Seattle are listed in the WSB Holiday Guide.

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VIDEO: West Seattle High School, Salty’s in 2015 Holiday Parade
November 27, 2015 3:33 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: West Seattle High School, Salty’s in 2015 Holiday Parade
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The marching bands in this morning’s Macy’s Holiday Parade downtown included one local school this year, West Seattle High School. Above is our video, recorded as they made the final turn at 4th and University. We didn’t catch the banner but Nicole e-mailed this photo:

One week from tomorrow – on Saturday night, December 5th – you’ll see and hear the WSHS Marching Band as opening act for the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (Junction Plaza Park, NW corner of 42nd and Alaska, with a street closure providing more room this year!). Back to today’s parade – right in front of the Wildcats were the Nutcrackers from Salty’s (WSB sponsor):

As featured in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, Salty’s has Santa visiting for brunch the next three weekends, plus Christmas Eve.

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HAPPENING NOW: Native Holiday Gift Fair @ Duwamish Longhouse
November 27, 2015 1:30 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)
Potential gifts you won’t find anywhere else await you right now at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle; it’s Day 1 of the three-day Native Holiday Gift Fair. Above, Vashon Island-based Shotridge Studios‘ offerings include laptop sleeves and phone cases by Tlingit master carver/artist Israel Shotridge; below, artist Margie Morris is at work during the fair, adding designs to drums:

While you’re there, get your copy(ies) of the West Seattle Wildlife Calendar, with photos by Mark Wangerin (you’ve seen his wondrous bird photos here on WSB). It’s a benefit for Chief Sealth International High School environmental programs, and students are helping sell them – Elaine was on duty when we stopped by:

No admission charge at the Longhouse, which is also a cultural center, but if you want to support the tribe’s fight for federal recognition, “Stand With The Duwamish Tribe” T-shirts are being sold too:

You can also buy snacks/lunch while there. The fair continues until 4 pm today, 10 am-4 pm tomorrow and Sunday, at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW (turn into the parking lot from the west side

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BIZNOTE: Happy 4th anniversary, Thunder Road Guitars!
November 27, 2015 12:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Many reasons to shop The Junction for Black Friday/Shop Small Saturday – including the 4th anniversary celebration deals at Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor)! In our photo, that’s TRG proprietor Frank Gross, who started his business online, then after about a year moved into a California Avenue storefront between the Admiral and Alaska Junctions, and then five months ago took over an even-bigger storefront in The Junction, at 4736 California SW, where you’ll find TRG today. Today, tomorrow, and Sunday, you’ll find these specials at Thunder Road:

*15% off all guitars and amplifiers in stock

*Free shipping in the US

*Beginner acoustic guitars starting at $199

*15% off all new pedals

Stop in to wish Frank and crew Happy Anniversary! They’re open until 6 today, 10 am-6 pm Saturday, and 11 am-4 pm Sunday.

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West Seattle whales: Orcas reported southbound from Alki
November 27, 2015 9:40 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Thanks to Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales for the report: Orcas passing Alki, headed southbound. Let us know if you see them!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Post-Thanksgiving Friday info
November 27, 2015 7:58 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Post-Thanksgiving Friday info
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Two transit reminders for today:
-No Water Taxi
–Metro is on a “reduced weekday/no UW” schedule

If you’re going downtown today – remember the road closures for this morning’s parade and tonight’s tree/star lighting; here’s info from SDOT.

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‘Black Friday,’ West Seattle style: No need to stand in lines or dash down aisles
November 26, 2015 11:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

The post-Thanksgiving calm is starting to settle … except for the corners of the holiday-shopping world where people are lining up for the start of “Black Friday.” Instead of mall-mania, West Seattle’s local independent retailers invite you to sleep in and see what they have to offer – tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, and beyond. You don’t even have to wait for “Shop Small Saturday” – make it “Shop Small Every Day.” The WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide has some previews of local shopping highlights if you scroll down the page; also new this year, the West Seattle Junction Association is offering some ideas in a three-part Gift Guide (here’s where to start). Another stop for your list tomorrow – it’s the first of three days for the annual Native Holiday Gift Fair at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse – hand-crafted creations you won’t find anywhere else. (WSB photo: Garland-decked Easy Street Records, one of the local indie businesses where you’ll find deals Friday)

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UPDATE: Crash at 21st and Myrtle, driver in custody
November 26, 2015 9:23 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

9:23 PM: You might have heard the sirens a little while ago – a big initial response for a crash at 21st SW and SW Myrtle. It was first called out as a “heavy rescue,” but it’s been scaled back. We don’t have details on the circumstances but are off to check.

9:54 PM: It was a one-car crash at the curve by Sanislo Elementary. The car went into the shrubs on the slope west of the corner, north of the stairs. The driver got himself out, police told us at the scene, and is unhurt, but is in custody, while they investigate the possibility of DUI.

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Online records show a 34-year-old man was cited for being under the influence.

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TOMORROW: Sealth, WSHS marching bands in downtown parade
November 26, 2015 5:08 pm
|    Comments Off on TOMORROW: Sealth, WSHS marching bands in downtown parade
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

IF you’re going downtown to see tomorrow morning’s Macy’s Holiday Parade – you’ll have locals to cheer for: The Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School marching bands are both on the lineup, per their online schedules. The parade starts at 9 am and ends when Santa Claus goes by – the route is described in SDOT’s holiday-weekend alert. You can’t take the Water Taxi over since it’s not running on Friday, but you can take Metro, which will be on a “reduced weekday” schedule. (Anybody else from WS in the parade? Please comment, or message us, so we’ll all know to look for you!)

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HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Eagles’ 7th annual ‘Thanksgiving to Remember’ community dinner
November 26, 2015 3:28 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Eagles’ 7th annual ‘Thanksgiving to Remember’ community dinner
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Another group of West Seattleites putting the “giving” in Thanksgiving today – the West Seattle Eagles, serving their 7th annual “Thanksgiving to Remember” feast, free to all, until 5 pm. The first hour saw more than 60 people, they told us when we stopped by:

Among the Eagles and volunteers making everyone welcome are Armando Juarez, Christine Juarez, and Gatewood Elementary students Maddy and Ty:

The Eagles’ aerie is just south of the Junction post office, 4426 California SW.

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PHOTOS: Thanksgiving dinner @ The Hall at Fauntleroy, year 17
November 26, 2015 1:30 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

For the 17th year, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering is serving its legendary complimentary community Thanksgiving dinner right now at The Hall at Fauntleroy, all welcome, until 3 pm. We dropped in to photograph some of the smiling faces of the people who are spending part of their holiday making it happen:

T&TSC proprietor David Haggerty (3rd from right, above) told us that within the first 35 minutes or so, they had already served 100 diners. (What does it take for this large-scale feast to happen? See our behind-the-scenes story from 2012.) As is also a tradition, a table in the hallway also was laden with warm clothing available to anyone who needed to take some home.

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West Seattle Thanksgiving 2015: How the day began, beautifully
November 26, 2015 12:47 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

(Photo by John Bartell)
Thanks to everyone who shared photos of this Thanksgiving Day’s beautiful beginning. While the full moon was getting ready to set over the Olympic Mountains this morning, the sun was climbing up from behind the Cascades:

(Photo by Bryan Hendrickson)
As beautiful as Mount Rainier can be in sunrise glow, the Olympics had it beat this morning:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

(Photo by John Hinkey)

(Photo by Chris Frankovich)
Thanks to everyone who contributes to this community-collaborative news service day in and day out … photos, news tips, calendar listings, lost-and-found pet reports, comments, Forum posts, and so much more … here’s how and where to reach us, any time.

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West Seattle Thanksgiving 2015: What you need to know
November 26, 2015 6:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(One more view from Tuesday’s king tide/north wind – photo by Monica Zaborac)

Happy Thanksgiving! Again this year, we are thankful for YOU and this beautiful neighborhood we share. Here’s info you might find useful:

WHICH GROCERY STORES ARE OPEN: Here’s the list.

WHO’S OPEN FOR COFFEE: We heard from 7 coffee shops ready to serve you for at least part of today! See the Thanksgiving section atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide.

PRE-TURKEY WORKOUTS : Also in the first section of the Holiday Guide.

3 PLACES TO FIND A FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER:
The Hall at Fauntleroy, noon-3 pm (9131 California SW)
West Seattle Eagles, 2-5 pm (4426 California SW)
South Park Senior Center, 11 am-2 pm (8201 10th Ave. S.)
—-More in our preview and our Holiday Guide. And if you are looking for a way to be helpful today – dessert donations are accepted at The Hall starting at 10 am.

WHICH RESTAURANTS (AND BARS WITH FOOD) ARE OPEN TODAY AND/OR TONIGHT: Here’s the list (please note, it is a list only of who told us, when we called, that they planned to be open – always subject to last-minute change without notice to us, so please alert us if you find any discrepancies).

THANKSGIVING CHURCH SERVICES: 2 are listed in the Holiday Guide.

POST-DINNER ENTERTAINMENT:
The Admiral Theater is open this afternoon/evening – see the movies/times here (2343 California SW) … The West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular music-synched light show starts tonight, lights on at 7 pm – bring food for the West Seattle Food Bank! (3908 SW Charlestown)

TRANSIT CHANGES:
*Metro is on a Sunday schedule
*The Water Taxi is NOT running today or tomorrow
*Sound Transit Route 560 is on a weekend schedule
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on a normal schedule.

OTHER NOTES: No solid-waste pickup today … government offices, libraries, Parks-operated facilities are closed (except for golf courses including WS, closing “around 2 pm” per the city).

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New arrival lands in South Seattle College Aviation Maintenance Tech program hangar
November 26, 2015 4:41 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos/video)
The Learjet that just arrived in the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Aviation Maintenance Tech program hangar is a big deal in multiple ways.

For one – this program is the first in the state to get a plane like this.

For two – it’s a plane worth about $620,000 (original value $3.1 million), obtained by SSC for $10,000 (plus various one-timeexpenses, including hiring pilots to fly it here).

SSC showed off the C-21 Learjet 35A inside its Boeing Field hangar on Wednesday afternoon. Never been there? Here’s a quick look inside:

SSC is one of five schools in the state with Aviation Maintenance Tech programs, but the first to have a Learjet.

It’s government surplus that will now be put to use for hands-on training; Pat Prociv of the AMT faculty told us that they’ll be able to roll it out and run the engine.

The college explained in its acquisition announcement:

The plane was acquired from the Department of Enterprise Services that accounts for government surplus items. Formerly a plane for the Michigan State Police, the Learjet became available in 2014. Through a competitive selection process, South was selected to acquire the aircraft because of the number of potential mechanics it will serve. Each quarter the AMT program enrolls an average of 175 students.

The jet is 48 feet and 8 inches long, with a wingspan of 39 feet and 6 inches. Maximum speed, 471 knots (542 miles) per hour. As for the 8-quarter AMT program at SSC, read all about it here.

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2015 ELECTION: Mapping the City Council District 1 vote
November 25, 2015 9:57 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics


(Click image for zoomable view)
Though the City Council District 1 race isn’t officially settled yet, and won’t be until after the recount, now that the election is certified, precinct-by-precinct results are available, and that’s what you see in the map above. It was made by Ben Anderstone, a political consultant with Progressive Strategies NW, who granted our request for permission to republish it here. The tones are green for Shannon Braddock and red for Lisa Herbold, on a graded scale, so that the lightest of each is closest to the almost exactly 50-50 split that the election became on a raw numbers basis. In all, per the final results sheet from the county (page 45), 45 percent of the registered voters in District 1 – West Seattle and South Park – returned their ballots. That’s 27,757 ballots out of 60,991 registered voters; almost 10 percent of them – 2,714 of them did not include a vote in this particular race.

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West Seattle holidays: Menashe Family Lights going up
November 25, 2015 6:19 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

The season of light is about to begin, and nowhere in West Seattle does it shine more brightly than in the 5600 block of Beach Drive SW, where the famous Menashe Family Christmas Lights display is going up.

After seeing the work in progress, we stopped briefly late this afternoon to find out when the lights officially go on. Josh Menashe told us this Sunday (November 29th) is the night.

The box where you can drop off letters to Santa, as you can see, is back – and you’ll find Santa himself visiting on Saturday night, December 12th, 6-10 pm – bring a nonperishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank.

P.S. This is featured in our West Seattle Holiday Guide along with our area’s two synched-to-music light shows.

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Holiday giving: Sun shines on Lunches With Love volunteers
November 25, 2015 5:02 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | South Park | West Seattle news

Chalk signs pointed the way when we stopped by to see how the pre-Thanksgiving “Lunches With Love” volunteers were doing this afternoon in South Park. Steps from that sign, a garage was already filling with an estimated 400 sack lunches:

Upstairs, in organizer Lashanna Williams‘s sun-splashed kitchen, the all-ages volunteer crew continued making sandwiches and filling bags to deliver around the Sound tonight:

This is the third year for this day and night of pre-holiday giving:

You can still help – lunch-making was scheduled to continue until 6 pm, and then delivery starts around 9 – see our preview for location and other info.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Another all-West Seattle soccer championship game
November 25, 2015 4:43 pm
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! Another all-West Seattle soccer championship game
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

More local soccer success! Thanks to Dr. Bryan Wiebe for the photo and report:

The Mukilteo Turkey Shoot Tournament this last weekend had both West Seattle teams end up in the final (and a shootout after double overtime!). Silly ‘Staches (note the socks) won this tournament, and Neon Fire won the WSSC U-11 division. Both teams had RobRoy Chalmers as head coach. Both teams are Champions.

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Short on cash and/or companionship? 3 places welcoming you tomorrow for a free community Thanksgiving meal
November 25, 2015 3:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

This year in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, we have three listings for a free community Thanksgiving meal. Organizers for all three stress that everyone is welcome – no prerequisites.

(WSB photo: T&TS crew preparing 2014 Thanksgiving dinner)
HALL OF FAUNTLEROY’S FREE DINNER: Again this year, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering will host a free, elegant Thanksgiving dinner for the community, noon-3 pm. Plenty of volunteers already are lined up but dessert donations are welcome, as noted in our preview – drop them off starting at 10 am on Thanksgiving. The Hall is on the south end of the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE EAGLES’ FREE DINNER: Once again, the Eagles plan a free community Thanksgiving dinner on the holiday – follow the link for menu details. 2-5 pm. (4426 California SW)

FREE THANKSGIVING MEAL IN SOUTH PARK: The South Park Senior Center sent word that it is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal for anyone who would like to attend. It’s at the South Park Neighborhood Center, 11 am-2 pm. (8201 10th Ave S.)

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