West Seattle, Washington
28 Wednesday
West Seattle’s Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network hopes you can help them find and help this injured pup. From Robin Lindsey:
I wanted to let you know that Seal Sitters’ first responders are on high alert for a harbor seal pup with a serious neck wound, most likely from a fishing net or line. Today, we received a call that a pup was on the inaccessible beach at Jack Block Park. The pup was positioned such that a rescue would have been difficult and most likely would have resulted him escaping into the water, but he was able to get some much-needed rest on the beach.
We would like to ask your readers to please be on the lookout for any seal pup on the beach and call our hotline @ 206-905-SEAL (7325) immediately if you see one. It is our fervent hope that we will be able to capture this pup and take him for treatment. Please note that only members of NOAA’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network are authorized to handle marine mammals. Please keep a distance (and dogs leashed) and call Seal Sitters.
Marine debris and other toxic trash pose grave dangers to marine wildlife. We have expanded a section of our website that offers more details about the dangers marine mammals face – and ways to help.
This is the third positively identified pup that Seal Sitters has responded to in the past week along Elliott Bay’s shoreline, after a strangely quiet pupping season.
Thanks so much – we appreciate the extra eyes on the beach!
At this past Thursday’s Orca Talk event, presented by The Whale Trail, Robin detailed just how “quiet,” and unusual, this season has been. That’ll be part of our upcoming report on the event.
For the second consecutive evening, a lighting ceremony in The Junction. Tonight, it was in celebration of the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, as Rabbi Zari Weiss and members from West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah sang songs and blessings and lit the menorah’s first candle.
Passers-by were invited to join the festivities, with song sheets handed out:
Hanukkah traditions were on display too – the spinning tops called dreidels, and gelt, gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins:
Kol HaNeshamah has even-bigger Hanukkah celebrations coming up at their place of worship, which is co-housed with Alki UCC at 6115 SW Hinds – candlelighting on Tuesday and a party on Saturday (more info on the KHN website), followed by an event you might already have seen in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – a “FRED Talk” at 8 pm with storyteller Merna Hecht.
Imagine buying one-of-a-kind holiday gift baskets for family and friends and knowing the entire purchase price would benefit local nonprofits. That’s what’s at the heart of the annual St. Nicholas Faire, happening right now at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) just north of The Junction. The baskets are assembled and donated by church members, each with a theme:
We noticed baskets with Seahawks or Mariners gear, books, toys, cooking, gardening, beer, the list goes on. You can either bid on them or get them for the “guaranteed” price. Your host is FLCWS pastor Rev. Ron Marshall:
Wine-tasting and homemade baked goods are also available during the St. Nicholas Faire, on until 7 pm – as noted in our daily preview for today, there’s a suggested donation for admission, lower if you bring a donated item for the West Seattle Food Bank, which benefits from everything at the Faire along with the West Seattle Helpline. The church is at 4105 California SW; enter off California, just south of the sanctuary door.
P.S. This has been spotlighted in our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, still full of fun, giving, and informational listings for the rest of the holiday season (and if we’re missing something, let us know!)
(WSB photos)
If you walked into Westwood Village Target at a certain point this morning, you might have been startled to see half a dozen Seattle Police officers in a huddle. Nothing to worry about, though – they were there to help local kids get ready for the holidays. This is what was once upon a time called “Shop with a Cop,” and now goes by the name “Heroes and Helpers.” That’s why the young participants had reindeer-antler hats inscribed “Holiday Helpers”:
It was more than a title – the $100 each kid had to spend was supposed to go in part for somebody in their family, so they could give as well as receive. Each teamed up with an officer:
… and after a quick chat, it was off to shop:
The police participants are from community-outreach programs – from left, below, with Target team members, are Det. Kim Bogucki, Sgt. Adrian Diaz, Officer Kevin McDaniel, Officer John O’Neil, Officer Jon Flores, and Officer Erin Rodriguez:
They worked with community organizations to choose kids to participate – Neighborhood House, among others.
If you have a coat you don’t need … or if you can afford to buy one to donate … a coat drive is on right now for students at Interagency Academy, a network of small alternative public high schools in Seattle, with two West Seattle businesses as the dropoff points. Interagency’s assistant principal Melissa Rysemus, a West Seattle resident, explains:
Are you looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in our city this winter? Consider donating a new or gently used warm coat for a student at Interagency Academy! Interagency is a public alternative high school serving students from all neighborhoods in Seattle. Over 30% of the students enrolled at Interagency are homeless, some are young parents, and most live in poverty.
All sizes are welcome, especially adult sizes from small to XXXL as students can be up to age 21. Hats, scarves, gloves and other warm clothes are also welcome. Some of the students have kids or siblings they take care of, so small kids sizes are needed too.
And West Seattleite Stephanie Gerding adds:
Some of these students live in tents and attendance at schools serving disadvantaged children is down right now —it is simply too cold to make their way to school! Many of these kids don’t have the clothing to stay warm in these cold days. Some teachers are literally giving the coat off their own back when they see these students in need of a little warmth. … There are lots of West Seattle kids that attend this school.
Husky Deli in The Junction (4721 California SW) is a dropoff spot, open Sundays 10-7, Mondays-Saturdays 9-9. Also, Lika Love in north Morgan Junction (6031 California SW) is accepting donations too (and giving $10 off purchases today if you bring something in to donate – open until 5 pm).
P.S. We’re adding this to the “Giving Opportunities” section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN CAR: Emily‘s silver 2010 Nissan Altima, plate AXL5242, was stolen sometime between 2 am and 11 am Saturday in Delridge. As the @getyourcarback tweet says, call 911 if you see it.
PACKAGE THEFT ON VIDEO: Two clips from an Admiral resident’s security cameras, plus the backstory:
Here are the pertinent details.
1. We live in North Admiral near 41st and Holgate.
2. We found an empty box on our porch (Saturday) morning with a note from a neighbor saying, “We found this on our lawn.”
3. The box had been addressed to us, but was ripped open, the items removed and then the packaging was discarded in our neighbors yard.
4. We used the tracking number to find out it had been delivered to us Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the box and take it inside when we got home Friday night.
5. We have video cameras installed, so we reviewed the video and found that at 3:39 AM (early Saturday morning), a car drove by our house, the turned around and returned. A young woman got out, came through our gate, walked up to our doorstep and took the box.We reported the incident to the police and have the entire event on video, so wanted to share it with you. If anyone can identify the thief or the car, please let us know. It would be great if we can stop these criminals before they steal from other people during this holiday season.
Some alternative tips for delivery are among the police recommendations for deterring package theft.
This weekend marks 20 years in business for salon ef-fekts’ (5409 California SW). We found this out from staff member Brooke Wood, who e-mailed to say that proprietor Missy Wheat deserves a congratulatory shout-out. Here’s the item and photo Brooke shared:
She and her husband John have run and owned salon ef-fekts’ since 1995.
Missy graduated cosmetology school from South Seattle Community College in 1989 and has been doing hair and working in West Seattle ever since. She opened the salon in ’95 with just her behind the chair; with her hard work and dedication, she has built her salon into the still-thriving salon it is today. She loved educating and pushes everyone to do their best and try their hardest in business and everyday life.
Besides being a kick-butt boss, hairdresser, educator, and caregiver, she also does so much for the community, from collecting food for the West Seattle Food Bank, toys, and back-to-school stuff for Treehouse, to local school auctions all year long.
Thanks to everybody who shares updates about business anniversaries, whether it’s your own or someone else’s – as a small local independent business ourselves, we know how much work it takes to keep going – editor@westseattleblog.com is our all-purpose mailbox for tips and info; thanks!
Just found out about this, which is why it wasn’t in the daily preview (we’ll add it there shortly): You’re invited to join Rabbi Zari Weiss and members of West Seattle synagogue community Kol HaNeshamah for a public celebration of the first night of Hanukkah. They’ll be in The Junction for candle-lighting and singing at 4:30 pm, on the southwest corner of California/Alaska. All welcome!
Good morning! Today’s highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
(WSB photo from last Sunday)
BENEFIT WREATH SALES: Pathfinder K-8 will be back in The Junction selling their famous handmade wreaths, 10 am-2 pm. (California/Alaska)
HOLIDAY ART SHOW/SALE: Final day of Brace Point Pottery‘s 18th annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, 10 am to 5 pm. Joining Loren Lukens, four additional artists in an exhibition of pottery, wearables, jewelry and prints. A Seattle Sampling event – follow that link to see other WS studios that are participating. (4208 SW 100th)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round, 10 am-2 pm. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
HOLIDAY BAZAAR: “Come join us from 12 pm-5 pm at the Community School of West Seattle holiday bazaar! We have everything from bath fizzes, handmade pens, jars of treats, fingerless gloves, tasty baked goods, art photography, and more.” (9450 22nd SW)
DECK THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM & LEARN ABOUT VOLUNTEERING: Noon today, come to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum on Alki and learn about volunteer opportunities (no, you don’t have to be a West Seattle history expert!) – and while you’re there, help decorate the museum for the holidays! More info here. (61st SW & SW Stevens)
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A LIVE RADIO PLAY”: Twelfth Night Productions‘s production has a matinee today at 3 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at this Brown Paper Tickets link or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
ADMIRAL SINGS CHRISTMAS! “West Seattle’s favorite family Christmas sing-along. Join the fun to sing everything from White Christmas to Silent Night to Frosty the Snowman!” 4 pm, Admiral Church; Come at 3:30 for a sumptuous chocolate buffet, yum! It’s FREE! See you there!” (4320 SW Hill)
HANUKKAH BEGINS – UPDATED WITH JUNCTION CELEBRATION: At sundown, the first of eight nights. ADDED: Candle-lighting and singing at 4:30 pm in The Junction, at California/Alaska. (back to original) Local Hanukkah events later in the week are in the Holiday Guide.
ST. NICHOLAS FAIRE: 4 pm-7 pm, the 7th annual St. Nicholas Faire at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is being held to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline.
(WSB photo from 2014 St. Nicholas Faire)
“We offer appetizers and spiced cider or mulled wine; silent auction of gift baskets featuring beer, wine, coffee, cocoa, kitchen items, games, puzzles, art activities, Seahawks & Mariners gear, baked goods, children’s books, etc, and gift cards from local merchants and restaurants. Plus a ring-toss game and wine tasting.” Lower level of the church. Donation: $5 per person with non-perishable food item or $15 per family with food donation for each member. If no food donation, then $10 per person or $25 per family. (4105 California SW)
COMMUNITY + LOVE: An acoustic-music benefit to support John and Frances Smersh, 6-9 pm. Note: Online tickets have sold out. (204 1st Ave. S.)
‘WINTERSONG’: South Seattle College Community Choir in concert at 7 pm, Fauntleroy Church UCC, Bronwyn Edwards, Music Director with John Lehrack, Pianist/Conductor. Free admission. All welcome. (9140 California SW)
LOOKING FOR SANTA? CHRISTMAS TREES? LIGHT SHOWS? WHAT’S COMING UP? All in the Holiday Guide.
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