West Seattle, Washington
12 Thursday
(Alki Beach Park stop – 1st two photos by Don Brubeck)
9:51 PM: The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship is wrapping up a night of stops in our area – Lowman Beach Park, Alki Beach Park, Duwamish Waterway Park on the river in South Park, and Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). At most park stops, bonfires keep the beachgoers warm:
The ship travels with musical groups on board, serenading passengers as well as those on shore, visiting an ever-longer list of stops around Puget Sound, Lake Union, and Lake Washington during the holiday season. Its sailings continue nightly until Christmas Eve-Eve (December 23rd) – here’s the schedule on the Argosy site.
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: More from the Alki stop – the photos and video are by Jeff Larson, for WSB. The Calvary Chapel “live nativity” is a fixture every year:
Kayla Laskovon portrayed Mary:
Musicians from Seattle Lutheran High School performed at the Bathhouse:
While the Christmas Ship is provided by Argosy, much of what happens onshore is courtesy of Seattle Parks. Below, John Hasslinger surrounded by his teen volunteers from Hiawatha Community Center:
Their work was appreciated by eventgoers:
And that bonfire? Overseen by James Lohman and Becky Lofso from Parks:
Check our Holiday Guide for more of what is in store as the holiday season continues.
8:19 PM: We’re getting texts about what people think are gunshots or fireworks – pretty sure it’s the latter, as Seattle Sounders FC just won the Major League Soccer championship in Toronto. Congratulations to the Sounders – including Zach Scott, the West Seattleite who announced months ago that he would retire after this season – and fans!
Pure joy. #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/85rpxTS7aJ
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 11, 2016
8:28 PM: Speaking of West Seattleites, the congratulatory statement from King County Executive Dow Constantine:
They fought, and they won. Congrats to the Sounders for bringing the MLS Cup to Seattle. Our team’s march to the championship was an inspired comeback — from last place to the Championship. Toronto played a great match but the Sounders, led by Coach Schmetzer, had destiny on their side.
Fans across the region welcome the 2016 Sounders in the Parthenon of champs including the 1979 SuperSonics, 1991 Huskies, 2004 and 2010 Storm, and 2013 Seahawks. We love you Sounders, we do.
ADDED: Tuesday will be the big day – details still in progress. From the Sounders’ statement:
… Media and fans should be advised that Sounders FC is set to hold its MLS Cup Champions March and Rally on Tuesday, December 13 at midday.
Full details regarding timing, locations and the march route are being made available in the coming days in conjunction with the City of Seattle and other civic constituents.
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Fans are also invited to cheer the Sounders’ arrival at Boeing Field today – from the team’s announcement:
The team is expected to arrive at approximately 3:15 p.m. PT, and both media and fans are invited to come to Boeing Field’s King County International Terminal to welcome the victorious Rave Green home. Please note that the team’s arrival time is subject to change based on travel delays. … Fans are being asked to gather outside the main terminal, where the team will exit to greet the crowd upon arrival.
The family of Joyce Gould is sharing this remembrance with the community:
Joyce Gould, age 94, passed away on November 22, 2016, at her home in West Seattle.
She is survived by her two children, David Gould and Janet Walters; spouses Peggy Cummings and John Walters respectively; grandchildren Eric Gould and spouse Dwight Gaut, Stacie Worden and spouse Seth Worden, and Ty Walters; and great-grandchild Danielle Miller.
Joyce was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and grew up in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan,
and New York. Living in Norwich, New York, she married James Gould, her husband for the next 69 years, and after World War II moved to Seattle for economic and educational opportunities — a better life and future for themselves and their family. She worked at a variety of jobs, including several years on the Washington State Ferry system. Along the way, she helped her husband remodel several homes, and they built the home they lived in for the remaining 36 years of her life.
Funeral services will be held later in December at Tahoma National Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice in her memory. Arrangements by Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home. Share your memories of Joyce here.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The anti-Santas are at it again. Five reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
BRAZEN BURGLAR(S): From Matt:
Our home (4000 block 57th Ave SW) was burglarized mid-morning (Wednesday, 12/7). Fairly brazen entry. Police officers believe more than one entered through a secured back door by breaking a window with a thrown rock. This must have made a loud noise as the rock and glass shards traveled and spread some distance throughout the house. Every room was ransacked, so they were in the home for some time. Jewelry, laptops, printer and a slew of misc (and some very heavy) items taken. They left through the garage and grabbed power tools and a heavy tool box along the way.
The thieves then targeted an elderly neighbor’s home across the street. They threw bricks through a large den window to gain access, but the owner was home and able to verbally scare them off. This neighbor then heard a loud (bad muffler?) small car take off.
TAKEN IN CAR PROWL: Seen any of these items?
I am writing to report my SUV was broken into last night in Arbor Heights some time between 3am-9am. No windows were broken; somehow they popped my back hatch. They took a bag with an extra pair of clothes, makeup etc. The bag was a blue large xfinity bag; the contents were a pair of black yoga pants,a blue long-sleeve top, a military green jacket,a bunch of makeup and makeup brushes, toothbrush, deodorant & my son’s beanie. Not worth much but if anyone finds it I’d love to have it back. Please call or text me @ 206-735-1198.
STOLEN GROCERIES FOUND: From Dave:
At about 11a, residents of Genesee Hill recovered 3 bags of groceries dispersed along the edge of a park. This was an Amazon grocery delivery, and all the bags were ripped open, so it appears someone stole the bags from a doorstep expecting to find valuable holiday gifts, and then dumped everything onto the side of the road when they discovered it was all food.
Luckily the food was outside very briefly, because the bags were not even damp. All the food is in great condition and indoors now. The grocery order includes rice crackers. If someone believes this is their delivery, please call the SPD non emergency # to recover it. SPD has been notified. Otherwise we will donate it to the food bank on Sunday.
206-625-5011 is that number, by the way.
PACKAGE THIEVES AT IT AGAIN: From Clayton:
I live up by Riverview Park, Orchard Street just above 16th SW. Came home and found multiple boxes from Amazon and others ripped open and on my lawn… called police, who will pick up boxes, and called companies who deliver to report… looks like someone is stealing holiday packages off people’s porches.
ALSO STOLEN FROM PORCH: Package theft hit at Sheri‘s townhouse earlier this week, too, in the Morgan Junction area. It was supposed to arrive on a certain date but instead was left early, while she was out of town.
(First two photos by Orla Casey)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:25 PM: Seattle Fire is responding to a call characterized as a “minor explosion” near Fauntleroy and Alaska. At least one witness say it’s blown off a “manhole cover” near Spruce/LA Fitness. Power is out to more than 3,200 homes and businesses in West Seattle as a result, according to the City Light outage map. More to come.
1:32 PM: This has escalated to a “vault fire” callout.
1:38 PM: Adding a photo. Lots of emergency vehicles and big traffic backups, so avoid the Fauntleroy/Alaska area TFN.
1:49 PM: City Light says they hope to restore power “within a few hours.” SFD has canceled some of the units responding to the vault fire (for the commenter who asked what that means – it’s an underground vault that’s part of the electrical system). No word of any injuries so far.
1:55 PM: Now up to more than 3,900 homes and businesses out – this is on the City Light map as two separate outages, 3,200+ and 600+. Adding a screengrab momentarily for the record:
1:59 PM: And then … some got their power back, so the outage has returned to 3,200+. Thanks for the updates in comments – that’s usually first word of power restoration!
2:12 PM: Commenter Matt shared the photo you see above – the smoke coming from underground right in front of Spruce/LA Fitness just after explosions were heard. Meantime, the number of homes/businesses without power is down to 1,820.
2:33 PM: Seattle Fire has completely cleared the scene, meaning the fire is out. In addition to those still without power – an outage also affecting some traffic lights in the area – we also have several mentions that Comcast service is out.
2:52 PM: Just added above, our upload of Matt’s video (linked in comments) of the vault smoke from earlier. Meantime, more comments are saying power’s back, even in the immediate vicinity. Thanks for the updates!
3:55 PM: Down to 136 out, per SCL map.
9 PM: Five hours after that note – they’re still out. Meantime, a Spruce resident has published video from the aftermath of what happened this afternoon:
9:22 PM: Minutes before the estimated time of restoration, the power’s back for all, according to the City Light map. (Call SCL if yours is NOT back yet!)
Thanks to Val for the photo: SDOT was out installing one of the final components of the SW Admiral Way project west of California SW today. The sign was described on the project map last summer as “new westbound radar feedback sign at high speed location.”
Seattle Parks is working on a plan for the future of its “Soft Surface Trails” around the city. Your thoughts are being sought – including at a December 20th meeting – not in West Seattle, but not far:
This meeting provides an opportunity to learn about soft surface trails in Seattle and to provide input on the plan for trails within SPR’s natural areas. The final plan will include recommendations for trail-maintenance standards, levels of service and trail hierarchy, a determination process for how new trails are formed and overall guidance for the future of trails throughout Seattle. This plan is not specific to one particular park or area.
The trails meeting is at 6 pm December 20th at the Jefferson Horticulture Building, 1600 S. Dakota. The preview on this Parks website also includes a contact for questions and comments if you can’t make it to the meeting.
The snow’s mostly gone, but the memories aren’t. So we’re sharing Eugene‘s great Friday morning photo from Myrtle Reservoir Park as we look ahead to your Saturday. First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
SANTA! Sightings today include:
SANTA AT CAPERS: From CAPERS in The Junction, bring-your-own-camera Santa photos 9 am-noon. Free but monetary donation for the West Seattle Food Bank suggested. (4525 California SW)
SANTA AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE: Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Santa photos with Gail Ann Photography – here’s how to get an appointment, or drop in 9 am-4 pm. (9131 California SW)
SANTA PAWS: Get your Santa-and-pet photo during Santa Paws at West Seattle Windermere from 10 am-1 pm: “This is a free event that invites families, and their pets, to come take a picture with Santa! We are accepting canned-food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank.” (4526 California SW)
[UPDATE: Santa Al is actually at My Three Little Birds TOMORROW (Sunday) 11 am-2 pm!]
Also from the Holiday Guide today:
FIRST TIME EVER! West Seattle’s first Alternative Giving Fair with some 20 local and national non-profits welcoming donations that feed the hungry, support elders, care for creation, and strengthen community for all children. At Fauntleroy Church, 10 am-2 pm. Here’s a video invitation from Karyn Frazier, via the Southwest Seattle Historical Society (which is participating):
(9140 California SW)
CONCERT: Endolyne Children’s Choir “Winter Fantasy” Concert, 11 am at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Free (suggested donation $5/person, $20/family). “Featuring all three of our choirs, with singers in grades K-10. We’ll perform a variety of winter and holiday favorites, including songs celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, among many others. Reception will follow the show.” (3050 California SW)
LUNA PARK CRAFT FAIR: 11 am-4 pm, on the patio at Luna Park Café: “Handmade crafts from Luna Park Cafe employees and friends. Original art, prints, photography, jewelry, candles, terrariums, soaps, buttons, patches and much more. Great ideas for stocking stuffers and gifts from local artists.” (2918 SW Avalon Way)
ART UNDER $100: This huge sale starts with a VIP Hour ($20 via Brown Paper Tickets) from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, then free entry 2-8 pm. Presented by South Park Arts at Seattle Design Center.” (5701 6th Ave S.)
PARTY ON THE PORCH: It’s a Holiday Party on the Porch at the Log House Museum. 2-4 pm, before the Christmas Ship comes to Alki. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
HOLIDAY CRAWL: West Seattle Santa pub crawl, 6 pm – full details in our calendar listing. 21+.
‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET’: Join Twelfth Night Productions this holiday season for “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play.” The show’s at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at this Brown Paper Tickets link or before the show at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
CHRISTMAS SHIP IN WEST SEATTLE AND SOUTH PARK: This is it – the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship in West Seattle, plus its first-ever stop in South Park! Here are the stops are on the schedule for this night:
-3:25 to 3:45 pm at Lowman Beach Park
-4:10 to 4:30 pm at Alki Beach Park (here’s what else is happening before and after)
-8:00 to 8:15 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park
-9:05 to 9:25 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor)
Dickens Carolers are this evening’s performers for all stops.
**********************
Now, from our year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
INTRO TO FLY CASTING: Free class at Lincoln Park, offered by Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) – more info in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
IMMIGRATION RESOURCE FAIR: At Denny International Middle School, 10 am-1 pm – details in our calendar listing. (2601 SW Kenyon)
SOUNDERS MATCH @ OUNCES: If you’re looking for someplace to watch tonight’s MLS Cup (Sounders FC vs. Toronto, 5 pm) – Ounces will have it on the screens indoors and outdoors. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
BLAKE TOMASH: Singer-songwriter performs live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
LIT END: 4-piece band from Olympia, live at Poggie Tavern, 9-midnight. 21+. (4717 California SW)
EVEN MORE LIVE MUSIC FOR TONIGHT … at other West Seattle venues, on our complete calendar!
| 7 COMMENTS