West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
A heartwarming story – told in verse – from the WSB inbox this Christmas Eve:
A true Christmas story for everyone to enjoy:
Twas the night before Christmas, with no food in the house, so off to get groceries, for me and my spouse.
Bacon, eggs, bread, wine and rice, fruit and ice cream, checked off my list twice.
Away to the checkstand, I flew like a flash, to purchase my goods with not enough cash.
But what to my wondering eyes should I see? A guy with just greeting cards, that I let cut in front of me.
He replied with a thankful “no way really?”
And which I exclaimed, with an “of course, don’t be silly!”To the cashier, he muttered something unclear, that was meant for just him and her ears to hear.
“Merry Christmas” he said as he left out the door! What a friendly man, I thought! A nice smile and more!
Now it’s my turn in line, to purchase my stuff. Hoping to God but doubting that I had enough.
With a look of weary, yet hopefulness in my heart, the lady exclaimed, “He gave me enough to cover your whole cart!”
I replied “Shut the Front Door!” and other words to not include. “Oh my God! Seriously? What a cool dude!!”
Tears began to fall down my excited cheeks in a flurry, leaving the store with vision so blurry.
This kind, generous stranger, out of nowhere came here, and left us all with a great feeling of Christmas cheer!
The moral of my story, my fellow West Seattleites, is to Pay It Forward, Merry Christmas and to Have a Great Night!!!
-Thank you kind and giving stranger at the Roxbury Safeway tonight!!! You have no idea how much you brightened our holiday and spirits! You are amazing, and the true definition of what this time of year should be all about! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
–Bradi and Tim Jones
Thanks to Kristin for tonight’s Christmas-lights photo: She says this is on 34th SW between Othello and Webster – inflatable elf, and all!
(Photo taken just before 11 pm – line stretched past The Kenney at that point)
7:45 PM: Christmas Eve trouble for Washington State Ferries on both Vashon routes – the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route had to cancel some sailings because of a crew shortage, but WSF says things will be back to normal after the canceled 8 pm departure from Fauntleroy. Then, the South Vashon (Tahlequah)-Tacoma (Point Defiance) route went out of service until further notice “due to damage to the Pt. Defiance dock apron following a medical emergency.” No estimate yet how long it will take for repairs; keep an eye on the WSF website’s “bulletins” page for updates.
8:32 PM: The Fauntleroy terminal currently has a one-hour wait, according to WSF.
8:52 PM: Now that’s up to two hours, also because, “The Issaquah continues to operate one-boat service on the route making multi-destination sailings in place of the regular fall weekend schedule. Due to limited vessel capacity and holiday traffic demands, there will be upcoming single destination service based on demand.”
6:34 AM SUNDAY: WSF says Tahlequah-Point Defiance is still out of service TFN. Vessel Watch shows two boats running now on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth.
5:27 PM SUNDAY: The Point Defiance dock still isn’t fixed, so the South Vashon run is still out of service.
Thanks to James Bratsanos for the sunset photo on this Christmas Eve/first night of Hanukkah! It’ll be chilly through tomorrow, forecasters say.
So you’ve finished your last-minute shopping (or, if you haven’t, check here to see who’s still open) – and would love some help wrapping. That’s what the volunteer animal-advocate elves of Furry Faces Foundation are doing right now at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW). Bring your gift items in and they’ll “Wrap It Up” by donation (how much? you decide) until 6 pm.
Need a Christmas tree, still? Junction True Value (WSB sponsor) is giving away the few non-artificial they have left – while they last (they’re closing today at 4 pm, as noted in our list of where you can do last-minute shopping). 4747 44th SW.
It’s a gift only you can give … your time. Here’s a request from the White Center Food Bank (which also serves south West Seattle):
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR INVENTORY HELP DECEMBER 30!
Are you available to help weigh and count the inventory of the White Center Food Bank? We start at 9 am and go until it’s done (usually before 2 pm). We will need 5-10 people who can lift 40 pounds. Other tasks that morning include counting and recording. If you can help with this important yearly task, contact Audrey Zemke at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 206-762-2848.
If you have family/friends visiting via vehicle, please remind them not to leave anything in the car, as thieves don’t seem to take time off for the holiday:
CAR PROWLS: From Lea – “Riverview neighborhood had multiple smash and grab car prowls” on Thursday night. No further details. Also, from Mariya near 28th SW/SW Nevada, “Our truck got broken into (Thursday) night for the 3rd time. We park on the street and never leave anything of value inside. We’ve filed police reports every time. One time they stole the sifter gear knob and now they’ve stolen our radio. They must have a key to the truck because they never break windows, just let themselves in.”
PACKAGE THEFTS: From David and Adam, “Multiple packages stolen from 8600 block of Fauntleroy Way SW on Thursday.” And Elton says a neighbor reported packages stolen from their townhouses around California/Hinds on Friday.
Hoping for a Silent Night tonight. If not … we’re at 206-293-6302, text or voice.
Thanks to Karyn Sherburne for the photo from somewhere in Lincoln Park (where, by the way, Thomas e-mailed to report hearing a pack of coyotes early today, so if you’re walking your dog, keep it close). Here’s what you need to know about the festive day/night ahead …
WHERE YOU CAN SHOP TODAY: We’ve added more local indie businesses where you can do your last-minute gift shopping – see the list here. (Grocery-store closing times are in the Holiday Guide.)
WHERE YOU CAN DINE TODAY: Here’s our list of restaurants (and coffee shops with more than pastries) open Christmas Eve and/or Day.
CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY CHURCH SERVICES: The full list is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOWS: They too are in the Holiday Guide, including lights set to music!
And this isn’t just Christmas Eve:
HANUKKAH: Tonight is also the first of the eight nights of Hanukkah. No local services that we have heard of; Kol HaNeshamah has an event next Wednesday.
Also from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: “See you all at Walt Hundley Field at 9 am this morning. And bring elf/Santa/festive hats. Also bring red shirts and green shirts if you have them.” (34th SW/SW Myrtle)
(Added 10:40 am: WSB photo, Santa & spouse at Endolyne Joe’s)
SANTA AT ENDOLYNE JOE’S: Going to Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) for breakfast? We hear Santa’s taking a break from his last-minute preps to stop in, 9 am-11 am “ish.” (9261 45th SW)
FREE FOOD: “Taquitos Feliz taco truck will be giving out free food on December 24th from 11-4. Please stop by and get some tacos. We are located at 7427 Fauntleroy Way SW in West Seattle across from Lincoln Park. Happy Holidays from all of us at Taquitos Feliz.”
HELP PREP FOR FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER: The Christmas People say volunteers are welcome 9 am-4 pm – along with homemade-cookie dropoffs – at Alki Masonic Center in preparation for tomorrow’s free Christmas dinner. (4736 40th SW)
GIFT-WRAPPING FUNDRAISER: Need some help wrapping?
Wrap It Up! With Furry Faces Foundation!
Beveridge Place Pub, 12 pm – 6 pmHave your Christmas gifts wrapped while watching the Seahawks game! The elves of Furry Faces Foundation are looking forward to wrapping your gifts in splendor and uniqueness! We have gift wrap, bows, tape, ribbon, garland, pine cones, pipe cleaners, name tags, and more! It’s up to you how much you would like to donate for the gift wrapping with 100% of the proceeds going directly to helping animals. Please note the Beveridge Place Pub is 21+ and over
(6413 California SW)
Have a great day/night! WSB really is 24/7/365 so if there’s breaking news today/tomorrow/beyond, we appreciate the tips as always, 206-293-6302, text or voice.
1:40 AM: The photo is from Sofia, who explains a Seattle Fire call to the Menashe Family Lights on Beach Drive Friday night – trouble in the Nativity scene: “We were just looking at lights as usual, and noticed white fog coming from behind the Virgin Mary. I thought it was a fog machine, but then we realized it was a fire. Several of us called 911, someone knocked on the Menashes’ door and let them know, the neighbors got water. I guess the straw that was part of the stable scene caught fire.” We’ll be checking with the family later this morning to follow up.
12:06 PM: We just followed up with Jack Menashe. He says it was apparently a problem with old wiring in the manger display, and it’s being fixed, but tonight, the manger will instead be illuminated with a spotlight. Everything else is OK, so if you’re going for Christmas Eve, don’t worry, it’ll all be bright as ever.
The photo taken in The Admiral District is from Katie Kauffman, who explains:
(On Friday) West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice called attention to Wells Fargo’s substantial investments in the Dakota Access Pipeline.
In the photo they are singing a song to the tune of ‘Let It Snow,’ with the refrain, ‘Move your dough! Move your dough! Move your dough!’
Opponents of the pipeline – or its original route, which the Army Corps of Engineers is re-examining – have been encouraging people to take their money out of the financial institutions bankrolling it. Wells Fargo is reported to have loaned more than three and a half billion dollars for the project.
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