West Seattle, Washington
12 Thursday
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
West Seattle’s brightest Christmas lights, at the Menashe Family house (5605 Beach Drive SW), are going up right now, and got a boost today from the Junction-based crew of the Seattle Fire Department‘s Ladder 11.
Talk about a tree topper!
The big star that goes atop an ever-taller evergreen went up with the help of L11’s firefighters, much to the delight of onlookers of all ages. The Menashes tell us they’re planning to have the full display up by Thursday night (December 1st).
Santa Claus will be visiting again this year too – on Saturday, December 17th, bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank and take your photo with Santa under the lights, 6 pm-10 pm.
Thanks to the Pathfinder K-8 School wreath crew for sending the photo of Cole and Sadie, with this report:
Pathfinder is kicking off their annual wreath sale at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today! All proceeds of these handmade, locally sourced wreaths go to help fund outdoor-education programs at Pathfinder K-8. Come on down and get into the holiday spirit! We’ll be here until 2 pm today.
As usual, you’ll find them on the southwest corner of California and Alaska. If you miss them today – they’ll be back 10 am-2 pm the next two Sundays, December 4th and 11th – OR you can order a wreath online by going here.
P.S. We’ll be updating this info in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – if you’re selling wreaths or trees, having a holiday bazaar/concert/activity/celebration that’s open to the public, etc., please be sure we have YOUR info too – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
The family of Doreen Gretchen (Mallory) Hammond, 88, is sharing this remembrance with the community:
Doreen Gretchen Hammond, a lifelong resident of West Seattle, was born September 4, 1928 in Seattle. Doreen passed away November 19, 2016 in West Seattle, her home for 88 years. Doreen was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, cousin, and friend. Doreen graduated from West Seattle High School in 1946. She was preceded in death by husband Harry Lloyd Hammond of Black Diamond; parents Dillon and Margaret Mallory; and her son Hal Jeffrey Hammond of Seattle. Surviving are daughter, Pamela Jean Hammond Miller (John); 3 grandchildren, Jason A Miller (April), Gretchen R Miller, and Brian Jeffrey Hammond (Natalie), all of Seattle; 6 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Margaret Hammond; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Hers was a Masonic family, with father, husband, son, and son-in-law either or both Masters or members of West Seattle Lodge 152 F&AM and the Nile Shrine. Doreen was a lifetime member and Past President of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #160 in West Seattle; many Masonic orders including 50 years at Chapter #241, Order of Eastern Star in Belfair. She and her husband resided in retirement at a summer home on Mason Lake. She was a “Masonic wife” with all that entailed, as the men in her life ran the chairs to WM at Alki Lodge in West Seattle and WP in Belfair Chapter 241 OES. Doreen was also a member of Daughters of the Nile and Ahmes. Her father, husband, son, and daughter all retired from the Seattle Engineering Department.
Remembrances may be made in Doreen’s name to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. By her request, there will be no memorial service; arrangements by Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home in West Seattle.
(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 holiday season seems to have brought an uptick in door-to-door soliciting in West Seattle – we’ve received several messages with concerns/questions in the past few days, like this one from Mark in Gatewood:
We had three separate attempts for solicitation over a two-hour period starting just after dark. We did not answer, but could see it was two men. Loud, insistent knocking.
We later called a neighbor who answered and were told they said they were from CenturyLink.
I know there have been other reports in the past about them, just wanted to give a heads up in case others were concerned or worried.
Very disconcerting. Amazing to think that any reputable company would send its employees out like that, after dark on a Friday night.
That’s the most common report we’ve been getting, but others have mentioned people trying to sell magazines. We have no way of telling you whether the person at your door is or is not legit, but here are some of the major rules about door-to-door selling in Seattle, which we recap every few months when the inquiries start peaking again:
*Door-to-door (residential) selling is allowed between 8 am-9 pm.
*The entity for whom the seller is working has to have a license, and the seller (agent) must have ID showing the license and the agent’s name: “All licensees and agents shall conspicuously display on their outer clothing their residential sales license or residential sales agent licenses when selling.” If you choose to open the door, ask to see it immediately: “Each residential seller or agent shall, immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose to the prospective buyer his/her name, company, and the product or service represented.”
*Solicitors are required to honor a “no soliciting” sign if you have one. Whether you do or don’t, they’re also required to honor this part of the code: “If requested to do so, (the agent) shall leave the premises immediately.”
Read the full set of rules by going here.. And note the city says they don’t apply to sellers of “newspapers, or fresh or perishable food items”; nor is a license required for a person who turns up at your door seeking charity donations.
If you do buy something from a solicitor, you have cancellation rights.
(Harlequin duck, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
It’s the quiet conclusion to the Thanksgiving weekend, but we do have a few things to mention for today. First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
BUY YOUR PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKET(S): Next Saturday (December 3rd) is a BIG day of holiday fun, and you’ll want to be fortified by starting your day at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Pancake Breakfast. Buy your ticket(s) in advance TODAY at their West Seattle Farmers’ Market booth, at the south end of the market, on California just north of Alaska.
DUWAMISH NATIVE HOLIDAY-GIFT FAIR: It’s the final day of this don’t-miss holiday event at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, 10 am-4 pm, free, all ages. Buy directly from Native artists/craftspersons. Snacks/beverages available too. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
And from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Fresh vegetables, fruit, and much more – every Sunday year-round, 10 am-2 pm. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)
DONATE BOOKS: One more reason to stop by the mentioned-earlier Kiwanis Club booth at the market – this book-donation drive – last dropoff day today.
FOLK/AMERICANA MUSIC: Rocky Tallent performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MICROPHONE: Free, all-ages, at The Skylark, 4-7 pm – details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
High-school basketball season starts next week, and all three local high schools got a jump on it today.
The occasion: Chief Sealth International High School‘s 16th annual Basketball Jamboree. 13 teams participated, each playing two opponents in two-quarter games. We dropped in for the last two varsity games (JV had a full slate too) – above, West Seattle High School vs. Seattle Lutheran High School; below are the two teams’ #2 jersey wearers, Saints sophomore Simon Solomon and Wildcats junior Kendall Green:
West Seattle went home with wins in both of its games, including the day’s closing faceoff with host Sealth:
Below are Sealth’s Peyton Dickerson (with the ball) and West Seattle senior Yusuf Mohamed:
All three local schools have season openers in the week ahead, according to their online calendar:
*WSHS hosts Mountlake Terrace at 7:15 pm Tuesday
*Sealth hosts Rainier Beach at 8:30 pm Friday
*SeaLu plays at Friday Harbor next Friday.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
9:39 PM: A big Seattle Fire “heavy rescue” is headed to the 8800 block of 41st SW in Fauntlee Hills (map), for a report of a “car on its side with people trapped.” More shortly.
9:58 PM: Photo added. Most SFD units were canceled shortly after dispatch but others remain, with police.
10:07 PM: 41st SW is blocked by the crash scene, which is on a residential street. We are told the man driving the car was the only person in it; he will be going to a hospital by private ambulance to be checked out. He hit a parked car, police tell us.
(WSB photo, added 6:51 pm: At left, vehicle – being towed – that hit pole)
5:59 PM: Thanks for the tips: Power is out in parts of northeast West Seattle, and apparently it’s not all shown on the outage map, which now shows 15 customers out in Pigeon Point/North Delridge – at and near Delridge/Andover – but we’ve also heard from Victoria in Riverside, who says “we are out down here too,” on 16th and 17th SW. This is likely related to a crash in the 4500 block of West Marginal Way SW that another texter says involved a vehicle hitting a utility/light pole – we’re checking on that. If you’re also out of power but NOT on the City Light map, please let us know in comments (after you’ve called SCL to let them know your outage is not showing – 206-684-3000).
6:04 PM: Now the map is updated to 356 homes/businesses out of power. Adding a screengrab.
6:51 PM: Just back from the crash scene, which is on the east side of West Marginal Way SW – affecting the northbound lanes – just north of the Duwamish Longhouse. The pole was snapped in two and dangling; the vehicle that hit it was about to be towed. Adding photo. Meanwhile, some have the power back – the count is down to 288 on the SCL map. One crew was at the scene and reported to be calling for more help.
7:39 PM: As reminded by commenters, this is affecting some traffic signals too – if you arrive at one that’s not working, that makes it an all-way stop – do NOT go through without stopping.
9:23 PM: The SCL map has now recalibrated the restoration guesstimate to “pending,” which seems in line with what commenter Amy found out.
11:56 PM: The outage is now in its seventh hour, with the current potential restoration time estimated around (corrected) 4 am. (Let us know if you’re back sooner!)
1:52 AM: And after about eight hours, the outage is over.
We’ve mentioned the Seattle Public Safety Survey several times since it went live more than a month ago. It’s designed to find out what you think about crime, safety, and policing in your neighborhood. And for 11 West Seattle neighborhoods, a key component is the micro-community policing plan:
Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights
The Junction
South Delridge
Pigeon Point
North Delridge
North Admiral
Morgan Junction
High Point
Highland Park
Fauntleroy
Alki
(added) South Park is in the Southwest Precinct area, too, so here is its MCPP plan.
Those are all PDFs, obtained from Jennifer Burbridge, the Seattle University researcher who’s been working with the Southwest Precinct for more than a year. But you don’t have to be in a neighborhood with a plan (those without one likely don’t have organized community groups with which SPD could work on a plan) to answer the survey. Burbridge says they are hoping for thousands more replies before the survey’s scheduled close next Wednesday (November 30th), to better chronicle neighborhoods’ crime/safety/policing concerns. If you can spare a bit of time, go to publicsafetysurvey.org; you’ll find links to the survey in seven languages.
12:40 PM: Alki Beach was our first stop on a spot-check of local small businesses as this year’s Shop Small Saturday continues. Coastal Boutique at 58th SW and Alki Ave, to be specific. Lots of beach gear – even if you’re going to a faraway beach (swimwear is always in stock, but hard to find elsewhere this time of year. But popular items include apparel at the other end of the weather spectrum, like this “commuter jacket” from Mia Melon:
Next – we’re headed to Admiral, The Junction, and Morgan Junction!
ADDED 1:25 PM: Alki Bike and Board is one of your potential Shop Small Saturday stops in Admiral, on California just south of Admiral Way:
That’s Will with one of the hybrid electric bikes in stock at AB&B. We continued southbound to The Junction, where Menashe and Sons Jewelers (4532 California SW; WSB sponsor) proprietor Jack Menashe paused to pose with Father Christmas, one of the shop’s many unique Christmas decorations:
Christmas decorations, you’re probably well aware, are a big thing for the Menashe family. Meantime, The Junction is decked with garlands, and the sidewalks bustled during a break in the rain. We stopped at toy store Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), where proprietor Ann Walker pointed out that their selection of books just keeps expanding:
Outside CKS, we happened onto one of West Seattle’s most famous parents, County Executive Dow Constantine, with daughter Sabrina, out shopping and dining – which reminds us: Some local eating/drinking spots are having Shop Small Saturday specials too (some are on the list that the West Seattle Junction Association put together for today).
ADDED 1:53 PM: Just heard from co-proprietor Lori McConnell at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – they’re offering 10 percent off today, among other things.
ADDED 2:52 PM: Now, to Morgan Junction, which has an increasingly thriving retail area. We stopped by the south end, where you’ll find My Three Little Birds (6959 California SW; WSB sponsor). Lots of kid stuff here including Seahawks-fan gear for even the tiniest 12s:
M3LB is having a BOGO-half-off sale today. A short distance north, you’ll also find sales at Second Gear Sports (6529 California SW; WSB sponsor). And again, all of the above is only a sampling of Shop Small Saturday – you still have a few hours to get out to your favorite local indie businesses (or discover new ones!) – and they’ll be happy to see you all season/year long, too.
(WSB photos)
The beautiful Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle is hosting the annual Native Holiday-Gift Fair right now – second of three days – with artists and craftspersons set up in both the main hall (above) and the lobby/display area (below):
Many items are wearable – including these shoes and hats by Ben and Gerry:
Among the artists selling their work is John Romero:
(You might recall his mural in last year’s Duwamish Revealed project.)
The gift fair is on until 4 pm today and again 10 am-4 pm tomorrow. You can park free at the longhouse – enter from its north side at 4705 West Marginal Way SW – with overflow parking at the city parks across the street.
(Northern Flicker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Long holiday weekend, day 3! First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
SHOP SMALL SATURDAY: Today’s the day for holiday shopping at your local independent small businesses all around the peninsula. Many have sales and specials.
*HUGE list of Shop Small Saturday plans in The Junction, compiled by the West Seattle Junction Association – see it all here.
*Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) continues its big sale and food drive today. (3727 California SW)
*Shop Small Saturday/5th Anniversary Sale continues @ Thunder Road Guitars (4736 California SW; WSB sponsor)
*Spend $100, get $25 gift card for future purchases – and it goes up from there! – today only @ Emerald Water Anglers (42nd SW/ SW Oregon; WSB sponsor)
*Discounts throughout the store at Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) including 25% off new adult bikes from Evo and Diamondback (in stock only) and 15% off any ordered bikes from Diamondback; bring nonperishable food for West Seattle Food Bank & get 10% off. (6529 California SW)
*Also in Morgan Junction, My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor) is having a BOGO 1/2 off sale, plus refreshments for shoppers. (6959 California SW)
*On Alki, shop at Coastal, where “pretty much the entire store is 20 percent off” and new Alki Beach gear is in stock. (2532 Alki SW)
Again, that’s just who we’ve heard from … go shop your favorite local stores today and every day and help strengthen your community.
Meantime, more holiday happenings:
(Added 7:51 am – morning rainbow, photographed by James Tilley)
HOLIDAY BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER: New event! The Seattle Civic Dance Theatre promises food, a dance concert with our company and cast members, and a visit from Santa with a chance for families to take pictures with him (bring your cameras). We welcome the community to join us to kick off the holiday season and help us raise money for performance costs and our scholarship fund. 10 am, West Seattle Christian Church. $15 for adults, $10 for kids (under 2 is free). More information here. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE NATIVE HOLIDAY-GIFT FAIR: Day 2 for this year’s Duwamish Native Holiday-Gift Fair at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, 10 am-4 pm each day, free, all ages. “Buy directly from native artists and craftpersons; unique gifts in every price range – fine art, Native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, T-shirts, smoked salmon, and more.” Snacks too. Free admission and parking for shoppers. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: 5-10 pm is tonight’s schedule for the West Seattle Lights music-synched light show. Taking donations again this year for the West Seattle Food Bank and Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation. (3908 SW Charlestown)
WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: Third night for this music-synched light show, 5:30-10 pm. (4120 38th SW)
HOLIDAY MUSIC: It’s the Gary Benson Christmas Show at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
And from our regular year-round calendar and inbox:
(Added 7:51 am – sunrise, photographed by Mark Bader)
BASKETBALL JAMBOREE AT SEALTH: Varsity and junior-varsity basketball teams from 13 schools are playing in the 16th annual Chief Sealth International High School Jamboree – schedules and ticket info in our preview – starting at 11 am, with JV in the Denny International Middle School Gym (2601 SW Kenyon) and varsity at Sealth. (2600 SW Thistle)
FIGG, THE PAPER DOLLS: Two bands live at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Thanks to Bob Spears for the photo of an unusual scene Friday off Alki. He explained, “Five seals hung out just offshore for over an hour and frequently appeared to be doing a water ballet with their heads, a single fin, and their tails out of the water. Fun to watch and with their barking they attached quite a crowd of people on the beach.” The behavior is known as “rafting,” most often seen among California sea lions, and sometimes people mistake it for a sign of distress – the Seal Sitters website has a good explanation here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The company that’s expected to open The Lodge Sports Grille in The Junction, first announced a year and a half ago, has filed for Chapter 11, and it’s not the first such filing for its owner.
The Lodge’s current locations remain open, and Lodge owner Shawn Roten tells WSB tonight via e-mail that the year-and-a-half-in-the-works West Seattle restaurant/bar could be just one week away from opening: “The West Seattle Lodge opening date is planned for next Friday as long as the fire alarm integration can be completed and signed so we can get our final inspections! The filing of Chapter 11 tax reorganization will not affect any other part of our business. Our vendors and suppliers are all current and the filing is only meant to allow our tax debt to be structured into payment terms.”
The Chapter 11 filing by Lodge Holdings Company lists 10 DBAs including West Seattle Lodge and locations in Downtown, Kirkland, Greenwood, the Stadium area, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Sammamish, and Renton. It was first reported Wednesday by The Seattle Times, whose story says Renton is also an opening-soon location. Several WSB readers sent us the link, and we have been looking into it since then, including obtaining all the documents filed so far, via online US Bankruptcy Court files. Read More
The first West Seattle Christmas-lights photo of the season might just be the funniest, even before we see what else is out there. The house on the right is where Dawnelle lives, toward the south end of Seola Beach Drive:
We brought all the guests outside, the neighbors too, and we did the drumroll noise and plugged it in. It was awesome fun!
This season, we would love to showcase lots of lights – send a photo of what you see, plus the location (or if you don’t have a pic, at least tell us where!) – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
High-school basketball season is about to start – and you can get a pre-season look at all three local schools’ teams tomorrow during the 16th annual Chief Sealth International High School Jamboree. CSIHS head coach Colin Slingsby just sent the schedules. Along with Sealth, West Seattle HS and Seattle Lutheran HS are among the 13 teams playing; Coach Slingsby explains, “Each team plays two 10-minute stop-clock quarters against different opponents.” The varsity schedule, starting at noon in the Chief Sealth gym (2600 SW Thistle), is here (PDF); the JV schedule, starting at 11 am in the Denny International Middle School gym next door (2601 SW Kenyon), is here (PDF). Admission is $6 adults, $4 students.
Never mind the malls – you’ll find Black Friday sales at some independent West Seattle stores too – including these two (who are both WSB sponsors):
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: TRG is celebrating its fifth anniversary and giving you the gifts – discounts in-store and online, all weekend: “10-15 percent off most guitars, basses, amplifiers and pedals – hundreds of fantastic items!” In our photo above, taken this morning at Thunder Road Guitars‘ Junction shop (4736 California SW), are Frank and Will. TRG is open until 6 tonight, 10 am-6 pm tomorrow, 11 am-4 pm Sunday.
MEEPLES GAMES: The big sale at Meeples Games also continues tomorrow for Shop Small Saturday. We found a line of shoppers already scoring at sale prices this morning:
It’s a 40 percent-off sale, with details on Meeples’ website – including extra discounts if you bring in donations for their food drive to help the West Seattle Food Bank. And if you’re not sure what to get your giftees – here’s a long list of suggestions – including this cute local-relevant game we photographed at Meeples even before seeing that list:
Meeples (where you’ll also find a café) is upstairs at 3727 California SW.
Coming up later – our Shop Small Saturday preview! Haven’t sent us your business’s plans yet? Not too late – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
Thanksgiving was just another work day for thieves, per the reader reports in the WSB inbox today:
STOLEN CAR: From Julie:
Our green 1998 Honda Civic 4 door sedan was stolen from in front of our house in the 3400 block of 41st Ave SW sometime overnight last night after the rain stopped. The pavement was dry where it had been parked. The car has a yellow “War is Terrorism” bumper sticker on the rear bumper and the car body paint is somewhat mottled. The officer who came to take our report said that the car thieves were busy last night. Our police incident number is 16-425153.
STOLEN BICYCLE: From Merrilee:
I wanted to report that my bike was stolen out of our garage last night (Delridge and Genesee). It’s a red and black Giant road bike.
If seen, we can be reached at 425-442-2485 or 206-661-3395.
CAR PROWL: “Our car was rifled through last night. 47th near Erskine. I think I left the doors unlocked. Sunglasses gone, some change and car-wash coins.”
And two pre-Thanksgiving reports:
SHOPLIFTER: Dave at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) wants to make sure other merchants are on the lookout for this person caught on camera in a shoplifted jacket:
He says, “This dude is always around The Junction looking very suspicious in many of our stores. He lifted this jacket from us.”
STOLEN FROM WHILE MOVING: From Leah, who says this happened Sunday night:
I moved from the Admiral area to the Fauntleroy area recently. While our truck was parked by our building while we carried things in (door closed), an antique toy chest and a box of books were stolen. All was pretty sentimental and really not worth all that much to anyone but us 😞 But I digress; please watch your trucks closely and lock every time you take a trip up if you are moving in or out.
We hope crime doesn’t happen to you; if it does, report it to police – 911 if happening now or just happened – and please let us know later so your neighbors all around West Seattle will be alerted too.
(The Brothers, photographed this morning by David Hutchinson)
Lots to do in West Seattle on your post-Thanksgiving Friday! First, from the WSB Holiday Guide:
DUWAMISH NATIVE HOLIDAY-GIFT FAIR: Until 4 pm, it’s the first of three days for the Duwamish Native Holiday Gift Fair at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center, admission free, all ages:
The Duwamish Tribe invites the public to its Longhouse on Thanksgiving weekend for a Native Holiday Gift Fair. Buy directly from native artists and craftpersons. Lots of holiday spirit and a big lighted tree. Unique gifts in every price range – fine art, native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, T-shirts, smoked salmon, and more. Snacks: soup of day, hot chocolate, and more. Celebrate National Native American Heritage Day on Nov. 25th! Free admission and parking for shoppers.
(4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
SANTA PHOTOS: First day of the season at Westwood Village – see the days/times here. (2600 SW Barton)
HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: It’s opening day for the Holy Rosary Tree Lot, north of the school. This year’s schedule:
*Open until 9 pm today; next two Fridays, 2 pm-9 pm
*Mondays through Thursdays 2 pm to 8 pm
*Weekends: 9 am to 9 pm
*Last day, Sunday, December 11th
Part of this lot’s proceeds benefit West Seattle Helpline, Hickman House (domestic-violence shelter), and West Seattle Food Bank. (41st/Dakota)
MEEPLES GAMES’ SALE: Black Friday (and Shop Small Saturday) sale at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor):
We’re Having A Black Friday Sale And Collecting Non-Perishable Food For The West Seattle Food Bank! Stop in on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday to find a wide selection of games and accessories at 40%* off MSRP!
Bring non-perishable food items for the West Seattle Food Bank and receive an additional 5% off sale items or 10%** off non-sale items.
* Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts ** Discount does not apply to Cafe items
More info, including the WS Food Bank wish list, is here. (3727 California SW)
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS’ 5TH ANNIVERSARY SALE: Big sale on Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday @ Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor): “We will be offering 10-15% off most guitars, basses, amplifiers and pedals in store and online. We have hundreds of fantastic items that will be for sale, stop in or call for details! Special Hours:
Friday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 11 am – 4 pm.” (4736 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE YMCA BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL: No joining fees, today only, at the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – details here. (4515 36th SW and 9140 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: Second night for West Seattle Lights, holiday-light show programmed to synch to music. 5-10 pm tonight. Taking donations again this year for the West Seattle Food Bank and Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation. (3908 SW Charlestown)
(Wider view of the finally-snowy Olympic Mountains, photographed by Lynn Hall)
And from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
‘FINDING DORY’: Free family matinee at Southwest Library, 2 pm. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
INDIE ROCK, LIVE: Little Fixtures, Black Giraffe, 25 Cent Ride perform at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning – here’s what you need to know if you’re headed out this morning:
TRANSIT CHANGES:
*strong>Metro buses are on the “reduced weekday” schedule
*King County Water Taxi is out of service
*Sound Transit Route 560 is on the regular weekday schedule; Link light rail is on the Saturday schedule
DOWNTOWN ROAD CLOSURES THIS AM AND PM:
The 9 am Macy’s Holiday Parade and 5 pm lighting of the store’s big star both will bring big crowds and road closures – more info in this SDOT holiday-weekend event roundup.
Thanks to Ann Anderson for sharing her photos from Seacrest Pier just after dusk tonight – a crowd turned out for squid fishing.
Above, locals Steven (in the orange hat) and Danny were using line, lure, and lights to catch squid off the pier, Ann reports. If you haven’t fished for squid, this state Department of Fish and Wildlife one-sheet has some background.
Chatara Hajje created art at Alki Beach on November 10th, “in response to the election,” and sent it to us the next day. We didn’t see it until some days later, and decided to save it for the holiday. Here are her photos, and the message she said she wanted her creation to convey:
May love get us through all that is currently happening and all that is to come. May it be enough. May it overcome fear, despair, and isolation. May it unite instead of separate. May it heal instead of sicken. May it empower, inspire, uplift, and enlighten. May it lead us through this time of darkness to a future that is bright and beautiful. May it bring opportunities and blessings we don’t yet know are possible. May it move us to live a life that is fueled by our deepest dreams. May it plant seeds of magic in the soil of our souls. May it grow abundantly. In all things. Always.
When we reported last week on the debut of the first of four new auditoriums at West Seattle’s only moviehouse, the city-landmark Admiral Theater, 
management was hoping to have the second one open by Thanksgiving. So we checked – and indeed, it is open. If you’re going there today/tonight or for the rest of the holiday weekend, you have three movie options, because the theater confirms that both halves of its newly twinned Pier 1 are open, as is Pier 2, where twinning work starts next week. The second new auditorium is showing “Doctor Strange” plus an added early-evening showing of “Moana.”
According to this week’s e-mail newsletter, The Admiral hopes to have the rest of the work done by “mid-December in time for the ‘Star Wars’ (Rogue One) premiere on 12/16.” Also, if you haven’t been lately: “Restrooms have already been renovated as has repainting of the lobby and enhancement of our concessions area. Our goal has been to remain open during construction with crews beginning early each day and finishing their work by the time afternoon movies begin. We recognize that we are still somewhat of an active construction site but have been able to offer movies in a quality and professional environment. The entire project will be complete within a matter of weeks and we look forward to welcoming the community with 4 brand new state-of-the-art auditoriums and the most current digital laser projection and sound quality.”
BACKSTORY: The renovation work began two months ago – three months after a key approval from the city Landmarks Board, a year and a half after the theater’s longtime management announced “an agreement in principle” with its owner to allow the renovations, which they had warned in mid-2014 were essential to the historic moviehouse’s survival.
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