Alki Community Council: One last hurdle for vehicle-noise budget item

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| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Tomorrow morning, the City Council takes its final votes on next year’s budget. One item that’s made the cut so far was the biggest topic at this past week’s Alki Community Council meeting:

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GRATITUDE: Gatewood Elementary second-grader’s eraser sale brings big boost for playfield project

Generous West Seattleites helped Gatewood Elementary second-grader Gwen bring in $550 at her eraser sale today benefiting the school playfield project, reports proud mom Elissa – and that means a total of $1,100, thanks to a match from Dad’s employer Adobe. As reported here Friday (along with a preview of Gwen’s sale), the campaign to raise $50,000 to supplement a $100,000 city matching-funds grant has already reached 80 percent of the goal, so this is another big boost.

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Speaking of student musicians: Monday’s the big night for OLG singers at Seahawks game

November 19, 2017 6:04 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A week and a half ago, we told you that the Our Lady of Guadalupe School 4th- and 5th-grade chorus had been invited to sing at halftime of the Seahawks’ Monday Night Football game tomorrow. OLG music teacher Ann Sager sent a reminder today that the big night is almost here, adding, “We’ll also sing a few patriotic songs during pre-game on the stages at either end of the stadium” – so if you’re going to the game, watch for them then/there! According to the school website, there’s been lots of logistics for this – they have to be there hours ahead of time to rehearse – and Ann’s page also includes this answer to a frequently asked question:

HOW DID WE GET CHOSEN TO DO THIS!?!

Ryan M. of the Seahawks did a search on something like “god bless america seattle children’s choirs” and my OLG School Music webpage popped up. I chronicle my daily classroom lessons and we’ve been practicing “God Bless America” for our own Veterans’ Day Assembly. It pays to have a web presence!

The Seahawks didn’t invite anyone else. To confirm how cute and musical we were, I sent him our video; he was blown away! He presented it to the higher-ups and by the end of that same day, it was a done deal.

That’s the video you see atop this story, by the way. The Seahawks are playing Atlanta at 5:30 pm Monday; the game is on ESPN.

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HOLIDAY PARADE: See who’s crossing the bay to march on Friday

November 19, 2017 3:10 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(In 2012, the Sealth Band had a guest conductor! Photo courtesy Bruno)

Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, brings the downtown My Macy’s Holiday Parade as usual – and the participant list shows that both local high-school marching bands are in it this year, Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School. You’ll also see the Salty’s (WSB sponsor) nutcrackers. The parade starts at 9 am Friday, and the route is fairly simple:

The parade steps off at 7th Avenue and Pine Street and travels west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th Avenue to University Street, west on University Street to 4th Avenue and north on 4th Avenue and ends at Macy’s.

Anyone else from West Seattle set to be in the parade? Let us know so we can watch for you too!

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READER REPORTS: Two doorstep mysteries you might be able to help solve

November 19, 2017 1:36 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

Two from the WSB inbox. First – Thom reports what might, or might not, have been a case of package theft in the 6600 block of Admiral Way:

Just had an odd situation that might be a package/delivery theft. We ordered an Amazon Prime Now order with some groceries (a ribeye, butter, case of water, Epsom salts, etc) and got a notification at 11:32am that it was delivered. We never heard anyone knock, and the dog didn’t bark – although she usually does. It’s an apartment building so we checked in front of other doors, by the mailboxes, around the property, etc – but didn’t see it anywhere.

When we called Amazon customer support they said their system showed it was delivered to our address, per GPS and to wait until noon. If it had not shown up by then they’d refund the cost.

So, either someone snagged it immediately after delivery or it was delivered incorrectly to someone else, but we were asked to check with neighbors and look all around the property for it just in case it was delivered to the right property but the wrong door.

All searches were fruitless and we got a refund and placed a new order. There’s not enough information to tell if it was a delivery error or a package theft but I’m dropping a note in case anyone else in the neighborhood has anything missing today- or in the off chance someone is wondering why they got an unexpected delivery of a ribeye, case of water, butter, Epsom salts, etc.

Second, a door-to-door visitor reported last night by Erik:

Young woman came to my door (North Arbor Heights). Just now asking to sign an iPad about something to do with bees and Washington state laws. Asked for cc # or $. Just a heads up. I refused.

We checked here – no initiatives being circulated right now with anything related to bees. Remember that while charity/political solicitors don’t have to have sales licenses, you still have the right to ask for ID and any other proof of who they are and what they’re soliciting for.

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Holiday shopping that helps, at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Ethical Fair Trade Sale

November 19, 2017 12:00 pm

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| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Every holiday season, you can find ways to ensure your dollars are spent for more than just giving a gift – they can also do a good deed. That’s what’s happening until 1 pm at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Ethical Fair Trade Sale. Some of what’s on sale inside OLG’s Walmesley Center on the northeast corner of 35th and Myrtle are items created overseas. Some are items benefiting causes close to home, like cards for Noel House, a women’s shelter.

And OLG students are selling baked goods to benefit WestSide Baby.

Another OLG student, 8th-grader Mark, is answering questions near the door, as an “ambassador” for the sale:

OLG has another big holiday event coming up – the annual “Light Up the Night” grounds-lighting and caroling celebration is set for Friday night, December 1st, 7 pm. (That event, like today’s sale and dozens of other seasonal events and FYIs, is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.)

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WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas, visible from here!

November 19, 2017 10:06 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

10:12 AM: Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales just called to report orcas visible southbound off Me-Kwa-Mooks [map], shortly after a texter told us that Orca Network reported orca sightings in the past hour off Bainbridge Island. We’re grabbing the binoculars to head down for a look.

10:45 AM: Some are visible off Blake, some further north and south. We are with Jeff and other watchers toward the south end of Emma Schmitz Overlook. Whitecaps on the Sound are making viewing a bit challenging.

11 AM: Jeff and Kersti Muul are still watching from the south end of Emma Schmitz – the whales are close to the other side of the Sound. We have to move on.

12:13 PM: Kersti reports in a comment that they’re still southbound, south of the Fauntleroy ferry lane now.

1:16 PM: An update from Jeff – before 1 pm, the whales were visible from Dilworth on Vashon [map], then turned northbound: “Probably K pod.”

2:09 PM: Still northbound, according to a texter who also says the whales have been confirmed as K-Pod, and according to Claire’s comment below.

3:09 PM: Brittany says via Twitter that they’re visible from Constellation Park with binoculars.

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UPDATE: 2 kayakers rescued in West Seattle

November 19, 2017 8:40 am

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: SFD staged at Don Armeni, where rescued kayakers are being taken – photo by Peter Commons)

8:40 AM: Big Seattle Fire water-rescue response – they are reporting “a patient” off Beach Drive, and some units have responded to Don Armeni.

8:44 AM: SFD says the initial report was an overturned kayak. The patient is reported to be on a fireboat, headed to Don Armeni.

8:46 AM: Scanner indicates there are now two kayakers being taken by a fireboat to the medics ashore at Don Armeni.

8:53 AM: We don’t know the kayaker’ conditions yet – one is reported to be undergoing evaluation while the other was described as only having been in the water a short time.

(WSB photo)

9:05 AM: Our crew is at Don Armeni and just sent that photo showing rescuers arriving there. One kayaker, a man, will be taken to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medic unit; SFD also confirms at the scene that the rescue was off Beach Drive.

9:09 AM: The second kayaker will not need medical attention. We’re now told a Seattle Police crew got him and his kayak out of the water; the other kayak was brought in via the SFD fireboat. (Added) SFD says the kayaker taken to the hospital is “approximately” 64 years old and was transported in serious condition.

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Ways to enjoy your West Seattle Sunday

November 19, 2017 6:30 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bushtit, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here are the Sunday highlights, in two groups – first, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE ETHICAL FAIR TRADE SALE: 9:30 am-1 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center, you can shop at the annual Catholic Relief Services Ethical Fair Trade Sale – more info here. (35th SW/SW Myrtle)

PEACE LUTHERAN BAZAAR: Arts and crafts, silent auction with themed baskets, fair trade/global gifts, bake sale at Peace Lutheran Church‘s Holiday Craft Bazaar, noon-3 pm. (39th SW/SW Thistle)

MAKE YOUR WREATH(S) AT HPIC: Neighbors make wreaths at Highland Park Improvement Club, 1-4 pm. This is DIY, and bring your own materials too. (1116 SW Holden)

*************

And today’s non-holiday events, mostly from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street, in The Junction. While you’re there, look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle at the south end, and buy your ticket(s) for their December 2nd pancake breakfast! (California SW between Alaska and Oregon)

RAINWISE ‘MEET A CONTRACTOR’: 10 am-noon at Highland Park Improvement Club, talk with RainWise contractors about cisterns and raingardens and whether a rebate might be available for your installation. (1116 SW Holden)

ERASER SALE FOR GATEWOOD PLAYFIELD PROJECT: 1-4 pm at Wildwood Market in Fauntleroy, Gatewood Elementary 2nd grader Gwen is selling brand-new Japanese puzzle erasers to raise money for her school’s playfield project – more info in our preview. (9214 45th SW)

JAMTIME: Bluegrass and old-time music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)

FAIRMOUNT PLANTING PARTY: 1:30-3:30 pm, help remove invasive plants to make room for new plants arriving soon. More info here, including where to meet and what to bring. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

ORGAN-DEDICATION CONCERT: 3 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, a free concert will celebrate the dedication of the church’s restored organ. Musicians will include Admiral organist Sam Peters, as featured in our preview:

He’ll be joined by internationally renowned organist Dan Miller and the Admiral Choir, led by Pam Gerke. Doors open at 2:15 pm; refreshments will follow the concert. (4320 SW Hill)

YARD DOGS ROAD SHOW, THE MOVIE: Documentary screening at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. Plus a talent show. (Details added:)

Yard Dogs Road Show were a talented travelling vaudeville cabaret from San Francisco most active between 2001 and 2012. The film was crowdfunded in 2011, made the film festival rounds in 2015/2016, and now has been released to the public as of yesterday.

A Yard Dogs Road Show show was a veritable smorgasborg of nouveau vaudeville – rock n’roll/jugband/jazz music, sexy burlesque dancers (Black and Blue Burlesque Revue), smokey chanteuse singers (Lily Rose Love), bellydancing (Zoe Jakes), sword swallowing magicians (Tobias the Mystic Man), jugglers, fire breathers, and clowns (Hellvis, Micha and Leighton). Their show graced venues in Seattle including the Tractor Tavern and The Showbox, once co-headlining with Seattle favorites Circus Contraption. You might remember the time they headlined an outdoor show in Fremont on one of the Tour de Fat events held circa 2009, or the times they played the Oregon Country Fair Main Stage in 2006 & 2007.

The film documents the history of the troupe, from an early jugband incarnation to their evolution as a successful touring group that had everything going for them until the rigors of the road took their toll…

Did I mention they were pretty fancy? Hell, they still are, even though they aren’t together so much anymore. Most of them are still out there performing in other incarnations, such as Beats Antique.

We will have a short TALENT SHOW preceding the screening of the movie. If you want to sign up and show us what you got in under 3 minutes, just show up around 7pm to sign up. Talent Show starts at 8pm, film screening starts at 8:45pm.

This event is FREE!

21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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