West Seattle, Washington

23 Tuesday

47℉

month : 11/2019 297 results

What’s up for your pre-holiday West Seattle Tuesday
November 26, 2019 9:58 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

While we don’t have a new photo of The West Seattle Turkey today – nothing since last week’s tower-crane visit – we do have that photo of the new Pigeon Point sign, sent by Pete Spalding. The neighborhood has a long tradition of whimsical, often also topical, signage. Now on to the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BABY STORY TIME X 2: 10:30 am at two local libraries – Southwest (9010 35th SW) and West Seattle/Admiral. (2306 42nd SW)

BOARD GAME HAPPY HOUR: 5-8 pm at Admiral Pub, presented by West Seattle Geeks. Free to play! 21+. (2306 California SW)

WOMEN’S PERSONAL-SAFETY TRAINING: Free training, 6 pm at the Southwest Precinct. Info and signup link are here. (2300 SW Webster)

BE ARTFULLY THANKFUL: Creative-journaling classes focusing on “meditative gratitude,” 6 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – ticket info in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm at Duwamish Longhouse, all community-group reps and interested individuals are welcome. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

OPEN MIC X 2: Two tonight – jazz open mic at The Skylark, 8 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW); hosted by Joey V at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

TUESDAY TRIVIA: “West Seattle’s sassiest trivia,” 8:30 pm with Devon at Admiral Pub. 21+. (2306 California SW)

SEE IT ALL AND MORE on our full calendar.

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Orcas passing West Seattle again
November 26, 2019 8:05 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

Southbound orcas are passing the Vashon ferry terminal right now, reports Kersti Muul.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Tuesday watch
November 26, 2019 6:55 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

6:55 AM: Good morning! Second-to-last morning commute before the four-day holiday weekend.

SCHOOL NOTE: Most Seattle Public Schools elementaries and K-8s have no classes again today – it’s a conference day.

7:36 AM; Crash on the EB bridge, reported to be blocking the right lane at the crest.

7:59 AM: All clear.

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Missed the Southern Resident Killer Whales’ latest visit? See them here.
November 25, 2019 9:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

Spyhopping (above) and breaching (below), Southern Resident Killer Whales put on a show as they passed West Seattle again late today, headed northbound after this morning’s southbound pass. Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for sharing the photos.

Thanks to Trileigh, Kersti Muul, and everybody else who provided orca-sighting reports today! Text or call 206-293-6302 with breaking news – that include whales! – any time.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: More south West Seattle burglaries; mail theft
November 25, 2019 8:49 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

8:49 PM: This past week, we have reported (here and here) on an increase in burglaries, primarily on the south end of the peninsula. Since last night, four more have been reported – 8200 block of Northrop (above) reported this afternoon, 8500 block of 39th SW reported this evening, and two on Delridge Way (8100 and 8400 blocks) late last night. We don’t have details of any as we haven’t heard directly from the victims, and we won’t be able to request report narratives until tomorrow, but it’s a reminder to be extra-watchful for any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, especially in the daytime, which is when most burglaries happen.

ADDED 9:06 PM: Just in from John – “We had multiple mailboxes broken into up in Arbor Heights in the 100xx block of 39th Ave SW on Monday sometime between 5:00 and 8:30 PM.” It’s been reported to police and the Postal Inspection Service, John adds.

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READER REPORT: West Seattle Eagle Scout candidate’s big camp-improvement project
November 25, 2019 7:44 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s Ryan Shelver, seated proudly on a brand-new bench that’s part of a big project he just finished leading. The photos and report are from Steve Shelver:

Ryan Shelver, an Eagle Scout candidate from West Seattle’s Troop 282, spent Saturday and Sunday, 11/23 – 24, leading 20 volunteers in building a new set of stairs and creekside sitting area inside the grounds of Camp Schoenwald in Burien.

In two days, over 163 hours of labor were provided to create an amazing new bench and sitting area and Ryan is thankful for all those who participated in making this idea a reality over the last several months.

Prior to the weekend installation of the area, Ryan researched construction methods, raised funds for building and recruited members of his troop to assist him with this service project, which is also a component for attaining the Eagle Scout rank.

The attached pictures show a before (above) and after (below), which included hauling over 1.5 tons of crushed gravel about 1/8 of a mile and approximately 100 feet down into the depths of the Camp Schoenwald ravine.

In total, Ryan spent nearly 7 months in planning and revising his project and the results shown here make our community proud. Well done, Ryan.

Ryan is a senior at Seattle Lutheran High School, has participated in scouting for the last 11 years with Pack and Troop 282, and intends to pursue computer science and business after high school.

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Community walk December 7th for North Delridge trails/wayfinding project
November 25, 2019 7:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Community walk December 7th for North Delridge trails/wayfinding project
 |   Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Seattle Parks and SDOT are organizing a community walk December 7th for a project that’s linked to the future conversion of Metro Route 120 to the RapidRide H Line, in hopes of helping people get to and from one of the stops:

This project improves pedestrian paths and wayfinding along SW Brandon Street and SW Findlay Street to improve neighborhood mobility. It includes work to improve and make more welcoming to the public the trail entries at Camp Long and Longfellow Creek from SW Brandon Street. One of the goals of this project is to improve access to the future new RapidRide H-line stop at SW Findlay and Delridge. The RapidRide H-line service starts in 2021.

(Our most-recent update on the overall project – which includes repaving and other changes for much of Delridge – is here.) The December 7th walk will start at 26th/Brandon at 11 am.

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HOLIDAYS: Days away from 2019 debut of Menashe Family Lights
November 25, 2019 5:08 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Before the weather turned stormy late this afternoon, we checked out the setup under way for West Seattle’s brightest Christmas display – the Menashe Family Lights.

You’ll see some additions this year, including that reindeer by the front door. Josh Menashe told us the family is hoping to turn the lights on this Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve. If you’re new – 5605 Beach Drive SW is where you’ll find it.

P.S. This year’s special night with Santa photos and a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank is Saturday, December 14th, 6 pm-10 pm. (See the full list of West Seattle Santa photo ops in our Holiday Guide!)

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Work you’ll see soon on 26th SW in Westwood – but not repaving, yet
November 25, 2019 2:37 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo)

If you’ve traveled 26th SW between SW Roxbury and SW Barton, you’re familiar with its problematic pavement. It’s been an issue for years, with the road serving as a busy bus corridor, and nearby residents complaining the traffic shakes their homes. Some road panels were repaired in 2016. But the problem continues, and resident Richard tipped us that neighbors have just gotten this notice of upcoming testing:

SDOT pointed us to Metro for more information. From spokesperson Travis Shofner:

Those notices went out from our contractor to notify residents of the area of upcoming work. As part of the permitting process with the City of Seattle, before any paving work can be done, we have to perform environmental testing of the existing conditions of the pavement. Our goal is to pave the center travel lanes of that section of 26th as part of the H Line, pending funding availability. Partial funding for the H Line project comes from the Regional Mobility Grant that was impacted by I-976. It’s unclear if those funds will be available or not. However, we’re moving forward with the environmental testing for the project.

The H Line project is the conversion of Metro Route 120 into a RapidRide line, also scheduled to include paving work on much of Delridge, starting next year, although the H Line launch isn’t planned until September 2021.

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Dead sea lion found on West Seattle beach
November 25, 2019 12:30 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photo)

On private shoreline south of Lowman Beach Park, volunteers from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network are dealing with a dead sea lion. They describe it as a full-grown male, appearing to be in good condition aside from a wound which they are calling “suspicious.” Though a necropsy would be required to make the determination, two experienced wildlife observers who tipped us to the discovery say it might have been shot. Seal Sitters says the removal plan is still a work in progress; they’ve been working on securing the carcass, with high tide three hours away.

P.S. If you see a marine mammal on the shore – or in potential distress offshore – Seal Sitters’ hotline is 206-905-SEAL.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Audi
November 25, 2019 11:31 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

From Billy:

My blueb1998 Audi A4 was stolen last night between the hours of 10:30 pm and this morning at 7 am. It was parked on the 7400 block of Fauntleroy Way SW by the Kenney retirement home. It has Washington plates, number ANB0031. It has a sun-faded GT sticker in the rear window and a Georgia Tech frame around the rear license plate.

If you see it, call 911.

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What’s up for your pre-holiday West Seattle Monday
November 25, 2019 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on What’s up for your pre-holiday West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Black-capped Chickadee, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

AGING WELL: Talk about it in a facilitated 1 pm group at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)

PUBLIC HEALTH CAFE: “A community cafe and storytelling event with Duwamish Valley neighbors and UW scientists Joel Kaufman and Edmund Seto” as a chance to learn and talk about air-quality problems in the Duwamish Valley. Spanish, Vietnamese, and Somali interpretation provided. 6 pm at Taqueria Rincon Express in South Park. (8819 14th Avenue S.)

WATERCOLOR CLASS: Taught by Jennifer Carrasco at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6 pm. Contact the artist for enrollment info. (5612 California SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)

3 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: Your Monday night options in West Seattle:
*Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW), 7 pm, $2/person, 21+
*The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm, free, all ages
*Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Oregon), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+

PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON … with the frequently updated WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!

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UPDATE: Orcas back in our area
November 25, 2019 8:05 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

(Added: Photo by Chris Frankovich)

8:05 AM: Just in from Kersti Muul: Southbound orcas off north Vashon Island. Let us know if you see them!

8:55 AM: Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) reports seeing them off the Fauntleroy ferry terminal about 15 minutes ago.

1:30 PM: Kersti says they’ve turned at Three Tree Point and are headed northbound again. She also says they’re J-Pod whales.

3:03 PM: Now reported south of Fauntleroy.

3:55 PM: We’re seeing them off the Vashon dock, looking from Emma Schmitz Overlook.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Monday watch
November 25, 2019 6:56 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Monday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

6:56 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts in our area so far.

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34th District state legislators’ advice for Moms Demand Action
November 24, 2019 9:41 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“Even when we have a strong majority, it’s important to make your voices heard.”

That’s what State Sen. Joe Nguyen told the West Seattle chapter of Moms Demand Action as he and his fellow 34th District state legislators, Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon, spoke to the group this week.

Moms Demand Action is a national group focused on “public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.” It began as a social-media group launched the day after the Sandy Hook massacre and now has chapters in every state. We decided to cover their meeting after hearing all three state legislators would be there.

Some of what they told the group was meant to deepen understanding how the Legislature works. Nguyen, elected just one year ago, explained that thousands of bills are introduced each session, but only hundreds of bills get passed – you have to fight to make sure your bill is seen as worthy of being discussed, let alone worthy of coming up for a vote.

Read More

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HOLIDAY GUIDE: Where to eat on Thanksgiving if you’re not cooking; where to buy an early Christmas tree; more…
November 24, 2019 7:42 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAY GUIDE: Where to eat on Thanksgiving if you’re not cooking; where to buy an early Christmas tree; more…
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

We’re continuing to add to this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, your one-stop shop for seasonal local info, now through New Year’s. What you’ll find there now includes where to eat on Thanksgiving if you’re not cooking (three free local dinners included), where you can do last-minute grocery shopping on the holiday, where you can buy a Christmas tree before Thanksgiving, and much more. Beyond Thanksgiving, you’ll find the plan for tree lightings, shopping, concerts, Santa photos, the Christmas Ship, and other info as we get it – email westseattleblog@gmail.com if you have something to let the community know about.

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HOLIDAYS: This West Seattle church is having a Christmas Eve service 2+ weeks early, and you’re invited
November 24, 2019 5:45 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAYS: This West Seattle church is having a Christmas Eve service 2+ weeks early, and you’re invited
 |   Holidays

Want to get in the Christmas spirit extra-early? Two weeks from tonight, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church invites you to a very early Christmas Eve service that’ll be available to a worldwide audience. The video invitation above, and the announcement below, explain:

Every year the Episcopal Church chooses one or two parishes from across the entire country to have their Christmas Eve service filmed for broadcast on their social media outlets. This year St. John’s was chosen, so a crew from New York is bringing all of their equipment to film this service. We will set up as for Christmas, because it is Christmas! We’ll have the tree, the poinsettias, the advent wreath, the candles, everything. It will be a full Christmas Eve service, but on December 8th. After it is filmed, it will be in the can until December 24th when it will be released for broadcast on all of the church’s social media channels including YouTube and Facebook and be available to view through December 23, 2020.

This event is perfect for anyone who has other commitments on Christmas Eve, but who would like to experience a full Christmas Eve service. As an added bonus, you can watch it yourself any time after December 24! All are welcome!

As noted on the church website, kids’ activities will be offered during the service, and a reception with cookies is planned afterward. The church is at 3050 California SW,

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WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Conference time – for more than the usual participants
November 24, 2019 4:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

This week, in addition to the Thursday and Friday school holidays, most Seattle Public Schools elementary and K-8 schools have conferences instead of classes. Another school just had theirs:

The photos and report are from Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark:

Family involvement and conferences are not just for elementary schools!

Twice a year, including last Thursday, the staff at Denny welcomes all families for conferences starting after school and lasting until after 8:00 pm.

Thank you so much to our amazing families for continuing to partner with us in so many ways and to our fantastic staff for their unparalleled commitment and effort! Go, Dolphins!

The SPS calendar for the rest of the year is here.

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WEST SEATTLE HISTORY: Peace Lutheran Church’s 75th anniversary
November 24, 2019 3:14 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

That’s one of the items that were on display as Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood celebrated its 75th anniversary. 1945 would have been the church’s first full calendar year – from the announcement of today’s celebration, some history:

Peace Lutheran Church was founded just as World War II was ending, choosing a name that expressed its hope for the future. The congregation organized in November 1944, and held its first service as a new congregation the first Sunday in December 1944, in a portable classroom at E.C. Hughes School. Using materials reclaimed from former army barracks, members built a chapel on 39th Ave SW and SW Thistle, dedicating it in 1946, Ten years later, the congregation, in a major expansion of its original building, dedicated a new sanctuary which is in use today.

The church’s Fellowship Hall was full of photos and other memorabilia before today’s service:

Pastor Erik Kindem (below), who has served at Peace Lutheran for almost 15 years, was joined by recently installed regional Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee for festival worship this morning.

The celebration continued after the service with a luncheon. One more note: Churchgoers wanted to point out Donna, the crossing guard, helping people get safely across Thistle (not far from the scene of an early-morning crash):

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green Outback (update: found)
November 24, 2019 1:01 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green Outback (update: found)
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Ben and Jennifer hope someone will see their metallic green 2017 Subaru Outback, stolen from in front of their house overnight in the 3200 block of 47th SW. Plates are National Park 10222. If you see it, call 911.

MONDAY NIGHT: Ben says the car’s been found – by Bellevue Police.

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Shopping at OLG’s Ethical-Trade Fair
November 24, 2019 10:58 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Shopping at OLG’s Ethical-Trade Fair
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

One more holiday-gift fair before the weekend’s done. As highlighted in our daily list, this one’s the annual Ethical Trade Sale at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center:

You’ll find both wearable and edible items – decorations, too:

The merchandise is all from ethical/fair-trade sources. If you’d rather be ultra-sustainable and just make a charity donation in your giftee’s name, you can do that too:

The sale continues until 1 pm at 7000 35th SW.

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10 for your West Seattle Sunday!
November 24, 2019 6:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Spotted Sandpiper, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Good morning! Our highlights start with listings from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

SHOP ETHICALLY: Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Ethical Trade Sale, 9:30 am-1 pm in the OLG Walmesley Center. Details in our calendar listing. (7000 35th SW)

WREATH SALES: Pathfinder K-8 PTSA and students’ are selling handmade wreaths again this year – look for them in The Junction, just south of the Farmers’ Market. All proceeds go to supporting outdoor education. 10 am-2 pm. (California/Alaska)

PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKETS: Stop by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth at the south end of the Farmers’ Market to buy advance tickets for the December 7th holiday pancake breakfast. (California/Alaska)

And from our regular West Seattle Event Calendar:

PEACE LUTHERAN’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood celebrates its 75th anniversary today. You’re invited to see displays in the Fellowship Hall starting at 9:30 am. At 10:30 am, festival worship features guest preacher Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Full details – and some PLC history – are in our calendar listing. (39th/Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Last one before Thanksgiving – 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

‘PLANT POWER BOWLS’ AUTHOR AT CLICK! Sapana Chandra is at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) 10 am-1 pm – buy the book, meet her, taste one of the recipes. (4540 California SW)

‘THE ORIGINALS’: 2 pm matinée for this world-premiere play at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘HEAD OVER HEELS’: 3 pm curtain for the first matinée of the new musical at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) – check here for tickets. (4711 California SW)

CORREO AEREO: Afternoon music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. No cover; all ages. (5612 California SW)

BENEFIT FOR THE ROOTS OF MUSIC: Music education for at-risk youth will benefit from the proceeds of this special show at The Skylark, with raffle prizes. 7 pm. All ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SEE THE FUTURE … by browsing the Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar!

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UPDATE: Car-on-side crash at 37th/Thistle
November 24, 2019 1:49 am
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:49 AM: A “rescue extrication” response is arriving at what Seattle Police/Fire dispatched as a car-on-side crash at 37th/Thistle. (That’s not far from HQ, and we heard it.) Multiple vehicles are reported involved.

2:04 AM: The driver is out and not seriously hurt. Two parked cars were damaged.

Thistle is blocked just east of 39th SW.

2:22 AM: Photos added. Police are investigating this as possible DUI.

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