day : 01/12/2019 7 results

As noted in the WSB Forums, the West Seattle community has lost a longtime member who was also a longtime participant in WSB’s online community. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

She has had so many close calls, it is almost shocking to announce that our friend and neighbor Janet Elizabeth Frantz Seeley (known as JanS in comments and the forum), passed away on November 13, 2019.

Born in Danville, Virginia in 1947 to Dean and Anne Frantz, her family soon moved to Reading, PA where she grew up. As a young woman, she joined the Women’s Army Corps and served from 1973-1975. She left the Corps to start family life in West Seattle in 1976. She was free-spirited and incredibly hip – a fierce feminist who spoke her mind.

Jan became a mother to Jess Pearson (Seeley) in 1980 and from then on out, her daughter was her life. She shared her values of authenticity, respect, and independence.

Jan and Jess maintained a close relationship. Despite health challenges, she was a doting mother and loving grandmother to her grandson Ollie.

While she would have loved to be a full-time mom, relationship changes required her to find a way to support herself and her daughter. She started a massage practice in 1994. Her time working in the Army’s photo lab set her up to be an early adopter of technology. When she started her massage business she set up a website to advertise right away. She maintained her massage business until 2017.

She had a great sense of humor, loved poetry and delighted in beauty. She was a person of quick-wit, keen observations, and directness. Jan’s unique ability to maintain a non-judgmental attitude, show compassion, and relate to others was a gift to her family and friends. Those in power did not receive such grace – she shared strong opinions about injustice and corruption with passion.

Jan held dearly to life despite the many challenges life threw at her. Jan fought and survived serious health problems for the last 25 years – full of spirit and hope. It is with sadness we say goodbye and hope that her strong spirit can rest in peace and comfort.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Carole Jones (Frantz). She is survived by her daughter Jess and grandson Ollie, and nieces and nephews Joshua, Thomas, Robin, and Alana.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, which would have been her 73rd birthday. Further details to follow closer to the day. Please email her daughter Jess at mlle.audreyhorne@gmail.com to be added to the list of invitees.

Poem:

If you hanker for
a zenith of felicity
on the bed of the Divine
begin by dusting off
the wings of wonder
on your local pillow
Lift your ineffable
out of the mundane
Aim for airborne
with the eye of the heart
as your sky pilot
and soar to glory
~ James Broughton ~

(Little Sermons of the Big Joy)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Store robbed

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photo)

Police are investigating a robbery that happened a short time ago at the Lucky 5 ga station/mini-mart (35th/Henderson). Officers have told the dispatcher that witnesses say the robbers, wearing masks or bandanas, got away in a gray or tan SUV, possibly an early 2000s Toyota Camry, last seen eastbound on Henderson, with the passenger-side taillight turned out. The vehicle is believed to have four people inside.

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Camp Second Chance updates, from first Community Advisory Committee meeting since announcement of new church sponsorship

December 1, 2019 6:04 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Myers Way | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A week and a half after Fauntleroy Church‘s sponsorship of Camp Second Chance was announced (WSB coverage here), the tiny-house encampment’s Community Advisory Committee met this afternoon.

Turnout was light as usual, and no major community concerns surface. The meeting yielded some updates, though:

SPONSOR UPDATES: Fauntleroy Church’s pastor Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski was at the meeting, telling the committee, “My church is really excited to enter into this important relationship” with the camp. She said the church has launched an Implementation Task Force to decide what sort of “programming” it can provide for the camp.

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How are the orcas? Find out @ The Whale Trail’s winter gathering

December 1, 2019 4:08 pm

| Comments Off on How are the orcas? Find out @ The Whale Trail’s winter gathering

| West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

(Brother J44 and sister J53, photographed by Mark Sears, permit 21348)

J-Pod’s recent return to our part of Puget Sound might have you wondering – how are the Southern Resident Killer Whales doing? In a week and a half, The Whale Trail will present your chance to find out. The announcement:

Whale Trail Winter Gathering featuring SRKW Research Updates by Dr. Brad Hanson”

When: Tuesday December 10, 7:00 – 8:30
–Doors open at 6:30
Where: C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave. SW
Cost: $5 suggested donation; kids free
Advance tickets: brownpapertickets.comm

The southern resident orcas return to the central Sound each winter, following chum salmon runs. With just 73 individuals in the population, these endangered pods are nearing their historical low. What current research is underway, and how will it help protect J, K, and L pods?

Join us for the Whale Trail Winter Gathering featuring updates from Dr. Brad Hanson, NWFSC Lead Killer Whale Researcher, and field researchers Mark and Maya Sears. TWT Director Donna Sandstrom will discuss the conclusion of Governor Inslee’s Task Force on SRKW Recovery, and actions you can take to protect the southern residents now.

Come early and get your holiday shopping done too! We’ll have great gifts for the whale fans on your list, including signed copies of Erich Hoyt’s newly released edition of Orca The Whale Called Killer.

Buy tickets now to reserve your seat. And hurry – this will likely sell out!

About the Speaker

Brad Hanson joined the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in April of 2003. Previously, Brad worked as a Wildlife Biologist at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle, WA. Brad received a Ph.D. from the University of Washington where he worked on the development of improved tag attachment systems for small cetaceans. He also holds an M.S. in Fisheries from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Zoology also from the University of Washington. Brad is an ecologist and is currently studying foraging and habitat use of Southern Resident killer whales and health assessment of harbor and Dall’s porpoises.

About The Whale Trail

The Whale Trail is a series of sites to view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment.

Through our current sites and signs, including two on every Washington State ferry, we reach more than 50 million people each year. The Whale Trail is led by a core team of partners including NOAA Fisheries, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Many members of the team first met on the successful effort to return Springer, the orphaned orca, to her pod.

The Whale Trail was founded and is directed by Donna Sandstrom. Donna served as a member of Governor Jay Inslee’s Southern Resident Orca Recovery Task Force. The Whale Trail is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, registered in Washington State. Join us!

Here’s our coverage of The Whale Trail’s event back in September, featuring Erich Hoyt.

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MONDAY: See the design proposed for Cottage Grove Playground changes

December 1, 2019 2:39 pm

| Comments Off on MONDAY: See the design proposed for Cottage Grove Playground changes

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Reminder as the long holiday weekend wraps up: Seattle Parks invites you to a meeting tomorrow night (Monday, December 2nd) to talk about changes at Cottage Grove Playground as part of the Your Voice/Your Choice program – some new equipment, in addition to moving existing equipment. The meeting is set for 6:30 pm at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW); here’s our preview from two weeks ago.

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West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays hosts Santa’s House

December 1, 2019 11:50 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Got a holiday wish to share with Santa Claus? Until 2 pm today, at the south end of the Farmers’ Market, visit Santa’s House, courtesy of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (with community co-sponsors including WSB).

Not only can you take a pic with Jolly St. Nick, free holiday face-painting is happening too. (added) That’s courtesy of Verity Credit Union (WSB sponsor), with team members visiting from the nearby (4505 California SW) branch when we stopped by:

If you didn’t get to Santa’s House today – you have another chance, 11 am-2 pm December 15th. Looking for Santa sooner? See the list of local appearances in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!

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9 highlights for your first West Seattle Sunday of December!

December 1, 2019 7:33 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Welcome to December! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

PANCAKES WITH SEATTLE CIVIC DANCE THEATRE: This morning, you’re invited to the first Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for Seattle Civic Dance Theatre, 8:39-11 am at Alki Masonic Center in The Junction, “serving pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. Gluten-free pancakes will also be available.” (4736 40th SW)

SANTA’S TWO APPEARANCES:: Santa photos at CAPERS, 9 am-noon, DIY photos with $20 suggested donation benefiting West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW) … Also in The Junction, visit the Hometown Holidays Santa House, 11 am-2 pm, with free holiday face-painting. (California/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, see what’s fresh! (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

WREATH SALES: Pathfinder K-8 PTSA and students make and sell handmade wreaths during the West Seattle Farmers Market; all proceeds go to supporting outdoor education. (California/Alaska)

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: Third day of the fair at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, 10 am-5 pm: “Local vendors and Native artists will be showcasing goods including wood carvings, beadwork, drums, prints, paintings, and more.” (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

BARTER YOUR HOMEMADE ITEMS: 1 pm-3 pm, Backyard Barter‘s mnnthly gathering is at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – explained here. (2306 42nd SW)

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Monthly meeting for updates, questions, comments about the tiny-house encampment in southeast West Seattle. 2 pm at the community room on the south side of Arrowhead Gardens. All welcome. (9220 2nd SW)

BURGUNDY PEARL TRIO: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “strong harmony arrangements, (with) guitar and stand-up bass.” No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

PHISH TOUR LIVESTREAM: Watch it at Parliament Tavern, 4 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE THE FUTURE … by browsing the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar.

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