West Seattle, Washington
02 Saturday
ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:43 AM: Early warning this time – Kersti Muul sends word that orcas are off Golden Gardens (Ballard), southbound, so could be visible from here before long. Let us know if you see them!
12:07 PM: Update from Kersti – they’re off the north tip of Elliott Bay.
12:47 PM: Update from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail – they are in view from Constellation Park – residents!
1:27 PM: Along with the updates in comments, we just received email from Russell, saying they are in view from Pt. Williams at Lincoln Park.
6:09 PM: Photos added – top of the story and above this line, by Jamie Kinney. Thank you!
(Pine Siskin, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
It’s the second night of Hanukkah as well as Christmas Eve eve. From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
THE CHRISTMAS PEOPLE: First day at Alki Masonic Center, until 5 pm, working in the kitchen to put together holiday meals for those in need, as well as accepting donations of homemade cookies – also 9 am-5 pm tomorrow and Wednesday, with a free noon-4 pm buffet Wednesday for anyone who needs a holiday meal. Backstory here. (4736 40th SW)
HOLIDAY MUSIC AT THRIFTWAY: Lots of live music for shoppers at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – Alex Baird noon-3 pm, Gary Benson 3:30-5:30 pm, We 3 Carolers 5:30-7:30 pm. (4201 SW Morgan)
SANTA AT THRIFTWAY: One last chance for pics with Ol’ St. Nick, 2-5 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – then it’s back to the North Pole to get ready for Christmas Eve. (4201 SW Morgan)
LIBRARY LAB – ROBOTS! Drop in 4-7 pm at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
3 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: Here are your Monday night options:
*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 Admiral Way), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP TODAY, TONIGHT, BEYOND … by browsing the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar!
… are views like these. Above, David Hutchinson‘s photo of the Olympics during a weekend sunbreak. Below, Bob Bollen‘s recent view of the Mount Rainier vicinity, with the West Seattle Bridge in the foreground.
As for our forecast down here in the lowlands … you might see the mountains again later today, if the “partly sunny” projection comes true.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:24 AM: Good morning! No incidents/alerts in our area so far.
Third year in a row that readers have sent a pic of the famous “Santa hat” tree at 36th and Roxbury, so we are just going to have to declare this an annual tradition in the WSB Christmas-lights spotlight series. This photo is courtesy of Stephen, who said, “Been checking out lights and we thought these were blog worthy! Coolest crooked tree in West Seattle!” The shape of the top of the cap has changed a bit over the years – we first showed it in 2007, then again in 2011, and in 2017 and 2018. Almost time for Santa himself to start those special deliveries, but we are still welcoming suggestions for the next few nights, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com; scroll through our archive to see what we have already spotlighted!
(WSB photos/video)
On this first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah took their celebration outdoors to Junction Plaza Park. Rabbi Zari Weiss and assistant Abe lit the menorah’s first candle, and she explained the traditional blessings:
…and then it was time for singalongs:
Rabbi Weiss also spoke of the spirit of Hanukkah, inspiring all those who have sought freedom from persecution.’
Despite the return of the rain, the celebration drew a good-sized crowd, and everyone was offered Hanukkah treats – jelly donuts. Hanukkah continues for eight nights, with the menorah’s last candle to be lit one week from tonight.
Reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
CHURCH PROWLER: From Holy Rosary pastor Fr. Matthew Oakland:
Today after our last Mass at Holy Rosary, while decorating the church for Christmas, an unknown man was in the church standing behind columns, shifting his position so as to be less visible as the decorating crew were moving about. He was later found by one of the staff in the sacristy going through all of the cabinets, after making an unsuccessful walkthrough earlier as there were still people there. When confronted, he asked if an unknown person was there, was upset at being suspected of theft when asked what exactly he was looking for, and then made a hasty exit toward the Junction.
During this season of such great generosity, this is a reminder especially to our neighboring houses of worship of the unfortunate need to always be mindful and on alert.
Description: About 5’10”, slim to medium build, about 50 years old, African American, wearing a gray close fitting hat and gray jacket with dark pants.
PACKAGE THIEF: Mary says the area around 30th/Holden had multiple reports of a package thief/prowler today.
See a closer-up framegrab here
PROWLER: No visual but we also received a text of a prowler active in Fauntleroy, near 45th/Austin.
(WSB photos and video)
It’s a holiday tradition, so the return of the rain didn’t deter dozens from being part of the annual Christmas Light Run this evening, taking off from West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) shortly after 6 pm.
This year’s biggest challenge, as proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell explained pre-run, was redesigning the route a bit, since the highlight of previous years, West Seattle Lights, is no more:
One of the sights they added is the revived Gai Family display. Post-run, the McConnells were hosting everyone for cookies and hot chocolate at the shop. Besides free weekly runs – featured in our West Seattle Event Calendar – they also have a special event the day after Christmas, the next Info Night for their free couch-to-half-marathon Get Fit West Seattle training program – be at the shop 7(2743 California SW) pm December 26th to find out more.
Thanks to Jamie Kinney for the photo! That’s the C-17 Globemaster seen over West Seattle this afternoon on its way to a Seahawks pre-game fly-by. It was from the 62nd Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the South Sound.
P.S. One non-aviation-related Seahawks note – next Sunday’s home game vs. the 49ers has been moved from an afternoon start to evening start – 5:20 pm kickoff.
(Photo by Monika Lidman)
One week before a milestone birthday, a special candle – the report is from Judy Pickens:
This season, elders have been lighting one candle on each of the four Sundays of Advent at Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ, and today’s candle lighter was the eldest of all. Aided by son Brian, about-to-be-centenarian Bettie Porter Dunbar lit the candle of compassion to open the worship service. She was born on December 29, 1919, in Puyallup and she and her late husband, Horace, joined the church 70 years ago this month, shortly after he finished building their home in Fauntleroy.
P.S. If you’re looking for Christmas Eve church services, our list is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
The new year will bring new movement classes for babies/toddlers at local Seattle Parks facilities. Here’s the announcement:
Hiawatha Community Center is so excited to broaden its dance offerings this winter! Beginning in January, we’ll have Parent and Me creative movement classes, baby ballet, and toddler dance jam. Anyone who has had their little one in class with Miss Marika knows how energetic and wonderful she is at ushering the kiddos into their first dance education experience. In addition to our Wednesday morning classes, we’ll be expanding into Monday afternoons at Dakota Place Park. Give us a call at 206.684.7441 or visit us online to sign up and make sure we’ve got enough spots filled to run all these amazing classes! Questions? E-mail Assistant Coordinator Andrea Sisco at andrea.sisco@seattle.gov
P.S. Looking for programs for other age groups? Here’s the winter brochure (PDF) for all the local city-run community centers!
This happened to Laura overnight:
I wanted to pass along Incident #19-471877. My car was parked on Harbor Ave SW [2400 block]. Someone broke into to my 15-year-old car. They attempted to steal it as well, but were unsuccessful. They stole emergency cash, emergency car kit, emergency survival kit, and a bag or two full of donations.
Please remind folks to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. My car doors were locked and I did not have anything out in view. Bad people suck.
Know someone who needs a Christmas tree but can’t afford one? Holy Rosary School‘s lot is giving away what they have left – a few dozen as of 9 am. The lot is just north of the school, off 42nd SW between Genesee and Dakota. Self-serve, while they last.
(Photo by Don Brubeck, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
LAST SANTA MORNING AT CAPERS: Santa photos at CAPERS, 9 am-noon, DIY photos with $20 suggested donation benefiting West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW)
TWO TOY GIVEAWAYS: 10 am, Victory Outreach Church (10851 1st Ave. S.); noon, Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Last one before Christmas! 10 am-2 pm, in the street, in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
SANTA AT MET MARKET: Santa photos, 11 am-2 pm at Metropolitan Market. (41st/42nd/Admiral)
BONUS SHOPPING DAY: Two WSB sponsors that are usually closed Sundays are OPEN today, noon-5 pm, for your holiday shopping! Wyatt’s Jewelers at Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton) and Thunder Road Guitars. (6400 California SW)
HOLIDAY MUSIC AT THRIFTWAY: We 3 Carolers noon-2 pm, Gary Benson 2:30 pm-4:30, performing inside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) for shoppers. (4201 SW Morgan)
CORREO AEREO: Live music 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
SANTA AT THRIFTWAY: 4=7 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), it’s Ol’ St.Nick. (4201 SW Morgan)
POP-UP HANUKKAH: The first of eight nights of the Festival of Light begins at sundown, and West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah invites everyone to celebrate at its Pop-Up Hanukkah in Junction Plaza Park, 5-6 pm. Candle-lighting, songs, and donuts. (42nd/Alaska)
CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at 6 pm for the annual leisurely run (or walk) past brightly lit homes, as previewed here. Festivities at the shop afterward. Bring a nonperishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank if you can. (2743 California SW)
THE COCOA CRIS CRINGLE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE: 7 pm at Parliament Tavern – this time for a performance, not photos! $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
CONCERT: Northwest Boychoir‘s annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at Holy Rosary Church, 7 pm. Tickets here. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
‘CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ MUSIC, LIVE: 8 pm at Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki. Online tickets are sold out, so check with the restaurant to see if there’s any room left. (2808 Alki SW)
MORE! in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar.
(SFD response at Safeway; photo by Christopher Boffoli)
10:52 PM: Police are searching for a suspect after a stabbing was reported in the Admiral area. The victim, a 19-year-old reported to have a stab wound in the back, is at Admiral Safeway – so that’s where Seattle Fire is responding to – but the attack – possibly a robbery attempt – was reported near 46th/Stevens. More as we get it.
10:58 PM: No clear description of a suspect. Police are now saying via emergency radio that it appears to have been an assault, not a robbery attempt. They’re still trying to get more information on exactly where it happened; the initial 46th/Stevens report was from one passerby.
11:07 PM: Police are searching with a K-9 in the 45th/46th area. Meantime, the victim has been taken to Harborview Medical Center.
11:16 PM: Christopher Boffoli is at Safeway covering this for WSB and learned that a second male victim is being treated for a “small puncture wound to the back.” He will be transported by private ambulance.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
11:31 PM: Christopher talked with SPD at the scene. Both victims are teenagers; neither has life-threatening wounds. Police are still trying to sort out the circumstances and location, but have now cleared the Safeway vicinity, which is where the victims went to call for help..
Thanks for the texted tip and photo! Tonight’s featured lights are in the 5400 block of 49th SW, southwest of The Junction. Got a tip, with or without photo? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text to 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)
At the end of a gray day that was part of 49 consecutive hours of rain, suddenly and quickly, a splash of pink spread across the southwest sky. And that’s how Alice Enevoldsen‘s Winter Solstice sunset watch concluded, with the ~20 in attendance admiring the surprise show.
Until then, it was a gathering much like the dozens of others over which Alice (above with her 8- and 3-year-old daughters) has presided over her decade as a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador. As always, she explained what the solstice and equinox are – specific points in the Earth’s annual orbit around the sun. Here’s how part of it went:
But no two sunset watches are exactly alike, depending on who shows up and what they ask about; this one morphed into a discussion of systems of timekeeping.
This gathering, like Alice’s others, was at Solstice Park, just northeast of Lincoln Park, highlighted by stone markers and paths lining up with where the sun sets on the solstices and equinoxes, when you can see it:
The actual winter-solstice moment is at 8:19 pm our time this evening. From here, the days start getting longer -a whole second more tomorrow between sunrise and sunset! P.S. The sunset was so beautiful (see our Instagram video recorded as the color deepened), here’s a bonus photo courtesy of Kanit Cottrell in Gatewood:
Feel like baking cookies, but don’t have anyone to bake for, and/or can’t eat them yourself? Or … baking cookies and have the bandwidth for an extra batch you could donate? Now’s the time to bake for The Christmas People, who again are putting out the call for thousands of homemade cookies that they can include with holiday meals to be delivered to people in need. You can drop off cookies 9 am-5 pm Monday or Tuesday, and starting at 9 am on Christmas Day, at Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW). They’re also asking for volunteers to help prepare meal trays those days – and if you know someone in need of a no-cost holiday dinner, they’ll offer a full buffet, same location, noon-4 pm on Christmas Day. (Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay)
The rain has stopped – for a while. For the first time in two days, the National Weather Service has recorded an hour in Seattle with no more than a trace of rain. Despite 3+ inches Friday alone, no major problems in our area – but it’s definitely left its mark. Above, a reader just texted that photo of trees down across the bluff trail at Lincoln Park that leads to/from Colman Pool. (Slide risk is high because of the rain, so be watchful if you’re near a slide-prone slope.) Below, what Longfellow Creek looked like from the SW Yancy footbridge at midday:
Here’s how the creek looked Friday, as tweeted by Mark from a point a short distance south:
@westseattleblog Longfellow Creek near Dragonfly Pavilion pic.twitter.com/EJIXRxmUCC
— Mark Tiedemann (@pdxmark77) December 20, 2019
We’re off now to enjoy the break in the train by covering Alice‘s winter-solstice sunset watch (a quarterly tradition even when the sun doesn’ show up).
2:27 PM: Thanks for the tip: SPD and SFD are arriving at a crash toward the west end of the West Seattle Bridge. At least one vehicle is reported to have hit the jersey barrier. Injuries are said to be minor.
3:01 PM: SDOT reports the scene has cleared.
As The Junction bustled with shoppers today, there was a musical surprise outside Carmilia’s Boutique at midday – caroling by the Byrd Ensemble. They’re a chamber vocal group whose artistic director Markdavin Obenza is a West Seattleite. The ensemble was out “Caroling for a Cause,” collecting donations to support Seattle Music Partners’ musical education for kids; if you missed them in The Junction, you can still donate by scrolling down the group’s home page.
The family of Wes P. Jensen is sharing this remembrance with the community:
Wes passed December 8, 2019 at Homecomings, his adult family home in West Seattle, at the age of 101.
Wes was born in Hedgesville, Montana in 1918 to Hans Christian and Esther Jensen. He was raised in Medina, WA, and graduated from Garfield High in 1937. Wes got a job at ADT, which served him well during WW2 while serving in the Army, stationed in Australia and New Guinea, often working as an electrician. After returning to the states, he met and married Helen Lausten. They started their life in Medina, then moved to West Seattle in 1950 to raise three children, all while continuing his career with ADT. Wes was a hard worker and always helping others. He was dedicated to Scouting and the Burien Elk. An avid golfer, he was very proud of his hole-in-one while in his 80s. He was fortunate to have not one but four loving families. The last of which were his tremendous caregivers at Homecomings AFH in West Seattle. He will truly be missed and loved forever by everyone who knew him.
Wes was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen, brothers Nathan Jensen and Carl Jensen, and sisters Lois Rounds and Anna Petry. He is survived by sisters Ellie Coleman and Mary Lou Howard, daughter Virginia Cooper (Tom), sons Tom (Charlaine) and Chuck (Laura), six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, as well as the Childs and Hellstrom families, and Homecomings AFH.
Wes’ claim to fame was that he was a passenger on the airplane hijacked by D.B. Cooper in 1971. The best part of that story, for him, was that he was pretty much oblivious to the drama while it was happening and afterward resented all the fuss made over it. But such was Wes, unflappable and selfless. He was a man who lived his life well, a model of kindness, decency, and great humor that inspired all around him, and always will.
At his request there will be no funeral services.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
HALF-PRICE TREES @ HOLY ROSARY LOT: Last day at Holy Rosary Tree Lot, north of the school, and they’re selling at 50 percent until the trees are all gone, 9 am to (UPDATE) 7 pm. Part of the proceeds go to Hickman House (Salvation Army), West Seattle Food Bank, and West Seattle Helpline. (Off 42nd SW north of SW Genesee)
SANTA PHOTOS: At CAPERS, 9 am-noon, DIY photos with $20 suggested donation benefiting West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW)
HILL TEAM FOOD DRIVE: Bring donations to the Keller Williams office 10 am-noon to help the West Seattle Food Bank. (4452 California SW)
FAMILY READING TIME: 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers. (6040 California SW)
CAR-WASH TICKETS: Support West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center by stopping by today, noon-3 pm, and buying Brown Bear Car Wash tickets for $7. (2236 SW Orchard)
TOY GIVEAWAY: Noon until toys ere gone, at High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)
SELFIES WITH SANTA: Find him today at Westwood Village, 2-4 pm. (2600 SW Barton)
MERMAID PHOTOS: Meet Garland the Holiday Mermaid at Ounces in North Delridge, 2-5 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
TALK WITH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: New Seattle School Board member Lisa Rivera Smith will fill in for Leslie Harris this time, 3-5 pm at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
WELCOMING WINTER: Alice Enevoldsen‘s quarterly change-of-seasons sunset watch welcomes the winter solstice this time around – be at Solstice Park, upslope from the tennis courts, at 3:45 pm, rain or shine. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ROO AND THE FEW: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
JARED HALL QUINTET: Live jazz at Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 8 pm. Cover (and other) info here. (2808 Alki SW)
ROCK ‘N” ROLL: Kline 57 (feat. Joey Kline), Nurse Ratchett, and Ezrael Sarmiento, 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE THE REST … by browsing the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar.
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