West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo. That’s what the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship – aka Spirit of Seattle – looks like by day. He photographed it during its final West Seattle visit of the season, this afternoon at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. You can still catch it at other stops around Puget Sound and Lakes Union and Washington – here’s the schedule. Our reports on its previous 2019 West Seattle visits are here (November 29, Lowman Beach and Alki) and here (November 30, Salty’s on Alki [WSB sponsor]).
4:36 PM: If you’re not already here, c’mon down to the West Seattle Junction and wander SW Alaska east of California …it’s the Hometown Holidays Night Market until 7 pm (with the tree lighting at 6). 40 vendors, arranged in pockets in the street – food, drink, art, apparel:
Above right, a booth with bowties might be the most unusual one we’ve seen. Also look on the north side of the street for cocoa and children’s activities. We’ve seen Santa wandering, too. And onstage, live music:
Endolyne Children's Choir onstage in Junction Plaza Park pic.twitter.com/mD9sFhpM0k
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 8, 2019
The Not-Its are back this year, due up around 5:15 pm. More to come
5:29 PM: The sparkly Not-Its, rocking the park:
6:10 PM: The tree is lit! Separate report on that later. The Night Market continues until 7.
ADDED: More video from the musical performances – first, a few bouncy moments from The Not-Its, as they invited the grownups to join the kids in jumping to the beat – with a promise of prizes:
More to come ….
3:21 PM: SFD has a “full response” on the way to a building in the 1200 block of SW Holden. Updates to come.
3:24 PM: The call has just been downsized. We’re still en route to find out more.
3:36 PM: Firefighters at the scene tell us it was a kitchen fire. Out now, no major damage, no one hurt.
(Added: Photo sent by reader)
1:55 PM: Thanks for the tips. SFD is sending more units to what’s described as a “fire in the woods” south of High Point, in a sloped area west of Home Depot. According to the dispatch, it is believed to have started in an encampment; according to what firefighters on scene are reporting, the fire has burned a structure in that encampment but is under control.
2:07 PM: The fire is reported to be out. SFD revised the address (which is approximate in a situation like this) to the 7100 block of Sylvan Way.
2:21 PM: Avoid Sylvan Way for a while – a nearby resident says traffic is backed up because of the emergency vehicles. She also says she had heard from police that this camp was to be cleared soon. Another nearby resident said it had been repeatedly reported.
More local, handmade items to shop this weekend – Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) has a Makers’ Market until 3 pm today and 11:30 am-1 pm Sunday. All the proceeds benefit the West Seattle Helpline.
Tibbetts UMC is at 3940 41st SW.
Wander into C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) today, you will also find one of the many community events for which the coffeehouse is renowned – the holiday-season Artt and Crafts Fair. Look closely as you browse; for example, Dianne‘s creations, above, include a quilt with proceeds going to an animal rescue. Other items you’ll find at tables around C & P’s biggest room include cards and jewelry.
The fair’s on until 2 pm.
C & P is at 5612 California SW.
8:59 AM: Volunteer helpers from Scouts to West Seattle Timebank members are with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle until 11 am in the Alki Masonic Center, for the annual Pancake Breakfast! Pancakes, ham, beverages, $10 at the door, kids under 10 free – and it’s sit-down service. Santa photos, raffles, Toys for Tots too. Be part of a 70+-year West Seattle tradition (backstory here). More photos later!
ADDED 10:14 AM: Here’s a look at some of the people making this happen – above and below, the kitchen crew:
Volunteers:
The Kiwanis Club works closely with local high schools’ Key Clubs. Here’s Kiwanian Shari Sewell with Azlin from the West Seattle High School Key Club:
That club is also selling handmade ornaments at today’s breakfast:
And if you bring a Toys for Tots donation … two Marines are here to receive them:
With Santa are Cpl. Kazimir Klossowski and Sgt. Thomas Ledesma. And here from the Timebank, Tamsen and Jacqueline:
The Masonic Center is at 40th/Edmunds.
(The tug Carolyn H, photographed by David Hutchinson)
So much happening today/tonight! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Santa photos for kids up to age 10 are part of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s annual pancake breakfast, 7-11 am at Alki Masonic Center. Tickets are $8 online in advance, $10 at the door, kids under 10 eat free with paid adult. Buy advance tickets here. **Bring new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!!** (40th SW/SW Edmunds)
SHOP EARLY: Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 8 am-2 pm. (5612 California SW)
WHITE CENTER SUMMIT: Come talk about the community’s future at this year’s summit, presented by the White Center Community Development Association, 9 am-1:30 pm at Evergreen High School. (830 SW 116th)
ADOPT-A-STREET CLEANUP: 9 am-11 am with the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Meet at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). Get treats! (41st/Admiral)
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Prospective families are invited to visit the independent middle school (a WSB sponsor) 10 am-11:30 am at its third and final fall open house. (10015 28th SW)
MAKERS MARKET: Happening at Tibbetts UMC (WSB sponsor) 10 am-3 pm today, 11:30 am-1 pm Sunday, beautiful and unique selection of hand-sewn items, stocking stuffers, crafts, gift baskets, and baked goods available for sale. This year’s Makers Market includes artisans from the community! Sip a hot beverage and enjoy Christmas cookies while you shop. Proceeds benefit the West Seattle Helpline. (3940 41st SW)
SANTA PAWS: Pets and people are invited in for free photos with Santa, 10 am-1 pm at Windermere West Seattle. Bring pet-and-people food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank! (4526 California SW)
LIGHT RAIL NEIGHBORHOOD FORUM: 10 am-noon at Delridge Community Center, you’re invited to get updated on where the West Seattle planning process stands, with a focus on the future Delridge station. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
SEOLA POND NEEDS YOU: 10 am-1 pm, help revive the pond by taking part in today’s planting party. (30th SW & SW 105th)
ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR: Three West Seattle artists are part of the Seattle Sampling open-studio tour, 10 am-5 pm. (Map and info here)
WINTER-THEMED STORY TIME: 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers, local author Kerri Kokias reads from her picture book “Snow Sisters,” followed by games, activities, and crafts. (6040 California SW)
HOLIDAY BOOK FAIR: At Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 11 am – 2 pm and Sunday 10 am-2 pm, in the Social Hall. All used books this year and a huge selection so you’ll find the right book for everyone! Complimentary Hot Cider and Treats! (7141 California SW)
COMMUNITY WALK FOR NORTH DELRIDGE PROJECT: 11 am, meet for this city-led walk to talk about the Brandon/Findlay Trails/Wayfinding project, as previewed here. (26th/Brandon)
DRIVE-IN TOY DRIVE: Eazy Duz It Car Club is collecting new, unopened toys for the Salvation Army 11 am-4 pm at Boss Drive-In in South Delridge. Bring a donation! (9061 Delridge Way SW)
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: “Join Move2Center for our Joy-Full Holiday Open House from 2 pm until 5 pm! If you’ve ever walked by our “speakeasy” entrance and wondered what Move2Center is all about, this is a terrific opportunity to drop in and check us out. Everyone who swings by the open house will be able to take advantage of special discounted prices on class passes and other fantastic giveaways, including a FREE Nia class at 3 p.m. More information is available by clicking here.(37th/Alaska)
CHRISTMAS SHIP: After three nighttime stops last week, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship is back in West Seattle, after a South Park stop – both in the afternoon, with Emerald City Voices on board:
-Duwamish Waterway Park @ 2:00 pm (7900 10th Ave. S., South Park)
-Don Armeni Boat Ramp @ 3:05 pm (1220 Harbor SW)
NIGHT MARKET: 40 vendors expected, plus live music, during the Hometown Holidays Night Market, in the street, in The Junction, 3-7 pm. Santa will be there, too, starting around 4! (SW Alaska between California and 42nd)
LIGHT THE TREE: West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting at 6 pm, during the Night Market, at Junction Plaza Park. Live music starts at 4! (42nd SW/SW Alaska)
‘HEAD OVER HEELS’: ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) presents “Head Over Heels: The Musical,” 7:30 pm curtain. Directed by Mathew Wright. Tickets available here. (4711 California SW)
‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET’: Join Twelfth Night Productions this holiday season for “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play.” Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm at Kenyon Hall.
Buy your ticket(s) online at this Brown Paper Tickets link, or at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
STEPHANIE PORTER SINGS JAZZ: 8 pm at Pacific Room on Alki (WSB sponsor) – performer and cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: 9 pm, Fundamental Forces, Ask the Ages, and Super Z Attack Force. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AND THERE’S MORE … in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar.
The tree at the top of the city is shining bright tonight, after
He and other OLG students were part of the festivities – some of the Christmas classics sung tonight were led by 4th and 5th graders:
Also singing tonight, the Starry Crowns – and of course, the crowd!
Brian Callanan emceed, and the crowd heard briefly from OLG’s new-this-year pastor, Fr. Kevin Duggan. The night is also a celebration of giving, with lots of volunteer power going into the event, plus donations collected for local food banks:
After caroling wrapped up outside, everyone was invited inside the Walmesley Center, where cookies enhanced the holiday cheer:
You can enjoy the big tree, and the other lights on the church grounds, at 35th/Myrtle throughout the season. (About that elevation … 512 feet!)
From the lights-and-lightings section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide: East of The Junction, music-synched West Seattle Yuletide is bigger and brighter this year.
” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>As explained here, the show will run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, 5-9 pm, until December 20th, when it’ll go nightly. You can find West Seattle Yuletide on the east side of 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota; the soundtrack, audible if you’re on the sidewalk, is broadcast on 101.9 FM if you’re in your car.
(WSB photos/video)
Every holiday season, Nucor Steel – the mill by the bridge – and its workers deliver a big gift to the West Seattle Food Bank, donating food and money. This year, after an internal competition between teams at the plant, the gifts weren’t just big, they were huge. We usually cover the delivery at WSFB HQ; this year we were invited to visit Nucor as they prepared for the delivery, too.
The food totaled almost five tons – 9,501 pounds (double last year’s total) – and required multiple trucks to be loaded for transport to WSFB:
The money donated by employees totaled $1,720. And the company’s match multiplied all that in a big way.
Nucor matched the donation with $2 for each $1 donated and each pound of food donated, so the company gave WSFB $22,442!
Here’s how the Nucor internal competition broke out:
Admin/Sales – 3,351 pounds plus $1,000
Rolling Mill/Shipping – 3,675 pounds plus $430
Melt Shop – 1,295 pounds plus $290
Connex/Emergency Trailer – 1,180 pounds
The Admin/Sales team will be presented with a trophy next week.
P.S. You can help the Food Bank in a variety of ways this season – some are listed in the Giving Opportunities section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, and you can also donate food and/or money directly to WSFB!
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
WARRANT: Several people have asked about this; the SWAT officers in High Point this afternoon were there to serve a warrant. No other details yet.
PROWLER: From Brian west of The Junction:
Caught someone looking through windows and trying to open our front door today. Near 47th and Alaska. Reported to police and they came by about 15 mins later to check on the house. He went North. Please post video.
The incident # is 19-451485.
PREVENTION: From Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, the latest newsletter focuses on burglary/robbery prevention, with a seasonal emphasis:
Before and after the 6 pm tree lighting at Junction Plaza Park tomorrow, you’ll be able to shop a bigger-than-ever Night Market in the street on SW Alaska between California and 42nd. We talked with West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Radford for a quick preview:
You’ll find 40 vendors, 15 of them in partnership with the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, some others in partnership with the Alki Art Fair – “nice combination of local makers and artists.” A couple Junction favorites, too – Bakery Nouveau will have a booth. Meantime, music starts in the park just before 4 pm with Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) – see our previous tree-lighting preview for the full entertainment schedule. Also at the Night Market: Santa! (P.S. Note that this section of Alaska will close to traffic about 11 am for setup.)
With I-976-related funding uncertainty in the background, planning proceeds for West Seattle light rail. Two notes today:
(WSB photo from November forum)
DELRIDGE FORUM SATURDAY: 10 am-noon tomorrow at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), Sound Transit‘s next “neighborhood forum” will focus on Delridge station-area planning. As announced by ST, “This event focuses on the Delridge station and builds upon the community engagement and collaboration approach outlined in the Racial Equity Toolkit. Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be available.” (Here’s our coverage of last month’s West Seattle forum.)
MORE DRILLING: Meantime, as part of the environmental studies along the potential routing alternatives, drilling continues for soil testing. ST is circulating flyers for the next two locations, both along SW Genesee, near 30th SW for five days starting as soon as Monday (PDF flyer here), and near 31st SW, same duration/time frame (PDF flyer here).
The weekend’s in view! First, the Friday highlights, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
LAFAYETTE LIGHTS & CRAFT FAIR: Lafayette Elementary Winter Light Festival, second night, 5-7 pm:
You are invited to our Lafayette Winter Light Festival, This is our second light festival (practically a tradition now).
(Photo from WSB coverage Thursday night)
Come check out our twinkling winter wonderland, designed and built by our students and parent volunteers. This community building event is for all students, their families and friends as well as our entire West Seattle Community. Come sip hot cocoa and enjoy a cookie while taking a stroll in the “snow” through our outdoor light display.
And indoors, also 5-7 pm, the Lafayette Craft Fair & Wrapping Event! (2645 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE’S TASTIEST OPEN HOUSE: Tonight’s the night for the ever-popular Husky Deli Open House, 5 pm-9 pm. (4721 California SW)
ART OPENING AT VAIN: 5-8:30 pm, you’re invited to the opening party at VAIN (WSB sponsor) in The Junction: “Using old growth cedar salvaged from construction site dumpsters, Andy McConnell makes works of art that seek to honor material that once stood as ancient trees in primordial forests.” (4513 California SW)
LIGHTS AND MUSIC: Weekend shows resume tonight for music-synched West Seattle Yuletide, starting around 5 pm – see the updated schedule here. (38th SW between SW Genesee and SW Dakota)
ALEX ASHELY: Singer-songwriter live at Pacific Room on Alki (WSB sponsor), 5-6 pm. No cover. All ages. (2808 Alki SW)
CORNER BAR: 6 pm, the monthly pop-up bar at Highland Park Improvement Club is open to all. (1116 SW Holden)
TREE LIGHTING AND MORE: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School invite you to “Light Up the Night,” with Christmas caroling, hot chocolate, and of course, lights, including the giant tree at the city’s highest elevation! Bring nonperishable food donations to fill the sleigh in the Walmesley Center. 7 pm. (35th SW/SW Myrtle)
2 ORCHESTRAS, 1 FREE CONCERT: West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Wind Symphony & Symphony Orchestra in concert – program details here:
(Photo courtesy WSCO)
7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium. Admission is FREE; donations appreciated! (2600 SW Thistle)
HOLIDAY BELLS: Bells of the Sound at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor): 7:30 pm – show and ticket details here. (3940 41st SW)
‘HEAD OVER HEELS’: Still a few tickets for tonight’s performance of the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) musical – check here. 7:30 pm curtain. (4711 California SW)
‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET’: Opening night for Twelfth Night Productions‘ presentation of “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play.” 7:30 pm curtain at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at this Brown Paper Tickets link, or at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
JOHN ‘GREYHOUND’ MAXWELL: Blues musician live at Pacific Room on Alki (WSB sponsor), 8 pm. Cover info here.
ROCK, POP, JAZZ … with WilloW, Johhny & The Moles, Kristy Smith & The 350s, 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
WHAT ELSE IS UP? Check in any time with our Event Calendar and/or Holiday Guide!
Just added to the “Giving Opportunities” section in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
John L Scott Westwood has teamed up with the Southwest Boys and Girls Club of King County to ensure 100 in need teenagers will have a Happy Holiday.
Join John L Scott Westwood in helping make the holiday season brighter for this often forgotten age group. Visit John L Scott Westwood (2600 SW Barton St., Suite A6), between NOW and December 18. Take a wish from a needy teenager and deliver your unwrapped gift back to John L Scott Westwood, no later than Wednesday, December 19.
Our teenagers have dreamed big; however, we ask that you keep your gift to $40-$75.
The John L. Scott Westwood (WSB sponsor) office is in the Westwood Village breezeway, across from 24 Hour Fitness.
P.S. Got a “giving tree” or other community-giving drive too? Send us the info so we can include it in the Holiday Guide!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning. So far, no alerts or incidents right now. One note:
LOW-BRIDGE INFO: You might have noticed the “open or closed?” Twitter feed hasn’t updated in a week-plus. SDOT says they’re working on it. (Meantime, we’ve switched the link above to the SOOT map, which has “bridges up/down” modes you can check.)
Two weekend alerts:
OVERNIGHT TONIGHT: The southbound Highway 99 tunnel will be closed 10 pm tonight until 8 am Saturday.
SATURDAY: Saturday, starting around 11 am,SW Alaska will be closed between California SW and 42nd SW for the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (6 pm) and Night Market (3-7 pm).
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Community Orchestras)
Two free concerts in five nights! That’s what the West Seattle Community Orchestras have in store for you this season. The first is tomorrow (Friday) night, with the WSCO Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra in concert, 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. The program includes classical and holiday music, ranging from part of John Williams‘ “Home Alone” score to selections from Georges Bizet‘s “Carmen.” Then next Tuesday (December 10), also in the CSIHS auditorium but with a 6 pm start time, WSCO’s Debut and Concert Orchestras present a holiday salute, including a combination performance of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” inviting you to sing along! All are welcome to enjoy one or both concerts. (For a full lineup of holiday concerts and other performances, see our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!)
(WSB photos)
On this first Shop Late Thursday of the season, it’s Holiday Open House night at Menashe and Sons Jewelers (4532 California SW; WSB sponsor).
(Jack Menashe and sons – left, Josh; right, Jack Jr.)
Big sale – storewide 40% off (except Rolexes), with selected 60%/70%-off cases – and treats:
We found some VIP visitors – including Santa Claus and West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Radford:
You’re invited to visit too – this is on until 9 tonight.
P.S. As the holiday-shopping season continues, keep checking the list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!
Grab your minions and get to Lafayette Elementary (California/Lander) before 7 pm to enjoy the first night of the Winter Lights Festival!
Cute outdoor displays include this pathway lined in lights:
It’ll be open Friday night, 5-7 pm, too. Cookies, cocoa, coffee available too!
P.S. And note that Friday night at Lafayette, you’ll also be able to shop the Craft Fair and Book Fair.
Got a couple questions about a fire call at 38th/Barton, with smoke seen coming from Fauntleroy Park. After returning from court downtown, we went that way and caught up with Engine 37 as firefighters were packing up to leave after more than an hour on the call. What burned, they told us, was a tent, deep into the east area of the park (which is why the fire engine was not parked at the public entrance to the park). No other damage and no injuries, they told us.
(WSB photo from September 19, 2017)
2:22 PM: We’re at the county courthouse downtown, where the jury has just announced its verdicts in the trial of Anna Kasparova and Abel Linares-Montejo, charged in the September 2017 shooting death of 25-year-old Edixon Velasquez outside his Westwood home. Kasparova, 23, guilty of 1st-degree murder. Linares-Montejo, 21, guilty of 1st-degree murder. Both were found to have used a gun in the commission of the crime. He was accused of firing the deadly shots – ostensibly during a robbery attempt – after Kasparova, who had dated Velasquez, got him to come outside and help her park her car. She was arrested a few days after the early-evening shooting; he was arrested two weeks later. After closing arguments on Monday afternoon, the 8-woman, 4-man jury deliberated 2 1/2 days. More to come….
2:43 PM: Their sentencing date will be set later; both have been in jail since their arrests in fall 2017. The trial lasted a month, and Superior Court Judge Kristin Richardson thanked the jurors in open court for their service during a “long (and) difficult trial.” As deputies took them back to jail after the verdict, Kasparova was crying; Linares-Montejo told family/friends in the gallery, “I’ve got faith in God … I’m still coming home.” Someone said, apparently referring to the jury, “I hope they’re happy”; someone else responded, “No one’s happy.”
David Bader, Seattle Parks
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Neighbors gathered on Monday night to hear about plans for renovations to the Cottage Grove Park playground (aka Puget Boulevard Commons Park), and to give feedback on the design ideas.
The public meeting, held at the Delridge Community Center, was facilitated by project manager Pam Kliment and landscape architect David Bader from Seattle Parks.
The overall goal for the renovation of the park, located at 5206 26th Ave. SW, is to make the play area more usable for younger children by replacing some of the play equipment and reusing other pieces. The project was chosen by the public as part of the Your Voice, Your Choice program in partnership with the Department of Neighborhoods, Department of Transportation, and Seattle Parks. The design phase is happening now through the end of the year, with the renovation likely complete in late spring 2020.
Preliminary designs are located here. Bader described them as “very much a draft,” with lots of room for input and changes.
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