11:20 PM: Police are reporting the eastbound West Seattle Bridge is blocked by two crashes near the 1st Avenue South exit. Use the low bridge or the south bridges if you need to head off-peninsula any time soon.

12:53 AM: The bridge is now clear. Radio communication indicated a lot of post-crash cleanup was necessary, with an oil slick resulting, and finally some road salting on this icy night.

SUNDAY: Pathfinder K-8’s famous handmade wreaths return

December 3, 2022 9:49 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you’re going to The Junction tomorrow for the Farmers’ Market and/or other shopping – look for the return of some of West Seattle’s most popular handmade decorations! If you haven’t already seen it in our Holiday Guide, here’s the announcement:

Pathfinder K-8 PTSA is holding our 27th annual wreath fundraiser to benefit outdoor education at Pathfinder K-8 School. After a 2-year hiatus we’re so excited to announce we’re back selling Door Decor – wreaths and other holiday swag – at The Junction (next to Wells Fargo) during Farmers Market days December 4th, 11th, and 18th. Everything is 100% unique and made from foraged materials from our yards and tree lots (thank you, Trees by the Sea on Alki!). This year’s selection will be some of our best! For more info: pathfinderk8ptsa.org

Have a hot lead on fallen branches or other supplies we can use in our creations? Email kathleen.hynes@me.com and bae.jungun@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting the kids at Pathfinder School!

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: Lights, drinks, shopping, music, tree lighting @ West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Festival

December 3, 2022 4:18 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(Screengrab of California/Alaska traffic cam during event’s final hour)

4:18 PM: It’s happening now in The Junction, where California and Alaska are closed to traffic and open to winter fun at the expanded Hometown Holidays Festival, culminating with the tree lighting in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska, scheduled to follow the lights-costume contest, which is around 6 pm). Here’s the schedule:

4:00 – Festival begins. Night Market and Beer & Wine Garden are open. Endolyne Choir, School of Rock, and Mode Music Studio perform on stage.
5:00 – G.L.O.W.S. Costume Promenade on streets. Elvis performs on stage.
6:00 – Costume Contest on stage.
6:30 – Lighting of the tree in Junction Plaza Park, followed by Santa reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and leading a carol sing-along.
7:00 – Dancer and Prancer perform on stage.
8:00 – Night Market and Beer & Mulled Wine Garden close.

Our preview, which includes more info on the contest, is here. See you there!

5:24 PM: The Night Market and light-costume promenade are happening on California.

The beer/wine garden is happening, and Elvis is performing, on Alaska.

(added) He was preceded by community musical groups including the Endolyne Choirs:

The tree lighting is an hour or less away!

6:50 PM: The tree is lit, and the festival continues:

(added) Here’s how the countdown went – first Jack Menashe, members of his family, and Santa took the stage:

Then, tree time:

The band Dancer & Prancer is closing out the entertainment, and the market and beer/wine continue until 8.

8:41 PM: We’ve added photos and video inline above (and still adding). One more highlight – the costume contest, with winners chosen by audience acclaim, after attendees were nominated by the light-costume artists who had been chosen to stroll, Here’s how it went, starting with the artists themselves onstage:

Winners got Junction gift cards – $500 for group, $250 for individual, $100 for pet. Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay promised the new feature – GLOWS (Glorious Light of West Seattle) – would be even better next year. As for this season, the next Hometown Holidays event – next Thursday night’s Art Walk, enhanced with holiday extras including carolers and Santa.

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Celebration of Life on Tuesday for Clara Hattori, 103

December 3, 2022 4:04 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Three months ago we published this remembrance of Clara S. Hattori. Now her Celebration of Life is scheduled – here’s the announcement:

Please join friends and family to celebrate 103 years of life well-lived by CLARA SASAKI HATTORI.

Share your memories and stories.

December 6th, Tuesday
4:30 to 6:30 pm
at C&P Coffee in West Seattle (5612 California SW)

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire arrest; repeat burglary

December 3, 2022 3:45 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire arrest; repeat burglary

| Crime | West Seattle live

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

GUNFIRE ARREST: Two weeks after a man allegedly shot at police who were looking for him in a domestic-violence case, the suspect is in jail. Police say detectives assisted by the US Marshals Service arrested the 26-year-old suspect Thursday night. (Here’s our report on the original incident in the early hours of November 19th in South Delridge.)

REPEAT BURGLARY: Reader report from Matt – “We wanted to report a break-in … again. This is the third time in 6 months on our Fairmount home. This time the lock on the shed was cut and miscellaneous items were stolen.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Swan with bird-flu symptoms on Alki

December 3, 2022 2:25 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

2:25 PM: That’s Kersti Muul‘s photo of a Trumpeter Swan seen at Alki this morning, showing signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, aka “bird flu.” She says it was last seen headed toward Duwamish Head, but wants to remind everyone to keep your distance – and especially to keep dogs leashed (they’re not supposed to be on the beach anyway), as this is a contagious disease for which there is no cure. It’s also a risk to other wild birds and has led to Bald Eagle deaths, as reported here recently. Here’s background on the current nationwide situation.

10:04 PM: As Kersti updated in comments, the bird died. She emailed us to explain, “James Tilley and I hiked up and down Alki until we found it. There’s no way I wanted the eagles or dogs getting into that tomorrow. Looks like some dogs already have at least approached (paw prints in sand). Bird has been double bagged and disposed of and my report to WDFW updated.”

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From dulcimers to beaver sticks, what you’ll see only at the Senior Center holiday bazaar

December 3, 2022 1:12 pm

| Comments Off on From dulcimers to beaver sticks, what you’ll see only at the Senior Center holiday bazaar

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Paths are cleared to get to the Senior Center of West Seattle door at 4217 SW Oregon, and once you’re inside, you’ll see tables ringing the main hall with items you won’t see anywhere else – like Denise LeBlanc‘s calendars featuring her Northwest-scenery paintings:

Jen Vanderhoof‘s underwater photography gives you an up-close perspective on sea life:

Jen also has “beaver stick” pencils – made from sticks left behind by beavers.

Also crafted from wood, the dulcimers that Norm Zemke is selling:

They’re challenging to make, he explains, requiring “steam bending.” Then there are some repurposed crafts – Tammy Majeski‘s wreaths are made from vintage Christmas ornaments:

Other vendors have handmade apparel, jewelry, and baked goods – you’ll even find “fidget spinners,” This is all happening until 4 pm, which is when The Junction’s festival starts, so go early and catch the bazaar too.

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HELPING: West Seattle brothers’ drive-up/ride-up donation drive collecting food and coats

December 3, 2022 11:50 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

11:50 AM: The snow couldn’t keep Dominic and Atticus from their annual drive-up/ride-up food drive in the lot behind Hope Lutheran (off SW Oregon just east of California). So they’re waiting for you until 3 pm, collecting coats as well as nonperishable food. You can safely pull into a covered space so they can unload what you brought, so don’t worry about the snow/slush. (Do remember that California is now closed, south of Oregon to north of Edmunds, in preparation for tonight’s festival, so approach the lot entrance from Oregon – it’s on the westbound side.)

ADDED WEDNESDAY: The West Seattle Food Bank reports the brothers collected 530 pounds of food and $145 in cash donations.

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Junction festival with tree lighting & GLOWS, plus 20+ more options for your West Seattle Saturday

December 3, 2022 6:20 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That’s a live look at the heart of The Junction, where streets will close later this morning and stay closed until late tonight for the holiday season’s biggest celebration. More on that midway down the list, which is a long one today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

WATCH THE WORLD CUP: Here’s our list of who’s opening early for the 7 am USA-Netherlands match – nine establishments in West Seattle and South Park.

HOLIDAY PHOTO POP-UP: 8:30 am-2 pm, join Gail Ann Photography for holiday photos at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). Fee, part of which is a nonprofit donation. Full details, including how to make an appointment for today or other dates, are in our calendar listing.

SOUTHWEST POOL: Closed today, as staff illnesses continue.

SCAVENGER HUNT CONTINUES: This is the first full day of the nine-day Winter Wander West Seattle scavenger hunt that Alice Kuder is presenting again this year – have fun exploring the peninsula, with a chance for prizes from local businesses. Register your team ASAP – all the details are in our preview.

SOUTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP: “Please join your neighbors – pick up trash, bag leaves, and clear the street gutters. Supplies available at 8812 18th Ave SW at 9:15 am.” CANCELED

BOOTSIE’S SAUCE POP-UP: Small-batch hot-sauce maker! 9:45 am-1 pm at Delridge Grocery Co-op (5444 Delridge Way SW).

DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD AND COAT DRIVE: Two students are again organizing their annual drive-up/ride-up donation drive in the lot behind Hope Lutheran (42nd/Oregon), 10 am-3 pm, more in our calendar listing.

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, this independent elementary school (a WSB sponsor) welcomes prospective families: “We invite you to visit the school, tour our campus, and chat with the teachers and specialists who make Tilden extraordinary.” (4105 California SW)

BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, this cooperative elementary school (also a WSB sponsor) invites prospective families to visit. (10300 28th SW)

SENIOR CENTER HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Shop local from more than 20 vendors during this event at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 10 am-4 pm. (California/Oregon)

GARDEN CENTER: Rare open day for the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center! 10 am-3 pm, north end of campus. (6000 16th SW) POSTPONED TO 12/10

(added) OUTDOOR BAZAAR: Until 4 pm: “West Seattle Kiwanis is hosting a fabulous Outdoor Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale! Shop from a huge selection of great gift items (with amazing prices). We have Santas, elves, hats, boxes, table-top and four-foot trees (lighted and not), tree toppers, garlands, ribbon, ornament balls and more. There is a treasure here for everyone!! All proceeds go to Key Club members from West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School. (Free coffee and hot chocolate too! 5637 42nd Avenue SW)

SANTA PAWS AT WINDERMERE: Free event with a professional photographer taking your pet’s pic with Santa, 11 am-1 pm – details in this flyer. (4526 California SW)

POTTERY POP-UP: Shop work by artists from Rat City Studios and Rain City Clay during the second day of this three-day pop-up at California/Oregon, 11 am-5 pm.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM GIFT SHOP: Noon-4 pm, visit the gift shop at the home of local history, with a 50%-off sale on glass ornaments and books. (3003 61st SW)

MAKERS’ HOLIDAY ART MARKET: Noon-5 pm at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) – shop dozens of local artists, crafters, makers. See participant lineup in our calendar listing.

MAGIC SHOW: Magician Raymond has a 1 pm show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) that still had tickets available as of early this morning – go to the Kenyon Hall website to get yours if they’re still available!

HOLIDAY MARKET AT FUTURE PRIMITIVE: Future Primitive Brewing in White Center (9832 14th SW) celebrates its 4th anniversary with a Holiday Market starting at 1 pm and Santa on hand for photos 3:30-5:30 pm.

(WSB photos)(WSB file photo)

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS FESTIVAL, GLOWS, NIGHT MARKET, TREE LIGHTING: Tonight’s the night! 4-8 pm in The Junction, where California and Alaska will be closed for the festivities. Here’s our full preview; here’s the schedule:

4:00 – Festival begins. Night Market and Beer & Wine Garden are open. Endolyne Choir, School of Rock, and Mode Music Studio perform on stage.
5:00 – G.L.O.W.S. Costume Promenade on streets. Elvis performs on stage.
6:00 – Costume Contest on stage.
6:30 – Lighting of the tree in Junction Plaza Park, followed by Santa reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and leading a carol sing-along.
7:00 – Dancer and Prancer perform on stage.

As explained in our preview, the costume contest is for YOU and/or your pet. Bottom line, this celebration is vastly expanded from years past, so come down to Downtown West Seattle and have fun!

WINTER BENEFIT CONCERT: Local musicians play at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to benefit local charities, 4:30 pm – details and (free) ticket link in our calendar listing.

CHRISTMAS BASH: 5-8 pm party at West Seattle Christian Church (4400 42nd SW), all welcome: “Join us during West Seattle’s Hometown Holidays Night Market and GLOW (we’re just a block away!) for an evening full of Christmas Cheer with music, a holiday smorgasbord of delectable delights (including our chocolate fountain), gingerbread houses, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, games, Photo Booth, Pastor’s Spicy Christmas Wassail, and our UGLY SWEATER CONTEST!”

SOCCER PLAYOFF MATCH: 5 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Cultures United plays Dep. Rose City in a UPSL playoff game. Free admission.

WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: Second weekend for thousands of lights synched to music outside the Iversons‘ home on 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota – 6:30-10 pm,

HOLIDAY CONCERT: West Seattleite-founded Puget Soundworks, an all-gender, LGBTQIA+-centered community chorus, presents the second of three performances of their holiday concert “Menagerie,” 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – tickets here.

MUSIC & TOY DRIVE: Live at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), DEAL and Ricky Gene Powell perform on Teddy Bear Night – bring new teddy bears (or other types of toys) to donate to Toys for Tots. Doors at 7, music at 8, $10 at the door, 21+.

ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, it’s the next performance of “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE DRAG SHOW: 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), with Queen Andrew and VJ Lacefront.

Have something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Early-morning weather notes – roads, trees, outages …

December 3, 2022 2:43 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(‘Live’ SDOT camera)

It’s been snowing for a few hours now, and we have a few notes:

ROADS CLOSED: We’ve been hearing about some tree trouble – Sylvan Way in particular, apparently a downed tree. Another one is reported around 14th/Holden but not blocking the street. INFOLINKS: Here’s the SDOT map showing which streets are closed and which have been plowed. … Here’s the Metro Winter page (some parts of the region are on snow routing but NOT us so far).

SPEAKING OF TREE TROUBLE: Connie sent this photo and report:

This tree is blocking the entrance to the parking lot of the dog park off of Southwest Cloverdale at 5th.

POWER OUTAGES: A few pockets of southernmost West Seattle (Seola, Myers Way) are part of a 4,300-customer outage – see the map here. ADDED 3:11 AM: Now a West Seattle outage too – more than 500 customers:

(4:39 PM: SCL says it’s hoping to have the South Park/SE WS areas restored by 7.)

FORECAST: This is expected to eventually change over to rain. But right now we’re still under a Winter Weather Advisory. (4:25 AM NOTE: We can hear the steady melt from the roof, so we’ll see what’s left by daylight.)

See trouble? Text us at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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