West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
This is the first of eight nights of the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah. It began with two community menorah lightings – both outdoors, as light snow fell:
The Alki synagogue Kol HaNeshamah returned to The Junction for its “pop-up” Hanukkah celebration, with Rabbi Sabine Meyer lighting the first-night candle. Music followed.
Kol HaNeshamah also offered treats in keeping with the celebration’s theme of “Love! Light! Donuts!” P.S. As Hanukkah begins, the synagogue’s donation drive continues, collecting warm clothing through Wednesday (December 21st) – you can drop off donations at 6115 SW Hinds.
Tonight’s other menorah lighting brought a gathering to Alki Beach, just north of the bathhouse:
Rabbi Eli Duban‘s plan was to light the first candle of a 12-foot Grand Menorah with a tiki-torch flame, but the weather was a bit fierce right about then, so one of its light bulbs was turned on instead:
The Grand Menorah is expected to stay at Alki through the final night of Hanukkah on December 25th.
The report and photo are from Mariel:
Our garage got broken into and our red Specialized Roubaix bike got stolen last night, most likely around 10:30 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. by 32nd/Myrtle. My contact information is 754-234-7093.
A police report has been filed – initial report number is T22031113.
6:18 PM: The first snow showers have arrived in parts of West Seattle. We were just in The Junction and Alki, where what was falling ta the time was more like cold rain, but as we drove south into High Point, Westwood, Gatewood, and Upper Fauntleroy, we saw a dusting of snow on cars and planting strips. The National Weather Service forecast has chances of snow off and on for the next few days, though nothing massive is expected so far. Are you seeing snow too?
7:03 PM: Still snowing lightly up here but radar suggests this will all end soon.
9:04 PM: Main point to note, temps will be at or below freezing overnight, so what’s fallen won’t be going away. Meantime, the newly updated NWS forecast discussion suggests the next chance of an inch or so of snow is likely Tuesday night into Wednesday; the longer-range forecast still suggests it’ll warm up to around 50 on Christmas Day,
One more holiday tradition is back for the first time since 2019 – Cocoa Cris Cringle is visiting Easy Street Records right now. Photo sessions until 7 pm ($20 fee as a food-bank fundraiser, kids and pets welcome too), and music at 7:30 pm (no cover) – two holiday songs from Cocoa Cris (aka Maurice Caldwell Jr.)’s own record!
We’ve had the only all-West Seattle lost/found pets webpage here for 15 years, but sometimes a lost pet gets found before either owners or finders ever have to post about it, thanks to helpful people. Whitney sent us one such story this afternoon, wanting to publicly offer words of gratitude:
THANK YOU to the Admiral community near Aegis? We are dog-watching my sister’s dog and he got out our front gate (and we live on Admiral Way- eek!). Good news – we FOUND HIM but if it hadn’t been for the help of so many kind neighbors I don’t know that we would have found him as quickly as we did!
People were yelling from their cars telling us (as we were running around the neighborhood) which direction he went. I eventually ended up getting into a car with strangers who took me to him (and coincidentally my husband had just found him seconds before, hiding in a carport of someone’s house). We are just super grateful for this community of dog lovers helping each other out!
Some parts of the city don’t have sidewalks – and some parts have sidewalks that are unusable because they’ve been covered in overgrowth. That’s the situation in west Gatewood, near Westside Unitarian, where volunteers calling themselves the Seattle Street Fixers are working right now.
You’re welcome to help – they started at 44th/Othello [map]. You can see some of the other places they’ve cleared by scrolling through here.
Thanks to Mike for the photo and report from Spokane Street east of the low bridge: “Was biking through and thought I would share this. Looks like the city is swapping out some signs and is diverting traffic around. Just something for other drivers to be aware of.”
Hottest ticket in town this morning: The Seattle Kraken pro hockey team’s mascot visit in Morgan Junction. That photo shows part of the line, which wrapped around much of the multi-business building on the southwest corner of Fauntleroy and California. Once you make it to the Kraken’s table outside Starbucks – you get to meet mascot Buoy:
Non-costumed Kraken reps are there too with the promised giveaways – spin a wheel for items like T-shirts and tickets – and assorted swag including posters and schedules:
They’re there, we were told, until they run out of stuff to give out. As for the team – they next play at 5 pm today, at home, vs. the Winnipeg Jets.
Family and friends are remembering Pamela L. Allen and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Our dear Pamela Lea Allen, beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and loyal friend, passed away unexpectedly in her home in West Seattle on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022, after a brief illness.
Pam was first and foremost a loving mother to her son Alexander, the center of her universe. Alexander is currently attending Whitman College. Pamela was immensely proud of Alexander as he launched his college career at Whitman College so successfully. Pam’s heart was with her family and friends and her beloved pup, Harper Rose. She loved the yearly gatherings at the family cabin on Loon Lake in eastern Washington, where her family and devoted longtime made lasting memories together.
Pam loved the outdoors – hiking, backpacking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and bicycling. Her dream was to have a sweet little farm with goats and furry friends to tend to. She coined nicknames to her friends in her own special unforgettable way, and she made friends across the country and around the world as a traveler.
Pam was born in 1959 in Seattle and grew up on Bainbridge Island. She graduated from The Annie Wright School in Tacoma in 1978, and went on to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, graduating in 1982 as an Art History major. Pam was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. Pam began her architectural studies at SUNY in Buffalo, New York, and later earned her master’s degree at The Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles. Pam was a talented architect, working for several firms in the Seattle area before starting her own architectural practice, Pamela Allen Architecture, serving her community near and far.
Pam is survived by her dear son Alexander Land; her adoring parents Darrell and Sada Kate of Bainbridge Island; her brother Timothy Allen and his wife Gina with their children Sam, Lily, and Chester; her nephews Daniel and AJ Allen of Seattle. Pamela was preceded in death by her oldest brother Gregory Allen. Pam adored her niece and nephews and doted on them as a loving aunt since they were babes in arms. She is also survived by her former husband and Alexander’s father, Jason Huntley-Land of Bainbridge Island, and was close to Jason’s mother Janet Land of Lincoln, Nebraska.
A private family memorial is planned as we share our grief together. A celebration of Pamela’s life will be held in late winter for her many dear friends and lovely neighbors. The family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this most difficult time. In lieu of flowers, Pam’s wishes were for donations to be made to: Whitman College, Hamlin Robinson School, or Mary’s Place Seattle. Please share your memories of Pam here and to stay informed about Pam’s Celebration of Life to be held in the near future.
(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)
Just in case you saw/heard the responding units and wondered – there was a short-lived “water rescue response” at Lincoln Park about half an hour ago. Turned out that a windsurfer reported as being in trouble, wasn’t.
Thanks to James Bratsanos for the photo from Friday’s sunset. At sunset tonight, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, begins, and two public celebrations are part of today’s list from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
WATCHING THE WORLD CUP: This morning at 7 am, Argentina and France play for the World Cup championship. We’ve found a few West Seattle venues opening early if you’re looking for a watch party.
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s lineup here.
STEPHANIE’S LIFELINE ONLINE TOY DRIVE, LAST DAY: Stephanie’s Lifeline is getting gifts for 40 local families with your help – all the donating for this drive is online; details are here.
KRAKEN MASCOT IN WEST SEATTLE: Meet Buoy at the Morgan Junction Starbucks at 10 am; they’re bringing giveaway opportunities too, as previewed here. (California/Fauntleroy)
FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, 10 am-2 pm, the market itself offers fall produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages, more. We’ve even seen Christmas trees and wreaths this season. Here’s today’s vendor list. California SW between Oregon and Alaska. Note that the market WILL be closed on Christmas Day.
FUNDRAISING WREATH (ETC.) SALES: Pathfinder K-8 PTSA and students will be selling their handmade wreaths again today by KeyBank in The Junction, 10 am-2 pm today:
This is our last week at the West Seattle Farmers Market! Need a last-minute gift to bring to a holiday party? Still haven’t decorated your front door? We’re holding our 27th annual wreath fundraiser to benefit outdoor education at Pathfinder K-8 School. This year’s selection of wreaths and other holiday swag is truly some of our best, including some super modern designs! Come see us at The Junction (next to Key Bank).
Everything is 100% unique and made from foraged materials from our yards and tree lots (thank you, Trees by the Sea on Alki!). This week we want to especially thank the community for all your support during this important fundraiser. It really helps us make Pathfinder K-8 a special place where outdoor education is valued and can be experienced by all of our students.
ALKI UCC DONATION DRIVE: Urgent winter needs that you can help fill – explained here. Dropoffs at 6115 SW Hinds, 11 am-3 pm,
SIDEWALK REVEAL: Help Seattle Street Fixers “reveal” an overgrown sidewalk in Gatewood! 44th/Othello, starting at 1 pm,
DANCE! WEST SEATTLE: The annual performance of “The Magical Doll Maker” is at 1:30 pm at the Highline Performing Arts Center (401 S. 152nd, Burien). Ticket info is here.
ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Today at 3 pm, it’s the final matinée for “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.
‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET,’ SOLD OUT: At 3 pm, it’s the closing performance of the Twelfth Night Productions presentation of The Lux Radio Theater version of the classic 1947 film, performed at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – sold out.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Deb Seymour performs her “offbeat songs.” No cover.
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: Special screening of the 75-year-old classic movie, 3:30 pm at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW)
COCOA CRIS CRINGLE: His annual visit to Easy Street Records (California/Alaska) – photo sessions 4 pm to 7 pm, then music at 7:30 pm as Cocoa Cris celebrates his record release! No appointment needed for photo sessions; $20 fee raises food-bank funds.
FAUNTLEROY CHURCH CONCERT: 4 pm, in the Fauntleroy UCC sanctuary with choir, brass, percussion, and lots of holiday spirit. Free. (9140 California SW)
JUNCTION HANUKKAH CELEBRATION: “Love. Light. Donuts! Kol HaNeshamah, the progressive Jewish congregation in West Seattle, is back this year with Pop-Up Chanukah at the Junction. Join your West Seattle neighbors at Junction Plaza Park at 5 pm for song, candlelighting, and donuts-to-go. Everyone’s welcome!” (42nd/Alaska)
ALKI HANUKKAH CELEBRATION: A 12-foot menorah will be in place outside Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), where it will be lit in a ceremony led by Rabbi Eli Duban (who says it will be lit electrically the next seven nights).
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Presented by Inner Alchemy, 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.
NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR CONCERT: Northwest Boychoir‘s annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at Holy Rosary Church, 7 pm. Tickets here – a few remained when we checked early this morning. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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