5:32 PM: Hectic night for Santa Claus as the holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk begins. You’ll find him first at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor). It’s one of the official stops on the Art Walk list/map:

WS Realty also is showing the work of artist Brandi Quinn, who works in mixed media/acrylic. In Admiral, two other spots are offering extras tonight – here’s the map and list of Admiral participants:

West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) is also where you’ll find Sue Quigley, one of the three musicians performing mini-concerts for The Art of Music, 6-7:30 pm, as featured here. We’re headed southbound to The Junction, where starting at 6 pm, the Silver Belles will be singing, the Better As Brass Band will be blowing their horns, and that busy Santa guy will be roaming. More coverage to come.

5:54 PM: Above is Michael Doyle, one of the artists at a Holiday Bazaar inside Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) during the Art Walk. He’s selling “fun whimsical postcards and greeting cards,” plus art prints and original painting.” Jet City Beignet also is in the house. And ESR has tunes, too – “DJs Fishlure and Mike Steve – spinning all your holiday favorites.” … A bit south, Thoa Nguyen is the featured artist at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), in the gallery until 7 pm:

Her paintings are on display at ArtsWest until January 8th.

6:30 PM: We found Santa in The Junction, stopping by VAIN West Seattle (4513 California SW):

VAIN is showcasing fragrance tonight – with The Phoenix and The Fool, as well as the Seattle Perfumers Discovery Set (among the participants in that set is WSB sponsor Filigree & Shadow). Like most of tonight’s artist-reception events, this one continues until 8 pm … At CAPERS (4511 California SW), two artists are in the spotlight tonight, including glass artist Melissa Misoda:

We’ve also caught up with the Silver Belles carolers and Better As Brass band – video of both when we get back to HQ.

8:32 PM: Here’s part of an original song that was in the Silver Belles’ repertoire tonight:

And Better As Brass is in our clip with part of a TV-show classic:

BAB is scheduled to be in The Junction again next Thursday night too, for the season’s final Shop Late Thursday.

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VIDEO: Grand Menorah lit at Alki Beach on Hanukkah’s final night

December 14, 2023 4:44 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

This is the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, and the second year the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle has lit a 12-foot-high Grand Menorah at Alki Beach. Rabbi Eli Duban climbed a ladder with a tiki torch to set the eight lights – one for each night – ablaze:

He spoke briefly about the light of the Jewish spirit triumphing over antisemitism, and had words of gratitude (update: here’s the video):

The gathering also had a festive note, with songs and treats (jelly donuts and chocolate coins).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Silverado; mailbox break-in

December 14, 2023 2:23 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN SILVERADO: The photo and report are from Sandra:

My Chevrolet Silverado 2005 truck was stolen from my street last night at 5:30 am.

It was parked beside my house. 1 block from tennis court off Fauntleroy close to 76 gas station at Lincoln Park.

As shown in the photo, C52778N is the plate. We’ll add the police report # when we get it.

MAILBOX BREAK-IN: Reported by Stefan, in the 4300 block of SW Trenton:

Just a heads-up that I went out this morning to find our locked mailbox pried open, along with some others down our street. Must have happened last night or early this morning. Some mail/packages were definitely stolen. Submitted details to the Postal Inspection Service. Case ID: 58311372

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DEVELOPMENT: Tree advocates plan demonstration at Delridge project site

December 14, 2023 12:41 pm

| 32 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

(WSB photo from March)

The proposal for 11 residences at 6504 24th SW [map] continues to make its way through the permit process. Tree advocates plan a demonstration there Saturday afternoon to renew attention to the plan for tree removal, with concerns including its proximity to Longfellow Creek. We last wrote about the project back in March, when the city convened a community-requested public meeting for comments (WSB coverage here), most of which were focused on the trees. As we reported at the time, an arborist’s report showed more than 50 “exceptional” trees on the site, and noted more than 30 could be removed. (Here’s the current plan set.) Permit files also show the developers seeking an exemption for part of an “environmentally critical area” on the site. Tree Action Seattle notes that – as discussed in our March report – housing could be built on the site with far fewer tree removals. It plans to gather and “ask for change” at 1 pm Saturday. (Thanks to reader Julia for the tip on this.)

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West Seattle Art Walk with music and Santa, ‘Shop Late’ in The Junction, much more for your Thursday!

December 14, 2023 10:53 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Highland Park’s big bird in the holiday spirit – photo sent by GB)

If you haven’t seen all this on our Event Calendar or in our Holiday Guide, the daily list is one last reminder of everything ahead today/tonight:

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: Informational presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for an update on where they’re playing today.

GRAND MENORAH LIGHTING: For the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle will light its 12-foot-tall Grand Menorah near the Alki Bathhouse, 4 pm. (60th/Alki)

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Thai-U-Up will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, HOLIDAY EDITION: As previewed here – lots to enjoy. Starting at 5 pm, tonight not only is your monthly chance to visit venues all around the peninsula to see art, meet artists (here’s this month’s lineup), and/or enjoy food/drink specials, but also to enjoy extras:

*Silver Belles caroling in The Junction (6-8 pm, various locations)
*Roaming Santa in The Junction
*Better As Brass Band in The Junction (6-7:30ish, California/Alaska)
*The Art of Music at three venues, 6-7:45 pm – here’s all the info on who’s where
*Admiral District holiday activities including Santa at West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) – here’s all the info

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: Some shops are keeping their doors open until at least 8 pm!

GIFT WRAPPING WITH CLAY CAULDRON: 5-8 pm at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW)

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, starting at 5 pm. Timed tickets and info here.

WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: As previewed here, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s online speaker series features King Khazm and “Hip Hop and It Don’t Stop” tonight, 6 pm. Register here to get the link.

BREWER’S NIGHT: Beer Star in White Center invites you to a Brewer’s Night with Chuckanut Brewing, 6-8 pm. (16th/98th)

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT: Third of three, tonight featuring the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Percussion Ensemble, 7 pm, WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

BLUES NIGHT: 7 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

‘SNOWED IN’: ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) presents its holiday production, described as a “a journey of song, dance, friendship, family, and the true meaning of the holidays.” 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.

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HOLIDAY GIVING: Last call for some West Seattle drives

December 14, 2023 9:54 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Throughout the season, our <West Seattle Holiday Guide features a list of local donation drives that welcome your help. Some of them are about to wrap up so that the beneficiary organizations have time to get the gifts to recipients, so we’re nudging you in case you’ve been meaning to drop something off. Here are three that are about to conclude:

JOY DRIVE FOR WESTSIDE BABY AT VILLAGE GREEN: Through today, Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) is collecting items for WestSide Baby – see this flyer for the wish list. Bring donations to Building 2 (The Hearthside).

TREEHOUSE DONATION DRIVE AT ALKI BIKE AND BOARD: Tomorrow is the last day for this drive.You can go here to see what Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW; WSB sponsor) is collecting. One request: “Please make sure all items are NEW or in GREAT used condition.”

ADOPT-A-FAMILY ASSISTANCE: Also concluding tomorrow: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) has adopted a family for holiday help – details here.

Some others have later deadlines, and our Holiday Guide list also includes some requests for monetary donations. Any last-minute additions? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday notes

December 14, 2023 6:03 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 14.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Damp morning, forecast says, then cloudy, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:50 am; sunset, 4:17 pm. Speaking of sunrise, here’s one more view of Wednesday’s incredible sunrise colors – this time with Mount Rainier, as photographed from the Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry by Kate:

ROAD WORK

Pavement work means continuing restrictions on 26th SW between Roxbury and Barton again today. Metro is still rerouting buses off that stretch.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Aside from the aforementioned rerouting, it’s a regular schedule today; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today. Watch the real-time map if wondering where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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