day : 22/12/2023 10 results

The White Center Food Bank – which also serves part of West Seattle – is moving into its new home, and sent these photos to show off its new mural:

The mural’s lead artists are Jake Prendez (of South Delridge’s Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery) and Rafa Diaz; community members assisted. WCFB spokesperson Randy Nguyen says, “We’re so excited to be in our new spot. Our expected date of opening to the public is January 8th.” They’re also planning a grand-opening party for January 12. The building at 10016 16th SW has been undergoing renovations since last March; they had to move from their longtime county-owned location at 8th/108th because it’s being redeveloped. You can read more about the new WCFB site here.

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Display with plenty of character(s)

December 22, 2023 6:58 pm

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| West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Tonight’s photo is from Jeff Keller, who says, “Santas, Snoopys, and Snowmen at 5420 40th Ave. SW. For the young and the young at heart. Merry Christmas.” This joins all the other homes we’ve shown this season, in this WSB archive you can scroll through; thanks again to everyone who’s sent displays, theirs and others – not too late for more suggestions at westseattleblog@gmail.com!

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Jamie Kinney’s first photo show

December 22, 2023 4:33 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Next time you go to Bakery Nouveau in The Junction, take a look at the walls as well as at the cases full of treats. You’ll see photos by Jamie Kinney, a West Seattle photographer who has contributed many images to WSB over the years. (That’s Jamie, above, in a photo taken at Don Armeni Boat Ramp by his son Owen Kinney.) We asked him for one of his favorites; he sent this owl-in-cherry-blossoms image published here last year.

The Bakery Nouveau exhibition is Jamie’s first photo show; the framed prints on display are available for purchase (there’s a QR code next to each one), and he’s also selling photo calendars via his website. Next year, Jamie plans to start offering workshops in the field – his first one will be a wildlife-photography workshop in British Columbia in July. (Registration information will appear on his website soon.)

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BIZNOTE: New local bubbly for holiday celebrations

December 22, 2023 2:40 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(Photo courtesy Viscon Cellars)

Drink local! New in time for Christmas dinner and New Year’s toasts, West Seattle’s Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) has debuted a sparkling wine. Winemaker Ben Viscon says it’s their first-ever sparkling wine. You can read about it here. It’s available through the Viscon Cellars tasting room/wine bar, which is open 5-9 pm today and 1-6 pm tomorrow (Saturday, December 23rd), 5-9 pm next Thursday and Friday (December 28-29) and 1-6 pm next Saturday (December 30), at 5910 California SW.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Taste of Mumbai almost ready to open

December 22, 2023 12:40 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photo)

That’s a peek inside Taste of Mumbai, about to open at 2300 California SW, former longtime home of Yen Wor Village. We went over today to check on a reader tip that they’re about to open. Indeed they are, they told us – with a buffet on Christmas Day (Monday, December 25), 10 am-10 pm. After that, they’ll be open starting Tuesday (December 26), 4 pm-10 pm. They’re not ready to open the bar yet, though, but as soon as they do, they promise they’re bringing back karaoke (a Yen Wor staple). Here’s our October story with more on the plan for Taste of Mumbai, which previously had operated from a group-kitchen facility in The Triangle.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Teenage suspects charged in Alki/Beach Drive robbery, carjacking attempts

December 22, 2023 10:40 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

(SPD dash-cam image from charging documents, showing pursued vehicle knocking down road markers)

10:40 AM: The three teenagers arrested Monday night after a police pursuit that followed three West Seattle incidents are now charged.

All three are scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 pm today on three charges each, according to the documents we received from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office early this morning. We are not naming them because they are charged as juveniles. Each is charged with one count of first-degree attempted robbery and one count of second-degree robbery; Suspects #1 and #3, 14 and 16 years old, are each charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission, while suspect #2, 14, is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

The narrative in the charging documents says the three calls came in to 911 within the span of eight minutes just before 10 pm on Monday – first 2800 block of Alki, then 59th/Admiral, then 5700 block of Beach Drive. All listed similar descriptions of the people involved and a “silver vehicle.” One officer saw a silver Hyundai U-turning on Beach Drive while he was responding to the Beach Drive call – the victim pointed to it and he asked “is that them?” – and the pursuit began shortly after that. The driver – allegedly 14-year-old Suspect #1 (identified later via a specific piece of clothing seen on dash-cam video) – subsequently led officers on a chase at – as we reported that night – speeds up to 90 mph, before police deployed a “tire deflator device,” which led to them stopping and running near the north end of Boeing Field.

Here’s what the victims told police about what happened: In the 2800 block of Alki, he left his workplace and crossed the street to his parked car, and when starting to open it was approached by a masked person who said “give me your car, I have a gun.” He closed and locked his car and ran away back to his workplace to call 911.

At 59th/Admiral, three minutes later, a woman had just parked near her home and was responding to a text message when someone started banging on her car windows. She backed out of the space in a panic – reportedly hitting the suspects’ car in the process; as she drove away, she told police, they pursued her, but she lost them.

In the 5700 block of Beach Drive, the victim had just walked back to her car after viewing Christmas lights when “three males … swarmed” her, police wrote, demanding “give me the keys, give me the car.” One went into her car and stole her phone as well as one belonging to a friend who had accompanied her. She fled to a nearby house, tried to seek help “but was unsuccessful,” went back to her car figuring they were gone, but they weren’t; she said one grabbed her legs and threatened to shoot her, before they took her key fob and fled. Police were on the way because a witness had called, hearing the victim scream.

The charging documents do not include information about where the suspects live. Online records do not show previous cases for any of them. They continue to be held in juvenile detention; that will be reviewed again when they are arraigned this afternoon, and we’ll update.

8:50 PM: All pleaded not guilty at their arraignments today, and Judge Nelson Lee ordered all three to remain in juvenile detention. That will be reviewed again when they return to court January 3rd.

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WEST SEATTLE FRIDAY: 17 notes!

December 22, 2023 8:41 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Hints of Vashon through the fog – photographed by Robert Kosara)

As we get ready to head into a long holiday weekend, here’s what’s happening, from listings in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

DROP OFF HOMEMADE COOKIES: Baking cookies for The Christmas People? Today’s the first of three days you can drop off your cookie donations – West Seattle Coworking (9010 35th SW; WSB sponsor), 10 am-5 pm.

FINAL DAY & OPEN PLAY: This is the last day of operations for Outer Space Seattle (2820 Alki SW), offering open play 10 am=8 pm.

FREE HOT LUNCH: All welcome, 11:30 am-12:30 pm at The Junction Church (4157 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THRIFTWAY: Live holiday music at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) with Alex Baird, 12-3 pm, and Gary Benson, 3:30-5:30 pm.

SCRABBLE CLUB: Play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room and wine bar on the north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) is open 1 pm-8 pm.

SANTA AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: Santa Claus’s traditional pre-Christmas visits to West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) continue 2-5 pm today.

PARTY AT LAUREN’S JEWELRY: 3-6 pm, have some snacks and bubbly with your shopping at Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton).

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Try the fall-release red wines, and stock up for Christmas/New Year’s!

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 continues tonight, 5 pm. Timed tickets and pricing info here.

THE SOUNDTRACK OF RESILIENCE: Fundraising concert to raise money for making an album – pianist Edelmar Obenza, plus cellist and soprano. 7 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) – details in our calendar listing.

HONEYVILLE RASCALS: Performing live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.

SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

CHRISTMAS JAZZ CABARET: At Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds):

Christmas Jazz Cabaret
Friday, December 22, 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Don your festive attire and celebrate the season with a musical evening of singing and dancing! Alki UCC Music Director Stephan Anthony Rawson is the evening’s MC. In addition to his many other talents and accomplishments, Stephen has served as piano coach/music assistant for Jennifer Hudson. Raffle tickets for fun prizes benefit the ministry of Alki UCC. Financial donations also accepted to benefit our local food banks.

HOLIDAY SOUND BATH: 7:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $45.

‘SNOWED IN’ SOLD OUT: ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) says the rest of its holiday show’s run is sold out!

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight’s DJ: Lady Coco. (4547 California SW)

Something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday info, as winter begins

December 22, 2023 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, December 22 – first full day of winter.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Key forecast point today – the return of rain. Also: Breezy, high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:55 am, and the sun will set at 4:20 pm.

TRANSIT UPDATES + HOLIDAY PREVIEWS

Water Taxi – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is. Holiday note: NO SERVICE Monday (Christmas Day).

Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Holiday note: SUNDAY SCHEDULE Monday (Christmas Day).

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 X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem 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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UPDATE: SFD ‘full response’ in Highland Park

December 22, 2023 2:58 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

2:58 AM: Seattle Fire is arriving at a house in Highland Park (added: 8800 block 9th SW) where a 911 caller reported seeing flames from the basement. Possibly a vacant building, as the incident command has called for “derelict building” protocol.

3:02 AM: The incident commander says it’s a “small fire.” It’s confirmed to be a vacant building.

3:07 AM: The response is being downsized. The fire has just been declared “tapped” (out) and firefighters told dispatch it was actually an exterior fire.

3:11 AM: One more note – our archives indicate it’s the third fire in two months in one block.

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VIDEO: Welcoming winter at Alice Enevoldsen’s solstice sunset watch, with extra reason to be excited about spring

December 22, 2023 1:30 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

Welcome to the first full day of winter! Three hours before the season started with the solstice moment at 7:27 pm Thursday, more than 50 people joined educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen for her 59th change-of-seasons sunset watch. This time, those gathered at Solstice Park saw the sun slip behind the tall trees of Lincoln Park across the way:

Key attributes at upper Solstice Park are the paths and stones that align with the sunset on the solstices and equinoxes, so checking out those views was popular just before sunset:

Then it was time for a centerpiece of the sunset watches – Alice’s interactive explanation of the earth’s tilt at solstices and equinoxes, with young volunteer Meredith at the center of the circle, portraying the sun:

Alice also explained how your views of constellations change during the year, responding to an attendee’s question, and talked a bit about the solar eclipse coming up on April 8th – only 20 percent coverage or so in our area, “but a nice partial eclipse,” she said. But before then, her 60th quarterly sunset watch will mark the arrival of spring – be at Solstice Park at 6:30 pm March 19,

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