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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattleite Claudia Castro Luna chosen as next Washington State Poet Laureate
November 21, 2017 11:07 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

West Seattle is clearly a hotbed of poetry! For the second time in four years, a West Seattleite has been appointed to serve as Washington State Poet Laureate. The just-announced 2018-2020 Poet Laureate is Claudia Castro Luna, who made history previously as Seattle’s first Civic Poet. She succeeds Tod Marshall, whose 2016-2018 appointment followed that of West Seattleite Elizabeth Austen (2014-2016). From the full announcement of Castro Luna’s appointment:

Castro Luna fled war-torn El Salvador for the United States at the age of 14 with her family. She went on to earn an MFA in poetry and an MA in urban planning. After working as a K-12 teacher, she became Seattle’s first Civic Poet, a position appointed by the mayor. In that position, Castro Luna won acclaim for her Seattle Poetic Grid, an online interactive map of showcasing poems about different locations around the city. The grid even landed her an interview on PBS NewsHour. She is also the author of the poetry chapbook This City and the collection Killing Marías.

Her appointment officially begins on February 1st. In February of last year, we covered her speaking in West Seattle at Southwest Youth and Family Services (photo above), telling the story of her “long journey.”

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Crash on eastbound West Seattle Bridge, now cleared
November 21, 2017 10:12 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT camera image from @seattledot tweet)

10:12 AM: Thanks for the texts – SDOT also verifies a crash on the eastbound bridge that is currently blocking three lanes, so if you’re heading that way, find another route. No injuries reported so far, apparently, as SFD has not been dispatched. One texter says their Metro bus stopped to take passengers transferred from another bus because of this.

10:15 AM: Now blocking just the left lane.

11:05 AM: SDOT reports the bridge is now clear.

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West Seattle Tuesday: WS Crime Prevention Council; pre-holiday donations; music; more…
November 21, 2017 9:56 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Last night’s sun, before the storm – photographed by Don Brubeck)

Two days until Thanksgiving – so our first group of highlights is from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (where you’ll also find Thanksgiving Day-specific info from workouts/runs to coffee to restaurants):

THANKSGIVING MEAL HOLIDAY ORDERING DEADLINE: Today’s your deadline to order a pre-made feast from West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – details here. (4201 SW Morgan)

CAN YOU DONATE TURKEYS? Help others have a Thanksgiving dinner – donate turkeys at the White Center Food Bank today, 9 am-5 pm (8th SW/SW 108th) or 9 am-3 pm at the West Seattle Food Bank will take turkeys Monday – Tuesday 9 am – 3 pm or Wednesday until 7 pm (35th/Morgan).

Now, for the rest of today/tonight, highlights from our year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FAMILY STORY TIME: High Point Library‘s Nathalie will be at Neighborhood House High Point for family story time, 11 am-11:30 am. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

JUSTIN KAUSAL-HAYES: Performing 5-8 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), with “acoustic hits of the last 4 decades.” (1936 Harbor SW)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at High Point Library – this month’s book is “The Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula LeGuin. All welcome! Look ahead to next month here. (3411 SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Neighborhood crime/safety concern or question? Bring it to the attention of Southwest Precinct police during tonight’s last 2017 meeting of the WSCPC. All welcome. 7 pm at the precinct meeting room, which is just off the parking lot. (2300 SW Webster)

UNPLUGGED – A MUSICAL GATHERING: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, for acoustic instrumentalists and singers of all genres. (5612 California SW)

SOUTH SOUND TUG AND BARGE: West Seattle’s own! 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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Memorial service Friday for Elaine S. Breuninger, 1921-2017
November 21, 2017 9:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Friday to remember Elaine S. Breuninger. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Elaine was born in Minneapolis to Easton and Amelia, both of whose parents immigrated from Norway. They moved to Washington, D.C. when her father became employed by the U.S. Government as an architect. In her mid-twenties, she came “out West,” met and married her husband Dave. She resided in West Seattle for sixty years.

She was 96 and died peacefully at the adult family home where she received tender loving care the past eight years.

Elaine enjoyed being a homemaker and she was very good at it. She was a talented piano player and singer.

A 45-year member of the Fauntleroy Church Choir, she often sang as a soloist. She was an active member of the Seattle Music Study Club for nearly thirty years. She will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and artistically gifted lady as well as a wonderful, giving mother. Her loving presence and quiet grace will be missed by all.

She is survived by four children, three grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Harold, and husband, Dave.

A memorial service will be held at Fauntleroy Church, UCC, 9140 California Avenue SW, on November 24th at 2 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to: Evergreen Health Foundation, 12040 NE 128h St, MS5, Kirkland, WA, 98034-3013; Fauntleroy Church, UCC (music program), 9140 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98136; Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA, 98145-5005.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Tuesday watch; deadly crash on 1st Ave. S.
November 21, 2017 6:57 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:57 AM: One incident in the area so far – 1st Avenue South is closed south of the West Seattle Bridge, to Hudson, because of a crash at 1st/Andover [map] that killed a bicyclist.

7:05 AM: Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives are investigating that crash so the closure could last hours.

Further south, there’s also now an emergency response to a 3-vehicle crash toward the north end of the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge.

7:29 AM: WSDOT says two lanes on the 1st Ave. S. Bridge have reopened, but the HOV lane remains blocked.

8:06 AM: Per scanner, southbound 1st Avenue S. will be reopening south of the West Seattle Bridge; northbound will remain blocked as the investigation continues.

8:36 AM: Northbound I-5 trouble downtown – a crash response at the Convention Center.

Meantime, one transit note – no Metro alerts about cancellations in this area (so far) today, but we did ask yesterday about the multiple recent Route 56 alerts, and this story published last night is the result.

8:51 AM: A reminder from SDOT:

9:04 AM: 1st Avenue S. is now clear.

9:22 AM: Thanks again for sharing info when you see a problem your West Seattle neighbors should know about – if/when you can safely/legally use your phone, text or call our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!

10:20 AM: SPD now has published an SPD Blotter update that says the bicyclist who was killed by a hit-run driver was a 61-year-old man. No description of the vehicle yet.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Bail set for suspect accused of breaking into sleeping family’s home
November 20, 2017 8:41 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

A judge set bail at $30,000 today for a 20-year-old man arrested after allegedly breaking into a Highland Park home early Saturday, awakening a sleeping family, including David, who shared his firsthand account, saying screams woke him up:

“Uncle David! Uncle David! There’s a man in the house!!!” I shook the sleep out of my eyes, sure that I must have heard incorrectly. The screams continued as I exited my room to find a man inside the home, confronting my niece and her three children ages 1, 3, and 5. I demanded that he leave immediately, but he delayed, as though he was considering his options. Meanwhile, my niece was calling the police on her cell phone. Still the man did not move.

David finally pushed the intruder out of the house and watched him disappear between neighbors’ homes before police arrived. While they searched near his house, he decided to drive a wider circle to look for him, and spotted him near the South Seattle College campus. He called 911 to get that information to police, and that’s where they made the arrest. According to the police report, which we obtained along with documents from today’s bail hearing, “The suspect was not wearing shoes when contacted by officers. The suspect’s shoes were found inside the victim’s residence.” (Blue and white Nike Air Jordans, according to the police report.) Arrest paperwork includes the notation that police would be against releasing the suspect, as he is a convicted felon with a record including robbery, and a weapons history. The King County Jail Register says he spent a month in jail last summer in an assault case; his listed “last known address” is also in Highland Park.

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‘Uptick in cancellations’ expected to end soon, Metro says
November 20, 2017 7:34 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

After another alert about a Metro Route 56 cancellation this morning – the fourth such alert we had seen in less than a week – we asked Metro what’s going on.

Turns out that today’s “canceled” trip did run after all, spokesperson Jeff Switzer found out after our inquiry, as did one last Wednesday for which there was also an alert, but runs in other areas were canceled today, as you’ll notice if you scroll through @kcmetrobus on Twitter. The Route 56 trips that really didn’t run last week had “no available operator,” Switzer explains.

But he tells WSB they’re staffing up:

In the past month, we have trained and deployed 70 new full-time drivers and 20 new part-time drivers. The most recent class of 35 full-time drivers graduated on Friday and are expanding the routes they are qualified on, so they can cover more work as needed.

We’re about a week away from operating more normalized service with fewer cancellations. We forewarned that a month-long uptick in canceled trips through today, and experienced some good days and some rougher days. Now we are seeing that a few more days of canceled trips are possible.

We’re at 2,850 bus drivers and providing over 99% of our 13,500 scheduled daily bus trips. We continue to hire and have a new rhythm of driver training in an effort to produce more drivers for service.

Two years ago, we took an up-close look at how the system – and the distribution of drivers – works. Switzer says what was pointed out then regarding alerts is still the case – “We notify customers of canceled trips when they are on routes with a low number of commute trips, so riders can adjust as needed. When we cancel trips on other more frequent service, riders can catch the next bus that comes along in the schedule.” He acknowledges today was “rough … on some routes and we apologize for the inconvenience, but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in the uptick in cancellations.”

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GRATITUDE: Friends of Roxhill Elementary’s benefit success
November 20, 2017 6:46 pm
|    Comments Off on GRATITUDE: Friends of Roxhill Elementary’s benefit success
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Friends of Roxhill Elementary, whose projects include school-playground improvements for Roxhill’s upcoming move to EC Hughes, are saying “thanks” tonight – Jenny Rose Ryan says last week’s dine-out fundraiser at Zippy’s Giant Burgers brought in more than $700, and they’re grateful both to diners and to Zippy’s for their generosity. Next up for Friends of Roxhill: “We’re having kids offer ideas and having a brainstorming event during our annual Night of Hope on November 30, and will be sharing information with Roxhill parents during our weekly coffee hour from 8 to 9, also on the 30th.” Then reps from the
city Department of Neighborhoods and Seattle Public Schools will be at the next Friends of Roxhill meeting on December 11th to talk about next steps in the playground process.

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UPDATE: Plea bargain for former West Seattle Athletic Club owner’s company in wage-theft case
November 20, 2017 4:31 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

4:31 PM: More than two and a half years after the state Attorney General filed wage-theft and tax-evasion charges against former West Seattle Athletic Club owner Sam Adams, a plea agreement (see the documents here and here) has just been announced. Here’s the news release from the AG’s Office:

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that former employees of West Seattle Athletic Club will receive restitution from their former employer’s company following Ferguson’s criminal wage theft case.

“Wage theft is a crime and I will not stand for violators who cheat working families out of their hard-earned wages,” Ferguson said. “I am pleased that Mr. Adams’ company was held accountable and my office has been successful in obtaining restitution for these workers.”

Hollystone Holdings, Inc., a company owned by former West Seattle Athletic Club owner Sam Adams, pleaded guilty to criminal wage theft in King County Superior Court. Pursuant to the agreement, the company will pay restitution in an amount that will equal the total amount owed to former employees who were never compensated for their back wages. While the exact amount is not yet known, it is expected to be in the thousands of dollars.

If the conditions of the agreement are not met, the state reserves the right to re-file charges against Sam Adams.

How to file wage theft violations with the state Department of Labor & Industries
If you believe you are a victim of wage theft, immediately file a complaint with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Preserve any documentation regarding the amount of wages you believe you are owed.

Workers can file a wage complaint if a business does not pay them. Workers can also file a complaint if the business denies other workplace rights regulated by L&I, such as meal and rest breaks, overtime, and family care.

Individuals can download a Worker Rights Complaint form or get one from their nearest L&I office. The completed form should be mailed or delivered to the nearest L&I office. Find out more about how to file a worker rights complaint here.

Our report on the announcement of charges in February 2015 included an allegation that the case involved “$500,000 in unpaid taxes, withheld salary, and unpaid insurance premiums.” As we also noted at the time, this case involved former club owner Adams and a business partner, NOT the current ownership of the club at 2629 SW Andover, which was renamed West Seattle Health Club and has been owned/operated by the property owner since Adams relinquished it in fall 2014. Adams’ short-lived ownership followed a previous owner’s bankruptcy.

ADDED 6:24 PM: A spokesperson for Sam Adams sent this news release on his behalf:

Read More

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FOLLOWUP: Plaque dedication for LouAnne Rundall Library at Highland Park Elementary
November 20, 2017 4:08 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

More library news! Thanks to Melinda Jankord-Steedman for the video! Two months after the Highland Park Elementary library was officially named in honor of longtime volunteer LouAnne Rundall, a plaque was unveiled today, displaying the new name over the library entrance. She was there for the short ceremony in her honor – as she has been for so many days in the past 45 years! – led by principal Chris Cronas, with HPE librarian Chris Robert (who uncovered the plaque).

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AT THE LIBRARIES: ‘Peak Picks’ program goes system-wide today
November 20, 2017 3:07 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

The Seattle Public Library says it’s going system-wide as of today with the Peak Picks program, which it’s been testing at eight locations (none in West Seattle). This is meant to increase availability of in-demand titles (bestsellers and more) – no holds, no renewals after the two-week checkout period, first-come first-served. If you don’t already know, West Seattle’s library branches are in Admiral (2306 42nd SW), Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW), High Point (3411 SW Raymond), and Westwood (the Southwest branch at 9010 35th SW).

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BIZNOTES: Two more West Seattle restaurateurs expanding off-peninsula
November 20, 2017 1:35 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Just in case you’re looking for a taste of home while off-peninsula:

ITTO’S TAPAS 2 ON CAPITOL HILL: Exactly two years after opening on the north edge of The Junction, Itto’s Tapas launches a second location on Capitol Hill tomorrow. They’ve taken over the former Toscana Pizzeria location at 601 Summit Ave. E. General manager Devrim Øzkan tells WSB, “Our first location in West Seattle has been fortunate to share so many wonderful experiences with it’s community through food and libations; we are hoping to make a similar mark in Capitol Hill. Our new location, unlike our spot in West Seattle, will be 21+.”

PIZZERIA 22 PROPRIETOR’S SODO PROJECT: Cary Kemp of Pizzeria 22 in The Admiral District says he’s been “hired as a consultant and executive chef to help create a New York style pizzeria in SODO that will feature a full Italian menu; it’s called Nine Pies Pizzeria and will be connected to the Nine Hats tasting room. It’s a beautiful restaurant and we plan to open the first of the year.” Address: 3861 1st Ave. S.

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FAUNTLEROY CREEK: 2017 spawning season ends with ‘Little Jill’
November 20, 2017 11:52 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photos by Dennis Hinton. Above, volunteer Pete Draughon watching the Fauntleroy fish ladder)

By Dennis Hinton and Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

Last year about this time, “Big Wally” closed the spawning season by hanging out in lower Fauntleroy Creek for two weeks. The 7-to-8-pound male coho was likely waiting (in vain) for a mate.

This year, the last of four spawners spotted in the creek was “Little Jill,” a small hatchery-released female. Collectively known as “jacks,” these immature coho come back to fresh water after only one year at sea instead of the standard two.

(“Little Jill” is in this photo – but hard to see)

At about 15″ long, Jill was first thought to be a cutthroat in to feed on fresh salmon eggs. But after she zipped up and down the fish ladder for a few days, volunteers saw that her adipose fin was clipped – the way hatcheries mark smolts when they release them. Watchers last saw her November 2nd, showing signs of deterioration common to spawners.

Volunteer watcher Mark Ahlness claimed the first spawner sightings October 27 – a 3-to-4-pound female and a smaller, red-sided male. The little one was soon a carcass fluttering in the flow. A third fish came in before Jill; at least one other was spotted at the mouth, but watchers didn’t find it in the creek. No fish were seen venturing farther upstream than the fish ladder (just across Fauntleroy Way SW from the beach). Watchers saw no indication of spawning.

Given favorable high tides and creek conditions, watchers continued their surveying until yesterday (Sunday, November 19th), with no further sightings.

The watch involved a dozen volunteers this year. About three dozen visitors stopped by to check out the fish and habitat.

Previous five years’ totals: 7 in 2016, 0 in 2015, 19 in 2014, 0 in 2013, 274 in 2012.

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See what’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Monday
November 20, 2017 10:54 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Harbor seal, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

FOOD TRUCKS AT SSC: Today starts the second week of daily food trucks at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). Until 1 pm, you’ll find Peasant Food Manifesto near the Clock Tower. (6000 16th SW)

TURKEY DONATIONS: Donate turkeys to the West Seattle Food Bank until 3 pm today (35th SW/SW Morgan) and at the White Center Food Bank through 5 pm today. (8th SW/SW 108th)

AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich is this month’s book for the Southwest Library Afternoon Book Group – all are welcome at the 2 pm gathering. (9010 35th SW)

TINKERLAB: 4-5:30 pm at Delridge Library, “Snap Circuits” is the theme for today’s all-ages STEM craft session. Free! (5423 Delridge Way SW)

‘MEATLESS MONDAY’ COOKING CLASS: 4 pm today at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) with Chef Kim O’Donnel, today’s class theme is “Hearty Greens.” Sign up in advance. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

SINGING AT THE GAME: As mentioned here again last night, the Our Lady of Guadalupe School 4th-and-5th-grade chorus will sing “God Bless America” at halftime of tonight’s Seahawks-Falcons game at CenturyLink Field. Kickoff is at 5:30 pm; the game is on TV on KIRO and ESPN.

ORDERING DEADLINE: Ordering holiday food from Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor)? The deadline is tonight; here’s the link if you’re doing it online. (41st/42nd/Admiral)

SOMETHING TO SHARE … with tens of thousands of your neighbors, via our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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THANKSGIVING GIVING: 3 ways to help others have holiday feasts
November 20, 2017 9:20 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

If you have abundance to share this Thanksgiving, here are three ways to ensure others will have holiday feasts too:

DONATE TURKEYS TO WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: You can bring one or more turkeys to the WSFB until 3 pm today, 9 am-3 pm Tuesday, 9 am-7 pm Wednesday. (35th SW/SW Morgan)

DONATE TURKEYS TO WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK: Turkeys are also being accepted at the WCFB through 5 pm today, 9 am-5 pm Tuesday and Wednesday. (8th SW/SW 108th)

DONATE DESSERTS TO FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER @ THE HALL AT FAUNTLEROY: Thursday’s open-to-everyone dinner at The Hall always welcomes dessert donations – pies, cookies, etc. You can drop them off on Thanksgiving, 10 am-1 pm, or call 206-932-1059 to arrange a Wednesday afternoon dropoff. They could use kids’ clothing, new socks (any size), and blankets, too. (9131 California SW)

P.S. Throughout the holiday season, we feature other donation opportunities (and volunteering, too) in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – so if you have something to add there, please e-mail info to editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Monday watch
November 20, 2017 7:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday Monday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

7 AM: Good morning and welcome to Thanksgiving week, off to a rainy start.

Ferry note this morning: The Sealth (90 cars) has replaced the Chelan (124 cars) on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route.

Also – Seattle Public Schools elementary and K-8 schools have no classes today through Wednesday, in addition to the districtwide Thursday-Friday holiday, because of conferences.

And a stadium-zone note: The Seahawks play at home tonight, 5:30 pm vs. Atlanta.

8:14 AM: Another canceled Route 56 bus – Metro just sent an alert that the 7:32 am 56 didn’t run.

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Alki Community Council: One last hurdle for vehicle-noise budget item
November 19, 2017 8:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Alki Community Council: One last hurdle for vehicle-noise budget item
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Tomorrow morning, the City Council takes its final votes on next year’s budget. One item that’s made the cut so far was the biggest topic at this past week’s Alki Community Council meeting:

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GRATITUDE: Gatewood Elementary second-grader’s eraser sale brings big boost for playfield project
November 19, 2017 8:09 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Generous West Seattleites helped Gatewood Elementary second-grader Gwen bring in $550 at her eraser sale today benefiting the school playfield project, reports proud mom Elissa – and that means a total of $1,100, thanks to a match from Dad’s employer Adobe. As reported here Friday (along with a preview of Gwen’s sale), the campaign to raise $50,000 to supplement a $100,000 city matching-funds grant has already reached 80 percent of the goal, so this is another big boost.

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Speaking of student musicians: Monday’s the big night for OLG singers at Seahawks game
November 19, 2017 6:04 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A week and a half ago, we told you that the Our Lady of Guadalupe School 4th- and 5th-grade chorus had been invited to sing at halftime of the Seahawks’ Monday Night Football game tomorrow. OLG music teacher Ann Sager sent a reminder today that the big night is almost here, adding, “We’ll also sing a few patriotic songs during pre-game on the stages at either end of the stadium” – so if you’re going to the game, watch for them then/there! According to the school website, there’s been lots of logistics for this – they have to be there hours ahead of time to rehearse – and Ann’s page also includes this answer to a frequently asked question:

HOW DID WE GET CHOSEN TO DO THIS!?!

Ryan M. of the Seahawks did a search on something like “god bless america seattle children’s choirs” and my OLG School Music webpage popped up. I chronicle my daily classroom lessons and we’ve been practicing “God Bless America” for our own Veterans’ Day Assembly. It pays to have a web presence!

The Seahawks didn’t invite anyone else. To confirm how cute and musical we were, I sent him our video; he was blown away! He presented it to the higher-ups and by the end of that same day, it was a done deal.

That’s the video you see atop this story, by the way. The Seahawks are playing Atlanta at 5:30 pm Monday; the game is on ESPN.

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HOLIDAY PARADE: See who’s crossing the bay to march on Friday
November 19, 2017 3:10 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAY PARADE: See who’s crossing the bay to march on Friday
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(In 2012, the Sealth Band had a guest conductor! Photo courtesy Bruno)

Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, brings the downtown My Macy’s Holiday Parade as usual – and the participant list shows that both local high-school marching bands are in it this year, Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School. You’ll also see the Salty’s (WSB sponsor) nutcrackers. The parade starts at 9 am Friday, and the route is fairly simple:

The parade steps off at 7th Avenue and Pine Street and travels west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th Avenue to University Street, west on University Street to 4th Avenue and north on 4th Avenue and ends at Macy’s.

Anyone else from West Seattle set to be in the parade? Let us know so we can watch for you too!

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READER REPORTS: Two doorstep mysteries you might be able to help solve
November 19, 2017 1:36 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

Two from the WSB inbox. First – Thom reports what might, or might not, have been a case of package theft in the 6600 block of Admiral Way:

Just had an odd situation that might be a package/delivery theft. We ordered an Amazon Prime Now order with some groceries (a ribeye, butter, case of water, Epsom salts, etc) and got a notification at 11:32am that it was delivered. We never heard anyone knock, and the dog didn’t bark – although she usually does. It’s an apartment building so we checked in front of other doors, by the mailboxes, around the property, etc – but didn’t see it anywhere.

When we called Amazon customer support they said their system showed it was delivered to our address, per GPS and to wait until noon. If it had not shown up by then they’d refund the cost.

So, either someone snagged it immediately after delivery or it was delivered incorrectly to someone else, but we were asked to check with neighbors and look all around the property for it just in case it was delivered to the right property but the wrong door.

All searches were fruitless and we got a refund and placed a new order. There’s not enough information to tell if it was a delivery error or a package theft but I’m dropping a note in case anyone else in the neighborhood has anything missing today- or in the off chance someone is wondering why they got an unexpected delivery of a ribeye, case of water, butter, Epsom salts, etc.

Second, a door-to-door visitor reported last night by Erik:

Young woman came to my door (North Arbor Heights). Just now asking to sign an iPad about something to do with bees and Washington state laws. Asked for cc # or $. Just a heads up. I refused.

We checked here – no initiatives being circulated right now with anything related to bees. Remember that while charity/political solicitors don’t have to have sales licenses, you still have the right to ask for ID and any other proof of who they are and what they’re soliciting for.

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Holiday shopping that helps, at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Ethical Fair Trade Sale
November 19, 2017 12:00 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday shopping that helps, at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Ethical Fair Trade Sale
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Every holiday season, you can find ways to ensure your dollars are spent for more than just giving a gift – they can also do a good deed. That’s what’s happening until 1 pm at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Ethical Fair Trade Sale. Some of what’s on sale inside OLG’s Walmesley Center on the northeast corner of 35th and Myrtle are items created overseas. Some are items benefiting causes close to home, like cards for Noel House, a women’s shelter.

And OLG students are selling baked goods to benefit WestSide Baby.

Another OLG student, 8th-grader Mark, is answering questions near the door, as an “ambassador” for the sale:

OLG has another big holiday event coming up – the annual “Light Up the Night” grounds-lighting and caroling celebration is set for Friday night, December 1st, 7 pm. (That event, like today’s sale and dozens of other seasonal events and FYIs, is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.)

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WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas, visible from here!
November 19, 2017 10:06 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

10:12 AM: Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales just called to report orcas visible southbound off Me-Kwa-Mooks [map], shortly after a texter told us that Orca Network reported orca sightings in the past hour off Bainbridge Island. We’re grabbing the binoculars to head down for a look.

10:45 AM: Some are visible off Blake, some further north and south. We are with Jeff and other watchers toward the south end of Emma Schmitz Overlook. Whitecaps on the Sound are making viewing a bit challenging.

11 AM: Jeff and Kersti Muul are still watching from the south end of Emma Schmitz – the whales are close to the other side of the Sound. We have to move on.

12:13 PM: Kersti reports in a comment that they’re still southbound, south of the Fauntleroy ferry lane now.

1:16 PM: An update from Jeff – before 1 pm, the whales were visible from Dilworth on Vashon [map], then turned northbound: “Probably K pod.”

2:09 PM: Still northbound, according to a texter who also says the whales have been confirmed as K-Pod, and according to Claire’s comment below.

3:09 PM: Brittany says via Twitter that they’re visible from Constellation Park with binoculars.

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