West Seattle, Washington
21 Tuesday
Out of the WSB inbox, from a West Seattle resident:
Earlier today my husband was recipient of a random act of kindness; he found a card underneath his windshield wipers, inside was crisp new $10.00 bill with note that said “A random act to honor one of the 26 lost in Connecticut. Kindness and compassion are the antidote. Please, if you can, pay it forward. ”
I thought it was so cool, that it made my day. I hope it will do the same for you. Merry Christmas!
The e-mail doesn’t say where exactly this happened – but that really doesn’t matter, in this case.
Since many stolen vehicles are found close to the scene of the crime – this one may be somewhere on the peninsula: We just received an e-mail report of a green 2002 Chevy Tahoe z71 (photo above) stolen from a home near 35th/Hudson last night. License plate is 767 PXH; you’ll likely notice a broken passenger-side window. It’s SPD case 12-438190, if you see it and call 911 as SPD always advises.
11:32 AM: Earlier this morning, Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales texted us about orcas sighted off Maury Island. That was a little too far south for West Seattleites to see, so we didn’t mention it here, but now he says they’re headed back north again – along Colvos Passage, on the west side of Vashon, so they might be visible a bit later off North Vashon or Blake Island. Let us know if you see them!
12:46 PM UPDATE: Commenters on the Orca Network Facebook page have seen them within the last few minutes off Olalla (map) – still a ways before they would emerge back into the open Sound off north Vashon Island.
1:37 PM UPDATE: Orca Network commenters are also talking about a DIFFERENT group heading south from Richmond Beach/Carkeek area – could be a whale of a lot of whales off West Seattle if these groups keep heading their respective ways.
(The Olympics this morning, by Nick Adams for WSB)
Happy Christmas Eve! For today’s highlights, it’s mostly a list of the lists we’ve been compiling, with (hopefully) helpful information as you wonder “who’s open and when”:
CHRISTMAS EVE CHURCH SERVICES (and a few on Christmas Day): See the list here
TRANSIT CHANGES TODAY (AND TOMORROW): See the list here
GROCERY-STORE HOURS TODAY (AND TOMORROW): See the list here
RESTAURANTS OPEN TODAY (AND TOMORROW): See the list here
COFFEE SHOPS OPEN TODAY (AND TOMORROW): See the list here
LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING? RETAILERS OPEN TODAY: See the list here (and please let us know about additions – this is a crowdsourced last-minute list, unlike our others)
****Also happening today****
GIFT WRAPPING: One last round of “Wrap It Up” with Furry Faces Foundation and AARF: These two animal-advocacy groups are wrapping gifts by donation (you decide how much), with 100 percent of the donations going to help animals. 2 – 7 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California SW.
SANTA AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE: 10 am-5 pm (in the old Dress Barn space this year, if you haven’t been yet).
CHRISTMAS EVE AT WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: The Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular features free hot chocolate 6-8 pm – it’s part of our holiday-lights list (including an updated map of spots around West Seattle) on the WSB Holiday Guide page.
We’ve already put together four holiday lists – Christmas Eve church services (here), Christmas Eve/Day restaurants (here), coffee shops (here), and grocery stores (here) – 
but it didn’t occur to us until last night that you might also find it helpful to have a list of retailers’ Christmas Eve hours, if you (like me) find yourself shopping at the last minute. So we put out a call on the WSB Facebook page and did a little looking around. Results are below. Not comprehensive, but it includes those who responded and those whose holiday hours we have found so far (FB, Twitter, Web) – if you want to be on this list, please add yours in a comment, or e-mail us, and we’ll add you:
Alki Beach Tattoo (merchandise too) – 11 am-5 pm
Atomic Boys – 10 am-2 pm
Avalon Glassworks – 10 am-4 pm
Bartell Drugs (both WS locations) – 8 am-9 pm
Bin 41 – 11 am-6 pm
Capco Beverages (WSB sponsor; use this coupon!) – 10 am-7 pm
CAPERS – 10 am-4 pm
Carmilia’s – 11 am-5 pm
Chico’s – 9 am-6 pm
City Mouse Studio and Store – 10 am-3 pm
Clementine – 11 am-5 pm
Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) – 10 am-5 pm
Curious Kidstuff – 10 am-5 pm
Home Depot – 6 am-5 pm
JF Henry & Co. (WSB sponsor) – Open till 4 pm
Mind Unwind: 10 am-5 pm
Shanti Salon and Day Spa (WSB sponsor) – till 3 pm
The Beer Junction – 10 am-4 pm
The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor) – Open till 4 pm
Twilight Artist Collective – 11 am-3 pm
West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor) – 11 am-7 pm
West Seattle Fabric Company – 10 am-2 pm
West Seattle Nursery – 9 am-4 pm (a few trees left, WSN tells us)
Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) – 11 am-2 pm
Again, check back again later; we’ll add any other retailers who comment or e-mail. Happy Christmas Eve! (Photo credit: Junction Christmas tree by Nick Adams for WSB, 12/1/2012)
(Water Taxi’s downtown dock just after sunset Friday, by Lise Thivierge)
Reminders for everybody who’ll be using transit the next two days – here are the announced schedule plans:
CHRISTMAS EVE (Monday)
Metro – “reduced weekday” schedule
West Seattle Water Taxi – regular schedule
Sound Transit – Sunday schedule
Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy route – regular schedule
CHRISTMAS DAY (Tuesday)
Metro – Sunday schedule
West Seattle Water Taxi – no service
Sound Transit – Sunday schedule
Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy route – regular schedule
If you live near Roxhill Park, or pass by, please take an extra-close look – especially now that Whitney McBride, co-volunteer organizer for the community-built Roxhill Castle play-area project, reports that graffiti/tagging vandals have struck: “Our wonderfully community-built park was graffiti’ed. I’m not sure when, as we haven’t been by lately. Sadly I knew it was bound to happen, just hoped it wouldn’t at least for a while. I’m sure it’ll get cleaned up way before opening, but if folks could keep an eye out & call in anything suspicious, that’d be great.” (As noted here yesterday, the opening was at one point set for this weekend, but it’s been postponed – no new date set yet.)
For those planning to go out looking at Christmas lights, we’ve added a few more stops to the map, including the home above (3726 Belvidere – thanks to Logan for the photo), Fauntlee Hills (the west side is most brightly lit – turn onto 41st SW from Barton, and both 41st and Concord have sights to see), and the home in the 7900 block of 32nd SW that we featured last year (Kevin says it’s all lit up again).
Any more updates tonight, please let us know – then the map’s a wrap for the season, since we’ve observed over the years that some turn their lights off after Christmas Eve.
P.S. One of the spots on the map, the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular/West Seattle Lights, will have free hot chocolate 6-8 pm Christmas Eve.
We’re reminded that besides “eat, drink, and be merry,” another good holiday exhortation is: Read! Kids from Gatewood Elementary got in that spirit with a brisk stroll to a Morgan Junction coffee shop on Friday; principal Rhonda Claytor shared the photo and report:
Students from Gina Frazzini’s class at Gatewood Elementary had a reading celebration at Starbucks (Friday). The students walked to Starbucks to enjoy a book and a hot cocoa. It was a great way to start a great book for the Winter Break! Thank you, Starbucks!
Yet another reminder – we’ve compiled holiday hours (Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day) for coffee shops around West Seattle (and a couple in White Center), in case you’re looking for a place to read – or just to get your favorite beverage – see the list here.
From Kim, who suggests others be on the lookout for a would-be thief spotted late this morning:
Just thought I would pass along that my husband, a friend and I just caught and stopped a bike theft. We noticed this guy walking through our side yard (there’s no fence but still odd for people to walk through our yard) at around 11AM. He was walking very slowly and even paused when we caught each other’s gaze through my window. I walked outside and caught him grabbing my neighbors old bike from under a pile of other items. When I yelled to him that those items were not his, he didn’t even jump. He just stood up and walked out of the yard slowly and even had to pass me to get out of the yard. Very strange and totally brazen considering it was midday on a weekend. Thankfully I had my husband and his friend here to run outside and make sure he didn’t try to come back. This guy was African American, late teens to early 20’s, wearing a black jacket with a white hoody layered underneath, black jeans and a ball cap. He left walking south on California Ave. We live on the 2100 block of California. Keep a lookout for this guy, he was obviously not scared of getting caught and may try this in someone else’s yard.
(Varied thrush, photographed in West Seattle recently by Trileigh Tucker)
In case you haven’t already found all this in the ongoing WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (all holiday events through New Year’s Day) and year-round Event Calendar – highlights for the rest of today/tonight:
YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A CHRISTMAS EVE-EVE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round means year-round! (photo added @ noon – tulips at Alm Hill Gardens, southwest side of market)
Now till 2 pm, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on at 44th/Alaska in The Junction.
CAROLING FOR FOOD BANK DONATIONS: We 3 Carolers, and members of the South Seattle Community College Choir, will be caroling in The Junction, corner of Calif and Alaska, from 11:30-1:00, and 1:30-3:00: “Come by and join us! We will also be collecting cash or check donations for the West Seattle/White Center Food Banks. Thanks, West Seattle and White Center neighbors!”
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: That’s what Friends of the Animals Foundation hopes you can provide, as they hold another cat-adoption event noon-3 pm today at Next to Nature in The Junction.
(added) ALSO SEEKING HOMES: Just found out that TODAY is actually Kitty Harbor‘s last day this winter – so, noon-6 pm, they’re open with more than two dozen cats/kittens awaiting forever homes. Harbor Avenue, just north of the bridge.
WINE TASTING: Stottle Winery (WSB sponsor) welcomes you at their West Seattle tasting room, street level of ActivSpace at 3400 Harbor Avenue SW, just north of the bridge.
SANTA! Two chances we know of – at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 1:30-5:30 pm (their website says otherwise but after a reader tip, we just called to confirm the change), and Westwood Village (hours and Santa listed here).
‘WRAP IT UP’: Gift wrapping with Furry Faces Foundation and AARF: These two animal-advocacy groups are wrapping gifts by donation (you decide how much), with 100 percent of the donations going to help animals. Today’s your second to last chance, 1 – 6 pm at Beer Junction, 4511 California SW.
LAST CHANCE TO SEE ‘SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE’: “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor) concludes premiere run, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – 2 pm. According to the show’s Facebook page, admission is “pay what you will/can.”
CHRISTMAS VAUDEVILLE AND SINGALONG: 3 pm today at Kenyon Hall: Comedy juggling, live music by the Bottom Line Duo, Bob White at the Mighty Wurlitzer, and Lou Magor conducting the audience in a Christmas sing-along. Reservations and ticket info here.
THE WINTER WONDERETTES! ArtsWest presents the “new ’60s Christmas musical,” matinee at 3 pm. Details and ticket sales are on the ArtsWest website.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Singer-songwriter Sarah Burgess, 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.
BENEFIT YOGA CLASS: Bikram Yoga in The Junction is offering a class at 5 pm today to support a local family in need – details in the calendar listing.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) organizes this annual event:
Our Christmas light run is Sunday night at 6. We are doing about 3 miles, give or take, at a slow pace, and checking out some of the better light neighborhoods around the store, finishing at the Helmstetler house. Dress up, light up, bring a can of food to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank, and enjoy a fun run with other West Seattleittes!
WSR is on the northwest corner of California and Charlestown, second floor. Meet at 5:50 pm.
SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Our map is in the Holiday Guide. Couple more additions will be there by nightfall.
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Nick Adams
for West Seattle Blog
The 3,000 miles between Seattle and Newtown, Connecticut, closed in a heartbeat Saturday night – a heartbeat and a candle flame:
Though a chilly wind buffeted the 30 or so who gathered for a candlelight vigil – the first public gathering in West Seattle to honor the Connecticut community rocked by inexplicable deadly violence – the heartbeat, and heartbreak, could almost be heard. It came with the reading of victims’ names, each evoking an image, innocent child, heroic teacher…
It came with quiet songs – from “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” to “Silent Night” …
The grief for those lost burned bright, though eight long days had passed, and across the country, the final funerals had happened hours earlier.
Those who accepted a slip of paper with a name to read were urged to spend a few moments each day thinking about that person.
And those who came were acknowledged for daring to open up: “It’s difficult to bring a tender heart into a public space, not knowing who you wlll meet,” they were told.
Even with cameras and lights, the circle held dignity and respect.
Then, as the gathering ebbed after about 40 minutes, Trevor Rasmussen again softly played guitar:
The song – “Fire and Rain.” The latter had held off during the gathering; all the better for the former to burn bright:
As originally reported, the gathering was organized by West Seattle’s Casey Ann Rasmussen (at right in photo above), and supported by Families and Friends of Violent-Crime Victims, whose director Marge Martin joined Casey in speaking very briefly as the vigil began.
The mid-evening “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service still holds the possibility of some Christmas Day snow – the possibility that led the NWS to issue this Special Weather Statement advisory earlier today. Still too far away to say for sure, but they’re saying there’s a chance that precipitation will bump into cold air and result in Christmas snow for the first time since December 2008. We’ll keep an eye on how the forecast evolves!
Two notes tonight – one, an Arbor Heights neighborhood hit again; our last car-prowl tipster from yesterday now has this report of an intruder she thought might be her neighbor – but wasn’t:
Around 8:20 this morning my dog was acting funny in the yard, and it turns out that there was something afoot. When I called out the neighbor’s name, there was a mumbled, “(Neighbor) is in the house.” Um, huh? So I called again, with a clearer response this time, “(Neighbor) is in the house.” Hmmm, that didn’t make sense, knowing the neighbor. Third try, this time a clearer response, and the guy was starting out of the shed ** but with his back to me***. My dog was not happy with this, and the guy turned, so I got a good look at him: Dark-skinned male, late 20s? [not young teen, not elderly, but the age guess is not easy for me], gray beanie,, lumpy black back pack, gray/black cammie pants, and clear plastic bags on his feet up just below his knees. Guy took off while I called 9-1-1 , and it turns out that several houses whose yards share borders were all hit — including a large, wheeled powertool that was found in the yard next door to its owner.
Folks, PLEASE call 9-1-1 if you see *anything* that isn’t regular!
This all happened in the area of SW 106th through SW108th on 31st SW and 32nd SW.
Meantime, near California/Juneau, this turned up behind Alison‘s back fence:
She wonders, “Maybe stolen and ditched??” (And we can’t help wonder if it somehow was related to this unclaimed, mystery artwork.)
The photo of a seal pup in the Alki vicinity today is courtesy of Stani – who’s not with Seal Sitters, but inspired us to check in on that group, since we hadn’t in a while. A look at the Seal Sitters website revealed it’s been a very busy week before Christmas, partly because of the record-high water levels, and this time the pups are looking healthy (read about it here, and see video too).
Somehow we missed hearing about this one in advance again this year – but you still have till 8:30 pm to get a photo at Easy Street Records with Coco Cris Cringle and Pickle Whistle, aka Maurice Caldwell, Jr., and Stephanie, according to the e-mail that also brought this photo.
Joining the Christmas Eve/Day church-services list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, three more lists now ready for anyone interested in advance planning. This year we’ve included Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day information wherever possible. Here are the direct links:
*Restaurants – here
*Coffee shops – here
*Grocery stores – here
Please also note, this research has taken the better part of the past two weeks, and there’s always a chance a business will change its plan – so we’d advise you to set out (especially on Christmas Day) with Plans A and B. For more information on local establishments, you can also check their listings in the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide. (And if you are a businessperson or customer and see something on our lists NOW that you know isn’t correct – or something missing – please e-mail us! editor@westseattleblog.com)
Two running notes this afternoon:
First – congratulations to Bonnie, whose friend Robin shared the photo, explaining:
Wanted to share that my friend Bonnie hit 1000 miles in 2012 this morning while we ran on Alki. We are super proud of her!
Second – a Sunday event from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and a reminder just sent by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Tim McConnell:
We have our 2nd Annual Holiday Light run tomorrow night at 6 pm. We will be going about 3 miles at a very slow pace, starting at the store and looking at some of the better lighted houses in the neighborhood and ending at the Helmstetler house. We encourage people to dress festive and bring a can of food for the West Seattle Food Bank. We will meet in the store around 5:50ish and head out around 6. The run should take about 40 minutes plus however long people want to hang out at the Helmstetler house.
AKA, of course, West Seattle Lights. (Where you’ll find free hot chocolate 6-8 pm Christmas Eve, regardless of whether you’re on foot or on/in vehicle.) P.S. WS Runner is at California/Charlestown, second floor.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Chelsea:
Myself and a small group of friends are planning to go caroling (including handheld keyboards) tonight in West Seattle and we have a little stage fright. We could use some backup! We’ve never done this before…
We’ll be on foot around the 35th & Holden area [map] starting around 6:30. If anyone in the neighborhood wants to join us, they can send an e-mail to chelseahumslovesongs@gmail.com for a meeting time and place.
Adults and kids of all ages are welcome! We are not professional carolers by any means. We are not sure what songs we are going to sing just yet. Feel free to bring your requests. Help us bring some holiday cheer to the neighborhood!
(One more view of the first sunset of winter, by Tisha Satow, seen from The Arroyos)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – which lists what’s happening through New Year’s Day – and year-round Event Calendar:
VIGIL TO HONOR NEWTOWN: Tonight is the night for the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st and Alki) candlelight vigil organized by West Seattleite Casey Ann Rasmussen – 5 pm, rain or shine, bring a light source. From the original announcement:
We have a responsibility to humanity not to forgot or pretend that the horror we have witnessed this last week hasn’t happened but rather to join hands, raise the collective consciousness and increase the worldly compassion toward peace and healing during this difficult time. Please join us for a non-political evening of love, remembrance and hope for a better future.
PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS TO:
Sandy Hook School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Bank
39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470DONATIONS FOR EVENT PROVIDED BY:
Friends and Family of Violent Crime Victims
Husky Deli
Sugar Rush Baking Company
Also today/tonight:
ARTPOCALYPYSE: All-day, all-night, last-minute-shopping sale at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District (2206 California SW), 10 am-midnight.
ILLUSIONS’ HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Until 3 pm at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor; 5619 California SW) – last day they’re open till Christmas – with the famous “holiday buffet.” P.S. Got the new Illusions app yet?
FREE JUNCTION GIFT WRAP STATION! One more time – 11:30 am-3:30 pm: The West Seattle High School Music Program parents will staff a gift wrap station at Windermere (4526 California SW) while the WSHS Music students perform. Please bring Junction retailer receipt. (FREE wrap and ribbon, but no boxes.)
WINE TASTING: Noon-6 pm at Stottle Winery (WSB sponsor; street level of ActivSpace on Harbor Avenue just north of the bridge).
KITTY HARBOR’S FINAL DAY OF THE YEAR: Also on Harbor Avenue just north of the bridge, and also noon-6 pm, last chance to provide a forever home for a Kitty Harbor kitten or cat, today.
SANTA! Photos at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) 1-4 pm. Photos with “Ex-Westwood” Santa at CAPERS in The Junction (bring food/cash for the West Seattle Food Bank), 2-6 p.m. And the Westwood Village Santa schedule for today/tonight is here.
2 OF YOUR LAST 3 CHANCES TO SEE ‘SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE’: “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor) continues in its premiere run, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – 2 and 7 pm. According to the show’s Facebook page, all remaining shows are “pay what you can.”
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES’ FOOD-BANK FUNDRAISING DINNER: 5:30-7 pm, fried-chicken dinner – details in the calendar listing.
BASKETBALL TONIGHT: Seattle Lutheran visits West Seattle High School – girls’ varsity at 5:15 pm, boys’ varsity at 7.
CHRISTMAS VAUDEVILLE AND SINGALONG: Tonight at Kenyon Hall: Comedy juggling, live music by the Bottom Line Duo, Bob White at the Mighty Wurlitzer, and Lou Magor conducting the audience in a Christmas sing-along. 7:30 pm. Reservations and ticket info here.
THE WINTER WONDERETTES! ArtsWest presents the “new ’60s Christmas musical,” tonight at 7:30 pm. Details and ticket sales are on the ArtsWest website.
LIVE NON-HOLIDAY MUSIC TONIGHT: Venues include C & P Coffee and Feedback Lounge (both WSB sponsors) – see the listings on our regular Event Calendar.
(added, since someone asked about this) *NOT HAPPENING TODAY* We recently checked on the originally announced plan to open Roxhill Castle playground today – and volunteer organizer Mat McBride said the opening’s been postponed; no new date yet, but we’ll report it when one is set.
In the North Delridge neighborhood of Cottage Grove, a new tradition was born on winter-solstice night – a neighborhood parade. Led by neighbors Tanya and Patrick Baer in illuminated costume, as you can see in our video clip (that’s Tanya you hear explaining the parade just before it began), they brought lights and good cheer to walk the Longfellow Creek trails while celebrating both the longest night of the year and the brighter days ahead. West Seattle has a burgeoning tradition of neighborhood holiday parades – in the summer, there’s the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade, while at year’s end, the Highland Park Not-So-Silent Night Parade (coming up on New Year’s Eve) – and now, there’s this.
Though school’s out now for two weeks, students and families returned to Denny International Middle School tonight for a tradition – the Posada Navideña celebration, with music, dancing, potluck food, and fun. Decorations, too, including the snowman collection set up in the cafeteria:
The first-ever Denny Posada was back in 2010 (WSB coverage here), organized by the Denny PTSA as a multicultural celebration for a multicultural school, rooted in the Latin American pre-Christmas Las Posadas tradition.
Look what showed up for NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s quarterly solstice/equinox sunset watch in West Seattle – the sun! Two hours earlier, Alice tweeted at us regarding the sudden sun sighting:
Winter solstice in Seattle, and I just had to put on my sunglasses. WHAT??! @westseattleblog
— Alice Enevoldsen (@AlicesAstroInfo) December 21, 2012
While the gatherings are mostly a chance to find out more about the solar-system phenomena from a volunteer expert, actually seeing the sun means a chance to check the alignment of Solstice Park‘s special features. Here are some of the 30 or so sunset-watchers who showed up:
Checking our archives, it seems the sun appeared for last year’s winter-solstice-sunset event, too. This year, Alice had something extra to explain:
In recent months, she became an expert 2012-end-of-world debunker (see her various links/explanations here), so there was an extra note of triumph in the simple fact that tonight’s event did happen as scheduled. (P.S. The solstice moment itself was 3:12 am today. Next up – spring equinox, 4:02 am our time March 20, 2013. Watch for Alice’s event announcement when it gets closer – it’ll be on her website, along with other interesting astronomical updates, at alicesastroinfo.com.)
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