West Seattle, Washington
20 Saturday
Two updates related to the city’s plans to change a Myers Way encampment from unsanctioned to sanctioned, one of three new authorized encampments announced almost two weeks ago:
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING TOMORROW: When the council’s Human Services and Public Health Committee meets at 2 pm Wednesday (City Hall, downtown), its agenda includes an update from the city’s director of homelessness George Scarola on the interim plan that includes three “new” authorized encampments, including one on Myers Way in southeast West Seattle. Here’s the slide deck just added to the meeting agenda:
(If you can’t read it via the embedded document, here’s a direct link to it on the city website.) Two notes of local interest – one, it says the city is still talking with potential operators of the Myers Way encampment, which suggests that Camp Second Chance, which has been there without authorization since July, might not be the operator after all. Second, it mentions showers open for use at Delridge Community Center “since December 1st”; our understanding is that they’ve been available longer than that. Tomorrow’s meeting, by the way, as with most Council meetings, has a public-comment period, and will be live on Seattle Channel (cable 21, seattlechannel.org).
COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Following up on last week’s meeting at Greenbridge about news of the authorized encampment (WSB coverage here), Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council chair Amanda Kay Helmick has sent Scarola this letter voicing community concerns. We were copied and are publishing it in its entirety below: Read More
42nd Avenue SW continues to be the busiest street for West Seattle Junction redevelopment. Newly filed documents show the local developers who built Junction Flats at 4433 42nd SW have a new early-stage proposal on the same block, between SW Genesee and SW Oregon. We just found the “site plan” for 4417 42nd SW in the city Department of Construction and Inspection files. The site plan filed less than a week ago proposes a four-story building with 55 apartments and an unspecified number of underground parking spaces. The site plan shows the new building replacing what county records say are three 1930s-built houses at 4417, 4421, and 4423 42nd SW, separated from Junction Flats by a parking lot owned by the West Seattle Eagles. No formal application filed yet, but this will have to go through the Design Review process.
(Downy woodpecker – our state’s smallest woodpecker! – photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
FOOD DRIVE AT SOUTHWEST POOL: As we noted on Monday, you can drop off nonperishable-food donations during pool hours and/or bring in 3 items to get discounted prices for specific swims this week. Tonight – 8:30 pm water exercise. (2801 SW Thistle)
BABY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library, for 4- to 12-month-olds and their parents/guardians/caregivers. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
DINE OUT FOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: 2-9 pm at Shelby’s Bistro and Ice Creamery, 10 percent of the proceeds today/tonight go to Our Lady of Guadalupe School. (4752 California SW)
COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON SCHOOL DISCIPLINE: 6-8 pm at the Salvation Army in West Seattle, families and students are invited to this dialogue, presented by the Southwest King County Discipline Coalition, to help shape how schools in our state handle discipline. Whether you can or can’t be there, you’re also invited to take this survey. More info here. (9050 16th SW)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center, it’s the meeting that had to be postponed when the city booked the big “open house” for last Wednesday. (Added) The agenda includes:
6:40 P.M. Election of 2017 Southwest District Council Officers
· Nominations for Chair and/or Co-Chairs: David Whiting, Eric Iwamoto
· Nominations for Vice Chair (see Co-Chairs)
· Nominations for Secretary: Vicki Schmitz Block
· Nominations for CNC Representative:6:50 P.M. Discussion on changes to SWDC Bylaws
7:10 P.M. Proposed Rezone Changes
· Recap on last week’s HALA Mandatory Rezone Meeting(s) in West Seattle
· Overview of proposed changes7:40 P.M. Southwest District Council Business
· CNC Update
· Announcements
· Other business
(4217 SW Oregon)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, with an agenda – as previewed here – including a citywide proposal for a “renters’ commission.” (42nd SW/SW Lander)
COMMUNITY MEDITATION: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center: “Meditation instruction offered at the start of each evening, with tea and open discussion following group meditation for any who wish to participate.” Free. More info in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
HOLIDAY CONCERT: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 12 & Warm Holiday Classics. West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ final concert of the season. “Our Intermediate Orchestra will perform familiar works by Bizet and Dvorak as well as a contemporary treatment of ‘Hatikvah,’ an Israeli traditional folk song. A special treat is the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 12, featuring the orchestra’s own piano prodigy, Vincent Pham, age 12. The Wind Symphony will follow up with classical wind ensemble pieces and holiday favorites including Leroy Anderson’s ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘A Christmas Festival’.” 7 pm, Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. FREE! (donations appreciated, of course!) (2600 SW Thistle)
CLASSIC COUNTRY: That’s what The Rolling Blackouts play, and they’re at Parliament Tavern 8-11 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:48 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. Also, no snow, though you might encounter some showers if you are heading north out of the city.
Today’s big traffic alert will be for the Sounders march and rally celebrating the MLS Cup victory. Here’s the SDOT alert. While it all starts at 11 am, heading from Westlake Park to Seattle Center, some road closures will start earlier, so be aware of that if you commute on the late side. The Sounders’ media advisory says: “All intersections along the main march route, which follows Fourth Avenue north from the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Pine Street before turning right on Cedar Street to continue north on Fifth Avenue to Thomas Street, will be closed to traffic beginning at 9:00 am PT.”
7:36 AM: Crash reported at Delridge and Oregon.
7:48 AM: That call was revised to Oregon and 23rd and then closed on the real-time 911 log, meaning SFD is no longer on the scene.
It’s been a holiday tradition at West Seattle’s Nucor Steel mill for many years – collecting food and money to make it a happier season for the people helped by the West Seattle Food Bank. And today was delivery day!
Judi Yazzolino from the WS Food Bank shares the update and photos:
Employees of Nucor Steel collected food and funds over the past month for the WSFB in their annual Holiday Food/Funds Drive. The food donated by employees totaled 4,180 pounds and employees contributed $2306. Nucor matches $2 for every employee donation (pound or $1), for a grand total of $16,150. Thank you to Nucor and all of its employees for helping our clients have a very happy holiday!
As a result of all these years of partnership, WS Food Bank honored Nucor last May with its first “Instrument of Change” award.
(Saturday photo, by Matt)
As promised, we followed up with Seattle City Light today about Saturday’s underground-electrical-vault problem that took out power for almost 4,000 homes and businesses. It happened right outside Spruce/LA Fitness at 39th SW/Fauntleroy Way/SW Alaska shortly after 1 pm; people reported hearing explosions, and then – as shown in the top photo – smoke began pouring out of the vault covers in the street. Some WSB commenters noted that there had been a “planned” outage in the area the night before, and in his response to our inquiry, City Light spokesperson Scott Thomsen confirmed a connection:
The underlying cause of the vault fire and outage was the failure of a piece of equipment called a j-box, which is essentially a high-voltage power strip.
The planned outage [Friday night] allowed our crews to install new equipment, including cable, which was spliced into an old cable. After it was energized, the j-box connected to the section of old cable is what failed. The crew isolated the damage and made repairs.
Seattle Fire’s time on scene was relatively short – all but one unit was cleared within less than an hour; we checked today with SFD spokesperson Lt. Harold Webb, who explained, “City Light was on scene when we arrived and quickly secured the vault and did not require further SFD standby.” But effects of the outage kept them busy, he added: “We had numerous elevator removals [in the area] due to widespread power outages.” No one was hurt. The last 130+ customers without power didn’t get it back, as noted in our updates, for almost eight hours.
Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog
How often do you get to take a swing at a piñata with the help of a school principal? At Denny International Middle School – at least once a year. That’s Denny principal Jeff Clark in his legendary “Denny Dolphins blue” suit at last Friday night’s Posada Navideña holiday celebration on campus. Along with games and food, music and dance filled the night:
Some of the performers were students, including the Folklorico Club from Chief Sealth International High School next door:
And the Denny/Sealth Mariachi Band, with alumni joining students.
Denny’s Mariachi Club, by the way, starts up again in January, for any interested students. Meantime, the crowd was again delighted by guest stars Banda Vagos:
They’re a popular Seattle group performing the brass-based “banda” style of music:
And once they got going, some Posada-goers just had to dance:
It was a night for memories – Andrea LaVare snapped the Folklorico Club::
Thanks to Denny PTSA co-president Manuela Slye for the lineup on this year’s event, which also included activities including writing thank-you notes for teachers and, for any interested families, a chance to get clothing and supplies courtesy of Communities in Schools:
The Posada is now a longtime Denny holiday tradition – the first one was back in 2010
Do you know how the city’s hate-crime law works, and doesn’t work? Awareness-raising is part of what the city hopes to accomplish with councilmembers unanimously passing Seattle’s first anti-hate resolution today. It was sponsored by the two West Seattle-residing councilmembers – District 1’s Lisa Herbold and at-large (citywide) Lorena González. You can read the text here. The news release announcing the passage quotes Herbold as saying that it’s “our duty as a city to be explicit in our support and protection for our friends, our family members, our caregivers, activists, educators, social workers, and service industry employees and other members of vulnerable constituencies who are threatened by malicious acts.” González also is quoted: ““With today’s vote we unequivocally state that we will not capitulate to fear. Together, we will make it easier for people to report incidents of bias-motivated threats, harassment, and violence.” Herbold explained the inspiration for the resolution in this post last week.
Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN CAR: From Mark:
I want to report a stolen vehicle and ask folks to watch for it. We’ve already made a police report. My wife’s teal green 1997 Honda CR-V was stolen from in front of our house on Gatewood Hill sometime between 9 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. (December 11-12). The license plate number is ASL1972 and the VIN number is JHLRD1854VCO37773. Although I don’t have a photo of the car itself, the attached photo is of the same make/model/year vehicle and color.
PACKAGE THIEF: This one struck in Sylvan Ridge on Friday – Joey sent the clip:
UPPER MORGAN PROWLER: Jeff sent the clip:
It accompanied his message to neighbors: “We had another unwelcome visitor last night at 1:35 AM. He walked in off of the alley between 38th SW and 39th SW until enough lights went on to discourage him. If you had anything disturbed this could be the guy.”
MISSING A BIKE? No photo, but Vivian says, “Last night and again this am there are two bikes, not locked up, on the SE corner of Holden and 24th. One on the ground, the other next standing next to a tree.”
Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – hope crime does NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not — thank you.
From Anthony at Southwest Pool:
Southwest Pool is collecting nonperishable food and snacks for the West Seattle Food Bank. Last year we brought in 300 pounds of donations. The food drive is now through Friday (December 16th).
To give back for community support, today through Friday, the Southwest Pool will also have specific discounted swims for persons who donate 3 or more nonperishables to the activity.
Here’s the schedule for that:
Southwest Pool is at 2801 SW Thistle.
(Live WSF webcam photo from Fauntleroy dock)
As part of the process of fixing problems plaguing the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth (aka “Triangle”) ferry route, Washington State Ferries promised last month that it would put together a task force. Today, WSF has taken the next step – calling for volunteers:
WSF is now seeking volunteers for the Triangle Improvement Task Force. The task force is the citizen advisory group that will be charged with:
· examining the situation on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth ferry route
· recommending “quick wins” to improve service by summer 2017
· coming up with recommendations for the long termThe task force will begin meeting in January and will consist of nine volunteers, three each from the Fauntleroy, Vashon and Southworth communities. For more information on the process and to apply to be a task force member, please visit our volunteer application page. Applications for volunteers are due Dec. 27, 2016.
(Saturday photo by Clay Eals: At left, Pat Gedney talks with Southwest Seattle Historical Society volunteer Bobbie Meehan while contemplating the purchase of a blue, etched Alki Lighthouse during the Alternative Giving Fair)
Were you part of local holiday history last weekend? Judy Pickens tells WSB that many people opened their hearts and wallets during a first-of-its-kind holiday-giving event:
On Saturday, West Seattle residents dipped their toes into a different way of giving to family and friends by donating $6,895 to nonprofits during this area’s first Alternative Giving Fair. Hosted by Fauntleroy Church, the fair featured 15 local and international organizations that support elders, care for the natural world, feed the hungry, and promote healthy communities. Thanks, West Seattle, for bypassing more stuff, to give from the heart!
Still looking for holiday-giving opportunities? See the WSB Holiday Guide.
(Hummingbird in Fauntlee Hills – photographed by Jamie Kinney)
Highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: Afternoon and evening yoga, and then Dads’ Book Club tonight. Check the HPIC calendar for more. (12th SW/SW Holden)
WSHS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL BENEFIT: 5:30-8:30 pm all-you-can-eat taco bar at Pecado Bueno, benefiting the West Seattle High School Girls’ Basketball program via the WSHS Booster Club. (4523 California SW)
‘THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL PASSION’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest, the second of four performances of this Pulitzer Prize-winning choral work. Ticket info is in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
WAX & OIL: Live oil painting and DJ set, 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern. Details in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
CRACKER FACTORY: Live at West Seattle Brewing in The Triangle, 8 pm. 21+. (4515 Fauntleroy Way SW)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:48 AM: Good morning! No new snow but the National Weather Service says there’s a chance of a little bit late today or tonight – not even enough chance for an official alert, though.
No traffic incidents in or from West Seattle so far.
One more note – it’s the last week before winter break; Seattle Public Schools will get out one hour early this Friday, and then it’s break time until classes resume Tuesday, January 3rd.
Two projects in West Seattle are going through Design Review, but at the levels that don’t require public meetings, so if either or both interest you, you’ll want to send in comments ASAP. First one is in north Morgan Junction:
6016 CALIFORNIA SW: This project [map] is going through “administrative design review.” It’s proposed for 36 apartments – thirty of them “small efficiency dwelling units,” formerly known as microhousing – plus three live-work units. No offstreet vehicle parking; 28 spaces for bicycles. Through December 21st, you can comment on “early design guidance,” which focuses on the size and shape of the project. The EDG “packet” by architecture firm Hybrid is here, including this roughed-out concept:
The official notice explains how to comment. We first wrote about redevelopment plans for this site back in August.
Now, the South Delridge project:
9217 and 9223 16TH SW: December 21st also is the comment deadline for this eight-unit, four-building townhouse project [map], which is going through “streamlined design review.”
See the full “packet” by Ryan Rhodes Designs by going here. It says the project proposes one offstreet-parking space per unit. The official notice shows how to comment.
A celebration of Joel P. Eggert‘s life is now set for December 18th, one week from today, starting with a memorial ride. His friend Jamie Burton Chamberlin shares the details tonight, after this remembrance:
Joel was a very special man to so many people. He was a father, a son, a brother, a grandfather, a grandson, an uncle, a cousin, a nephew, a friend and most importantly, a lover. He was a lover of everything and everyone. Joel always had a camera in his hand as he found the beauty in everything and wanted to capture it. Joel died doing what he loved in the city he loved.
In a tragic accident, he crashed his motorcycle in West Seattle on Sunday, December 4th, on the way home from watching the Seahawks annihilate the Panthers. His motorcycle was not just one of his many passions, it fed his soul. He lived to ride and was never far from his amazing group of motorcycle brothers.
Joel was an artist. Always drawing, designing, and welding… he made incredibly beautiful things. He worked for Delta Marine and in his years there he marked dozens of amazing yachts with his beautiful designs. Joel lived for music… his soul sang to all of us. Most every night you would find him somewhere, whether it be home or out and about, listening to a new band or an old favorite, surrounded by friends, and making new ones. Joel made music as well – his guitars were his favorite tools, but he could rock the drums and even the piano. Music oozed from this man. The Seattle Music scene lost their biggest fan and will miss his presence greatly.
Joel was born in Minnesota and grew up in Rockford, MN. In 1994, he spread his love across the country to Seattle, but he stayed in contact with his childhood friends, and when he visited it was like he had never left. In his nearly 47 years on the planet, Joel touched the hearts of everyone who knew him and never left without a goodbye that included one of his amazing hugs. Even after his passing, he continues to change people’s lives as an organ donor; donating both kidneys, his liver and his beautiful, strong heart.
COMMEMORATION INFORMATION, NOON-6 PM DECEMBER 18
Please help us celebrate the life of Joel Patrick Eggert … Not enough can be said about how special he was to each and every one of us, and now we have a day to share our memories, recollections, music and stories.
Musical Performances by Darci Carlson, Kim Virant, Matt Strutynski, Ten Miles Wide, Windowpane, and many other Special Guests.
Special Patching Dedication and Toast by Parker Lundgren.
This event is open to the public and seating will be limited. Anyone with special seating needs please contact slimslastchancebooking@gmail.com
To share photos for the slideshow presentation, please send them to: joeleggertrocks@gmail.com by Wednesday, 12/14/16.
___________________________________________________________________________________
A Memorial Motorcycle Ride will begin 10 am at The Orient Express, 2963 4th Ave S. All riders participating are requested to arrive and be parked at Slim’s by 11:45. For further info, contact Charlie Lorme, 206-817-3786.
(UPDATED MONDAY with more photos)
(Photos by Leda Costa for WSB)
4:48 PM SUNDAY: It’s a silent auction, benefit, bake sale, wine tasting, and more, a highlight of the holidays, and it’s happening now. Until 7:30 pm on the lower level of First Lutheran Church of West Seattle – this year’s St. Nicholas Faire. As noted in our calendar listing, there’s an admission charge – discounted if you bring nonperishable-food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank – and it goes to help the WSFB and the West Seattle Helpline. Don’t miss the gift baskets that are hand-assembled and up for grabs via the silent auction – they all have a theme, such as a hobby, sports team, type of toy, favorite food, etc. Go have fun while providing holiday-season help to neighbors in need.
ADDED MONDAY: More photos! First – St. Nicholas Faire organizer Lorraine King and her daughter:
First Lutheran Church pastor Rev. Ron Marshall was all smiles as he called out raffle winners:
Always a highlight – the ring toss. If your ring lands on a wine bottle, you win!
Also featured: A dessert table:
Gina and Lily Allen browsed the silent auction:
Here’s just part of what was up for grabs:
The unsung heroes of local city-run community centers are their advisory councils – and the one at Hiawatha Community Center recently said goodbye to its longtime president, and wanted to publicly share words of thanks:
The Hiawatha Community wishes to thank Rob Wunder on his 25 years of service to the West Seattle community as President of Hiawatha’s Advisory Council.
Rob grew up in West Seattle and spent a great deal of his childhood enjoying the activities offered at Hiawatha’s Community Center. As an adult, he felt that it was his calling to give back to a place that provided so much enrichment to him during his youth. Rob, in his capacity as President, has been instrumental in leading positive change for the community and the Seattle Parks system. All his actions were driven by his view of the big picture and his passion to make a difference for the community.
Rob was instrumental in two special projects that families will enjoy well into the future; The Hiawatha Field Replacement Project and Dakota Place Park Project. Do you remember when the beautiful turf and track was just dirt? Or when Dakota Place Park was an old City Light station? We now enjoy these beautiful amenities because of his countless volunteer hours, his ability to speak for positive change, and his passion for equity and access with affordable programs across the community, expanded programs in West Seattle, and support of our youth.
During Rob’s tenure as President at Hiawatha, important programs were implemented and grew, such as child care, athletics, preschool, tween, recreation, ballet, summer camp … the list goes on and on! Hiawatha’s special events attracted thousands, such as summer concerts, Halloween carnivals, and pancake breakfasts, because Rob was a strong advocate for his community.
While this is a short list, it doesn’t come close to covering Rob’s hard work or expressing our gratitude to him, as he is truly an exceptional individual. His selfless commitment to community, hard work, and strength as a leader has created a lasting legacy upon the residents of West Seattle, past, present and future. We thank him for all that he has done for our community over the years.
(The Associated Recreation Council partners with Seattle Parks and Recreation to provide lifelong learning opportunities and advocating for the success of recreation services at Hiawatha.)
Amplifying the voices of Seattle renters is the spotlight issue on the Admiral Neighborhood Association agenda this Tuesday (7 pm, December 13th). Here’s the announcement from ANA president Larry Wymer:
Zachary DeWolf – a communications, policy, and community-development professional – is both director of communications and education with Pride Foundation, and president of the Capitol Hill Community Council. Following Mayor Murray’s cutting of formal ties with the neighborhood district-council system, contending that they don’t adequately reflect the full diversity of their neighborhoods, Mr. DeWolf (along with Joel Sisolak, who launched the Capitol Hill Renter Initiative and hosted the Capitol Hill Renter Summit) will describe his and Joel’s efforts to lead a citywide effort to initiate a renters’ commission that would help assure that city policymakers considers the effects on renters who typically are younger, less wealthy, less white, and less car-dependent than their home-owning counterparts.
Ultimately, this is about including voices that are all-too-often left out of the critical conversations that are shaping the future of our city.
We will also complete Nominations for Admiral Neighborhood Association officers for 2017, with Elections to follow (hopefully) at this meeting, or a meeting in the near future.
The ANA meets at The Sanctuary at Admiral, at 2656 42nd Ave SW. Our monthly meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The photo and report are from Seal Sitters volunteer David Hutchinson:
Last Tuesday, Seal Sitters was involved in an unusual situation. While on a routine check of the Don Armeni boat ramp, we came across a dead bald eagle on the beach. Contact was made with US Fish & Wildlife in Redmond (425-883-8122) and permission was given for us to retrieve the carcass and keep it on ice until the next day when it would be picked up by an enforcement officer. We were informed later that the eagle had been checked very closely and that it “appears to be a natural death”. Please be aware that it is illegal to possess dead eagle parts or feathers, except in certain cases – see the links below. Birds can transmit diseases to humans – protective gloves should always be worn when handling sick or dead birds.
Based on a comparison of photos, it is believed by Seal Sitters that this eagle is the same as the one seen frequently over the last few months, perching on light poles and on the beach along Alki Ave and at Duwamish Head. That eagle had damage near the pupil of its right eye – as shown in the included photo taken back on September 3rd . This damage was confirmed on examination by USFW.
Just a reminder that as part of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Seal Sitters responds to live or dead marine mammals on the beaches of West Seattle. Please contact our hotline at 206-905-7325 to report these cases. Seal Sitters is not responsible for responding to reports of dead or live birds. Please check out the following links for the appropriate contacts and additional information.
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Another interesting site for information on the National Eagle Repository
PAWS – Progressive Animal Welfare Society, in Lynnwood
(We believe the eagle shown in three photos in this WSB item from September is the one David’s referring to.)
Thanks to artist Mindi Katzman for today’s featured photo, one more from our snowy Friday. She says her dinosaurs in the snow are Ziggy, M Rex, and Bébé, all made from powder-coated steel. Now, whats up today/tonight, starting with highlights from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
FINAL DAY FOR HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: ****9 am-6 pm**** is the last scheduled day for the Holy Rosary Tree Lot, north of the school. Part of this lot’s proceeds benefit West Seattle Helpline, Hickman House (domestic-violence shelter), and West Seattle Food Bank. (41st/Dakota)
And now .. Santa’s appearances today!
SANTA AT MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS: Today IS really the day that “Santa Al” is at My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, 11 am-2 pm. Bring your own camera – OR a professional photographer is there and will take a pic for $5. (6959 California SW)
SANTA AT CAPERS: 9 am-noon, at CAPERS in The Junction. Photos free but $ donation requested for West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW)
SANTA’S HOUSE IN THE JUNCTION: Today and next Sunday, 10 am-2 pm, you’ll find Santa’s House in The Junction as part of Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), by KeyBank. (California/Alaska) P.S. While you’re in The Junction, show your local independent shops some extra love, to help them catch up from Saturday’s outage!
PATHFINDER WREATHS: Pathfinder K-8 School is selling its famous handmade wreaths again in The Junction by the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm. (California/Alaska)
ORNAMENT WORKSHOP: Ornament workshop, tree-trimming and lunch at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 11:30-1:30 in the Parish Hall. “Everyone is invited to help make Christmas ornaments for our Parish Hall Christmas tree. We will be serving a festival punch and hot spiced cider. Come and get creative and decorate our 10-foot tree! Make and take a few home to trim your own tree.” (3050 California SW)
HOLIDAY POP-UP: West Seattle Moms’ Holiday Pop-Up, 2-6 pm at Pinwheels Playspace in White Center. Handmade goods & more. (9988 15th Ave SW)
ST. NICHOLAS FAIRE: Charming and unique evening holiday bazaar and fundraising event at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline:
We offer appetizers and spiced cider or mulled wine; silent auction of gift baskets featuring beer, wine, coffee, kitchen items, games, puzzles, art activities, Seahawks & Mariners gear, baked goods, children’s books, etc, and gift cards from local merchants and restaurants. Plus a ring-toss game and wine tasting.
4:30-7 pm on the lower level of First Lutheran Church of West Seattle. $5 donation per person with non-perishable food item or $15 per family with food donation for each member. If no food donation, $10 per person or $25 per family. (4105 California SW)
GUNGOR ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS SHOW: 8 pm @ Hope Lutheran Church, more info here. $18 general admission; buy tickets here. (4456 42nd SW)
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: Matinee today for the Twelfth Night Productions presentation of “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play.” 3 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at this Brown Paper Tickets link or before the show at the box office. (7904 35th SW)
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And from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm today and year-round (but remember it’ll be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day since those fall on Sundays this year), in the street, in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
GRAND OPENING: Lil’ Bug Studio opens in White Center today, with a 2-5 pm community event. Details on our WC site White Center Now. (10007 13th SW)
LADIES’ MUSICAL CLUB: Free concert, voice and piano, at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (2306 42nd SW)
(Alki Beach Park stop – 1st two photos by Don Brubeck)
9:51 PM: The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship is wrapping up a night of stops in our area – Lowman Beach Park, Alki Beach Park, Duwamish Waterway Park on the river in South Park, and Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). At most park stops, bonfires keep the beachgoers warm:
The ship travels with musical groups on board, serenading passengers as well as those on shore, visiting an ever-longer list of stops around Puget Sound, Lake Union, and Lake Washington during the holiday season. Its sailings continue nightly until Christmas Eve-Eve (December 23rd) – here’s the schedule on the Argosy site.
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: More from the Alki stop – the photos and video are by Jeff Larson, for WSB. The Calvary Chapel “live nativity” is a fixture every year:
Kayla Laskovon portrayed Mary:
Musicians from Seattle Lutheran High School performed at the Bathhouse:
While the Christmas Ship is provided by Argosy, much of what happens onshore is courtesy of Seattle Parks. Below, John Hasslinger surrounded by his teen volunteers from Hiawatha Community Center:
Their work was appreciated by eventgoers:
And that bonfire? Overseen by James Lohman and Becky Lofso from Parks:
Check our Holiday Guide for more of what is in store as the holiday season continues.
8:19 PM: We’re getting texts about what people think are gunshots or fireworks – pretty sure it’s the latter, as Seattle Sounders FC just won the Major League Soccer championship in Toronto. Congratulations to the Sounders – including Zach Scott, the West Seattleite who announced months ago that he would retire after this season – and fans!
Pure joy. #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/85rpxTS7aJ
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 11, 2016
8:28 PM: Speaking of West Seattleites, the congratulatory statement from King County Executive Dow Constantine:
They fought, and they won. Congrats to the Sounders for bringing the MLS Cup to Seattle. Our team’s march to the championship was an inspired comeback — from last place to the Championship. Toronto played a great match but the Sounders, led by Coach Schmetzer, had destiny on their side.
Fans across the region welcome the 2016 Sounders in the Parthenon of champs including the 1979 SuperSonics, 1991 Huskies, 2004 and 2010 Storm, and 2013 Seahawks. We love you Sounders, we do.
ADDED: Tuesday will be the big day – details still in progress. From the Sounders’ statement:
… Media and fans should be advised that Sounders FC is set to hold its MLS Cup Champions March and Rally on Tuesday, December 13 at midday.
Full details regarding timing, locations and the march route are being made available in the coming days in conjunction with the City of Seattle and other civic constituents.
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Fans are also invited to cheer the Sounders’ arrival at Boeing Field today – from the team’s announcement:
The team is expected to arrive at approximately 3:15 p.m. PT, and both media and fans are invited to come to Boeing Field’s King County International Terminal to welcome the victorious Rave Green home. Please note that the team’s arrival time is subject to change based on travel delays. … Fans are being asked to gather outside the main terminal, where the team will exit to greet the crowd upon arrival.
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