WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTE: Realfine Coffee now open in The Triangle

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
Julie Mierzwiak is thrilled to be at the helm of her own coffee shop, serving her own community, after almost a decade working as a barista for others. Six months after she announced plans for Realfine Coffee at 4480 Fauntleroy Way SW, next to Rudy’s Barbershop, the shop is open (thanks to Dan for the tip!). Julie told us she’s been planning her own shop for years – she just didn’t know where it would be, until she found this space. The remodeled space, once home to Maestro Motors (now a short distance west on Fauntleroy), is full of West Seattle connections, Julie says – West Seattle workers did the remodeling and plumbing; even the espresso machine, by Synesso, was handmade by a West Seattleite (in Georgetown). Meantime, her coffee is Herkimer, from a small-batch roaster in North Seattle; her baked goods are from Standard Bakery; there’s a case for Molly’s sandwiches/wraps on the counter; and beer is available – local, of course (including Schooner Exact, which got its start in WS). There’s also seating – two large shareable booth-type spaces on the street side, and barstools at a counter on the other side. Realfine is open 6 am-7 pm weekdays, 7 am-6 pm weekends.

UPDATE: Police investigating gunfire that hit a car on Puget Ridge

(WSB photo)
3:07 PM: On 18th SW in Puget Ridge, north of Myrtle, police are investigating gunfire that hit a car. No one in that car (or elsewhere) is hurt, but it clearly has a bullet hole; its driver veered off the road after the bullet hit. Police are still in the area looking for shell casings and suspect(s) and talking to witnesses. More as we get it.

3:11 PM: According to scanner traffic, at least two casings have been found in the 7000 block of 18th. (The car that was hit is the Volvo in our photo.)

3:41 PM: Following up on discussion in the comments, we confirmed that Sanislo Elementary, near the scene, sheltered in place briefly, but that’s been lifted, and they are dismissing “normally,” per principal Bruce Rhodes, with whom our photographer spoke at the school.

3:52 PM: We just checked with SPD and there’s no further information available yet about circumstances, suspect, etc.

3:55 PM: Update on that: it’s now described as believed to be related to a “domestic dispute.” No arrest so far.

JUNCTION BIZNOTES: Sound Credit Union, Dumplings of Fury

Two quick West Seattle Junction biznotes:

SOUND CREDIT UNION OPENS: Six months after we reported that Sound Credit Union would open a branch at 4730 California, SCU says it’s now open, with “a 24-hour deposit-taking, walk-up ATM, (and) Saturday hours.” It’s the Tacoma-headquartered credit union’s third location in Seattle, 24th in all, and its membership is open “to anyone who lives or works in Washington State.”

DUMPLINGS OF FURY SIGNAGE: Thanks to Kathleen for the tip via Twitter that the sign on the upcoming eatery at 4302 SW Oregon was going up this morning. We went over at midday for a photograph:

When last we checked in with the proprietors, they were hoping to open around the first of the year.

Nucor delivers big holiday gift to West Seattle Food Bank

This is one of the West Seattle Food Bank‘s most-heartwarming and belly-filling days of the year – the day they welcome a big gift from Nucor Steel and its employees.

This year, employees collected 5,200 pounds of food – more than 2 1/2 tons! We stopped by as they were unloading. They also donated cash and checks that with additional/matching donations from the company brought WSFB a check totaling $21,708.

Your help is appreciated too – for example, if you’d like to donate a turkey or two for Christmas, the food bank tells us next Monday is the optimal dropoff day. They’re on the southeast corner of 35th and Morgan, with donors welcome to use the garage entry off Morgan south of 35th. More info about donating can be found here.

CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Red Bulls win state championship

West Seattle’s newest state-champion team is the WS Red Bulls boys’ U11 team from the West Seattle Soccer Club! Last month, we shared the news that the team had won the District 3 championship – in a final that included another WSSC team. This past weekend, they won it all – James Ross shares the photos and this report:

On Saturday, the WS Red Bulls ’04 U11 boys soccer team from the West Seattle Soccer Club won both the semi-final and the Championship game in the Washington Youth Soccer Association Recreational Cup held at the Starfire Sports Complex. These boys are bringing the WYSA Rec Cup to West Seattle as 2015 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

Winning the Rec Cup State Championship is the culmination of a dominating year for the Red Bulls, with the team having amassed 20 wins and no losses (scoring 91 goals and allowing only 6!) during the Fall season. In the WYSA State tournament, the Red Bulls stepped up their play and went 7-0, scoring 34 goals and allowing only 1 while facing the state’s best teams!

The semi-final game was a very tight match, with the Red Bulls facing off against the SC Nomads from Vancouver, WA (District 5). The only goal came late in the game when a handball penalty awarded the RB’s with a free kick that found the back of the net, allowing the team to escape with a 1-0 victory. In the championship game, the Red Bulls matched up against the South Beach Wildcats from Westport (District 7). The Red Bulls wasted no time getting on the board early in the first minute. The RB defense remained dominate by shutting down all attacks while the midfielders and forwards kept pressure on the Nomads’ defense the entire game on the way to a 3-0 victory.

As a team parent, I can’t express how incredibly proud I am of these young men. All of the early Sunday morning training sessions and late practices, sometimes in the dark, rain and wind, really tested their commitment (and mine!)… but they were fueled by a vision that Coach Eric had for them… that these boys had the chance to come together as a team, dedicate themselves, and create something special. He promised them a memory that they could share for the rest of their lives. Watching this group raise the Cup while beaming with pride was proof that the promise had been fulfilled!

Thanks go out to Coach Eric, Coach Russ and Coach Scott for growing these boys both as teammates and as individuals, to the other parents that sacrificed their evenings and weekends to the vision… and to the West Seattle Soccer Club for providing an outstanding opportunity for kids to learn and excel in the beautiful game!

CONGRATULATIONS, RED BULLS!!!

The West Seattle Red Bulls consist of:

#2 Roman Centioli – Defense
#3 Jameson Yount – Defense
#4 Jack Nishimoto – Defense
#5 Charles Twombley – Forward
#6 Preston Ross – Defense
#7 Robbie Foisy – Mid Field
#8 Payton Kyle – Mid Field
#9 Dylan Roberts – Forward
#10 Kai Perala – Mid Field
#11 Aaron Johnson – Defense
#12 Jake Beardemphl – Mid Field
#13 P.J. Barton – Mid Field
#14 Kaeden Quinn – Forward
#15 Chase Clifton – Goal Keeper

Head Coach – Eric Beardemphl
Asst. Coach – Russ Nishimoto
Asst. Coach – Scott Roberts

VIDEO: Highway 99 tunnel-machine pit prep before restart

(Video clip updated late Monday by WSDOT, so we’ve substituted the new “extended” one)
According to an update this morning from WSDOT, the newest schedule from its contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners still says the tunneling machine is expected to start up again next week, two days before Christmas. (WSDOT, meantime, reiterates that it “cannot verify” the schedule.) Meantime, it’s also published the video clip you see above, showing one of the final steps in access-pit preparation before the machine can get going again – backfilling with sand, which started yesterday and is expected to continue all week. This and other prep steps are all detailed, with graphics, on WSDOT’s project website. It’s now been more than two years before the machine overheated and stopped tunneling.

West Seattle Monday: Crafts, cookies, giving trees, trivia, more…

December 14, 2015 10:38 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Crafts, cookies, giving trees, trivia, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Varied thrush, photographed in West Seattle by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

LAST DAY FOR GIVING TREES AT THE Y: Don’t let anyone on these trees go without a gift! It’s the last day of gift donations for the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor): “The West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA hosts a Giving Tree each December, which is full of gift requests for youth involved in our programs. Making an impact is easy! Stop by either Y location in West Seattle, pick a tag off of the tree, purchase the new gift and return unwrapped to either Y location by” end of the day today. (4515 36th SW or 9140 California SW)

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: This twice-monthly Alzheimer’s Association-affiliated group meets today at The Mount, 1:30-3 pm; details in our listing. (4831 35th SW)

TEEN HOLIDAY CRAFTS/WRAPPING: 2:30-4 pm today and daily through Friday, teens are invited to this drop-in event at Hiawatha Community Center, to make gifts and/or wrap them. (2700 California SW)

VIDEO-GAME LAUNCH: 3:30-4:30 pm at High Point Library, help three local teens launch the video game they built as part of a library workshop. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

HOLIDAY COOKIE-DECORATING CLASS: For the whole family at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 6 pm. Reservations required – get all the info here and check ASAP if there’s room left! (1936 Harbor SW)

‘AFTER HOURS’ HOLIDAY REUNION: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery – details and ticket info here. (4711 California SW)

QUIZ/TRIVIA NIGHT: Three venues are listed on our calendar for tonight – check it for the places/times.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Overnight car theft; weekend car prowl; tool-theft followup; package-theft alert

(UPDATED 10:39 AM with package-theft alert in Gatewood)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:22 AM: Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning. First, watch for Tony‘s stolen car:

I woke up this morning and went I to leave for work my car was gone. I reported my stolen car with SPD and my insurance. (3200 block of) California Ave (car was parked behind building in alley parking spot). 1998 Honda Civic 4 door sedan/Burgundy.Car has a laborers sticker in the back and a local 440 union sticker in rear window.

Here’s a photo of the plate in its distinctive holder:

One difference from the photo – the tabs have since been renewed, so they would read 10/2016. If you see the car, call 911.

Also from the WSB inbox this morning, Lindsey reports a weekend car prowl:

Just wanted to let you know over the weekend our car was prowled on 32nd Ave SW (near Genesee). We forgot to lock it and came out the next morning and found our center console rummaged through. I believe they only took an old iPod. I am about to report it on the police site next. But just a heads up for our neighbors.

And a followup on Jane‘s garage burglary on Genesee Hill, in which tools worth $1,800 were stolen, reported here December 4th. A neighbor’s surveillance camera yielded this image:

That’s as clear (and large) as it gets, she says, but if you think you recognize it, please contact her directly and/or share the tip with police by referring to case #15-420895, not in a comment; thanks.

ADDED 10:39 AM: Sarah in Gatewood just sent this, so we’re adding ASAP:

Just saw two males taking Amazon packages off a doorstep on Othello (3600 block). The driver was white – 30ish round face, the guy taking packages was maybe Asian/Mexican in a red and black oversize hoodie – he looked about 5’8 and skinny. It was an older white SUV, maybe a Ford – with a window that was broken out, but taped up on the driver’s side, and one of the driver-side doors had a big black circle. License plate ATS68–. Cops are being notified too.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Watching what’s up on your Monday

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Welcome to the last full week of fall; the winter solstice is one week from tonight. This is also the last week before schools’ winter break.

HIGHWAY 99 ALERTS: If you use Highway 99 north of the Battery Street Tunnel, nighttime road work might affect you starting this week. Details are on the WSDOT website. As previewed here last Friday, Seattle Public Utilities also plans overnight work starting tonight, with southbound lane closures.

SURVEY FOR ORCA CARDHOLDERS: If you have an ORCA card, this survey’s for you.

RAPIDRIDE C/D LINE’S 2016 SPLIT: In case you missed this on Friday, an update on the March plan sparked some discussion here.

7:40 AM: If you ride the 21X or 22 from the southwesternmost area of the routes, note that a tree on Marine View Drive has led Metro to reroute those buses between 104th and 106th – info’s here. Trisha tells us via e-mail that SDOT is on scene now.

8:06 AM: Our crew is there checking out the tree-removal operation and reports that there’s still a significant chunk of it in the roadway, so MV Drive SW remains closed between 104th and 106th.

8:50 AM: Tree clear, Metro tweets:

PHOTOS: Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby on a roll with season’s first bout

(First 3 photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
‘Tis the season for .. roller derby! We stopped at our area’s only roller rink, Southgate, last night during the first bout of Southside Revolution Junior Coed Roller Derby‘s second season. The theme – as you might have seen in the preview we published – “Skate Wars,” playing off this coming week’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” premiere. Note the ref’s handle:

Southside Revolution’s two teams faced off with their counterparts from the Kitsap Derby Brats (in red) from the other side of the Sound. The theme carried on into a bake sale during the bout:

After the younger “positional” teams – Southside Revolution Cadets (ages 8-12) and the KDB Rawkettes – bouted, the older “full contact teams” took the floor:

They are the SSR Rebels (ages 12-17) and the KDB Bomb Squad. Thanks to team mom Lashanna Williams for the photos above and below this line:

Lashanna confirms Southside Revolution won both bouts. (Added – from coach Pam – scores were: SSR Cadets 282 – Kitsap Rawkettes 212, and SSR Rebels 342 ~ Kitsap Bomb Squad 90.) The team launched last year and practices at Southgate.

P.S. For photos of the halftime “Star Wars” costume contest (and more from the bouts), see photographer Jeff Jackson‘s set.

UPDATE: Pedestrian hit at Delridge/Kenyon, taken to hospital

December 13, 2015 7:52 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Pedestrian hit at Delridge/Kenyon, taken to hospital
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

7:52 PM: The original call is for a medic response at Delridge and Kenyon; via Twitter, a tipster says it’s blocking the road, so we’re off to check.

8:10 PM: Seattle Fire had cleared the scene before we got there; two SPD units remained, in the pullout by the bus stop on the northbound side, so traffic had resumed flowing both ways. The officers told us a driver hit a pedestrian – injuries not life-threatening; the pedestrian was taken to the hospital by private ambulance.

West Seattle scenes: Rainbow & sunset colors between storms

Tonight, we had enough of a break between storms for this vivid sunset to blaze through. Top photo is by Chris Frankovich; next one, with a pre-sunset rainbow at Alki, is by Marcus G:

And the glow from Upper Alki was caught by JayDee:

This had us wondering about winter solstice – it officially arrives one week from tomorrow, at 8:49 pm our time on Monday, December 21st.

Small prices, big fun @ Hotwire Coffee ‘Deck the Walls’ art sale & open house

December 13, 2015 2:56 pm
|    Comments Off on Small prices, big fun @ Hotwire Coffee ‘Deck the Walls’ art sale & open house
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Game’s over, back to holiday fun! Until 5 pm, you can see and shop tables and walls full of art at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) during the Deck the Walls” art sale and open house. Ornaments too!

The art’s all under $50 and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the artists. You can also get your purchase(s) wrapped, compliments of Furry Faces Foundation. And say hi to the Hotwire team and friends – below from left, Tara, Mia, and proprietor Lora:

Hotwire’s at 4410 California SW, right next to the Junction Post Office.

P.S. The art sale continues beyond the open house, during Hotwire’s regular hours for the rest of the holiday season.

Caroling, cocoa, coat (etc.) donations @ Junction Hometown Holidays

This morning’s chilly wind is a reminder of why the donations you see in the wagon above – and more to come, we’re sure – matter so much. A coat, or blanket, or hat you don’t need can help warm up someone who does. Bring your donation(s) to the Hometown Holidays tent at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, where volunteers from the West Seattle High School Key Club are assisting Kiwanis Club members with the collection, and with offering hot cocoa, as well as keeping the tent from sailing away on gusts!

You can also enjoy caroling by the Endolyne Children’s Choir:

It’s all on until 2 pm, as is the Farmers’ Market itself. If you miss this but still have items to donate, we have a list of giving opportunities in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!

UPDATE: Boat rescue call near Alki Point

10:47 AM: Big Seattle Fire response is en route to the 3200 block of Alki SW for a report of a boat fire. Updates shortly.

(Added: Photo by Gary Jones)
10:59 AM: This is wrapping up. SFD tells us at the scene that a 12-foot boat got loose and flipped, but no one was on board.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Two car-prowl reader reports, including the case of thieves who immediately went shopping

In West Seattle Crime Watch: Two car-prowl reports. First, from the victim of one south of Morgan Junction – maybe you’ve seen one or more of the stolen items?

I want to report a brazen daytime car prowl in broad daylight. I’m a professional landscaper; this is my livelihood. I was working with my crew in the 6900 block of Frontenac [map] on Friday morning (Dec 11) between 9 am and 10 am, loading my truck with yard waste. When I had my back turned someone grabbed my bag from the front seat. The items of interest to the thief (iPhone and credit cards) are not as important to me as my: multicolored woven basket purse, canvas handbag with a ferris wheel on the flap, Key Bank checkbook and register, black spiral bound calendar, yellow legal pad, gray raincoat. If any neighbors see these items discarded, please add a comment. Incidentally, the thieves began charging on my credit card approximately 30 minutes after the theft: $750 at The Rack, lunch at McDonald’s, a couple of gas station purchases. Unbelievable.

This also is reported to have happened Friday:

Car prowled (Friday) night at SW Barton & 22nd Av SW [map], in the driveway. Nothing was in the car so nothing was stolen, but the glove box was open and the driver’s side door was ajar.

Crime report to share so your neighbors all around West Seattle know? Once you’ve reported it to police – send us the info too – editor@westseattleblog.com. If it’s breaking news, text or call 206-293-6302, any time day or night.

Music, coat drive & cocoa, open houses, and more for your West Seattle Sunday

Here’s some of what you can do in West Seattle today, from the listings in our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and regular year-round Event Calendar:

ARTS & CRAFTS AT C & P: C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) hosts the second and final day of its Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair featuring unique, local arts and crafts, including handmade jewelry, toys, clothing, prints, paintings, furniture and more.

8 am-2 pm. (5612 California SW)

LAST SCHEDULED DAY FOR HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: Shopping for your Christmas tree? The Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor) is scheduled to be open for its last day. 9 am-9 pm. (41st SW & SW Dakota)

JUNCTION HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS COAT/BLANKET DRIVE: Caroling, cocoa, and coat donations (plus blankets and other warm items you can spare). 10 am-2 pm. “Join the Junction Association and West Seattle Kiwanis at the Farmers Market for a taste of the holidays and several activities to enjoy. And to share warmth with those in need, we will collect coats, blankets and warm items.” (California/Alaska)

‘ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS PARTY’: Noon at the Sisson Building, presented by Calvary Chapel/West Seattle – details in the calendar listing. (California SW & SW Oregon)

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Innate Vitality‘s open house, 12:30-3 pm, including free sample classes: yoga, strength, pilates, & barre, and holiday shopping with Urban Treasury. (4509 SW Wildwood Place)

‘DECK THE WALLS’: Open House and Deck the Walls, at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 2 pm-5 pm. “Who loves local art, easy holiday shopping, and a sparkling open house? Celebrate original art and shopping local with the annual Hotwire holiday open house. Holiday-inspired food, sparkling drinks, giveaways, raffles … Join Hotwire and co-host Todd D. Martin Lifestyle Designer. Shop local directly from the walls. All art will be priced under $50 and 100% of the proceeds goes directly to the artist. We’ll wrap it too, compliments of Furry Faces Foundation.” (4410 California SW)

DUWAMISH WINTER SONGS AND STORIES: 2-3:30 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle, with Johnny Moses; details in the calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

HOLY ROSARY CONCERT: Cantare’ Vocal Ensemble presents the “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert at 2 pm at Holy Rosary Church. Conducted by Mark Adrian and accompanied by the CVE Chamber Orchestra, “Sounds of the Season” brings together traditional arrangments and new comtemporary settings of joyous choral music to help you ring in the holidays. Concert and ticket information is available at www.cantarevocalensemble.org. (4210 SW Genesee)

CONCERT AT ST. JOHN’S Seattle Metropolitan Singers “invite you to join us for our annual holiday concert at 3 pm. The concert will be held at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Admission is by free-will donation” (3050 California SW)

LADIES MUSICAL CLUB: Seattle’s oldest musical group presents a free concert at 3 pm at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, with “staged and costumed scenes from Carl Maria von Weber’s DER FREISCHÜTZ, considered the first important German Romantic opera.” (2306 42nd SW)

FINAL PERFORMANCE: Last chance to join Twelfth Night Productions for “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play.” 3 pm at Kenyon Hall; check for tickets at this Brown Paper Tickets link or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)

FAUNTLEROY CONCERT: Enjoy the second performance of this Christmas Concert at Fauntleroy Church, 4 pm. Featuring the Fauntleroy Chancel Choir, Peace Lutheran Choir, and local instrumentalists. (9140 California SW)

WEATHER/TRAFFIC: ‘Wind advisory’ alert; crashes tonight

8:32 PM: You might have noticed about two hours ago that the wind suddenly picked up in a big way – “house-rocking” velocity, we observed via Twitter at the time, but the National Weather Service hadn’t issued any alerts. Now, it has, as pointed out by Heather pointed out; the wind advisory warns of gusts up to 50 mph, and is in effect until noon Sunday.

8:55 PM P.S. – TRAFFIC: Thanks to everyone who’s called/texted/tweeted about trouble on the bridge tonight – first, a westbound crash; more recently, an eastbound crash, both on the westernmost section, between Fauntleroy/35th and Admiral. In both cases, lanes reopened before we could even publish something here, but we monitor traffic fairly closely on Twitter, so if you’re heading out or back, check there first.

10:28 PM: Roger caught the westbound 35th crash on his dashcam – it’s toward the end of the minute-long clip:

And thanks to Jason for a photo from Olson/Cambridge, where he says a crash reported about an hour ago involved this vehicle hitting a light fixture:

No major injuries reported in any of these crashes.

HAPPENING NOW: Lights, camera, Santa! Photo time and food drive at Menashe Family Christmas Lights

(WSB photos, updated 9 pm: Above, Santa & Menashe granddaughters Makenna and Angelica)
What could be more Christmasy than Santa photos at West Seattle’s brightest light show? Until 10 pm, “Santa Al” is making his annual stop at the Menashe Family Christmas Lights – bring a nonperishable food item for the West Seattle Food Bank and take a photo that’ll be bursting with holiday festiveness. Yes, the weather’s a little wild, but there’s a canopy for photo protection!

5605 Beach Drive SW.

West Seattle holidays: Christmas Ship at Lowman Beach and Alki

December 12, 2015 7:31 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: Christmas Ship at Lowman Beach and Alki
 |   Holidays | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
Again this year, a doubleheader night for the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship in West Seattle began at Lowman Beach, right around sunset. The view is different from the nighttime stops, and you could still see the Spirit of Seattle as well as its lights. Onshore:

(This photo and next two by Trileigh Tucker)
The Lowman crowd enjoyed a bit of a break in the rain, and a little sunset color even broke through the clouds:

At both Lowman and Alki, Seattle Parks provided a bonfire:

Among those who appreciated their work: Sarah, who shared this photo:

Sarah wrote in her e-mail, “We had a great time watching the Christmas ships go by tonight at Lowman! Thanks to all who brought out hot drinks & built the big fire!”

From Lowman (where you might be able to watch next year from the observation deck atop the new Murray CSO facility across the street) the Christmas Ship headed to Alki Beach Park, where a bonfire also awaited:

(This photo and next three, by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Inside the Bathhouse, a chance to get treats:

On the east side of the Bathhouse, Christmas Hope performed as an opening act:

Then, as rainshowers drifted in and out, the Christmas Ship sailed up – with The Dickens Carolers singing for 20 minutes until it was time to go, leaving West Seattle for the last time this season.

If you missed it, you can hear the performance (for the next day or two) in the archived video from our live Periscope phonecast. The rest of the Christmas Ship’s regional schedule, nightly through Christmas Eve-Eve, is online here.

FOLLOWUP: West Seattle trio ‘ran their best races of the year’ at championships in Albuquerque

Update on the three cross-country runners from the High Point Community Center team who represented our area in the national championships in Albuquerque (here’s the backstory, from earlier this week). Coach Eric Linxweiler sent the photo and report:

They ran this morning in a driving rain, at 37 degrees. It was cold, but they did fantastic! Boden, William, and Whit ran their best races of the year. West Seattle should be very proud!

Eric says the team they’re representing is the only one of its kind in the city, based at a Seattle Parks community center. All three of these boys are students at Schmitz Park Elementary and ran in the youngest division at the meet.

Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s big day: ‘Holiday Party on the Porch,’ after this morning’s ‘Claus, Chowder, & Cartoons’

December 12, 2015 3:42 pm
|    Comments Off on Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s big day: ‘Holiday Party on the Porch,’ after this morning’s ‘Claus, Chowder, & Cartoons’
 |   Admiral Theater | Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo added 4:16 pm)
Less than an hour until the Christmas Ship‘s final West Seattle visits begin, and you can get ready for the second stop, at Alki Beach Park (5:10-5:30 pm, following 4:20-4:40 pm at Lowman Beach), by visiting the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s ‘Holiday Party on the Porch,’ with free treats on the covered porch at the Log House Museum, right now at 61st SW & SW Stevens (half a block inland from where you’ll see the Christmas Ship).

The porch party is the second of two big events today for SWSHS:

(Photos courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)
At the historic, city-landmark Admiral Theater, Santa Claus jingled his way into the auditorium during “Claus, Chowder, and Cartoons,” a free family event this morning. Santa’s stage show followed a program of short Christmas cartoons.

SWSHS supporter Duke’s Chowder House provided soup for the Admiral crowd and is doing the same at the museum right now.

West Seattle weekend scene: Dock work for new Water Taxi

One day after celebrating the King County Water Taxi system’s half-millionth passenger of the year – a record – workers were busy today getting Seacrest ready for the newer, bigger boats. Thanks to Carolyn Newman for the photo; as we reported earlier this month, once the dock work is done and the crews are trained, M/V Doc Maynard will become the regular West Seattle Water Taxi vessel sometime next month. (Today’s work isn’t interrupting service, because this is the time of year that the Water Taxi only runs on weekdays.)