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2 neighborhood alerts: Metal ‘scavenger’; insistent ‘salesperson’
December 19, 2010 4:26 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

We’ve blurred the plate in that photo from Christopher, who says the man was “scavenging” metal items in the 4500 block of 40th SW [map]. Christopher says the copper lawn ornament and stainless-steel pail were returned after he suggested that might be a good idea; police have been called and provided with the plate number, which reportedly checked to a West Seattle address. Second, ws4ever posted in the WSB Forums about an alert in Arbor Heights/The Arroyos regarding a purported “P-I salesperson” (odd since there’s been no print P-I, just online, more than a year and a half) banging on doors. No description. Police reiterate – call them if/when you see someone suspicious.

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Sunny pre-Christmas Sunday shopping (etc.), report #2
December 19, 2010 2:39 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

After a midday sojourn in The Junction, we wandered north to Admiral to check in on two of the shops open this afternoon. Above, looking up to dad Kent, is Quinn, one of the namesakes of Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, open for a “bonus day” of shopping till 5 today. We asked what’s hot this holiday season – one answer, these robot bugs:

Atomic Boys is at 4311 SW Admiral Way, just around the corner (westbound) from Alki Bike and Board, which is also featured in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping Guide. They’re open till 5 today as well, and as proprietor Stu Hennessey notes, a lot bigger on the inside than you’d guess from the outside – plenty of room to chat as well as browse:

Alki Bike and Board is at 2606 California SW. To the south – if you’ve got presents to wrap and/or pets to buy gifts for – Beveridge Place Pub is the place:

Animal-advocacy volunteers from F3 and AARF are wrapping till 6 and also selling handmade pet beds and pre-filled dog stockings (6413 California SW). Back in The Junction, where we spent time earlier, Lisa from CAPERS shares a photo of one of her store’s annual holiday traditions, the Giving Tree for Hickman House. Still some cards on the tree; don’t let them go present-less:

Tomorrow’s the deadline for presents to be returned for the CAPERS tree. And one more reminder that Santa photos in The Junction and at Westwood Village are continuing till 4 this afternoon!

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Also in The Junction: Brilliantly sunny Hometown Holidays Sunday!
December 19, 2010 11:46 am
|    Comments Off on Also in The Junction: Brilliantly sunny Hometown Holidays Sunday!
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

Need a break from the brilliant sunshine? Santa Claus is ready to meet you for a photo at Donna Ryan Photography in The Junction (4218 SW Alaska), part of Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), with today’s $15 donation going to the West Seattle Food Bank. That’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court Queen Taylor Nichols assisting Santa today; also on hand, Pete Spalding from the food bank’s board. Kitty-corner from Santa and friends, you’ll find the stop for the free mule-drawn carriage rides taking you on a quick tour of The Junction:

And that’s right next to where we found PTSA president Lashanna Williams and principal David Dockendorf from Pathfinder K-8, in the Hometown Holidays HQ tent:

Today the tent is more a refuge from sunshine — just a week ago, we were enduring record rain! Though the Pathfinder wreaths are sold out, they’re still offering facepainting (adults as well as kids) and hot cocoa. Santa and Hometown Holidays HQ will be here till FOUR PM today, we are assured. The Farmers’ Market is on till 2 pm, as usual – among the folks you’ll find, Sustainable West Seattle and the West Seattle Tool Library team, who had planned to demonstrate the difference in energy usage between old-fashioned Christmas lights and LEDs. Even if you didn’t catch that, they’re selling gift memberships to the Tool Library – they’re on the northeast edge of the market. P.S. Here’s another perspective of West Seattle this clear-sky day, from local reporter (and occasional WSB contributing journalist) Johnathon Fitzpatrick, who happens to be flying south:

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Helping the Teachout family: Ornaments go fast, $1,085 raised
December 19, 2010 11:12 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

At the West Seattle Farmers’ Market within the past hour, Tammy Teachout, widow of Brian Teachout – who died at 46 after surgery for an injury suffered while hanging Christmas lights – was moved to tears. She stood by and watched as local glass artist Brad Burzynski and his family sold newly created blown-glass ornaments to raise money to help her family. The Burzynskis started selling the ornaments at 10 am; within 10 minutes, 23 of the 30 ornaments were already taken, some for far far more than the $20 donation requested, and they were all gone in less than an hour. During a break in the rush, Brad stepped back for a quick pose, with daughter:

Tammy Teachout told us her husband’s memorial on Friday was standing room only; also, she went last night to see the Helmstetler Family Spectacular Christmas lights at 3908 SW Charlestown, which is giving all donations from the past two nights and tonight to her family. If you didn’t get an ornament and can’t see the lights but still want to help her and their three children, there’s information in our original story.

ADDED 12:06 PM: Brad sent word of the final tally:

Thanks to the wonderful people of West Seattle (and Poulsbo) for raising $1085 for the Teachout family! Amazing and heartwarming!

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West Seattle Sunday: Last weekend day before Christmas!
December 19, 2010 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Last weekend day before Christmas!
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(12/5/10 WSB photo)
IN THE JUNCTION: Today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market promises not only its usual tastiness 10 am-2 pm, but also live music 10-11:30 am and a West Seattle Tool Library demonstration at noon, according to market management. Also at/around the Farmers’ Market, the blown-glass ornaments created by Brad Burzynski to raise money for Brian Teachout‘s family (explained here) will go on sale at 10 am – get ’em while they last. At 11 am, the Hometown Holidays festivities begin – Santa photos at Donna Ryan Photography, 4218 SW Alaska – this week’s $15 donation goes to the West Seattle Food Bank; mule-drawn carriage rides (line up at the KeyBank corner of California/Alaska); also at that corner, treats and more at the headquarters for Hometown Holidays, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association (with co-sponsors including WSB).

HOLIDAY SHOPPING ALL OVER WEST SEATTLE: Since this is the last weekend shopping day before Christmas, your local West Seattle merchants await you all over the peninsula! In the Admiral District, for example, the toy/novelty/retro shop Atomic Boys (4311 SW Admiral) is OPEN today for a “bonus day” of holiday shopping, 11 am-5 pm. Atomic Boys is part of WSB’s first-ever Holiday Shopping Guide; while you’re in the Admiral District, stop by nearby Alki Bike and Board (open noon-5 today). South of Admiral, Skin Care by Casey is also open 9-6 today (3272 California SW) especially for shoppers; further south at 3727 California SW, stop by Budget Cuts for a special prepaid-haircut deal. Also in the guide: Avalon Glassworks in the Luna Park district (bring food-bank donations for discounts – $1 for each item, up to a $10 discount!). And in The Junction, the 11 stores you’ll find in the guide include Funky Jane’s Consignment with a Sunday sale; Clementine with daily deals; Click! Design That Fits has gift suggestions you can check out online before stopping in; today’s the last day of the toy drive for Treehouse at Twilight Artist Collective; looking for cellular presents? Sound Advice is OPEN today with special holiday hours, noon-5 pm … In The Triangle, Mountain to Sound Outfitters (in the guide with its Seattle Ski Shuttle) is open 11 am-5 pm today … That’s just a sample; check out all the deals and other holiday info here – and if there’s anything you want to save for a reminder, each business’s listing can be shared individually via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, etc., using the Share This icon. … Also of note: If you’re shopping Westwood Village today, it’s Santa’s last day there too, noon-4 pm, bring a food bank or diaper donation for your photo!

ALSO HAPPENING TODAY: Want somebody else to wrap your presents? Local animal advocates are at it again today, wrapping for donations 1-5 pm at Beveridge Place Pub … Also from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events page, local churches have special events including the West Seattle Eagles Band in concert at 11:30 am with a potluck at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), a Moravian Lovefeast (explained on the page) at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 4 pm, a special dessert-theater production by Taproot Theater at West Seattle Christian Church tonight (5:30 pm) … Got room in your heart for a furry friend? Kitty Harbor‘s final day open till next June is 1-6 pm today.

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West Seattle holidays: Yes, there’ll be a Polar Bear Swim
December 19, 2010 7:32 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(January 1, 2010, WSB video by Christopher Boffoli)
That’s our video from last year’s New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim on Alki. Here’s this year’s announcement, just out of the WSB inbox this morning:

Come wash away the challenges of 2010 and bathe in the unlimited opportunities that 2011 brings to our lives by joining the West Seattle/White Center Polar Bear Swim this January 1, 2011 at 10:00 on Alki Beach.

Bring a suit, towel, slippers and dry clothes to put on after the swim. Over 75 of us gather each year at Alki Beach for our annual ceremony. (and it gets bigger each year!). We all hold hands in a long line, and run into Puget Sound together. It is great fun and not nearly as cold as one would think. And it makes the water a lot warmer when everyone runs in together holding hands. It is a grand time and the children have the most fun of all. Hot chocolate will be provided. We guarantee that this will help you get a great start on a new year filled with happiness, opportunity, love and adventure. If you are healthy, be brave! Come join the crowd. 10:00 am January 1, 2011 – Alki Beach across from Duke’s.

Questions:

Mark Ufkes (206) 595-7124
markufkes@comcast.net

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West Seattle holidays: Random attacks of kindness
December 18, 2010 10:33 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

From the anonymous good-doer(s) West Seattle Art Attack (some background here; that’s a helpful elf in the photo), two photos arrived along with this response to this WSB Forums post from someone whose Christmas decorations were vandalized:

Poor Ed & Gail Swartz. Somebody cut up their decorations. They lamented on the forums that Something bad is happing (sic) in West Seattle. Well, West Seattle Art Attack is at it again. The Swartz family has been attacked with a pumpkin and a few other surprises. Hopefully this will counteract the bad vibes from the vandals. There will be more attacks for the holidays throughout West Seattle.

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High-school basketball: West Seattle vs. Seattle Lutheran
December 18, 2010 8:57 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school basketball: West Seattle vs. Seattle Lutheran
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Two nights after West Seattle High School‘s basketball teams faced Chief Sealth International High School, they played the peninsula’s other major high school tonight, Seattle Lutheran High School. WSHS won both varsity games – 30-25 was the girls’ score, 61-30 was the boys’ score. We’ll add toplines later.

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Video: Denny Int’l Middle School’s Posada, a new holiday tradition
December 18, 2010 3:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

When Banda Vagos took the stage at Denny International Middle School last night toward the end of Denny’s first-ever Posada Navideña holiday celebration, teacher Roxana Amaral had extra reasons to be proud. Not only did she help organize the Posada, with lots and lots of volunteers also part of hte effort, she explained regarding the band: “That’s my family.” Doubtless there were some among the estimated 150 attendees who hadn’t heard the rollicking banda style of Mexican music before – and that would be part of the event’s success, according to Denny principal Jeff Clark, seen here with some of the many volunteers and organizers:

Clark stressed, talking with us during the three-hour celebration, that it was more of what an “international” school is about – celebrating a culture’s rich traditions, with participants of many cultures. One big hit, literally, was the piñata-whacking right after the potluck dinner:

To avoid too much of a crazy scramble once the piñata was finally open, candy was handed out in a somewhat-more-orderly fashion. Raffle prizes were announced from the stage, by Amaral and young helpers:

(Amaral leads Proyecto Saber (explained here) at Denny.) In addition to the prizes, food, labor, and entertainment for the night also were donated, all to make it a more successful fundraiser for the Denny PTSA. That entertainment, incidentally, included mariachi music from Mariachi Seattle Azteca as well as the aforementioned banda group:

While we didn’t get there early enough for a look at the many traditional Mexican dishes brought for the potluck, the desserts remained in abundance:

Organizers hope the Posada will become an annual tradition for Denny – and if they do indeed have it again next year, they’ll be in the school’s brand-new building, getting close to completion on the Chief Sealth International High School campus across the street – with move-in scheduled immediately after this school year ends, so that, according to principal Clark, summer programs can be held in the new building and many members of the Denny community will be quite well acclimated to it by the time next school year starts in September 2011.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Tree down; what’s in the forecast
December 18, 2010 12:56 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Considering how windy it was all night long – we kept watch from midnight till almost 6, surprised West Seattle escaped major power problems this time – it’s no surprise at least one tree was lost. This one is in Arbor Heights, a 40-footer brought down by the 40-mph-ish overnight wind, according to John. The current forecast only suggests breeziness and showers for the next few days. 1:53 PM NOTE: That said, it’s “showering” and gusting fairly impressively at the moment …

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Happening now: West Seattle cat-adoption event
December 18, 2010 12:13 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Everybody was a little camera-shy but rest assured, the cats that Friends of the Animals Foundation has brought to VCA West Seattle for an adoption event today – their first one there, VCA says – are just waiting for you, or anyone else who can give them a forever home. This event goes on till 2 pm. Seen at left is Frank, who’s 12 years old and needs someplace new because his people just couldn’t keep him any more. Below, Marianne and Barb with a few more candidates:

VCA West Seattle is at 5261 California SW. (P.S. Even if you can’t give someone a new home this Christmas, there are several other ways to help local pets in need, including pet-food donation drives – listed in the “Holiday Giving” section toward the end of the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.)

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Followup: New owners for Alki lighthouse-neighboring site
December 18, 2010 11:14 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Photo from 2/2010 WSB story, republished with permission of Rick Miner)
Back in February, we reported on a one-of-a-kind West Seattle real-estate listing – 3221 Point Place, a rundown bungalow on an amazing waterfront site next to the Alki Point Lighthouse. At the time, it was listed for $1.3 million; we spoke with its listing agent Rick Miner (who shared photos including the one above) for our story. We lost track of it until Tim at Seattle Bubble pointed out that it has just been sold, for $965,000 per this Redfin page. County records say the new owners are a couple with an address elsewhere in Alki. So what will become of it? For that, we’ll have to watch the city page for the site. As noted in our February story, the relatives who inherited it from its previous longtime owner had met with the city to evaluate the site’s “buildable potential”; there is no indication of any action beyond “initial information collected” in October of last year.

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West Seattle Saturday: Bird walk, Reptile Man, pet adoption, shopping, wrapping…
December 18, 2010 6:21 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife | WS miscellaneous

After a windy night, a busy day, with one week till Christmas. Our mystery photo above by Bill Bacon (he thought maybe a sanderling, we can’t confirm with photos) is in honor of the Seattle Audubon Society‘s seabird viewing/ID/appreciation walk this morning – everyone welcome, meet at Alki Bathhouse, 9 am … Two Seattle Parks facilities have special events with family fun – Reptile Man and his “band of creatures from around the globe” are at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), 10:30 am, and the Zambini Brothers puppeteers present “The Tasty Holiday Tale” at Alki Bathhouse, 1 pm … Be a holiday life-saver – give blood at today’s mobile drive, Westwood Village, 9 am-3 pm with a break 11 am-noon … Westwood is also where you’ll find Santa, noon-4 pm (breezeway across from 24 Hour Fitness), bring a food-bank or diaper donation … Three animal-related events – local animal-advocacy volunteers will wrap your presents for donations, 1-6 pm at Rocksport (4209 SW Alaska) … Friends of the Animals Foundation has a cat-adoption event at VCA West Seattle, 10 am-2 pm … Kitty Harbor cat shelter (3422 Harbor Ave SW) is open for its final weekend till next June, 1 pm-6 pm … Need something to put together a Christmas present or fix storm damage? Or? Remember the West Seattle Tool Library is open 9 am-2 pm Saturdays (north end of campus) … And whether you’re shopping in the Admiral District, Luna Park, or The Junction, you’ll find deals and holiday-hours information from 23 ***local*** stores in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping Guide.

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Seattle Storm coach gives West Seattle HS girls a pep talk
December 17, 2010 11:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

West Seattle High School head girls-basketball coach Sonya Elliott says the team needed a lot of work when she took over this year: The locker rooms were a mess, morale was way down, team enrollment was at a minimum, and the team had won only 3 games last year. In addition, there was a budget of just $4 to work with. This year, the players had to purchase their uniform shirts themselves.

Coach Elliott is working on a new approach: the girls have study hall three times a week (because discipline in the classroom is just as important as on the court), and the team is working hard on the core fundamentals of the game with a very disciplined approach. Coach says: “When they do a drill and go down and touch the line, they have to actually touch that line.”

Though this is her first year at WSHS, Coach Elliott is no rookie. She’s been in West Seattle for 16 years and has spent a good portion of that time coaching and playing at community centers and in recreational leagues. As a result, she understands the game from every perspective.

When she heard that Seattle Storm coach Brian Agler – the WNBA’s “Head Coach of the Year” – would be willing to give her team a pep talk, she jumped at the chance. And so did the team. During this afternoon’s visit, Coach Agler had the girls sit according to class, with the seniors to the front of the line.

Coach Agler enlisted the seniors to lead the other girls. and to help implement the steps in a three=point plan he laid out for success: Work ethic, attitude, and togetherness. One of the main tenets of the plan is “no drama,” because according to Coach Agler, “drama will kill a girls-basketball team.”

Elaborating on how to accomplish the plan, Coach Agler repeatedly referred to Storm veterans Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird and to their high levels of dedication and discipline. He said that their talent only got them so far and credited their high level of dedication and focused training to improving their games. Focus was a central theme in Coach Agler’s talk. “These are, believe it or not, some of the best years of your life. Don’t waste a day,” he told the team. “Whatever your position, you ought to be as good as you can and accomplish as much as you can.” He sad that winning was great but that doing their absolute best was the bottom line.

(Agler’s in the back row, 3rd from right, with Elliott next to him)
After the talk, Coach Adler handed out FIT T-shirts for the girls and told them he’d be tracking them. He also informed the team, to heavy cheering, that they would be getting tickets to a Storm game in the coming season. By the time he left, the excitement in the air was palpable.

The team has already made some major improvements this year, with a 2-1 record so far this season. Their next game is Saturday night at WSHS at 5:15 against Seattle Lutheran. Their game schedule is here:

Looking for another way to support the WSHS girls? Coach Elliott is donating 50% of all proceeds of sales from her inspirational product line “peacelovebasketball” to the team.

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West Seattle holidays: New Delridge tradition – caroling!
December 17, 2010 10:02 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Holidays | West Seattle news

About 20 people added their voices to a cheery mix tonight in what organizers hope will be a new annual tradition: Delridge caroling. They set out from Greg Davis Park in North Delridge and serenaded neighbors along the way. And they had warm beverages too – Karrie Kohlhaas explained the ingenious wagon-borne setup:

Still plenty of holiday happenings around West Seattle this weekend – the updated lists, grouped by activity type, are on our Holidays page.

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West Seattle holiday scenes: Bakery Nouveau, Admiral Pub
December 17, 2010 9:24 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

With just one week till Christmas Eve, we checked out four West Seattle holiday events tonight. First: Bakery Nouveau‘s open house in The Junction – packed house, of course, but then again, that happens most regular days too. The renowned bakery’s two-hour event offered holiday-treat samples and the chance to place pre-orders (which they’re taking till next Tuesday, according to the BN Facebook page). Over in the Admiral District, the party’s still under way at Admiral Pub, where they’re playing poker, celebrating “ugly sweaters,” and most important of all, collecting diapers – Adele explained it for us on video:

As Adele mentioned, Admiral Pub is collecting diapers through the end of the month – about three-fourths of the way to the 6,000-diaper goal as the night began, but you can bet they’d love nothing more than to far exceed the goal, so drop off diapers there even if you can’t make it to tonight’s festivities.

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Newest moves in the court fight over ‘The Hole’
December 17, 2010 7:00 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Aerial view of The Hole, September 2010)
Court records show two notable moves this week in the ongoing legal fight over “The Hole” at 39th/Fauntleroy/Alaska in West Seattle (map; the project once known as Fauntleroy Place and slated for Whole Foods, Hancock Fabrics, and residential units, excavated before stalling in a financial/legal tangle more than 2 years ago).

In the wake of last month’s decision (WSB coverage here) that construction companies Ledcor and Aero have “lien priority,” there was a motion for a new trial. It came from 3922 SW Alaska LLC, trying to buy the site without paying those liens; it claimed it had uncovered evidence that a key witness from the project’s original developer, BlueStar, had been talking with Aero about “reviving” the project, without disclosing that for the trial.

Here are the two new developments: This week, King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead rejected the motion for a new trial. Plus, Aero filed a motion asking her to order the foreclosure sale of the site, to get the money to pay off the liens she ruled have priority. The judge is scheduled to consider that motion next week.

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West Seattle scene: Alki today, Waikiki tomorrow?
December 17, 2010 4:02 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

While it’s by no means unusual to spot stand-up paddleboarders off Alki and other West Seattle beaches, this time of year they’re usually a little more covered-up than these two. Thanks to JayDee for sharing the pic (before the clouds moved in) – he points out the air temperature at the time was 48 degrees. (Just a bit cooler than the 50-degree water temperature.) Forecast, you ask? Windy after midnight; rain returning tomorrow.

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West Seattle Water Taxi schedule announced for next 3 months
December 17, 2010 2:45 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Water Taxi schedule announced for next 3 months
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Another announcement today from the King County Department of Transportation (following the Metro and Water Taxi changes published here earlier):

The King County Ferry District is advising passengers that the 2011 winter sailing season has been set for the West Seattle Water Taxi.

From Jan 1 – March 31, service will continue to be offered five days a week consistent with the current sailing schedule. Currently, the water taxi operates five morning trips and five afternoon trips Monday through Friday to serve commuters headed into downtown Seattle. This schedule may be adjusted when the Rachel Marie returns to service in a few weeks.

“This winter sailing schedule will continue to be a great option for passengers looking to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic during their daily commute,” said King County Ferry District Chair Larry Gossett. “And as road work continues along the waterfront, the water taxi will become an even more valuable commute alternative for residents who want to avoid construction tie-ups.”

Meanwhile, repair work continues on the Rachel Marie, which was damaged in last September. The vessel is expected to be back in operation sometime in January.

For more details on the West Seattle Water Taxi winter sailing season, visit: www.kingcounty.gov/watertaxi.

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Holiday helpers: Seattle Lutheran students’ ‘Month of Giving’
December 17, 2010 1:21 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday helpers: Seattle Lutheran students’ ‘Month of Giving’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We mentioned earlier that local students are out early today. In at least one case, one school in West Seattle had no classes at all – Seattle Lutheran High School, whose students are out volunteering. The photos are courtesy Bil Hood, who explains:

The Saints are hitting the streets today for the culmination of the Seattle Lutheran Month of Giving.

The month started with a week-long food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. That was followed by a week of change-giving to buy gifts for kids who would otherwise not get any. This week, toys and clothes were collected for the Salvation Army. At tonight’s 3-on-3 Charity Basketball game, the students at Seattle Lutheran should reach $5,000 and 1000 hours in giving this month.

Today, staff and students have fanned out across the community to use their last day before Christmas break to give. Saints can be seen this Giving Day cleaning at Alki and traffic circles in the neighborhood.

Students are knitting scarves and hats for donations. Groups are making cards and hand-crafted gifts for shut-ins. They are also helping at other local schools and community centers who have needs. It is our way to say thank you for your many years of support, and have a blessed Christmas, West Seattle.

This last photo shows the blessing of handmade scarves headed for a women’s shelter:

We have giving opportunities listed on the West Seattle Holidays page, if you’re still looking for someplace or someone to help.

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Holiday help: White Center Food Bank needs you
December 17, 2010 12:58 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday help: White Center Food Bank needs you
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

One of the two food banks that serves West Seattle, the White Center Food Bank, just put out the call for volunteer help. Can you pitch in? From volunteer coordinator Audrey Zemke:

The White Center Food Bank needs help this coming week handing out food to clients. The most urgently needed shift is 3:30 to 6:30 pm Monday, December 20. In addition we could use help Wednesday, December 22 from 12:30 to 3:30. Please contact me by e-mail (audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org) to sign up.

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Reminder: Metro and Water Taxi schedule changes ahead
December 17, 2010 12:02 pm
|    Comments Off on Reminder: Metro and Water Taxi schedule changes ahead
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

From the King County Department of Transportation today, a reminder of upcoming holiday-related schedule changes for Metro and the Water Taxi over the next month – plus another nudge about the Metro fare changes that take effect on New Year’s Day. Read on for full details:Read More

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West Seattle scenes: Mountains emerge; eagle keeps watch
December 17, 2010 11:18 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The sky’s been clear since first thing this morning. We mentioned the pink-lit Olympics on Twitter, wondering aloud about images; that photo subsequently was shared by West Seattle food writer Kim O’Donnel (whose cookbook-autograph session is mentioned in this morning’s preview) – thanks! Meantime, we realized this gorgeous bald-eagle photo hadn’t been shared yet:

It’s by Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters, taken during a sunbreak earlier this week; she added:

On my sweeps looking for seal pups, I spotted this eagle perched high above Duwamish Head, enjoying the briefest glimmer of sunlight.

We have pups still using the beaches, including Queen Latifah, who continues to haul out on her City-side rocks. Her schedule has become less predictable, however.

You can always keep up with Seal Sitters’ latest “news on the beach” at blubberblog.org.

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