Sometimes, it’s not what you see that makes the story, it’s what you don’t see. In this case, we noticed the “for sale” sign is finally gone from outside the long-vacant, often-vandalized Shoremont Apartments at 2464 Alki SW, 6 months after two notes brought first word the sign had gone up. We checked with agent Steven Chattin, who confirms a purchase deal has closed. However, he says, the client requested no discussion of the details – rather than listing it for a certain asking price, after a bank had taken possession, they put out a request for offers. King County records show a deed of trust granted a few days ago to two people with a Mercer Island address. ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: Further research reveals that at least one of the buyers already has West Seattle property holdings, including apartment properties on California SW in south Morgan Junction.
We don’t randomly check the commercial-real-estate listings as often as we used to – many multimillion-dollar listings have been up a long time, no surprise given the market – but we just found a new one of note: The “strip mall” at 6540 California SW in Morgan Junction is listed for sale. That’s the one with New Teriyaki and Wok, Domino’s Pizza, a freestanding BECU ATM, and the Shell station/minimart. Everything on the site but its billboard is one-story, but it’s zoned for up to 30 feet. Asking price: $2.5 million. See the listing here. (The most expensive public commercial listing for West Seattle right now: $8.1 million for the six-acre 4500 West Marginal Way SW site that includes Gray Line’s bus yard – which just signed a new 5-year lease, according to the listing.)
WSB lost/found pet reports are usually handled via the Pets page – but we’re showing this photo, shared by Susanvia Facebook, here on the main page because we received so many calls/notes about these two yesterday, it seemed half of West Seattle had spotted them. They were reported to be wandering Admiral/Alki, and many were worried; we even heard police-scanner reports about them again this morning. Finally, Susan caught them a little while ago, and took them to the VCA Animal Hospital at 5261 California SW – where, she says, they couldn’t find chips, so their ownership remains a mystery. They’ll likely be headed to the Seattle Animal Shelter next, so if you have any idea whose they are, now that you’ve seen a photo (our listing from yesterday didn’t include one), now’s the time to come forward.
Here’s an option for dealing with all those corks left over from your holiday party: As bin 41 (WSB sponsor) wine-shop proprietor T. Frick McNamara puts it, “We’re on a roll for recycling corks!” Since starting their program this summer, they’ve recycled 500 pounds – a quarter-ton! – of corks. She explains, “Often folks put these either in garbage or the garden compost can, not realizing there are options for reusing this valuable renewable material. We’re teamed up with ReCORK of Amorim in California. They work with a company called Sole, who by spring of 2011 have vowed to use all recycled cork material instead of virgin cork to make the soles of their shoes. ReCORK is also working with a company in Portugal to replant new cork trees to help end the cork shortage.” You can bring your natural corks (no synthetic) to bin 41 in The Junction any time (maybe during Wednesday’s tasting?) and put them in the recycling box (shown above). Questions? bin41@me.com. (Also check out the store’s holiday hours in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping/Business Guide – now with a new feature enabling you to share/e-mail individual deals from the page.)
Followup on last weekend’s news about three teams from the West Seattle Soccer Club winning their district championships and heading into the Recreational Cup statewide tournament: All three played so well this weekend, they’re in the state championships! WSSC’s Tim McMonigle says that, for any or all of the teams, “A win would mean they are the best recreational team in the state for their age bracket.” All games are at Starfire in Tukwila – on Saturday, the BU-11 Crush plays at 11 am on Field 9; and on Sunday, the GU-14 Cheetahs play at 11:15 am on Field 2, the BU-19 Sambas at 1:30 pm on Field 1.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL MIDDLE-SCHOOL INFO NIGHT TONIGHT: One month after announcing they’re expanding to add middle school, Westside School (WSB sponsor) is having an informational meeting tonight for interested families. 6:30 pm at Westside’s new campus (former Hughes School in Sunrise Heights, 7740 34th SW).
LAFAYETTE PLAYGROUND PROGRESS REPORT TONIGHT: The “Play It Forward” project to match a $100,000 city match-it-or-lose-it grant has a community meeting tonight about the playground improvements’ design, 6:30 pm, school library (2645 California SW) – and a fundraising auction this Friday, too.
NEED MONEY FOR COLLEGE? INFO EVENT AT WSHSWest Seattle High School invites you to learn how to get it, at a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) information session this Thursday, December 9, 6:30-7:30, in the West Seattle HS Theater. WSHS invites you to “bring all your financial aid questions. Go home with answers!” (3000 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY SELLING ‘ENTERTAINMENT’ BOOK: Special deal from West Seattle Elementary, in its first year of a high-stakes, high-intensity improvement effort that’s gained regional attention: They’re raising money by selling Entertainment coupon books, $25. Stocking stuffer, perhaps? Stop by the WSE office in High Point, 6760 34th SW, during school hours, or call Diane Stuart in the WSE office, 206-252-9450.
Congratulations to the fall/winter 2010 West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Award winners! A ceremony this afternoon next to West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Headquarters honored the four winners (more than four people in the photo, since one is a group award) of the twice-yearly awards, which are sponsored by the Southwest District Council, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council, and WSB. The winners this time around are Sawyer Coe(youth), Patrick Dunn(environment), Roxanne Simonds (community), and West Seattle Be Prepared(group). Here’s our unedited video of the entire 6-minute ceremony (held on a busy streetcorner, so a bit noisy/bumpy), emceed by Erica Karlovits, co-chair of SWDC and president of the Junction Neighborhood Organization:
No time to watch? Read on for a closeup look at each honoree:
Along with the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays festivities we covered earlier (more next Sunday – and during WS Art Walk/Shop Late Thursday in four nights!), we checked in on some of today’s other holiday happenings. Above, the Keller Williams Realty team from The Junction had their annual holiday party at West Seattle Bowl – including an ugly sweater contest! The “winner” hadn’t been chosen yet when we stopped by, so everyone gathered for a group shot. Keller Williams has a Salvation Army Giving Tree in their office at 4452 California SW this season, and you are invited to participate by stopping by, choosing a tag, and bringing back the new, unwrapped gift before 12/20 pickup.
That action shot just in via cameraphone; we expect to be able to show the winner later! Two other events this afternoon, both by WSB sponsors, featured elegant spreads – the hallmark of the holiday open house – this one was for the dessert reception after the annual remembrance celebration at Forest Lawn:
And there were treats among the treasures at Wyatt’s Jewelers at Westwood Village:
Wyatt’s is now along the central WV driveway, while its former location on the breezeway by Bed Bath Beyond is home to Santa’s House again this year – Santa’s back at Westwood next Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 pm, one of the ongoing (as well as one-time-only) events listed on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
On the left, with her Scrabble game face on, that’s Jessie SK, proprietor of Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) in North Delridge. We dropped by last week as she and friends practiced for tomorrow night’s debut of fundraising Scrabble tournaments at Skylark. Every Monday night from here on out, you can go to Skylark to play Scrabble, with the entry fee going to a good cause. Tomorrow night (and every first Monday), the beneficiary will be Team Tracy, the breast-cancer-fighting-and-awareness-raising 3 Day for the Cure team (whose namesake/leader Tracy Dart is a former Skylark employee); other nonprofits are set (or being lined up) for the other Monday nights. The Skylark website has the full story; signups are at 7 pm Mondays, first game at 7:15. (Skylark opens for happy hour/dinner at 3 pm, so you’re welcome to chow down before your wordplay.)
In some places, it’s not Christmas till Santa and his reindeer show up. In the West Seattle Junction, the Belgian draft mules and their carriage are almost as much of a holiday icon. They’re here now (video) and giving rides till 3 pm – just wait by Hometown Holidays HQ alongside KeyBank, which is where you’ll find Pathfinder K-8 with holiday facepainting:
Your holiday helpers in that photo are Lashanna and Jen (whose face is already painted). Pathfinder is also selling wreaths, raising money for outdoor-education programs, just a few steps west along SW Alaska by the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. And of course, Santa has arrived in The Junction today too – with photos raising money for WestSide Baby, which is near and dear to the heart of the young lady with whom we photographed St. Nick a short time ago:
That’s McInnis Woodland, daughter of WestSide Baby’s executive director Nancy Woodland. Donna Ryan Photography is taking professional Santa photos again this year (we took the pic above – hers will be much lovelier!) – your $15 donation today goes to WS Baby. By the way, Donna is having a contest to name the retail shop – including kids’ clothes – that she opened alongside the studio space earlier this year; winner gets a $500 shopping spree – entry details here.
Next up for Hometown Holidays Sunday – West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards at HH HQ, California/Alaska southwest corner, at 1 pm!
Monday P.S. – As discussed in comments, Santa photos continue the next two Sundays, 11 am-3 pm, at Donna Ryan’s studio, on SW Alaska south of California, next to Cupcake Royale, as do other Junction festivities, though the mules aren’t back till December 19th.
Saturday’s sunshine brought lots of visitors to West Seattle’s new Myrtle Reservoir Park. These photos show it’s a viewpoint as well as a playground: The top photo, shared by Andy Silber, shows the view toward downtown, looking over the new play equipment; earlier in the week, Val took photos including this next one, showing the place markers at the viewpoint from which the top photo was taken:
The inscriptions are part of what Seattle Parks describes as “an interpretive element” labeling the area’s highest hills – and as Val points out, “We win at 520′!” (The nearby 35th/Myrtle water towers are at the highest elevation within the city limits, which is where High Point gets its name. Park access by the playground/path is at 35th/Willow.) The park’s official dedication is not yet scheduled.
(2009 photo of mule carriage in The Junction) HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: Today and the next two Sundays are full of Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) excitement in The Junction. Starting at 11 am, you can get a photo with Santa Claus at Donna Ryan Photography ($15 donation goes to WestSide Baby) and ride a mule-drawn carriage (free – catch it by Hometown Holidays HQ outside KeyBank), plus face-painting courtesy of Pathfinder K-8 (purveyors of the famous handmade wreaths). The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is open for business 10 am-2 pm as always. And at 1 pm, join us at Hometown Holidays HQ to honor the latest recipients of the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards (as announced here). While you’re in The Junction, you can enter the $4,600 Hometown Holidays Raffle – with more than two dozen participating merchants (listed here).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS TODAY: 3 WSB sponsors are having open-house events: Savor “The Flavor of the Season” with special food tastings/demonstrations at Metropolitan Market, noon-5 pm … Wyatt’s Jewelers in Westwood Village has an open house 1-4 pm … And Forest Lawn invites you to a holiday celebration starting at 4 pm, with a string quartet and catered goodies … Also: The community is invited to the annual Christmas Party at Alki Masonic Hall (4736 40th Av. SW), 3-5 pm – free Santa pictures, magic show, food, games, gifts for the kids … Watch a gingerbread-house-building competition at West Seattle Christian Church, 5 pm … Gingerbread houses are also part of the plan this morning at Fauntleroy Church, where the annual Advent Pageant is part of the 10 am service; Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) has a special holiday service too, 10 am, with the “Hanging of the Greens” … Westwood Village‘s Santa House is open again today, noon-4 pm (bring food-bank donations for photos, and diaper donations for WS Baby, too) … Details, and even MORE holiday happenings, on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page (updated at least once daily, with more events and services as we get word of them)!
(WSB photo of Tony, from January 2010, as he prepared to reopen the market post-holidays)
We have just received word that Tony Genzale, longtime operator of Tony’s Market in Westwood, has died. He had fought a long battle against cancer. From his niece Renee Vacca:
As a former West Seattle resident myself, I know how many people loved to shop from him and have known of his battle with cancer this past couple of years. We are so sorry to inform them that he passed last night at his home of many years in Burien. I’m sure they would want to know that he passed peacefully with his wife in his arms and both of his children at his side. He was doing so well until the last couple of months and then his cancer took a dramatic turn and his condition worsened rapidly. Needless to say, we are still a bit in shock but please know that he was ready to go and his family had come to terms with this before he passed.
Arrangements are currently being made and the family will post service announcements on the website we set up for him with caringbridge.org. At their website, enter “anthonygenzale” in the “visiting” section of the homepage and read the updates. For anyone that would like to help, please post a comment for the family and share your feelings for uncle Tony as I know how loved he was. Don’t forget that his son Joey is running the tree lot and would love to hear your kind words about his dad. He has been there every day and even worked there all day today.
I know that he got up every day and put his work boots on to go see the customers that he loved so much! You all gave him a purpose and he told me many times, “Renee’, West Seattle is the best!! and he meant it with all his heart. I always said, “told ya so!” Please tell all your friends that this would be a great place to buy a tree in uncle Tony’s honor and display it proudly! He loved those selling Christmas trees every year!
That’s the official lighting of the newest West Seattle Junction Christmas Tree about half an hour ago at brand-new Junction Plaza Park, with a countdown from local online/on-air personality Marty Riemer (see his event-opening mini-monologue here) and his tree-lighting assistant Ruby, chosen from a clamoring crowd of kids by the stage:
The crowd also heard from Erica Karlovits, president of the Junction Neighborhood Organization, who helped shepherd the park to completion:
Also speaking: West Seattle Christian Church pastor Dan Jacobs, with reflections on the warmth of community, and newly elected King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (introduced humorously by Riemer):
(His appearance reminded us that the last West Seattleite to hold that council seat – now-County Executive Dow Constantine – was the emcee the last time the tree-lighting ceremony was held at the site of the now-park, back in 2006 [WSB coverage here].) There were many goodnatured jokes about the tree’s newness – it was planted in the park just a few months ago – but you have to admit, it looks lovely with lights.
More video to come. Whether you were there tonight or not – hundreds of people filled the park! – come back to The Junction tomorrow for the first Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) Sunday, 11 am-3 pm, with mule-carriage rides, Santa photos at Donna Ryan Photography next to Cupcake Royale ($15 donation for WestSide Baby), and great shopping at Junction stores (check our guide!).
P.S. Our Lady of Guadalupe lights its tree – highest spot in Seattle! 35th/Myrtle – 7 pm Friday.
(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
This might have been West Seattle’s hottest (free!) ticket today – the long-awaited community open house at brand-new Fire Station 37 in Sunrise Heights, two months after crews moved in. Outside, visitors got to check out various SFD vehicles; inside, there was face painting, coloring, stickers, beverages, and treats. The next view is from the workout room on the second floor (living quarters are on the ground floor):
He helped kids figure out how to turn its crank – and offered prizes to everybody who gave it a try:
Visitors got to meet firefighters from all over the city:
In a nod to history, the Last Resort Fire Department (famous for appearances in parades including the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade) had an engine on hand too. Bob Carson told WSB he thinks historic engines like this will probably outlast the new ones!
And as much as everyone enjoys meeting firefighters, the goal is to not ever meet them in more urgent circumstances – so educational displays were part of today’s event as well, as were free batteries for smoke detectors (change yours every year!):
Fire Station 37 is at the corner of 35th and Holden, a few blocks south of its predecessor, whose fate hasn’t been determined yet – the city intends to sell it, but since it’s a landmark, tearing it down is not an option.
Many years, a December Saturday spent sampling holiday bazaars might have meant soggy – or even snowy – walks between your car and the front door of the school or church. Not today. The bright smiles inside reflected the bright sunshine outside as we stopped at two of the many West Seattle venues with holiday bazaars/sales today. Above, the Highland Park Elementary PTA presented a bake sale and bazaar to raise money for all the things PTA fundraising covers these days – right now, a big concern at HPE is the playground. Among the participants, a Girl Scout troop that came from outside West Seattle:
They’re raising money for a trip to Japan – in 2013. Their leader says she found an online listing for the bazaar, seeking vendors, so they decided it was the place to be. And in the hallway, a rummage sale to raise money for Highland Park students to go to camp:
HP dad Ryan said they’d already sold an entire table of merchandise earlier in the day and they’ve raised enough for three kids to go to camp – though they have more in need (here’s how to help). Also selling their wares today, artists and craftspeople we found in the social hall at the newly dedicated Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation church in Gatewood:
That’s Rose Sheppard, selling some of the pottery she’s made. And Laura Matson told us sales were going great for her handmade shibori cloth works:
Since WSUU just moved into the onetime Gatewood Baptist Church this fall, this is their first holiday bazaar (if you see this shortly after we publish it, they’re there till 4; enter from the church’s north parking lot along California north of Othello). As listed in the morning preview, today had many events like these – but there are still more to come, so keep your eyes on the bazaars/sales/tastings list toward the top of the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
Thanks to WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen for this shot of final preparations under way in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) for tonight’s tree lighting, coming up at 5 pm – the biggest of the many events today on the ever-growing West Seattle Holidays list. Not only is the location different this year, so is the program – it’ll be shorter, but no less festive, with music from West Seattle’s own Endolyne Children’s Choir. Local Web/radio personality Marty Riemer emcees, and we’re told a child will be chosen from the crowd to throw the switch on the lights on West Seattle’s newest community Christmas tree (brand-new park, so new tree, and as the Junction Association’s Susan Melrose puts it, we’ll get to watch it grow over the years). See you there at 5 – and if you’re going early to shop, note that more than a few Junction businesses have deals in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping/Business Guide.
Before the rest of today’s news starts rolling in, an update from Scott Jones about the “adult/big kid soccer pickup game” mentioned here recently: It’s now moved to Hiawatha Playfield, at least for the next few months, since Fairmount has become what they describe as a “muddy mess.” It’s at 10:30 am Sundays, “all skill levels and levels of fitness welcome … it is just a fun time to get out and play some soccer once a week.”
It’s a gorgeous morning – blue sky, not THAT cold – no reason not to head for the Alki Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds, a block east of Jefferson Square) to enjoy pancakes cooked up by theKiwanis Club of West Seattle. The pancakes are flying off the griddle – batter up!
And more big fun is still to come – Santa Claus will be here soon, we’re told, and at 9 am, West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty will be on stage. Right next to the stage, a stack of unwrapped toys is growing:
Yes, the Marines have landed, since Toys for Tots is their operation. You’ve got other chances to do a good deed here too – note the sign in the background; Pathfinder K-8 is selling their famous handmade wreaths, local Scouts (who are helping serve, as usual) are selling T-shirts, and there’s a raffle. It’s all continuing till 11 am, and even out here in the parking lot, where we’re online to publish the story, it smells great. Breakfast is $6/adults, $3/kids (who get free Santa photos). ADDED 3:41 PM: We went back to check in on Santa and friends later in the morning:
We can also report that midway through the event, the hall was packed with pancake fans!
FIRST REPORT, 7:03 AM: The sun’s not up yet and 200 volunteers, teens and adults, have been hard at work for a while at Sears SODO, preparing for the 37th annual Rotary Club of West Seattle Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree. Busloads carrying about 100 kids from four West Seattle elementary schools have just started to arrive for the spree – which will net each one a holiday haul including coats, socks, new clothes, and a few other surprises. In addition to Rotary members, the volunteers who are standing ready to help the kids – as well as joining them for breakfast before shopping and lunch afterward – are members of the affiliated InterAct clubs from several metro-area high schools. Besides being an en-masse event for holiday giving, this is quite the logistical challenge too, with both donated and purchased items to be set out in a way that’ll allow each child and her/his designated volunteer “buddy” to move along without too much chaos:
(video added) WS Rotary past president Josh Sutton delivered the marching orders (and helpful hints) to volunteers:
The shopping has just begun:
As you might have noticed in today’s morning preview, this is the start of an action-packed Saturday … we’ll have more on this (and other events) later! ADDED 3:48 PM: Santa and friends:
The kids, by the way, were from Arbor Heights, Sanislo, West Seattle, and Schmitz Park Elementary Schools. We spoke post-shopping with volunteer Anita MacPherson and “her” student, Uriel; Anita says this volunteer work is a family tradition:
You can help the Rotary pay for future shopping sprees by donating here.
By the time hundreds of West Seattleites gather for the Community Tree Lighting at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska, photo above) at 5 tonight – emceed by Marty Riemer, featuring music by the Endolyne Children’s Choir – hours and hours of holiday fun, shopping, and helping will already be history. This morning, though, it’s all ahead: Two local service clubs are up VERY early this morning for signature holiday-season events – the Rotary Club of West Seattle gathers at SODO Sears at 6 to get ready to help local kids in the annual Holiday Shopping Spree (not a public event but you can help by donating here) … The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle invites you to the Alki Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds) 7 am-11 am for its 64th annual Pancake Breakfast, with Santa Claus, West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty, and of course the famous fresh flapjacks … At 9 am, the Admiral Neighborhood Association hits the street for its quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup; be at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) to enjoy complimentary coffee and treats first … 11 am-1 pm, the new Fire Station 37 (35th/Holden) opens its doors for an open house, including dedication of its curiosity-piquing artwork “Lifter” … Sidesaddle Cowboy and The Danged play Poggie Tavern tonight, 9 pm-1 am, in a benefit for West Seattle Food Bank (bring donations) … And outside West Seattle but involving locals, if you can help: Load a container of Ghana-bound bicycles, 9 am-5 pm at Ecolights NW, details and directions here<
Then, there are the sales, bazaars, open houses, Santa .... See the WSB West Seattle Holidays page for full details. but in short, the long list includes: More than 30 vendors at Highland Park Elementary, 10 am-3 pm (bring a food-bank donation for a free raffle ticket), plus a fundraising rummage sale … St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Arts & Crafts Co-Operative Holiday Sale, bring a food-bank donation, 10 am-3 pm in the parish hall (Spokane/42nd) … Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s 1st annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show in the social hall, 10 am-4 pm (California/Othello) … Affordable Art Sale at Alki Bathhouse, 10 am-2 pm … CAPERS‘ 26th annual holiday open house, noon-4 pm … Merrill Gardens at West Seattle on 35th (WSB sponsor) kicks off the holiday season 2-4 pm with fun from Santa photos to candy-making and kids’ holiday movies … West Seattle Family Zone hosts a WS Entrepreneur Show at 4502 California SW in The Junction, noon-2 pm … Holiday High Tea at Blue Willow Luncheonette, 11 am and 1 pm seatings, 206-938-0988 to see if reservations remain … Santa’s in the house at Westwood Village, noon-4 pm (bring food-bank donations, diapers are being collected for WestSide Baby, too) … South Park Arts‘ “Art Under $100,” more details here – 4-10 pm (8201 10th Avenue South) … And West Seattle’s two holiday theater productions continue tonight: “A Tuna Christmas” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, and “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” by Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) at Kenyon Hall.
High-school basketball season is under way, and a four-team, two-day regional tournament concludes today at Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle. In addition to SLHS, Portland Lutheran, Cedar Park Christian, and Mt. Rainier Lutheran are participating. Both Saints teams won their games against Portland Lutheran last night – above, video from the girls’ 35-29 victory; after the jump, toplines from the games, plus a clip from the boys’ 63-28 win:
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