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Spotlight Stories

From dulcimers to beaver sticks, what you’ll see only at the Senior Center holiday bazaar
December 3, 2022 1:12 pm
|    Comments Off on From dulcimers to beaver sticks, what you’ll see only at the Senior Center holiday bazaar
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Paths are cleared to get to the Senior Center of West Seattle door at 4217 SW Oregon, and once you’re inside, you’ll see tables ringing the main hall with items you won’t see anywhere else – like Denise LeBlanc‘s calendars featuring her Northwest-scenery paintings:

Jen Vanderhoof‘s underwater photography gives you an up-close perspective on sea life:

Jen also has “beaver stick” pencils – made from sticks left behind by beavers.

Also crafted from wood, the dulcimers that Norm Zemke is selling:

They’re challenging to make, he explains, requiring “steam bending.” Then there are some repurposed crafts – Tammy Majeski‘s wreaths are made from vintage Christmas ornaments:

Other vendors have handmade apparel, jewelry, and baked goods – you’ll even find “fidget spinners,” This is all happening until 4 pm, which is when The Junction’s festival starts, so go early and catch the bazaar too.

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HELPING: West Seattle brothers’ drive-up/ride-up donation drive collecting food and coats
December 3, 2022 11:50 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

11:50 AM: The snow couldn’t keep Dominic and Atticus from their annual drive-up/ride-up food drive in the lot behind Hope Lutheran (off SW Oregon just east of California). So they’re waiting for you until 3 pm, collecting coats as well as nonperishable food. You can safely pull into a covered space so they can unload what you brought, so don’t worry about the snow/slush. (Do remember that California is now closed, south of Oregon to north of Edmunds, in preparation for tonight’s festival, so approach the lot entrance from Oregon – it’s on the westbound side.)

ADDED WEDNESDAY: The West Seattle Food Bank reports the brothers collected 530 pounds of food and $145 in cash donations.

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Junction festival with tree lighting & GLOWS, plus 20+ more options for your West Seattle Saturday
December 3, 2022 6:20 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That’s a live look at the heart of The Junction, where streets will close later this morning and stay closed until late tonight for the holiday season’s biggest celebration. More on that midway down the list, which is a long one today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

WATCH THE WORLD CUP: Here’s our list of who’s opening early for the 7 am USA-Netherlands match – nine establishments in West Seattle and South Park.

HOLIDAY PHOTO POP-UP: 8:30 am-2 pm, join Gail Ann Photography for holiday photos at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). Fee, part of which is a nonprofit donation. Full details, including how to make an appointment for today or other dates, are in our calendar listing.

SOUTHWEST POOL: Closed today, as staff illnesses continue.

SCAVENGER HUNT CONTINUES: This is the first full day of the nine-day Winter Wander West Seattle scavenger hunt that Alice Kuder is presenting again this year – have fun exploring the peninsula, with a chance for prizes from local businesses. Register your team ASAP – all the details are in our preview.

SOUTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP: “Please join your neighbors – pick up trash, bag leaves, and clear the street gutters. Supplies available at 8812 18th Ave SW at 9:15 am.” CANCELED

BOOTSIE’S SAUCE POP-UP: Small-batch hot-sauce maker! 9:45 am-1 pm at Delridge Grocery Co-op (5444 Delridge Way SW).

DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD AND COAT DRIVE: Two students are again organizing their annual drive-up/ride-up donation drive in the lot behind Hope Lutheran (42nd/Oregon), 10 am-3 pm, more in our calendar listing.

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, this independent elementary school (a WSB sponsor) welcomes prospective families: “We invite you to visit the school, tour our campus, and chat with the teachers and specialists who make Tilden extraordinary.” (4105 California SW)

BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, this cooperative elementary school (also a WSB sponsor) invites prospective families to visit. (10300 28th SW)

SENIOR CENTER HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Shop local from more than 20 vendors during this event at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 10 am-4 pm. (California/Oregon)

GARDEN CENTER: Rare open day for the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center! 10 am-3 pm, north end of campus. (6000 16th SW) POSTPONED TO 12/10

(added) OUTDOOR BAZAAR: Until 4 pm: “West Seattle Kiwanis is hosting a fabulous Outdoor Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale! Shop from a huge selection of great gift items (with amazing prices). We have Santas, elves, hats, boxes, table-top and four-foot trees (lighted and not), tree toppers, garlands, ribbon, ornament balls and more. There is a treasure here for everyone!! All proceeds go to Key Club members from West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School. (Free coffee and hot chocolate too! 5637 42nd Avenue SW)

SANTA PAWS AT WINDERMERE: Free event with a professional photographer taking your pet’s pic with Santa, 11 am-1 pm – details in this flyer. (4526 California SW)

POTTERY POP-UP: Shop work by artists from Rat City Studios and Rain City Clay during the second day of this three-day pop-up at California/Oregon, 11 am-5 pm.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM GIFT SHOP: Noon-4 pm, visit the gift shop at the home of local history, with a 50%-off sale on glass ornaments and books. (3003 61st SW)

MAKERS’ HOLIDAY ART MARKET: Noon-5 pm at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) – shop dozens of local artists, crafters, makers. See participant lineup in our calendar listing.

MAGIC SHOW: Magician Raymond has a 1 pm show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) that still had tickets available as of early this morning – go to the Kenyon Hall website to get yours if they’re still available!

HOLIDAY MARKET AT FUTURE PRIMITIVE: Future Primitive Brewing in White Center (9832 14th SW) celebrates its 4th anniversary with a Holiday Market starting at 1 pm and Santa on hand for photos 3:30-5:30 pm.

(WSB photos)(WSB file photo)

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS FESTIVAL, GLOWS, NIGHT MARKET, TREE LIGHTING: Tonight’s the night! 4-8 pm in The Junction, where California and Alaska will be closed for the festivities. Here’s our full preview; here’s the schedule:

4:00 – Festival begins. Night Market and Beer & Wine Garden are open. Endolyne Choir, School of Rock, and Mode Music Studio perform on stage.
5:00 – G.L.O.W.S. Costume Promenade on streets. Elvis performs on stage.
6:00 – Costume Contest on stage.
6:30 – Lighting of the tree in Junction Plaza Park, followed by Santa reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and leading a carol sing-along.
7:00 – Dancer and Prancer perform on stage.

As explained in our preview, the costume contest is for YOU and/or your pet. Bottom line, this celebration is vastly expanded from years past, so come down to Downtown West Seattle and have fun!

WINTER BENEFIT CONCERT: Local musicians play at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to benefit local charities, 4:30 pm – details and (free) ticket link in our calendar listing.

CHRISTMAS BASH: 5-8 pm party at West Seattle Christian Church (4400 42nd SW), all welcome: “Join us during West Seattle’s Hometown Holidays Night Market and GLOW (we’re just a block away!) for an evening full of Christmas Cheer with music, a holiday smorgasbord of delectable delights (including our chocolate fountain), gingerbread houses, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, games, Photo Booth, Pastor’s Spicy Christmas Wassail, and our UGLY SWEATER CONTEST!”

SOCCER PLAYOFF MATCH: 5 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Cultures United plays Dep. Rose City in a UPSL playoff game. Free admission.

WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: Second weekend for thousands of lights synched to music outside the Iversons‘ home on 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota – 6:30-10 pm,

HOLIDAY CONCERT: West Seattleite-founded Puget Soundworks, an all-gender, LGBTQIA+-centered community chorus, presents the second of three performances of their holiday concert “Menagerie,” 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – tickets here.

MUSIC & TOY DRIVE: Live at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), DEAL and Ricky Gene Powell perform on Teddy Bear Night – bring new teddy bears (or other types of toys) to donate to Toys for Tots. Doors at 7, music at 8, $10 at the door, 21+.

ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, it’s the next performance of “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE DRAG SHOW: 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), with Queen Andrew and VJ Lacefront.

Have something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Early-morning weather notes – roads, trees, outages …
December 3, 2022 2:43 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(‘Live’ SDOT camera)

It’s been snowing for a few hours now, and we have a few notes:

ROADS CLOSED: We’ve been hearing about some tree trouble – Sylvan Way in particular, apparently a downed tree. Another one is reported around 14th/Holden but not blocking the street. INFOLINKS: Here’s the SDOT map showing which streets are closed and which have been plowed. … Here’s the Metro Winter page (some parts of the region are on snow routing but NOT us so far).

SPEAKING OF TREE TROUBLE: Connie sent this photo and report:

This tree is blocking the entrance to the parking lot of the dog park off of Southwest Cloverdale at 5th.

POWER OUTAGES: A few pockets of southernmost West Seattle (Seola, Myers Way) are part of a 4,300-customer outage – see the map here. ADDED 3:11 AM: Now a West Seattle outage too – more than 500 customers:


(4:39 PM: SCL says it’s hoping to have the South Park/SE WS areas restored by 7.)

FORECAST: This is expected to eventually change over to rain. But right now we’re still under a Winter Weather Advisory. (4:25 AM NOTE: We can hear the steady melt from the roof, so we’ll see what’s left by daylight.)

See trouble? Text us at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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VIDEO: Our Lady of Guadalupe lights Seattle’s highest-elevation tree
December 2, 2022 11:56 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Our Lady of Guadalupe lights Seattle’s highest-elevation tree
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

“Let It Snow” was one of the first few carols tonight at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s “Light Up the Night” celebration – and snow was indeed falling, lightly, by the time the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree was illuminated. You can see it in our video:

Emcee Brian Callanan led the countdown, followed by more caroling from OLG’s 4th/5th-grades’ choir – here’s a longer version, with the closing carols, including the crowd-participation fave “Jingle Bells”:

It was a perfect holiday celebration, including warm beverages.

And warm hearts led to donations for the food drive helping St. Vincent de Paul:

OLG has another community holiday event ahead – one week from tonight, at 7 pm December 9, the vocal ensemble The Starry Crowns, who sang tonight’s first few songs, present a concert to which all are welcome. Meantime, you can see the OLG tree – and the other lights outside the church – by driving, riding, running, or walking past 7000 35th SW.

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SPEED HUMPS: More coming soon to Harbor and Alki Avenues
December 2, 2022 9:37 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, September)

For many years, Harbor Avenue/Alki Avenue residents have been asking that action be taken to deter reckless driving. In September, two sets of speed bumps were installed in the Alki business district. Tonight, SDOT tells us that more are on the way to the east Alki area. We got the news this evening from SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:

We are planning to build safety enhancements along Harbor Ave SW and Alki Ave SW between the West Seattle Water Taxi and Luna Park in response to reckless and illegal driving incidents. We have received several requests from neighbors asking for safety improvements such as speed humps to help address this problem.

We will install about a half dozen sets of speed humps, as well as a raised center divider to prevent people from illegally driving the wrong direction to pass other cars. … We will prioritize completing this work as soon as we can. The work requires a few days of dry weather, so we will be watching the forecast closely and ready to mobilize our crews quickly if there is a break in the rain and snow. If the current forecast holds, there may potentially be an opportunity to complete this work within the next week.

Bergerson said they’re also talking with Parks about added speed humps in the Don Armeni parking lot (which already has some bumps). We’ll be following up Monday for more details, particularly where the “raised center divider” is planned.

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Fruit-tree lighting at High Point
December 2, 2022 9:18 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Fruit-tree lighting at High Point
 |   High Point | Holidays | West Seattle news

The first of this weekend’s three holiday tree-lighting events in West Seattle happened on the north side of Neighborhood House High Point this evening – the second annual Fruit Tree Lighting. High Point community builder Ella McRae led a cheery countdown:

The tree lighting followed an afternoon festival that celebrated both the arrival of winter and High Point’s new community-designed salmon street murals.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Charges filed against man found in stolen pickup with drugs, gun
December 2, 2022 8:19 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two days ago we reported on the arrest of a man found half-naked in a stolen pickup truck near Highland Park Elementary. When police searched the truck, they found drugs an a gun. Now three felony charges are filed against 25-year-old Ezequiel A. Lopez-Ortiz of Tacoma: Unlawful gun possession, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of drugs with intent to distribute or manufacture. The truck, a 2020 Dodge Ram, had been stolen from the Port of Seattle, according to the charging documents, and partially spray-painted red. Prosecutors also say Lopez-Ortiz has 10 felony convictions in the past 10 years, including three for unlawful gun possession, and seven current warrants from three counties – King, Spokane, and Kittitas. The gun seized from under the driver’s seat in the stolen truck is described as a 9mm SIG Sauer P320 pistol “with fifteen rounds in the magazine and one round in the firing chamber, under the driver’s seat.” Police also found “a backpack behind the driver’s seat containing .45 caliber bullets and an AR15 style magazine with 5.56 caliber bullets.” The drugs described in the previous report are what the charging documents list – cocaine, meth in baggies, and more than 100 suspected “blues” (fentanyl pills). Prosecutors are asking that bail for Lopez-Ortiz be set at $50,000 but as of the filing, there hadn’t been a bail decision yet because Lopez-Ortiz had been refusing to appear in court.

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BIZNOTE: Alair Gift Shop to close in early 2023
December 2, 2022 5:31 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

It has been a struggle and it has been a privilege.”

Those words will resonate with everyone who owns a small independent business.

And with those words (and others), Alair Gift Shop proprietor Shandon Armstrong announced this afternoon that as her shop marks its sixth anniversary tomorrow, that will be its last. She sent us the announcement she shared with customers in a heartfelt email – here it is in its entirety:

6 years on Dec 3.

6 years ago I got the keys to the original location. I started an LLC. I learned how to buy wholesale and how to love a community without holding back.

I am proud of Alair.

I am proud of how Alair has become as much mine as yours. I am proud of how this community handled a robbery. How we handled having our first landlord that was a cartoon version of a villain landlord. How we handled a pandemic.

I’m also proud of how we handled having a new landlord, that is the embodiment of everything good in the world. How we have been able to say thank you to this community that has given us so much.

We have won Emerging Business of the Year. I was a Top 40 Under 40 (back before I was 40). We won Business of the Year. We’ve been voted Best Gift Shop and Best Boutique in Readers Choice Awards for several local publications.

I have laughed harder than I’ve ever laughed.

I have cried harder than I’ve ever cried.

I have been lonelier than I’ve ever been, and I’ve also never felt less alone.

I’ve lost so many friends and I’ve gained more. It has been a struggle and it has been a PRIVILEGE.

It has been my pleasure. I love you. I appreciate you. I am so grateful.

It is also time for me to move on. It’s a different world now. The pandemic has changed so many things and is continuing to do so. I’m managing a website. I’m on a screen all day. I feel like I spend so much of every single day just sticking up for myself. I’m tired. The disappointment fatigue is real.

_____________________________

I sent y’all an email in September giving a state of the Alair union. One result of that was that someone reached out to me and offered me a new way to look at my future. Over the next 10 weeks, I figured out my path forward and what the future looks like. And last week, I accepted a full time position doing a job that I didn’t even know existed but is perfect for me. I don’t believe in soulmates and I don’t believe in one dream job. Alair has been my dream. Then, I was offered a position that is definitely my next dream.

So, right as we hit our 6 year anniversary, I am also announcing the end of an era.

Anything could still happen. Maybe one of you will want to swoop in and buy Alair. I’m still gunning hard to get Sam to take it over, because that lady loves this place as much as I do. Maybe someone will come in and buy all the insides and lease, but rebrand it and make it their own.

I hope so. The pandemic has taken a lot of small businesses.

The current plan is to operate as normal through the holidays. Then we will assess and see where we are and what needs to happen next. We have accumulated A LOT of stuff. I have no idea how to clear it all out in a responsible way. We will figure that out as soon as the holidays are over. I am aiming to have the doors closed by February 1st though.

And what I DO know that this is my last Alairiversary. And I’m so grateful for every single one.

Thank you. Thank you for letting me live my dream and also for helping me see a new one.

People are good.

My people are the best.

Alair originally opened in what had been a fitness studio, before moving a few doors down.

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HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: Here’s what you need to know about expanded Junction street festival Saturday
December 2, 2022 4:43 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

We’re now just one day away from an expanded Hometown Holidays street festival in The Junction, centered on the Night Market and tree lighting, also featuring the first-ever GLOWS (Glorious Lights of West Seattle) celebration. That includes artists promenading in light-decked costumes they designed – West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay shares a photo she received showing one of the works in progress:

You’re invited to create your own costume of light to be part of a contest at the festival – the costumed artists will be judging the people they see promenading on California SW, which will be closed for the festival. The categories are Best Group, Best Individual, Best Pet; each artist will nominate one entrant in each category by handing them a light wand. If you get one, you’ll then be on stage at 6 pm for audience judging. Prizes are $500, $250, and $100 in Junction gift cards!

The festival runs 4-8 pm, with the Night Market and beer/hot-wine garden – sponsored by Elliott Bay Brewing and Darby Winery – open the whole time. You can also buy this limited-edition mug for your beverage (or future use) if interested:

For kids, Hope Lutheran will have free hot cocoa. Other things to know – here’s the festival schedule:

4:00 – Festival begins. Night Market and Beer & Wine Garden are open. Endolyne Choir, School of Rock, and Mode Music Studio perform on stage.
5:00 – G.L.O.W.S. Costume Promenade on streets. Elvis performs on stage.
6:00 – Costume Contest on stage.
6:30 – Lighting of the tree in Junction Plaza Park, followed by Santa reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and leading a carol sing-along.
7:00 – Dancer and Prancer perform on stage.

Community co-sponsors of Hometown Holidays include WSB. The streets will close in the morning, and a variety of other events are happening all day at and around The Junction (see our Holiday Guide!), so come down early and enjoy the festivities.

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WATER: Another big flush ahead, this time for southeast West Seattle and South Park
December 2, 2022 2:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | South Park | Utilities | West Seattle news

Back in 2016, after repeated problems with “brown water” in multiple West Seattle neighborhoods, Seattle Public Utilities carried out a major flush of local lines. Now they’re planning one for southeast West Seattle and South Park, in the areas outlined on this map:

That map is included in a letter SPU has just mailed to affected residents and businesses, saying the flush will start soon and continue into next year. Here’s what else the letter says:

SPU is performing this work to help maintain water quality and help reduce the occurrence of discolored water that can sometimes occur. Flushing won’t eliminate discolored water, but it will help decrease it.

What do customers need to do? SPU crews will perform the flushing at night by flowing water from fire hydrants. Residents and businesses do not need to take any action to prepare for this work. Customers will be able to use their water as usual. When crews are flushing nearby, customers may notice a slight reduction in their water pressure. They may also experience temporary discolored water, which should clear quickly once crews are done flushing the water main. Running the cold water for a few minutes can also help clear the discoloration.

Why does discolored water occur? Discolored water can happen when crews operate a fire hydrant, when there is a water main break or leak, or when the water in the pipes is forced to travel in a different direction than normal. When one of these events happens, sediment in the water and rust in the pipes get stirred up, causing the water to look discolored. Flushing the water mains will remove some of the sediment and rust that has been resting in the pipes. This will help reduce the level of discoloration and the time it takes for the water to clear when there’s a disturbance in the pipes.

Is the water safe? Yes. Every single day, SPU takes samples throughout the drinking water system that serves 1.5 million people. The water is tested for contaminants and is regulated by the Washington State Department of Health. Seattle’s water remains safe to drink.

See the full letter here.

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Eviction notice posted at Pegasus Pizza on Alki
December 2, 2022 12:37 pm
|      133 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

That’s the notice that was posted this morning on the door of Pegasus Pizza (2768 Alki SW); we went there after a reader tip. The doors were chained and locked.

Court records indicate an “unlawful detainer” (eviction) case was filed against the business in July, and that the eviction order followed a hearing and ruling on November 16. According to case documents, the restaurant was ordered to pay its landlord, Alki 37 LLC, more than $146,000. We are working to reach Pegasus’s owners for comment. They moved into this building 15 years ago from a different location on the same block; the space underwent changes six years ago.

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BIZNOTE: Pet Supplies Plus now open at Westwood Village
December 2, 2022 11:37 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

A year and a half after we first reported it was on the way, Pet Supplies Plus is now open in the center of Westwood Village. The store is operated by a regional franchisee of a nationwide chain with more than 400 locations. It offers grooming and a dog wash as well as merchandise; hours are 9 am-9 pm Mondays through Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm Sundays.

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2 tree lightings, Winter Wander scavenger hunt, music, more for your West Seattle Friday
December 2, 2022 10:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thursday photo @ Hiawatha, tweeted by @i8ipod)

Still just a little snow on the ground (and a little more possible) as one of the biggest weekends of the holiday season begins. So here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Friday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide (where you’ll find lots of other seasonal info too):

SOUTHWEST POOL: Normal operations today, (corrected) closed tomorrow, as announced last night.

POTTERY POP-UP: Shop work by artists from Rat City Studios and Rain City Clay during the first day of this three-day pop-up at California/Oregon, 11 am-5 pm,

CAT/KITTEN ADOPTION: 2-4 pm at Pet Elements (6511 California SW), Beloveds Animal Relief Rescue Foundation can introduce you to cats/kittens looking for their forever homes.

FESTIVAL AND FRUIT-TREE LIGHTING: Celebrate the season with a two-part High Point celebration, first a Winter Festival 3-5 pm, then the Fruit Tree Lighting at 5:15 – this year it’s all happening outside Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) and the Amphitheater behind it: “Join over 15 organizations with fun-filled activities for all ages. Dance to live music from West Seattle High School Band and stay for the fruit tree lighting.”

SCAVENGER HUNT BEGINS: At 4 pm, the hunt is on! That’s the official start time for the nine-day Winter Wander West Seattle scavenger hunt that Alice Kuder is presenting again this year – have fun exploring the peninsula, with a chance for prizes from local businesses. Register your team ASAP – all the details are in our preview.

WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: Second weekend begins for thousands of lights synched to music outside a home on 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota – 6:30-10 pm,

‘LIGHT UP THE NIGHT’ AT OLG: 7 pm outside Our Lady of Guadalupe (7000 35th SW), the lighting of the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree and thousands of other lights on the OLG grounds, plus a Christmas carol singalong and more. Bring nonperishable food if you can, to donate to St. Vincent de Paul.

HOLIDAY CONCERT: West Seattleite-founded Puget Soundworks, an all-gender, LGBTQIA+-centered community chorus, presents the first of three performances of their holiday concert “Menagerie,” 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – tickets here.

THE PROFITS: Live at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), alternative/new wave/rock/funk. Doors at 7, music at 8, $10.

ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, it’s your next chance to see “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.

Have something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WORLD CUP: Where to watch Saturday’s early-morning USA-Netherlands match in West Seattle
December 2, 2022 9:36 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

With the USA team set for a must-win World Cup match against the Netherlands team early Saturday (7 am), we’ve received some questions about who’s opening early for watch parties. So we’re again building a list in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. So far we have five establishments on the list – Christo’s on Alki, Prost, The Bridge, The Westy, West Seattle Brewing. Anyplace else? Please let us know so we can add!

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WEATHER, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Friday notes + weekend alert
December 2, 2022 6:00 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, December 2nd.

WEATHER

Very cold overnight – temperatures dropped into the 20s. But only a slight chance of snow this morning, with today’s high near 40. (Check the latest alert status here.)

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is back to its regular schedule this morning.

-WSF’s Triangle Route is too – check here for alerts/updates.

–Metro buses are on regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. 7:15 AM UPDATE: Metro is suspending Routes 55, 56, 57 for the rest of the day.

WEEKEND ALERT

Saturday’s big Hometown Holidays festival in The Junction means street closures on both California and Alaska most of the day and into the evening

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Charges filed against suspected serial shoplifter
December 1, 2022 11:56 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

That security-camera image is from charging documents in the case that the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed against an alleged serial shoplifter, 25-year-old West Seattle resident Joseph E. Herdrich. It is described as showing Herdrich exiting the Marshall’s store at Westwood Village on October 5th with more than $850 in stolen merchandise. He wasn’t arrested that day, but just two weeks earlier, he had been arrested there in similar circumstances – here’s a security-camera image from that day, in which he is accused of stealing $700 worth of merchandise:

Three and a half days later, on September 24th, with no charges yet filed, he was released from jail. But he’s there now, two weeks after yet another arrest at Westwood Village, after allegedly shoplifting more than $500 in items from the QFC store on November 18th. In that case, store security confronted him and got the items back; he was still outside the store when police arrived and arrested him. Now the KCPAO has charged him with three counts of second-degree burglary for all three of the incidents we’ve mentioned, The charging documents say Herdrich had already been banned – “trespassed” – from both those stores and from other businesses in Westwood Village, but keeps going back to shoplift. An SPD detective wrote in a September report that Herdrich had been under investigation for months for thefts at both the same Marshall’s store and Delridge Home Depot and that he was “driven by his fentanyl addiction.” Herdrich’s arraignment is scheduled for December 7. His bail was set at just $250 by a judge who prosecutors say was unaware of his previous arrests; they argued for raising it to $5,000 given the added facts in the case, but the court docket says that motion was denied.

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ORCAS: New state report recommends keeping some boaters and paddlers further away from endangered Southern Resident whales
December 1, 2022 9:45 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

(Photo by David Hutchinson, from January 2020 visit of Southern Resident Killer Whales)

“A big win for the whales.” That’s how Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail describes a new recommendation from the state to require some boaters and paddlers to give Southern Resident Killer Whales more space. She served on the governor-appointed task force that advocated for SRKW protections including keeping boats further away from the endangered orcas. Here’s what the state has announced:

A new report released by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recommends that the Legislature increase the vessel buffer for recreational boaters, commercial whale watching operators, and guided paddle tours around Southern Resident killer whales to 1,000 yards to further support orca recovery.

Prompted by Senate Bill 5577, the report considers the effectiveness of rules for recreational boaters and commercial whale-watching operators aimed at protecting Southern Residents from the effects of vessel noise and disturbance.

Listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2005, Southern Resident killer whales face three main threats: lack of food, contaminants in their food, and vessel noise and disturbance as they forage and communicate using echolocation. Center for Whale Research’s September 2022 census recorded the Southern Resident population at just 73 individuals.

Just this past summer, the Department designated 12 Southern Residents as vulnerable after researchers demonstrated they were in the lowest body condition state—the bottom 20% for the whale’s age and sex—which is associated with a two-to-three times higher rate of mortality.

The news release also notes:

The Department also recommends maintaining the definition of commercial whale watching and the license requirement, but recommends changes to reduce the potential financial and administrative burden of the license and rules, simplifying where possible, and further distinguishing between motorized commercial whale watching and non-motorized, guided paddle tours. While the report recommends a 1,000-yard buffer around Southern Residents, it doesn’t suggest any changes to commercial or recreational viewing of other, healthier populations such as Bigg’s killer whales, humpback whales, gray whales, or any other whale species currently in the area, which comprise most whale-watching opportunities in Washington.

The full 86-page report is here. Sandstrom says The Whale Trail was part of a focus group interviewed while the report was being prepared, and supports its recommendations. She points to research “quoted in the report shows that female Southern Resident orcas stop foraging when vessels approach closer than 400 yards, and that SRKW exhibit behavioral changes when vessels approach closer than 1,000 yards.” That study (summarized here) was by researchers including West Seattleite Jeff Hogan. The current regulations are a 300-yard buffer on either side for recreational boaters and 400 yards in front and behind, while commercial whale watchers have to stay 1/2 nautical mile away October through June but are allowed to view the Southern Residents from 300 yards away for two 2-hour periods each day July through September.

The Legislature would have to take action to put this new recommendation into place – but in the meantime, she notes, “Until the law is changed, boaters can voluntarily pledge to stay 1/2 nautical mile from SRKW by taking the pledge at GiveThemSpace.org.”

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WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Menashe home’s first official night, and 2 special dates to visit
December 1, 2022 8:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

We’ve been by already twice for previews (here and here) – and tonight’s the first official night for the Menashe Family‘s famous Christmas lights at 5605 Beach Drive SW. Our photo doesn’t really do it justice, so if you love lights, you have to see it in person. Here are two special dates you might consider visiting:

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS PHOTOS, DECEMBER 10: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there 5 pm-9 pm Saturday, December 10, for DIY photos with kids. No charge but you’re asked to bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. (The WSFB donation barrels will be there starting the previous night, Friday, December 9, through Sunday, December 11, so you are invited to bring food donations those nights too.)

SANTA, MRS. CLAUS, & REINDEER PHOTOS, DECEMBER 20: The Clauses will return for photo ops Tuesday, December 20, 5 pm-9 pm, this time with real reindeer. The family hopes this will be a food-drive event too but they’re still working on logistics.

Got lights? Seen lights? See what we’ve shown here, and suggest what we should show next by emailing westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Southwest Pool’s plan for next two days
December 1, 2022 8:04 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Southwest Pool’s plan for next two days
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

After being closed Tuesday and Wednesday for a staff shortage caused by illness, Southwest Pool opened for limited operations today. Now we have an update on the next two days:

Southwest Pool will run normal programs Friday, December 2nd, but we are closed for Saturday, December 3rd.

We still have multiple staff members out sick and are unable to operate full programs safely.

Friday normal operations.

Adult Swim 12-2:30 pm.
Seattle Public Schools Swim Meet 3-6 pm.

Saturday closed.

Lessons and programs cancelled. Lesson participants will receive a refund for the missed lesson.

We are working to return to full operation as soon as staffing allows. Check Southwest Pool’s webpage or call 206-684-7440 for updates.

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FOLLOWUP: Beaches reopen after Lincoln Park sewage leak
December 1, 2022 6:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Four days after a sewage leak was detected and repaired at Lincoln Park, testing shows the beaches in the area are safe to use again. That’s the word from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, which is responsible for the equipment that failed and caused the leak – an air valve in a vault along a “force main” that carries wastewater and stormwater north from the Barton Pump Station north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. KCWTD spokesperson Marie Fiore says they estimate 13,000 gallons had leaked before th problem was fixed, but they don’t know how much of that got into Puget Sound, as some of it was contained by the vault and pumped out by Seattle Public Utilities before crews zeroed in on the problem and handed it off to the county. Fiore told us earlier this week that the vault is inspected frequently and had gone through an inspection less than two weeks before the valve failure.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Next chance of snow
December 1, 2022 4:27 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

As David Hutchinson‘s photo from Alki shows, this morning’s snow was followed by north wind and a 12-foot high tide splashing the Sound over the seawall. If the newest forecast holds out, that’s as lively as things should get until at least tomorrow morning, which is when the National Weather Service sees a “chance” of more snow. Tonight is likely to get icy again, with the temperature expected to drop below freezing.

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BIZNOTE: Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta closing in West Seattle; new restaurant moving in
December 1, 2022 2:41 pm
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Recently we noticed online permit activity for 3401 California SW, long the home of the West Seattle location of Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta. The owners weren’t ready to comment on their restaurant’s future until today. Here’s their announcement:

Dear West Seattle,

Since 1991, Spiro’s Pizza & Pasta and the Voltsis family has had the privilege and honor of being a part of the community. From the little location at 3401 California Ave, we have been able to grow our businesses, as we have been able to watch the area expand as well. Through our modest doors we have seen generations of families come in, and watch their children grow, and through time come in with their children. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful neighborhood over the past 31 years.

After three decades at this location, it is time for us to sadly say goodbye to West Seattle. We will close our doors in West Seattle for the final time December 16th, 2022. We ask that you welcome the new tenants, West Seattle residents Mike Meckling (Woodinville Cut Shop, Neumos) and Ben Jenkins (Shadowland, Dumplings of Fury) who will be opening a family-friendly Mexican restaurant offering authentic Mexican food by chef Danny Ludwig.

We will forever remember our time in West Seattle, and we thank you for the many years of patronage and friendship.

With our sincerest gratitude to West Seattle,
Jim, Sia, Evan and Eleni Voltsis

You can read the backstory of the multigenerational family pizza business here. West Seattle was their first location; Spiro’s is also in Shoreline and Mukilteo.

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