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    HYDROS ON THE LAWN: A West Seattle farewell

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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Hope Lutheran’s new principal: There ‘to steer, rather than row’
December 17, 2010 10:24 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

As the 2010 portion of the 2010-2011 school year closes out on this day before winter break, it is time for many to reflect on how the year’s gone so far.

Among those whose roles in local schools doubtless will send them into the break with much to think about: Kristen Okabayashi, the new principal at West Seattle’s Hope Lutheran School, the first school she is leading as principal.

Though she is new to that job, and role, she is not new to West Seattle – she is a 10-year resident. She had been working at Concordia Lutheran in North Seattle while studying for her masters’ degree – and the Hope job opened up just as she had completed those studies. Now she is the school’s principal, as well as one of its parents, with four sons attending hope – a seventh-grader, fifth-grader, and twin second-graders.

That gives her extra insight into one focus this fall has been to help build relationships between the school and its students’ families. And she has been closely reviewing the Hope Lutheran curriculum: ” … making sure we meet all the state standards, reviewing whether we have the right curriculum, do we need to switch something we offer?”

Language arts, for example, is one area that will be changed schoolwide.

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West Seattle Friday: School’s out early; diaper drive; more!
December 17, 2010 9:20 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: School’s out early; diaper drive; more!
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Beautiful day so far – clear sky, Olympics, Cascades, and Mount Rainier out in all their splendor. Reminder that school’s out early, one hour for Seattle Public Schools, independent schools vary. Also today/tonight: The Admiral Pub‘s diaper drive (featured on KING 5 – see clip above) goes big with an “ugly sweater” holiday party/poker tournament tonight, 7 pm – bring diapers for WestSide Baby; they’re more than halfway to their goal of 6,000 … Also in the Admiral District, West Seattle-based (and nationally acclaimed) food writer Kim O’Donnel signs her “Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook” at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 5-7 pm … In The Junction, it’s Bakery Nouveau‘s holiday open house, 4-6 pm, and wine tasting with Walla Walla’s Corliss Cellars at Bin 41 (WSB sponsor), 5:30-7 pm, plus Howden-Kennedy‘s annual memorial service/community open house, 5:30-8 pm … At the beach, it’s the last Friday night skating session of the year at Alki Community Center, 6:45-8:45 pm (they’re taking Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve off) … Vaudeville with Matt Baker tonight at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm (reservations by e-mail at kenyonhall@earthlink.net ) … Go make your own music, caroling in Delridge! Meet at 7 pm at Greg Davis Park (26th/Brandon) … If you’re shopping for a Christmas tree this weekend, check out our 5th annual West Seattle tree-lot price survey. Have a great day!

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Video: Chief Sealth International High School’s winter concert
December 17, 2010 9:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Here’s some music for your morning: Video/photojournalist Cliff DesPeaux produced 16 minutes of highlights from several of the student groups — vocal and instrumental — who rocked the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium during the music program‘s Winter Concert last night.

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Helping Brian Teachout’s family: 2 West Seattle benefits
December 16, 2010 11:02 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Friday, Brian Teachout will be remembered at a service in West Seattle, just one week after his untimely death following an accident while putting up Christmas lights. Since our original story, which includes word of a fund to which you can contribute to help his wife and children, we have received word of two fundraisers: First, donations made at the Helmstetler Family Spectacular Christmas-lights show this Friday, Saturday and Sunday will go to the Teachout family, according to lights mastermind Jim Winder. Find out more about that here. And local glass artist Brad Burzynski is making ornaments to sell this Sunday, with all proceeds to the Teachout family – here are the details on what’s in the works:

Although he’s never met Brian or his family, a local glassblower has been so touched by their situation he’d like to do something nice to show his support. Tonight he’ll create 25 Christmas ornaments in honor of Brian. On Sunday, at the West Seattle Farmers Market, these ornaments will be available for the very reasonable price of $20 each. [photo from Uptown Glassworks glassblowing session added 12:18 am Friday]


100% of the proceeds from these ornaments will be given to the family on behalf of the people of West Seattle. Get there early because once they are gone, they’re gone. The ornaments will be boxed and come with a label indicating they were hand blown and the proceeds will be given to the family. What a great way to help a West Seattle neighbor and get a meaningful gift for someone you love. Be a part of one of the little things that makes West Seattle such a special place.

The Farmers’ Market is 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska; we’ll update Sunday morning (here, Twitter, Facebook) with word on where exactly you can find him around the perimeter. Brian Teachout’s service is at noon tomorrow (Friday) at The Hall at Fauntleroy. And in addition to the fundraising efforts mentioned above, you can donate to the Teachout Family Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank branch.

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High-school basketball: Tonight’s West Seattle-Chief Sealth games
December 16, 2010 9:08 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school basketball: Tonight’s West Seattle-Chief Sealth games
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Big night for high-school basketball on the peninsula: West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School teams are playing at WSHS.

The girls’ varsity game was close – the home team beat Sealth, 41-39. (added) West Seattle spent the fourth quarter erasing Sealth’s lead, tying the game with a minute to go and taking the 41-39 win after the Wildcats’ Hailey Hage made the winning basket with only 10 seconds to go. Sealth played a more physical game which had put them out in front by as much as nine points early in the third quarter, but their more-aggressive style put them in foul trouble in the fourth quarter, which allowed West Seattle to pull close and finally win the game. Hage was West Seattle’s leading scorer with 15 points. Sealth’s Justine Decker had 17 points and broke up what had been a tie game for most of the first half by drawing back-to-back shooting fouls and following that up with a basket a minute later.

9:55 PM UPDATE: Boys’ varsity final – Sealth 70, WSHS 42. While the West Seattle boys’ varsity started strong, they were unable to keep up with Sealth. The game’s leading scorer was Sealth’s Keon Lewis with 22 points. His six-point run at the start of the third quarter pushed Sealth into a double digit lead, which they held until the end of the game.

The West Seattle teams play Seattle Lutheran High School on Saturday.

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Memorial service Sunday for Evelyn ‘Jean’ Roberts
December 16, 2010 8:53 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Craig Roberts shares his mom’s photo and obituary, hoping to get the word out to as many of those who knew her as possible, before her service this Sunday. It tells quite a story of a woman deeply and joyfully involved in her community – a great West Seattle story even if you didn’t know her:

Evelyn Jean ROBERTS
6/26/25 – 11/16/10

While we have lost our mother, America has lost a Patriot. Evelyn “Jean” Roberts, 85, of West Seattle passed away November 16, 2010 after a brief illness. A celebration of her life will be held December 19 (see below).

Jean was born June 26, 1925 in Kalo, Iowa, the last of seven children from parents Francis John Craig & Janetta Mae (Alvord) Craig, who preceded her in death, as did six brothers and sisters: Eva Leona Craig, Laurence Alvord Craig, Aileen Janetta Wynn, Charles Francis Craig, Olive Rosena Schultz & Lois Mae Finkle. Four siblings served during WWII: Laurence, Francis, Olive & Lois. Growing up as a teenager during WWII brought to her a level of patriotism and love for her country that continued throughout her life. After the 1971 death of husband, Wilfred R. (Tiny) Roberts, who also died of service-connected causes, Jean devoted her life over the last 40 years to Veterans’ organizations including countless volunteer hours at The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the USO and the Red Cross.

Just like a scene from “The Grapes of Wrath,” in October 1936 when Jean was just 11 years old, the family packed up their Plymouth, leaving Iowa headed for Seattle, making the 1,700-mile trip in four days, three nights. Following scarce employment, the family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska from 1936-1942. Jean, 15, returned to Seattle to study voice, living with her sister Olive. When WWII broke out, the entire family returned to Seattle for good. Graduating from Garfield HS in the spring of 1942 at 17, Jean loved to sing and entertain, and her career was just beginning.

During the war, Jean, 18, married John Abner Robbins in November 1942 in Coeur d’Alene Idaho, divorcing shortly thereafter. After the war, Mom auditioned for and got a singing job with band leader Wilfred R. (Tiny) Roberts, our dad. After three weeks of working together in nightclubs, our Dad was so jealous of all the attention Mom got singing, he proposed and they married June 27, 1946, the day after her 21st birthday. They traveled throughout the Western States, Montana, Washington and Idaho, performing and entertaining with their band, “Three Satan’s and an Angel.” After five years touring, they settled in the Admiral District of West Seattle, her home for the last 60 years.

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West Seattle scene: ‘New lawn art’ in The Junction?
December 16, 2010 4:52 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

After two notes and one call, including one person describing the sight as “new lawn art,” we had to go see this for ourselves: A fire truck is parked (at least since last night, when our first note came in) on the lawn of an apartment building along 44th SW, north of Junction TrueValue and Terry Gangon‘s building. We knocked on doors and asked nearby, and couldn’t find anyone who knew exactly what it was doing there; we spotted a Parking Enforcement Officer nearby and she said it wasn’t the kind of thing she’d be ticketing for, though she couldn’t say whether it was legal in terms of land use. The fire truck bears the name of Westport/Wauna, which is along the Columbia River in northwestern Oregon. The person who called us said they’d heard secondhand that someone had bought the truck from that department; so far, we’ve discovered that Westport/Wauna indeed had three surplus fire trucks offered via eBay this fall (scroll down), including a 1975 American LaFrance – and this truck is marked LaFrance.

Any more info, please share!

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Holiday helpers: Westside School students’ Toys for Tots drive
December 16, 2010 4:22 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Westside School (WSB sponsor) for sharing photos of a big event today – for the fourth consecutive year, Westside kindergarteners hosted the holiday toy drive for Toys for Tots, and their toys/books/bikes/pillows collection was bigger than ever! Above, the proud kindergarteners; the picture below was taken a few hours later as firefighters from the new, nearby Station 37 received the donated toys:

If you can give toys – a number of drives continue – at Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction, they’re collecting for foster kids via Treehouse; at every West Seattle community center (“like” them all together on Facebook!) they’ve got a drive under way; and of course, there are your local firehouses. More giving opportunities on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.

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West Seattle shooting survivors: Thanks – and what they still need
December 16, 2010 2:09 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Her name is Nevaeh – “Heaven spelled backward” – and though she’s been through hell, she is one of the smiliest 7-year-olds you’ll ever meet. We met Nevaeh Harm earlier this week at Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ headquarters in North Delridge earlier this week, a place where she and her mom Thyda Phan spend a lot of time. They are among the survivors of the September shootings in West Seattle in which Thyda’s mother shot and killed three Phan/Harm family members – Thyda’s husband and two teenage daughters – and herself. Thyda is the only one to have survived gunshot wounds; Nevaeh was shot at, as was her older brother Kevin, but they managed to escape with no physical injuries. Cara Kroenke at SWYFS has been helping the survivors find new places to live, and new belongings to replace what they lost in the destructive rampage – or never had at all. In our photo, Nevaeh was trying on a helmet to use with one of the bicycles donated to SWYFS by Nucor (here’s our story on that). Cara was awaiting results of an inspection for the White Center rental house found for the family, near Nevaeh’s elementary school. And for those who have asked for an update on what they still need from this list we published a week and a half ago, Cara talked with us – that info’s after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle See Dogs invites you to share “gift that keeps giving”
December 16, 2010 12:29 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

The photos are from Ruth Oldham of West Seattle See Dogs, who was in Tacoma for a special regional delivery in the middle of the Sunday rainstorm. Her group is hoping for new members to help them turn puppies like these into guide dogs – “a gift that keeps giving,” as she explains:

Bundles of yellow, black, and golden fur, sweet puppy breath, and wiggly joy were delivered into the arms of twelve puppy raisers from across Washington State in the midst of (Sunday) morning’s deluge.

The puppies, bred at our San Rafael, California campus were between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks old and traveled on the puppy truck which was converted to a special sleigh for Santa Paws and his helper’s deliveries!

The puppies will stay with their families for about a year and then return to be off to puppy college to become guide dogs and future “soulmates” with a visually impaired partner. This is a story about a gift that keeps giving long after the season is over!

Do you have love and time to share with a puppy? Call Ruth Oldham with the West Seattle See Dogs at 206-953-0268 or 1-800-295-4050 for information on how you can raise a Guide Dog Puppy in your area. More info at www.guidedogs.com; become a friend of the West Seattle See Dogs on Facebook to learn about events and meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, December 20th, 6:30 pm, at
Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights.

Merrill Gardens-AH (WSB sponsor) is at 2326 California SW.

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West Seattle holidays: Admiral’s free Christmas movie is …
December 16, 2010 11:21 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Admiral Theater | Holidays | West Seattle news

You made suggestions – and now the decision’s in. Just received from the Admiral Theater, word that the free Christmas movie at 7 pm next Thursday (December 23) will be Jim Carrey‘s 2009 animated version of “A Christmas Carol.” Carrey is the voice of Scrooge as well as the three ghosts who visit him. The “free” admission is qualified, as Dinah from The Admiral reminds us:

Remember, we are doing this as a benefit for the Humane Society. Statistics prove that animals are a good Xmas gift only to be brought back after the holidays. That’s when animal shelters see a large jump in attendance. So before you get your Jingle Bells on, you MUST bring something from the list below to the theater:

Animal crates (all sizes)
Premium dog & cat food
toys
bedding
collars
leashes
brushes
shampoo’s
warm blankets
and a new Prius (okay, that’s for me)

Can’t wait to see you there!
Mrs. Claus (Dinah)

Never been to The Admiral? No! Well, maybe you’re new. California SW just north of Admiral Way.

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New details for WS Kiwanis Club’s free Seattle Symphony concert
December 16, 2010 11:07 am
|    Comments Off on New details for WS Kiwanis Club’s free Seattle Symphony concert
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

It’s been on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar a while, and now program highlights have just been sent by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle for the free Seattle Symphony concert they’re presenting at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center at 7 pm January 12th:

…………………
Eric Garcia, conductor
Andrew Brady, bassoon of the Seattle Symphony
…………………
Mozart: Bassoon Concerto in B-flat major, K. 191
Honegger: Pastorale d’été
Haydn: Symphony No. 47 in G major
………………………………………..

Again, the concert’s free; more info on the Kiwanis website at kiwaniswestseattle.org.

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