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Remembering Leon B. Ufkes, 1926-2023
December 15, 2023 8:55 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Leon Ufkes and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Leon B. Ufkes (1926-2023)

Tami Ufkes-Schendel and Mark L. Ufkes announce the recent death of their 96-year old dad. Leon was a resident at West Seattle’s Quail Park memory facility, where wonderful staff cared for him. Raised in Illinois on the family farm, at age 17, Dad enlisted into the US Navy during World War II. He was trained as a “fighting Seabee” Naval engineer, stationed in Guam, to prepare for the invasion of the main island of Japan. He was part of an engineering battalion slated to be in the third landing wave and was told that they could expect a 70% casualty rate. During final training, the US dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, ending the war. Dad said many times that those atomic bombs saved his life. As a result, he dedicated his entire career to the nuclear industry.

After the war, Dad used the GI bill to attend Virginia Tech, completing a B.S. degree in chemical engineering. His first engineering job, at age 26, Dad was issued a “Q” top secret security clearance and was put in charge of a 5-person team to pack high explosives into atomic bombs that would be used to trigger the nuclear explosion. He was proud that his ideas were used to make the atomic bomb assembly process safer.

In 1954, he met and married Iris R. Adkins, his secretary (and our mom), who could type 90 words a minute on a manual typewriter, was a state-level women’s high school basketball star, and “had great legs and a beautiful singing voice”, according to Dad. In 1955, Dad was invited to the Hanford Nuclear reservation in Richland, Washington to assist in operating plutonium producing reactors built during the cold war with the Soviet Union. Dad was a lead Hanford operating engineer for much of his career, proud to have worked at historic B-Reactor, using the same office that famous physicist Enrico Fermi used in 1945 to help end World War II. Later, Dad did early work on the “glassification” of nuclear waste for safer storage.

Dad fell in love with the mountains of the west. We learned how to ski as we learned to walk, and constantly went camping in the Cascade mountains. As a family, we hiked most of the coast of Washington and climbed Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood a dozen times. Dad volunteered as a Scoutmaster, and for decades, lead a large group to summit Mt. Adams every Labor Day.

Dad became a single parent in 1972, when our spectacular mom died of colon cancer at age 43. Dad and Mom taught us that college education gives opportunities we can’t imagine. They were right. Between three children and six grandchildren, there are 14 college degrees, including four advanced degrees and two medical doctors. Collectively, our careers have allowed us to serve the human condition all over the US and the world.

Dad played tennis, loved dancing (“all the women want to dance with me, Mark!”), and walked 3 miles a day until age 84 when he was severely injured after falling off a roof while pruning a tree.

A memorial plaque for Mom and Dad was installed at the summit of the Candy Mountain Hiking Preserve, a park and 1.5 mile trail near Richland. His son Mark, and daughter-in-law Lois Schipper, used their 120 acres to help create a public park there instead of developing housing. Dad loved the fact that over 60,000 hikers climb Candy Mountain each year and can sit on beautiful basalt column benches at the summit, with a grand view of the mighty Columbia River, 1,000 feet above the town where Dad raised our family and served our country.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Pre-winter break Friday
December 15, 2023 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Pre-winter break Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, December 15, last day of school before winter break.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Partly sunny today, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:50 am, and the sun will set at 4:18 pm. (As of today, sunsets start getting later!)

Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today. Watch the real-time map if wondering where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

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

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Preview ‘the 4040 House,’ where shows start Friday
December 14, 2023 8:30 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Genesee Hill | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

The photo is from Ryan, whose much-awaited mega-display (130,000+ LEDs!) makes its return tomorrow night:

After months of preparation, the winter holiday show at the 4040 House will start this Friday at 6 pm! We have even more lights and more music this year!

The show runs nightly until January 1 from 6 pm-9 pm.

This year we have over 30 songs and the jukebox returns so people can request their favorite tunes! The show is located at 4040 47th Ave SW between Dakota and Andover. We ask if people drive down, please park on Dakota or Andover and walk over.

(You might remember Ryan’s Halloween show.) Lots more info, including FAQ, at 4040house.com. … Go here to see all the displays we’ve featured already, and if you have a suggestion, please send the info – with or without photo/video – to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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VIDEO: West Seattle Art Walk, 2023 holiday edition!
December 14, 2023 5:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

5:32 PM: Hectic night for Santa Claus as the holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk begins. You’ll find him first at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor). It’s one of the official stops on the Art Walk list/map:

WS Realty also is showing the work of artist Brandi Quinn, who works in mixed media/acrylic. In Admiral, two other spots are offering extras tonight – here’s the map and list of Admiral participants:

West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) is also where you’ll find Sue Quigley, one of the three musicians performing mini-concerts for The Art of Music, 6-7:30 pm, as featured here. We’re headed southbound to The Junction, where starting at 6 pm, the Silver Belles will be singing, the Better As Brass Band will be blowing their horns, and that busy Santa guy will be roaming. More coverage to come.

5:54 PM: Above is Michael Doyle, one of the artists at a Holiday Bazaar inside Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) during the Art Walk. He’s selling “fun whimsical postcards and greeting cards,” plus art prints and original painting.” Jet City Beignet also is in the house. And ESR has tunes, too – “DJs Fishlure and Mike Steve – spinning all your holiday favorites.” … A bit south, Thoa Nguyen is the featured artist at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), in the gallery until 7 pm:

Her paintings are on display at ArtsWest until January 8th.

6:30 PM: We found Santa in The Junction, stopping by VAIN West Seattle (4513 California SW):

VAIN is showcasing fragrance tonight – with The Phoenix and The Fool, as well as the Seattle Perfumers Discovery Set (among the participants in that set is WSB sponsor Filigree & Shadow). Like most of tonight’s artist-reception events, this one continues until 8 pm … At CAPERS (4511 California SW), two artists are in the spotlight tonight, including glass artist Melissa Misoda:

We’ve also caught up with the Silver Belles carolers and Better As Brass band – video of both when we get back to HQ.

8:32 PM: Here’s part of an original song that was in the Silver Belles’ repertoire tonight:

And Better As Brass is in our clip with part of a TV-show classic:

BAB is scheduled to be in The Junction again next Thursday night too, for the season’s final Shop Late Thursday.

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VIDEO: Grand Menorah lit at Alki Beach on Hanukkah’s final night
December 14, 2023 4:44 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

This is the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, and the second year the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle has lit a 12-foot-high Grand Menorah at Alki Beach. Rabbi Eli Duban climbed a ladder with a tiki torch to set the eight lights – one for each night – ablaze:

He spoke briefly about the light of the Jewish spirit triumphing over antisemitism, and had words of gratitude (update: here’s the video):

The gathering also had a festive note, with songs and treats (jelly donuts and chocolate coins).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Silverado; mailbox break-in
December 14, 2023 2:23 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN SILVERADO: The photo and report are from Sandra:

My Chevrolet Silverado 2005 truck was stolen from my street last night at 5:30 am.

It was parked beside my house. 1 block from tennis court off Fauntleroy close to 76 gas station at Lincoln Park.

As shown in the photo, C52778N is the plate. We’ll add the police report # when we get it.

MAILBOX BREAK-IN: Reported by Stefan, in the 4300 block of SW Trenton:

Just a heads-up that I went out this morning to find our locked mailbox pried open, along with some others down our street. Must have happened last night or early this morning. Some mail/packages were definitely stolen. Submitted details to the Postal Inspection Service. Case ID: 58311372

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DEVELOPMENT: Tree advocates plan demonstration at Delridge project site
December 14, 2023 12:41 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

(WSB photo from March)

The proposal for 11 residences at 6504 24th SW [map] continues to make its way through the permit process. Tree advocates plan a demonstration there Saturday afternoon to renew attention to the plan for tree removal, with concerns including its proximity to Longfellow Creek. We last wrote about the project back in March, when the city convened a community-requested public meeting for comments (WSB coverage here), most of which were focused on the trees. As we reported at the time, an arborist’s report showed more than 50 “exceptional” trees on the site, and noted more than 30 could be removed. (Here’s the current plan set.) Permit files also show the developers seeking an exemption for part of an “environmentally critical area” on the site. Tree Action Seattle notes that – as discussed in our March report – housing could be built on the site with far fewer tree removals. It plans to gather and “ask for change” at 1 pm Saturday. (Thanks to reader Julia for the tip on this.)

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West Seattle Art Walk with music and Santa, ‘Shop Late’ in The Junction, much more for your Thursday!
December 14, 2023 10:53 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Highland Park’s big bird in the holiday spirit – photo sent by GB)

If you haven’t seen all this on our Event Calendar or in our Holiday Guide, the daily list is one last reminder of everything ahead today/tonight:

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: Informational presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for an update on where they’re playing today.

GRAND MENORAH LIGHTING: For the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle will light its 12-foot-tall Grand Menorah near the Alki Bathhouse, 4 pm. (60th/Alki)

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Thai-U-Up will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, HOLIDAY EDITION: As previewed here – lots to enjoy. Starting at 5 pm, tonight not only is your monthly chance to visit venues all around the peninsula to see art, meet artists (here’s this month’s lineup), and/or enjoy food/drink specials, but also to enjoy extras:

*Silver Belles caroling in The Junction (6-8 pm, various locations)
*Roaming Santa in The Junction
*Better As Brass Band in The Junction (6-7:30ish, California/Alaska)
*The Art of Music at three venues, 6-7:45 pm – here’s all the info on who’s where
*Admiral District holiday activities including Santa at West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) – here’s all the info

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: Some shops are keeping their doors open until at least 8 pm!

GIFT WRAPPING WITH CLAY CAULDRON: 5-8 pm at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW)

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, starting at 5 pm. Timed tickets and info here.

WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: As previewed here, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s online speaker series features King Khazm and “Hip Hop and It Don’t Stop” tonight, 6 pm. Register here to get the link.

BREWER’S NIGHT: Beer Star in White Center invites you to a Brewer’s Night with Chuckanut Brewing, 6-8 pm. (16th/98th)

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT: Third of three, tonight featuring the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Percussion Ensemble, 7 pm, WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

BLUES NIGHT: 7 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

‘SNOWED IN’: ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) presents its holiday production, described as a “a journey of song, dance, friendship, family, and the true meaning of the holidays.” 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.

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HOLIDAY GIVING: Last call for some West Seattle drives
December 14, 2023 9:54 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Throughout the season, our <West Seattle Holiday Guide features a list of local donation drives that welcome your help. Some of them are about to wrap up so that the beneficiary organizations have time to get the gifts to recipients, so we’re nudging you in case you’ve been meaning to drop something off. Here are three that are about to conclude:

JOY DRIVE FOR WESTSIDE BABY AT VILLAGE GREEN: Through today, Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) is collecting items for WestSide Baby – see this flyer for the wish list. Bring donations to Building 2 (The Hearthside).

TREEHOUSE DONATION DRIVE AT ALKI BIKE AND BOARD: Tomorrow is the last day for this drive.You can go here to see what Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW; WSB sponsor) is collecting. One request: “Please make sure all items are NEW or in GREAT used condition.”

ADOPT-A-FAMILY ASSISTANCE: Also concluding tomorrow: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) has adopted a family for holiday help – details here.

Some others have later deadlines, and our Holiday Guide list also includes some requests for monetary donations. Any last-minute additions? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday notes
December 14, 2023 6:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 14.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Damp morning, forecast says, then cloudy, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:50 am; sunset, 4:17 pm. Speaking of sunrise, here’s one more view of Wednesday’s incredible sunrise colors – this time with Mount Rainier, as photographed from the Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry by Kate:

ROAD WORK

Pavement work means continuing restrictions on 26th SW between Roxbury and Barton again today. Metro is still rerouting buses off that stretch.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Aside from the aforementioned rerouting, it’s a regular schedule today; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today. Watch the real-time map if wondering where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

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

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Robbery investigation
December 13, 2023 10:46 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Police are investigating a robbery near Delridge/Orchard. We haven’t heard the full circumstances but the victim is reported to have been robbed of their phone just before 10 pm by a person armed with a handgun, and the robber is reported to have gotten away in a black Hyundai Sonata with a taped-up back-passenger-side window. The getaway car appeared to be accompanied by a black Kia Forte. A partial description of the robber was broadcast – black ski mask, white sweater, black jeans, black shoes. No injuries reported. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-358293.

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THURSDAY: Southwest Seattle Historical Society presents ‘Hip Hop and It Don’t Stop’ with King Khazm
December 13, 2023 8:55 pm
|    Comments Off on THURSDAY: Southwest Seattle Historical Society presents ‘Hip Hop and It Don’t Stop’ with King Khazm
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Another regular feature of second Thursdays is the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Words, Writers, Southwest Stories speaker series. Tomorrow night, SWSHS presents Seattle hip-hop luminary and community organizer King Khazm, in an online event – here’s the preview from SWSHS:

Hip-hop culture and its founding principles are often misunderstood due to its commodification and exploitation by corporate interests and mainstream media. Few know its humble roots as a tool to unify, uplift, and amplify voices, particularly for youth of color.

Join artist and activist King Khazm as he explores the art, history, philosophy, and ethics of hip-hop—an international phenomenon and billion-dollar industry whose legacy is centered in community empowerment, cultural exchange, and resilience. Khazm shows how hip-hop is much more than just a genre of music; it has the capacity to challenge the status quo, address systemic oppression, and provide opportunities for the development of life skills, civic engagement, and global connections.

Khazm “King Khazm” Kogita (he/him) is a multifaceted artist, producer, and community organizer. He has been engaged in art and community service for over 25 years. He is the executive director of 206 Zulu and serves on several boards including 4Culture, the Seattle Disability Commission, and The Here & Now Project. Khazm lives in Seattle.

Go here to RSVP. (Photo courtesy SWSHS)

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WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: ‘Winter Wonderland house’
December 13, 2023 6:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Time for tonight’s lights! Thanks to Valerie for the photo – she describes this as the “Winter Wonderland house,” at 3431 48th SW. We’ll continue showing West Seattle (and vicinity) displays nightly through Christmas. See what we’ve already shown by clicking the tag “West Seattle Christmas Lights” beneath the headline above and scrolling through the archive that’ll take you to; send a suggestion, with or without photo/video, to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: ‘Swooping owl encounter’
December 13, 2023 5:09 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Elena sent this report:

Second week in a row of a swooping, talons out, owl encounter along Alki/Beach Drive while on a run. The first was last week, about a mile north of Lincoln Park along Beach Drive. I was running and suddenly felt talons on my head and after some arm flailing, the owl perched herself/himself on the telephone wire adjacent to me, and then tried to go after me again when I tried to resume running. Had to walk backward 1/4 mile before we lost sight of each other. The second was (Tuesday) morning, near the trees just west of Marination (near the larger parking lot). Similar circumstance, but this guy was more persistent. This time, the swooping did not stop even while I stopped my run and stood still, and had to walk backwar with my arms out about 100 yards before it stopped. I imagine it must be some seasonal nesting behavior/etc. But runners and walkers (and small critters!) look out, I suppose.

As we’ve noted following similar reports in the past, the state has a page explaining this owl behavior. Last year, meantime, a reader told us about the creative deterrent she wears!

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: From shattered to beautified
December 13, 2023 3:10 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks to a surprise gift from another Junction business, that’s what Cherry Consignment proprietor Nyla Bittermann, her customers, and passersby are seeing today, instead of plywood, on the store door shattered by a burglar early Tuesday. Nyla sent the photo with the explanation, “We Are Doll Parts snuck up this morning and painted my door! We do have the best community.” (That’s Doll Parts Collective, on the other end of The Junction.)

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MISSING: Have you seen William? – Update: Found
December 13, 2023 1:31 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Friday update: William’s family has found him and thanks the community for their help.

Earlier:Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green Accord; package theft on video
December 13, 2023 11:38 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN GREEN ACCORD: From Ann:

1997 Honda Accord, License 705HYN. Stolen between Tues night 12/12/23 at 6:35 pm (estimated time returned home from a dog walk) and 705am Wed 12/13/23 (when I went outside today)

Vehicle description: Dark green with light-gray seats. Significant damage to driver’s-side front wheel well, also scratches on truck and back bumper.

Vehicle contents: two large car seats in the back

A CLUB was on the vehicle. (This Club was purchased June 2019 after the Honda was stolen in early May and recovered 2 weeks later; at that time I was using an old Club)

SPD Incident #23-357538. If found – or seen, please call 911

PACKAGE THIEF: Another one recorded on video.

Ryan sent the clip and says this happened near California/Manning. Here’s a tracking number pending a final incident number: #T23027709.

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Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday
December 13, 2023 10:26 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to David Chase for that photo of this morning’s spectacular sunrise colors (and to everyone else who sent pics)! Here’s a reminder of what’s scheduled for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

(added) CELEBRATE LONGFELLOW CREEK: Just got word of this:

Free Event – Celebrating Trees & Longfellow Creek!

Scavenger hunt, drawing, nature crafts & more!
WHEN: Wednesday, December 13 from 3-4 pm
WHERE: 26th Ave SW & SW Juneau Street (Longfellow Creek Trail)
No RSVP required.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair it instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

LAKE WASHINGTON PT TALK AND FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, this time celebrating this month’s birthdays, following a sports-injury talk with Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 6:00 pm.

FREE AVALANCHE SAFETY COURSE: 6 pm at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), as previewed here (that link includes info on RSVPing).

TRIVIA x 6: Seven places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … NEW! 7 pm trivia at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW, White Center) … 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska) … Trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

FESTIVAL OF TREES: At Fauntleroy UCC Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW): “Come see artistically decorated trees in a variety of themes. Bring non-perishable food items to ‘vote’ for your favorites.” 7-8 pm.

WSHS WINTER CONCERT: Another student group performances, 7 pm, West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California SW), admission free – more info in our calendar listing.

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

‘SNOWED IN’: Week 3 begins for the new holiday musical premiering at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Go here to see if tickets are available.

BASKETBALL: One home high-school girls-varsity game tonight, at 7:30 pm – West Seattle HS hosts Bishop Blanchet. (3000 California SW)

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, holiday event etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: Endolyne Children’s Choir registration time
December 13, 2023 9:49 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you were at the West Seattle Junction GLOWS festival in the early going this past Saturday, you saw/heard the Endolyne Children’s Choir. (We featured a video clip in our first festival report.) Starting today, the choir is opening registration for new members – here’s the announcement:

Embark on a musical journey with Endolyne Children’s Choir at our upcoming winter session, featuring “We Are the Voices” by the incredible Jim Papoulis! 🎶 Explore songs that nurture personal and vocal confidence through expressive lines and harmonies. Join Megan Booth, Clara Dorst, and Dylan Petersen as we discover the power of your voice together!

Endolyne Children’s Choir is a secular, non-audition, community choir, open to any child in grades K-12 who loves to sing. We offer a joyful, inclusive environment that supports children’s emotional, social, and musical development.

Registration is open December 13-22. Learn more at endolynechoir.org

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Welcome to Wednesday, with ‘dense fog’ alert
December 13, 2023 6:02 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, December 13.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

We’re under a “dense fog advisory” alert this morning, until 10 am. Otherwise, forecast says mostly cloudy, chance of pm rain, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:49 am; sunset, 4:17 pm.

ROAD WORK

Pavement grinding is scheduled for 26th SW between Roxbury and Barton again today, according to a notice distributed to residents. Metro is rerouting buses off that stretch.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Aside from the aforementioned rerouting, it’s a regular schedule today; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today. Watch the real-time map if wondering where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

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

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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THURSDAY: Bonus sights and sounds during West Seattle Art Walk’s holiday edition!
December 12, 2023 10:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Santa! Carolers! Mini-concerts! And … artists! That’s all in the plan for Thursday night’s holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk.

From Alki to Admiral to The Junction to Morgan Junction, dozens of venues will either be featuring artists or food/drink specials, as the list above shows. Beyond that, you’ll find holiday extras – plus three mini-concerts for The Art of Music.

(WSB photo: Santa in The Junction during 2022’s holiday Art Walk)

HOLIDAY EXTRAS IN THE JUNCTION: The Silver Belles caroling, Santa Claus roaming, the Better as Brass band playing at the KeyBank corner, and Shop Late Thursday at participating stores.

HOLIDAY EXTRAS IN ADMIRAL: Hot cocoa and ornament-making at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW), Santa Claus meet-and-greet at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor), and an ugly sweater tournament at Soiree (3278 California SW).

THE ART OF MUSIC: All three of these performances are scheduled for 6 pm-7:45 pm:

Sue Quigley at West Seattle Grounds
Rik Wright‘s Fundamental Forces at Great American Diner (4752 California SW)
Matt Cecil at Zeeks Pizza (6459 California SW)

As for the art – scroll through the preview post on the Art Walk website to see who’s showing their work – for example, if you’re going to West Seattle Grounds for the music and/or holiday extras mentioned above, you’ll see orca photos by PNW Orca Pod Squad Photography …. muralist Desmond Hansen will be at John L. Scott West Seattle (4445 California SW) … glass art by Melissa Misoda is part of what’ll be featured at CAPERS (4511 California SW) … browse and buy work by multiple artists at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) plus gift-wrapping by Clay Cauldron (5-8 pm) … Most artist receptions will be 5-8 pm, but doublecheck with individual venues. Again, this is all happening Thursday (December 14) … see you out along the Art Walk!

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LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit CEO leaving after less than a year and a half
December 12, 2023 8:14 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

As light-rail planning for West Seattle approaches a key point, Sound Transit will be changing leadership again. 15 months after starting as CEO, Julie Timm announced she’s leaving the $375,000/year job “in order to return to the East Coast to take care of family matters.” That’s according to an ST news release that says her last day will be January 12th, one month from today. The ST board will appoint an interim CEO “in the weeks ahead.” Their next meeting had been scheduled to include Timm’s performance rating and bonus, according to agenda documents. Before Timm, Peter Rogoff was CEO for more than six years. Around the middle of next year, the board is supposed to get the final Environmental Impact Statement for the West Seattle Link Extension, after which the final routing (alignment) will be decided. There also will be some board changes early next year, since some of its current members are leaving, including West Seattle-residing County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who didn’t run for re-election.

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WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: New setting for Gai Family’s Madonna
December 12, 2023 6:45 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Thanks to Theresa Arbow-O’Connor for sending photos with the news that the Gai Family’s Christmas display is ready for viewing – with a new setting for the Madonna that the family patriarch, the late Phil Gai, built in the ’50s. For this year, his son Ron Gai has created a new crown setting for the Madonna – “a 3-D computer project and labor of love that took 45 days,” reports Theresa.

You can look at last year’s photos for a before/after comparison. To see the display in person, go to the 3200 block of 36th SW [vicinity map].

We’re showing light displays nightly through Christmas – if you have a suggestion, with or without photos/video, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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