West Seattle, Washington
05 Saturday
We were working on this when the Fauntleroy Church fire broke out, so it’s a bit delayed, but not too late: Holiday fun happening in West Seattle right now! From the team at Wrap It Up, till 5 at Beveridge Place Pub:
Join us for an exciting day of Seahawk football and bring all the gifts that you need wrapped! The Wrap it Up party is in full swing right now at the Beveridge Place Pub. Donations for giftwrapping benefit the Animals First Foundation. Wrap it Up is sponsored by Furry Faces Foundation. We are here till 5pm!!!
And till 4 pm, Santa photos continue – The Junction is where we found Eamon getting ready to meet the big guy for the first time:
(You know you’re a Northwest kid when you’re not used to the sun, which made a cameo! Thanks to Eamon and mom for posing.) Also in The Junction, volunteers from Pathfinder K-8 were facepainting till about 3 pm:
Over at Westwood, like The Junction, we found a good crowd (but not a massive wait) for Santa photos by mid-afternoon:
That’s it for West Seattle Santa pix after 4 pm today, till next season, but holiday fun continues – like Christmas lights-viewing – the ones we’ve featured, each with a map link, are here.
(photo added 3:07 pm)
2:25 PM: It started as an “auto fire alarm” but has just upgraded to a “fire in building” call and the road’s blocked off at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California; map) and more units are on the way. We’re headed down to find out more. 2:29 PM: Scanner says the fire is “tapped” – so it was small – and they’re canceling some of the units – but avoid the area TFN. 2:36 PM: We’re on scene. Some smoke visible on the roof, and firefighters are up there too. Don’t know yet where/how it started or how much damage but the church has just embarked on a renovation/remodeling project. It also was scheduled to have the Christmas concert tonight – we will be checking on its status. At the scene, firefighters are telling us that people ARE being allowed back into the YMCA portion of the building now. 2:51 PM: We don’t know the cause yet but we are told the fire was in the sanctuary, and that a window broke, or was broken – we hope to speak to church officials shortly – they’re said to be out getting plywood. Also, the roadblocks resulting from the fire call have just been removed, and traffic is going through again. ]
3:07 PM: Photojournalist Matt Durham from mattdurhamphotography.com is at the scene too and he and WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand have gathered this information from firefighters and church staff: The main damage is to the altar and to a “standard” window in the sanctuary. Investigators are looking at a lighting display and candles as possible causes. Fauntleroy Church pastor Rev. David Kratz says the main focus for them will be clearing the smoke smell out of the sanctuary in time for Christmas Eve services Thursday; as for tonight’s scheduled concert, it’s still on, and will likely move into the Fellowship Hall.
ADDED 6:07 PM: In that photo by Matt Durham, Rev. Kratz and Lyn Kratz were talking with Engine 26’s Lt. Bennet about how to secure the sanctuary right after the fire. Meantime, church volunteer Judy Pickens has reminded us since then about one key component of the church’s remodeling project that will be even more welcome now – a sprinkler system.
With Christmas just days away, we’ve received questions about which West Seattle restaurants will be open on the holiday – either Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. Once again, volunteer help has saved our bacon, so to speak: First, thanks so much to Suzanne Tiedeman for her volunteer help with this research – (Suzanne is mom to a Junior Girl Scout and Bear Cub Scout and promises to let us know about their upcoming fundraisers – for her daughter, cookie pre-sales are starting soon; for her son, they’ll have a food drive in the 1st quarter of 2010). Now, to the restaurants: So far we’ve confirmed two THREE FIVE places open Christmas Day – Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) with a limited menu, (under new ownership) The Thaitan, (added 4:38, confirmed what Rick reported in comments) Ho-Win and (added Tuesday morning) Redline and Triangle Pub. Click ahead for the list of what we have so far (and please let us know if you have additions/changes – thanks! – we expect this list to evolve over the next few days):Read More
Gretchen made an unexpected discovery this morning and wondered if anyone is looking for the item she found:
We found a lovely wreath under the play structure at High Point Community Center’s playground this morning. We brought it home and it is now on our front step. It might get hung up if I can find our hanger as it should be displayed. Anyway…if someone wants to claim their lost wreath, they can swing by and snag it.
She added, “I’d rather not have to navigate around a pickup and just let someone pick it up whether we’re here or not,” so the wreath is outside their home at 7339 30th SW (map).
(If you have a lost or found item to report, you are welcome at any time to post it in the WSB Forums; if it’s a pet, please send us info, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com so that we can showcase it on the Pets page – worth bookmarking in case, heaven forbid, you ever have to look for one of your furry friends.)
SANTA TIMES TWO … WELL, MAYBE ALMOST THREE: Santa photos in The Junction with Donna Ryan Photography (moving into that spot permanently when the holidays finish). Santa’s in the house noon-4 pm (with wrapping by Swee Swee, free if you spend at least $50 with participating Junction merchants)- remember the hours have moved up earlier for the lovable mules drawing carriages, 11 am-3 pm today:
Before you board the carriage by KeyBank, your young shopping companions can get facepaint from Pathfinder K-8 volunteers at the Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) booth at that same corner. And of course remember, just west of there, it’s the last West Seattle Farmers’ Market before Christmas, 10 am-2 pm (here’s the fresh sheet). About that second Santa? Westwood Village, noon-4 pm – bring a food bank donation – also bring diapers (sizes 3-6 especially) for WestSide Baby. The “almost third” Santa – Babbo Natale at Cafe’ Revo (WSB sponsor), telling Italian Christmas stories for kids lunching between 1 and 3 pm. (Bring a gift for WestSide Baby or Furry Faces Foundation and get 10% off your Revo bill! Speaking of discounts – don’t miss the print-em-now WSB Coupons! – and if you go to Jan’s Beauty Supply in The Junction, mention Jan’s WSB ad and get 20% off.)
MUSIC: The Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) holiday concert is tonight at 6; that’s also when The Way Church has a Christmas musical/service; it’s all-ages night at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) with Ambulance, Typewriters, The Hoot Hoots, 7 pm.
REMINDER – DONATE PRESENTS FOR TEENS: And noon-2 pm is today’s window at High Point Community Center for the items needed to make this a happy holiday for area teenagers- full details (including what items are needed) here.
For today’s full list, in chronological order, see the West Seattle Weekend Lineup; for holiday events by activity (including lights and tree info), it’s the West Seattle Holidays page.
(artist Leo Schmidt during the White Center Art Walk)
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
West Seattle has a monthly Art Walk tradition, every second Thursday – and White Center is working on one too, every third Saturday.
Saturday night during this month’s White Center Art Walk, Damien Jurado played live at Full Tilt Ice Cream, Dubsea Coffee featured the art of Joerael Elliot along with a spoken word and open mic performance by youth from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, student photos from New Start High School graced the walls of Big Al Brewing – these are by Kat Cabrera:
And student paintings were on display at the Salvadorean Bakery.
Shelli Park, chair of the White Center for the Arts board of directors, admits that the rain and holiday week reduced Art Walk attendance somewhat, but she has high hopes for future events, which take place the third Saturday of the month year-round.
“Our goal is to have more local businesses participating to be representative of the entire community,” Park says. “What they will provide will be poetry, music, whatever resonates with their community.” (We photographed her with her daughter at Proletariat Pizza, which also participated, with photos by Alexander King.)
Park says that the goal of the White Center Art Walk is twofold: “To help local artists and to help the businesses. We don’t want the people who are already here to be shut out because of the inevitable gentrification. We want them to be part of it: the diversity, the food, the color, and the culture.”
Learn more about future programs, including art programs and upcoming film workshops for local students – and watch for a preview of next month’s White Center Art Walk! – at the White Center for the Arts website.
Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) is throwing an End-Of-Decade Party next Saturday (day after Christmas). But have we even figured out what to call this decade yet? Was it the ot-ots? The oh-ohs? The two-thousands? Whatever you call it, Skylark proprietor Jessie SK invites you to:
Dress as your favorite person, event, meme, or thing from the years 2000 to 2009. Best costume wins $100 Gift Card, and there will be runner-up prizes and recession-friendly drink specials aplenty. 8 pm.
Jessie’s got her full holiday lineup in this online update – including Skylark’s New Year’s Eve plan with locals Stevedore and Guns & Rossetti (we’ve added that no-cover bash to the list in the New Year’s section of the West Seattle Holidays page).
The West Seattle High School Wildcats took both ends of the West Seattle Holiday Basketball Classic on their home court Saturday night, with the varsity girls defeating Seattle Lutheran High School 55-26 and the boys pulling off a 42-32 win. In both games, West Seattle used a run-and-gun offense with differing degrees of success. For summaries of, and clips, from, both games, read on!Read More
A new postscript in the saga of the High Point holiday donations: Rebecca Hall from High Point Community Center says that while, as she updated us all last night, they have exceeded the goal of 400 toys overall for Monday’s distribution (backstory here), they still need items for teenagers – and are working with other West Seattle groups that have the same need. They ask you to please drop off the presents for teens during two specific windows TOMORROW and MONDAY. Here are the specifics:
Gifts for teens are still in high demand and can be dropped off at High Point CC on Sunday, 12-2 pm, or Monday at noon. These items will be distributed to various groups in West Seattle that work with teens.
Don’t know what a teen would like? Here are some suggestions:
-sport equipment such as basketballs, soccer and volleyballs
-pajama sets
-hat / scarf / glove sets
-t-shirts
-athletic pants/shorts
-vanity mirrors
-hair accessories/brushes
-nail polish
-the type of metal waterbottles that are so popular this year
-music cd’s
-journals
Rebecca also says they could use “games for older children.” Again, they’ll be able to accept these donations in two limited windows over the next two days – noon-2 pm tomorrow (Sunday) and at noon on Monday – the main distribution is later Monday afternoon. High Point Community Center is at 6920 34th SW (here’s a map). And as for the items donated so far for the rest of the drive, Rebecca says via Facebook, “The turnout has been amazing and residents of West Seattle and the surrounding communities should know that they REALLY are making a difference this holiday season!”
From their holiday concert at Grace Church on Thursday night, it’s a hi-def West Seattle Big Band Christmas medley – 6 minutes packed with swingin’ sections of multiple holiday faves. (In the mood for more music of the season? Tomorrow’s the Fauntleroy Church [WSB sponsor] Christmas concert, 6 o’clock – one of many holiday events on the West Seattle Holidays page, which now stretches to New Year’s Eve/Day.)
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, added 5:52 pm)
4:32 PM: Beach Drive is about to be blocked off both ways in the 4200 block because of a house-fire call. We’re on the way plus monitoring via scanner – more as we get it. The address has changed from the original report – it’s now 4213. 4:41 PM UPDATE: The call has “closed” on 911 – we’re just arriving in the area and will find out what happened. Road’s open.
(Editor’s note: We’ve been checking in with major local nonprofits as Christmas approaches, to see what they need and how they’re doing. Earlier stories: West Seattle Food Bank, here; White Center Food Bank, here.)
(Photo courtesy WS Helpline: Volunteer Donavyn with mom LaTista)
By Lauri Hennessey
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The West Seattle Helpline tells us their goal is pretty simple this holiday season: keep as many people sheltered as possible. And, every time someone donates $200 between now and Christmas (do it online!), that means one more family gets to stay in their home through Christmas.
The Helpline helps local families with rent and utilities, clothing (through the West Seattle Clothesline), Metro Transit tickets and school supplies.
Executive director Anna Fern says every $200 means a family doesn’t lose a home this season because landlords will accept partial rent payments more than in the past.
(Read on for more of how to help – how WS Helpline is helping – and for details on a savory fundraiser in The Junction tomorrow.)Read More
Call it a timely two-fer for a good cause: West Seattle’s C & P Coffee has a silent auction under way right now – taking bids online – for a copy of an award-winning Seattle photographer’s book documenting global climate change. The photographer is Daniel Beltra, who you’ll see when you click the clip above, taken from Prince Charles‘s presentation naming Beltra as winner of the Prince’s Rainforests Project Professional Award at the Sony World Photography Awards. The C & P auction is happening as world leaders attending the Copenhagen climate-change conference are being given copies of Beltra’s book. He donated a copy to C & P for the silent auction, which is raising money to help a coffeehouse team members with medical expenses. You can bid by e-mail — candpco@comcast.net – and through the C & P Facebook page (where you can also see what the bidding’s up to – to get a firsthand look at the book, go to C & P at 5612 California SW. (Photos are also viewable at danielbeltra.com.)
(Photo added 12:37 pm, looking toward north side of lot, from SW Yancy westbound)
Thanks to Mike for spotting this one, which online records indicate just went on the market yesterday: The long-abandoned 4-townhouse project at 30th/Avalon/Yancy (map) – fenced-off concrete and rebar at a high-traffic site, inactive for months – is now listed for sale. Here’s the $300,000 listing, which describes the parcel as “bank-owned.”
This may be a “shop till you drop” day for many – in which case, your hometown West Seattle stores are thrilled to see you (take along these coupons! and remember the free stocking-stuffers) – and when you can take a break, you’ve got some options: 10:30 this morning, family gingerbread-house building at High Point Community Center ($5/person) … noon, Admiral Theater‘s free holiday movie “Elf” (trailer above), bring a food-bank donation to get in (and they’re also collecting toiletries for Navos clients) … noon-4 is the second-to-last day for Santa at Westwood Village (food donation’s also the “price” for a photo, and bring diapers for WestSide Baby while you’re at it, sizes 3-6 preferred) … Noon’s the Delridge Community Center holiday party, all welcome … 1-6, “Wrap It Up” giftwrapping at Shadow Land, Furry Faces Foundation animal-advocacy benefit (details here) … There’s wine-tasting 1-4 at West Seattle Cellars, with winemaker Ben Smith from Georgetown’s Cadence Winery … At 1:30, the relatively new West Seattle Film Forum screens and discusses “Confessions of a Shopaholic” at Southwest Branch Library … and at 3 and 7:30, it’s a very retro Christmas with “Plaid Tidings” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. More in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
(photo by Paul Sureddin, taken early 2008, added 11:58 am)
ORIGINAL 2:52 AM REPORT: We will work today to see what more we can find out about this. But wanted to pass along for starters the news from Tom at West Seattle Cellars, who says:
Our good friend and neighbor Wah Wong, proprietor of the fabulous Jade West Cafe, was injured in a terrible traffic accident. Apparently he and his son were struck by a drunk driver, and his wife was also injured. One of my customers at the wine shop came by to tell me that they were at Harborview.
Tom included a link to this Seattle Times (WSB partner) story earlier this week regarding charges in the crash, which happened on Beacon Hill; the original report says the restaurateur and his son were hit in their own driveway. Tom also says “there’s a note on the cafe door (6032 California SW) saying that it’s closed due to ‘injuries’.” We featured Jade West here last February, in an affectionate review written by Fairmount Springs’ Paul Sureddin. 11:49 AM: We went to the cafe’ to look at the note that Tom mentioned. The door also includes a flyer expressing love and get-well wishes for Wah Wong:
The other note on the door says a notice will be posted soon about plans for reopening. 12:17 PM: The note on the door directs inquiries to Dave McDaniel, a neighboring business owner; just talked to him and he hopes to have more information soon on whether the family needs anything and how you can show support. We will publish updates with whatever more we find out.
Seen this car? West Seattleite Bill Schrier hopes so. You may know him as webmaster for the 34th District Democrats, and/or in his acclaimed role as technology boss for the City of Seattle. But right now, he’s a car owner who put out a photo and details on Facebook, which we’re republishing here with his permission:
Be on the lookout for our 2001 silver Honda CRV stolen from Queen Anne at about 5:00 PM (Thursday). … License #940XMJ (Washington State), has a Wisconsin Badgers sticker on the back, plus the unique combination of an Army Reserve bumper sticker and a “peace” bumper sticker (which are shown as insets in the photo …). Call 911 if you see this vehicle. I’m offering a reward of everlasting gratitude and dinner in our remodeled kitchen. After talking to the responding police officer: (1) if you have a Toyota or Honda, get a club or similar very visible locking device and (2) park in West Seattle, not Queen Anne.
4:17 PM UPDATE: As Bill posted below in comments, his car has been found – with some distinctive new items inside:
SPD found it on University Street downtown across from SAM earlier this afternoon. Trashed inside (stuff strewn all about, CD’s missing), but only noticeable damage was a crack in the front bumper. Now I have two more requests: (1) anybody know a good auto detailer to clean the perp germs out of the car? and (2) be on the lookout (BOLO) for the perp who eats Mrs. Freshly’s Golden Honeybun donuts, shops at Whole Foods,and wears a size DD black bra,all of which I found in the vehicle!
ADDED 5:37 PM: And if you are skeptical about all that, Bill posted this photo on his FB page as proof (again, used here with permission):
Another update on the swimming-star grandson of a local couple, who medaled in the nationals in Federal Way two weeks ago:
Nick Thoman (our grandson) broke the world record for the 100 back stroke, short course, in the first leg of the Medley relay, 48.9 seconds (WR 49.2) This is at the ‘Duel in the Pool’ being held in Manchester, England with USA Swim vs. Europe. The USA Swim Medley Relay (4 x 100) also broke the WR with 320.71 (former record 323.33). Next Nick came in 2nd in the 200 backstroke, Grevers 148.74, Nick 150.05 and Peirsol 151.08. Tomorrow, Nick will swim the 100 back stroke. Stay tuned.
Proud Alki Grandparents, Ginger & Glenn Brewer
Here’s British coverage of the competition.
(Santa photo provided by West Seattle Junction Association)
Again this season, Santa photos like that one are being taken in The Junction by Donna Ryan Photography (you’ve got one more chance coming up this Sunday afternoon). This year, though, new digs for Santa and Donna – Hometown Holidays HQ has been in the former storefront of Swee Swee Paperie (which, while now operating online, has returned for a cameo to wrap gifts during the Santa days), east of Cupcake Royale. And tonight we know the space won’t return to emptiness after Santa-photo season: Donna reveals she’s decided to lease the storefront: “The Calvos were very kind in donating the space to the Junction Association for Santa photos. This gave me the opportunity to shoot in the space and see what wonderful light it has for the fresh and natural style I prefer. I had been growing out of my home based studio – so I rented the space!” After Sunday – when you can get a professional Santa photo by Donna between noon and 4 pm ($10 donation goes to 3 nonprofits) – she takes control of the space, and expects to have Donna Ryan Photography open there in February. (Her move is also featured in this Seattle Times [WSB partner] article tonight about repurposing of vacant retail spaces around the metro area.)
Really, there’s nothing like a ton of good news going into a weekend, especially before a holiday. Here’s more. Earlier we reported the success of Lafayette Elementary‘s food drive for the White Center Food Bank. Now we have a report from Sanislo Elementary, which also wrapped up a food drive today – Lisa K shared the photos and the report below this next pic:
WOW! The Sanislo community once again demonstrated their tremendous generosity during our annual winter food drive. Our 300 students blew away our goal of 1000 lbs of nonperishable food, toiletries and cleaning supplies with donations totaling 2912 pounds! In full disclosure, one of our truly big-hearted dads once again donated hundreds of pounds of food to help his son’s class win the class competition. However, even without his amazing generosity, our kids still topped a ton (!!) of donations. There were more than enough donations this year to provide for our own school families needing extra help AND to share with the greater community through the food bank. Given the current economy and the fact that approximately half our students qualify for free or reduced meals, this is certainly an example of the kids’ and teachers’ care for one another.
Representatives from Mr. Apostol’s 5th grade class accepted the trophy as this year’s winners, and their class leads off the initial engraved plate on our new plaque that will commemorate each year’s “Annual Sanislo Food Drive Superstars.” Mrs. Goethe’s kindergarten class and Mr. Simmons’ 4th graders (woo hoo FIRE MONKEYS!) also deserve mention for their efforts. Since the entire school did such a great job showing us just what outstanding citizens they are, EVERY class won ice cream. Congratulations to you all!
All the best,
Lisa K. for the Sanislo PTA
First, WSB’er Celeste called us a little while ago with word that the Marines had landed at High Point Community Center with toys for the toy drive mentioned here earlier this week. Then High Point CC’s Rebecca Hall sent us the photo you see above, with word that they now officially have exceeded the goal of 400 toys for the families who were disappointed on what was supposed to be the distribution day last Monday. So they’ve got everything they need, and then some – if you’ve bought toys to donate, please check out some of the many Giving Trees and other donation drives (we have some listed on our Holidays page and will check around to see if there are any other urgent needs). By the way, High Point CC will be happy to see you and the kids in your life tomorrow morning – they’re making gingerbread houses, 10:30-11:30 am, $5 admission.
4 Crime Watch notes: 1st, we checked with the precinct regarding a report published this morning at SeattleCrime.com regarding an incident last week on the grounds of Madison Middle School. Police confirm that “a bottle filled with flammable fluid was thrown on the roof of the school” around 5 pm 12/12 and that nobody’s been arrested.
Also in Crime Watch, three break-in reports. First one is from a WSB’er near 38th/Dakota (map) who says a neighbor’s home was broken into around 12:30 pm Wednesday – while someone was home. The burglar, they tell us, started knocking on the front door; the person at home decided to ignore the knocking – but shortly thereafter, the burglar went around back and kicked in the door. Our tipster adds:
… thankfully the person ran off when they realized someone was home. The police told our neighbor our block would be put on the watch list for extra patrols. It is scary — we live high up on a hill and it is not easy for people to come up all the stairs to knock to begin with — then to go through a gated privacy fence to kick in a back door? Really disturbing.
Two other break-in reports ahead:Read More
We’re just back from Lafayette Elementary School in Admiral, where White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump and volunteer Beth Grieser came to pick up a huge donation of food gathered by Lafayette students. We’ll add photos of the handoff later; first, here are a few of the student heroes with the massive pile of food (in a photo taken by Lafayette leadership this morning), and the story told by school administrators:
For the second year in a row, the Lafayette Elementary community used some friendly competition to amass donations for the school’s annual food drive. The charitable event was fueled by a contest to see which class could collect the most items and donations by teacher were tracked on a bulletin board in the front lobby. Over the next couple of weeks, the collected food almost overtook the school’s front lobby.
All of the classes participated, but two classes led the competition: Ms. Rollins’ class collected the most items (525) and Mr. Beal’s class (497) came in second place. Mrs. Bell’s kindergarten class sorted their 297 items alphabetically so that the collection effort also became a learning opportunity. Over 3,300 items total were collected school-wide, which is up dramatically from 2,100 last year. Today the White Center Food Bank team (came) to start transporting all of the collected food down to their facility in White Center.
Lafayette’s student council sponsors two community service projects a year–one in winter and one in spring. We would like to thank the Lafayette’s student council leaders for putting together the food drive, faculty/staff for keeping students motivated and to all the generous Lafayette families who donated food.
Congratulations to all the generous youngsters and their families, and to everyone in West Seattle who’s reached out so generously to make sure fewer people will be in need. We published a story earlier today about the WC Food Bank as the holiday approaches and how you can help – read it here; and our earlier story about the West Seattle Food Bank can be seen here.
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