Gifts, cats, donation drives, School Board rep’s community conversation, more for your West Seattle Sunday

(Photo by Ann Anderson)

Welcome to this pre-holiday Sunday! First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

THANKSGIVING ORDERING DEADLINES: Two of note today – Pecos Pit West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – Order here. … Bakery Nouveau – See Thanksgiving items here.

HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR AT OLG: Shop, eat, make a wreath at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Nyrtle). Ethically sourced gifts and food, plus hot lunch (Frito chili bowls! mac and cheese! lumpia!) available to eat there or take home. Student bake sale benefiting WestSide Baby. 9:30 am-2 pm.

PEACE LUTHERAN HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Second and final day, noon-3 pm at 39th/Thistle. See our story from Saturday. Proceeds benefit church programs plus West Seattle Food Bank, White Center Food Bank, Westside Neighbors Network Shelter.

And now the rest of today’s lineup, mostly from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WESTIES RUN CLUB: They’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at rotating locations.

WEST SEATTLE BEE GARDEN TLC: If you can give a couple hours to this West Seattle treasure, they’d be happy to see you, 10 am-noon. (Graham/Lanham)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fall fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. The market is on California north of Oregon.

BUY YOUR PANCAKE-BREAKFAST TICKETS! At the market’s south end, go look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth, and buy your ticket(s) for their December 2nd pancake breakfast (which features Santa photo ops)!

FOOD DRIVE: One more reason to go to the market – donate to the West Seattle Food Bank via Farmlink fellow Ariel Cook‘s food drive. Look for her booth amid the vendors, 10 am-2 pm.

CLOTHING/BLANKETS/FOOD DRIVE: Also collecting donations today, Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds). 11 am-3 pm.

CAT ADOPTION EVENT: Friends of the Animals Foundation is at Mud Bay (2611 California SW) noon-3 pm with adoptable cats.

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS QUESTIONS/CONCERNS? Our area’s outgoing School Board rep Leslie Harris hosts her last community-conversation meeting, 2-5 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), with guests and lasagna. Drop in when you can.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: At C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor): The Heartache and Heartbreak Show, 3-5 pm, no cover.

LIVE AT EASY STREET: Red Dress, 5 pm free in-store, all-ages show at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW).

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Or for our upcoming West Seattle Holiday Guide? Please email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Saving, and loving, Longfellow Creek and its salmon

November 18, 2023 9:04 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Environment | West Seattle news

(Recent video of salmon spawners in Longfellow Creek by Betsy Bertiaux)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“Don’t be depressed, be optimistic.”

That was the advice of one panelist during a West Seattle discussion of Longfellow Creek – its status, its future, its challenges. He was only speaking about one of the latter, but his advice was an appropriate exhortation for all in attendance.

The attendance itself was cause for optimism – all the chairs set out in the Duwamish Longhouse‘s main hall, and some of the benches around the room, were filled with people there “to learn about and celebrate Longfellow Creek,” as Elizabeth Rudrud of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society said in her introduction. Its Log House Museum has been hosting an exhibit about the creek, and one of the reasons for the November 8 gathering was to springboard off that.

Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive Coalition also said she was heartened “to see this many people interested in our wonderful creek,” one of only two salmon-bearing tributaries in the Duwamish River watershed.

Photojournalist Tom Reese began his presentation with an update on those salmon – that day, he said, Longfellow Creek had seen “at least 17 live adult coho spawners,” and he had also noted three dead ones, as well as “about 40 baby salmon living in the creek almost a year now.” He declared, with wonder, “There are salmon spawning in the city of Seattle less than four miles from the Space Needle!” But most of the salmon who make it into the creeik die before thy can spawn because they’ve been poisoned (more on that later).

Still, it’s better than the years in which Longfellow – which Reese imagined had once been a “magnificent salmon stream” – was a “ditch, an open sewer,’ barren of salmon for perhaps half a century. Now the creek is “back from the dead” and the salmon are arriving each year, even though, as Reese described, “to get to Longfellow Creek they have to choose to go into a pipe that travels 2/3 of a mile underground” before daylighting.

He held the audience in rapt attention as he showed photos and video of the salmon, other wildlife, and the human-made features along Longfellow Creek, like the fishbone bridge. If you haven’t been to the Log House Museum to see his images in the Longfellow exhibit, don’t miss it.

The human influence on the creek was at the heart of the next speaker’s presentation. Seattle Public Utilities‘ Katherine Lynch spoke of impervious surface covering more than half the Longfellow watershed – and that has resulted in overflows like this.

(December 2007 reader photo, 26th/Juneau)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Four notes

November 18, 2023 8:15 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | Found bicycles | West Seattle news

Four reader reports via email and text:

EARLY MORNING CAR BREAK-IN: From an anonymous reader:

I would like to report a theft gang that worked our street early this morning
North Admiral, 1800 block of Sunset Ave SW
05:20 AM on 11/18/2023
2 pedestrians (one on sidewalk, one on the street) plus one white van driving slowly behind them

They broke into a car and stole items from the trunk.

HIT-RUN KIA: In case you saw the downed sign today and wondered what happened – here’s what a reader texted late last night:

We just saw and heard a white or silver Kia Soul swerving around; they hit and knocked down a pedestrian crossing sign at 37th SW and SW Brandon St. They were being closely followed by a dark-colored, older pickup truck and we could hear their tires squealing for quite a while down the road.

THREE STOLEN KIAS FOUND IN 1 PLACE: Stolen cars turn up in a wide variety of places. But here’s word of a hot spot: Two stolen Kias reported here this past week were found – with a third – near 17th and Barton. Both John (Kona) and Tina (Sedona) told us theirs were two of the three (and we’ve updated those stories).

ABANDONED-POSSIBLY-STOLEN BICYCLE: Sent by Karen:

Wondering if anyone is missing this bike or recognizes it? It was left behind the guardrail at the Dead End on SW Dawson and 36th Ave SW yesterday morning (11/17) around 11:25. A neighbor noticed a male kid/teenager leave it there, disappear from view briefly, then reappear and head away on a different bike (perhaps one that was stashed or stolen from nearby). I’ve shared the photo with our neighborhood and no one recognizes it.

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SUNDAY: Bring food to West Seattle Farmers’ Market!

November 18, 2023 6:31 pm

| Comments Off on SUNDAY: Bring food to West Seattle Farmers’ Market!

| How to help | West Seattle news

We photographed Ariel Cook and her assistant (aka mom) at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, where they were collecting food for the West Seattle Food Bank two weeks ago. Ariel will be back tomorrow, again collecting nonperishable food for WSFB, inspired by her work as a fellow with Farmlink, a nonprofit founded by college students to work on food rescue, food insecurity, farmers’ rights, and related issues nationwide. If you missed it in our story earlier this month, here’s the presentation Ariel assembled to explain the food-insecurity problem here, and why WSFB needs more help than ever:

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You can bring just about any kind of nonperishable food to donate – except meat and dairy. Financial donations for the WSFB are welcome via this link. After tomorrow, the Farmlink booth will be back at the market one more time, on December 3rd.

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SUNDAY & BEYOND: West Seattle Bee Garden needs you

November 18, 2023 4:27 pm

| Comments Off on SUNDAY & BEYOND: West Seattle Bee Garden needs you

| Gardening | High Point | How to help

(WSB photo, West Seattle Bee Garden, last May)

Have some time to spare tomorrow and/or beyond? The West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point would love your help:

Work Party dates
Sunday, November 19th, 10 am-12 pm (this is a make-up for the one cancelled recently due to stormy weather)
Saturday, December 2nd, 10 am-12 pm

For these events, our focus is on weeding and other garden clean-up. We may begin some relocating of some plants to make room for new plantings in the late winter/early spring. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle. A small snack will be available.

Plant committee
We expect to meet for the first time in early January to discuss what and where to install some new plants. So exciting! We’ll discuss keystone native plants, berries for more picking and eating engagement, other pollinator friendly plants as well as conduct research to identify plants suitable in the face of climate change. Please email volunteerwsbg@gmail.com if you’d like to be added to the Plant Committee communications.

Lastly, we are trying to grow our volunteer support for the garden – email volunteerwsbg@gmail.com

For Sunday morning’s work party, just show up! The Bee Garden is on the north side of High Point Commons Park, Lanham/Graham.

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Looking for a bazaar to sell at? Village Green West Seattle wants you!

November 18, 2023 2:50 pm

| Comments Off on Looking for a bazaar to sell at? Village Green West Seattle wants you!

| Holidays | West Seattle news | Westwood

Though today was the biggest holiday bazaar day of the season, there are more to come, including one at Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) that has room for more vendors – here’s the announcement:

Village Green West Seattle is hosting a local Festive Holiday Fair. We are looking for 5-6 more local artists, candle makers, quilters, glass makers, ETC., to come and set up shop at our community. This event is open to the public; it will be on Wednesday, December 6th, from 12-3 pm. Local vendors/artists, please reach out to Corinne at corinne@villagegreenretirement.com or call 206.937.6122 to reserve your spot.

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CONTINUING. SUNDAY: Peace Lutheran’s Holiday Bazaar

November 18, 2023 12:46 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Gatewood | Holidays | West Seattle news

The holiday spirit abounds at the Peace Lutheran Church Holiday Bazaar in Gatewood, happening both days this weekend in the church’s gathering hall (enter off 39th just north of Thistle). Lots of treats, too:

You’ll also find a table with fair-trade coffee, chocolate, and tea for sale. Jewelry too:

And you or someone on your gift list can combat cold feet with these slippers:

We also noted plants, poetry books, and suet for your backyard birds. The bazaar continues until 3 pm today and will be open tomorrow too, noon to 3 pm. Proceeds are benefiting local nonprofits including the Westside Neighbors Network Shelter (and thanks to bazaar organizers for sponsoring WSB this week to get the word out).

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From steampunk to dog treats @ Arrowhead Gardens holiday bazaar

November 18, 2023 12:28 pm

| Comments Off on From steampunk to dog treats @ Arrowhead Gardens holiday bazaar

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Josephine Delellis‘s “steampunk” creations – lots of gears! – are among the unique handmade items filling the rooms and hall of the Arrowhead Gardens Welcome Center right now during this year’s Holiday Bazaar. There are treats for people and pups, too, and preserves – or maybe you need something to stay warm, in which case Gail Jackson‘s hats and scarves might be just right.

Mary Hostetter‘s wreaths are not to be missed (we bought a glorious purple one a few years ago and it’s a holiday fave:

Mary Wood‘s colorful creations caught our eyes too:

Arrowhead Gardens is at 9200 2nd SW, at the end of the SW Roxbury corridor just before the hill that takes you to Highway 509. The Welcome Center is on the east side of the complex. The bazaar (one of the events featured in our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide) is today only, continuing until 3 pm.

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UPDATE: West Seattle’s two pre-Thanksgiving turkey giveaways

November 18, 2023 10:17 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

If you could use a little holiday help in getting a turkey on the Thanksgiving table, now’s the time. Above, Eastridge Church started its annual giveaway at 9 am – 40 volunteers giving out 700 turkeys and tote bags of groceries, according to Pastor Craig Mathison:

Just walk up to the front of the church at 39th/Oregon. Meantime, the West Seattle Food Bank‘s annual drive-up/ride-up turkey distribution has just started in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor):

(Photos added)

The Food Bank tells us demand is “way up” this year:

If you can’t get to either event this morning but you need pre-Thanksgiving food help, the WS Food Bank’s headquarters at 35th/Morgan will be open noon-7 pm Monday, 10 am-2 pm Tuesday and Wednesday.

11:17 AM: The WSFB just called to let us know they’re out.

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Turkey giveaways, holiday bazaars, much more for your West Seattle (and vicinity) Saturday

November 18, 2023 6:07 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday morning photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Today brings the first major wave of holiday-season events, so we’re breaking the preview lineup into two parts – first, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

EASTRIDGE CHURCH TURKEY GIVEAWAY: Hundreds of turkeys and bags of groceries available outside the church at 39th/Oregon, starting at 9 am, continuing while they last. This is a walk-up distribution. Details here.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR AT MASONIC CENTER: 9 am-4 pm, annual bazaar at Alki Masonic Center. (4736 40th SW)

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK DRIVE-UP TURKEY DISTRIBUTION: 10 am-1 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), the WSFB distributes turkeys and food boxes – info here.

PEACE LUTHERAN HOLIDAY BAZAAR: First day of two-day bazaar, 10 am-3 pm at 39th/Thistle:

Arts and Crafts
Bake Sale
Fair-Trade Food Gifts
Children’s crafts (10-2 today only)
Hot lunch (11-1 today only)

Proceeds benefit church programs and benefit…
West Seattle Food Bank
White Center Food Bank
Westside Neighbors Network Shelter

ARROWHEAD GARDENS CRAFT FAIR: 10 am-3 pm, handmade items for sale in the community rooms on the west side of the complex at Arrowhead Gardens. (9230 2nd SW)

ADMIRAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS MARKET: Old World-style Christmas Market at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), craft fair, bake sale, other food and beverages, 10 am-4 pm.

SHOREWOOD PTA HOLIDAY BAZAAR: A bit south of West Seattle, the annual bazaar at Shorewood Elementary (2725 SW 116th) is happening 10 am-4 pm. Donation drive for WestSide Baby, too.

THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER & FIRE-CIDER PARTY: 10 am-noon, meditation, healing, and fire-cider-making at Bend N Move (3850 Delridge Way SW).

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD BAZAAR/BOOK SALE: Secpnd day of two-day bazaar and book sale at White Center Library – 11 am-4 pm. (1409 SW 107th)

Now, the rest of what’s up today/tonight, from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend going with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.

SW HOLDEN NATURAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS: As previewed here, you can talk with the project teqm at 17th/Holden 10 am-noon, now that they’re “mid-design” on this runoff-reducing, traffic-calming plan.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Fall is planting season, and you can shop for student-raised plants at the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open 10 am-2 pm on the north end of campus.

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

PLAY GAMES! The South Park Library invites you to drop by and celebrate International Games Month, 11 am-3 pm. (8604 8th Ave. S.)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

RECONNECT SOUTH PARK: Have you heard about the community campaign to remove the section of Highway 99 that bisects South Park? This event is a chance to catch up and/or get involved. Organizers explain, “This gathering is the first step in exploring options to getting to a shared vision for the 44 acres that occupy the 1.2 miles of Highway 99.” 12:30 pm mingling with food, 1 pm discussion, at Concord International Elementary School (710 S; Concord)

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Try the new reds!

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

AT KENYON HALL: Miles and Karina, featuring their film “Talk Tales,” doors 7, performance 7:30 at
Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), reservations here.

FUNDRAISING DANCE PARTY: Help raise money for a high school in Kenya by dancing with Stella’s Stars to the music of Beatles tribute band Flaming Pies, 7 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)

‘GREAT NIGHT’: Saturday night program for young adults 18+ to hang out 7 pm-midnight, at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: The Retromancers, The Mrs. Bill Larsens, Pirate Radio, doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT POGGIE TAVERN: West Seattle rock band Legal Issues plays at 8:30 pm. 21+. (4717 California SW)

Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, Halloween or holiday-season happening, or ? If the community’s invited, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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VOLLEYBALL: West Seattle High School’s stellar season ends at state tournament

November 17, 2023 11:12 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The season that took the West Seattle High School volleyball team all the way to the state tournament ended there tonight. The Wildcats lost two matches, one in the morning against Shorewood High School (3-0) and one in the evening against Peninsula High School (3-2). The scoreboard shows the last one was a heartbreaker – first WSHS was down 2-0, then took the next two sets to tie at 2-2, but lost the fifth and final set by the barest of margins. Head coach Scott Behrbaum‘s team took second place in the Metro League and third in the district tournament on the way to the state 3A championships in Yakima.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Shop local and handmade at half a dozen locations Saturday

November 17, 2023 9:15 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Saturday is a huge day if you’re ready to shop:

The Peace Lutheran Church bazaar at 39th/Thistle in Gatewood is one of six holiday bazaars and craft fairs listed for Saturday in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. Organizers have been advertising the event on WSB to ensure you know you’re invited – in addition to selling handmade and fair-trade items 10 am-3 pm, they’re also offering craft activities for kids 10 am-2 pm and a hot lunch option 11 am-1 pm. If you can’t get there Saturday, they’ll do it again – minus lunch and crafts – noon-3 pm Sunday.

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD BAZAAR/BOOK SALE, NOVEMBER 17 & 18: Two-day bazaar and book sale at White Center Library – on Friday and Saturday (11 am-4 pm both days). (1409 SW 107th)

Also tomorrow – the Alki Masonic Center‘s holiday bazaar, 9 am-4 pm in The Junction … the Arrowhead Gardens craft fair, 10 am-3 pm, promising “wreaths, floral arrangements, crochet and knitting crafts, and homemade goods” … Admiral Church is having an “Old World-style Christmas Market,” 10 am-4 pm … it’s the second day of the White Center Library Guild‘s bazaar and book sale, 11 am-4 pm … and if you don’t mind venturing a little further south, the Shorewood Elementary PTA also invites you to their holiday bazaar too, 10 am-4 pm. Follow the links for addresses, or find them in our updated-daily Holiday Guide and see what else is happening!

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PORT CRANES: After-dark arrival (plus Saturday morning views)

November 17, 2023 4:42 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

4:42 PM: The ship carrying new cranes for West Seattle’s Terminal 5 is still a few hours out, according to MarineTraffic.com, which shows it just past Port Townsend. That’s 36 nautical miles from West Seattle, and the ship Zhen Hua 27 is currently traveling about 12 knots, so it’s not likely to be here before 7:30 pm. We’ll continue to update here until it arrives.

5:42 PM: An hour later, it’s still sailing at 12 knots, now off the south end of Whidbey Island.

6:42 PM: Off Shoreline, same speed.

7:33 PM: In Elliott Bay now, but little lighting, so not much to see.

7:55 PM: Phone pic as it rounded Duwamish Head:

The cranes are for the south berth at Terminal 5. We’ll be following up on when regular cargo calls are expected to begin.

ADDED 9:59 AM SATURDAY: Thanks to everyone who’s sent morning views! This one’s from Troy Adams:

This one was texted by David:

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UPDATE: House fire in 8800 block of 9th SW

November 17, 2023 3:22 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

3:22 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to a reported house fire in the 8800 block of 9th SW. Updates to come.

3:25 PM: This is the same block where a vacant house had a fire a month ago. This house reportedly was occupied and those inside are reported to be out safely.

(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)

3:31 PM: Firefighters just reported it’s under control.

3:36 PM: 9th SW is blocked at Henderson both ways, and Henderson eastbound is being blocked at 10th SW.

3:40 PM: They’re calling for the Red Cross to assist the people affected by the fire.

3:58 PM: More than half of the responding units have been cleared from the scene.

4:08 PM: East/westbound Henderson is reopening, police just told dispatch.

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Parks announces online community meeting for West Seattle projects including Lincoln Park pickleball courts

November 17, 2023 1:54 pm

| 98 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(City map showing project location and construction-truck route)

Opponents of the plan for pickleball courts in Lincoln Park have been asking the city for a public meeting, as had City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. It’s just been announced, with other West Seattle projects on the agenda too:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce a virtual community meeting to provide updates on various West Seattle Park projects in response to community inquiries and to provide an opportunity for community awareness and input. Have a question you’d like answered at the meeting? Email pks_info@seattle.gov

West Seattle Park Project Updates Virtual Meeting
Monday, November 27, 6:00PM – 7:00PM
bit.ly/49CxxbB

Come learn about courts being resurfaced for pickleball at Lincoln Park, the Hiawatha Community Center Stabilization Work, West Seattle’s off-leash area update, the new park coming to West Seattle Junction, South Park Community Center and site improvements, the playground at Lincoln Park, and other projects.

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BIZNOTES: Opening day for Shug’s Mini, closing day for Westwood Staples

November 17, 2023 12:48 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two updates:

OPENING DAY FOR SHUG’S MINI: The sibling shop to Shug’s Soda Fountain in Pike Place Market is finally officially open at 3800 California SW, as of less than an hour ago. Above are West Seattle-residing Shug’s proprietors Colleen Wilkie and Paul Dormann. They plan to be open noon-9 pm Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for starters.

We took photos of the Shug’s Mini menu – ice cream here, beverages here. They’re still awaiting their liquor license so the adult beverages aren’t available just yet.

CLOSING DAY AT STAPLES IN WESTWOOD: As first reported here last month, this is the final day for the Westwood Village Staples Store.

We went in to ask; they’re open until 6 pm but as you’d expect, there’s not much left (they’ve been having a 75% off clearance sale). Two-thirds of the store is already roped off and dismantling is under way – even the webpage is gone. No official word yet what’s next for the space (or for that matter the similarly sized ex-Bed Bath and Beyond to the west).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Crash-and-grab burglary at Rush Hour in The Junction; two vehicle thefts (update: one found)

November 17, 2023 10:31 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

RUSH HOUR CRASH-AND-GRAB: Thanks for the tips and photos. Above is Jolene‘s photo of the stolen Chevrolet Silverado that was used in a crash-and-grab burglary at Rush Hour in The Junction (4448 California SW) just before 5 am. We just went to Rush Hour to find out more from the shop’s owners.

They told us the burglar(s) got away with some clothing, but not a major dollar amount – the damage was far more costly. Police told them the truck had been stolen in West Seattle (per incident audio, that happened in South Delridge, and the pickup’s owner wasn’t even aware yet). No description of the burglar(s) so far. Meantime, the shop owners are not sure yet whether they’ll be able to open today but promised an update. The shop has been in The Junction less than a year.

(3:07 PM UPDATE: Rush Hour IS open now after some repairs and will be until 8 pm tonight. We also asked them about their moving plans; they expect to open a permanent location in the ex-bike/ex-beauty storefront at 4517 California SW on December 2.)

STOLEN KONA: At least two other auto thefts in West Seattle this morning – first from John: “Reported to SPD a stolen white Hyundai Kona (with the anti-theft recall installed), License # BVL 7802. Stolen in North Admiral near the corner of SW College St and 44th Ave SW, between midnight and 4:30 am.” (Added: Police incident # 23-332133.) SATURDAY UPDATE: John says it was one of the three stolen Kias found near 17th and Barton, along with Tina’s, reported here on Tuesday.

STOLEN PICKUP: This just came in as we were writing this roundup – Jeff‘s black Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was stolen around 8 am:

I wanted to report a stolen truck, which was taken from directly in front of our house (North Admiral, due east of Hiawatha). I had started it to defrost the windows and warm it up, went inside to help get the kids out the door for school, and came back outside and it was gone. Keys were in the truck. I filed a police report, Incident #: 23-332193. The license plate is C92172X.

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Music, theater, spaghetti, more on the list for your West Seattle Friday

November 17, 2023 9:59 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo from early this morning, by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s ahead today/tonight, from the West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:

CRANES ARRIVAL: No ETA yet but the ship carrying the new port cranes for Terminal 5 has just entered the Strait of Juan de Fuca so it’s still hours away. (Added: Track the ship here; at 12:23 pm it’s just approaching Port Angeles so this may be an after-dark arrival.)

STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free drop-in indoor gym for kids 5 and under and their caregivers, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Open 10 am-2 pm for plant shopping, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

JAPANESE STORY TIME: 10:30 am with Sayoko at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond)

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD HOLIDAY BAZAAR/BOOK SALE: 11 am-4 pm, day one of this two-day fundraising sale at White Center Library (1409 SW 107th).

SHUG’S GRAND OPENING: As previewed here, it’s grand-opening day for Shug’s Mini, noon-9 pm. (3800 California SW)

SCRABBLE CLUB: You can play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Try the newly released red wines!

FRIENDSGIVING: Fundraiser party for nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts, start at 5:30 pm at SODO Park (3200 1st Ave. S.) – check to see if tickets remain!

PARROTHEADS RAINBOW BINGO: Fundraiser party for the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation, featuring Rainbow Bingo with Sylvia O’Stayformore, 5:30 pm at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW) – check to see if tickets remain!

SPAGHETTI DINNER: Let the West Seattle High School Key Club cook dinner for you tonight! 6 pm spaghetti-dinner fundraiser at WSHS (3000 California SW), 6 pm. Not just food, but fun too, imcluding bingo.

OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: 6 pm signups, 6:30 pm music at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – more info is in our calendar listing.

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: The Brews Brothers at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover.

DANCE NIGHT AT THE SPOT: Fridays are DJ Dance Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

‘THE LARAMIE PROJECT’: Final night for West Seattle High School‘s student production, 7:30 pm – ticket info and more in our calendar listing.

AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Bent Not Broken, The Cells at The Skylark: “Local West Seattle rock bands BENT NOT BROKEN and THE CELLS will take the stage at The Skylark Cafe on November 17th at 8 pm sharp with all original modern hard hitting rock and a flair for the eclectic. Come and support live local music at one of West Seattle’s iconic rock venues.” (3803 Delridge Way SW), all ages until 10 pm.

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Celebration of life planned December 16 for Charles R. ‘Chas’ Redmond, 1947-2023

November 17, 2023 9:18 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

One week ago, we reported on the passing of Chas Redmond and his many years of extensive community involvement. Now his family has announced the plan for his celebration of life – 1-4 pm December 16 at the Senior Center of West Seattle – and is sharing his formal obituary:

Charles Roland Redmond III, born March 11, 1947, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Wilber, and his two sons, Leif (46) and Adam (39). He died peacefully after suffering a stroke earlier in the year, which was followed by compounding health issues.

“Chas” was born in Wilmington, NC, and, as the son of a dad who worked for the US military, moved around a lot with his mother and two brothers. As a child, he lived in many places in the US as well as in other countries, including Morocco and southern France.

After graduating high school in Pennsylvania, Chas attended Penn State University in State College. During his studies, he became involved with the student-run radio station – the first indication of what would become a lifelong love of music. He spent the long State College winters searching within himself and later credited that time with sparking a never-ending journey to better understand reality, his place in the universe, and other philosophical questions.

After college, Chas volunteered for the Vietnam War. Because his brother Mike had already volunteered as a Marine and was stationed in Vietnam, Chas was sent to Korea, where he completed his service as administrative staff.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Chas was hired in Seattle as a reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and quickly fell in love with the city where he would spend his final twenty years.

But first, he moved to Washington, DC, where he worked for the US Park Service on the National Register of Historic Places. He and Katherine met in DC, then both moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. He was working as a public affairs officer on NASA’s Viking mission to Mars when Katherine became pregnant, and they named their first child Leif after the Viking Leif Erikson and in honor of the spirit of exploration, another of Chas’s many loves.

In 1980, they moved back to DC, where NASA’s headquarters is located, and they also welcomed son Adam to the family. When Chas wasn’t embedding himself into as many parts of NASA’s work as he was able to, he bicycled all over the city. Many summers, Chas led the family on cross-country road trips, including to places like Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and Big Bend National Park in Texas. Both sons inherited Chas’s love of and appreciation for nature. In his later years in DC, he “invented” panoramic virtual reality photos (photography was another of his passions) and created a series of interesting intersections from every quadrant of the city.

Chas retired shortly after becoming eligible, and after making sure he left his NASA colleagues with as much wisdom as he could offer, he and Katherine relocated to West Seattle. One of the pair’s first adventures was adding a second floor to the house, with Chas’s studio and the 3rd floor “tower” designed to maximize views of the water and the islands and mountains beyond.

In Seattle, Chas wasted no time getting involved wherever his interests led him, making valuable contributions across a wide range of community, music and art initiatives. From Westside Seattle: “Redmond was a three-time Chair of the City Neighborhood Council, a City-chartered citizen engagement organization, one of the founding members of Sustainable West Seattle, former board member and community map and trails collaborator for Feet First, former member of the Camp Long Advisory Council, and the live events and music producer for the Morgan Community Festival, the Alki Art Fair, the Delridge Day festival, and additional festivals throughout Seattle.”

Throughout his life, Chas could be found creating art – painting, drawing, constructing mobiles, making sculptures, and taking photos. He was also deeply involved in music, doing the sound for local bands (including the Slags and Sidesaddle Cowboys) and festivals. And he became well-known for melted crayon art and could be seen chatting with countless passersby while selling pieces during Art Walk.

Chas became a father-in law in 2008 and a grandfather in 2009, and embraced both roles with gusto. One particular highlight was getting to spend two weeks gallivanting about Seattle with his two granddaughters during the summer of 2019, and the trio spent their days sampling the city’s best croissants, touring nearly every park, and enriching themselves at the many museums. Chas also found ways to stay involved remotely: during the pandemic years, he and the girls engaged in Lego-building sessions via Zoom.

Chas will be dearly missed. His spirit of adventure, knack for storytelling, ingenuity in solving mechanical and electrical problems, eye for and appreciation of natural beauty, willingness to help friends, thoughtful gift-giving, tireless endurance for long bike rides and walks … All of these and more made Chas who he was. Though the world is a poorer place without his gifts, Chas’s loved ones go forward with gratitude for all he’s given them.

(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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