December 2016

The West Seattle Junction merchants put on a show in the junction Dec. 3 for their annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Junction Plaza Park. Approximately 300 people were on hand for the event.

The Emcee was West Seattle's Dolly Madison. Dolly (aka Derick) who began performing seven years ago, has performed in shows and fundraisers across the Seattle area.

Christmas music was provided by the West Seattle High School Band and Christmas Carols were performed by the Endolyne Children’s Choir
Also oh the bill was music from Sundae+Mr Goessl a husband/wife duo who play a mix of genres from an era long gone.
ArtsWest offered an excerpt from the play currentlyl in production called Peter and the Starcatcher
Finally the main event the tree lighting was done by Jack Menashe of Menashe and Sons Jewelers.

Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby was the main speaker.

The annual West Seattle Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at the Masonic Hall was host to hundreds this year who enjoyed expertly made pancakes, coffee, juice and more during the fundraising event.

Proceeds of the breakfast will benefit Kiwanis Sponsored Youth Programs in West Seattle (high school Key Clubs, Boy Scout Troop 284, Venture Crew & more) as well as the Kiwanis Children's Cancer Program (to fund cancer research at Children's Hospital).

Marines from Joint Base Lewis/McChord were on hand to collect Toys for Tots and
Santa Claus was in the house to pose for photos with young ones.

Sponsors for the breakfast include:

• Alki Lumber
• At One Coaching
• State Farm Insurance

The West Seattle Rotary Club made good on their promise again for 2016 to help 100 disadvantaged children in our area get warm coats, shoes and more during their Shopping Spree event held at Westfield Southcenter.

Amy Lee Derenthal said "It's great this year, we actually almost have too many volunteers," referring to the dozens of people who showed up at 5:15 am to help unpack boxes of coats, paid for by donations largely collected at the annual luncheon in May.

Many of the volunteers were as always from area Fraternities and Sororities. Sponsors for the event also provided much appreciated support.

The event pairs children with volunteers who get a warm coat and socks but who also go on a shopping spree at Sears to get other necessary items like pants, shoes and more.

The volunteers and children (numbering 300) were also treated to a big breakfast by BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse who stepped up and took the place of the now closed Rainforest Cafe.

After the shopping was done, kids got to pose for a photo with Santa.

Volunteers came from:

• Grace Gospel church

information from King County

As the Puget Sound region braces for its first winter cold snap, travelers in King County should prepare for the possibility of snow and travel disruptions later this weekend and next week.

At the moment, the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to begin dropping Sunday, with possible overnight freezing temperatures Monday and Tuesday. The King County Department of Transportation urges Metro Transit customers and water taxi riders, as well as people who travel unincorporated county roads, to monitor weather reports and connect to information available from King County, including travel alerts.

King County’s My Commute page is a resource for monitoring the status of roads, and information is available on the county roads’ snow response page.

By Greg Whittaker

It has been a great early season for snow lovers and enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders in Washington.

Several areas are now open, and the final areas are anticipating opening by the end of next week if all things remain consistently cool and wet.

Quite a few of the Mountain to Sound shop team have skied and snowboarded at Crystal so far, and reports are good for early season. “12 more inches and it is filled in and everything will be open” says Nate Bales shop GM. Yours truly was able to sneak out after the Thanksgiving holiday rush to ride up at Crystal Mountain on Monday. With 7-inches of fresh snow and the sun peeking out between the intermittent clouds, it was as good of an opening day that I have had in a decade. Laps up top were the best with Rainier Express, and Green Valley chairlifts being the primary runs for the early season open. Reports are that Forest Queen Express is open today and Chair 6 will be opening on Saturday for those who like the steeps.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Thursday, Dec. 1
Boys basketball
Highline 51, Charles Wright 22
The Pirates cruised to a non-league victory Thursday.
Kentwood 75, Kennedy 60
Kennedy Catholic opened North Puget Sound League play on a losing note Thursday.
Sultan 43, Foster 34
Foster fell to Sultan in non-league action Thursday.

Girls basketball
Kentwood 56, Kennedy 41
The Conquerors spoiled the Lancers' NPSL debut Thursday.

Wednesday, Nov. 30
Boys basketball
Tyee 59, Evergreen 58
The Totems trimmed Evergreen in a non-league but crosstown battle Wednesday.
Northwest 65, Seattle Christian 63
The Warriors were edged in Wednesday action.

Girls basketball
Tyee 34, Evergreen 24
Tyee triumphed in Wednesday's clash against the Wolverines.
Foster 45, Franklin 36
Foster also finished as a winner Wednesday.
Mt. Rainier 41, Federal Way 36
The Lady Rams rallied for a victory against the Eagles.
Seattle Christian 54, Auburn 38
Class 1A Seattle Christian rose up to beat the Class 4A Trojans on Wednesday.

In a well attended Open House in a brand new home, John L. Scott Real Estate celebrated the grand opening of their new West Seattle location at 4445 California Ave. SW. Thursday Dec. 1.

A large group of brokers, their clients, John L. Scott corporate staff, and supportive friends and family gathered to celebrate. Festivities included music from bagpiper Brian McKenzie and a Toys for Tots toy drive.

Throughout the years the historic building has housed Daniel & Brinton Undertakers, been a private residence, the Carpenters Union Hall, and most recently, J.F. Henry Cooking and Dining. A focal point of the building is the beautiful staircase and chandelier salvaged from the old Frederick and Nelson building in downtown Seattle.

The Menashe Family had their annual Christmas Lighting event on Thursday, December 1. The house of Jack and Linda Menashe located at 5605 Beach Drive SW shined brightly as people came in droves to check out this years spectacular display.

Josh Menashe, the mastermind behind the display told the Herald, "We have a lot of new decorations this year, ranging from figurines, Santa's sleigh, and animal sculptures. We also had a special treat from Ladder 11 of the Seattle Fire Department who helped us hang one of our stars 40ft up in one of our trees."

The entire Christmas display takes a crew about roughly a week long from start to finish.

Remember that Santa Claus will be visiting again this year too, Taking place on Saturday, December 17th, so don't forget to bring your camera and take a photo with Santa under the lights from 6 pm-10 pm.

Sponsored by Sarah Cecil

With the holiday season upon us, you may well be busier than usual. However, by spending a few minutes reviewing your investment scenario of this past year, you can see where you’ve been, where you might be going, and what you need to do to keep moving forward toward your long-term financial goals.

So, as you look back at 2016, pay close attention to these elements of your investment picture:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is resuming work on the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project, an improvement project along Fauntleroy Way SW between 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St. The project will improve mobility and make the area more comfortable for people walking, biking, and driving on Fauntleroy Way SW, in addition to enhancing Fauntleroy as a gateway entrance to West Seattle.

Design work began in early 2014 and the project was put on hold in 2015 pending additional funding. Following voter approval of the Move Seattle levy in 2015 and additional project funds, the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project now has funding for design and construction. The project is currently at the 60% design phase. Over the next year, SDOT will continue to meet with area businesses, stakeholder organizations, and residents to refine and finalize the design.

They anticipate completing design work in fall 2017 and beginning construction in late 2017.

The aims of the project are to create a more refined entry to West Seattle including: