December 2024

New Year's day Alki Polar Bear Swim is back for 2025

Organizer Mark Ufkes has announced the return of the annual Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim for 2025. 

The event in recent years has seen a growing crowd with well over 2000 rushing into the water, normally around 46 degrees in winter. Often a portable sauna is on hand, for a fee of course.

We go into the water at 10:00 am sharp; after a group countdown from 10, 9, 8, . . .  There will be a huge crowd (well over 1,000 last year), so plan accordingly.  Line up and down the beach.  Spread out.  Holding hands with someone you love makes going into the water much easier.  Trust me on this.   Once the countdown begins, get ready to run.  And keep your kids close. 

 

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Winter Fest on December 21st presented by Eazy Duz it Car Club

Get ready for some free family fun in White Center! The Eazy Duz It Car Club and WC Teen Program are teaming up to host a Winter Fest on Saturday, December 21st, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The event will be held at Steve Cox Memorial Park, located at 1321 SW 102nd St.

The Winter Fest promises a range of activities, including:

● A holiday toy giveaway

● Arts and crafts

● Festive snacks

● Photo opportunities

This sounds like a great way to kick off the holiday season and have some fun in the community.

For more information about the event, you can check out the WC Teen Program's website at www.wcteenprogram.org or reach them at 206.296.4542. You can also find them on social media at @atthelogcabin.

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Morgan Community Association has issues with the zoning changes in the One Seattle Plan

The Morgan Community Association (MoCA) has expressed significant concerns about the One Seattle Plan zoning update, detailing their objections and recommendations in a letter to the city. MoCA's concerns stem from a perceived lack of outreach and the potential negative impacts of the plan on the community.

They prefaced their concerns here: 

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Sports Watch 12-19-24
Sporting events worth keeping track

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

 

High schools

Boys basketball

Kennedy Catholic travels to Bellevue for 7:15 p.m. Friday action as Evergreen goes to Cedarcrest.

West Seattle entertains O'Dea at 8:30 p.m. as Chief Sealth goes to Ingraham and Ballard to Cleveland.

Tyee hits the road to South Whidbey at 5 p.m. Saturday and Mount Rainier travels to Thomas Jefferson at 7 p.m.

West Seattle plays host to Kingston at 8:30 p.m. that day before entertaining Sammamish at the same time Monday.

Evergreen gets a 4 p.m. Monday visit from Interlake and Kennedy Catholic hosts Renton at 7 p.m.

 

Girls basketball

West Seattle hosts Holy Names for a 5:30 p.m. Friday game as Evergreen goes to Klahowya.

Chief Sealth visits Ingraham at 7 p.m. as Ballard travels to Cleveland.

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West Seattle event commemorates 1914 Christmas Truce

On Christmas Eve 1914, amidst the grim battlefields of World War I, a remarkable event unfolded as soldiers along a 500-mile front laid down their arms and ventured into No Man’s Land. They met their enemies not with weapons, but with curiosity and goodwill, creating a spontaneous and heartfelt ceasefire.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of this extraordinary moment of peace. To honor this occasion, a non-sectarian commemoration and reflection on peace will be held on December 23rd at the Highland Park Community of Christ church, located at 8611 11th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106. Doors open at 6 PM, with the program running from 7 PM to 8:30 PM.

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King County's participatory budgeting program empowers communities
42 local projects celebrated at White Center Heights elementary

King County's participatory budgeting program, which allocated $11.75 million in 2023, is making a real impact on its urban unincorporated areas. Program manager Gloria Bridge detailed the process in a conversation with Westside Seattle, highlighting the program’s commitment to community engagement and empowerment. Executive Dow Constantine and Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson joined community members at White Center Heights Elementary School on Dec. 18 to celebrate this year’s 42 community-centered projects and programs in unincorporated King County that voters chose. The event featured representatives from all the projects and programs, as well as cultural performances.

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Sports Roundup 12-18-24

 

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

 

Boys basketball

Foster 67, West Seattle 51

The Bulldogs beat the Wildcats in Saturday's action.

 

Ballard 73, Chief Sealth 57

Friday's game went to the Beavers.

 

Rainier Beach 86, West Seattle 45

Rainier Beach routed West Seattle in Friday night action.

 

Mt. Rainier 61, Tahoma 60

Mount Rainier eked out a win Thursday against the Bears.

 

Auburn 73, Kennedy 41

The homestanding Trojans topped the Lancers last Thursday.

 

Highline 73, Tyee 26

Highline hammered Tyee in Thursday action.

 

Foster 71, Clover Park 53

Foster was a winner against the Warriors last Thursday.

 

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UPDATE: Winds take out power for 320 near South Seattle College; Power now back

Update 1:44pm

Power is now restored.

Original post 7:19am

High winds overnight on Dec. 18 took out power for 320 Seattle City Light customers just west of South Seattle College. The outage extends from SW Brandon Street on the north end down to just north of Sanislo Elementary School. Restoration was expected by 12 Noon.

You can check the status of outage and restoration on the Seattle City Light System Status  page here.

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Washington celebrates clean energy milestone with Advanced Clean Trucks program

On Dec. 18 a coalition of leaders, including State Senator Joe Nguyễn, local officials, labor leaders, and public health experts, gathered to celebrate the significant strides made by Washington State’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) program. This initiative, along with historic investments from both government and private sectors, is set to revolutionize the state's approach to zero-emission heavy-duty trucks, aiming to cut diesel pollution, enhance public health, and boost the clean energy economy.

Speakers at the event highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the ACT program and recent clean transportation investments. These efforts are not only reducing harmful diesel emissions but also supporting well-paying union jobs and improving air quality in the Puget Sound region. The call to action was clear: state leaders must continue and expand these initiatives for a cleaner, more prosperous future.

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Gary's Place arcade opens on Alki with a ribbon cutting

Matt and Elyssa Cichy love Alki and West Seattle so much they chose to open not just one gaming arcade but now two. The original West Seattle Arcade opened in July of 2023. But when the space at 2820 Alki Ave SW, became available the couple realized they had an opportunity to meet the many requests they had gotten to serve beer and provide more focus on both pinball and arcade classics. The official opening date is Dec. 19 but they celebrated with a ribbon cutting Tuesday night.

the arcade
Lots of pinball machines and other game are available at Gary's  Place. Photo by Patrick Robinson

 

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