West Seattle

An armed robbery attempt on Delridge Ave s.w. had a flaw in the planning stage. On Nov. 28 around 2:43 a.m., the employee of a bar on the 9400 block of Delridge Ave was cleaning up shop when a Hispanic male (suspect #1), 5’5”, 150 pounds in dark clothing began knocking on the window and pleading to be let in. The employee told him the bar was closed, but went outside (locking the door on his way out) to see what the problem was. The Hispanic male told the employee he had not eaten in a couple of days and “some guy was trying to rape him,” then asked if he could use the bar as refuge from his possible assailant. As the bar employee called 911 on the man’s behalf, another Hispanic male (suspect #2), 5’4”, 160 pounds with short blonde hair approached the men and asked the bar employee “What’s up (redacted)?” The employee told suspect #2 he was calling 911, at which point suspect #1 poked the employee in the jacket with a “large kitchen type knife.” Both suspects then fled northbound on foot on 16th Ave s.w.

Handmade soaps, lotions, oils, jewelry, gift baskets, candles, holiday decorations (to name a few) and a slew of sweet holiday treats are on sale at the Highland Park Holiday Bazaar today.

The bazaar brings vendors from as far as Federal Way to the elementary school gym to sell their wares just in time for the holiday shopping crunch. There is also a raffle for prizes donated by local businesses and bazaar vendors.

Christie Sjostrom, a parent of a Highland Elementary student and PTA member, came up with the idea for the bazaar three years ago and has been the chair for the event ever since.

“I really love bazaars, so I just make the school have one,” she joked.

Proceeds from the bake sale, raffle tickets and vendor space all go towards the PTA general fund, Sjostrom said.

Vendors were charged $15 for half a table and $25 for full table.

“We try to keep it a little bit of money because the economy is bad and I want (the vendors) to come, and I want people to come and buy from them so they make money,” Sjostrom said.

A West Seattle tradition since May of 1929, the Kiwanis Club is holding their annual community breakfast this morning (Dec. 4th) with the help of Boy Scout troop 284 and Key Club members from local high schools.

The main goal of the event is to collect toys for Toys for Tots and “a chance to renew long-standing friendships and to make new ones,” according to the event press release.

“This is a big thing here, this is our big fundraiser,” said Kiwanis member Ken Norton, who has been with Kiwanis for 27 years and is the past Dean of Students at Seattle Lutheran High School. “The main focus of Kiwanis is kids.”

“When I began in this club we didn’t have the help of the scouts and since that time it has grown just tremendously,” Norton said. “They provide a tremendous amount of help.”

Pancakes, ham, orange juice and coffee are being served at a rapid rate, and the pancakes come from a “treasured” recipe of long-time Kiwanis member Sig Staaksted.

Husband and wife Randy and Marie Guzzardo were in attendance as parents of a scout from Troop 284, which is in its 95th year (the third oldest continuous scout troop in the U.S.), according to Marie.

Jonny Boston's Sandwich Shop at 4151 California Avenue s.w. has opened its doors and is serving a steady stream of customers all eager to give the new restaurant a try. The West Seattle Herald told you about the new shop first in August and owner Dan Atherton had some of the usual hurdles to clear in terms of permits and construction but got the supplies and people in place and is now open. The Grand Opening is not yet firm but should happen "within the next ten to twelve days" according to Jonny Atherton, son of owner Dan Atherton.

Working the shop will be Jonny, Beverly White at the counter and Frederick Marble who will do double duty between the kitchen and counter. Jonny describes his role as the "facilitator for my father doing anything that he needs me to do."

A savant is defined as a person of great knowledge, but the knowledge Japhy Witte has is focused on what he thinks is the "dying craft' of sign painting.

Known in the area as the "Sign Savant" Witte embodies the spirit of an artist. His clothing is almost an impressionist painting itself in every imaginable color of drips and dabs from many of the signs he's created.

Witte's sign and window painting is so familiar in the West Seattle Junction that he could be said to be responsible for much of the character of the business district.

He is the artist behind the signage at Blue Willow Catering, Shadowland, Red Cup Espresso, the Senior Center, West Seattle Coins, Talarico's, Knows Perfume and this month the windows at Elliot Bay Brew Pub and Puerto Vallarta Restaurant. One of his clients, Eduardo Morales owner of Puerto Vallarta said, "He's an amazing man and the price that he charges is awesome. He does his work and he doesn't ask for money up front."

Zeke is a Brittany, a kind of spaniel and his owner Paul got him just over 7 years ago as rescue dog from a breeding kennel that was defunct. Zeke was on PetFinder in Whatcom County through the Alternative Humane Society of Whatcom County. "It was this breeding kennel that some guy had with Brittanys outside of Ferndale and I guess he abandoned it. His wife or girlfriend called AHS and told them she couldn't handle the dogs. They were all chained up outside, in December on separate posts. They couldn't touch each other and they had a little plastic barrel to get inside."

When they went to retrieve the dog, "We drove up to this loud braying of dog barking and everybody went home with a dog that day."

"We were driving home and his name came to me. He just looked like a Zeke," Paul said.

"They hunt birds," Paul said," but he's here so he hunts squirrels more often. "He likes to point squirrels and it's actually kind of touching because you are on a walk in the neighborhood and it's like he's in the wild. He's stalking something. He sort of creeps up on it and flip a paw back and just stand there frozen."

By Stacey Riley

The two most important things to consider when selecting window treatments: function and style. Last time we covered function, today we focus on style—an opportunity to add a finishing touch to your design project. Window treatments are necessary for a room to feel complete.

Let’s talk fabric. Consider the room and whether it is formal or casual. When going formal, select a shinier fabric—like a silk/faux silk or sateen. You can also use a heavy weight fabric like velvet, flocked print or wool. When going casual—light weight matte fabrics are best, like cotton or linens. Sheers are also great. Pattern does not matter—any pattern can be dressed up or down depending on its fabric type.

Charges of second degree assault and driving while under the influence have been leveled against a West Seattle man for an April 25 hit and run incident where the man told police he was drunk and hallucinating.

James A. Ahlgren, 68, allegedly rammed into a 24-year-old woman’s vehicle three times on the Ship Canal Bridge (southbound on I-5) before she exited on Union Street and confronted Ahlgren, to which he responded, “This is a warning for your boyfriend, I will kill him,” according to King County prosecuting attorney’s charging documents.

The woman did not know Ahlgren, according to documents.

The police report from the incident states that Ahlgren fled the scene in his older yellow Chevy pickup after the brief conversation and the woman immediately called 911.

The woman’s four door sedan had visible scratches on the bumper, but she was uninjured by the collisions, according to the police report.

Washington State Patrol responded to Ahlgren’s home in West Seattle and “immediately noticed a strong and obvious odor of intoxicants permeating from Ahlgren’s person.”

Press Release:
South Seattle Community College’s Northwest Wine Academy invites the public to celebrate the holiday season with a festive wine tasting and holiday bazaar. Featured student-produced vintages include a 2009 Late Harvest Viognier, and two reds, the recently-released 2009 Field Blend (Rhone Blend) and 2008 Well Red (Merlot/Cabernet). Also available for purchase will be the 2009 Rousanne, a bronze award winner at this year’s prestigious Tri Cities Wine Festival.

Unique holiday baskets with an assortment of wine, holiday goodies and wine accessories make the perfect gift. And, for the first time, you can also purchase staff-recommended wines for holiday celebrations – a Beaujolais Nouveau and a Moscato d’Asti.

All wines are discounted 20%.

South Seattle Community College’s Northwest Wine Academy is a first-of-its-kind program in Western Washington and offers three associate degree and certificate programs – Wine Making, Wine Marketing & Sales, and Food & Wine Pairing. The Academy complements the college’s highly regarded and award-winning Culinary Arts program and the new bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management program. .

Waltzing in a Winter Wonderland!
Our Local West Seattle Community Dance at Hiawatha!
Part of our Ongoing 2nd Saturday Dance Series
We'll turn the lovely dance space into a winter wonderland with lights and decorations. Want to help with decorating?, contact Lilli Ann 206-718-1858

Saturday, December 11th, 7-10pm
Hiawatha Community Center
2700 California Ave SW

7-8pm-- Beginning Slow Dance lesson- Romantic dancing. (no partner or experience required, )
8-10pm-- Dance to Swing, Waltz, One-Step/Blues and More!
Don't know how to dance? Don't worry, Mini-lessons throughout the evening to keep you dancing!
Singles and couples welcome- No Partner Required for the lessons or dance!
Warm friendly community.
Lesson and Dance $12, Lesson or dance Only $8

Childcare Available for a very modest fee! Contact Lilli Ann if interested.
Instructor and DJ- Lilli Ann Carey www.danceforjoy.biz/ 206-718-1858
To find us, follow red and white DANCE! signs from California and Lander.
Sponsored by Seattle Parks and Recreation & Hiawatha Advisory Council 206-684-7441

Seal Sitters Training
Date: Thursday, December 9 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm