December 2011

Looking for a special Scandinavian way to celebrate the holiday season with your family or friends?

Anthony's HomePort is once again serving its traditional Lutefisk dinner this holiday season.

Anthony’s Lutefisk comes from Olsen Fish Company. Founded in 1910, Olsen Fish Company is one of the best and largest lutefisk producers in the world.

Just like in the Nordic countries -- where lutefisk season starts early in November and typically continues through Christmas -- Anthony’s HomePort Shilshole Bay will only be serving this traditional dinner through December 31. Reservations are recommended.

In the late afternoon on Saturday, December 10, an estimated 10,000 people are expected to enjoy the free Annual Green Lake “Pathway of Lights” event. On Sunday morning, no less than 13,000 children and adults will brave the cold as they gather near Westlake Park and prepare to participate in the Jingle Bell Run and Walk for Arthritis. Monday’s afternoon commute will be heavier than usual with the addition of 67,000 fans swarming into the CenturyLink Field in the SODO district when the Seattle Seahawks will take on the Saint Louis Rams at 5:30 p.m.

For more details about these and other activities with potential traffic impacts, please see the schedule below. To help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, the Seattle Department of Transportation encourages event-goers to consider leaving the car behind and trying one of the many alternate modes of transportation available - Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or even walking, if feasible.

Saturday, December 10

By Cassandra Baker, Intern

1:00 a.m. on December 3rd. 87th block of 13th Ave NW

A teen called police after a party at his house on the night of December 2nd got out of control. He said that he invited some friends over, but then they started inviting people he did not know. There was no adult supervision. The party ended at around 1:00 a.m. on the 3rd. The victim found that three doors inside the house were broken. All of them had been locked. Two windows had also been broken. Several items were stolen from a bedroom that had been locked. The victim said that he would call the police if the same strangers came back to his house for another party.

Several of the people who attended the party went to a house on the 87th block of 19th Ave NW after they left the party. They arrived at the house at approximately 11:00 p.m. on December 2nd and went to sleep soon after midnight. When they woke up at about 8:00 a.m. on December 3rd, several items, including computers, had been stolen from the main floor of the house.

By Cassandra Baker, Intern

1:00 a.m. on December 3rd. 87th block of 13th Ave NW

A teen called police after a party at his house on the night of December 2nd got out of control. He said that he invited some friends over, but then they started inviting people he did not know. There was no adult supervision. The party ended at around 1:00 a.m. on the 3rd. The victim found that three doors inside the house were broken. All of them had been locked. Two windows had also been broken. Several items were stolen from a bedroom that had been locked. The victim said that he would call the police if the same strangers came back to his house for another party.

Several of the people who attended the party went to a house on the 87th block of 19th Ave NW after they left the party. They arrived at the house at approximately 11:00 p.m. on December 2nd and went to sleep soon after midnight. When they woke up at about 8:00 a.m. on December 3rd, several items, including computers, had been stolen from the main floor of the house.

Dear Editor,

I ‘d like to ask our community for some help getting toys to our local children for Christmas.

Rick Rizzs and Dave Henderson and their Toys for Kids Philanthropic organization are collecting NEW toys to contribute to our local South Park Community Center for their Holiday Christmas Party for over 500 children. The South Park kids are in addition to the 17 agencies and 6000 children already serviced by Toys for Kids who will be receiving toys starting this Saturday and throughout the holiday season.

We took on this extra group because last year many of these children were without a present at Christmas last year. Working together, we can give them a much better Christmas this year.

So please get a new toy or two and drop it off at Husky Deli in the Junction at 4521 California Avenue SW. Jack and the staff at Husky Deli are helping Rick and Dave and all their elves (J) with this toy drive. As a community, we can make a difference and make Christmas a little brighter for lot of young people.

Our deadline has been extended to Wednesday, December 12th.

The Musica Sacra Chamber Chorale will present its inaugural Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 17, 2011 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle.

The concert. entitled “Peace & Joy”. features two significant sacred works: a suite entitled “Carols of the nativity” by Canadian composer and conductor Stephen Chatman; and the world premiere of "Spanish Cradle Carol: An homage to Maurice Ravel" by Bob Ingalls scored for Chamber Chorale, cello and piano featuring Seattle Symphony cellist Roberta Downey. This concert series also includes numerous carols of the season written or arranged by distinguished American choral composers and will be a wonderful way to highlight your holiday season.

The concert is sponsored by the West Seattle HelpLine and West Seattle Foodbank. Bring a hat/scarf/glove set or 5 non-perishable food items and receive your ticket for half price.

By Coach Rob Mathison

In what may be their second biggest obstacle of the year, the 13-year-old boys Loyal Heights Basketball team has selected their official team nickname for the 2012 season. After ample discussion, the team opted for The Seattle Swagger. Why the bravado-filled name?

“We’re a smaller team and want to show that regardless of size we’ll win,” said guard Michael Johnson.

The Swagger’s biggest challenge? Keeping their legs fresh. With a roster of just six boys, each of the players will see a lot of playing time in what are usually fast-paced games. Tired legs aside, The Swagger has a healthy mix of veterans and rookies with a wide-range of goals that should make for a flavorful season.

“I want to become a better player, win a few games and have fun,” said Robert Mathison, playing his first season for the Loyal Heights team.

“I just want to win,” added Josh Brown, also new to the team.

The Beavers girls basketball team lost their conference opening game to 8th ranked Eastlake on Wednesday.

The Beavers fell short after a late-game rally, losing 68-56.

The ladies were down big after the first quarter but battled back to come within five points of the lead with less than minutes minutes to go.

Nancy MacGeorge scored a game-high 17 points, while Cailey Becket added 16. The Beavers next game will be this Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Ballard.

Only hours before Des Moines Police arrested a suspect in the Nov. 5 shooting death of Jayme Thomas, well over 300 people poured into the Resurrection Lutheran Church to raise the reward money leading to her killer’s capture.

Later that night, Des Moines Police and SWAT team members arrested a 29-year-old suspect at his home for investigation of homicide. While charges are still pending against the suspect, it appears police may have their shooter in custody.

The fundraiser held at the 134 S. 206th St. church attended by the Thomas family included a spaghetti feed, silent auction, raffle and Jayme Thomas t-shirts and stickers. By the time everyone showed up it was standing room only – a massive showing of support for the young woman everyone describes as uniquely kind and giving.

Pattie Lenz, a close family friend of the Thomas family, came up with the fundraiser idea and coordinated the event. In regards to the turnout, she said, “Unbelievable, I’m blown away.”

Please click the image above for additional photos from the fundraiser.

Every community has its share of Christmas lights from the single string of white lights in the window of an apartment to the most elaborate animated or just mega wattage displays.

Photographer David Rosen spent the last few nights on the look out for a some of the more noteworthy displays in our community and we share them here in slideshow format. Just click on the top image to see more.

Many people around this time of year, pile into the car and (mindful of the gas) drive around a bit locally to see the most beautiful displays of holiday spirit. We've given you a good idea as to where these sites are in the slideshow.