December 2016

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.

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:

Seattle Public Schools said today in a press release that they may face a $74 million deficit since the Washington State Legislature restricted the amount the district can collect from levies, even those already approved, and by not fully funding the district.

"The Washington State Legislature’s failure to adequately address public education funding may result in a significant budget shortfall next school year. In 2017-18, the district’s ability to serve students in the way they deserve will be challenged. Unless the Legislature takes appropriate action to address school funding, the district has a projected deficit of approximately $74 million for the 2017-18 school year. This is the largest budget deficit we have faced since the late 1970s and has the potential to erode many of the programs, supports and services students are currently receiving," the district said in the release.

By Ann Selberg

After dress rehearsal last night, it is clear that RENT IN CONCERT is an experience like no other! It is a bold, colorful, gritty, full-on expression of life in the East Village in the 1980's. The book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson take us to a place where the young creative class was living in poverty while pursuing their art in what was perceived to be the center of it all, New York City. While working out relationships, finances, and health issues in the AIDS epidemic, the characters provide us a look into the lives of a group of friends as they make their way.

This Tony and Pulitzer-winning play had instant success upon opening. Jonathan Larson worked seven years to bring it to the stage and didn't live to see that success. Perhaps his characters spring to life because because this was his life. The music shows broad range, from hard-driving rock of "Rent", to the most lyrical harmonies, to the comical "Tango Maureen". Clever lyrics and a perceptive analysis of life pervade throughout.

Tis the season for the West Seattle Junction's annual holiday tree lighting in Junction Plaza Park. Saturday, December 3rd starting around 4:30pm. This year they will close the block between JPP and Junction 47 for a Night Market.

Programming for the tree lighting includes:

• Emcee Dolly Madison
• Christmas music performed by the West Seattle High School Band
• Christmas Carols performed by the Endolyne Children’s Choir
• Music from Sundae+Mr Goessl
• ArtsWest excerpt from Peter and the Starcatcher
• Tree lighting by Jack Menashe
• Main speaker: Nancy Woodland

Programming for the night market includes:

• Santa 4pm – 6pm
• Sundae+ Mr Goessl 5:45pm 6:30pm
• Vendors:
• Holy Rosary wreath and tree sales
• Bakery Nouveau
• West Seattle Cyclery
• Seattle Logo Pro
• Alki Beach Glass
• Turned Wood
• Dandy Stitch https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandyStitch
• Uphill Designs http://uphilldesigns.com
• J Mccormick Designs https://jmd-designs.myshopify.com

Burien police, King County Sheriff deputies and Normandy Park Police responded to a report of a man, armed with a knife on the roof of the Highline Hospital on Thursday morning just after 11:40am.

The man, suspected of being delusional according to radio calls between police officers, was reportedly sitting on the edge of the roof, talking to officers, just before Noon.

Scanner traffic indicated that police were responding tactically, taking positions in the building. A negotiator was talking with the man according to police chatter.

A crowd formed watching the man and were asked to step away by police.

The man requested cigarettes and police acted to honor that request. A couple and one other person in the window of the hospital were shooting video of the subject and police moved to ask them to stop.

The man could be heard shouting obscenities in the background over police radio. He was sitting on the ledge of the building prompting police to give him a little space.

Police planned to subdue the subject with a variety of means if he did not voluntarily surrender. They discussed using a "nine banger" or flash grenade

By Kathryn Kingen

Whatever it is that we have always done, doing it again makes the holidays seem right. Traditions! It wouldn't be OUR holidays without them. At Salty's, the Magical March of the Nutcrackers and our festively decorated restaurants has inspired an annual December ritual for so many of our guests. The holidays are all about the celebration of family, friends and especially FOOD! What do you serve for holiday dinner? is always an interesting question to ask, and for me the answer is incredibly delicious LAMB. My Grandma Ruth passed down the roasted lamb with savory mint sauce tradition, and somehow that yummy goodness just has to go on.